| Regimental number | 4660 |
| Place of birth | Newcastle-on-Tyne, England |
| School | Royal Grammar School, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England |
| Age on arrival in Australia | 18 |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Address | Palmwoods, NC Line, Queensland |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 26 |
| Height | 6' 0" |
| Weight | 174 lbs |
| Next of kin | Aunt, Mrs A S Leslie, Benachie, River View Terrace, South Toowong, Queensland |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Brisbane, Queensland |
| Rank on enlistment | Corporal |
| Unit name | 26th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/43/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board RMS Mooltan on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 26th Battalion |
| Fate | Died of wounds |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 27 |
| Place of burial | Vignacourt British Cemetery (Plot I, Row B, Grave No. 9), France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 108 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Rev. David and Mrs Jessie MERSON. Native of Newcastle-on-Tyne |
| Family/military connections | Brother: 2784 Sergeant James Leslie MERSON, 47th Bn, killed in action, 31 August 1916; Cousins: 2320 Sergeant Arthur LESLIE, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade, killed in action, 30 September 1918; Lt Ronald Douglas LESLIE, 26th Bn, died of wounds, 5 November 1916; Captain Walter Aland LESLIE, 1st Division Artillery, died of wounds, 6 May 1915. |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Proceeded overseas to France from England, 15 September 1916; taken on strength, 26th Bn, in the field, 28 September 1916. Wounded in action, 22 March 1917 (gun shot wound, left arm); admitted to 6th Australian Field Ambulance, 23 March 1917, and transferred same day to 46th Casualty Clearing Station; to Ambulance Train, 25 March 1917, and admitted to 10th General Hospital, Rouen, 26 March 1917; transferred to England, 29 March 1917, and admitted to Kitchener War Hospital, Brighton; discharged on furlough, 3 May 1917, to report to No 4 Command Depot, Wareham, 18 May 1917. Marched out to Overseas Training Brigade, 16 August 1917. Proceeded overseas to France, 20 October 1917; rejoined 26th Bn, in the field, 28 October 1917. Wounded in action (second occasion), 16 April 1918 (shrapnel wound, chest, penetrating), admitted to 5th Australian Field Ambulance, and transferred to 20th Casualty Clearing Station. Died of wounds, 18 April 1918. Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, MERSON David |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
