Eli Mercer

Rank: 
Sergeant
Regimental number: 
406014
Unit at enlistment: 
36th Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
Yes
Cemetery: 
Mount Hope Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario
Commemorated at: 
Holy Trinity Anglican Church
Birth country: 
England
Birth county: 
Lancashire
Birth city: 
Manchester
Address at enlistment: 
18 Rose Avenue, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
18 Rose Avenue, Brantford, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Machinist
Employer: 
Massey-Harris Co.
Religious denominations: 
Church of England
Marital status: 
Married
Age at enlistment: 
27

Letters and documents

BX November 13, 1915

Corp. Mercer in Hospital

That her husband, Corporal Eli Mercer of the 4th Battalion formerly of the 36th Regiment had been admitted to the No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance on Oct. 24 with a sprained back, was the substance of a telegram received at 8.15 this morning by Mrs. E. Mercer of 18 Rose Avenue. Further particulars were promised as soon as available.

Corporal Mercer, who is very well known here, having been employed in the Massey-Harris machine shop, and for his football doings. For three years he was captain of the Dufferin Rifles football team. Corp. Mercer left here with Col. Ashton of the 36th Battalion in April last. In June he left Niagara for overseas service being transferred to the 4th Battalion.

BX October 30, 1917
 
Veterans Return

A number of Brantford and district men are included in a large number who arrived at Quebec yesterday afternoon. Three ships reached Quebec yesterday with some 2,200 men invalided home or on furlough. The Brantford invalided men invalided home are J.A. Kerr, J.D. Rourke, G.L. Atkins, J. Johnson, W.E. Mercer and J. Harrison of Brantford are home on furlough, and it is thought they arrived back in the city last night, coming direct home.

BX October 30, 1917

Welcomed Veteran

A very pleasant evening was spent at the home of Mrs. Mercer, 18 Rose Avenue, to welcome Sergeant Eli Mercer home, after spending two years in France. Many friends assembled to welcome the hero. Songs and music were enjoyed by all, after which a very dainty supper was served. The evening was brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem.

BX March 30, 1958

Eli Mercer

Eli Mercer of 77 Sarah Street, died Saturday at the Brantford General Hospital, in his 72nd year. He was born in Manchester, England, and was a resident of Brantford for 48 years. He was a member of St. Jude’s Anglican Church and of Gore Lodge IOOF. During the war of 1914-1918, Mr. Mercer served overseas with the 36th Battalion and served in France with the Mad Fourth Battalion. He was a member of the Fourth Battalion Association and the Telephone City, Branch 90 of the Canadian Legion. Mr. Mercer was an outstanding athlete and played football in Brantford for many years. He played with the Cockshutt team and the Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles team, and was manager of the Black Cats football team for several years. Surviving besides his widow, Mary Elizabeth, is a daughter, Mrs. Ken (Marion) Beemer of Brantford, and five grandsons, William and John Beemer and Frederick, James and William Mercer, and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by two sons, Frederick, in 1925, and William who was killed in service overseas with the 12th Field Regiment in the Second World War, and by a brother, John Mercer, who died in 1955 and a sister, Mrs. Charles (Jane) Venables in 1951. Mr. Mercer is resting at Thorpe Brothers’ Funeral Home until Tuesday for service Tuesday at 1 p.m. Interment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery.

BX April 2, 1958

Eli Mercer

Many relatives and friends attended the funeral of Eli Mercer Tuesday afternoon at Thorpe Brothers’ Funeral home. Rev. R.A.E. Ruch of St. Jude’s Anglican Church officiated. Representatives of the Telephone City Branch of the Canadian Legion, the Fourth Battalion Association and members of St. Jude’s Church were in attendance. Pallbearers were Carl Power, Henry Land, Arthur Baker, Arthur Burley, Robert Charter and Leonard Lear. Interment was in Mount Hope Cemetery.