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Biography
John Angus MacPherson was born March 29, 1882 to John B. MacPherson and Catherine MacFarlane in Lower Springfield, Antigonish County. Prior to enlistment, MacPherson worked as an electrician and linesman in Dawson, Yukon.
MacPherson enlisted in the 231st Overseas Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force on July 1, 1916 in Sidney, British Columbia. He was then transferred to the 238th Battalion on August 19, 1916, then to the Royal Canadian Engineers. MacPherson arrived in England on December 23, 1916 and was sent to the Canadian Engineers Training Depot in Crowborough on December 29, 1916. MacPherson was then transferred to the 14th Field Company with the 5th Engineering Division in Witley on April 24, 1917.
MacPherson died from an explosion on August 16, 1917. His Death Report states that on August 16, MacPherson, two non-commisioned officers and a sapper were walking to the 14th Canadian Infantry Brigade Training Area, Thursley Common. They were walking across a field where land mines were buried when one exploded and severely injured MacPherson. He was pronounced dead at in the Candian Military Hospital in Bramshott, where he died five minutes after admission. These landmines in the field were detinated by lighting the fuse. The report concluded “It is therefore considered possible that the fuse was lit by a spark from Sapper MacPherson’s pipe which he had beens smoking prior to the accident.” His death was ruled accidental.
MacPherson is buried in Milford Cemetery, Witley, Surrey, England.
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