MACFIE, J PTE OHN MACKENZIE Regimental # 658027
John MacKenzie Macfie was born May 17, 1897 at Sunny Slope, the son of Frank ‘F.N.’ and Mary (Millin) Macfie.
John enlisted May 31, 1916 in Parry Sound, initially as part of the 162nd Canadian Infantry Battalion.
He was drafted to 1st. Battalion as a sniper and was killed in action at Fresnoy-en-Gohelle on May 3, 1917, no known grave.
John arrived in England on November 11, 1916 on the SS Caronia, where on December 5 he was taken on Strength to the 35th Battalion. On April 21, 1917 he was transferred to the 1st Battalion.
John Mckenize Macfie’s story is presented in his nephew John A. Macfie’s book ‘Letters Home’ (pages xvii and xviii). Arthur was assigned to the 1st Battalion. In a cleanup excursions following the capture of Vimy Ridge On May 3 he was reported missing. John was killed near the village of Fresnoy -en-Gohelle.
The Vimy Foundation notes in regards to the Battle of Fresnoy, 3-8 May, 1917 that: The village of Fresnoy-en-Gohelle was the next objective of the Canadian Corps after their victory at Arleux in April. Fresnoy was the retreating point for the German forces from the village of Arleux-en-Gohelle, and an important part of the Oppy-Méricourt Line, one of Haig’s objectives for what was known to the British as the Third Battle of the Scarpe, or the Battle of Bullecourt. Like Arleux, Fresnoy was heavily fortified, and the area for manoeuvring very small. Haig decided that all operations along the line would take place at night, which worked to the advantage of the Canadians since they had a very small advance area. The plan of attack at Fresnoy was very similar to Arleux, with practice runs beforehand and extended slit trenches dug into No Mans Land to allow for a quicker advance into the village. The 1st and 6th Brigades went over the top on 3 May at 3:45 AM under cover of darkness.
Fresnoy was taken within several hours, but the Canadian brigades were now in the typical problem facing armies on the Western Front – holding their position. Counter attacks began almost immediately and the village was shelled for the next seven days, absorbing some 100 000 German artillery and gas shells. For the soldiers of the 1st and 6th Brigades in the village, the time between 3 May and the final German counter-attack on 8 May must have seemed endless.
