John McGunigal - Link to Bainsford

Private John McGunigal

436754 Private, ‘C’ Company 49th Battalion, 7th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division.  

Age: 34

Date of death: 1.5.16

Buried: Sanctuary Wood Cemetery Special Memorial

Family history: Son of James and Jane McGunigal, 28 Main Street, Bainsford. The Canadian records list his last name as McGonigal as does the original Grave Registration Report Form. He emigrated to Canada in 1912 and was employed by the Callander Iron Company before he emigrated. He listed his profession as Ironmoulder when he enlisted on 5 February 1915 in Edmonton and was unmarried. He listed his mother as his next of kin. He initially joined the 51st

Private John McGunigal. Authors image

Battalion and was then transferred to the 32nd Battalion on 22 September and then to the 49th Battalion on 28 September. He was at Shorncliffe Camp when he embarked for France on 9 October.   

Action leading to his death

On the 1 May 1916 the 49th Battalion was in the line occupying trench 60 to 62 in Sanctuary Wood and at 9.45am to 10.15am the Germans opened a heavy barrage on trench 60 and the support trenches. From 5pm to 5.15pm the Germans bombarded trenches 60 to 62 and the supports and when the barrage lifted at 5.15pm a party of twenty Germans attacked the Canadian line at Trench 62. They were met by heavy rifle fire, Lewis gun fire, and bombs (hand grenades). Few if any of the Germans reached the Canadian lines with two prisoners being taken, Lieutenant W Binders, who was severely wounded, and an NCO both from the Wurttemberger Regiment. The NCO subsequently died of his wounds shortly after being taken prisoner. The Canadian casualties from the days action were 11 Other Ranks killed, 41 wounded, and 2 Officers wounded.

Trench map showing trench lines at Sanctuary Wood.