A soldier with Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War, he was awarded the VC for his actions on 1 October 1918, during the Battle of the Canal du Nord.

[1] On 23 September 1914, shortly after the outbreak of the First World War, Merrifield enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), being posted to the 2nd Battalion.

[2] He fought at the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915,[1] and two years later was transferred to the CEF's 4th Battalion, part of the 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division.

[2] On 1 October 1918, along with the rest of the 1st Division, the 4th Battalion was engaged in the Battle of the Canal du Nord, advancing near Abancourt, north of Cambrai.

However, the flanking British division had failed to progress its own front, and the Canadians were exposed to machine-gun fire.

Merrifield, now a sergeant and leading a platoon, made a solo foray to deal with two machine-gun posts.

[3] The citation for his VC read as follows: For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during the attack near Abancourt on the 1st October, 1918.