The 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA perpetuates the following sub units:
31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 58th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 68th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force, and the 85th Battery, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. One hundred years ago, on 9 April 1917 the batteries disposition was as follows: 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery was a sub-unit of the 8th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Division. The Brigade war diary records: Berthonval Farm 6.10 p.m. F.O.O. 38th Battery reports enemy infantry concentrated PETITVIMY. 3 Companies observed marching overland in this vicinity. Movement also observed on the Ridge. 5.40 p.m. F.O.O. 38th Battery, reports 500 of the enemy marching overland towards VIMY now in the vicinity of T.24.a. 5.55 p.m. Advanced C.D.A. report numbers of enemy coming down the long railway from AVION toward VIMY. 9.55 p.m. 31st Battery report that they are in good communication with their forward station near SPANDAU HAUS. 58th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of the 14th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 5th Canadian Division. The Division was training in England and the Brigade war diary records: WITLEY - SIR R.L. BORDEN visited and inspected the Camp at 10.30 A.M. This BDE were(?) at BATT GUN DRILL in GUN PARK. The five SGT.’S-MAJ were confirmed in their ranks in today’s orders, the appointments dating back some considerable time. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force war diary records: Mt St Eloy - A continuous bombardment was kept up all day on Hostile Batteries T64 at T26a 80.70, T65 at T20c 10.28, T59 at T19b 75.80, and T52 at T13b 45.00. 406 Rounds being expended on these Batteries. There were also a good many special targets which claimed our attention during the day, A large body of troops were seen massing in S24d, we immediately switched and fired 50 Rounds into them, and succeeded in dispersing them. A H.V. Gun in T20c 10.80 gave a lot of trouble during the day and we were ordered to silence it, which we succeeded in doing after 50 Rounds. Six other Hostile batteries which gave a considerable amount of trouble also claimed our attention, some being effectively silenced and others being compelled to reduce their fire, These batteries were S53 at T14a 08¼70, S54 at S18b 00.10, S55 at S18b 45.85, S62 at S24b 12.85, T50 at T13a 14.55 and S26a S12d 48.15. We then turned our attention on Banff Trench and fired 50 Rounds into the trench from S22b 20.75 to S16c 9.1, immediately switching to Hostile Battery T50 at T13a 14.55 and firing 35 Rounds into it. A Plane then registered us on Hostile Battery T65 at T20c 10.28 after giving us three observation, which were very good, plane gave C I and 16 Rounds were then fired without observation. Another plane then called up and directed our fire on H.B. T65 with better results, several O.K’s and Y ½ and Z’s being obtained. The Battery was effectively silenced. Plane then directed our fire on junction Banff and Bean Trenches at S16c 50.50. Out of 20 Rds fired on this point there were 18 O.K’s the remaining two being an A and B. From 6.15 p.m. to 9.p.m 207 Rounds were fired into Beano and Cyclist Trench after which we switched to Houses and Trenches in eastern half of Sr4d. During the night we kept up a continuous fire at slow rate on S10d 9.4., S17c 7.7 and S18a 1.2. 68th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force was not authorized to be formed until 3 August 1918. 85th Battery, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force was not authorized to be formed until 12 July 1918. Lieutenant Laurence Henderson Gass enrolled in Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 15 Mar 1916 as a Lieutenant, having previous experience with the Montreal Heavy Brigade. He was employed as a Forward Observation Officer with 5th Siege Battery, Canadian Garrison Artillery (one of the batteries perpetuated by 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA) and died of wounds received at Vimy Ridge on 8 Apr 1917. He rests in Barlin Communal Cemetery, France.
The Vancouver Artillery Association is pleased to announce that it has been selected as a recipient of a $75,000.00 grant from the British Columbia | Canada 150: Celebrating B.C. Communities and Their Contributions to Canada fund. This funding is intended for the advancement of the Yorke Island Conservancy, a Second World War coastal artillery site off Sayward, British Columbia that was manned by members of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade, RCA.
The project under this funding will deliver heritage conservation planning, interpretation and rehabilitation for Yorke Island Conservancy. The scope of work includes implementation of heritage conservation measures, encompassing emergency stabilization and improved public access and public safety. The work at Yorke Island is purposefully designed to demonstrate a working model for the collaborative management of heritage assets and cultural landscapes managed by BC Parks throughout the province. The project has two primary deliverables: first, the implementation of urgently required conservation and interpretation at Yorke Island; and the second, the development of a BC Parks Heritage Legacy Handbook, that can be used at provincial and national level to guide best practices in the management of heritage assets in parks. “This project is an important milestone in the preservation of Yorke Island for future generations. The 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA was our regiment’s contribution to the Second World War. The defence of Vancouver from a hostile enemy was due to the diligence of the soldiers stationed at the forts at Yorke Island, Stanley Park and Point Grey. Many of those soldiers went on to serve in the Italian and European theatres after the threat to Vancouver diminished. Many did not return.” – Lieutenant-Colonel Brent Purcell, Commanding Officer, 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA “The 15th Field Artillery Regimental Society is honoured to be a part of the process of not only supporting the Regiment as it connects with its history and with the communities that it served in; but also working with BC Parks in the development of a Heritage Legacy Handbook for use throughout the province of British Columbia. A true legacy!” – Al DeGenova, Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel, 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA The Vancouver Artillery Association is looking forward to working with BC Parks, BC Heritage Branch and other local community groups in moving the project forward. Updates will be provided as the project develops over the upcoming year. Additional background information can be obtained by viewing our website at www.vancouvergunners.ca or contacting the Vancouver Artillery Association President, Leon Jensen at [email protected]. Would you like to be part of the team? Additional donations to the Yorke Island Fund can be made through our website at http://www.vancouvergunners.ca/quartermaster-stores.html. The 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA perpetuates the following sub units:
31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 58th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 68th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force, and the 85th Battery, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. One hundred years ago, on 8 April 1917 the batteries disposition was as follows: 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery was a sub-unit of the 8th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Division. The Brigade war diary records: Enemy artillery unusually active to-day. NEUVILLE ST. VAAST was heavily shelled with all calibres. One of our scout machines brought down to-day behind the German Lines. 58th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of the 14th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 5th Canadian Division. The Division was training in England and the Brigade war diary records: WITLEY - EASTER SUNDAY. A good fair day. Church services well attended.. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force war diary records: Mt St Eloy - From Noon to 4 p.m fired 150 Rounds on Hostile Battery S56 at S18d 95.80 by aeroplane observation, plane gave very good registration mostly Azs, Y’s and Z’s and after the 77th Round gave C I. We finished the shoot without observation. A machine gun emplacement at Tva between craters S15d 25.60. This shoot was carried out with indirect observation but satisfactory results. During the afternoon we undertook a shoot on Hostile Battery S56 at S18d 95.80 by aeroplane observation, Plane gave C I on account of heavy mist and shoot was discontinued. We the received a telephone message to open fire on hostile battery T59 at T19b 75.80 which was done without observation. During the night we fired 50 Rounds on area of 100 yards radius around S11c 1.6 68th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force was not authorized to be formed until 3 August 1918. 85th Battery, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force was not authorized to be formed until 12 July 1918. The 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA perpetuates the following sub units:
31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 58th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 68th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force, and the 85th Battery, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. One hundred years ago, on 7 April 1917 the batteries disposition was as follows: 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery was a sub-unit of the 8th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Division. The Brigade war diary records: Enemy aeroplanes very active throughout the day; one of them brought down one of our observation balloons, but occupants escaped by means of parachutes. The enemy put a large number of Lethal and Lachamatary shells in the neighbourhood of our Headquarters to-night. 58th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of the 14th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 5th Canadian Division. The Division was training in England and the Brigade war diary records: WITLEY - C.O’s inspection. Huts and lines generally in good shape. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force war diary records: Mt St Eloy - During the morning fired 30 Rounds on GIVENCHY and also took part in a concentration shoot on Thelus, portion A12a 3.3¼ to 1½.4½ to 7.9 to 3¾.3½ 68th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force was not authorized to be formed until 3 August 1918. 85th Battery, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force was not authorized to be formed until 12 July 1918. The 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA perpetuates the following sub units:
31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 58th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 68th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force, and the 85th Battery, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. One hundred years ago, on 6 April 1917 the batteries disposition was as follows: 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery was a sub-unit of the 8th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Division. The Brigade war diary records: Another rehearsal of our barrage for the VIMY RIDGE attack was put on this afternoon. All necessary adjustment between flanks of both Groups and battery barrages have now been made and the barrage is well placed and should be very successful. The enemy lightly retaliated while our barrage was in progress but ceased as soon as our barrage was over. 58th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of the 14th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 5th Canadian Division. The Division was training in England and the Brigade war diary records: WITLEY - Fine spring day. Training in GUN PARK. Afternoon free. (?) allowed away on leave from yesterday afternoon to SUNDAY MIDNIGHT. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force war diary records: Mt St Eloy - During the morning we carried out a destructive shoot on Hostile Battery S53 at S18d 15.85 by aeroplane observation. Plane only stayed long enough to get us registered and then gave C I, so shoot was continued without observation, 200 Rounds being fired. We then checked error of day by firing 15 Rounds at Thelum Mill and then switched to a Machine gun emplacement at S15d 9.1, fired 65 Rounds observed by F.O.O. with very good results, no direct hits were observed but quantities of material were thrown up and emplacement considerably damaged. 68th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force was not authorized to be formed until 3 August 1918. 85th Battery, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force was not authorized to be formed until 12 July 1918. General Sir Charles Falkland Loewen added to the Regimental nominal roll. General Loewen was a member of both 68 Depot Battery and 68 Battery North Russia Expeditionary Force for a short period of time. From there he went on to enlist in the British Royal Field Artillery and rose in the ranks to retire as a General, Adjutant General of the British Forces. Retiring in Vancouver, he donated the large Bengal Tiger fur (since stolen) to the Officers' Mess and an insidious Mess Dinner balancing game. read his more complete bio in the nominal roll.
A former member of our Regimental Band, Ben Van Slyke, is doing well as a Regular Force member of the Royal Canadian Artillery Band.
The 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA perpetuates the following sub units:
31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 58th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 5th Canadian, Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 68th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force, and the 85th Battery, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. One hundred years ago, on 5 April 1917 the batteries disposition was as follows: 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery was a sub-unit of the 8th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Division. The Brigade war diary records: The raid carried out by the 52nd Battalion on our front at 4 a.m. this morning was quite successful. The Infantry remained in the enemy trenches for 10 minutes and withdrew without casualties. The Raiding Party succeeded in capturing one prisoner. Our support was reported as excellent. A letter of thanks from Lieut. Col. W.B. Evans is Comdg 52nd Canadian Battalion, has been received, as is attached hereto. O.O. 59 issued to-day gives the following information: On Z Day the Canadian Corps will attack and capture VIMY RIDGE. The details of the Artillery support are to be issued later. In the meantime we are to devote ourselves to thoroughly cutting the enemy wire defences and by day and by night we are to keep under fire points engaged by the Heavy Artillery during the day in order to prevent repairs. O.O. 60 was issued to-night. The 43rd Canadian Battalion carried out three simultaneous raids. Two of them were quite successful by the Left Flank party were badly cut up. Our support for the right flank was reported as very satisfactory. 58th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of the 14th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 5th Canadian Division. The Division was training in England and the Brigade war diary records: WITLEY - Sections training in the field. Late passes. Midnight for Sergeants and 11 pm for other Ranks. Gas training is progressing. No lectures for Limber Gunners as ST. SGT FAWCETT is sick with eczema. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force war diary records: Mt St Eloy - During the morning we fired on Vimy, portion north of road in S24d 1.0 tp T19c 8 ½.9 and east of line tarouga T19c 0.0 to S24b 7.0. From 1.p.m. to 1.50 p.m. we fired 100 Rounds on enemy Headquarters at S15a 60.30 obtaining 3 direct hits and destroying the entire place. We then switched to a Machine Gun Emplacement in S15a 52.38, firing 5o Rounds with very good results, we obtained several direct hits and a great deal of material was thrown up. At 3.25 p.m. we fired 50 Rounds on a Trench Mortar and emplacement in S22a 25.30. This was done by double line observation and considered a very good shoot. The emplacement was very badly damaged and a quantity of material destroyed and thrown up. We then received instructions to switch to another Trench mortar which had been giving considerable trouble, but by this time the light was fading and observation getting more difficult, however 50 Rounds were fired with good results and the emplacement was considerably damaged. From 4.p.m. to 6.p.m. we fired 30 Rounds on THELUS portion between line through A12a 80 and A12b 2.7 and road from cemetery running S.W. through village. This was done without observation. 68th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force was not authorized to be formed until 3 August 1918. 85th Battery, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force was not authorized to be formed until 12 July 1918. |
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