Another recipient of the Military Medal has been found in the archives. Bombardier Harold James Leslie, MM was a member of 3rd Brigade Canadian Garrison Artillery when awarded the Military Medal. Bombardier Leslie had been an original member of the No 5. Canadian Siege Battery when formed in Prince Edward Island in 1916. There were no details recorded on his citation card. other than the award date of 28 Sep 1917.
A few pictures of Archangel 2017 have been posted in the 2017 Yearbook. Does anyone have a good story to go with them? Are there any more pictures out there that you would like to share?
One hundred years ago on 8 May 1917
31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force had recently become a sub-unit of the 9th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Division. The 9th Brigade war diary records: Visibility fair. Enemy Artillery heavily shot our Front Line between 4 and 5 P.M. today in front of LA COULETTE. 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 – Batteries trained independently. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force war diary records: SOUCHEZ – H.Q. C.C.H.A. G.10/30 O.C. 30th H.A.G. O.C. 1st C.W.A.G For Information Please convey to Capt L.C. Ord, who detected the concentration and whose prompt action was instrumental in obtaining such satisfactory results, as also to the Officers N.C.O’s and Men of the 5th Canadian Siege Battery for their excellent shooting my hearty congratulations and best thanks. (Sgd) T.J. Chapman Lt Col, R.G.A. Commanding 57th H.A.G. (No. 4 Double Group) During the day 110 Rounds were fired on trench at T1a 7.6 to 9 ½.5, F.O.O. reported several rounds in trench, visibility was very poor. 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, was not authorized to be formed until 3 August 1918, and 85th Battery, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force was not authorized to be formed until 12 July 1918. The Battery Sergeant Major for No.5 Siege Battery, Canadian Garrison Artillery was awarded the Distinguished Conduct medal for his actions during a gas attack on 27 March 1918. Check out his citation card on the new DCM page.
The K's have been updated with the addition of the following names:
Kaounas, Evangelos; Karimi, Mohamed-Mehdi; Keeping, Ewart Allan; Kennedy, Nicholas Martin; Kenny, Gregory Allan; Keoughan, Julian; Kim, Hyung Daniel; Kirchoffer, Richard Aaron; Klassen, Suzzanne Marie; Knopp, Gustav Charles; Kolesnykor, Vladyslar; Krahn, Christopher Taiho; Kroeker, Loren Dale; Kung, Him Fong (John); Kuzyk, Matthew Gary William; Kwai, Abraham Gock; Kwan, Keon Joe There have also been numerous updates of existing names. Is your info up to date? Have you got a picture that I could include? Check out these latest photos. Do you recognize anyone? They're not all K's. Tom McLaughlin from Alberta just found the nominal roll on our website and has provided me a picture of his time in the Regiment. Does your nominal roll entry have your picture? If not, you can send me one at [email protected] and I'll upload it ASAP.
One of our former Commanding Officers, Lieutenant Colonel Gary Bailey has scanned his copy of the programme for the Canadian International Tattoo of 1972.
The event featured a troupe from the Fijian Army, the Band of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA and the Pipes and Drums from both the Canadian Scottish Regiment and the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. Does anyone have some photographs of the actual event? One hundred years ago on 7 May 1917 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of the 8th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Division. It is in the process of being transferred to the 9th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade. The 8th Brigade war diary records: In the Field. VIMY & LA CHAUDIERE 36.c.S.W.3 Ed. 8A. 1/10,000. Headquarters and 30th Battery under tactical command of 10th Brigade, CFA. 32nd and 43rd Batteries under Tactical Command of 9th Brigade C.F.A. The 9th Brigade war diary records the following: Visibility fair. Aircraft activity on both sides but on the whole has been a very quiet day. By an order issued today the 9th Brigade will be re-organized as follows: The 32nd Battery will be transferred intact to Goodeve’s Group (8th Brigade, C.F.A.) and we will receive in its place the 31st Battery, formerly belonging to the 8th Brigade, C.F.A. 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 – Yesterday the 60th beat the 66th at baseball by 8-7. Four men to CROWBORO for SIG. COURSE. GR HERSCOVITCH to SHORNCLIFFE for P.T. and boxing. Ammunition is all being piled in a large marquise to enable the wagons to travel light. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force war diary records: SOUCHEZ – At 10.45 a.m. we started shoot on trench in N31c 10 to T1a 6.6 ½ , F.O.O. observation, shoot was very satisfactory, many O.K.s reported in trench. At 3.15 p.m. commenced shoot M 31 a and b. Capt L.C. Ord was the observing officer and noticed Hostile troops preparing for an attack upon our positions. We immediately ordered guns to be switched and 80 Rounds were fired into the massing troops. This Battery received the credit for breaking up first wave of the attack, the following letter being received from Major General Commanding 4th Canadian Division. Canadian Corps 4th Division, No 4 Double Group The enemy attempted to attack on 19th Canadian Infantry Brigade front from two directions yesterday the 7th May. The first report of any attack came from No 4 Double Group Heavy Artillery, who reported that about 3.p.m. the Germans about a Battalion in strength were forming on the LENS-ARRAS Road east of the Brewery, and that they appeared to be coming from ELEU-DIT-LEAVETTE. (Left attack) A 9.2” engaged with them and dispersed them up to the road and back towards AVION, some however getting close in to the Railway Embankment south of the Brewery. A Brigade of Field Artillery was then put on to this area and remained firing for some hours. Isolated parties of the enemy were still trying to hide along the LENS-ARRAS Road and being shelled from cover to cover. About two strong platoons advanced against the right Battalion (44th) of the 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade. The rear lines being caught in the 18 pdr barrage and wiped out. The front lines were dispersed or wiped out by M.G. or Rifle fire never getting closer than 150 yards. About 3.30.p.m. bodies of the enemy evidently from a separate unit debouched from ELEU-DIT-LEAUVETTE moving over the open towards the ELECTRIC POWER STATION, with their right on the SOUCHEZ RIVER. These bodies were caught by our 18 pdr barrage and that of the 46 Div. Some of them reached the nest of trenches round the power station. A portion of the enemy attempted to advance against the Left Battalion from CALLOUS TRENCH but were driven back or wiped out before reachingour posts or the road running from the SOUCHEZ RIVER at M30d 2.3 to M30b 0.5. The enemy were seen in confusion in the nest of trenches round the power station which area was well treated by the 4.5” Hows and covered with a barrage to the east by the 46th Division which caught isolated parties retreating over the open. Up to 7.pm. bodies of the enemy were seen running about in this area trying to get away from the shelling. The enemy losses were very heavy. The co-operation of the 46th Divisional Artillery and No 4 Heavy Group was most efficient. The enemy’s left attack was certainly broken up by the prompt action of the 9.2” Battery firing at the Brewery. Sgd E. Ironside, Lieut-Col. For Major General Commanding 4th Canadian Division 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, was not authorized to be formed until 3 August 1918, and 85th Battery, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force was not authorized to be formed until 12 July 1918. 9-2-inch Howitzer Canadian-Gunners Sep-1917 MIKAN No 3194249
In the Vancouver Gunners website we are currently trying to capture all the members that have served in 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA, all the members that have served in Regiments that have been absorbed by 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA and all the members that have served in the units that 15th Field Artillery Regiment perpetuates.
We have no idea how large that number is but some estimates place it around 10,000 people. What do you think? We currently have 3,172 listed. We've also given some additional space to those that have been Commanding Officers, Regimental Sergeant's Major and Honoraries. There is another group that have left lasting legacies during their time in the Regiment and we've started a page for them. The first member of the notable character page is Captain Ted Hoskinson for his many paintings throughout the Armoury. Check out the page and let me know if you have additional information that should be included. The J's have been updated with the addition of the following names: Jay, Lawrence Hon-Ben; Jenkins, Arthur Emerson; Johnson, Andrew Paul; Johnson, Willard Richard; Johnston, Hilbert; Johnston, Perry Kenneth
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