One hundred years ago on 3 June 1917
31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of the 9th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Division. The 9th Brigade war diary records: Visibility fair. The Division on our Left attacked at 12 Midnight, last night, and our barrage was reported as good. Heavy resistance was met with and final objective was not gained. As soon as our barrage opened, enemy laid down a counter-barrage on our Group Front and it was some minutes before he realized his error and switched over to our Left. During today enemy artillery has been sub-normally quiet. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: Fort George – The 3rd. Canadian Divisional Artillery Co-operated with the 44th and 50th Battalions 40th Canadian Division in their attack on LA COULOTTE BREWERY and trenches in the vicinity. O.O.93 The barrage was good and objectives were reached, but later it was found impossible to stay in the positions on account of enemy shelling. Visibility good. Areoplanes active on both sides. Artillery active on both sides but enemy guns seem to be well back. Ammunition Expended. A.3649 AX 261. BX1414. Guns in Action. 67-18.pdrs. 16-4.5” Hows. 2” T.M2 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records: Fired a few rounds on Houses in N31b1½.2. Opening rounds were observed by F.O.O. Concentration sheet. During afternoon fired a few rounds on Fesse 3 at M30b, also on houses in N31b1½.2, and Trenches and Cross Roads in ELEU DIT LEAUVETTE. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Wire cutting and trench junction destruction. Carried out tasks in support of 10th. Cdn. Inf. Bde. Operation which was successful. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field – Weather, fine and warm. Nothing to report. The 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA perpetuates the following sub units: 31st 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 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA supported the first Vancouver Ride to Live in 2010 with one blank round to start the event and has been there ever since. The recent photos from the 2017 ride lead us to search the web for the other years and those photos have now been placed on the relevant yearbooks. Take a look and see if I've managed to capture your name properly. If not, drop me an email and I'll correct it as soon as possible!
Added a couple of videos taken by Bombardier Steve Hilbich from the Ride to Live event in the 2017 Yearbook One hundred years ago on 2 June 1917
31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of the 9th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Division. The 9th Brigade war diary records: Visibility good. At 4.05 a.m. enemy barraged our line in T.2.c and d. We immediately retaliated and silenced him. Artillery activity on both sides normal today. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: Fort George – Visibility good. Our heavies commenced cutting wire on enemy trenches in front and to the right of LA COULOTTE. Aeroplanes on both sides were very active and much movement was observed in enemies back country. Ammunition Expended A.648. AX.504. BX 295. BCBR 39. Guns in Action 67.18.pdrs. 16 4.5” Hows. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force in the 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Fired a few rounds on Junction railway Embankment and Road at XXXXXXXX N31e95.00 also on Brewery at N31a95.15. Ground observation. F.O.O. reported 9 O.Ks. on Brewery and one round caused small fire. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Sergt. S. Vokes, 3rd. Canadian Siege Battery and Bdr. Bourke, 3rd Canadian Siege Battery presented with Military Medal by G.O.C. C.C.H.A. for gallantry. Harrassing fire programme carried out on NOYELLES, KLEU-DIT-LEAUVETTE and enemy back areas. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field – Weather, mainly fair. Operation by 4th Canadian Division against ELECTRIC GENERATING STATION. Artillery Order No. 30 issued. The 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA perpetuates the following sub units: 31st 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. Sergeant Edward Arlett Dickie, MM was a member of 5th Canadian Siege Battery when awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the Field. The citation card carries no details but the event was recorded in the War Diary of the First Heavy Brigade and on his personnel records
One hundred years ago on 1 June 1917
31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of the 9th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Division. The 9th Brigade war diary records: Visibility: Misty in the morning but improved and was fairly good in afternoon. Enemy planes very active throughout day – a number crossed our lines. One of our machines was brought down in vicinity of LA CHAUDIERE. Our Artillery was engaged in registration and trench demolition throughout the day. Enemy Artillery was unusually active, paying particular attention to our Front Line and Support Trenches. O.O. No. 80 issued today. We are to take part in a Barrage, to cover an attack, to be made by the Division on our Left. Zero Hour will be 12 Midnight, night of June 2nd/3rd. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force war diary records: Nothing to report. The 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA perpetuates the following sub units: 31st 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. |
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