One hundred years ago on 7 July 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: A considerable amount of Counter-Battery work and harassing fire was done during the day and night apparently in imitation of our methods . O.O.No.95 was issued today providing for a slight change of zone consequent to a redistribution of the Artillery on the Corps front. The 31st and 36th Batteries sent up a section to their new positions in the evening. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: CHATEAU DE LA HAIE – Weather was misty, interfering with observation. Aeroplanes were fairly active on both sides, but no balloons were observed. Enemy did scattered shelling on back areas during day. Our artillery normal. Ammunition Expended. A:499. AX 887 BX 2455. Guns in Action. 132. 18.pdrs. 37. 4.5”Hows. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records: This afternoon we carried out a satisfactory shoot on Hostile Bty NX49 at N5c52.44 with aeroplane observation expending 113 rounds. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – No.141 S.B.RGA., and 166th.SB. RGA. Entered Group pending orders for moving to another area. Counter Battery and Trench program carried out as attached. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - WEATHER:- Fine – bright sun. Artillery Units: Remaining Echelons of following Artillery Units left Canadian Corps:- 35th H.A.G., 49th Siege Bty., 27th Siege Bty., 101st S. Bty., 73rd Siege Bty. 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. Open Letter from Senior Serving Gunner -
Major General Simon Hetherington OMM MSC CD Check out the 2017 yearbook for the pdf copy of the letter. One hundred years ago on 6 July 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: A considerable amount of Counter-Battery work and harassing fire was done during the day and night apparently in imitation of our methods. O.O.No.95 was issued today providing for a slight change of zone consequent to a redistribution of the Artillery on the Corps front. The 31st and 36th Batteries sent up a section to their new positions in the evening. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: CHATEAU DE LA HAIE – Hot weather interfered with visibility during the day. Enemy aeroplanes were over our lines, and seemed to be interested in AVION and our defences there. Enemy artillery were very active during the whole day on our Batteries, and during the night carried out a harassing programme on our lines of communication. Redistribution of zones pending withdrawal of Reserve Divisional Artillery and attached Brigades was made. See O.O.115. Ammunition Expended. A:2476. AX 1210 BX 1420. BCBR.170. Guns in Action. 89. 18.pdrs. 26. 4.5”Hows. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records: During the morning we fired 64 rounds on Hostile Battery NX49 at N5c52.44. We obtained 1Ok but the shoot had to be discontinued owing to hostile shelling. During the evening the position was straffed with 5.9 HE and 4.2 gas Shells. The undermentioned were gassed. 1204 Amt. S. Sgt. Smith, F.C. 302914 Gnr. Smith, C.A. 303476 Gnr. Gillen, W.J. 303425 Gnr. Davis, F.H. 314723 Gnr. Lajoie, W. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Hostile artillery and aircraft very active. Angres and Lievin and road over norther part of Vimy Ridge heavily shelled. 176th. Siege Battery. RGA., (9.2” How) and 260 Siege Battery, RGA., (6”26cwt How.) entered Group. O.C’s Major C. Stuart King and Major J.W. Tompins, repectively. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - 6 Jul 1917 – WEATHER: Fair & bright – warmer. 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. A big thanks to Al Yelland who passed on the names of the pallbearers at Mac Mackenzie's funeral in 1965.
He was also kind enough to let me know that I had mislabeled pictures of Eric Tyldelsley-Gore in 1966. This could be a lesson for the rest of us. Why not try out the website search function on your own name! That way you can let me know if I've got the information correct! One hundred years ago on 5 July 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: Our Battery positions in VIMY received a severe shelling today, as well as points in T.19.a. and T.13.c. Little damage was done. An abnormal amount of train movement was reported by F.O.O’s behind LENS and SALLAUMINES. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: Fort George – Weather misty, making visibility poor, becoming fair in late afternoon. Enemy artillery was very active and was replied to by our heavies. A great deal of enemy movement was observed in the afternoon when the mist lifted, especially trains. Ammunition Expended. A:1658. AX 848 BX 737. BCBR.27. Guns in Action. 138. 18.pdrs. 37. 4.5”Hows. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records: During the day we fired a few rounds for registration. In the evening we carried out a very successful shoot on Hostile Battery NI41 at N16d84.30. We obtained 6 Oks. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Quiet during this period, poor visibility hampering pre-arranged shoots. 46 men from batteries of Group proceeded to CCHA Rest Camp DIVION on 4th. Inst. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - WEATHER: Cool & Cloudy, slight drizzle with gradual general improvement. R.M.A.Hows.Nos. XI & XII left First Army Area on night 4th/5th July. 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. One hundred years ago on 4 July 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: Enemy Artillery was practically silent during the day but carried out the usual night firing, including a certain amount of gas shell. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: Fort George – Headquarters 3rd. C.D.A. was moved from FORT GEORGE to CHATEAU DE LA HAIE at 11 A.M. July 4th 1917. O.O. 114. Visibility was very bad and aerial activity was practically nil. Enemy artillery was very quiet. Ammunition Expended. A:984. AX1013 BX 470. BCBR.60. Guns in Action. 130. 18.pdrs. 37. 4.5”Hows. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records: To-day was very quiet. Only fired 50 rounds on Trenches in M33b and M27d. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Quiet during this period, poor visibility hampering pre-arranged shoots. 46 men from batteries of Group proceeded to CCHA Rest Camp DIVION on 4th. Inst. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - WEATHER: Cool & dull with occasional rain & drizzle. On completion of relief of 46th D.A. by 2nd C.D.A. on new front, the following artillery is transferred in situ from I Corps to Canadian Corps :- (a) 46th D.A. (temporarily). 14th Army Bde., R.F.A. (b) 15th and 63rd H.A.G. Headquarters. 136th Heavy Battery (60-pdrs.) 38th, 342nd, 346th, Siege Batteries, (6” Hows.) 70th & 169th Siege Batteries, (8” “ ) 79th Siege Battery, (9.2” How) 60th “ “ (6” Mk. VII Gun) , (1Section). 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 Doug Loney passed on a few photos from recent events involving our 25 pounder. These included Legion Week in Cloverdale and the Defence Policy Review in Langley. Both of these events were in 2016. In addition we had the Chinatown Museum display in 2015.
Would you like to join the Association? $25.00 buys you a membership that helps support this website and pays for gas in the Field Artillery Tractor. You can pay by cheque mailed to the Armoury or by interac payment. Check out the Quartermaster Stores page for details. One hundred years ago on 3 July 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: Day quiet – several working parties were engaged effectively by the 18-pdrs. Today the 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 36th and 43rd Batteries reconnoitred and commenced work on new positions to be taken up in T 13.b and d. and S.18.Central. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: Fort George – Visibility fairly good. Enemy aeroplane active and his artillery unusually quiet. Our artillery carried out its usual tasks successfully, engaging several working parties seen behind his lines. Ammunition Expended. A:1366. AX 593 BX 513. BCBR. 145. Guns in Action. 135. 18.pdrs. 37. 4.5”Hows. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records: From 6.30pm to 11pm we engaged Hostile Battery NZ83 at M28b40.05 obtaining 2oks. The shoot was very satisfactory. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Quiet during this period, poor visibility hampering pre-arranged shoots. 46 men from batteries of Group proceeded to CCHA Rest Camp DIVION on 4th. Inst. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - WEATHER: Fair, bright & warm – tendency to thunderstorms later. 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. Canada Day 2017
Check out the pictures and the video that's been posted in the 2017 Yearbook. Large crowd, great weather, beautiful view, a whiff of powder and a great burger and beer at the Armoury afterwards. What more would a person want? Came across another recipient of the Military Medal!
Corporal Edward Savage, MM was a member of 31st Battery, 8th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery on 13 July 1917 when he was awarded the Military Medal for his performance at Vimy Ridge. His citation reads: For conspicuous gallantry and great courage to duty at VIMY on the night of April 19th 1917, when in charge of pack horses taking up ammunition. The party came under heavy shell fire and was warned that the road was blocked with horses and wagons. Largely owing to this N.C.O's example of courage and fine leadership and the confidence he inspired the party pushed on till it reached the block in the road and came under further heavy and constant shell fire. Bdr. SAVAGE at once went on alone, found a route through the block and the barrage and guided the pack train safely through. returning from the guns he found the battery rations beside the road, derelict. Under constant shell fire he loaded them on the pack horses, and in two trips delivered the whole to the battery. A few days later he was in a dug-out when nine men were killed and wounded. Though particularly stunned he applied first aid, reported the casualties to his Officer and went into action with his gun. His No.1 and several gunners were casualties, but he took charge, and kept the gun in action throughout. During the whole period from April 9th whether at the guns or in charge of pack horses, he has on several occasions by his judgement, example, courage and devotion to duty undoubtedly saved the lives of many men and horses. Lest we forget! |
Archives
June 2024
|