One hundred years ago on 3 September 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: The visibility today was good. Five enemy balloons were observed up during the day and several enemy planes were also seen, but they did not attempt to cross our lines . Enemy artillery was very active during the night on our support trenches and in the vicinity of the Town of LOOS, shooting intermittently with bursts of fire. During the night there was considerable activity on both sides on the zones to our right and left, although our front remained normal. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: BRAQUEMONT - Visibility being good there was more aerial activity than usual. Enemy movement was observed. All day and during the night the enemy continually put up flares and in every way appeared very nervous. Ammunition expended: A584, AX615 and BX333. Guns in action: 77 - 18pdrs., 21 - 4.5" hows. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group. Their war diary records: ANGRES - During the month we were bombarded with Gas shells on several occasions also shelled 8” and 5.9” losing a quantity of ammunition. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Batteries carried out shoots on enemy wire and front line trenches during day. Several working parties were observed and fired upon with good results. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - Artillery Order, No. 73 issued. Brig.- General E.W.B. MORRISON, C.M.G., D.S.O. inspected the 1st C.D.A.C., and found the unit in good condition of efficiency. The 52nd Battalion, 9th Brigade, 4th Canadian Division carried out a raid at 12.40 am on CINNABAR and NUN'S ALLEY Trenches. CCHA Right and Left Groups, 2nd CDA, 4th CDA, and I Corps Artillery collaborated. Raid was successful, 6 prisoners of the 2nd Guards Reserve Division being captured. Posts were established in advance of our front line. Casualties slight. 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. Your website editor is finding a lot of regimental photographs with no date attached. It might be a CO's parade, a salute a gun exercise, etc. Whenever I find one I try to narrow it down by the uniform worn or a recognizable face with a rank indicated. That doesn't always lead to an easy find and I end up going from yearbook page to yearbook page trying to match the elusive clue.
In order to provide a useful guide I've taken sample photographs from each CO's parade, each salute, each gun exercise, etc. So far I've done from 1950 to 1979 and placed the links on a page called, "What year was that?" Check it out, you might find it helpful in sorting out some of your own Regimental photographs. Once you get them sorted out you can scan them and send them to me! Or put them in a shoe box and I'll scan them. P.S. - Let me know if you find any errors on the pictures and pages posted to date. More to follow as time permits. We're down in Yakima Firing Centre for MILCON 77 and of course everyone needs a cold wet beer after the exercise during the Smoker. Al Yelland has passed on a few more photos .
Thanks to Al Yelland we have a couple of new photographs from the Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Dinner in 1982. Check out the rest of the photos in the 1982 Yearbook. After all, it was only 35 years ago!
Seventy Eight years ago on 2 September 1939 From the War Diaries of 85 Heavy Battery, RCA CASF a sub-unit of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA stationed at Yorke Island, BC 2 September 1939 – York Island Work Continued. “Border Prince” called to pick up tractor. Mr. Gunner Blake returned to Vancouver. Tractor retained. The war diaries for the following Batteries of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA have yet to be located:
31st Heavy Battery stationed at Stanley Park and Narrows North 58th Heavy Battery stationed at Point Grey and Steveston. One hundred years ago on 2 September 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: The visibility today was fair. No enemy balloons were observed up today, but four enemy planes patrolled their own lines in the early morning, two of which crossed our lines and flew over our rear area for about half an hour, flying very high. Enemy movement appeared to be below normal today, but a considerable number of trains were observed in the rear area between MUERCHIN and CARVIN. Enemy artillery was below normal, except for some heavy counter battery work which they carried out in the neighborhood of the LOOS CRASSIER. Operational Order Number 105 was issued today relating to relief of the 9th Brigade, C.F.A. by the 6th Divisional Artillery, R.F.A., to take place on the night of the 4th/5th September. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: BRAQUEMONT - The enemy is doing considerable new work on his trenches. Artillery on both sides was more active than usual. Our back areas being shelled by H.V. guns. The 3rd C.D.A.C. was relieved by the 6th D.A.C., and marched to PETIT SERVINS. Ammunition expended: A171, AX207 and BX170. Guns in action: 80 - 18pdrs., 21 - 4.5" hows. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group. Their war diary records: ANGRES - Lieut. F.R. May proceeded to 11th Brigade as Liaison Officer.. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Considerable harassing fire for two days on enemy front line strong points and rear areas. On 2nd Sept. 260th Siege Battery, R.G.A., left this group, proceeding to BRUAY en route to another area. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - Situation normal. Some wire-cutting by heavy artillery and house destruction in LENS. 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. 1 September 1939 – York Island Completed carrying Gun Stores to Fort. Wire fencing transported to Fort. Weather : Cloudy The war diaries for the following Batteries of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA have yet to be located:
31st Heavy Battery stationed at Stanley Park and Narrows North 58th Heavy Battery stationed at Point Grey and Steveston. One hundred years ago on 1 September 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: 11pm The visibility today was fair. Six enemy balloons were up in the early morning as well as a great many enemy planes, but all activity ceased after 9.00 am. Several of the enemy were seen about a mile behind the front line and they were immediately fired on and dispersed. Enemy artillery was fairly quiet during the 24 hours, but as usual he did some counter-battery work. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: BRAQUEMONT - The enemy was more active than usual on counter battery work. Except for this the day was normal. Detailed Intelligence attached. Ammunition expended: A535, AX215 and BX69. Guns in action: 79 - 18pdrs, 21 - 4.5" hows 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group. Their war diary records: ANGRES - During the month we were bombarded with Gas shells on several occasions also shelled 8” and 5.9” losing a quantity of ammunition. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Considerable harassing fire for two days on enemy front line strong points and rear areas. On 2nd Sept. 260th Siege Battery, R.G.A., left this group, proceeding to BRUAY en route to another area. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - Artillery Order, No. 72 issued, (Will be forwarded with October War Diary). Hostile artillery below normal, very little shelling. Our artillery placed 6" and 9.2" concentration on LENS. Front generally very quiet. 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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