Thanks to Eric Halstead, we've got some additional items from the deep recesses of the Regimental Archives for your viewing.
Did you know the price of a Mess Dinner in 1959 was only $3.00? Mind you, back in 1951 the officers' were only charged $1.09 at Workpoint. Apparently in 1950 it appears that, "The Officers Commanding expects that all Officers and their ladies will attend this function." While undated, the last note is from the CO regarding the New Years Day Levee, "the reception in our Mess on New Years Day is a Parade." Seventy Eight years ago on 6 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 6 September 1939 – York Island Report on tractor (See App. “F”) Work continued. M.O. called for a sea bathing parade. Water was very cold. Weather : Fair 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 6 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: From this date to the 22nd inst., the Headquarters and four batteries mentioned herewith were in rest at MAGNICOURT, a small village nestling among some rolling hills. The men had a splendid rest during this time and many parties were sent for the day to ST. POL. In addition an infantry band was engaged on three different occasions which was very much appreciated. General sports for the men were held on two occasions and some Indian cavalry billeted near here very kindly offered to assist in the days sports. Their horsemanship and other feats were magnificent and filled our men with surprise and admiration. 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery was attached to 10th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade during this period. The 10th Brigade war diary records that: Pretty well settled in new lines. Hdqrs is in the Farm and undergoing the novel experience of having baths right at their door. Owing to the sudden change in orders last night the batteries going into rest had to go to Rocourt and district instead of Berthonsart. This will prove very inconvenient as it is 15 miles back at least. 3rd CDA O.O. 131 received. Rumour hath it that we are going in for another show. Probable objective Mericourt Avion, Sallaumine and high ground south of Lens, with the idea of forcing the evacuation of Lens. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: FORT GEORGE - Considerable artillery activity. See intelligence report attached. Artillery covering new 3rd. Division front consists of one 6 gun 18-pdr. battery and one 6 gun 4.5" howitzer battery. 12 guns in action. The 3rd CDA took over command from 31st DA at 6:00am, Sept. 6. O.O. #131. Ammunition expended: nil. 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. We took part in a raid by the 11th Brigade Canadians on the 6th and while in action the enemy came back on our position with Gas shells compelling the crews to work with their Gas Masks on. Four of our men were badly gassed and had to be taken to Field Ambulance, they were 346826 Bdr Trotter D.D. 346850 A/Bdr Russell W.G. 346891 Sgt Cornell K.G. and No 303392 Gunner Floyd P.J. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – 6" and 9.2" hows. fired on S.O.S. lines in the LENS and AVION sectors during day. Carried out operation in support of 11th Cdn. Infantry Bde. attack on houses in N20 with the object of establishing forward posts in advance of our front line in this sector. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - Artillery Order No. 76 issued. Brig.-General MORRISON inspected 4th CDAC and found unit efficient. RCHA Brigade withdrawn from the line preparatory to rejoining 5th Cavalry Division. CRA 3rd Canadian Division took over command of the Field Artillery covering new 3rd Canadian Division front, consisting of 165th Brigade, RFA and one 4.5" how. 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. The "What year was that?" feature has now been complected with photos up to and including 2017. So what? It shows that there are quite a few activities that we do not have photographs for. As an example we can look at the salute page. Here's what I have on line:
Your tasks are:
- to advise me if I have any of the photos incorrectly dated; - search your files for pictures of any of the missing events; and - advise me if you know what salute the following pictures are from (CF greens, only photos in shirt sleeve order, navy salute, tricolour artillery tacsign still on front shield) Seventy Eight years ago on 5 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 5 September 1939 – York Island Set up 32 foot pole for International Signalling Weather : Clear Strong wind. One hundred years ago on 5 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: From this date to the 22nd inst., the Headquarters and four batteries mentioned herewith were in rest at MAGNICOURT, a small village nestling among some rolling hills. The men had a splendid rest during this time and many parties were sent for the day to ST. POL. In addition an infantry band was engaged on three different occasions which was very much appreciated. General sports for the men were held on two occasions and some Indian cavalry billeted near here very kindly offered to assist in the days sports. Their horsemanship and other feats were magnificent and filled our men with surprise and admiration. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: FORT GEORGE - 5th In accordance with O.O. # 129, the CRA, 6th Division assumed command at 10.00am. The 3rd CDA Headquarters reopened at 6.00pm at FORT GEORGE, and 3rd CDA came under Canadian Corps O.O. #130. Two composite brigades were formed, consisting of two batteries of Ralston's Group and two of Carscallen's Group each, Colonel Ralston to command the brigade in the line and Colonel Carscallen the brigade in rest. See O.O. #130 and G.594/1-1. Ammunition expended: nil. 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 – At the request of 10th Canadian Infantry Bde., 6" and 9.2" batteries fired on S.O.S. lines in retaliation for hostile T.M. activity. Several concentrated shoots were carried out on Leison Station and CITE DU NORD. One killed and one wounded of 9th Cdn. S.B. by shell fire, and 9 men gassed of No. 3 Cdn. Siege Battery. On account of the heavy hostile gas shelling the batteries were compelled to work the guns with their gas masks on. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - Artillery Order No. 75 issued. Brig. - General MORRISON inspected the 3rd CDAC, finding the unit in good condition. The 319th, 337th, 260th, 70th and 10th Siege Batteries, R.G.A. left Canadian Corps. Orders received for transfer of D/5, D/11, and D/18 (4.5" how.) Batteries, RFA from Canadian Corps. 14th Brigade, 5th CDA, marched to CARENCY, and were attached to 4th CDA HQ. 5th CDA established at SAINS-en-GOHELLE. CRA 3rd Canadian Division relieved CRA 6th Division. 3rd CDA rejoined Canadian Corps, less 18-pdrs. 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. Seventy Eight years ago on 4 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 4 September 1939 – York Island No. 1 Gun ready for action. Started to erect temporary wooden shelter for watch on duty. Report re Water Supply, Accommodation, etc. (See App. “F”) Tractor found to need several new parts. Weather : Showers 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 4 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: This visibility today was fair. Five enemy balloons were again observed on our front and stayed up most of the day. Enemy planes were not so active and were only seen in the morning during which time they remained well behind their own lines. Movement of men in the enemy lines was almost nil, but considerable horse and motor movement was observed in the rear country . During the night the enemy at different times put up a spectacular display of rockets, using green, red, orange and white lights. They also bombarded the area between LOOS and MAROC with about 10,000 gas shells mixing in a large number of high explosive shells. The bombardment started at 12 pm and continued for about two hours and was the most intense concentration of hostile artillery ever experienced by this brigade. The new German gas (mustard) was used and while we had no serious casualties, many men the next day found their eyes seriously affected and a small number developed bronchitis. Operation Order Number 106 was issued today. This refers to the 31st and 36th Batteries leaving the LOOS area and going into action under RALSTON'S BRIGADE in the VIMY area. The Headquarters, 33rd and 45th Batteries with the 35th and 39th Batteries of RALSTON'S BRIGADE are to proceed to Rest Camp in the rear. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: BRAQUEMONT - According to G.592/1-20, the 3rd CDAC marched to their old lines near MOUNT ST. ELOY. The general situation was normal. Several officers of the 6th Divisional Artillery visited our headquarters for the purpose of making arrangements for the relief, commencing tonight. See O.O. # 129. Ammunition expended: A800, AX485 and BX 333. 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 – Carried out O.O. #184 in support of 9th Canadian Infantry Bde. raid. The operation was successful, was made with a view to obtaining identifications and ascertaining enemy strong points along CINNIBAR trench and NUN'S ALLEY, also to establish new posts in advance of our new front line. Considerable aerial activity on both sides. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - Brig.- General MORRISON inspected the 2nd CDAC, and found the efficiency of this unit satisfactory. During the night heavy bombardment of our whole front line, gas being used; this lasted from 7.55 am to 3 pm. VIMY was shelled with intensity the whole of this period, and the batteries located there suffered but slight damage and had few casualties. 13th Brigade, CFA, 5th CDA, marched to BULLY GRENAY, and were attached to the 2nd CDA. 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 "What year was that?" feature has been upgraded with pictures up to and including 2002. Let me know if I've missed any specific year in any of the categories. PLUS, let me know if you have photographs from any of the missing years!
Enjoy! 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 3 September 1939 – York Island S.S. “Salvor” delivered sand, gravel, cement, roofing paper, etc. Progress Report (See App. “G”) Examination service instituted Work continued on huts and on Guns. Weather : Showers 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. |
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