Seventy Eight years ago on 9 October 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 9 Oct 1939 – York Island Weather: rainy The war diaries of the Headquarters 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA and the following Batteries 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 9 October 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: Operation Order #109 was issued referring to the vacation of our present wagon lines and the march to new wagon lines at ESTHE CAUCHIE. The weather was fair and the march made in good time and all batteries ? ? until down with good standings for the horses and good billets for the men, before dark. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: VILLERS BRULIN – Battery wagon lines at Carscallen’s (9th) and Ralston’s (10th) Brigades vacated. Carscallen’s brigade taking up new wagon lines at ESTREE CAUCHIE and Ralston’s Brigade at GAUCHIN LEGAL. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group. Their war diary records: ANGRES - Fired 35 Rounds on Hostile Batteries at N X 44, N X 43 and N Z 98. No 91880 Gunner Burgess A was accidently killed by a small explosion from a 106 Fuse. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Very little firing on those days weather being rainy and cold. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: CAMBLIN LA ABBE - Situation: considerable hostile counter-battery work, otherwise, a quiet day. 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 Officers' Mess had a busy social calendar of dinners at the Mess in Bessborough Armoury in 1960 as well as events in Seattle! This is the first indication of communication with our brothers in the 146th Field Artillery Battalion that I've seen and apparently one that wasn't rekindled until 1999.
Seventy Eight years ago on 8 October 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 8 Oct 1939 – York Island Letter re training report (see App. "E"). Weather: rainy. The war diaries of the Headquarters 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA and the following Batteries 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 8 October 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: In anticipation of a move to another area the brigade was very busy in completing their equipment. Two concerts were given in the evening for the benefit of the men of the batteries who had been in action, one by a Y.M.C.A. concert party and the other by the 3rd Canadian Division Concert Party. These were immensely enjoyed by the men. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: VILLERS BRULIN – Relief of the remaining section of each battery and two sniping guns was completed 7/8th. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group. Their war diary records: ANGRES - Fired 9 Rounds on M(?)ericourt Sector at T 5 b R. J. Waterous left Battery for England to attend course. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Gunner ? 178th SB awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery on the 17th September, 1917. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: CAMBLIN LA ABBE - 1ST C.D.A. relieved 4th and 5th C.D.A's; and two batteries of the 179th Bde. R.F.A. 2nd C.D.A. relieved 3rd C.D.A. 8th Army Bde. C.F.A. transferred to 2nd C.D.A. Two btys. of 179th Bde. R.F.A. transferred to 1st C.D.A. Situation: no activity on either side. 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. Recruiting 1977
The letter clearly states 1977 however the coloured handout is undated. The handout also mentions exercises in Whitehorse, Yukon and I'm unaware of the Regiment ever deploying there for training. The letter is interesting in that it is aimed at male recruits only. This is due to the restriction on female recruitment that were in place back in the 70s. Seventy Eight years ago on 7 October 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 7 Oct 1939 – York Island 4 ORs sent to Vancouver - category "E". Weather: cloudy. The war diaries of the Headquarters 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA and the following Batteries 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 7 October 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: In anticipation of a move to another area the brigade was very busy in completing their equipment. Two concerts were given in the evening for the benefit of the men of the batteries who had been in action, one by a Y.M.C.A. concert party and the other by the 3rd Canadian Division Concert Party. These were immensely enjoyed by the men. 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery was attached to 10th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade during this period. The 10th Brigade war diary records that: Very stormy and rainy. The relief of batteries completed and Lieut-Col.G.H.Ralston,D.S.O. with Brigade Headquarters withdrew to wagon lines near LA TARGETTE. The 36th and 31st Batteries again come under the command of the 9th Brigade CFA and 10th Brigade CFA again has its own four batteries. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: VILLERS BRULIN – Relief of two sections of the 18-pdr. Batteries and 36th. How. Battery completed, the personnel withdrawing to battery wagon lines night of 6/7th. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group. Their war diary records: ANGRES - Nil 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Very little artillery activity on either side the day being windy and rainy. BSM Williams ? ? awarded the D.S.M.for gallant conduct under heavy shell fire on 17 September. ?? the Battery position (near ?) General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: CAMBLIN LA ABBE - Following transfers of art'y took place: 169th Siege Battery, 8" hows.; 342nd Siege Battery, 6" hows. and 346th Siege Battery, 6" hows. from Canadian Corps to 4th Army. 2 - 18 pdr. btys. 5th C.D.A. and 2 - 18 pdr. btys. 179th Bde. R.F.A. from Canadian Corps to 1st Corps. Counter-battery: three successful destructive shoots against hostile batteries. Slight shelling of ANGRES. 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 18 pdr shown was used by 31 Battery CFA CEF and also equipped 31 Battery when it became a Battery of the 15th Brigade in 1920. The Vancouver Artillery Association is looking for one that we could rebuild. If you happen to see one, notify us with the location ASAP and we'll work on bringing it 'home'.
This illustration was drawn by GH Shorey and appears to have been clipped from the Sentinel magazine, a Canadian Forces publication.
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