War Diary of the 18th Battalion: October 1916

CONFIDENTIAL WAR DIARY

WAR DIARY
OF
18th Canadian Battalion – 2nd Canadian Division
from 1st October to 31st October, 1916

Volume 14

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
SOMME	1 and	3.15 pm	The night of 1^st/2^nd 18^th Can Battalion relieved 21^st Canadian Battn in line in front of Courcellette [sic]. 22^nd Canadian Battalion on our left. Battalion advanced 500 yds and dug new trenches and held position taken. Left front was exposed owing to the Battn on our left being unable to advance but was covered by our Lewis Guns.
	2		Battalion still holding positions gained.
	3		Battalion moved into reserve at SAUGAGE VALLEY. LIEUT. L.A. BISSELL taken on as reinforcement from 28.9.16. LIEUT. A.E. COCK and 3 wounded, 9 o.r.s. admitted to hospital. 66 o.r.s. arrived as reinforcements.
	4		Position as yesterday LIEUT. McBRIDE arrived as reinforcement. MAJOR L.E. JONES and MAJOR J.A. McINTHOSH (on duty) reported wounded. 24 o.r.s. reported “Killed in Action.” 78 o.r. reported wounded. 11 o.r.s. reported missing. LIEUT. BISSELL wounded.
SAUSAGE VALLEY	5		Battalion in reserve. 14 o.r.s. returned from Hospital. Clothing parade. Special leave for men who did good works in the line opened up.
WARLOY	6		Battalion marched to Billets at WARLOY. LIEUT Col. H.L. MILLIGAN and 2 o.r.s. proceeded on leave. MAJOR G.F. MORRISON 19^th Can. Bn. assumed command of 18^th Battalion.
BONNEVILLE	7		Battalion marched to Billets at LAVICOGNE. 3 o.r.s. returned from hospital. Decorations awarded by General Officer Commanding in Chief list attached.
BONNEVILLE	8		Battalion marched to Billets at BONNEVILLE. LIEUT. M. DUNSFORD arrived as reinforcement. 4 o.r.s. (wounded 15-9-16) returned from hospital. Part II order #40
BONNEVILLE	9		Battalion resting. 5 o.r.s. sick admitted to hospital. MAJOR C.O. FAIRBANK received move order to report to G.O.C. C.T.D. Shorncliffe.
BONNEVILLE	10		Battalion resting. 3 o.r.s. proceeded on special leave. Battalion pay parade. 128 o.r.s. arrived as reinforcements. 1 o.r. returned from hospital.
REMAINSNIL	11		Battalion marched to Billets at REMAINSNIL. LIEUT. W.K. FRASER admitted to hospital.
SIBIVILLE	12		Battalion marched to Billets at SIBIVILLE.
HOUVELIN	13		Battalion marched to Billets at HOUVELIN.
BRUAY	14		Battalion marched to Billets at BRUAY. 2 o.r.s. returned from hospital.
BRUAY	15		Battalion resting. Parade called G.O.C. 2^nd Can. Div. to present decorations for bravery in the field. 1 o.r. proceeded on special leave.
BARLIN	16		Battalion marched to Billets in BARLIN. 10 casuals returned from hospital.
HERSIN	17		Battalion marched to HERSIN. TRANSPORT LINES in HERSIN. Battalion moved into Billets at BULLY GRENAY. 38 o.r.s. arrived as reinforcements.
	18		Battalion in reserve Billets at BULLY GRENAY. MAJOR J.A. McINTOSH and 1 o.r. proceeded on leave. 2 o.r. casuals returned from hospital.
	19		Positions as yesterday, everything very quiet. Nothing unusual 2 o.r.s returned from hospital.
	20		Position as yesterday. LIEUTS. V.M. EASTWOOD, J. Mc. WATT, and P.G. MIGHT arrived as reinforcements. LIEUT. H.W. McBRIDE admitted to hospital.
	21		Position as yesterday. Nothing unusual.
	22		Position as yesterday. LIEUTS. S.C. KIRKLAND, and W.G. WORTH arrived as reinforcements. 92 o.r.s. arrived as reinforcements. 3 o.r. casuals returned from Base hospitals. MAJOR L.E. JONES and LIEUT. W.J. BAXTER returned from hospital.
	23	12 noon	Battalion relieved 20^th Canadian Battalion in Front line. MAROC SECTOR. 1 o.r. admitted to hospital.
FRONT LINE	24		Position as per operation order. Nothing unusual. 3 o.r.s. reported “Died of Wounds”. 1 o.r. admitted to hospital.
	25		Position as yesterday. Everything quiet.
	26		Position as yesterday. 10 o.r.s. arrived as reinforcements. 2 o.r.s. admitted to hospital.
	27		Position as yesterday. 1 o.r. admitted to hospital. 2 reported killed in action 2-10-16.
	28		Position as yesterday. 1 o.r. admitted to hospital.
	29		Battalion relieved in front line by 20^th Canadian Bn. 18^th Can. Bn. in reserve at BULLY.
BULLY	30		Battalion in Brigade reserve. Inspection of clothing, equipment and ammunition. N.C.O.s instructional parade under R.S.M.
ditto	31		Battalion in Brigade reserve. Company and platoon drill.