One hundred years ago today the 18th Battalion had been in active service on the Continent in Belgium and since September 25, 1915 had been in active service at the front. During that time 13 members of the 18th Battalion were killed. 1 officer, a captain; 2 lance corporals and 10 privates. This was to the a precursor to the experiences in the trenches the Battalion was to experience for the next 3 years.
The War Diary relates that the Battalion was in battalion reserve at “Ridgewood”. This probably was closely located to the Ridge Wood C.W.G.C. cemetery which is due east to Hallebest and 5 kilometers south-west of Ypres. During their stay in the relative safety of Brigade Reserve one wonders if the soldiers of the 18th Battalion could conceive of the war lasting another 3 years.
The War Diary is, sadly, bereft of detail about what the Battalion was doing on that day. A simple entry of “-Ditto-” represents the lives of the men of the 18th Battalion that day.
May they Rest in Peace.
Excerpt from War Diary.
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
| 8 | Battn. went into Brigade Reserve at Ridgewood. | ||
| 9 | Battn. at Ridgewood | ||
| 10 | -Ditto- | ||
| 11 | -Ditto- | ||
| 12 | Battalion relived 19th Bn. In trenches and at Vierstraat – “B” + “D” Coys in Trenches. |
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History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 
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