On November 24th, 1915 the following entry outlines the activity of the 18th Battalion on that day: "'B' [and] 'D' Coys [companies] relieved 'a' [and] 'C' Coys in trenches. But that day was to have more import for Private Edward Goodier, reg. no. 53678. His "Circumstances of Death" card outlines what happened: At about 6.30... Continue Reading →
The Sadness of a Mother
Private Cecil Grant died of wounds on April 11, 1917. His family showed their grief through a poem that was printed in the Southwestern Ontario Memorial Album. The poem reads: Sleep on dear son, in your soldier’s grace, Your life for your country you nobly gave, No friends stood near you to say good-bye, But safe... Continue Reading →
Tank Battle at Iwuy: More Information
An amazing piece of work about the battle at Iwuy involving the possible last use by the Germans of the A7V. I recommend reading this article for a more detailed analysis of the battle. This post was instigated by Michel Lespagnol, a resident of Iwuy who is working to commemorate the battle. Below is a... Continue Reading →
Major-Gen. Sam Hughes Talks “Shop” With Boys of the 18th Battalion
Caption reads: The Minister of Militia, during his inspection of the troops training for active service with the Second Canadian Contingent, stopped and chatted with many privates in the ranks.
The Fate of Lieutenant Kenneth Wetzlar McLean
On November 28, 1917 Lieutenant McLean, a banker from Montreal Quebec, was on duty as a member of the 3rd Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column. The day had started out with a frost but was characterized as a "fine day" in the Unit's War Diary. McLea, with 200 pack mules had collected ammunition at "B" Dump... Continue Reading →
Remembering
Each Remembrance Day brings a different meaning to my experience with my conception and perception of war. Last year I was able to attend my local Remembrance Day ceremony on a bright, beautiful Fall day. This year I wanted to work. I was going to take a vacation day off to go to the ceremony... Continue Reading →
100 Years Ago: November 11, 1915
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... Continue Reading →
November 11th Canadians Killed or Died by Year
1914: 0 1915: 8 1916: 99 1917: 154 1918: 41 1919: 4 1920: 0 1921: 0 Rank Surname Forename Age Unit Country of Burial Reg, No. Year: 1915 Lance Corporal COCHRANE T H 21st Bn. Belgium 59175 Private GOODLAND HUBERT VICTOR 25 49th Bn. France 437411 Private HARDS BRIAN 18 "C" Coy. 24th Bn. Belgium... Continue Reading →
Boys of the 18th Battalion Learning to Pick Off Germans
Caption reads: Four companies of the 18th Battalion were taken to the Cove rifle ranges this morning under Major Milligan and Major Ingram and were given instruction in musketry by Qt-M-Sergt. Instructor Carter. Sergt. Instructor Prouse and Capt. T.J. Murphy, of the 7th Regiment, who is giving his time generously to the preparation of the... Continue Reading →
Sleep On Dear Brother and Take Thy Rest
Private Alexander Dempsey, reg. no. 53217, late of the King's Own Scottish Borders, felt compelled to answer the call to serve the Empire again when he attested for service with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces on October 28, 1914 in Windsor, Ontario. He was one of the first of the 18th Battalion to join.... Continue Reading →
The First and the Last
Below is a brief outline of the "first and last" Canadians to sacrifice their lives according to the alphabetical listing of Circumstances of Death Registry, First World War. The online database sadly only goes to Sims and any records after that are not available at this resource. Alphabetically, according to this source, the "first" casualty... Continue Reading →
Brothers in Arms: The 18th Battalion Men that Died on November 11th
There will be a post that will be generated on November 11, 2015 commemorating the personnel of all branches of Canada’s military that served and died on November 11th during World War 1. Of these soldiers there are two 18th Battalion soldiers that died on the last day of the conflict. These men are Privates... Continue Reading →
The Accidental Death of Private James Aitken reg. no. 769314
On December 23rd, 1916 Private James Aitken, reg. no. 769314, was standing outside of a cook house waiting for a meal. He had been assigned to the 18th Battalion but found himself assigned to the 4th Field Company, Canadian Engineers and then to the 2nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion. It was in the service of this... Continue Reading →
Men of the 18th Battalion Starting On Their Long Cross-Country Grind
Captions reads: This picture was taken by the Free Press camera man from the head of two-mile hill this morning as the troops proceeded south from the city via the Wharncliffe road. The company to which the St. Thomas men are attached broke from the main body at Lambeth and proceeded to St. Thomas while... Continue Reading →
18th Battalion Connection to Pancho Villa
Adding soldiers to this blog involves some work, often repetitive. But more often than not an unexpected gem of history is illuminated. In this case it all started with a simple war diary entry for November 26, 1916: "Battalion pay and clothing parades. 1 o.r. admitted to hospital. 54145 Sgt. C.J. JACKSON posted to commission as... Continue Reading →
The Butcher’s Bill: November 1916
After the veritable slaughter that was the action at Fer-Courcelette in September for the 18th Battalion, November 1916 was a time for exceptionally light casualties. 1.301 Canadian service personnel perished during November 1916. The 18th Battalion suffered 2 men killed in action. Private Belfry had been wounded in October 1916 only to survive to the... Continue Reading →
War Diary of the 18th Battalion: November 1916
CONFIDENTIAL WAR DIARY WAR DIARY OF 18th Canadian Battalion – 2nd Canadian Division from 1st November to 3oth November, 1916 Volume 15 Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information BULLY 1 18th Canadian Battalion in Brigade reserve. Company and platoon drill. Units special training. Extract from D.R.O. 2976 “To be Acting Staff Captain 4th... Continue Reading →
In the Trenches
Below is an letter pertaining to the 18th Battalion scanned and posted at the Ow.ly profile of LdnOntWWI (On Twitter @LdnOntI). The year of publication of this letter is unknown and is it is unknown if this it is complete. It gives us a glimpse of an experience a soldier of the 18th Battalion had.... Continue Reading →
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 1st/2nd 18th Can Battalion relieved 21st Canadian Battn in line in front of Courcellette [sic]. 22nd Canadian... Continue Reading →
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 