At Zero hour[i], vis 5.30 a.m., the advance was made. Simultaneously with the opening up of the Artillery Barrage the Battalion left the “Jumping-off” trenches[ii] and attacked the German front line. Very little opposition was met with whilst capturing the first line system of trenches. The enemy barraged “No-man’s-land” for about 15 minutes, after which... Continue Reading →
The Postcards of Private Blue to Miss Ella Mitchell, A Teacher in Paisley
One soldier. One life. The evidence of the war experiences for Private Alexander Edward Blue of the 18th Battalion is greater than most, and less than others. One gets a sense of the man, but how much of that is our projection and perspectives from our perspective influencing our perception of the evidence presented before... Continue Reading →
The Wounds of Private Blue
Private Alexander Edward Blue of Paisley, Ontario joined the 18th Battalion at it's inception. On October 27, 1914 he enlisted and began his journey to war. He would become wounded on June 29, 1916, 612 days into his service with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. His war experience is offered in digital format which allows us... Continue Reading →
It is nothing but hell on earth out there, and I know it.: A Letter From Private Blue
In two previous posts the war experience of Private Alexander Blue was reviewed. The first post offered a brief biographical sketch written in pen in long-hand and was part of the Kincardine, Ontario Royal Canadian Legion’s archives. The second post offered, from the same source, letters of assurance from a casualty clearing station immediately after... Continue Reading →
We Shall Not Forget to Pray for Him: News reaches home in Paisley, Ontario regarding the condition of Private Blue
On June 29th, 1916 in the Dickenbusch sector of the Belgium front Private A.E. Blue was wounded in the chest by a sniper's bullet. The family was informed by telegraph on July 4th of the nature of his wounds and the service records indicates he was "dangerously ill" on June 30th with that status being... Continue Reading →
He Was a Young Lad Frightened and About To Go “Over the Top”: A Simple Biography of Private A.E. Blue
Private Alexander Edward Bruce in an undated photo. Source: Bruce Remembers. Sometimes the simplest information about a soldier can yield facts and insight into the life of that soldier, and by extension, the lives of his comrades-in-arms. Private Alexander Edward Blue. reg. no. 54004 has information at the Bruce Remembers site which is an absolute... Continue Reading →
German Trench Raid Action on March 13th, 1917
The beginning of February 1917 was a chance for the Battalion to rest and refit. From the 1st to the 11th of February the Battalion billeted in Auchel, France and trained and recreated until it moved with the 4th Brigade forward from Auchel towards Arras and the Vimy Sector of the Front. The Battalion moved... Continue Reading →
March 1917 Casualties
March 1917 involved 1,036 casualties resulting in death. Of those 11 where of the 18th Battalion. Rank Surname Forename Age Date of Death Reg. No. Additional Information Corporal BUCK ARTHUR LAWRENCE 28 24/03/1917 124539 SON OF FREDERICK WILLIAM BUCK AND ELLEN BUCK, OF 6, RICHMOND TERRACE, NORTHGATE, PONTEFRACT, YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND. Private BUCKLEY JOHN... Continue Reading →
War Diary of the 18th Battalion: March 1917
CONFIDENTIAL WAR DIARY OF 18th Canadian Battalion – 2nd Canadian Division From 1st March to 31st March 1917 Volume 19 7 Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information Brigade Support 1 18th Battalion in Brigade Support THELUS SECTOR. Working parties out repairing and draining support and communication trenches. 2 Position same. LIEUT. Col. G.F.... Continue Reading →
Many Socialistic Tendencies
On March 12, 1917 in Wallaceburg, Ontario a 19-year-old man by the name of Herbert Royal Herbert, reg. no. 2334321 joined the Canadian Army. He had a dark complexion with dark hair and eyes. He was a glass worker, a unique trade of calling and perhaps he worked at the Dominion Glass Company factory in... Continue Reading →
British Home Children and Barnardo Boys Who Paid the Ultimate Price
Until quite recently this blog only recognized one British Home Child. Private William Edwin Hunt, reg. no. 54081 was an 18th Battalion “Original” having enlisted in Guelph, Ontario on October 27th, 1914[i]. Sadly the research notes I have do not indicate the source as to how this soldier was discovered but his daughter, Mary Hunt... Continue Reading →
Casualty List: February 1917
Source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission 517 Canadian Army service personnel lost their lives in February 1917 or 18 per day. Rank Surname Forename Date of Death Bn. Country Reg. No. Private BEAVER AUSTIN HENRY 22/02/1917 18th Bn. France 195813 Private JENKINS WESLEY JAMES 22/02/1917 18th Bn. France 802590
War Diary of the 18th Battalion: February 1917
CONFIDENTIAL WAR DIARY OF 18th Canadian Battalion - 2nd Canadian Division From 1st February to 28th February 1917 Volume 18 5 Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information AUCHEL 1 Battalion in Rest Billets. Physical exercises. Bayonet fighting. Company and Platoon drills, 19 o.r.s sick admitted to hospital[i]. 2 o.r.s returned from hospital. 2... Continue Reading →
Private Skelly Joins the C.E.F. 100 Years Ago
Private Lawrence Russell Skelly, reg. no. 803015 joined the 135th Overseas Battalion in London, Ontario 100 years ago today. He was an 18 year old, 5' 7.5" lad with dark brown hair. Eventually he would transfer overseas and into the 18th Battalion where he would die in combat just over 1 year after his enlistment.... Continue Reading →
In the event of my death…
100 years ago today Private James Benjamin Brodie, reg. no. 53776 died of wounds he sustained to both legs. A poignant reminder of his existence is his will. It reads: Will Pte. J.B. Brodie. no. 53776 In the event of my death I leave all that is due me to my Wife Esther Brodie 160... Continue Reading →
The Entomologist
George Johnston Spencer was a well known entomologist based at the University of British Columbia and became Professor Emeritus after his retirement in 1953. His collection of insects, at 600,000 specimens, is the second largest in Western Canada and his work led, in part, the the creation of an entomological museum that now is part... Continue Reading →
Re-examining the Pantall/Symonds File
Re-examining the Pantall/Symonds File This is a post expanding on and correcting a previous post in order to expand on that post and correct some of the initial conclusions made in that post. Summary Private Bernard (possibly Barnard) Pantall of the Royal Canadian Regiment was discharged and re-enlisted using his cousin, George Symonds', identity. He... Continue Reading →
War Diary of the 18th Battalion: January 1917
CONFIDENTIAL WAR DIARY OF18th Canadian Battalion - 2nd Canadian Division From 1st January to 31st January 1917 Volume 17 PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationMAROC1 Battalion in Brigade support in CALONNE II sector. CAPT. R.H. McCRIMMON returned to duty with Battalion from Command duty. 5 o.r.s wounded while on working part. 2 o.r.s sick admitted to hospital. 2 Positions... Continue Reading →
Casualty List: January 1917
Surname Forename Date of Death Rank Reg. No. CALVERT HUGH 03/01/1917 Private 226535 LEASK JAMES LESTER 04/01/1917 Private 745118 MOSS STANLEY 10/01/1917 Private 226623 SHORT ROBERT WILLIAM 25/01/1917 Private 769243 TAYLOR ISAAC 08/01/1917 Private 195959 WILSON ROBERT THORNTON 05/01/1917 Private 745220 Note: The title of subsequent casualty list posts will be changed as the old... Continue Reading →
The Harvard Class of ’19 Student: Private David Sidney Laird
Question 10 on the Attestation Paper filled out for each man that enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force asks: Have you ever served in any Military Force? If so, state particulars of former Service. In the majority of cases this question, if answered, involves a recruit’s involvement in either the Canadian Militia or in the... Continue Reading →
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 