The PDF file attached to this post is a copy of the 18th Battalion War Diary as one contiguous document. The document is comprised of the monthly diary entries as each one was written and are now combined into one document compiled from all the entries that were transcribed. There is information in the forward … Continue reading Transcription of the 18th Battalion Diary in Process
1915 War Diary
“The boys promise to be home for Christmas in 1916.”: A letter from December 1914
On December 21, 1915, the Galt Daily Reporter reported that the 18th Battalion was in the front line based on letters dated November 30, 1915, from the “boys of the 18th Battalion”. The letter gives some perspective of the attitudes of the soldiers of this unit, thought, sadly, none of the “boys” who wrote the … Continue reading “The boys promise to be home for Christmas in 1916.”: A letter from December 1914
“WAS GOING TO TELL ABOUT THE TRENCHES”
Private Reginald Sachs was an 18th Battalion "Original" having enlisted in Galt, Ontario on October 23, 1914. This letter was printed October 29, 1915 and would describe the end of September or early October 1915 when the Battalion first entered the trenches in active duty after its training as part of the 2nd Canadian Contigent … Continue reading “WAS GOING TO TELL ABOUT THE TRENCHES”
Not “Killed in Action”
In the early 1970s the last members of the 18th Battalion Association, purportedly the first post-Great War battalion association formed in Canada, was winding down. The number of members had declined due to age and many of these men, now in their 80s, wanted to put together a series of memories to share amongst themselves. … Continue reading Not “Killed in Action”
“A proper exciting time…”
This is the first of a 4-part series of the analysis of articles relating to Private Frederick Hodson, who served with the 18th Battalion. 476 days had passed since the enlistment of Private Hodson and the publishing of his letter in the Rushden Echo. Frederick Hodson, a shoemaker from Galt, Ontario, had joined the 18th … Continue reading “A proper exciting time…”
“Do Your Remember the Night We Left London?”: First in the Series of “MEMORIES”
Introduction The blog has come into the possession of an exciting and valuable series of documents care of Dan Moat, a member of the 18th Battalion Facebook Group. His Great Grand-Father, Lance-Corporal Charles Henry Rogers, reg. no. 123682 was an active member in the 18th Battalion Association and the Royal Canadian Legion. With is interest … Continue reading “Do Your Remember the Night We Left London?”: First in the Series of “MEMORIES”
Baseball at Folkestone: “The play throughout was very spirited, and many fine catches were witnessed.”
The ties between Canadians and the sea-side town of Folkestone, England go back to the First World War. A popular image was of a soldier holding a rifle with a bayonet, advancing in front of the Union Jack with the assurance: “Don’t be Alarmed, the Canadians are on guard at Folkestone”. The impression made upon … Continue reading Baseball at Folkestone: “The play throughout was very spirited, and many fine catches were witnessed.”
The Best Rest in Many Moons: A Letter by Major Sale
Major Sale was an active and influential member of the Goderich, Ontario community as a dentist. He was active in the Canadian Militia with the 33rd Regiment and joined the 18th Battalion as a captain shortly after its inception in October 1914. He served his Battalion diligently and was earned a promotion to major in … Continue reading The Best Rest in Many Moons: A Letter by Major Sale
Stuff of Legend: The Wounding of Private Dickson on Christmas Day 1915
Introduction There is no doubt that Sergeant Fred Young was an ardent supporter and chronicler of the 18th Battalion. He was very active in the 18th Battalion Association after the war, serving on its executive and being designated as its “poet laureate”. But, perhaps his enthusiasm for his Battalion allowed him to exercise some “poetic … Continue reading Stuff of Legend: The Wounding of Private Dickson on Christmas Day 1915
Apparently, it is an actual hell out there at times: The Letters of Sergeant Wallace
A series of four news articles from the St. Thomas Times-Journal illuminates the career of John A. Wallace who was an original member of the 18th Battalion[i]. The articles span from November 1914 to October 1915 and offer insights into the life of Wallace, and by extension, the other non-commissioned men of the Battalion. The … Continue reading Apparently, it is an actual hell out there at times: The Letters of Sergeant Wallace
