December 1917 found the 18th Battalion in the Acheville Sector. The general level of activity for the Battalion was a marked change from the hell of Passchendaele and the war diary gives the impression that both the Canadian and German units in this sector had hunkered down for December and were not overly interested in... Continue Reading →
“He is survived…”
Preface This article is a departure from previous biographical pieces about the soldiers of the 18th Battalion because of the personal experiences of the author in the geographic area in which this story unfolds. Thus, it is more personal and subjective with the attendant personal observations and valuations of someone that has been there and... Continue Reading →
16 Days in the Line: The Death of Private Dorken
He only served 16 days in the front line. For is service he is honoured at the Vimy Memorial and he will not be forgotten. Private Ernest John Dorken joined the C.E.F. on January 4, 1916 in Woodstock, Ontario. It appears that he was one of three sons of the Dorkens that would volunteer for... Continue Reading →
A Swim Binds Two Soldiers in Time
This post has been superseded by this post. Two soldiers. One from Paisley, Ontario, a small town in the Grey-Bruce region of Ontario with rolling hills of trees and farmer’s fields. The other from the urban environs of Toronto. Both were in a technical trade; one being a tinsmith and other a steam fitter. Both... Continue Reading →
The Spirit Shown By All Ranks Was of the Highest Order
18th Battalion War Diary November 1918 Appendix 9 Narrative of Action for November 8/9 1918 Map Ref. Sheet 45 1/40,000 The night of 8th November 1918 the Battalion was billeted in ELOUGES (T/10) in close support to the 5th [Canadian] Infantry Brigade. On the 9th at dawn the 4th [Canadian] Infantry Brigade were ordered to... Continue Reading →
Updates on Sandling Camp Resource and Post
DISCOVERY Of First World War Practice Trenches: TOLSFORD HILL - SALTWOOD, KENT A previous post outlined in some detail the excellent work of Michael and Paula Dugdale of Saltwood, Kent, England. The article entitled West Sandling Camp and the Trenches of Tolsford Hill relates the work done with a perspective in regards to how it relates... Continue Reading →
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 