May 26th, 1918. The 18th Battalion was, as part of the 4th Canadian Brigade, 2nd Division, located in the line left of Neuville Vitasse. The 18th Battalion had moved into the line 4-days previous, and this day was “Fine and warm,” according to the 4th Brigade’s War Diary. German artillery was more active than usual... Continue Reading →
War Diary of the 18th Battalion: July 1918
Confidential War Diary of 18th CANADIAN BATTALION – 2nd CANADIAN DIVISION From 1st July to 31st July, 1918 Volume 35 With appendices 1 - 7 Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information G.H.Q. RESERVE LATERE-ST-QUENTIN. J.23, 24, 29 and 30. Bn. Hdqrs at J.25.d.80.20 1 Lorries called at 7.45 a.m. and took about 14... Continue Reading →
Battle Patrol Report December 1917
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 →
A Traitor in the Ranks
The war is over. Not long over but the reverberations and attitudes to people considered “others” by Canadian society appears to still be prevalent and on the minds of the general public even at wars end. At least it was important enough to make a page three story in the Border Cities Star published in... 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 Minor Trench Raid
Lead a patrol into "No Man's Land" night of December 1/2, 1916. Report on Minor raid, Night of Dec. 1/2. 18th Canadian Battalion Our patrol advanced within short distance of enemy wire but no party were there, so we lay in wait for several hours hoping it would appear. Information In the shell holes were... 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 →
Report on raiding enterprise by 18th Canadian Battalion on the night 26/27 July, 1916
On the night of July 26/27th the 18th Battalion initiated a trench raid. Sadly, other then the report transcribed below, no further details, at this time, are known. The report was not signed making it uncertain who the author is but it is a valuable document. It makes mention of two private soldiers by name... Continue Reading →
A Smashed Revolver: The Actions of Armourer Corporal Kelley Leads to a D.C.M.
4th Brigade, which the 18th Battalion was part of, after an opportunity in early May to clean up, rest, refit, and make up equipment shortages after their last engagement in the front line moved into the Mercatel sector of the line south-west of Arras. Of note was the arrival of two United States Army officers[i]... 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 →
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 →
War Diary of the 18th Battalion: December 1916
CONFIDENTIAL WAR DIARY WAR DIARY OF 18th Canadian Battalion – 2nd Canadian Division from 1st December to 31st December, 1916 Volume 16 Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information CALONNE II 1 18th Canadian Battalion in front line at CALLONE II sector. On the night of December 1/2 a minor operation was directed against... Continue Reading →
Taken Prisoner: The action at Telegraph Hill near Arras
July 1918 found the 18th Battalion in the Arras Sector. The threat of Operation Michael in March had passed and the Battalion found the first of this month in an extended stay in reserve from the 1st of July to the 14th in the Latre-St-Quentin area. During this extended period 14 officers and 150 men... 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 →
Report on raiding enterprise by 18th Canadian Battalion on the night 26/27 July, 1916
On the night of July 26/27th the 18th Battalion initiated a trench raid. Sadly, other then the report transcribed below, no further details, at this time, are known. The report was not signed making it uncertain who the author is but it is a valuable document. It makes mention of two private soldiers by name... Continue Reading →
Report of a Minor raid, Night of Dec. 1/2
The 18th Battalion entry for December 1/2 1916 records: Place: Calonne II (Most probably opposite the German Lines astride the Lens - Bethune railway near Cite Calonne) Date: Dec 1/Dec 1/2 8 pm 18th Canadian Battalion in front line at Calonne II sector. On the night of December 1/2 a minor operation was directed against... Continue Reading →
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 