On the night of July 26/27 men of the 18th Battalion carried out a “minor trench raid”. The weather was “Fine but dull”[i] on that day. In that raid were two men, originals with the Battalion, who both have quite different stories. Private Forrester Private Alfred Forrester, reg. no. 53648[ii] war service started out rather … Continue reading Two Men. Two Scouts. One Raid.
Raid
Report on Minor Enterprise by 18th Cdn Battalion night of July 26/27th on German Front Line, at PICCADILLY FARM
Report on Minor Enterprise by 18th Cdn Battalion night of July 26/27th on German Front Line, at PICCADILLY FARM.[i] At 10.30 p.m. Party of 15 bombers and 10 scouts under Lieut. Allen (Scout Officer) and Lieut. McLinton [McClinton] (Bomb Officer) left our trenches and proceeded to a point halfway across “NO MANS LAND”. The party … Continue reading Report on Minor Enterprise by 18th Cdn Battalion night of July 26/27th on German Front Line, at PICCADILLY FARM
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 War Diary of the 18th Battalion: July 1918
HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY
So states the epitaph on a gravestone at plot IV. F. 14. at the Wancourt British Cemetery south-east of Arras. The death of Private Heny "Harry" Jack was unusual as he became a prisoner and from that moment his fate would be unknown until later and his family, especially his parents, Alex and Gertrude of Paisely, … Continue reading HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY
The Raid at Hill 70
4th Canadian Infantry Brigade Order No. 142 outlined the details of a raid on the German lines in detail. The order specifically directs the Battalion in the intention and actions during the raid and was an important preparatory step for the Battalion, and the other Battalions of the Brigade for the attach on Hill 70 … Continue reading The Raid at Hill 70
War Diary Summary: May 1917
Having come off the success of the Vimy attack in early April the Battalion moved into Divisional Reserve April 16 and was then moved to a rest camp on April 26. At this camp the were rested and refitted, and though the War Diary makes no note of it, the Battalion must have been making … Continue reading War Diary Summary: May 1917
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 A Traitor in the Ranks
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 16 Days in the Line: The Death of Private Dorken
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 on raiding enterprise by 18th Canadian Battalion on the night 26/27 July, 1916
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 A Smashed Revolver: The Actions of Armourer Corporal Kelley Leads to a D.C.M.
