The Circumstances of Death Card for Private Douglas, reg. no. 54153 starkly relates that he “Killed in Action” in the vicinity of Courcelette on 16 September 1916 at the 18th Battalion’s first engagement at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. The main attack occurred on the prior day and is noted in history for the first use... Continue Reading →
“… a magnificent spectacle…”: Eye Witness at Flers-Courcelette
TRIGGER WARNING: This blog post relates the experiences of a combat soldier that may not be appropriate for all readers. The 18th Battalion’s role and experiences during the 15 September 1916 Battle of Flers-Courcelette are not officially well documented. The War Diary for that month is bereft of detail to the point that someone printed... Continue Reading →
Bivouac of the Dead: The 18th Battalion’s Experience at the Battle at Flers-Courcelette.
“On France's eternal camping groundTheir silent tents are spread.While glory guards with solemn roundThe Bivouac of the Dead.”Poem attached to Sergeant Chester P. Smiths Memorial Page. Adaptation of Bivouac of the Dead, Theodore O’Hara, 1851. There is a succinct, enigmatic entry in the pages of the 18th Battalion’s War Diary for September 1916. “NOT MUCH... Continue Reading →
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 