Patrick Parnell Welsh was a 34-year-old clerk when he enlisted with the 186th Overseas Battalion at London, Ontario in June of 1916. A little older than average for a soldier of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, he felt the need to leave the security of his job and join the army to be of service to... Continue Reading →
Pte. Thomas Neill and Hill 70
Used with permission of Iris Russak (www.irisrussak.com) and The Kingston Association of Musuem Art Galleries + Historic Sites Blog. The original article is here (Broken Link). Thomas Neill had joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force along with his brother James in March 1916, when he enlisted with the 111th South Waterloo Battalion. They had completed basic... Continue Reading →
War Diary of the 18th Battalion: July 1917
Confidential 18th Canadian Battalion War Diary Original Copy July 1917 Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information BARLIN 1 9 am Brigade Church Parade at HERSIN-COUPIGNY Sports ground. Divine service conducted by Maj. Gen. Simms, C.S.D. Chief Chaplain of British armies in the Field. 2 Canadian Corps sports at Camblain-le-Abbe[i]. 18th Canadian Battalion... Continue Reading →
Summary November 1916 18th Battalion War Diary
Link to November 1916 War Diary Transcription November found the 18th Battalion approximately 50 kilometers from the hell that was the Somme. Now located in the Lens Sector in the vicinity of Bully-Grenay the Battalion was able to find relative rest and recuperation after the actions of September and October. The first part of the... Continue Reading →
War Diary of the 18th Battalion: January 1917
CONFIDENTIAL WAR DIARY OF18th Canadian Battalion - 2nd Canadian Division From 1st January to 31st January 1917 Volume 17 PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationMAROC1 Battalion in Brigade support in CALONNE II sector. CAPT. R.H. McCRIMMON returned to duty with Battalion from Command duty. 5 o.r.s wounded while on working part. 2 o.r.s sick admitted to hospital. 2 Positions... Continue Reading →
War Diary of the 18th Battalion: October 1916
CONFIDENTIAL WAR DIARY WAR DIARY OF 18th Canadian Battalion – 2nd Canadian Division from 1st October to 31st October, 1916 Volume 14 Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information SOMME 1 and 3.15 pm The night of 1st/2nd 18th Can Battalion relieved 21st Canadian Battn in line in front of Courcellette [sic]. 22nd Canadian... Continue Reading →