“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 →
War Diary of the 18th Battalion: September 1917
Confidential War Diary of 18th CANADIAN BATTALION - 2nd CANADIAN DIVISION From 1st September to 30th September 1917 Volume 25 With appendicis 1 - 4 Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information VILLERS AU BOIS 1 Battalion in billets at VILLERS AU BOIS (Villers Camp). Company parades and inspections. Platoon and specialists training carried... Continue Reading →
War Diary of the 18th Battalion: May 1917
CONFIDENTIAL WAR DIARY -OF- 18th CANADIAN BATTALION - 2nd CANADIAN DIVISION From 1st May to 31st May 1917 Volume 31 With appendicies 1-2 Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information 1 a.m. Battalion in Reserve camp near NEUVILLE ST VAST. Battalion parade and company training. During the afternoon recreational exercise such as Football, Baseball... Continue Reading →
May 1917 Casualties
Summary of May 1917 Activities (for more information please refer to war diary transcription to be posted at a later date) 42 members of the 18th Battalion perished this month. The beginning of May 1917 found the Battalion in service in the vicinity of Arras, France and were in reserve at NUEVILLE ST VAST where... 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 →
War Diary of the 18th Battalion: June 1916
CONFIDENTIAL WAR DIARY OF 18th Canadian Battalion - 2nd Canadian Division From 1st June to 30th June 1916 Volume 10 With appendices 1 - 2 PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationBedford House1 Battalion in Brigade Reserve at BEDFORD HOUSE supporting 20th Canadian Bn ‘B’ Coy and Platoon of ‘D” Coy at BEDFORD HOUSE. 1 Platoon ‘D’ Coy... Continue Reading →
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 