Confidential War Diary of 18th CANADIAN BATTALION – 2nd CANADIAN DIVISION From 1st September to 3oth September, 1918 Volume 37 With appendices 1 – 23 Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information H.Q. Reserve SIMECOURT 1 Battalion carried on with training as per syllabus attached. 2 O.R.s. reinforcements. 4 O.Rs. awarded bar to M.M. … Continue reading War Diary of the 18th Battalion: September 1918
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The Unforgettable Experience: Buried by a Shell
18th Battalion Association[i] Windsor and Detroit Branch *MEMORIES[ii]* Every man who served in the Front Line for any length of time, whether he be an officer or in the ranks, had some unforgetable [sic] experience he would often recall during his lifetime. Some men had several and some of the experiences are much worse than … Continue reading The Unforgettable Experience: Buried by a Shell
Untold Misery Has Been the Harvest Now: The Letters of Major George Whitford Nelson
Introduction The intent of this blog post is to expand upon a series of letters diligently transcribed by the Bruce County Archives entitled Correspondence from Lieutenant Colonel George Whitford Nelson to his sister, Mrs. William Kidd, 1914-1916, A99.058.008. This resource was found during research into this soldier and offers an invaluable insight into the feelings, … Continue reading Untold Misery Has Been the Harvest Now: The Letters of Major George Whitford Nelson
The Stress of Combat: Captain Lloyd at Vimy Ridge
There is no doubt that Captain E.R.V. Lloyd served with bravery and distinction during the World War 1 with the 18th Battalion. Enlisting as an “Original” on November 3, 1914 in Windsor, Ontario, he rose through the ranks. First as a private soldier and then had the rather unusual circumstance of being promoted from the … Continue reading The Stress of Combat: Captain Lloyd at Vimy Ridge
Letter Home: …unable to get near a bath for over a month.
June 24, 1916 My dear Mother, Daddy, and Grant: Of course we always say that we have wet rainy nights whenever carrying out a relief. Well last Saturday night we moved into the line again from support on a damp night and last night, really this morning, came out in nearly absolute darkness through & … Continue reading Letter Home: …unable to get near a bath for over a month.
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 German Trench Raid Action on March 13th, 1917
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 War Diary of the 18th Battalion: November 1916
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 Report of a Minor raid, Night of Dec. 1/2
