Baseball was a large part of battalion life. Numerous articles attest to this at this blog. The Battalion played at Folkestone[i], at a Sports Day at Hythe, and during brigade and divisional sports days, amongst other mentions. Baseball was of keen interest to the men of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and the 18th Battalion. So... Continue Reading →
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 →
Letter Home: “…the poor Germans run like a lot of mice.”
Sergeant William Mowatt was wounded in the foot and this letter describes his experiences during the fighting in the Lens, France sector in August 1917. The Tilbury Times, Thursday 18 October, 1917. Letters From the Front. Mrs. Frank Mowatt (nee Martha Billings) is in receipt of the following letter from Wm. Mowatt, who went overseas... Continue Reading →
A Scratching on a Wall in France
Private Archibald Leonard Cater joined the 18th Battalion on March 31, 1916 and served with the Battalion in France until the day he died 1 day after being wounded on October 1, 1918 in the Arras sector. At sometime before his death he left a stark reminder of his existence: an inscription on what appears... Continue Reading →
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 →
“We’re all OK. Plenty of rations, water and rum.”
During heavy action during an operation in August 1917 against the ALOOF Trench in the Lens area of operations by the 18th Battalion C.E.F. the following communication was written and passed back by messenger to "Adjutant Radish" at Battalion Headquarters. To Adjut. Radish [codename] Casualties 2 killed 5 wounded I have completed a relief of... Continue Reading →