The complete month of September 1939 war diaries from the 85th Battery are now on-line complete with additional messages and routine orders. Check them out and let me know if you can match up additional photographs for each of the daily events. Thanks to Eric Halstead for the transcribing work.
One hundred years ago on 21 July 1917
31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of the 9th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Division. The 9th Brigade war diary records: Today was quiet. In the late afternoon the enemy engaged one of our balloons with a H.V. Gun, forcing the pilot to parachute.. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: CHATEAU DE LA HAIE – Day misty and visibility poor. Both sides normal, during the morning enemy fired on one of our balloons near GARENCY, with a long range gun, probably H.V. 8 inch shrapnel. Very good bursts were obtained and the observer was compelled to descend in a parachute. Ammunition Expended. A:1051. AX 450. BX 1100. BCBR.100 Guns in Action. 83 - 18.pdrs. 38. 4.5”Hows. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records: FIELD - Fired 130 rounds on Trench at M33d95.85 with aeroplane observation but shooting appeared erratic. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – This period was fairly quiet. Trench and Counter Battery programmes were carried out daily as per attached reports. Our observation balloons were hit by enemy shrapnel on several occasions and occupants forced to descend by parachutes. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - WEATHER:- Warmer. The 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA perpetuates the following sub units: 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 68th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force, was not authorized to be formed until 3 August 1918, and 85th Battery, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force was not authorized to be formed until 12 July 1918. The great part about finding new regimental photos is finding ones that have names of the soldiers included! The last batch resulted in three more names receiving a matching picture. Captain Jorgenson, Bombardier Gilson and Gunner Power. If you know any of these families, tell them to get in contact with the webmaster!
New photographs have gone on line in a couple of locations. Check them out in the page with photos of individuals here and also the group photographs on this page.
In addition to the photographs, Eric Halstead volunteered to transcribe some of the war diaries from the 85th Battery deployment at the beginning of the war. They've been placed on this page and include a collection of stories detailing the dead cats and mice found in the water reservoir, the tractor unit in deplorable shape and the two underage soldiers that were sent home after a week on the island! Check out the messages, diaries, stories and even more photos. One hundred years ago on 20 July 1917
31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of the 9th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Division. The 9th Brigade war diary records: There was a considerable amount of barraging fire carried out by the enemy. It has been noticed that most of the enemy’s Counter-Battery shoots, lately, seem to have been done with balloon observation. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: CHATEAU DE LA HAIE – Weather was showery during the morning, visibility becoming fair in the afternoon. Enemy planes were over our lines many times during the day, and enemy balloons were up in the afternoon, when enemy artillery carried out several shoots on our batteries in vicinity of LA CHAUDIERE. Our artillery was active on trench destruction, wire cutting and back country work. Ammunition Expended. A:541. AX 613. BX 601. Guns in Action. 84 - 18.pdrs. 38. 4.5”Hows. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records: FIELD - Fired 170 rounds on Trenches in T4a6.9 to Ns4o8.0 to N8k07.3e also 10 rounds concentration on SALLAUMINES. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – This period was fairly quiet. Trench and Counter Battery programmes were carried out daily as per attached reports. Our observation balloons were hit by enemy shrapnel on several occasions and occupants forced to descend by parachutes. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - WEATHER:- Mainly fair & bright. The 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA perpetuates the following sub units: 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 68th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force, was not authorized to be formed until 3 August 1918, and 85th Battery, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force was not authorized to be formed until 12 July 1918. One hundred years ago on 19 July 1917
31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of the 9th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Division. The 9th Brigade war diary records: O.O.No. 97 was issued today. One Battalion (116th) of the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade is to carry out a raid on the enemy’s trenches South of AVION, penetrating as far as the Railway Embankment. This will take place about the 22nd. The day was normal. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: CHATEAU DE LA HAIE – Visibility was fair and our heavies carried out destructive shoots in front of AVION. Enemy artillery were not active but considerable movement was observed in his back area, and targets were engaged. Very little aerial activity was observed. D.A.C. sent 100 men to prepare positions to be ocoupied by 3rd. C.D.A. on withdrawing from VIMY front. O.O.119 Ammunition Expended. A:511. AX 622. BX 526. BCBR.185. Guns in position. 83. 18.pdrs. 36. 4.5”Hows. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records: During the evening fired 25 rounds neutralization on Hostile Battery TI30 at T6a50.65. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – This period was fairly quiet. Trench and Counter Battery programmes were carried out daily as per attached reports. Our observation balloons were hit by enemy shrapnel on several occasions and occupants forced to descend by parachutes. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - WEATHER:- Cloudy with some showers – brighter & fairer later. The 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA perpetuates the following sub units: 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 68th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force, was not authorized to be formed until 3 August 1918, and 85th Battery, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force was not authorized to be formed until 12 July 1918. Another week of 85 Battery war diaries with supporting documents have been posted on line. Check out the new arrivals pumping out the water reservoir and see what they discovered!
One hundred years ago on 18 July 1917
31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of the 9th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Division. The 9th Brigade war diary records: The Enemy’s Artillery was practically silent during the day although his usual night firing was carried out. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: CHATEAU DE LA HAIE – Visibility only fair, and both sides were comparatively quiet in the air and on land. Our artillery carried out its usual programs of harassing fire during the night. Ammunition Expended. A:614. AX 491. BX 486. BCBR.185. Guns in Action. 83. 18.pdrs. 34. 4.5”Hows. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records: No firing, guns still out of Action. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – This period was fairly quiet. Trench and Counter Battery programmes were carried out daily as per attached reports. Our observation balloons were hit by enemy shrapnel on several occasions and occupants forced to descend by parachutes. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - WEATHER:- Rain, with mild, bright intervals. The 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA perpetuates the following sub units: 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 68th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force, was not authorized to be formed until 3 August 1918, and 85th Battery, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force was not authorized to be formed until 12 July 1918. SUMMER SHOW SCHEDULE
The Vancouver Artillery Association has an opportunity to display the 25 pounder, limber and Field Artillery Tractor in keeping with our mandate to preserve the history of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. The aim of the display is to showcase 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA – the history and the present day status. The following events are available for us to participate in if we have sufficient volunteers sign up. Most timings are estimated. 1. Abbotsford Agrifair – Fri 4 Aug to Sun 6 Aug – Abbotsford Fairground - an interactive military camp and display all weekend long commanded by the Canadian Military Education Museum – RV at Bessborough at 0900 Fri, secondary roads to Abbotsford with chase vehicle, schedule Sat 1000 until 1800, schedule Sun 1000 until 1300, return to Bessborough with chase vehicle. Wet weather plan – portable shelter and rain coats. 2. Abbotsford Airshow – Fri 11 Aug to Sun 13 Aug – Abbotsford Airport - RV at Bessborough at 0900 Fri, secondary roads to Abbotsford with chase vehicle, schedule Sat/Sun 0900 until 1500, return to Bessborough with chase vehicle on Sunday. Wet weather plan – portable shelter and rain coats. 3. All Aboard Richmond – Sat 19 Aug 1200 to 1600 - Steveston – RV at Bessborough at 0900 Sat, move to Steveston with chase vehicle, return to Bessborough with chase vehicle at 1600. Wet weather plan – portable shelter and rain coats. Contact me with your preferred shift(s): Abbotsford Agrifair Friday, 4 August AM Friday, 4 August PM Saturday, 5 August AM Saturday, 5 August PM Sunday, 6 August AM Sunday, 6 August PM Abbotsford Airshow Friday, 11 August AM Friday, 11 August PM Saturday, 12 August AM Saturday, 12 August PM Sunday, 13 August AM Sunday, 13 August PM All Aboard Richmond Saturday, 19 August AM Saturday, 19 August PM Are there any other events we should be contacting? Leon (LeonJ1@hotmail.com) |
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