100 Years Ago Today

​One hundred years ago, on 14 April 1917,
31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of the 8th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Division. The Brigade war diary records:
Berthonvas Farm F4 d9.1 Sheet 5.c  Battery Commanders went forward to VIMY to recconnoitre positions. Lieut. Whitaker took two guns of the 38th Battery to a position in LA CHAUDIERE. Both of these were taken over the Ridge to this position on the day of April 14th. The LENS-ARRAS Road east of VIMY RIDGE was in a terrible condition and under direct observation by the enemy. It was shelled constantly. Lieut. Whittaker succeeded in getting the section in without casualties and took up his position and reported to the O.C. 43rd Battalion. The water tower at LA CHAUDIERE was used as an O.P.  The night of the 14/15th the 40th Battery moved forward to new positions in VIMY. The road was in a very bad condition and constant blocks occurred the Battery being over 17 hours on the road.
 
58th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of the 14th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 5th Canadian Division. The Division was training in England and the Brigade war diary records:
WITLEY - Cold rainy day. DUKE inspected lines at 12.20 NOON. The three 18 Pr. Batteries in PARK at BATTY GUN DRILL, the HOW BATTY at the O ? work across HASLEMERE RD. H.R.H. and retinue were aminatographed. GR. BULLEN C.L. 58th BATTY awarded 28 days detention on 13.4.17 by R.C.M. for absence without leave. CPL ATKINSON to WOOLWICH
 
5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force war diary records:
Mt St Eloy - Very little doing today 60 Rounds being fired on trenches in M36b 25.00 and M31c30.10.
 
The 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA perpetuates the following sub units:
31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force,
58th 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.