​One hundred years ago on 30 June 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 the enemy artillery was active against our newly gained positions and Group Batteries were kept active in retaliatory fire. O.O. No.93 was issued today calling for three salvoes, from all Batteries, at noon, on Dominion Day, an Operation which is to be performed by the entire Canadian Corps Artillery.
 
3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records:
Fort George – Weather very cold with rain all day. Visibility very poor. There was considerable hostile shelling of the newly gained ground. 293rd. A.F.A. Brigade left the Division.
Ammunition Expended. A:508. AX 461 BX 377. Guns in Action. 74. 18.pdrs. 19. 4.5”Hows. 1.9.45 T.M.
 
5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records:
To-day we returned to COLE’S GROUP but C.C.H.A. will have a call on us for ? Hostile Battery shoot per. day.
Expended 40 rounds on Fesse 5 at N23c3.7.
 
1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records:
Cabaret Rouge – 5th. Canadian Siege Battery back to tactical and administrative control of 1st. Cdn. H.A.Group.
 
General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records:
In the Field - Weather, overcast, improving
Nothing to report.
 
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.

On 12 June 1977 the 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA was granted the Freedom of the City of Vancouver in a parade held at City Hall.
The video captures some of the members that were on parade that day:
Lieutenant-Colonel Bill Wickett, Major Bob Mugford, Captain Peter Erwin, Captain George Laschuk, Chief Warrant Officer Jim Hamilton, Master Warrant Officer George Wood, Warrant Officer Gary Palmatary, Warrant Officer Leon Jensen, Sergeant Mark Jackson, Sergeant Joe Phelan, Bombardier Brad Shorey, Gunner Graeme Mutton, Private Michelle Paulse 
Can you spot anyone else?

​One hundred years ago on 29 June 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:
Visibility fair. Today passed without event. The enemy artillery was generally below normal, during the day. Our own Batteries being active covering the consolidation of the infantry. Lieut. Philpott made a reconnaissance of the new enemy position on our front, submitting a full report.
 
3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records:
Fort George – Weather fine with fair visibility. Day was generally quiet. We were informed that the 293rd. A.F.A. Brigade must return to the 3rd. Army on July 1st, and O.O. 112 was issued. O.O. 113 was also issued providing for the firing of three salvos in conjunction with the whole Canadian Corps Artillery at noon on Dominion Day.
Ammunition Expended. A:4747. AX 2265 BX 1607. BCBR 54. Guns in Action. 81. 18.pdrs. 20. 4.5”Hows. 1.9.45 T.M.
 
5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records:
Expended 45 rounds on Hostile Batteries in reply to call for neutralisation fire.
 
1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records:
Cabaret Rouge – Fired on CITE ST.ANTOINE, CITE DU NORD, NOYELLES and enemy support trenches.
 
General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records:
In the Field - Weather, mainly fair.
Moves of Units – Orders for withdrawal of 293rd Army Bde., R.F.A. from Canadian Corps to Third Army issued – ordered to march on 1st July. – Artillery Order No. 44.
Orders issued for Dominion Day (1st July) Shoot – 3 salvoes to be fired by the Canadian Corps Artillery. – Artillery Order No. 45
 
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 28 June 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 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade successfully accomplished their Operation at 2.30 a.m. The Barrage was very well timed and well-placed. Batteries kept up a protective fire until morning, covering the consolidation of the new positions. Letters of appreciation received from Lieut-Col. H.A. Genet, O.C. 58th Canadian Battalion.
O.O.s Nos.91 and 92 were issued today calling for a Barrage at 7.10 p.m., in support of further consolidation by the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade. This Operation took place as arranged. The patrols sent out by the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade were forced to stop short of their objective and finally consolidate on their original outpost line.
 
3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records:
Fort George – With zero hour 2.30 a.m. AVION Trench was attacked and taken, together with 15 prisoners of the 5th. Grenadier Guards Regiment. Artillery barrage reported excellent. Orders were received from 3rd. Canadian Division that a further attack would be made in the evening. O.O.111 was therefore issued. Attack commenced at 7.20  p.m. A few moments after this time a very heavy thunder storm came up. First line of objectives were occupied but strong opposition prevented further progress of our patrols. A number of prisoners were taken. Information was received regarding the relief of the 3rd. Canadian Division  by the 1st. Canadian Division, the 3rd. C.D.A. remaining in the line and O.O. 110 was issued.
Ammunition Expended. A:11466. AX 1180. BX 2060. BCBR 40. Guns in Action. 63.18.pdrs. 20.4 .5” Hows. 1.9.45 T.M.
 
5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records:
To-day fired several rounds neutralization fire on Hostile Batteries NY 70 at N21d95.05, NZ 15 at N23d50.55, MY70 at M21a95.o5.
This afternoon engaged Hostile Battery NY 74 at N33b 20.50 with Balloon observation.
Shoot abandoned owing to call for neutralisation fire.
7.10 pm to 8.45 pm fired ? rounds on Hostile Batteries NZ 17 at N36a8.6 and NZ7 at ? in support of Infantry Operations.
 
1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records:
Cabaret Rouge – Carried out C.C.H.A. Operations No.77 as per attached instructions. Successful. Simultaneous attacks by 46th. Division ,First Corps, 13th. Corps and Canadian Corps. Canadian Corps captured and consolidated AVION.
 
General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records:
In the Field - Weather, Unsettled, warmer.
Further instructions issued in connection with Operations previously detailed.- Artillery Order No.43.
 
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.

Challenge 1, Question #1 has been answered - The mystery Lieutenant-Colonel is ​​Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel F.B. Brown according to the accession list for the photo. He was Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of 15th Field Regiment RCA from 1959 to 1961.

This however raises two additional questions:
Question #5 - Why is Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Brown at a 43 MAA Regiment dinner?
Question #6 - Who is Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel F.B. Brown?


Challenge 2 is a more somber occasion. The question is: When did Lieutenant-Colonel​ Francis Cassillis (Bud) ​Garrett pass away?
Additional photographs are displayed on the Who, what, where, when page.

​Four Regimental Sergeants Major - Chief Warrant Officer Brian Cormier CD, Chief Warrant Officer Eric Tyldesley-Gore CD, Chief Warrant Officer Bill Amos CD and Chief Warrant Officer Leon Jensen CD.

The U's, V's, W,'s, X's, Y's and Z's have all been updated. 3,180 names of members that have served the Guns with the 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA, it's amalgamated units and perpetuated Batteries.
The names include famous people, ordinary people, fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers. 
If you are a former member, I salute you! Thank you for your service!

​One hundred years ago on 27 June 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:
Our 4.5” How. Batteries have been kept busy today neutralizing the sniping and machine gun fire which harassed our newly taken positions, in front of AVION. The 18-pounder Batteries successfully engaged enemy parties observed in back areas.
O.O.No.90 was issued today calling for a Barrage at 2.30 a.m. 28th inst., in support of the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade’s attack on AVION TRENCH.
 
3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records:
Fort George – Word was received from 3rd. Canadian Division that AVION Trench would be attacked on the night 27th/28th., in conjunction with attacks by the 4th. Canadian Division and the 1st. Corps on our left. O.O. 109 was therefore issued.
Ammunition Expended. A:1418. AX 1399. BX 692. BCBR 43. Guns in Action. 83.18.pdrs. 20.4.5” Hows. 2” T.M.2
 
5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records:
Fired 36 rounds on Hostile Battery at N 30 d 2.9. Shoot abandoned owing to poor visibility.
To-day we were taken over by MACGEE’s GROUP (Counter-Battery).
 
1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records:
Cabaret Rouge – Barrage at 7 a.m. in support of 18th, Cdn. Inf. Bde. attack on ELEU-DIT-LEAUVETTE which was successful.
 
General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records:
In the Field - Weather, cloudy and unsettled, thunderstorms.
Further instructions issued in connection with Operations detailed in Artillery Orders Nos.37 & 40.- Artillery order No. 42.
 
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.