​One hundred years ago on 26 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 day was spent in registration and establishment of communications. The Batteries were all registered and on their S.O.S. Lines at 6.00 p.m.
 
3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records:
CHATEAU DE LA HAIE – 179th A.F.A. Brigade was transferred, less two batteries, to the 4th C.D.A.; two batteries coming under orders of the 2nd C.D.A. The 3rd C.D.T.M. Brigade temporarily coming under orders of C.R.A. 4th Canadian Division. In accordance with O.O.121, Hdqrs. of 3rd C.D.A. was moved to BRAQUMONT. Brigades were registering, moving and getting into new positions (O.O.121). Zones and boundaries are as shown in O.O.123. The 5th Battery C.F.A. comes under our orders (O.O.123).
Ammunition Expended. A:35. AX -. BX -. Guns in Action: 18-pdrs.27,  4.5”Hows.11.
 
5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records:
FIELD - Fired 30 rounds rapid on CITE ST EMILE at 11.35am.
11.55am to 12.45pm fired 75 rounds concentration on Hostile Battery NX28 at N10b 4.5.
During the evening we fired 200 rounds on Hostile Battery MX43 at N10o50.70 with aeroplane observation. Results satisfactory.

 
1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records:
Cabaret Rouge – Quiet. Trench and counter Battery programmes carried out.
 
General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records:
In the Field - WEATHER:-     Fair and bright. Cloudy 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.

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom! The latest regimental wedding has been posted in the 2017 Yearbook. It joins countless other weddings throughout our history. Were you married in uniform? Have you got some photos to share? Send me an email!

The following members of 68th Battery, 16th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, Northern Russia Expeditionary Force have been added to the nominal roll or had their information updated.
Barber, J. C.; Basson, A. F.; Beddow, J. A.; Bell, B. H.; Benz, S.; Bilton, H. W.; Bird, H.; Blair, S. R.; Bond, S. J.; Boyd, J. C.; Breiter, J. P.; Brian, I. A.; Brimley, A. C.; Brown, B. F.; Bryne, O. E.; Buchanan, D. W.; Burchell, C.; Burnside, F. W.; Burton, A. T.; Bushey, R.; Butchart, J. F.
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This included a new Military Medal recipient, Signaller Donald William Buchanan, MM and an update to Signaller J.P. Breiter, MM. Check out Breiter's record. He appears to have been quite the character!
Unfortunately I do not have any information on the specific deed or action that these two individuals did that earned them the Military Medal. Always looking for someone to go through the War Diaries and other sources of information in  order to find out that information. Send me an email if you would like to volunteer.

One hundred years ago on 25 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:
he Brigade left the BERTHONVAL Wagon Lines at 3.30 p.m., arriving at LE BREBIS at about 8.30 p.m. The Batteries came into action during the night.
 
3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records:
CHATEAU DE LA HAIE – RALSTON’S Group was withdrawn and their zone taken over by the 3rd Brigade C.F.A. in accordance with O.O.120.
Visibility very poor on account of rain.
At 5.A.M. a feint bombardment was carried out with a view to deceiving the enemy (O.O.122) The enemy were apparently expecting an attack and put down a good barrage in reply, this barrage commenced at 5.05 A.M. and continued till 5.55 A.M. Both sides were very quiet during the day.
Ammunition Expended. A:1141. AX 118. BX 365. BCBR.208   Guns in Action. 87-18.pdrs. 45-4.5”How.
 
5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records:
FIELD - Day quiet, only fired 35 rounds calibration on Fosse 4 de COURIERES.
 
1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records:
Cabaret Rouge – Quiet. Trench and counter Battery programmes carried out.
 
General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records:
In the Field - WEATHER:-     Cloudy with rain – thunderstorms.
Corps H.Q. moved from Camblain l’Abbe to Hersin-Coupiny Chateau.
 
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 24 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:
After 9.00 p.m. the Batteries were withdrawn to the wagon lines. A March Table was issued for the move to the new sector. Wagon Lines are to be at LE BREBIS and the gun positions, which have been under preparation, are in the vicinity of LOS CRASSIER.
 
3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records:
CHATEAU DE LA HAIE – In accordance with O.O.120, D/18 and D/5 batteries were transferred from 3rd C.D.A. control to Counter Battery Group, and on the withdrawal of CARSCALLEN’S Group their zone was taken over by RALSTON’S Group and the 3rd Brigade C.F.A. Visibility poor all day. Both sides were quiet during day, but more activity than usual was reported during night, principally on the part of enemy artillery which shelled our approaches nearly all night.
Ammunition Expended. A:642. AX 277. BX 502. BCBR.124   Guns in Action. 83 - 18.pdrs. 37- 4.5”How.
 
5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records:
FIELD - From 12noon to 5pm fired 250 rounds on Hostile Battery NX34 at N11a20.35 with aeroplane observation. Obtained satisfactory results.
8.15pm to 9.40pm fired 90 rounds on Hostile Battery NZ99 at N22a9.0. Orders from Counter battery Group.
At midnight fired 18 rounds rapid on MOYELLES.
 
1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records:
Cabaret Rouge – Congratulatory letter received from Brigadier Lippset, G.O.C. 3rd. Canadian Division expressing appreciation of our co-operation on previous nights raid.
 
General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records:
In the Field - WEATHER:-     Warm – hazy.
 
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 23 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 raid at 1.00 a.m. was completely successful. The Barrage was reported to be faultless. Fifty-one prisoners were taken, including one officer. Lieutenant Philpott went over behind the attacking parties and sent back valuable reports through the Liaison Officer.
O.O. No. 98 was issued today. The Brigade is to be withdrawn from the line and come into action in support of an Operation by the 1st and 2nd Canadian Divisions, against the high ground N.W. of LENS.
 
3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records:
CHATEAU DE LA HAIE – At one A.M. 23rd July, the 3rd C.D.A. and attached Artillery covering 3rd Division front in accordance with O.O.118 co-operated with the 9th Cdn. Inf. Bde., in raiding the enemy trenches and Trench Mortar emplacements in Railway embankment in front of AVION. This operation was successful, but unfortunately two outposts left behind by the main force when it retired got into difficulties and had casualties.
Visibility was interfered with by ground mist. Aerial activity was marked on both sides. Our Heavy and Field gun activity before the operation 1.A.M. as usual, the heavies bombarding the area to be raided. Barrage opened well on time and was reported all that could be desired by the Infantry engaged.
Ammunition Expended. A:17580. AX 2684. BX 6636. BCBR.100   Guns in Action. 86 - 18.pdrs. 39- 4.5”How.
 
5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records:
FIELD - During the forenoon fired several rounds on Trenches in M19d, M35c and d, and M34b.
In the evening we fired 140 rounds on Hostile Battery NZ90 at N29b4.9.
Results were satisfactory.
During the day position was again shelled with 5.9HE and 4.2 Gas Shells. We had no casualties.
 
1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records:
Cabaret Rouge – Carried out barrage in support of 116th. Battalion, 9th Canadian Brigade, 3rd. Canadian Division raid which was most successful and the barrage perfect. These Headquarters bombed by hostile aircraft, five high explosive bombs being dropped severing communication wires for a short period.
 
General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records:
In the Field - WEATHER:-     Fine and very warm.
Transfer of remainder of 1st C.D.A. & A/14 Bde., R.F.A. from XIIICorps to Canadian Corps.
 
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.

Great shots from the Band perspective on Canada Day. Check out the 48 pictures from Sam Maruyama in the 2017 Yearbook.

​One hundred years ago on 22 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 the Group Batteries completed the destruction of the enemy’s wire in front of the raid. Zero time for this Operation will be 1.00 a.m. July 23rd.
 
3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records:
CHATEAU DE LA HAIE – Visibility fair to good. The enemy had six balloons up during the day and was more than usually active especially on batteries near BOIS DE CHAUDIERE. Enemy and British planes were active and our Heavies were active.
Ammunition Expended. A:666. AX 626. BX 1239. BCBR.120   Guns in Action. 85 - 18.pdrs. 39- 4.5”How.
 
5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records:
FIELD - Day quiet. Only fired 30 rounds of Concentration Shoots on Houses at N20a and N25a.
 
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:- Fine & warm.
H.Q. & 1 Section of 10th Siege Bty. (9.2” Hows) & 263rd Siege Bty.(6” How.) transferred from XIII Corps to Canadian Corps.
H.Q. & 1st Sections of following 18pdr. Batteries transferred from XIII Corps to Canadian Corps:-
120th., C/165 , A/317 Batteries, R.F.A.
1st Sections of 1st C.D.A. Batteries & A/14 Bde., R.F.A.
 
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.