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Training The 68th Overseas Dept Battery Canadian Field Artillery provided training for drafts going to the United Kingdom to reinforce existing units. The following photos from Vancouver Archives illustrates some of the training and camp life during their stay at the Exhibition Grounds. heck out the other photos in the 1917 yearbook. Ropework It appears that knots and skill with ropes would be very beneficial to an army that relied heavily on horsemanship. The soldier's name is unknown in these photos from the Vancouver Archives in the 1917 Yearbook. A Military Medal was awarded to Gunner Albert Edward Halladay, MM during his time with 68th Battery, 16th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force. His record card indicates the Military Medal was awarded for "Bravery in the Field". There were no details recorded on his citation card. Check out his entry in the Nominal Roll.  Another member of 68th Battery that was awarded with the Military Medal prior to joining the Battery. Acting Bombardier Allen Erastus Hagar, MM was awarded the Military Medal during his posting with 5th Brigade Canadian Field Artillery on 6 October 1916. His citation reads,"For conspicuous good service and devotion to duty when in charge of the forward Battery wires, maintaining splendid communications from the observing station to the Battery under continuous shell fire. Although communication was repeatedly broken they were repaired and communication was re-established by this Gunner in very short time, despite the heavy enemy barrages. He has been twice wounded during these operations but remained at duty." Check out the Military Medal page here.  Recruiting Staff The sign in the window advertises a Military Show and Gymkhana (an equestrian event consisting of speed pattern racing and timed games for riders on horses) with 68th Battery Canadian Field Artillery on Friday April 20th. That date confirms the year 1917. A series of photographs from the Vancouver Archives labeled 68th C.F.A. parade. These photographs appear to depict the 68th Overseas Depot Battery, Canadian Field Artillery moving the guns from (or to) an unknown stable location to their training area. The Battery appears to have been responsible to bring the new enrolees of each draft to a set standard of Gunnery. Check out the remainder of the photos here. A series of photographs from the Vancouver Archives labelled 58th C.F.A. Exhibition Grounds Vancouver from the Stuart Thompson fonds. Stuart Thompson took most of the group photographs of the 68th Overseas Depot Battery. The questions are: Is there a typo in the labeling of all these photographs (58 should read 68)? Do these pictures portray 59th Overseas Depot Battery that are simply training at the Exhibition Grounds in Vancouver? Were these photographs actually taken at the Exhibition Grounds in Victoria? Check out the photographs here and send your answers to [email protected] Philip Sherwin from Victoria provided a link to some additional photographs from the 68th Depot Battery. The 10th and 11th Overseas Draft photo has now been uploaded. Rather odd discovery was that the 12th draft has two photographs, one taken on the 15th and one taken on the 19th. Check them out on our group photo page or 1917 page. Beer and Pizza Summertime is great for catching up with stories from the past. Not too sure if I can print any of the ones that came up from this Saturday beer and pizza night. Colonel (Ret'd) Leon Jensen, Captain Rob Wishnicki and Master Warrant Officer (Ret'd) John Mclelland. John's in town for a couple of months on a construction project in West Vancouver and I'm sure we'll see him a couple of times while he's here.  Another Military Cross award has been uncovered. Lieutenant John Stewart McRae, MC was a member of 68th Battery, 16th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force. His citation for the Military Cross reads: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On night 5/6th January, when KODISH was evacuated by the troops holding the line he collected his spare men at the battery and led them forward to fill in the gap and so protect his guns. he then went further forward and led straggling troops to forward positions. His coolness and fine example were of great assistance at a critical moment. Lieutenant McRae had previously been awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre. Check out the other Military Cross awards here.  |
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March 2025
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