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Seventy Eight years ago on 31 August 1939 From the War Diaries of 85 Heavy Battery, RCA CASF a sub-unit of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA stationed at Yorke Island, BC 31 August 1939 – York Island Continual fatigues. Foreman and 4 helpers arrived to build fence around Fort and construct a sleeping hut. Weather : Fair The war diaries for the following Batteries of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA have yet to be located:
31st Heavy Battery stationed at Stanley Park and Narrows North 58th Heavy Battery stationed at Point Grey and Steveston. One hundred years ago on 31 August 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 and good at intervals. Only two enemy planes were up for a short time in the morning. No enemy balloons observed today. Very little movement observed in front areas but there was the usual motor and horsed transports seen on the MUERCHIN-CARVIN road; also very heavy train movement in and out of CARVIN. Enemy artillery more active today, barraging our front line and supports at different times. During the early morning an S.O.S. was sent up on our front and the enemy tried to raid our front line. Our artillery opened up very quickly and the enemy was forced to retire. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: BRAQUEMONT - Visibility indifferent owing to rain. Aerial activity almost nil. Our artillery answered three S.O.S. calls during the night 30/31st. Enemy artillery much more active shelling back country and barraging our front line at different times heavily. The usual movement in back country was observed and reported. Ammunition expended A.5000. AX.2912. BX.2118. Guns in action 79 18-pdrs., 21 4.5" Hows. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group. Their war diary records: ANGRES - During the month of August the Battery took part in the capture of Hill 70, also the taking of the Green Crasier and all the fighting on the Lens front. During this time the Battery was twice heavily shelled by 8” and on several occasions we were bombarded with Gas Shells. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Policy now ordered for the Siege Artillery in this area, until further orders, is that of harassing the Bosch especially in and around Lens and neighbourhood of Fosses No.21 and 22. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - WEATHER: Mainly fair - some showers - warmer. Instructions for Artillery Reliefs issued. 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. Seventy Eight years ago on 30 August 1939 From the War Diaries of 85 Heavy Battery, RCA CASF a sub-unit of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA 30 August 1939 – York Island Spent day cutting wood, moving stores and ammunition. A “Cat Driver” from the Salmon River Logging Co., was engaged to start and operate the tractor. More ammunition was sent up by tractor in the afternoon. Weather : Raining One hundred years ago on 30 August 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. Only one enemy plane observed today, but no balloons. A few small parties were seen about the BOIS de QUATORES and were immediately fired on but they quickly disappeared. At 11.11 am a battalion of infantry were seen coming toward MUERCHIN from CARVIN. There was also considerable horsed traffic and motor traffic on the road between these two places. Enemy artillery was below normal except for two concentrated shoots; one during the night and the other in the afternoon on our rear areas. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: BRAQUEMONT - Visibility fair. Aerial activity below normal. Artillery on both sides below normal. Much movement seen in enemy back country. On the night of 29th/30th, relief according to O.O. 128 and G.592/1-14 was carried out and the zones of our groups changed O.O.128. Ammunition expended A.397. AX.418. BX.211. BSX.14. Guns in action 81 18-pdrs., 24 4.5" Hows. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group. Their war diary records: ANGRES - During the month of August the Battery took part in the capture of Hill 70, also the taking of the Green Crasier and all the fighting on the Lens front. During this time the Battery was twice heavily shelled by 8” and on several occasions we were bombarded with Gas Shells. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Policy now ordered for the Siege Artillery in this area, until further orders, is that of harassing the Bosch especially in and around Lens and neighbourhood of Fosses No.21 and 22. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - WEATHER: Mainly fair - some showers - cool. 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. Thanks to Al Yelland, I've got some great photos from last year's Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess Dinner. It's the first one since the Mess was extensively renovated with help from the Honorary Lieutenant Colonel, Allan DeGenova. Looks great! Check out the other photos in the 2016 Yearbook. I just finished sorting through some of Al Yelland's photos and came up with a half dozen from the Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess Dinner. Anybody else have any photographs? Looks like it's mostly the old guys that take pictures these days? Is that to help them remember who was there the night before? Next Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess Dinner is on 9 September 2017. Hope to see you there!
Seventy Eight years ago on 29 August 1939 From the War Diaries of 85 Heavy Battery, RCA CASF a sub-unit of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA 29 August 1939 – York Island 1000 – Arrived off York Island. Passage to wharf carefully sounded. 1100 – Landed at wharf and unloaded baggage and stores 1200 – S.S. “Border Prince” arrived and landed large quantities of miscellaneous stores and supplies (see Appendix “F”) Master-Gunner Blake, Sgt. Instructor, 2 Ordnance Artificers and a Signals Sgt. Major arrived on the “Border Prince”. Officers reconnoitered the Island and surveyed available accommodation which consisted of the Caretakers Quarters, a 5 room bungalow; a bunkhouse, 18 x 50; a mess hut 22 by 45; a small hut, 16 x 16; also a radio station hut, 10 x 14. The caretakers house was found to be occupied by two District Gunners of 5th Hvy. Bty and a signalman of No. 11 Det. RCCS. A Cold lunch was prepared as no stove pipe was sent with the camp stove. The launch “York” was sent to Kelsey Bay for various supplies, including stove pipe and kerosene for the lanterns. The men worked hard in pouring rain sorting out stores and carrying them away from the wharf. The tractor delivered was useless, as it refused to start. 34 men were quartered in the bunkhouse, 9 N.C.O.s in the small hut. 4 N.C.O.s in the empty w/t station at the Fort, 2 O.R.s in the launch “York”, 4 O.R.s in the Mess Hut, 4 O.R.s in the basement of the caretakers quarters, 2 O.R.s in the Radio Station, and the 4 Officers in the Caretakers Quarters One hundred years ago on 29 August 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. A few enemy planes were seen during the day but their activity was below normal. No enemy balloons seen. Enemy movement below normal, except for some train movement between MUERCHIN and CARVIN. Enemy artillery below normal. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: BRAQUEMONT - Visibility was poor. There was some aerial activity but the high wind and rain interfered with operations. On both sides artillery below normal. A large enemy ammunition dump was set on fire near VANDIN le VIRIL. Ralston's Group assisted Hullion's Group in covering a raid on the right of our front. A letter from Col. Weber attached. Ammunition expended A.1781. AX.3190. BX.565. Guns in action 81 18-pdrs., 22 4.5" Hows 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group. Their war diary records: ANGRES - During the month of August the Battery took part in the capture of Hill 70, also the taking of the Green Crasier and all the fighting on the Lens front. During this time the Battery was twice heavily shelled by 8” and on several occasions we were bombarded with Gas Shells. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Policy now ordered for the Siege Artillery in this area, until further orders, is that of harassing the Bosch especially in and around Lens and neighbourhood of Fosses No.21 and 22. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - WEATHER: Unsettled, squally and cool. 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. I've heard that the following retired 'old guys' are attending the dinner: Al Yelland Leon Jensen Colin Norris Bob Mugford Anyone else that I may not have heard from?  |
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