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Seventy Eight years ago on 28 August 1939 From the War Diaries of 85 Heavy Battery, RCA CASF a sub-unit of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA 28 August 1939 – Vancouver Men given time off to clear up private affairs. 1800 – Battery parade for volunteers proceeding to York Island. Parade consisted of Capt. Guernsey, Capt. Jorgensen, 2/Lt. Mulhern, 50 O.R.s 85th Hvy. Bty. And 2 O.R.s 10th Fort. Sig. Coy. Major. H.H. Pitts, RCAMC, was detailed as Medical Officer. 1830 – Inspection by Lt.Col. G.Y.L. Crossley 1900 – Inspection by Col. H.F.G. Letson 2000 – Embussed in two busses, and proceeded to Ballantyne Pier. 2030 – Embarked on H.M.C.S. Comox – Loaded baggage and small stores and lunches. Friends, relatives came to wharf for farewells. 2100 – H.M.C.S. Comox, Lt. Comdr. Soulsby, sailed from Vancouver Harbour en route to York Island. Troops slept on deck and below deck. Weather : Raining One hundred years ago on 28 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. No enemy planes or balloons seen today. Some enemy movement was seen in rear of the BOIS QUATORES all of which was fired on and some casualties inflicted. A stretcher party was noticed coming out to carry one of their wounded men away. The usual movement between MUERCHIN and CARVIN about normal. Enemy artillery very quiet. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: BRAQUEMONT - Very poor visibility but no aerial activity. Artillery was below normal on both sides. Considerable movement was seen but nearly all at very long range. Ammunition expended A.429. AX.425. HX.112. 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: Overcast with squalls of gale force and very 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. Seventy Eight years ago on 27 August 1939 From the War Diaries of 85 Heavy Battery, RCA CASF a sub-unit of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA 27 August 1939 – Vancouver 0800 – Medical inspection of all O.R.s called up; uniforms issued, recruits attested; and Transfers arranged. No definite order received to move. Capt. Guernsey attached to 85th Bty. In lieu of Major Bradley, as M.O. would not pass defect in his left eye. Weather : Raining  One hundred years ago on 27 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 very poor on account of rain and mist. A few enemy planes were seen during the day but their activity was below normal. No balloons were seen. Enemy movement nil except for some train movement around CARVIN. Enemy artillery unusually quiet. Operation Order #104 was issued today, making a slight change in our zone boundaries and giving a new S.O.S. line. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: BRAQUEMONT - Visibility very poor on account of rain and mist. Some movement was seen in the back country but it was hard to locate accurately. Some targets were sent in to the 1st. Corps Heavy Artillery. At 6.00 a.m. this morning the 3rd. C.D.A. came unders of the 1st. Corps O.O. 127. Under O.O. 127 the 2nd. C.D.A. passed from the tactical control of the C.R.A., 3rd. C.D.A. Guns to complete our number under O.O. 127 were taken over from the 14th. Army Brigade R.F.A. on the night of the 26/27th. Ammunition expended A.514. AX.621. HX.321. Guns in action 82 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: squally - cool. The following artillery units of Canadian Corps were today transferred to I Corps: 1st CDA, 3rd CDA & 53rd Battery & 112th Battery. 64th HAG - 14th, 16th, 17th, 88th and 263rd Siege Batteries (6" howitzers). 1st Canadian Siege Battery (9.2" howitzers), 7th Canadian Siege Battery (8" howitzers). 46th Divisional Artillery - personnel only. 14th Army Brigade, RFA - A/14th & 88th Batteries - transferred to 2nd CDA. 8th Army Brigade, C.F.A. - 24th, 30th and 32nd batteries B.A.C. - attached to 2nd CDA. 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 26 August 1939 From the War Diaries of 85 Heavy Battery, RCA CASF a sub-unit of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA 0400 – Precautionary period Notified. Volunteers for active service called out and mobilized under Section 63 Militia Act. 0800 – Battery ordered to be ready to move to York Island with 72 hrs Notice. 3 Officers and 50 O.R.s required for original detachment. Day spent notifying members. 11th A.A. Bty. Asked to supply volunteers to make up 50 O.R.s 1400 – Brigade Parade for men volunteering for Active Service. Weather : Fair  One hundred years ago on 26 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 good. Ten enemy planes were up in the early morning, eight of them flying as far back as BOUVRIN. Five enemy balloons were also observed today. Very little movement of men observed but considerable traffic between MUERCHIN and CARVIN. At 11.00 am one train with forty coaches was seen to pull into CARVIN. Enemy artillery active on our support trenches and on counter-battery work during the day. The night was very quiet. Operation Order 103 was issued today extending our zone to the left. Five new guns were also borrowed from the 14th A.F.A. Brigade, R.F.A. to replace some guns damaged by shell fire during the last week. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: BRAQUEMONT - Visibility good and enemy aeroplanes and balloons were active till about 11.30 in the morning ranging their batteries. Enemy artillery was active all morning on our battery positions and back areas. Shells apparently coming from a southerly direction. Our artillery did not retaliate. Very little movement was noticed. Ammunition expended A.780. AX.396. HX.19. BX.286. BPS.15. BCBR.50. Guns in action 84 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 - Lieut. D.J. Maxwell proceeded on leave to England. 2nd Lieut. D.A. Guildford proceeded to Canadian Corp Gas School. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – On the 26th. inst. 346thth. Siege Battery, RGA., (6”26cwt.) came under the tactical control of this Group. 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: Overcast with some rain - 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. One hundred years ago on 25 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 good. Only one aeroplane was seen today, in the early morning, and no balloons. Very little movement of men was seen, but movement of men and transport on the MUERCHIN-CARVIN road was very heavy during the day. Several counter-attacks took place during the night on the zone to our right but our front was normal. Enemy artillery was very active during the day on counter-battery work. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: BRAQUEMONT - Visibility good. Both sides were active during the day. The enemy were particularly active during the early morning both with aeroplanes and balloons, his method apparently to range his batteries on certain targets and then allow them to carry on with destructive and interfering shoots. His artillery has been quite active in this way lately. Considerable movement was noticed and many targets were fired on. Ammunition expended A.3347. AX. 1897. HX.601. BSK.164. BPS.110. Guns in action 84 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 - Lieut. R.L Smith was sent to 8 Canadian Siege Battery. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – On 25th inst. our batteries co-operated in raid by the 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade on Aloof trench which proved successful. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - WEATHER: Unsettled and very 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. One hundred years ago on 24 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 was seen today and no balloons. Enemy movement in the front areas was below normal, but the motor and lorry traffic on the MUERCHIN-CARVIN road was abnormal and our heavies took on several targets at different times of the day along this road, and one lorry was seen to be damaged. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: BRAQUEMONT - Visibility fair on account of mist. Enemy artillery harassed LOOS during the night and became very active in counter battery work. The shells seem to be coming from a new direction to the south and the shelling is very persistent. Our aeroplanes were active all day; only one or two enemy planes were observed. Much movement has been reported in back areas. Our batteries took many targets with good results, guns having been registered on points where movement had been seen and the crews standing to. Ammunition expended A.1750. AX.592. HX.484. Guns in action 86 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 – Under the heavy strain of fierce fighting our infantry withdrew to original line. 6" howitzers of 9th Canadian Siege Battery dispersed several working parties with casualties. Very good work is being done by all batteries of this group in "sniping" working parties and bodies of enemy infantry in back areas. Carried out concentrations on Cite Du Nord and houses and approached to Lens. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - WEATHER: Unsettled with fair intervals - cooler. 5th CDA joined Canadian Corps today. 68th Battery, RFA of 14th Army Brigade, RFA, attached to 1st CDA, was today transferred to First Army Artillery School to act as Depot Battery. 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. Did you have ancestors that were in the Canadian Militia at the time of Confederation? Our latest upload to the reference page is The Annual Volunteer & Service Militia List of Canada; 1st March 1866. 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