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Seventy Eight years ago on 30 September 1939 From the War Diaries of 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA CASF 30/9/39 Mob. Plus 26. NMuster parade of Bde. Less York Island detachment held under Capt. G. Cowan, 1st A.A. Regt, R.C.A. H.Q. 7 Officers & 20 O.R.’s at Bessborough Armouries, 1 M.O. at York Island, 2 O.R.’s in Shaughnessy Hospital, 31st Bty:68 O.R.’s at Stanley Park, 2 Officers & 18 O.R.’s at Narrows North, 4 O.R.’s in Hospital, 58th Bty: 5 Officers and 77 O.R.’s at Point Grey, 32 O.R’s at Bessborough Armouries, 4 O.R.’s in Hospital, 1 O.R. on sick leave, 1 O.R. on leave. 85th Bty: 3 officers & 76 O.R.’s at York Island, 27 O.R.’s at Bessborough Armouries. 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 30 Sep 1939 – York Island 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 30 September 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 brigade remained at rest at this point until the end of the month, most of the time being devoted to cleaning equipment and grooming horses. 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery was attached to 10th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade during this period. The 10th Brigade war diary records that: Fine and warm. At 1.00 a.m. warning of expected raid on our right sector received. All batteries warned but no action developed. All quiet. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: FORT GEORGE - Visibility fair during the afternoon and there was considerable activity in the air. The NEUVILLE ST VAAST balloon was shelled by enemy balloon gun during the afternoon. Our two sniping guns were moderately active, otherwise the day was quiet. Ammunition expended: BX.32. Guns in action: 20 - 18pdrs., 6 - 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 - Capt L.C. Ord proceeded on leave to England. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Period very quiet. Very little firing done whatever during this time. On September 30th there was considerable T.M. and M.G. activity along the whole front, but little heavy artillery firing owing to poor visibility. " General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - Unusually quiet on whole Corps front. 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. The Regiment took part in the National Open House Day at the Armoury with displays and soldiers on hand to talk to the neighbours. Thanks for dropping by! Check out the rest of the pictures in our 2017 yearbook. Shilo - September 2017 Don Foster receives an introduction to the M777 155mm Howitzer from 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery at the Home Station, Shilo Manitoba. From Routine Orders - 25 October 1939  Updated the biography of Major James Edward Piercy who arrived on Yorke island 100 years ago to take over as Battery Commander. Born in Hong Kong, Gunner in Hong Kong Volunteer Artillery, Lieutenant in 5th Regiment Canadian Garrison Artillery 16 Mar 1917 when attested into the Canadian Expeditionary Force, taken on strength Reserve Brigade Canadian Field Artillery, taken on strength 2nd Brigade CRA 22 Jun 1917, taken on strength Reserve Brigade Canadian Field Artillery 18 Nov 1917, taken on strength "E" Anti-Aircraft Battery 3 Feb 1918, taken on strength 3rd Brigade Canadian Field Artillery 8 Jun 1918, granted 14 days leave to England 23 Sep 1918, granted 14 days leave to United Kingdom 22 Feb 1919, proceeded to England 25 Apr 1919, sailed for Canada 18 May 1919, struck off strength Canadian Expeditionary Force 4 Jun 1919, Lieutenant in 31st Battery 15th Brigade from 1922 to 1925, Captain from 1925 to 1928, transferred to 68th Battery on 1 April 1925, Major from 1930 to 1941, Battery Commander 85th Battery from 29 Sep 1939 to 6 Oct 1940, and 14 Feb 1941 to 4 Nov 1941, awarded Efficiency Decoration in 1941, deceased 5 Mar 1976. BWM, VM, ED Seventy Eight years ago on 29 September 1939 From the War Diaries of 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA CASF 29/9/39 Mob. Plus 25. No change in strength or disposition except Major J.F. Piercy proceeded to York Island to assume command. Capt. T.L. Harrison, P.M. 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 29 Sep 1939 – York Island Major J.F. Piercy arrived today, and assumed command. "Border Prince" delivered stores and water. 1 OR returned from Alert Bay. Letter re Re-inforcements (see App"F"). Letter re Training (see App. "F"). 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 29 September 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 brigade remained at rest at this point until the end of the month, most of the time being devoted to cleaning equipment and grooming horses. On the afternoon of the 29th a half holiday was declared, the men attending the Corps Sports held at VILLERS au BOIS. These were very much enjoyed by all ranks. 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery was attached to 10th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade during this period. The 10th Brigade war diary records that: Dull and cloudy. Few drops of rain. Unusually quiet day. No. 300975, Gnr. Arthur Smith, 35th. Bty. Recommended for the VICTORIA CROSS. Copy of recommendation attached. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: FORT GEORGE - The visibility was very poor account of mist, and little movement could be observed except from front line O.Ps which were used by officers in charge of sniping gun. Enemy blew up one of our ammunition dumps in MONT FORMES QUARRIES during the night, obtaining a direct hit and causing considerable numbers of casualties. Ammunition expended: AX.62, BX.41. Guns in action: 20 - 18pdrs., 6 -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 we were bombarded with Gas shells on several occasions also shelled 8” and 5.9” losing a quantity of ammunition. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Period very quiet. Very little firing done whatever during this time. In accordance with instructions received from the G.O.C., CCHA, infantry officers reported to these HQs for the purpose of gaining a little insight into the difficulties which the artillery have to contend with. These infantry officers are detailed from the different btns. and are attached to our HQ and batteries for a period of one week and replaced by other officers. A short program dealing with the preparation, working out of angles, error of day and elements entering into the accuracy of shooting. O.P. work details of doing special shoots for the infantry, zones of hows. and guns, ammunition supply and storage of cartridges, and operation orders in support of infantry raids and attacks, dealing with the different tasks which the artillery have to perform both before and during the battle. Major Little 28th Btn. HQ 1st C.H.A.G. 27th to 2-10-17 Cpt. Robertson 31st Btn. 72nd SAHA " Lt. Cowper, 8th Btn. 9th C.S.B. " Major Wilmot 29th Btn. 5th C.S.B. " General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - Unusually quiet on whole Corps front. Thirty coke ovens in H.34 were set on fire, burning all the afternoon and evening. There was considerable shelling of our observation balloons, but without effect, and some counter-battery work on our heavy artillery positions, also without result. 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. Recruiting Handout - We're not sure on the date that this handout was published. It lists the 733 phone exchange and it talks about opportunities to "train in Germany and in the Middle East." I've placed it in 1975 until someone corrects me. Did you produce it? Was it the brochure that enticed you to join the Regiment? |
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