One hundred years ago on 23 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. Quiet on the front. Lt.-Col. Ralston, D.S.O., returned from Dieppe. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: FORT GEORGE - Considerable enemy movement was reported. Enemy trench mortars were becoming more active as our trenches are being pushed forward. Ammunition expended: BX.35. 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 – Day comparatively quiet, little firing done by either side. In the evening batteries of this group fired on S.O.S. lines in AVION and LENS sectors. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - At 5.45 pm, SOS on 1st Canadian Division front. Enemy placed heavy barrage on CITE. Ste. ELIZABETH and CITE Ste. THEODORE, but no attack followed. All was reported quiet by 6.28 pm. 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. Len Norris editorial cartoon from 1957 issue of the Vancouver Sun.
Seventy Eight years ago on 22 September 1939 From the War Diaries of 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA CASF 22/9/39 Mob. Plus 18. No change in strength and disposition. 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 22 Sep 1939 – York Island Letter re r/t traffic (see App. "F") HMCS Allaverdy, skipper Roberts and Lt. Genge, X.O., arrived for examination service. 1 OR SOS - under age. Letter re recreation (see App. F") 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 22 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: Operation Order No. 107 was issued today under which this brigade moved to new wagon lines near VILLERS au BOIS. 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. Quiet on the front. Incendiary shells are to be used by the sniping gun to burn the weeds amongst the enemy wire, so that a better view of the wire may be obtained. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: FORT GEORGE - Enemy artillery was very active during the night. Probably a new programme of night firing on enemy's front. In accordance with O.O. #134, Carscallen's marched to new lines near MOUNT ST. ELOY. Ammunition expended: A.30, BX.30. 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 – Batteries fired on several working parties throughout the day which were observed constructing new defences along railway embankment and support trenches. Several of these shoots proved successful and casualties were observed to have been inflicted. 5th C.S.B. (9.2") had a very successful shoot on trenches and embankment in N34c and N33b and much damage to new work was done. One man of No. 3 C.S.B. gassed. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - Heavy shelling of LIEVIN, and some hostile counter-battery work. 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 21 September 1939 From the War Diaries of 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA 21/9/39 Mob. Plus 17. Bde. H.Q.: 8 officers & 21 O.R.’s at Bessborough Armouries, 1 M.O. at York Island. 4 O.R.’s in Hospital. Batteries – no change. Attestation C.A.S.F. continues 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 21 Sep 1939 – York Island Detachment of 14 O.R's "C" Coy 2nd (MG) Bn. Can. Scots. Regt. arrived from Courtenay. Men worked all day unloading lumber. Weather: Bright. 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 21 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: From this date to the 22nd inst., the Headquarters and four batteries mentioned herewith were in rest at MAGNICOURT, a small village nestling among some rolling hills. The men had a splendid rest during this time and many parties were sent for the day to ST. POL. In addition an infantry band was engaged on three different occasions which was very much appreciated. General sports for the men were held on two occasions and some Indian cavalry billeted near here very kindly offered to assist in the days sports. Their horsemanship and other feats were magnificent and filled our men with surprise and admiration. 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. Quiet on the front. One gun of 45th Bty., CFA., attached to sniping gun. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: FORT GEORGE - Enemy artillery becoming much more active chiefly on account of movement on our side. Aerial activity was much more above normal. Brig-General J.H. Mitchell DSO left for England on twelve days leave. Ammunition expended: A.6, AX.16, BX.62. Guns in action: 19 - 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 - Lieut. R.L. Smith proceeded to 11th Brigade as Liaison Officer.. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Day comparatively quiet. One hostile battery was fired upon and an explosion of ammunition dump occurred. In the evening, at about 23:00 enemy put over a large number of mustard gas shells. 3 men of No. 3 were gassed during the bombardment. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - No activity. 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 20 September 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 20 September 1939 – York Island HMCS Armentiers at wharf. Scowload of building material arrived. Weather: Dull. 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. |
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