Seventy Eight years ago on 6 November 1939 From the war diaries of 85 Heavy Battery, RCA CASF a sub-unit of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade 6 Nov 1939 – York Island Weather: fair The war diaries of the Headquarters 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA and the following Batteries 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 6 November 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 poor. Operation Order #121 was carried out today. Our barrage opened promptly and appeared to be regular and even. The enemy barrage came down two minutes after our Zero Hour and appeared heaviest along the BELLEVUE SPUR. Our infantry were reported to have reached their final objective at about 8.00 am. The enemy massed for a counter-attack on VINDICTIVE ROAD at about 9.40 am, but were caught by the fire of our batteries and the attack broken up. Lieut. Philpott, Brigade F.O.O. was wounded in the head about 10.30 am. Special reports on the operations of today from Lieut. Philpott, Brigade F.O.O., Lieut. A.B. Manning, Lieut. A. Livingstone, L.O. to RIGHT BATTALION and Major R.F. Massie who was also in the forward area throughout the day, are attached. Apparently a great many casualties were inflicted upon the enemy and on the whole the artillery support was most satisfactory. During the operation and throughout the day our batteries were heavily shelled and a number of casualties inflicted to both personnel and equipment. The work of the R.F.C. was much appreciated by all arms. Enemy balloons were kept down and his planes were not permitted over our lines. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: CANAL BANK YPRES - Visibility was fair during the day. In accordance with O.O. 152, Attack (8) was carried out; Zero Hour being 6.00 A.M. Our barrage opened promptly on time, and according to later reports. It was well placed and effective. PASSCHENDAELE was captured, and our line established along the final objective; and in some places, some distance in front of this. The Corps on our LEFT was unable to get up so the line was doubled back and linked up. NO. OF GUNS IN ACTION – 69 18-pdrs. 23 4.5” Howrs AMMUNITION EXPENDED – A.18937 – AX.4457 – BX .4229 – BCBR. 156 – AS.174. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group. Their war diary records: YPRES - This was a very busy day, the guns being in action continuously. In the early morning we took part in three heavy barrages which were kept up from 6 a.m. until 2.45 p.m. The first of these was directed against Vine farm in V 30a 07.57. expending 44 rounds and lasted until 6.42a.m. when we lifted to Vocation Farm in V30a 07.57. At 7.30p.m we switched to V30b 85.60 and V30b 80.80. this barrage lasted until 2.45pm a total of 244 Rounds having been fired. Hostile shelling during the day was below normal, an occasional shrapnel bursting over the guns. A few 5.9” HE’s dropped in the battery position but these were probably intended for the Road or Railway track which runs closed to the position. At about 6.30.p.m. a dump at Spree farm blew up sending splinters all around battery position but fortunately there were no casualties. During the night the battery was shelled intermittently by a 4.1” Gun, no damage being caused. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: IN THE FIELD - Art'y Order #102 issued. At 06:00 1st and 2nd Cdn. Div'ns continued the offensive on Cdn. Corps front. PASSCHENDAELE and all objectives were taken. All calibers of our art'y co-operated in support of the operations, with barrages and concentrations. Counter-batteries engaged selected hostile btys. Ten concentrations of 300 rds. H.E. each were fired. 70 N.F. calls received during the day. Enemy barrage in reply to our attack was very prompt, opening about one minute after ours. Our bty. positions were also engaged at once. At 06:22 enemy appeared to be shelling PASSCHENDAELE. From 08:00 onwards he kept up an intermittent fire, with bursts on all our bty. areas. 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. Added a new name to the nominal roll - Lieutenant Raymond Massey. Lieutenant Massey was a member of the 85th Battery Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. After the war, he joined the family business selling farm implements (Massey-Ferguson) before setting off on his Hollywood career (coming back to Canada to rejoin the Canadian Army for the Second World War). His brother became our first Canadian born Prime Minister. Seventy Eight years ago on 5 November 1939
From the war diaries of 85 Heavy Battery, RCA CASF a sub-unit of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade 5 Nov 1939 – York Island Weather: dull One hundred years ago on 5 November 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 poor in the morning, fair for a while about midday. Enemy aircraft has been quite active although the visibility poor. A number of fights took place, in one of which an enemy plane was brought down on the right of the Divisional zone. Considerable movement was observed at about V.30.a.40.10. This target was immediately reported back to the heavies by our F.O.Os and successfully taken on. In reply to our morning barrage the enemy retaliated chiefly on the left of our Divisional front. He also scattered a good deal of gas about throughout the day but did not inflict many casualties. Operation Order #121 was issued today Attack (8) to be carried out by the 2nd Division on the Right and the 1st Canadian Division on the left. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: CANAL BANK YPRES - Visibility poor. Enemy artillery above normal, firing heavily on our batteries at times, particularly after noon when a number of enemy planes flew low over our batteries. Our artillery fired two Barrages and Harassing Fire beyond the S.O.S. Lines. NO. OF GUNS IN ACTION – 65 18-pdrs. 24 4.5” Howrs AMMUNITION EXPENDED – A.3812 – AX.941 – BX .1313 – BCBR. 300 – AS.10. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group. Their war diary records: YPRES - At 4.a.m. we opened fire on M lane, east of main Westrosebake Road in area V24d 65.10 to (?)19a 54.00 using about 50% (?)6 Fuse. We continued to fire in this area until 4.50.a.m. expending 50 Rounds At 4.50+a.m. we commenced Barrage fire in lanes M and A area V29 b 75.55 to V24d 90.57. 106 Fuse was good entirely in this barrage. 2.30.p.m. we fired on Venture Farm in V30a 45.10. This was a very strong point, originally a farm house into which the enemy had built a reinforced concrete ‘Pillbox” and was a very difficult target. The first 30 Rounds were observed by Lieut H. M. Stairs during which one O.K. was recorded. Visibility then became so bad that ground observation had to be abandoned and shoot was finished by registration, 63 Rounds in all being fired. From 4.45.p.m. to 6.15.p.m. we fired 24 Rounds using 106 Fuse on Barrage in Battery Lanes L & M in area V29b 33.35, to V30a 45.62 At 9.10.p.m. commenced shoot of 75 Rounds against Virile Farm and Vocation Farm, both very strong points of a similar nature to Venture Farm and situated in areas V29b 80.45 and V30a 07.57 respectively. This shoot was carried out without observation. Hostile shelling during the day was below normal, an occasional shrapnel bursting over the guns. A few 5.9” HE’s dropped in the battery position but these were probably intended for the Road or Railway track which runs closed to the position. At about 6.30.p.m. a dump at Spree farm blew up sending splinters all around battery position but fortunately there were no casualties. During the night the battery was shelled intermittently by a 4.1” Gun, no damage being caused. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: IN THE FIELD - All calibers co-operated in preparatory barrages and harassing fire. During night 5/6th, ten selected hostile btys. were concentrated upon. Counter btys.: concentrated on areas between PASSCHENDAELE and MOORSLEDE, and intense neutralising fire was kept up on all active hostile btys. Hostile art'y: first part of the day was less active than usual; later, our forward area was heavily shelled. 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 4 November 1939 From the war diaries of 85 Heavy Battery, RCA CASF a sub-unit of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade 4 Nov 1939 – York Island Letter re guns (see App. "E"). The war diaries of the Headquarters 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA and the following Batteries 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 4 November 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 visibility was again very poor all day. At about 7.30 am three hostile planes flew very low over our battery positions and hovered about for some time, apparently photographing. During the night a great many gas shells were fired by the enemy but as they were scattered over a very large area few casualties were inflicted. As the batteries are expending a great deal of ammunition and as all this ammunition has to be sent in on pack animals, the road through SPREE FARM and up to the battery positon is terribly congested. It has been planked as far as SPREE FARM but forward of this point the footing is terrible. Pack animals are continually getting down in shell-holes and soft spots and in many cases have to be shot as it is impossible to get them out. Fortunately to date, very few casualties have occurred among the horses of this brigade, other than injuries to their feet. Operation Order #120 was issued today ordering special bursts of shrapnel fire tomorrow on the enemy defences northeast of MEETCHERLE. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: CANAL BANK YPRES - In accordance with O.O.151, the C.R.A. 1st C.D.A. assumed command of Field Artillery covering the 1st Canadian Division front at 11.00 AM. The C.R.A. 3rd C.D.A. continuing to command the RIGHT MAIN GROUP. Visibility fair, and enemy aeroplanes were active, one flying very low over batteries and firing on batteries and traffic on the roads. Enemy artillery active: our artillery fired two Barrages and the usual Harassing Fire. NO. OF GUNS IN ACTION – 120 18-pdrs. 38 4.5” Howrs AMMUNITION EXPENDED – A.7580 – AX.3964 – BX .1656 – BCBR. 60. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group. Their war diary records: YPRES - At 4.40.a.m. we opened up an Barrage as ordered by Group. The Barrage being continued until 5.24.a.m. 75 Rounds were also fired on Hostile Battery at E 2 c 65.65. At 6 a.m. we fired 12 Rounds barrage in Battery lane. Day was very quiet and we had no special task but during the day fired 55 Rounds in Bursts of fire in Battery Lanes. During the evening we were4 shelled by 8” and Gas. No damage was done although a large number of shells fell very close to the guns. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: YPRES - Period fairly quiet; batteries in group: 66th, 67th, 256th, 274th S.B. R.G.A. and 7th and 9th Canadian Siege Batteries. Shoots carried out daily on selectecd targets and feint barrages fired by all guns usually twice daily at appointed hours. Hostile aircraft very active both day and night. Large squadrons cross our lines in daylight and bomb horse lines and road traffic in and around YPRES. At night both allied and hostile aircraft carry out raids. Objective of hostile aircraft YPRES and POPERINGE; railway junction close to the HQ been bombed several times. On 4th inst. at 06:00 final barrage preceding the attack on the famous Passchendaele Ridge was commenced. Over 3 000 rds. of 6", 8" and 9.2" shells were expended by batteries of this Group in barrage. The ridge was captured. During the rest of the day numerous hostile batteries were neutralised and S.O.S. lines fired on repeatedly to repel counter-attacks. During the night all enemy roads were searched and swept vigorously. On the 8th inst. 352nd and 177th S.B. R.G.A. entered the group. On the 10th inst. hostile art'y shelled our position with shrapnel and H.E.; no material damage being done. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: IN THE FIELD - Art'y Order #101 issued. 1st Cdn. Div'l Art'y took over command from 3rd Cdn. Div'l Art'y. on the left sector. Field and heavy art'y carried out harassing fire and concentrations during the day. Medium and heavy hows. shelled buildings and strong points in vicinity of PASSCHENDAELE. Counter-batteries: destructive shoots were attempted, but owing to poor visibility were discontinued. Concentrations on known active hostile btys. Hostile art'y: heavy shelling of our forward bty. positions during night and throughout the day. 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. Discovered another recipient of the Military Cross.
Lieutenant James Maxwell McIlquham, MC was a member of 31st Battery 9th Brigade Canadian Field Artillery in 1917 and was awarded the Military Cross for his actions on 3 Nov 1917. The citation for the Military Cross reads: When the Battery was heavily shelled while in action he went from gun to gun looking after the wounded, and finally took the place of a gun layer, and kept the gun in action till he was seriously wounded. Additional information can be found on our Military Cross page. Seventy Eight years ago on 3 November 1939 From the war diaries of 85 Heavy Battery, RCA CASF a sub-unit of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade 3 Nov 1939 – York Island Lieut. R. Jackson, RCNR and one rating relieved by Lieut. S. Jackson, RCNR and two ratings. Weather: rainy. The war diaries of the Headquarters 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA and the following Batteries 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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