We were hoping that the Officers' Mess would be open for the annual New Year's Day Levee however, it seems that we are again out of luck due to the latest COVID numbers surge. The annual New Year's Day breakfast has also been cancelled for the same reason. Bottom line? It's up to you to make your own Moose Milk again this year and join us on Zoom at 11:00 AM 1 January 2022. The coordinates are: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/710845848 Or dial in by your location +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 204 272 7920 Canada +1 438 809 7799 Canada +1 587 328 1099 Canada +1 647 374 4685 Canada +1 647 558 0588 Canada +1 778 907 2071 Canada Meeting ID: 710 845 848 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbzwfLiJZY Busy month of September 1916. The month started with training in Petawawa followed by a troop train to Halifax and a convoy to Liverpool and another train ride to Witley. First experience with blacked out cities and zeppelin attacks. Read the diary here. Some of the stories that you come across while researching our history are absolutely amazing. For those of us that are somewhat dated, you may remember BC Lions home games at Empire Stadium where someone had a loud foghorn that they would turn on whenever the Lions scored. It turns out that the owner of the foghorn was a former member of the 15th Brigade - Sergeant Richard Crichton Gilliland Hawkshaw (later commissioned to Lieutenant) who became the BC Lions #1 Fan. Yes, he was the one that dressed up in BC Lions orange and black including his underwear. He added a kilt to the ensemble in later days. Artillery Junior Officers – what can I say..... Check out his obituary here.
Gunner Helmcken continues with his Christmas leave in Blighty. He attended quite a few shows and met some old friends. Check out the diary here. A kind donation of $200.00 has been received for the Deuce and a Half rebuild. Are you looking for a charitable project to donate to before the end of the year? Check what we have on the go in the Quartermaster stores here. Pick a project and send your interac e-transfer donations to [email protected] Lieutenant Gonnason camp routine continues in Victoria; unit embarks for Petawawa where he manages some leave in Ottawa and Montreal. Read the diary here. Gunner Helmcken manages to arrive in Godalming, England for Christmas 1917 with family members far from the front lines in France. Merry Christmas to you and your families from the Vancouver Artillery Association 105 years later. Check out Bombardier Helmcken's diary here. Christmas 1917 is fast approaching. The battery moves to a new location and Gunner Helmcken receives exciting news. "Today is my red letter day. I was put on stableman until about 11.00 A.M. when Jed King told me ********** I could hardly believe him when he told me and from that minute I was and still am the happiest man on earth." Find out what Jed King told him in the diary here. Gunner Helmcken suffers hearing loss after an extended bout of firng. Gunners are provided leave to go to Bethune and the the month is finished with a move from Lievin to Sains-en-Gohelle. Check out the diary here. Gunner Helmcken is sent to the wagon lines, much to his dismay. Two detachments are then sent to man two Imperial guns which are in somewhat poor condition. Check out the diary here. |
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December 2024
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