May 16th, 2017

​One hundred years ago on 16 May 1917
31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force had recently become a sub-unit of the 9th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Division. The 9th Brigade war diary records:
Visibility poor. Today has been exceptionally quiet on both sides. Both enemy and our own Artillery has been below normal, doubtless due to the poor visibility.
O.O. No.75 issued today, gives the following information:- At 8.P.M. on the 17th inst., we are to cover our new zone.
 
58th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of the 14th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 5th Canadian Division. The Division was training in England and the Brigade war diary records:
WITLEY – Muster Parade at 2 pm. MAJ. RINGWOOD with Inf. Scheme in ?. DIV. concert being arranged for 24th May. Nos1 and 2 copies of the “O-PIP” of the 58th Batty attached.
 
5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force war diary records:
DIVION – Battery on rest in Billets at DIVION.
 
The 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA perpetuates the following sub units:
31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force,
58th 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.

Researching the history of the Regiment is amazing! Each time you reach a new layer, another layer presents itself. The 14th CFA War Diary mentions that copies of the 58 Battery newspaper "O-Pip" is attached. They aren't. But googling that information leads to a Times-Colonist article about 58 Battery leaving Victoria with Archie Wills on board. Archie became the writer of the "O-Pip", survived the war and later became a Victoria City Councillor and managing editor of the Victoria Daily Times.
(Hmm, I've just reached another layer in my research that reveals that reveals that 15th Field Artillery Regiment does not perpetuate the 58th Battery! Despite being a part of the 15th Brigade, CFA in 1920, but detached – attached to 5th (BC) Regiment, CGA, despite being an integral part of 15th Coast Brigade, despite being renamed 158 Battery and a sub-unit of 15th Field Regiment RCA; the 58th Field Battery CFA is perpetuated by 5 (BC) Field Artillery Regiment RCA in Victoria.)