#Capt. J.C. Little

[k2kid]

Confidential War Diary of 18th CANADIAN BATTALION – 2nd CANADIAN DIVISION

From 1st October to 31st October, 1918

Volume 38 With appendices 1 – 15

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information Buissy Switch & Hindenburg Line V.30.b & D

Map 51.b. SE.

1 Maps for Reference: 51.b.SE. 1/20,000 51a.SW. 1/20,000 51.A 1/40,000

At 06:00 hrs. The Battalion moved across the CANAL DU NORD resting for the day in open fields south of the ARRAS / CAMBRAI ROAD at w.23. & 24. At dusk the Battalion received orders to move to positions in Divisional Support in the HAYNECOURT VILLAGE (X 15) with Bn. Hdqrs. in old German M.G. Dugout at X.9.c.10.30. In moving up enemy aircraft dropped bombs, killing O.R. and wounding Lieut. J.E. Wylie and 9 other Ranks. In accordance with 4th C.I.B. O.O. No. 20. These positions were put in a state of defence anticipating an enemy attack. One Other Rank admitted to hospital.

Divl. Support

X.9.c.10.30

2 At dawn the Battalion “Stood To” anticipating an enemy attach, which however, failed to materialize. The day was spent in cleaning up by the men and the issuing of Battle Equipment. The enemy shelled the area spasmodically during the day. Major. J.S. Bell and Capt. R.G. Elliott returned from leave to England. Two O.R.s from Paris Leave. Four O.R.s proceeded to First Army Rest Camp. 3 During the day having found good locations in respective companies’ Areas the Cookers and Water carts were brought up. The usual enemy scattered shells throughout the area during the day. Four O.R.s returned from First Army Rest Camp and four O.R.s from hospital. Two O.R.s to hospital. Two O.R.s arrived as reinforcements. 4 During the day Battalion Hdqrs. was moved to a more suitable location in X.14.central.  All Battle Stores, Bombs, Flares, etc. were formed into Company Dumps. A canteen was established to-day near one of our Company Hdqrs. enabling the men to keep well supplied with cigarettes and various eatables. Parties were sent forward to reconnoitre [sic] the MARCOING LINE in squares X.23, 17 and 12c. During there was heavy enemy bombing in the area. Lieut. H.N. Bawden proceeded on leave. Fourteen O.R.s arrived as reinforcements. 5 Weather clear. Orders were received to take up a position in the MARCOING LINE in event of heavy hostile attack and all companies were held in readiness to move forward. “Wintertime” came into operation at Midnight. There was scattered shelling of area during the day with heavy bombing at night. One O.R. from leave. One O.R. from hospital. Two O.R.s arrived as reinforcements. On O.R. proceeded to and one O.R. returned from Corps Gas Course. One O.R. to S.O. & S. Course SENLIS. 6 The Battalion bathed at MARQUION during the day, moved in small parties to and from the baths. There was scattered enemy shelling during the day and night with heavy enemy bombing at night. Lieut. L.E. Hankinson was killed by shell fire while going over his platoon frontage at night. Capt. T.H.O. Rayward and 2 O.R.s admitted to and 15 O.R.s returned from leave. 1 O.R. to hospital. 7 Orders were received that on an indefinite date the 2nd Cdn. Division would attack and establish bridge-head over the CANAL L’ESCAUT. This involving a night attach reconnoitering parties were again sent forward and “White” arm bands were issued to the Battalion. Nothing unusual occurred during the day. Considerable shelling and bombing at night. Capt. C.J. Jackson and 1 O.R. on leave. 2 O.R.s admitted to and 15 O.R.s returned from hospital. 7 O.Rs. arrived as reinforcements. 8 Word was received that the proposed night attack over the canal L’ESCUAT was cancelled as far as the 4th C.I.B. was concerned. The Battalion moved during the night to trenches in x.24.a & c. Battalion Hdqrs. was located in an old German Ammunition dump on the DOUAI-CAMBRAI road at x.24. Lieut. J.H. Barclay[i] and 2 O.R.s to First Army Musketry Camp. 10 O.R.s to Canadian Corps School. Capt. C.J. Jackson attached as instructor to 2nd Div. Wing. C.C.R.C. 6 O.R.s from Leave. 2 O.R.s to hospital. Two O.R.s killed in action. One O.R. wounded. 9 The Battalion rested in trenches in X.24.a.[?].c . in morning, moving off about noon overland to RAMILLIES being heavily shelled en route. Battalion Hdqrs. was located in a cellar of a house on the RAMILLIES-ESCAUDOEUVRES ROAD. At fourteen hrs. reconnoitering parties were sent out to located available bridge over the L’ESCAUT CANAL. On receipt of orders at 17:00 hours the battalion moved across the canal to positions in T.13& 19. And prepared to pass through the 5th C.I.B. in the following order: 18th. Battn. to LEFT, 19th. Battn. on RIGHT. 20th. Battn. in SUPPORT, and 21st. Battn. in RESERVE. Battn Hdqrs. located Chateau ESCAUDOEUVRES[ii]. 2 O.R.s killed in action and 1 O.R. wounded. Bn. “HQ” in Chateau Escaudoeuvres

Bn. “HQ”

T.10.d.40.50.

Map 51.a.SW

10 At 06:00 hours the Battalion assembled in T.20.a. & d. advancing to jumping off position in T.c.n.d. [?] from which position they jumped off under cover of an Artillery Barrage at 0.7:00 hrs. Battn. Hdqrs. was located in a funk hole in the railway cutting, at T.10.d.40.50. The 19th. Battalion was on the right and the 6th Bde. on the left. The Barrage was not good, the progress of the troops being retarded half an hour on account of our own shells breaking just ahead of the jumping off positions. “A” and “B” Companies (Left and Right respectively) led off, “D” Co’y in support, “C” Co’y, in Reserve. “A” Company reached old trenches in T.10.b. and T.11.a. but further progress was stopped by enemy M.G. fire from the left flank. The Brigade on the left not having gotten forward. “B” Co’y reached the river at T.11.b & d. where a line was formed and held. About 13:00 hrs. the 19th. Battalion with Calvary patrols were successful owing to the intense M.G. fire and the fact that our Artillery was out of range at this time. At 14:00 hrs. Lieut. L.E. Boulton with nine men went forward and established a post in railway embankment at T.11.b.50.60, east of ERCLIN RIVER which was found to be dry. No further attempt was made to advance during the day. During the days fighting the Battalion casualties were Lieut. W.A. Cash and 6 O.R.s killed in action, Lieuts. W. Spyer, M.M. Wilson, and A.E. Babcock and 70 O.R.s wounded. Lieut. J.C. Little and Batman were reported missing. 3 O.R.s were admitted to hospital to-day. The night passed very quietly Bn. “HQ” in Chateau Escaudoeuvres

  11 At 09:00 hors. The Battalion in support of the 20th. And 21st. Battalions advanced from trenches in T.10.b. and T.11.a & b. “C” and “D” Companies on right and left front respectively with “B” Co’y in support and “A” Co’y in Reserve. Battn. Hdqrs. was located in the cellar of a farm house at T.12.a.90.10. about 09:30 hrs. The two front line Battalions swung  over too far to the left and “C” Company when line was threatened by enemy tanks took up a position in O.31.c turning back three enemy Tanks with concentrated rifle Lewis Gun and Machine Gun fire, turning five enemy M.G.s around for this purpose. The front line Battalions being driven back by the enemy Tanks on the left and the Imperial Brigade on the right also withdrawing in conjunction with “B” Company to sunken road at T.6.b. and U.1.a. forming a line there with the 20th. And 21st. Battalions and a few men of the W. Yorks. Regt. Who had swung over on our area. At 15:30 hrs. “C” and “D” Co’ys attached to the 21st. Battn. advanced under an Artillery Barrage to N.30.d & O.25.c. & b. but the Imperials on the right not getting forward the troops were drawn back to form a line through N.36.d. & O.31.c. & d. (in which position they were relieved by Units of the 51st. Division). We were notified that the Battalion would be relieved by Units of the 51st. Division. Relief was complete at 23:00 hrs. “C” and “D” Companies were relieved by the Gordons and “A” and B” Co’ys by the Seaforth Highlanders. Upon relief the companies moved independently to billets at ESAUDOEUVRES. During the days operations Capt. W.J. Baxter and Lieut. T.V. Milford and 54 O.R.s were wounded. 11 O.R.s were killed in action and 18 O.R.s were wounded-gassed. Lieut. McMillan returned from leave. Capt. T.H.O. Rayward (and batman) proceeded to 12th. Instructors Course at Senior Officers School, Aldershot. 1 O.R. proceeded to and 1 O.R. returned from Corps Gas Course. 5 O.R.s proceeded to and 2 O.R.s returned from hospital. 12 The men rested during the day. At 17.00 hours the Battalion moved to the village of THUN-LEVEQUE the men were billeted in good billets there, the village having been recently evacuated by the enemy and only slightly damaged by shell fire 3 O.R.s admitted to hospital. Bn. H.Q. Thun-Leveque

T.3.a.6.7.

13 The Battalion rested in billets during the day. The men were able to get a plentiful supply of a great variety of vegetables from the gardens of the village. The canals nearby were well stocked with fish and these were secured by the means of exploding German cylindrical sticks in the water. Rear Details moved up from X.24 and joined the Battalion at noon. The canteen was opened up, with a good stock in the afternoon. Lieut. M.R. Sloan proceeded on leave. 6 O.R’s returned from leave. 14 Upon receipt of Warning Order all preparations were made for going into the line. Rear Details moving back to ESWARS when the Battalion went forward at dusk relieving the 24th. Cdn. Bn. in the Right Front Line from N.5.d.20.55. to N.22.b.00.90. Battalion headquarters was located in a chateau at HORDAIN at N.16.b.70.50. This was formerly used by enemy as a hospital. Relief was completed by 20.25 hours. During the night the Battalion area was heavily shelled with H.E. and gas shells. One other rank was wounded. 2 O.R’s proceeded and 1 O.R. returned from leave. 4 O.R’s proceeded to and 20 O.R’s returned from hospital. 3 O.R’s arrived a reinforcements. Appendix No. 3 (18th. Bn. Order No. D.250) and Appendix No. 4 (Disposition Sketch) attached. 15 At 21.30 hours last night Lieut. MacMillan and 16 O.R’s with a Lewis Gun left our lines at N.10 central and patrolled from N,16.c.80.10. to N.15.d.80.50 returning to point of exit at 04.00 hours this morning. At 04,40 hours Lieut. Stokes and 3 O.R’s left Bn. H.Q. to reconnoitre Canal. No enemy were seen. There was considerable artillery activity on both sides during the day. HORDAIN was shelled with H.E. and gas shells. Visibility was fair and considerable [activity] was observed on enemy roads. 3 O.R’s proceeded on and 1 O.R. returned from leave. 16 During the night 15th/16th the following patrols covered the Battalion frontage. Lieut. A.E. Jones[iii] with 8 O.R’s patrolled N.16.a and c. up to our position in N.10 and found the ground dry and level and not swampy until area immediately North of platoon in N.10.centreal. Enemy M.G.s where active sweeping the area from approximately N.15.central. On attempting to cross canal in a punt Lieut. Jones and 2 O.R’s were fired on by an M.G. in a house at N.16.c.50.20. Another enemy left this house and proceeded N.W. disappearing behind hedge at N.16.c.10.20. Another patrol consisting of Lieut. Jones and 6 O.R’s in early morning crossed bridge at N.23.a.70.70 and patrolled down road south of canal for 300 yards, then south to N.22.a.cental, thence along road running N.E. to bridge in N.22.a.70.70 No enemy were seen or heard. Our artillery was active during the day. Lieut. McAmmond and W.K. Rooney and 4 O.R.s arrived as reinforcements. Lieut. H.A. Secord proceeded on leave and on O.R. returned from leave. 3 O.R.s proceeded to and 5 O.R.s returned from hospital. 5 O.R.s arrived as reinforcements. 17 The following patrols covered our frontage last night. Lieuts. J.A. McMillan[iv] and 12 O.R.s left our line at 20:00 hrs. at N.16.c.60.20 and patrolled from N.15.d.80.50 to N.10.c.40.40 thence to B.10.central returning to point exit 05:00 hrs. reporting no enemy seen, but considerable M.G. fire from N.4 andN.5. 2 Officers and O.R.s were out between 21:00 and 23:00 hrs. and located M.G. post at approximately N.5.b.50.50. and N.5.d.85.80. They reported that water was slowly flooding in N.5.c. and spread over from CANAL L’ESCUAT to within 100 yards of our post at N.5.c.99.45. Ours and hostile artillery acted during the night. Lieut. Gs. Hosford was killed by M.G. fire while visiting his platoon at night. 1 O.R. also wounded during the night. 4 O.R.s returned from First Army Rest Camp. 2 O.R.s proceeded to and 17 O.R.s returned from hospital. 5 O.R.s arrived as reinforcements. 18 A daylight patrol consisting of Lieut. Stokes and 3 Battalion scouts reconnoitred our post in N.5.c.00.40. and as far as N.5.d.65.90. No enemy were seen. Hostile M.G.s were active during the day. Weather fair but very misty. During the evening the Battalion heavily shelled with H.E and gas. One O.R. wounded. In accordance with 4th C.I.B. order 00 No. 26 and 18th. Battalion O.O.d.251 Battalion was relieved by the 20th. Cdn. Battn. Relief was complete at 21:10 hrs. Upon relief companies moved independently to THUN-LEVEQUE taking over billets formerly occupied there. 2 O.R.s proceeded on and 2 O.R.s returned from leave. 3 O.R.s returned from hospital. Appendix No. 5. (OO.No.D251) attached. Bn. “HQ”

T.3.A.60.70

19 Battalion paraded in the morning to Baths at ESWARS. At noon in accordance with instructions from Brigade, two companies moved to PAILLENCOURT and two companies moved to ESTRUN. Battn. “HQ” in Chateau at PAILLENCOURT at N.26.50.85. 5 O.R.s to and 1 O.R. from hospital. 2 O.R.s on leave. Paillencourt

N.26.a.50.85

Map 51A

20 & 21 The mornings were occupied with Company and Unit inspections. Parades for kit shortages were also held. The remainder of the day the Battalion rested in billets. Many of the men went fishing in the near by canals. On the 29th. Lieut. Col. Jones proceeded to PARIS on leave. Lieut. MacRae to England on leave. 2 O.R.s from hospital. Lieut. L.E. Boulton to Officers Rest House, PARIS-PLAGE. Lieut. T.V. Milford died of wounds at No. 33 C.C.S. On the 21st. Lieut. Bandan[v] and on O.R. returned from leave. 3 O.R.s from hospital. 22 In accordance with 4th. C.I.B. Order No. 28. And 18th. Battn. Order No. D.252 the Battalion moved in fighting order to the ANICHE area in A.50. The Battalion moved off at 08:30 hrs. and marched by WASHES-MARQUETTE Road junction in H.14.a. arriving at destination at noon. Bn. “HQ” were located at RUE. DE DRION at G.6.d.20.70. 2 O.R.s on leave. Appendix No. 6 (18th. Battn. O.O. No. D.252) attached. ANICHES

G.6.d.20.70.

Map 51A

23 The billets of the entire Battalion here ae without doubt the best and most comfortable we have ever occupied during the recent advance. There are no civilians in town, they being forced by the enemy to accompany him in his retirement The numerous gardens about the town were well stocked and furnished a plentiful supply of vegetables for the men. 1 O.R. on leave and 2 O.R.s returned from hospital. Battalion training as per Appendix No. 7 (Syllabus for 23rd.) attached. 24 Battalion training as per Appendix No. 8. (Syllabus for 24th.) attached. Lieut. A.T. Fergusson and 2 O.R.s proceeded on leave. 1 O.R. to England for duty with R.A.F. 25 Battalion training as per Appendix No. 9. (Syllabus for 25th.) attached. Lt-Col. Jones returned from leave to PARIS. 4 O.R.s on leave. 3 Sergt. Instructors (Drill, Lewis Gun and Musketry) attached from C.C.R.C. 2 O.R.s from courses. 26 Battalion training as per Appendix No. 10. (Syllabus for 26th.) attached. 3 O.R.s on leave. 2 O.R.s arrived and reinforcements. 27 Battalion training as per Appendix No. 11. (Syllabus for 27th.) attached. Lieut. C.A. Whittle and 3 O.R.s on leave. 1 O.R. proceeded to and 3 O.R.s returned from hospital. 28 Battalion training as per Appendix No. 12. (Syllabus for 28th.) attached. 6 O.R.s on leave. 4 O.R.s proceeded to ENGLAND for Cadets Course. 1 O.R. arrived as reinforcement. 2 O.R. proceeded to and 7 O.R.s returned from hospital. 29 Battalion training as per Appendix No. 13. (Syllabus for 29th.) attached. 4 O.R.s proceeded on leave. 30 Battalion training as per Appendix No. 14. (Syllabus for 30th.) attached. Lieut. M.R. Sloan returned from leave. 6 O.R.s on leave. 1 N.C.O. attached C.C.R.C. as Instructor. 2 O.R.s to hospital. 2 O.R.s to Canadian Corps Sniping Course. 31 Battalion training as per Appendix No. 15. (Syllabus for 31st.) attached. Lieut. G. Thomas and 12 O.R.s proceeded on leave. Lieut. L.E. Boulton returned from Officers Rest House, PARIS-PLAGE.

  [i] The War Diaries consistently misspell this name. This is Lieutenant John Henry BARKLEY (MC).

[ii] Possibly this chateau.

[iii] This officer’s identity has not been verified.

[iv] Lieutenant John Alister MacMillan.

[v] This officer not identified.

War Diary

Appendices

War Diary of the 18th Battalion: October 1918 Confidential War Diary of 18th CANADIAN BATTALION – 2nd CANADIAN DIVISION From 1st October to 31st October, 1918…

[bynkii]

How My Parents Kept Me Drug-Free…mostly

Two very imperfect people allowed what they saw to override what they were told

I was born in 1967, and graduated high school in 1984. I went to school in Miami, all of it. Miami, especially in the 1970s and 1980s was anything but drug-free. They were everywhere, and so was the war on drugs. So to say I was “aware” of drugs is a monstrous understatement. I knew who sold what, where, when, and for how much.

My parents were both children of the depression. Their drug of choice was alcohol. Both of them were, for a time, alcoholics. My dad never was able to stop, although smoking killed him before beer could. My mom, as she did with everything, eventually set it aside, because…well, I guess because she was done with it.

Neither of them were dysfunctional, although my dad came closest. They both got up and went to work, my mom more than my dad. (In my dad’s defense, he was mangled by a car accident in 1978. He never walked right after that, and was in a lot of pain. That may not excuse his behavior, but it does explain much of it.) My mom…Margaret Thatcher was called the Iron Lady, but my mom was fuckin’ steel. She was the terminator. In an era when women who worked were still looked down upon, she worked. In a city that almost required cars, she walked and took buses. Note: buses were only if the walk was over a mile each way. In Miami.

Every fucking day she got up and went to work.

My mom and I had an occasionally complex relationship, and we argued, oh we argued, but I always respected the hell out of her, because when a lot of people might have given up, she put one foot in front of the other and made sure her family was taken care of. If that meant occasional times on food stamps, then she did that. I asked her about that once, since she came from a generation not known for being comfortable with welfare, and she said “I never felt any shame. I wasn’t using food stamps because I was lazy. I was using them to feed my family. If anyone had a problem with that, fuck ‘em.”

(My mom was regularly profane. I get it from her. She even told me my first “dirty” joke. No, really:

What’s worse than necking with Dracula?

Getting fingered by Capt. Hook.

People think I can cuss? HA. She could peel the paint off a battleship on an off day.)

From her I think I get my lack of addictive behavior. A few years back, when I realized that any amount of alcohol gave me pissah hahtbuhrn, wicked pissah hahtbuhrn, I just stopped drinking. About as much effort as you’d turn off the lights. Been drinking since I was…what, 16? At 46 I stopped, because it had become inconvenient.

That’s kind of handy.

From my dad, and my mom, but lead by my dad, I learned to really see what’s going on around me, and to not let “common sense/wisdom/knowledge” override reality.

My dad was one of the 2–3 youngest of ten, and one of the last, maybe the last to marry and have a kid. So he spent a lot of time as the cool uncle, and a lot of time observing kids. Parents too, but kids mostly, and he realized some things about how they behaved and what motivated them, and so when I came around, he did things a little differently.

For one, while neither of them was hardly permissive, there wasn’t the “NO AND I HAVE SPOKEN” shit. There was more “No, because I am smarter and more experienced than you, and I may not explain it to you all the time, but there are reasons, and in time you will learn them.” For example, bad words. In pre-school, I rode a bus, (it was the 60s/70s, little kids did stuff like that) with Jr. High kids. Jr. High kids love, love, love teaching littler kids profanity, and I was an adept student. Also, my folks had no problem with casual invective around the house.

But when I’d pop off with it, instead of making a big deal about it, they’d calmly explain that was a word I wasn’t yet allowed to say, help me find an alternative and move on. The reason why was simple: power. My dad had realized that making A Big Deal over things with kids gave the things power. And if the thing had power, then the person using it also had power. It’s why little kids will force their mouths to learn how to say “Brachiosaurus” in short order but mangle “Spaghetti” for months. “Brachiosaurus” has power. “Spaghetti”, not so much.

Before the reader scoffs at this, I can tell you it works better than you might think. My son grew up in a house full of casual profanity and yet, the only time he used it was “appropriate” for the situation. Someone cut us off in traffic. He dropped a trophy on his foot. Some kid punched him in the face. That sort of thing. Never the “wait until it’s the worst possible moment and COCCCCCCKSUCCCCCKERRRRRR!!!!!” shit.

Same thing with porn. Once my folks caught me hiding various magazines full of the wonders of boobies and vagina, and as I understand it, my mom rolled her eyes, my dad chuckled, they threw it out and got me a subscription to Playboy.

Yes, that was their solution to illicit porn. Playboy. The result? About six months after the subscription kicked in, (and let me tell you, when you’re in high school, parents who get you a sub to Playboy are INSTANTLY cooler than hell), I come in from the mailbox with the latest issue, reading…the interview. My dad sees this and asks “Whatcha reading J.C.?”

I respond with “Interview with Patty Hearst. It’s the first one she’s given since the whole SLA thing, and she’s talking about her life inside it, it’s really interesting.” “Who’s the centerfold?” “Beats me, haven’t even looked…yet…you son of a bitch…” and he is laughing. My mom was also home, and she is laughing. They are both laughing, almost howling, because they had taken one of the most forbidden fruits and turned it into something less exciting than an apple.

I had picked up an issue of Playboy and immediately dumped to the most interesting part: the interview. That crafty fucker had known that would happen, he’d known it. Because he’d realized that it was the forbidden aspect of it that made it cool. I mean, yeah, boobies, but that had become secondary.

He had even told me the theory once. “It’s like this: if you want your kid to eat popcorn like a fiend, ban it. Ban it from the house, ban it from conversation, ban the word, hell, make corn sinful. By the end of the month, you’ll open a closet door and drown in an avalanche of Orville Redenbacher’s best product. But if you make things no big deal, if you make them just well, normal then there’s no forbidden aspect to make it cool and pretty soon, it’s no more interesting than anything else.”

He had told me what was going to happen, and I still fell for it. Now, it helped my Aunt had worked for Playboy in Chicago, and my dad and mom used to go to the Chicago Playboy Club on dates, so they had a more expansive view of Playboy than most, but still…goddamnit, they pwned me. Wasn’t the last time.

Right around that time, I come home drunk for the first time. Maybe before. I was 14. My friend had just turned 19, and at the time in Fl, that was the drinking age and…his parents were out of town. Fucking epic. Garbage can punch. I was so wasted I walked around in his above-ground pool for two hours. Didn’t even realize it until someone told me:

JOHN!

WHAT!

WHY ARE YOU IN THE POOL!

I’M IN THE POOL?

YEAH! WHY ARE YOU IN THE POOL?

OH THANK GOD, I THOUGHT I’D PISSED MYSELF!

Was-TED. That was also the night I discovered you can indeed puke through your nose. That hurts, by the way. Also smells awful, simply awful.

So I get a ride home, and in some amount of time get from the street to the apartment we lived in. And from there, I tried to play it smooth. It might have worked except:

I wore no shirt

I had one shoe and one sock on

Not on the same feet

I was missing my glasses

I was blind as a bat without them

I was still soaking wet

I smelled of vomit

I took god knows how long to get the key in the lock, bounced off the door frame six times just walking in, and yet still thought I had them all fooled. In my head, I said “Well, that was quite the soiree, boy am I tired, I’m off to bed, cheers!” (for some reason, I thought being “british” would make me sound “sober”.

According to my folks, what came out of my mouth was “AABBTHFEEEEERS!!!” and I barely made it to the bed. They said it was all really funny as hell.

I was smooooove y’all.

The next day, after they woke me with metal spoons on pans and worked me like hell all day, my dad said “Look, I get it, you want to drink sometimes. That’s fine. But, I want you to be safe, so if you want to drink, let us know, we’ll buy some extra and you can do it here, where we can keep an eye on things.”

Coolest parents ever, right?

Hah.

At first it was cool. Then the novelty wore off, (HINT), and I kind of stopped. My Senior Year, in a minor miracle, I get invited to a party. I tell my parents where I’m going, party, don’t wait up, etc., and off I go. While I’m there, someone comes in and says we all need to go into the woods in back of the house, <someone> had just scored a keg of Bud. My response? “Nah, I’ll stay here, Bud’s shit, and I can drink it whenever…I…want…at…..home………I need to use your phone.”

Dial, dial, ring, ring, <click>…”Yeahhhlow” “You ASSHOLE” Cue braying laughter, because the old bastard knew, somehow he knew what had happened. “Let me guess, someone scored some beer and it’s not that exciting is it?” “YOU’VE RUINED PARTYING AND PORN, WHAT KIND OF DEMON ARE YOU?” “The kind that’s way smarter than you are.” “….I hate you so much right now.” “I win” <click>

But that was just it. By not hiding behind “just say no” or the rest, instead being somewhat sensible about it, my parents avoided the binge drinking shit that so many other parents don’t, because I had no reason to hide it. It wasn’t forbidden fruit, or even particularly interesting fruit. It was just booze. It was just beer. About as interesting as the hamburger one would drink it with.

When it came to talking about drugs, instead of trying to scare me, they talked to me like an adult. They talked about what medicine/science knew about the effects of drugs, which ones were worse than others, and why needles were bad news. Based on reality, not hysteria.

My dad, as it turned out, had tried a lot of things while he was in the Army in Korea. He was unimpressed with most of it. Heroin especially, because that shit had made him sicker than hell. He didn’t know what the high was like, he was too busy vomiting. Probably doing his first ever hit of China White and then getting on a C-119 for the flight between Japan and Korea didn’t help.

That made far more of an impression on me than Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” idiocy. (Imagine thousands of stoners yelling “NO! NO!” at their bongs before every hit, and you have an idea of how effective that shit wasn’t.) They both hated that kind of thing because it was almost lying, and they knew that if they lied to me about it, the lie would be found out, and then I’d start wondering what else they had lied about.

The truth was, they told me, was that most people who use drugs don’t end up in a ditch. They manage their bad habits. But some do end up in a ditch, and you don’t know which category you’re in until it’s too late. So before you try something, fucking think a minute, and ask yourself why you’re trying it. If the only reason is to be “cool”, maybe that’s kind of stupid. I later found out that my mom held the opinion that 90% of my contact with drugs would be on a quest for sex, and to be honest, she was right. The only reason I tried crack, for example, was because a really hot girl I knew was into it, and she offered to let me try via shotgunning it. Making out with really hot girls was way high on my list of things to automatically say “yes” to, and so I did.

As I was really drunk at the time, all it did was make me sober for 45 minutes. That sucked. The making out part was all right though. Making out is always all right.

According to popular wisdom, as a child of alcoholics, I should have some serious booze problems myself.

Yet, I don’t, nor did I really ever. I’d drink to excess here and there, but not as a “Tuesday” kind of thing. At parties and shit, sure, but just because I could? Nah, not so much, and I honestly think my parents’ approach to all of this was a big part. It seems to have worked well, my son didn’t even try booze until his 21st birthday, and I had told him years before that if he ever wanted to at home, he was welcome to do so.

That’s how his mom and I approached drugs in general. Don’t lie. Give him accurate facts. Don’t over- or downplay the reality of getting high. Be honest in an adult fashion, not some bullshit “it’s all the devil’s dick” kind of stupidity. Seems to have worked.

Look, I’m not saying that my way or my parents way is foolproof. But, as a society, we’ve been trying this EEEEEVIL! EEEEEEVIL I TELLS YAH! shit for decades now, and it’s been a pretty massive failure. Maybe, just maybe, instead of trying to scare our kids and failing because we’re both lying to them and treating them like they are stupid, maybe we should treat them like they are the smart people they actually are, and just talk to them honestly and openly about alcohol and other drugs. Fear and lying are a pretty shitty way to teach anyone about anything if you think about it. Maybe we should stop doing that?

[k2kid]

Confidential War Diary of 18th CANADIAN BATTALION – 2nd CANADIAN DIVISION

From 1st August to 31st August, 1918

Volume 36 With appendices 1 – 15

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information G.H.Q. RESERVE PISSY

Map Sht. 62.M.

1 Battalion moved off, in battle order, to attend Tank Demonstration. “A” Coy. participated in afternoon. Remainder observed demonstration. Lieut. M.R. Sloan returned from Musketry Course. 1 O.R. to hospital. 1 O.R. reinforcement. 2 Battalion carried on with usual routine in training during morning. Afternoon occupied in recreational training. 2 O.Rs rejoined from Course at VI Corps School. Lieut. Goodman proceeded to III Army Infantry School. 2 O.Rs returned from leave. 3 Training carried out on as per attached syllabus. A 7.00 p.m. Battalion moved off in fighting order en route for CAGNY to go into billets, arriving at 5.00 a.m. Major J.S. Bell returned from leave. 1 O.R. proceeded on leave. 1 O.R. to hospital. G.H.Q. RESERVE CGNY Map Sht. 62.K.

S.4.a.80.80

4 Battalion rested here during day. Moved on into Reserve behind VII Australian Division near CACHY. Battalion H.Q. at U.7.a.50.40. Disposition sheet attached. “B” Echelon and Rear Details remained at CAGNY. RESERVE Map Sht. 62.E.

U.7.a.50.50

nr. CACHY

5 Remained in Position all day resting near CACHY. 2 O.Rs to Hospital. 6 Extra ammunition etc. issued for proposed operations. A/Capt. A.R. Mackedie returned from 1st Army Musketry School. Lieut. R.R. Hartry returned from leave. 1 O.R. proceeded on leave. 2 O.Rs to hospital. 7 Battalion relieved 50th Australian Battalion from U.5.b.10.20 exclusive to U.5.c.00.35 inclusive, and assumed jumping off positions for the operation on the 8th, according to barrage map attached. 8 O.R.s ret. From 1st Army Rest Camp. Lieut. Hosford and 3 O.Rs proceeded on Courses. 2 O.Rs to hospital. 1 O.R. committed to prison. FRONT LINE

Ref. Map 62.E.

U.5.b.10.20 to U.5.c.00.35

8 In contrast to the clear evening previous, the morning of the 8th found a heavy fog in evidence, obstructing all view of the German line and proposed objective. Zero hour had been set to 4.20 a.m. An hour previous all Coys. had taken up their assault positions. Half an hour before the commencement of our bombardment, German artillery of heavy calibre laid down a light barrage on our position, particularly heavy fire being directed on the wood to the South-West of VILLERS-BRETTENEAUX. First impression was that our attack had been anticipated, but his shelling ceased just prior to the opening up of our guns.

No preliminary bombardment was indulged in. At 4.30 sharp [our] barrage fell on the German Front line and the Battalion jumped off immediately.

The disposition of the Companies was as follows:- “C” Coy. in 2 platoon frontage was responsible for the Right Flank and contact waves with the 1st Canadian Division; “B” Company in center on a 2 platoon frontage; “A” Company with similar frontage on the left connecting up with the 19th Cdn. Battalion; “D” Company in Support.

The objective lay some 200 yards to the East of MARCELCAVE and the quarry adjoining it.

Operating under a magnificent barrage, and closely co-operating with the tanks, whose support to the infantry was one of the finest features of the day, the Battalion had [reached] the extreme limit of its objective at 7.45 a.m. Casualties where light, partly due to the fog barrier and the admirable manner in which are advance was conducted.

Lieut. Ferguson was wounded in the jumping off. Captain Michell was wounded in the first half mile of the advance along with Captain Wigle; Lieut’s Faulkner and Sheridan a short time later.

Amongst the material captured at MARCELCAVE were five 5.9 Hows., and three 2.2 mm Guns, in addition to a great deal of signal equipment and valued Surgical and Medical Stores.

The Battalion pushed on past the quarries and established a line of defence about 300 yards beyond. Throughout the [affair], considerable opposition was encountered, chief of which lay in the form of well secreted machine-gun nests. The work of Captain T.H.C. Rayward in disposing of some of this [formidable] opposition was very exemplary to all ranks.

Casualties to the extent of approximately 30 killed and 120 wounded were sustained in the advance. 56 O.R’s arrived as reinforcements. 2 O.R’s proceeded on leave.

QUARRY near MACELCAE Ref. Map DEMUIN V.16.d.25.40 9 At 9.00 a.m. the Battalion, less “B” Echelon, moved off and marched to W.19.central where they bivouacked in fields, awaiting further orders from Brigade. The night was spent at this location, shelters improvised from the abandoned enemy material being used by the men. Considerable bombing and machine gun fire of the locality, especially the roads enclosing the position, where carried out by enemy aircraft but no casualties resulted. 5 O.R’s to hospital. Ref. Map 62.e.NW

W.19.Central

10 Moving off at 4.00 pm., Battalion went into Divl. Reserve, occupying the old AMIENS Defence line, about a mile beyond CAIX with Battalion H.Q. at E.16.b.90.70 approx. Coys were in close proximity and Transport directly in rear. 1 O.R. on leave. 1 O.R. from hospital. nr. CAIX Map 62.e.NW

E.16.b.90.70

11 Battalion moved off at 8.30 p.m. and marched to ROSIERES relieving 28th Cdn. Bn. in Divl. Reserve. Bn. H.Q. at approx. F.8.a.60.90 and disposition of Coys as follows: “A” & “B” Coy – FRONT. “C” & “D” Coys – SUPPORT. By 10.00 p.m. all Coys. were in position. Transport was located for the night on the outskirts of ROSIERES. 1 O.R. on leave. ROSIERES

F.8.a.60.90

12 Battalion remained here throughout the great portion of the day. Intermittent shelling of the locality by a H.V. Gun occurred for some time. No casualties resulted. At 10.00 p.m. Bn. H.Q. Details moved off, with Coys. moving independently, to relieve 2 Coys. of 50th Cdn. Bn. and 2 Coys. of 75th Cdn. Bn. in Bde. Support position at f.30 a. & c. and F.23 b. & d. respectively. Bn. H.Q. located at FOUQUESCOURT Corner at F.28.d.9.7. Relief completed at 4.00 a.m. 13th. Lieut. W.A.S. Porter and 2 O.Rs proceeded on leave. FOUQUESCOURT Corner

F.26.d.9.7.

BDE. SUPPORT

13 “B” Echelon moved from ROSIERES to Wood just North of WARVILLERS. Remainder of Bn. remained in Brigade supports. For location Coys. see disposition state attached. 1. O.R. to hospital. 1 O.R. returned from Course. Lts. Gerrard & Cole & 100 O.Rs arrived as reinforcement. 14 At 5.45 a.m. “D” Coy. AA. Gun shot down a low-flying enemy plane, which crashed near Rlyy. In F.5.d. With expectation of resuming the offensive, in conjunction with the attached Bde. Operation Order No. 245, Bn. moved into aras [sic] directly behind assembly positions as shown in attached sketch& disposition state. Lts. Edwards & Wittle [sic] & 50 O.Rs arrived as reinforcements. I.11.b.335.50 15 Adv. H.Q. at I.12.c.05.90. For disposition of Coys. see att. Disposition state. “A” & “B” coys. placed at disposal of O.C. 19th Cdn. Bn., in the event of the last named unit requiring assistance.

At. 3.00 a.m. area in which Bn. was located was subjected to heavy gas bombardment, the line occupied by “C” & “D” Coys receiving particularly severe gassing. Enemy shelling of high calibre H.E. also occurred through the day. During the night Bn. moved back to Bde. Support with Bn. H.Q. in old trench line at I.10.a.2.5. Adv. H.Q. maintained and did not fall back at that time.

1 O.R. on leave. 1 O.R. to Hayling Is. Eng. Musketry Course. Capt. J.C. Little returned from course. 1 O.R. killed; 10 wounded – gassed.

BDE. SUPPORT

I.10.a.2.5

16 At 3.30 a.m. Bn. was dispositioned according to attached state. “A” & “B” Coys under order from Bde. united with 19th Bn. & moved forward to Assembly positions. “C” & “D” Coys. standing to, were called in at 4.30 and also moved forward to support of the 19th Cdn. Bn. In attack on German positions that followed Capt. T.H.C. Rayward came in for special mention for his fine work (see attached narrative of operation and personal letter of O.C. 19th Cdn. Bn. Lieut. R.E. Lawrence [Lawrance] rejoined & Lt. R.E. Rouse arrived as reinforcement. 1 O.R. committed to prison. 1 O.R. on leave. 1 O.R. to and 1 from Hospital. 21 O.rs wounded. 17 In the early morning “A” & “B” were relieved by 2 Coys of 46th Cdn. Bn. and “C” & “D” Coys by 2 Coys of 47th Cdn. Bn. At daybreak Bn. moved independently to the old AMIENS defence line, which they occupied for the balance of the day. In the afternoon a bath parade was held at CAIX, and a Bn. parade at 5.15 p.m. after which units marched to WEINCOURT. Bn. H.Q. locating in church at W.13.a.30.70. and Coys. & Transport at V.18.d. Lieut. J.T. Taylor gassed & 4 O.Rs wounded – gassed. WIENCOURT

W.13.a.30.70

18 Pay parade during the day. 2 O.Rs arrived as reinforcements. 1 O.R. on course and 1 O.R. returned from course. 1 O.R. on leave. 2 O.Rs returned from hospital. 19 Capt. Mackedie & party of 75 O.Rs worked under Divl. Salvage Officer cleaning up area between WEINCOURT and MARCELCAVE. At 9.15 p.m. Bn. moved off and marching via CACHY, bivouaced in field outside BOVES. 4 O.Rs to hospital. 1 O.R. on leave. Lieut. M.M. Wilson & 2 O.Rs to C.C.R.C. 4 O.Rs ret. from Guards Divn. BOVES 20 Packs which had been stored here were reissued to the men. Bn. entrained and leaving at 11.30 a.m. proceeded through AMIENS to WAVRAMS [sic] which was reached by midnight. The arrival here marked transfer of Bn. from 4th Army to 1st Army jurisdiction. Marching from WAVRANS a distance of 3 kilos. Bn. billeted at PIERREMONT – G.H.Q. Reserve. 1 O.R. on leave. 1 O.R. ret. from hospital. PIERREMONT 21 1 O.R. on leave. 22 1 O.R. on leave. 1 O.R. to hospital. PIERREMONT 23 Transport moved off at 4.00 a.m. for BERNEVILLE. At 11.15 a.m. Bn. moved to WAVRANS where they entrained at 3.45 p.m. for MARCEUIL. They detrained at 7.00 p.m. and marched to BERNEVILLE, arriving 3 hours later. Lieut. J. Morgan proceeded on leave. 3. O.Rs to hospital. 2 O.Rs ret. from Cdn. Corps School BERNEVILLE 24 At 7.30 p.m. Bn. less Details out of line, moved off for Support Area in Telegraph Hill Sector. 1 O.R. on leave. 3 O.Rs to hospital. TELEGRAPH HILL

Support Area.

25 Bn. waited in readiness for coming operations. 4 O.Rs to Hospital. 1 O.R. from hospital. 1 O.R. reinforcement. 26 At 3:00 a.m. following intense 5 min. barrage Bn. jumped off TILOY [sic] TRENCH in front of TELEGRAPH HILL in support of 21st Cdn. Bn. The artillery preparation was good. Owing to getting lost in the darkness, the tanks detailed to go over with the Bn. failed to turn up per schedule, so the Unit was without their assistance in the initial kick-off.

MINORCA TRENCH, a difficult nut to crack, was set as the first objective, and SOUTHERN AVENUE TRENCH as the second objective. Both positions were won by 8.00 a.m. “D” Coy. holding the last named defence line in conjunction with the 21st Cdn. Bn. “A” Coy. remained in GORDON TRENCH, and “B” Coy at the first objective, MINORCA TRENCH.

Up to this time the casualties had been far smaller than anticipated, although Lieut. McHardy had gone only a short distance from the Assault trench when he sustained mortal shrapnel wounds.

The German resistance had been slight but at this point was considerably strengthened. At 1. o’clock, the Bn. was ordered to capture the village of GUIMAPPE. Personal reconnaissances in broad daylight and under sever fire by Major C.M.R. Graham and Capt. D.A.G. Parsons, M.C., O.Cs respectively for “D” and “C” Coys. were first conducted. Waiting until artillery support, inadequate as it was to meet the situation, had been obtained, “C” & “D” Coys at 4.00 p.m. advanced and captured the ruined town. Casualties in the face of both terrific machine gun and artillery barrages laid down by the enemy were fairly heavy.

Lieut. Brackin [sic], who had done brilliant work up to this moment, was instantly killed by a shell and Capt. Parsons and Lieut. Edwards sustained wounds that resulted in their immediate evacuation.

Resultant of the progress, “C” and “D” Coys occupied and consolidated STAG TRENCH, and “A” and “B” Coys moved forward to RAKE AND GORDON TRENCHES respectively. At. 11 p.m. “A” Coy under the fine leadership of Lieut. Spence, went forward, despite most stubborn opposition, and captured CALVARY TRENCH. Unfortunately, the achievement went for naught, as the Unit on their immediate left was held up and the Coy. at 3.00 a.m., 27th, after 4 hours of desperate fighting was compelled to withdraw temporarily to RAKE TRENCH. Approx. all ranks 10 killed & 15 wounded. 1 O.R. ret. from leave & 1 O.R. on leave. 2 O.Rs ret. from army rest camp.

RAKE TRENCH in front of GUIMAPPE 27 With the ARRAS-CAMBRAI Road as the left boundary, the Bn. supported the 20th Cdn. Bn. attacked VILLERS GAGINCOURT (VILLERS-ARTOIS) at 10. a.m. By noon, VIS-EN-ARTOIS and the SENSEE RIVER and SENSEE RIVER VALLEY had been reached. At this juncture, a barrage scheduled to continue after half an hours curtailment failed to materialise. Consequently an outpost line running for VIS EN ARTOIS along the West bank of the river had to be formed. Major McIntosh, acting O.C. of the Bn. was wounded while reconnoitring forward positions, and the command of the Unit fell to Major Bell. Lieut. Spence, Comdg “A” Coy., was shot and killed by a German sniper and Lieut. Gerrard suffered severe wounds from shell fire.

3 O.Rs to England for Officers course. 2 O.Rs to England for R.A.F. course. Approx. casualties all ranks, 15 killed & 150 wounded. Major J.J. Richardson ret. from Officers Course, Eng. 4 O.Rs to and 2 O.Rs from hospital. 1 O.R. on leave

SENSEE RIVER LINE 28 Zero hour for this days operation was set for 12.30 noon. Bn. was in support of 20th Bn. Heavy casualties were suffered in the advance to the slope of the SENSEE RIVER, machine gun nests and wire in the German line being equally heavy. Capt. Mackedie was shot through the hand and instantly killed rushing a German gun post; Lieut. Cole, shot through the eye, was afterwards found dead; Major Graham and Lts. Lawrence [sic], Donaldson and Krug were wounded. Under terrific fire the Bn. was compelled to temporarily withdraw and take up a line in the sunken roads fronting the German wire East of the SENSEE RIVER. 52 O.R. arrived as reif. 3 O.Rs on leave. Approx. casualties all ranks, 10 killed & 70 wounded. SUNKEN ROAD beyond SENSEE RIVER 29 At 2.00 a.m. the Battalion was relieved by the 8th Cdn. Bn. 1st Can. Div. and moving independently proceeded to WANCOURT. Capt. W.J. Baxter arrived and reif. 1 O.R. on leave. 1 O.R. to hospital. In the early afternoon Coys. proceeded independently, move to ARRAS where they billeted for the night. ARRAS 30 Bn. move at 2.00 p.m. and marched to SIMENCOURT, where they billeted. Lt. L.E. Boulton and 1 O.R. on leave. 3 O.Rs to hospital. 31 Bn. was inspected by Coys. in the morning, and rested remainder of day.

War Diary

  Appendices

War Diary of the 18th Battalion: August 1918 Confidential War Diary of 18th CANADIAN BATTALION – 2nd CANADIAN DIVISION From 1st August to 31st August, 1918…