#Lieut. C.E. OGLESBY

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

From 1st Feuary to 28th of Febuary, 1918

Volume 30 With appendices 1 – 6

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information HILLS CAMP

(Neuville St. Vaast)

1   Battalion in Reserve at Hill Camp near Neuville St. Vaast. Company parades and training. Specialist training of Lewis gunners, bombers, and grenadiers. 3 other ranks joined from hospital.

  Relief 2 11 am 18th Battalion relieved at Hill Camp by 21st Canadian Battalion. On relief 18th Battalion moves to Billets at CAMBLAIN L’ABBE, passing via Mont St. Eloy. 2 o.r.s returned from Hospital.

  CAMBLAIN L’ABBE 3 10 am Battalion parade for Divine Service in Cinema Hut. During afternoon A and C coys proceeded to La Motte Ranges for firing practice. 3 o.r.s admitted to hospital. Lieut. G.G. Brackin (F.2.d) returned from hospital.

    4   Company parades and training per syllabus attached.

    5   Pay and Bathing parades occupied the whole of the day. 8 o.r. arrived as reinforcements. 5 other ranks admitted to hospital sick.

    6   Parades and training as per syllabus attached. Notification of Award of Belgium Croix de Guerre to LIEUT. J. MORGAN, Sgt. J. Faulkner, Ptes. H.W.J. Clarke and F.K. Showler.

    7   Parades and inspection of Arms and Equipment as per Syllabus attached. 2 o.r.s admitted to hospital sick.

  Relief

Maps

36C SE.

51C N.E.

51B S.W.

8 11.30

                5.30

During the night 8/9th 18th Battalion relieved 24th Canadian Bn. in right support position, Mericourt Sector.

  Battalion moved from CAMBLAIN L’ABBE passwing via Mont St. Eloy to Neuville St. Vaast, where halt was made 2.30 pm at which time it was possible to move over Vimy Ridge.

  Battalion moved forward taking up positions in right support. Relief being completed at 7.30 pm. Disposition being D, B and A coy in CANADA trench. Bn. H.Q at T.26.a.35.75 and C coy at T.20c.28.10.

Canada Trench 9 to 15th   During this tour in support nothing unusual occurred. Battalion furnished working and carrying parties. Much valuable work was done in salvaging throughout the support area. Dumps were established at convenient places and 439 reels of barbed wire, 816 iron stakes, and 2301 wooden stakes were salvaged by the 18th Bn.

  While in support area Lieut. G.N. Tucker acted as R.T.O. [Railway Transport Officer] for the forward area at CANADA DUMP to which point Light Railway runs. Rations for Bn. H.W. and C Coy were brought up by this Railway and those for A, B, and D coys by horse transport to junction of Canada trench and New Brunswick Rd. Trench wardens were detailed from companies and the communication and support trenches in the area were cleaned and minor repairs effected. 9 o.r.s (casuals) rejoined from hospital.

  Relief

36C S.W.

Battalion Frontage

N.17.d.75.70 to N.11.c.00.10

16   During night of 15/16th 18th Battalion relieved the 20th Battalion in Right subsection with H.Q. at T.16.c.9.3. Disposition of companies being A and B coys Right and Left front line with D and C coy in Right and Left support.

  Relief being completed without casualty at 8.15 pm.

  During the night 16/17th 4 patrols of the 18th Bn. under Lieut. G.J. Spencer and McCrae patrolled No Man’s Land on Battalion frontage, no enemy were encountered and there was nothing unusual to report.

    17   During afternoon a inter company relief was completed. D and C coys relieving A and B Coys in Front line. A and B coys taking up positions vacated by D and C coys in support, relief being completed at 3.30 pm.

  Front line Mercourt Sector 18   Position as shown. Considerable aircraft activity. Planes patrolling both lines. Situation quiet, nothing unusual occurred.

    19   Battalion relieved in front line by 4th C.M.R. Battalion. Relief being completed by 9 pm. 18th Battalion being conveyed by Light Railway from Zivy Station. To Vancouver Camp at Chateau de La Haie. The first train leaving Zivy about midnight. 16 o.r.s rejoined from 1st Can. Tunneling Coy.

  Vancouver Camp 20   Bath and clothing parades. Inspection of arms and equipment. 2 o.r. returned from hospital.

    21   Battalion pay parades occupied the whole of the day. Lieut. C.E. Oglesby rejoined Battalion from the 4th T.M. By.

    22   Company parades and inspections. Training in Bayonet fighting and attack. Recreational training in afternoon. 2 o.r.s admitted to hospital.

    23   Training in musketry as per Syllabus attached. 6 o.r.s arrived as reinforcements. 5 o.r.s returned from hospital. Lieut. W.K. Rooney admitted to hospital. Major General WE Hodgins who was D.O.C. M.D. No. 1 LONDON ONTARIO when the 18th Bn. mobilized inspected the Battalion and its transport lines.

    24   Battalion parade for Divine Service in 2nd Div. Theatre after which the men were dismissed for the day.

    25   Training and inspection of specialists. Battalion furnished working party of 3 offices and 165 o.r.s digging Communication trench. Capt. T.H.O. Rayward proceeded to C.C.R.C. as an Instructor.

    26   Battalion (by companies) passed through “Cloud Gas” in order to test box respirators. Working party of 3 Officers and 150 o.r.s worked 4 hours on new Communication Trench. Lieut. A.B. Yeo and 1 o.r. being wounded on this fatigue.

  Relief 27   During the night of 27/28th 18th Canadian Battalion relieved 25th Battalion in Right section of Lens Sector. Relief

36C S.W.

27/28th   Headquarters being at M.30.c.40.35. A and B Coys in front line with C and D companies in close support. Relief completed without casualty by 9.30 pm. 20 o.r. arrived as Reinforcements. Front line extended from M.25.b.85.65 to M.19.b.95.70.

  War Diary

Appendicies

War Diary of the 18th Battalion: Febuary 1918 Confidential War Diary of 18th CANADIAN BATTALION- 2nd CANADIAN DIVISION From 1st Feuary to 28th of Febuary, 1918…

[k2kid]

Confidential War Diary OF

18th CANADIAN BATTALION – 2ND CANADIAN DIVISION

FROM 1ST November to 30th November 1917

Volume 27 With Appendicies 1 – 2

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information CAESTRE 1   Battalion in Reserve Camp. Coy parades, inspection of arms and equipment. Extra water bottle (1 per man) issued. 2 o.r. admitted to hospital.

  Map Ref Sheet #28. 1/20,000 2 10:00 AM Battalion entrained at CAESTRE and detrained at YPRES about 3 p.m. from there marching to POTITSE where supper was served on the roadside. Transport [lorries?] left at 6 a.m. came by road. (see O.O. D164.

  After supper the Battalion moved into support at Abraham Heights, relieving the 75th Battalion whose guides met the Bn. At the junction of Jill and K. trails (D.21.a.45.90) these tracks being trench mat [walks]. Relief completed at 11.40 p.m. Men were in funk holes and shelters around their respective Coy H.Q. viz A Coy H.Q. D.15.b.9.5 B Coy D.15.c.6.5 C Coy rear right D.15.b.2.5 and D Coy D.15.b.8.5. Battalion HQers being in a PILLBOX, BOATHOEK D.15.a.3.3 and R.A.P[i]. D.15.a.2.3.

    3 7.45 a.m. A priority message was received from 4th C.I.B. for help in the works of evacuating the “wounded”. Immediately 2 platoons of A Coy were sent to the 19th at HILLSIDE FARM (D.17.b.2.8) and 2 platoons B coy sent to the 21st Bn. R.A.P. at TYNE COPSE, for the evacuation of wounded from the front lines to this point, where the casualties were evacuated by the Field Ambulances Stretcher Bearers.

  Enemy shelling desultory over whole area. 1 o.r. killed in action. 2 o.r. wounded.

    4   Enemy aeroplanes very active, bombing rear area during the night. 6th C.I.B. staff reported to Bn. H.Q. to take over as Brigade H.Q.

  7 o.r. wounded.

    5   18th Battalion relieved in support of the 31st Canadian Bn. 18th Bn. Move back into reserve camp at POTIZE in the YPRES-MENIN Rd. Relief completed about 3.30 a.m. 4 offices and 250 o.r.s on fatigue grading light railway in rear of Abraham Heights, this party dispersed on instructions of R.E.[ii] Officers owing to enemy shellfire.

  POTIZE 6   Battalion furnishing fatigue parties burying cable, grading for the Railway, and carrying material to forward points (see map). The weather conditions making these fatigues very hard, mud being waist deep in places.

  I o.r. Killed in Action. 6 o.r. wounded.

    7 From 8.30 a.m. to 11.15 a.m. 4 Officers and 180 o.r. of A + B Coys dug 150 yards of ditch on both sides of road running from D.14.d.4.3 to D.14.d.6.1 ditch being 6’ wide and 3’ deep.[iii] Relief 8   During night of 8th/9th 18th Battalion took over front line between D.12.b.45.90 and D.6.b.65.35. relieving portions of the 22nd Canadian Bn. and 25th Canadian Bn. For disposition and location see operational order #167 (attached). Capt. W.J. GANDER and Lieut. H.B. JOHNSON, M.C. being wounded. Lieut. W.S. CALDWELL admitted to hospital GASSED.

    9   Position as show on Operation Order #167. Owing to bad weather and the continual shelling by the enemy the front line and supports were in poor condition, the mud + water in many places being waist deep.

  D.12.b.45.90 and D.6.b.65.35 9th/10th/11th/12th   During the whole of this tour the Officers and men held this part of the line under the most severe conditions possible. Great difficulty was experienced in the evacuating of casualties from the front line to R.A.P.s and dressing stations. Front line trenches were subjected to frequent barrages and the rear country [area] was also heavily shelled and bombed. The supports on this front were reached by a series of tracks, being trench mat walks, and rations had to be carried by mules up these tracks. Each track being subjected to continual shellfire, the transport and ration parties where fortunate in escaping with the loss of 3 men killed and 1 mule which fell off the duckboard track and owing to the depth of the mud had to be shot. Splendid work was done by the Battalion Stretcher bearers in tending and evacuating the wounded.

  Night 12th/13th   During the night of 12/13th Battalion was relieved in the Front line by the 87th Canadian Bn. relief being completed by 6 a.m. 13th. 18th Battalion commenced arrival at POTIZE CAMP at 8 a.m. after resting proceeded to YPRES and entrained at 11.30 a.m.

  The total casualties for this tour approximately being: Killed in action  45 other ranks. Wounded           6 Officers 60 other ranks. Gassed                1 “              25      “

  The Officers being

Capt W.J. Gander Capt V.M. Eastwood M.C. Lieut. J.N. Mowbray

  “       E.L. Hankinson Lieut. J.F. Perkins

 “        H.L. Mitchell “        W.S. Caldwell (gassed)

  MOVE 13 11:30 a.m. Battalion entrained at YPRES and detrained at BRANDHOEK siding about 12 noon, from there marched to TORONTO CAMP. Transport moving by road at 10 a.m.

  TORONTO CAMP 14   Battalion in huts at TORONTO CAMP. Muster parade held during morning. Battalion resting and cleaning up during afternoon. 8 o.r. admitted to hospital.

    15 8 AM

10

AM

Battalion marched to embossing paint near OUDEROM and then proceeded by bus to ROBECQ via Ouderdom, Renmghelst, La Clytte, Bailleul, Hazebrouch, St. Venant arriving at Robecq about 3 pm. Battalion billeted in buildings on outskirts of village.

    16 9.30 Battalion moved from ROBECQ to AUCHEL via LILLERS in motor lorries arriving at destination about noon.

    17 10 AM Battalion again proceeding by motor lorries to VILLERS AU BOIS arriving about 2.30 pm + being billeted in VILLERS CAMP. 4 o.rs. admitted to hospital.

  VILLERS AU BOIS 18 9.45 AM

11 am

Battalion parade for Divine Service. 11 a.m.

  Coy parades for inspection of kit + equipment.

    19 9 am Battalion pay parades occupied the whole of the day. 30 ors. Attached to the 182 Tunneling Coy R.E.s.

    20 9 am Company parades and training in Bayonet fighting and platoons in attach. Lieuts J.N. MACRAE and E.L. ADDY and 56 o.r.s arrived as reinforcements.

    21   Parades and Training as yesterday. 22 ors. arrived as reinforcements. 26 ors. rejoined from Base hospitals.

    22   Entry Missing

    23   Battalion parades and instruction as per syllabus attached.

    24   Parades as per syllabus attached. 30 ors arrived as reinforcements. 18 ors (casualties) rejoined. Lieuts C.J. Jackson, T.V. MILLFORD[iv], M.R. SLOAN and W.H.J. KRIETZER arrived as reinforcements.

    25 12 noon Battalion parade for Divine Service. 6 ors admitted to hospital. Lieut. C.E. Oglesby rejoined from hospital.

  VILLERS-AU-BOIS 26   Company parade and inspections by Coy Commanders. Training in Bayonet fighting and attack. 2 ors. admitted to hospital.

  “ 27   Parades as yesterday, Lieuts. R.E. LAWRANCE and L.E. BOULTON arrived as reinforcements.

  Sheet Maroeull 1/20,000 A.3.c.49.7 28   Battalion moved by light railway to Cellars Camp, Neuville St. Vast. (see operational order attached).   29   Battalion relieved the 21st Battalion in support at Vancouver Rd. Nothing unusual occurred, relief being completed without casualty. H.Q. T.28.a.40.20

    30   Battalion in support in Vancouver Road. Situation quiet. Major J.J. Richardson, D.S.O. rejoined battalion from England. 5 ors admitted to hospital.

  [i] Regimental Aid Post: The first place of care for the wounded.

[ii] Royal Engineers.

[iii] That is 300 cubic yards of earth. Dry earth weighs approximately 2,200 pounds PER cubic yard. The total weight of earth moved in this endeavor was approximately (and likely more as the earth was wet) 660,000 pounds. Or 3,667 pounds of earth per man.

[iv] Thayer Vincent Milford.

  War Diary of the 18th Battalion: November 1917 Confidential War Diary OF 18th CANADIAN BATTALION - 2ND CANADIAN DIVISION FROM 1ST November to 30th November 1917…

[k2kid]

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

From 1st September to 30th September 1917

Volume 25 With appendicis 1 – 4

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information VILLERS AU BOIS 1   Battalion in billets at VILLERS AU BOIS (Villers Camp). Company parades and inspections. Platoon and specialists training carried out during morning. Afternoon, Recreational training such as football, Baseball etc. 2 o.rs admitted to hospital.[i]

    2 7.45 a.m.

  9.00 a.m.

Communion service.

    Battalion parade for divine service. 6 o.rs to hospital (sick).

    3 11.00 Specialist training of Bombers, Grenadiers, Scouts and Bayonet fighting. [ii]

  Battalion parade, the afternoon being devoted to recreational exercise. The Battalion Football team played a draw game with the 20th Bn Championship series.

    4   Training as yesterday. 10 casuals rejoined from base hospitals.

    5   Battalion Pay parades. Lieut. C.E. Oglesby arrived as reinforcement.

    6   Company parades and inspection of Rifles and Equipment. Lieut. C.E. Oglesby and 86 o.rs attached to R.Es[iii] as a carrying party. 4 o.rs to hospital.   7  

    7.00 p.m.

Training of all Lewis gunners at Ranges. Company parades and training.

  Military Tattoo arranged by 4th Brigade. Massed bands and Pipers being the chief item. Program attached.

    8   Battalion sports day. Football, baseball, running, and Jumping contests, winners to represent Battalion in Divisional sports. 2 o.rs to hospital.

    9   Brigade parade for Divine Service. Conducted by the Army Chaplin. General, Sir. H.S. Horne, K.C.B. 1st Army Commander attended.

  Lieuts. J. Irons and J. McHardy arrived as reinforcements.

    10   Company parades and training in Bayonet fighting, platoon in attack and physical training. Afternoon recreational training.

    11 9.30 am Parades and training as yesterday. 10 o.rs returned from hospital.

    12 9.30 am Brigade sports day. 18th Battalion winning both Football and Baseball finals, entitling them to compete in Divisional finals.

    13   Company parades in fighting order, training in bayonet fighting and Physical exercise. Inspection of Box respirators. Capt. J.S. Bell returned from leave. 10 o.rs attached to Divisional M.G. Coy and carrying party.

  Maps for reference: VIMY and ROUVROY 1/10,000 14 1.00   p.m.

          7.30 p.m.

[1.00 p.m.] Battalion moved from VILLERS CAMP en route to trenches in front of AVION. A halt was made at LA TARGETTE corner where supper was served and Battalion rested preparatory to passing over the top of VIMY ridge which was not possible until after dark.

  [7.30 p.m.] Moving off from the bivouac in the following order, “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, and HQ, guides were picked up at LA FOLIE PARK about 8.30 p.m. from the 1st C.M.R. regt, whom we were relieving.

  The enemy artillery was extremely quiet and the reliefe was completed without casualty at 11.45 p.m. Disposition being “A” coy in the front line, “B” and “C” coys in close support, and “D” coy in reserve. Battalion H.Q being in gun pits and dugouts in the BOIS DE CHAUDIERE which was a former German big gun position at T.7.d.95.60.

    15   During the day the enemy shelled the rear area but was very quiet on the trenches occupied by us.

  During the night large working parties were putting out wire entanglements in front of our line, every available man of “D” coy was engaged in carrying up wire and stakes. Lt. Spencer and 2 patrols of the Scout section patrolled “No Man’s Land” while this work was being carried out.

    16   Nothing unusual occurred. Working parties under the supervision of the C.Es[iv] constructed Dugouts in DORRIS trench and worked on DARTMOUTH trench.

    17   Preparations were made for taking over a company frontage on our left flank, running through the south part of AVION, and at present occupied by the 78th Canadian Bn. “B” coy was selected for this operation. During the day Capt. Rayward, O.C. “B” Coy, Lt. McHardy and 5 N.C.Os reconnoitered the new area. Night 17/18   The relief of the Company on our left was successfully completed and “D” coy moved into the position vacated by “B” coy.

    18   Nothing unusual to report. During the evening the usual working parties were provided, and repaired BILLIE BURKE[v] (front line) trench, and also dugouts for GLADYS trench, and extending KEANE to BETTY, a distance of 250 yards of trench being dug.

    19   Unusual aerial activity on both sides. During the night a working party of 1 officer and 92 o.rs put out 600 yds of wire in front of TORONTO ROAD from 100 yds right of Betty Trench to a point 600 yds left, thence over and along SOURIS ROAD. Parties of 40 o.rs were repairing dugouts in BETTY TRENCH and building a dressing station in GLADYS TRENCH.

    20   Battalion relieved in front line by the 26th Canadian Bn. This relief was competed by 12 a.m. and 18th Battalion moved into billets at VILLERS CAMP.

    21   Battalion resting and settling down in billets. Lieut. C.D. Smith arrived as reinforcement.

    22   Bath and clothing parades. 2 o.rs to hospital (sick).

    23   “A” “B” and “D” coys proceeded to Training area where taped replica of German frontage had been laid out. 2 o.rs admitted to hospital.

    24   Battalion pay parades all day. 4 o.rs returned from hospital.

    25   Company parade and inspections. Physical training and Bayonet fighting. Lieut. C.E. Oglesby and 3 o.rs admitted to hospital.

    26   Semi-finals of Canadian Corps Baseball and Football championships were played at COUPIGNY. 18th Battalion Baseball team being defeated by the 1st. D.A.C. No parades were held today.

    27   Company parades. Physical training and platoon drill. 2 o.rs admitted to hospital.   28   Training as yesterday. Lieut. E.L. Hankinson arrived as reinforcement. Villers Camp 29   Canadian Corps Sports day. Sports held at VILLERS AU BOIS. Final events for Corps Championships being decided at this meet. Pte. D.S. Laird, 18th Battalion winning the “High jump” and 2nd Division winning Football. 3 o.rs admitted to hospital.

    30 7.45 a.m.

10.00 a.m.

Voluntary Communion service.

  Battalion paraded for Divine Service after which the men were dismissed for the day.

  2 o.rs returned from hospital.

Honours and Award – Officers     Notification of, received during the month.

  D.S.O.

Lt.-Col. L.E. JONES.

M.C.

(Capt. J.S. BELL.

(Lieut. W.H. FENTON.

(  “        H.B. JOHNSON.

  D.C.M – 1[vi]

Bar to D.C.M. – 1

Military Medals – 27

  [i] This entry is at odds with that of the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade War Diary. It states: “Musketry on Range, MAISNIL BOUCHE by 18th Battalion all day.”

[ii] This sentence is interesting as it delineates two difference roles. I suspect a bomber is a soldier assigned to use rifle-grenades and a grenadier is a specialist who used hand-grenades.

[iii] Royal Engineers.

[iv] Canadian Army Engineers.

[v] Note that this trench name references a popular female silent film star.

[vi] These medals were for enlisted men. It is too bad the war diary did not include their names and regimental numbers.

War Diary of the 18th Battalion: September 1917 Confidential War Diary of 18th CANADIAN BATTALION - 2nd CANADIAN DIVISION From 1st September to 30th September 1917…