61st Battery Canadian Field Artillery in the Great War

The Diary of the 61st Battery Canadian Field Artillery 1916 – 1919

The Lucky Battery

In the following pages a partial (CEFRG: continuing) record of the daily activities of the 61st Field Battery. Written from day to day under circumstances and conditions of a widely varying kind. But, all these circumstances and conditions had this in common. They demanded brevity and offered every discouragement to literary excellence.

Accordingly, no attempt made to produce anything more than a rough framework. The record initially published primarily for the men of the Battery and their friends.

Courage, gallantry and devotion to duty

Those not members of the Battery, may wonder why so little mention made of individuals. This has been the case not because acts of courage or gallantry or instances of devotion to duty have been few. But, because they have been matters of daily occurrence. And, because the men of the Battery, without exception, carried on under conditions which constantly demanded true soldierly qualities.

With this brief introduction, therefore, our autobiography issues forth – defects and all.

Hull Block, Lethbridge

61st Overseas Battery initially organized in March 1916 under the command of Captain Colin Hood Collinson. Recruiting office of the 61st Overseas Battery Canadian Field Artillery opened on 3 April 1916, Hull Block, Lethbridge. The following officers provisionally appointed, Lt Abner Gladstone Virtue, Lt Alexander Gordon Oliver, Lt George Simpson Raley.

Lieutenant Abner Gladstone Virtue

Abner Gladstone Virtue born 14 November 1891 in Beachburg, Ontario. A Barrister at Law, residing at 621, 8th Street South, Lethbridge. Mother Annie Louise, father William Virtue of 32 Melgund Ave, Ottawa, Ont. Previous experience with 25th Battery, CFA. Virtue wrote almost daily in a little German-made diary while on duty beginning in 1918. Sadly, likely his diaries of 1916 and 1917 did not survive.

The Virtue Diary

In March 2013, the Galt Museum acquired A G Virtue’s Great War diary. It had somehow become part of a private Canadian military collection. The collector’s son sold it to The Command Post of Militaria & Antiques in Victoria, British Columbia following his father’s death. The Command Post then put it up for sale on eBay, and it was brought to the attention of the Galt Museum Archivist, who placed a successful bid. CEFRG came by a copy of the diary, and photos captured by Virtue on 17 June 2015.

Lieutenant Alexander Gordon Oliver

Alexander Gordon Oliver born 20 March 1888 in Newport, Monmouthshire, England. An Accountant, residing at 3 Strathcona Point, Lethbridge. Married to Jeannie Goudie of Pontcanna, Cardiff, Wales. Previous experience with 25th Battery, CFA. Oliver stood 6 feet tall, 188 pounds, with poor vision.

Lt George Simpson Raley

George Simpson Raley born 1 August 1890 in Ottawa. A Surveyor, residing on 5th Street South, Lethbridge. Previous experience also with the 25th Battery, CFA. Raley stood 5′ 10″ tall, 150 pounds.

Captain Colin Hood Collinson

Colin Hood Collinson a Rancher born 6 July 1880 in Seeley’s Bay, Ontario. Married to Maria Eliza Collinson of 941 1st Ave, NW Calgary, Alberta. Two boys, Karl Allworth (b 22-06-03), and Alfred Wallace (b 03-10-04). Mother Mrs Margaret Wright Collinson of 600 Broadway, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Previous service also with the 25th Battery, CFA. Collinson stood 6′ 2″ tall, 200 pounds, thumb and forefinger left hand amputated.

61st Field Battery at Henderson Park Barracks

On 4 May 1916 the Battery moved into Henderson Park Barracks. Henderson Park a 47 hectare (117 acre) park located in Lethbridge. Also includes a 24 hectare (60 acre) man-made lake, the largest lake in the city. The lake and surrounding park developed in preparation for the 7th International Dry-Farming Congress in 1912.

Captain C H Collinson takes over command of the Battery, later on 21 May 1916.

61st Field Battery at Petawawa Camp

At 12:30 am on 28 May 1916 the Battery entrained for Petawawa Camp, Ontario. Men had fell in at 11 pm on 27 May in front of Herald Office. And, the Roll being called, all reported present.

On 28 May, Muster Roll Call and Route March at Moose Jaw, followed on successive days by Winnipeg, Fort William, North Bay, and finally Petawawa Camp at 4 am on 1 June 1916.

On 25 July 1916 inspected by Major General Willoughby Garmons Gwatkin, KCMG. As chief of the general staff, Canadian militia, 1913-19, Gwatkin also had the key responsibility for implementing Canada’s military policies. Having planned and managed, best he could, the wartime expansion of the CEF. Gwatkin also had to oversee its repatriation, demobilization, and reorganization as a peacetime force. 

On 4 August 1916 Lt Richard Henry Babbage transferred to Brigade HQ.

61st Field Battery Departure from Halifax

At 6 pm on 10 September 1916, the Battery arrived at Halifax. At 11 am the next morning, the Battery Marched on to troopship, the RMS CAMERONIA, afterwards sunk as a transport.

Dawn, 6 am on 13 September 1916, RMS CAMERONIA, with the Twelfth and also Fifteen Artillery Brigades on board, steamed out of Halifax. The lines of transports as follows HM Cruiser DRAKE, transports NORTHLAND, SCANDINAVIAN, CAMERONIA, and finally, METAGAMA.

The 13th Brigade, CFA, left Halifax, six days later on 19 September 1916.

15th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery

Until a massive reorganization in January of 1917, the 15th Brigade consisted of a Headquarters, four batteries (four guns each), and an Ammunition Column.

Headquarters

Lieut-Col Alexander Thomas Ogilvie commanding the 15th Brigade. Captains Herbert Austin Brown, Jordan Mott Fowler, John Hebden Gillespie, Herbert James Latimer and also Major Thomas Duncan J Ringwood. Lieutenants Charles Sandford M Fleming, and finally Alexander Bell Thomson.

Everyone, officer’s and enlisted men alike, already familiar with Ringwood since Petawawa Camp, when the Major (then Captain) rode up and introduced himself in characteristic fashion. With a cheery greeting, he dismounted, and started to help the gunner in his task.

Major Thomas Duncan John (Ring) Ringwood

‘Do you know who I am?’

As officer and man working together, the former asked.

‘No.’

The reply – the Sir demanded by Army Regulations still an unconsidered trifle in the 60th Battery. Silence for a moment, then, as the perspiring Major continued with his work he spoke.

‘They call the me that (expletive deleted) Ringwood,’ and as he gave a final swing to his mallet, he added, ‘You may think I’m all right now, but just you wait until I get you on parade a few times!’

Major Thomas Duncan John (Ring) Ringwood

59th Field Battery

Captain Conrad Stephenson Riley. Lieutenants George William Culver, Charles Holland Locke, and Gerald Cuthbert Welsford.

60th Field Battery

Captain Lorne Campbell Walker. Lieutenants Carl Seymour Gonnason, William Earle Longworthy, and James Boyd MacLachlan.

61st Field Battery

Captain Colin Hood Collinson. Lieutenants Lt A G Virtue, Lt A G Oliver, Lt G S Raley.

A/Bbdr Richard Francis Walshe looking back at Arthur Davies’ camera, seated beside Theodore Connolly at Witley Camp circa 1916.

62nd Field Battery

Major William Michael J Martin. Lieutenants Joseph Badebvek Clearihue, George Harold Pethick and Basil Gawler Prior.

Ammunition Column

Captain Albert Edward Sargison. Lieutenants Richard Henry Babbage, Alexander Maclean and Vincent McKenna.

61st Field Battery in England

About 2 pm on 21 September 1916, the convoy also joined by five torpedo boat destroyers. The transports steamed up, but speeded for port independently. Destroyer No 74 stayed by RMS CAMERONIA until Liverpool reached at 4 pm on 22 September. The Battery disembarked an hour later, and entrained at 6 pm.

61st Field Battery at Witley Camp

Arrived at Milford Station (Surrey) at 4 am on 23 September 1916. Marched into Witley Camp at 5 am.

The 13th Brigade, CFA arrived four days later.

This camp has all the Canadian camps beaten in every thing, except in one respect, and in that, it falls so far short that it ‘s hard to say which is the better, and that is the weather. It’s too bad to explain. It rains every day, and a dampness that one can almost taste. In addition, the stoves give no heat at all and the temperature in the hut sometimes below freezing point.

Godalming

A military town about 2 1\2 miles away, called Godalming. Troops usually go down every Saturday night, and Sunday night to the concert given by a Mrs Henderson free to soldiers. Also concerts at the YMCA about once a week, all free. In the week nights tro ops generally sit around the stove and smoke.

18-PR. Q.F. GUN.

The 18-pounder the British Commonwealth’s most widely used field gun during the Great War. More than 10,000 produced in a variety of types, including some anti-aircraft variants. British 18-pounders fired approximately 100 million shells during the war, an average of 43 rounds per minute from 1914 to 1918.

The 18 pounder not effective against infantry in trenches, the trajectory of the shells too flat. Howitzers are used for this purpose, but used against infantry advancing, or for purposes of destruction to buildings, etc. Ordnance included high explosive, shrapnel and also the use of gas.

It soon became clear that each gun going to fire many more shells than originally expected. Under the increased stress of battle, the recoil springs proved rather fragile. Once broke, the gun out of action until the springs replaced, a slow and complex process.

The “gun limber” towed the gun.

Hydro-pneumatic recoil system

As a result a new entirely hydro-pneumatic recoil system developed, small enough to fit inside the existing housing. The new system made the gun much more reliable, and also changed the designation of the carriage, with converted carriages becoming the Carriage Mk I and carriages built from scratch with the new system the Carriage Mk II.

The Gun Detachment

The No 1

No. 1, normally a sergeant, the detachment commander. Responsible for all operations of the gun and the men in the detachment. Also responsible for the basic maintenance and servicing of the gun. When moving, No. 1 mounted on a horse.

No 2

No. 2 opened and closed the breech and set the range by elevating and depressing the barrel. When limbering and unlimbering the gun, responsible for the lower shield, gun brake, cradle clamp, elevating gears, muzzle and breech covers, and the right gun wheel. He rode on the gun limber.

No. 3

No. 3 laid the gun for line (bearing) and fired the gun. When limbering and unlimbering, he assisted No. 2 and responsible for the upper gun shield and the left gun wheel. He rode on the gun limber.

The No 4

No. 4 loaded the gun, and planted the aiming posts (for sighting) as directed by No. 3. When limbering and unlimbering, and on the march, he operated the wagon brake. No. 4 rode on the gun ammunition wagon.

No 5 and No 6

Nos. 5 and 6 prepared ammunition (unpacked the round or removed it from the wagon, removed the cartridge clip, removed the fuze cap, set the fuze, and passed the prepared round to No. 4). When limbering and unlimbering, they hooked and unhooked the ammunition wagon. No. 6 also operated the fuze indicator. No. 5 and No. 6 rode on the gun ammunition wagon limber.

Nos 7, 8 and 9

Nos. 7, 8, and 9 remained in the wagon lines and assisted in supplying the ammunition. Also available to replace casualties. No. 7 and No. 8 rode on 
the first line (battery reserve) ammunition limber, while No. 9 rode on the first line ammunition wagon.

The No 10

The blog continues with the reorganization of the Canadian Field Artillery in January of 1917.

No. 10, called the “Coverer”, was normally a bombardier (equivalent to a corporal in other Corps) and was the detachment second-in-command. He was in charge of the gun ammunition wagon, and in action remained in the wagon lines in charge of the teams and wagons of the subsection. The Coverer mounted on a horse.

1917

On 22 January 1917, Lieutenant Charles Holland Locke and the Right Section of the 59th Battery (Winnipeg) ToS (taken-on-strength) of the 61st Battery, as new Establishment for a Field Artillery Battery provides for six guns and also 195 men.

Shortly after this date, Major George Sackville Browne, having seen service in France, took over command of the new 6-gun Battery, Captain Collinson remaining as Captain.

26 June 1917

Inspection by The Duke of Connaught

Inspected by His Royal Highness The Duke of Connaught on Drury Plain, 26 June 1917. The following day, inspected by General Gwatkin.

Drv John McQueen 327959 suffered a fractured left fibula on 16 March 1917 and admitted to hospital at Bear Wood, Wokingham, Berks. He had sprained his ankle the month before, and treated at Bramshott Military Hospital. Later discharged to duty on 8 March 1917.

Milford Station

The right half of the battery under Major G S Browne left Milford Station at 5 am with three guns and limbers on 21 August 1917. The left half of the battery under Captain C H Collinson left with the other three guns left later at 6:30 am, both parties bound for the Southampton docks.

Le Havre

The entire battery disembarked Le Havre at 2 pm on 22 August 1917 and moved off to No 1 Rest Camp.

Western Front

Though hit by casualties immediately upon entering the Western Front, the 61st Battery because known as the Lucky Battery in the Brigade. Inevitably due both to their comparatively lower number of casualties, and their propensity to change locations in the nick of time.

Officers of the 61st Battery

Officers of the 61st Battery, C.F.A., at date of leaving for France.

• Major G S Browne
• Captain C H Collinson
• Lt C H Locke
• Lt A G Virtue
• Lt A G Oliver
• Lt G S Raley
• Lt R H Babbage

Other Ranks Killed or Evacuated Wounded

Among the Other Ranks of the 61st Field Battery, C.F.A., at date of leaving for France either killed or evacuated to the UK during their service.

• Gnr R D Barnes (Wounded)
• Bbdr W G Chambers (Wounded)
• Cpl L Clapstone (KIA)
• Gnr W M Colchester (Wounded)
• Gnr R Grant (KIA)
• Gnr C V Kinsey (Wounded)
• A/Bbdr Abby H Lyons (Wounded)
• Cpl J E McNeil (Wounded)
• Gnr William Hieland McSpadden (KIA)
• Sig K G McTeer (Wounded)
• Gnr H L Nichol (Wounded)
• Dvr G Owens (Wounded)
• Lieutenant Cuno Edward Mcgill Richer (KIA)
• Dvr W Roberts (Wounded)
• Gnr J C Waldie (Wounded)
• Sgt (Acting B.S.M.) William Allen Wallas (KIA)
• Gnr C S Wilson (Wounded)
• Bbdr John Turnbull Wood (KIA)

Wounded and Returned to Duty

Eight men wounded, though their wounds not serious enough to necessitate evacuation, and therefore returned to duty during their service. All men awarded One Wound Stripe.

• Gnr A Clifford
• Sig J C Fry
• Dvr R Heatherton
• Gnr C F Milne
• Gnr E Richbell
• Gnr G H Selvage
• Dvr L St Ours
• Sgt W B Williams

Ames

On the way to Ames, from Le Havre, the train wrecked at Poix on 24 August 1917. Dvr John McQueen only slightly injured. The battery detrained and moved off to Ames on 25 August 1917. Later in the afternoon, inspected by Lt-Gen Currie.

Major Browne, Lt Locke, six No One’s, four signallers and also one batman attached to the 27th Battery, CFA for instructional purposes in the forward zone on 27 August 1917.

General E W B Morrison inspected the battery two days later. On 30 August 1917, the horse lines moved into the village of Ames, owing to the muddy condition of the field.

September 1917

Carency

The 61st Field Battery initially entered the Western Front at the village of Carency in Pas-de-Calais at 9 PM on 4 September 1917, not far from Vimy Ridge.

First Action 5 September 1917

First action late on 5 September 1917 in Cite d’Abbatoir (Liévin), map location Sheet 36c.M.35.a.70.50. Subsections C, D and E take over positions from the 27th Battery, CFA.

Liévin

British Trench Map System

Artillery units plotted their locations to an accuracy of five yards with the British Trench Map system. Unlike descendants of soldiers in the infantry, this provided the author with the ability to visit exact locations of artillery units in the Great War. The author has been able to literally walk in his grandfather’s footsteps.

COORDINATE PLOTTERS

Locations such as 36c.M.35.a.70.50 easily found with a variety of tools, such as tMapper and the Great War British Trench Map Coordinates Converter.

Among the photographs held by granddaughter Nora Molina, this image, likely the first battery position of A/Bbdr Richard Francis Walshe’s 61st Battery in Liévin. 5/7 Rue Cornelle, like all the dwellings on the street, rebuilt following the Great War. However, though still a semi-detached dwelling, slightly smaller than the previous home.

Google Earth

tMapper provides trench map overlays from various periods, and also the converted GPS coordinate of the trench map location, providing a virtual visit.

The guns of the battery placed in a reinforced dugout of the rear of the building, and pulled out to go into action, firing towards the east over Lens.

First casualty of the 61st Field Battery

First casualty suffered on the second day of action, 6 September 1917, as Gunner Robert Douglas Barnes 331802 seriously wounded and later evacuated to England. The balance of the guns moved up, and afterwards Lt Oliver took over O’Pip duty in the second story of a ruined house in Cite Riaumont, overlooking Lens.

Observation Post
It was commanded by a major, who was responsible for all aspects of the battery’s training and operations. He also served as the battery observation post.

Registration

No further casualties on 7 September 1917 as registration carried on during the day at the gun position. Registration a tactical technique whereby guns attempt to ‘register’ the location of a particular target, without firing directly upon it. For instance, if a shell seen to fall 100 feet directly in front of the target, a slight adjustment will allow a direct hit at a more opportune time (i.e., prior to the start of an infantry attack).

S.O.S.

S.O.S. firing on Zone at 10 pm on 7 September 1917. ‘Support or Suppression’ (S.O.S.) artillery fire called up by the usual means, initially by flag signals, soon replaced by field telephones.

HORSE LINES

On 8 September 1917, the Horse Lines moved from the intersection of light railway (along Souchez River) and the branch road below Carency to lines vacated by the Lahor Battery. This location a few hundred yards from Hospital Corner.

Mail

On 8 September 1917, very fine weather and a heavy Canadian Mail received later in the evening. Lt A G Virtue went on Liaison Duty with the 10th Battalion.

11 September 1917

Nissen hut received and erected at wagon lines, as well as a number of tents. Battery to the left very heavily shelled all day.

The “first line ammunition limber” and “first line ammunition wagon” was identical to the gun ammunition limber and ammunition wagon and was manned by members of the gun detachment. However, it was considered a battery resource and was 
normally kept in the wagon lines that were located to the rear of the battery under the command of the battery captain (battery second-in-command).

Chateau de la Haie

Just to the north of the chateau, the battery HQ.

“CHATEAU de la HAIE
THIS CABIN, BUILT ABOUT 1830, WAS THE PIONEER HOME OF JABEZ THURSTON AND HIS FAMILY IN 1930 IT WAS ACQUIRED BY THE 67TH (VARSITY) BATTERY ASSOCIATION AND GIVEN THE NAME OF A STATELY OLD CHATEAU IN FRANCE THAT HAD SERVED AS A CANADIAN CORPS HEADQUARTERS IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR. A LIVING ROOM WAS LATER ADDED TO
THE ORIGINAL STRUCTURE AFTER FORTY-FIVE MEMORABLE YEARS AS A SUMMER HOME FOR BATTERY MEMBERS AND THEIR’ FAMILIES THE PROPERTY WAS RETURNED TO PRIVATE
OWNERSHIP IN JULY, 1975.”

inscription on plaque

67th Battery Association

In due course the 67th Battery Association and the Kennedys entered into a happy contract, thanks to our legal aid staff, Art Mason, George Johnston and the late Harold Timmins. The derelict log house, at that time merely a roofed – sort of – shelter for farm junk and hay made habitable by the Kennedys and Thurstons. Only a new roof, new floors, new windows and doors and a new chimney needed. The renovations completed that fall.

An advance party of the Association took possession on New Year’s eve, Wednesday, December 31,1930. The advance party held the redoubt, against formidable odds, until reinforcements arrived on Saturday, January 3, 1931. During the 45 years of Battery ownership, incompara­ble reunions have been enjoyed.

 

12 September 1917

Work on stables continued. Sig Dixon Vallance 116251, formerly of the 11th CMR, very slightly wounded, but able to remain on duty, 12 September 1917. A L/Cpl with the 11th, Dixon had reverted in ranks in order to proceed overseas with the CFA.

Heavy shelling in the rear of the communal cemetery (Carency) during the day.

Note military casualties in the communal cemetery exhumed following the Great War. Some Canadian casualties moved to Sucrerie Cemetery, Ablain-St. Nazaire, while the many French casualties moved to Ablain St.-Nazaire French Military Cemetery. Notre Dame de Lorette, the world’s largest French military cemetery, not yet constructed, but it’s location visible in the image from Gadmer, Frédéric above.

14 September 1917

Sunday, 16 September. At the wagon lines the Battery paraded to attend the Funeral Service for Gunner Donald Murdock McClellan 324910, 60th Battery, the first man killed in the 14th Brigade.

Son of Alexander A and Mary Cattanach McLennan, of Lancaster, Ontario. McClellan enlisted March, 1916, with 56th (Ontario Agricultural College) Howitzer Battery.

15 September 1917

Sgt W A Wallas, Sgt John Wallace Donnan 331809, and Sgt Ward Bryan Williams 327862 came down from the gun position for the first time. Hostile planes appeared at intervals during the day. The Red Baron last seen over south of Bousbecque, Nord Department on 3 September 1917. His red tri-plane might be glimpsed by the men later in November.

16 September 1917

The battery position heavily shelled for over six hours. About 125 rounds, mostly 5.9s H.E.

23 September 1917

Considerable aerial activity. Captain C H Collinson arrived at the battery position. Sgt John Alexis Turcotte 331855 left for the wagon lines the first time, and later Gnr George Garrett Rennison 331849 took over duties as O R Clerk at guns.

27 September 1917

At 6:50 pm, another enemy aeroplane flew across and set on fire a second balloon. He was attacked by several British machines and forced to descend (after sharp fighting) in our lines. The Hun airman was a poor sport.

When the balloon caught fire and two observers jumped and came down by parachute, and this exponent of Kultur fired at them while they were helpless in mid-air. However, he missed them.

October 1917

2 October 1917

Sgt J A Turcotte relieved Gnr G G Rennison who returned to the wagon lines.

3 October 1917

Captain Collinson left for the gun position where Dvr William Roberts 332858 later hit in the hand by a shell splinter. Driver Roberts evacuated to hospital.

5 October 1917

Much shelling at battery position in Cite d’Abbatoir, mostly 5.9s. Position handed over to 5th Battery , CFA. Right section, and portion of HQ move up to position in Cite de la Plaine (Sheet 36c.M.15.d.90.70) occupied by A Battery, 112th Brigade, RFA.

This position in an open field, in trenches, opposite La fosse n^o 16 bis (Saint-Alfred ou Alfred de Montigny). The location today a parking lot among several senior residences. The puits now a playing field.

6 October 1917

O’Pip (Observation Post) moved into Fosse 2 (La fosse n^o 2 – 2 bis dite Dupont ou fosse d’Hersin). La Fosse 2 just prior to the Great War,

And Fosse 2 on 14 May 1918. Liévin Raccordement. Connecting line constructed through ruins of Fosse 2 de Liévin (Cite Calonne) looking north-east. Map Ref. Sheet 44A(sic).M.14.d.9.3.

10 October 1917

Battery moved to a new position in Cite de Rollencourt (White Chateau) Sheet 36c.M.27.b.90.65.

British soldiers and French school children throwing snowballs, near Rollencourt Chateau, British Press HQ.

Much shelling on right flank. Handed over all ammunition on hand to 60th Battery, CFA. The Battery canteen opened today.

13 October 1917

A wet day. The Right Section, guns and personnel, moved into a new position at Sheet 36c.M.23.a.00.27, in Liévin, 300 yards east of Fosse 3 de Liévin.

La fosse n^o 3 – 3 bis dite Saint-Amé ou Amé Tilloy. The mine was finally destroyed in 1983.

14 October 1917

Sunday, Centre and Left Sections moved to new position in Constitution Hill (Liévin) at Sheet 36c.M.7.c.45.40. Weather fine. No church parade.

The location in the field behind 157 Rue Pasteur in Liévin today.

21 October 1917

Gnr William Hieland McSpadden 883647 very seriously wounded while out collecting wire, evacuated to the nearby Dressing Station where he succumbed to his injuries.

More bad luck for the still unbranded Lucky Battery the following day.

22 October 1917

Gnr Robert Grant 331896 accidentally killed demolishing a house at the Right Section position. Son of William Grant and Christina Marshall (his wife), of North Lethbridge, Alberta.

Both men buried the following day at Fosse No.10 Communal Cemetery Extension.

25 October 1917

Greene’s Group formed on 25 October 1917 with officer’s taken from the 13th and 14th Brigades, CFA, and the 5th CDAC (the ammunition column). The group, with personnel from the respective units, relieved the 11th Imperial Divisional Artillery at 10 am.

Whizz Bang Corner

Lt Frank McGuire Stanton (later a 61st Battery reinforcement) leading two of the ten guns of Greene’s Battery at 36c.M.22.C.70.96 and 36c.M.23.A.60.05 near Whizz Bang Corner.

27 October 1917

Lt C H Locke went down to the wagon lines. On the same day, an unknown French Official photographer captures an image of the nearby battlefield cemetery in Calonne.

November 1917

The 15th Brigade had arrived too late at the front, and not considered by Lt-Gen A W Currie during the planning phase of the attack. Some men had felt slighted they were too green for the task, though Currie would have told them otherwise.

The 61st Field Battery, along with the other batteries of the 15th Brigade remained on the Lens front.

10 November 1917

Saturday – a very cold day. Raid carried out by infantry on enemy trenches. About 960 rounds expended by the battery in support. No longer attached to the RFA, the battery passes out of control of 8th Field Battery Brigade to 13th Brigade, CFA.

Right Section and personnel moved to new position at Sheet 36c.G.34.c.80.10 near Maroc, just north of the double-crassier, perhaps at the exact position of the photographer in a rare image above.

11 November 1917

Control of Battery passes from 13th Brigade, CFA to Loos Group (Lt-Col A T Ogilvie) at 12 noon. The remaining Centre and Left Sections move to the new position near Maroc. Our O P now in Hurdle Trench on top of Hill 70 (Sheet 36c.H.31.d to H.32.a to H.32.c), just south of Bois Rasé.

The location today runs through the property of the new correctional facility in the center of the image of Hurdle Trench above.

21 November 1917

The O Pip now “Craigowen” on high ground north of Hill 70, a wonderful place for sniping. For an 18-pdr field gun battery, sniping means to fire the gun over open-sights.

The 18-pounder entered service with rocking bar (also called “bar and drum”) sights – open sights with the option of a telescope on the left and a range scale (in yards) on the right of the cradle.

The 18-pounder Field Gun in Canadian Service 

The battery could engage a target using direct fire or indirect fire. In direct fire, the target could be seen from the guns and the section commanders pointed out the target to the detachment commanders, who then laid their guns independently on the target 
using the open sights or telescope on the gun. If the target was large, the guns could have different aiming points, resulting in dispersion of fire. 

26 November 1917

Monday – fine day. Right Section came out of action and returned to wagon lines at Sains-en-Gohelle.

28 November 1917

Complete battery now at wagon lines. Major G S Browne admitted to hospital with trench fever.

30 November 1917

Still mild. Right Section moved up into new position at Annequin, Sheet 36c.G.11.b.45.54, on the La Bassee front (north of Lens). Barely behind forward trenches, a very advanced position for an 18-pdr battery.

December 1917

1 December 1917

Sunday. Very cold. Battery moved to new wagon lines at Verquigneul (north of Noeux-les-Mines), just off the Arras-Bethune Road. Center and Left Sections went into action.

2 December 1917

Monday -weather still very cold. Left Section moved to 36c.A.20.a.30.67 owing to poor conditions of gun pits and no cover for personnel. Position in an orchard.

The family still occupy the house and refuse to leave in spite of the danger of our guns attracting hostile fire.

10 December 1917

Monday – weather fine. Captain Collinson and A/Sgt J A Turcotte opened the Poll at the wagon lines, and a considerable number of the men voted.

21 December 1917

Arrangements made to shift wagon lines. QMS Thomas Henry Manning 331839 and Gnr Edward James Henry Faunch 331811 leave for England on Christmas Leave.

22 December 1917

Weather still very cold. Advance part left for former wagon lines in Sains-en-Gohelle Canteen closed and moved over. Shoe Smith Alexander John Mackie 331911 leaves on Christmas Leave.

23 December 1917

Sunday. Balance of Battery moved over from Verquigneul. Cold. Guns handed over to Imperial Battery taken over. Fired rounds to date 13,703. We lost our original guns brought from England at this transfer owing to the new system introduced to facilitate the exchange of positions.

24 December 1917

Advance party left for new position at 36c.M.29.a.62.55, Cite de Bureaux. Christmas dinner held at the wagon lines, for which turkeys purchased from the funds.

Note the location now the premises of College Danielle Darras Riaumont, Avenue Rue d’Entre Deux Monts, 62800 Liévin.

The Battery went into action at night, the main position being Cite de Bureaux, and the Centre Section (detached) at 36c.M.30.c.12.11, in the side of the railway embankment about three hundred yards ahead of our old Cite d’Abbatoir positions. Cite de Bureaux in the vicinity of Bois-de-Riaumont.

Note the rail now removed and used as Véloroute du Bassine Minier, a popular tourist attraction.

29 December 1917

Weather still severe. Several cases of Scabies lately in the unit.

1918

January 1918

5 January 1918

Our O. P. is in Hirondelle Woods.  Our zone Green Crossier, right of Lens. We are taking 3 day tours but I usually go back for the night. Very cold.

War Diary of Lieutenant Abner Gladstone Virtue

7 January 1918

Monday. Weather rainy and damp. QMS T H Manning and Gnr French reported back from leave.

11 January 1918

Friday – weather very cold. Major Elliot Anson Greene took over as acting O C during Major Browne’s absence.

Greene’s Group war diary

A chartered accountant with seven years previous experience in the RMC and 9th Battery, Lt Elliot Anson Greene attested on 16 September 1914 at Valcartier. Major Greene suffered frequent bouts of sciatica, first treated in November of 1914 at Bulford Camp. Greene’s Group war diary began 25 October 1917.

18 January 1918

Battery position shelled with 4.1’s from 12h30 on. Gunner Cyril Stafford Wilson 332881 wounded and admitted to dressing station.

Gnr Wilson injured his trigger finger. Bound for England, and Cyril eventually recovers enough to be posted to a reserve battery in the 16th Brigade. The best blighty a soldier could ever have imagined. More good luck in the battery when Lt R H Babbage, late on 14 days leave, got an extension of nine days, avoiding a charge of AWOL.

---

Cité des Bureaux (Liévin) position. On liaison with 102 Batt. in old consul’s gun pits. Battery position shelled with 4 lb from 12.20 p.m. till late at night. MCS Wilson wounded and sent to hospital. Baggage (Lieut. R. H. Babbage) got 4 days extension of leave. Everyone sore.

War Diary of Lieutenant Abner Gladstone Virtue

20 January 1918

Took over  6 guns from 18^th Battery—put into new 4 gun position at Constitution Hill (36c.M.22.b.90.78) which we are building.

War Diary of Lieutenant Abner Gladstone Virtue

21 January 1918

12^th Battery under Capt. Steele took over Right Sect. this evening and our men went to   new position. Wordy war between Steele and Maj. Greene—the latter winning. I returned from liaison and had to go back up again for another day. Four remaining guns came up.  Left Section put in position behind Fosse 3.

War Diary of Lieutenant Abner Gladstone Virtue

22 January 1918

Relieved at noon today. Moved over to a new position, of which four pits dug into side of one block of miners’ houses. Left Section at the Fosse. Shelling at the Fosse tonight, one horse killed, wounded and died, and badly wounded and the fourth horse just touched. Cpl George William Weatherley 331901 and the drivers did good work getting the team clear.

Corporal George William Weatherley

Though promoted Sergeant later on 7 October 1918, George reduced in ranks on 4 July 1917, after having been arrested 22 June 1917. Cpl Weatherley tried by District Court Martial.

When on Active Service conduct to the prejudice of good order and Military Discipline. Attempted to arrange a secret code by means of which to secretly communicate military information. Sentenced by DCM to be reduced to the ranks.

Sentence dated 29 June 1917

On 4 July 1817, General Archibald Hunter, in accordance with the Judge Advocate General, for reasons unknown, relieved George from all consequences of the conviction, and ordered the record erased from his documents. The GoC only succeeded in removing FGCM records of executed Canadian soldiers Shot at Dawn in the Great War.

CSM Sergeant William Alexander

23 January 1918

The General was up this am. Our SoS zone is covering Cinnibar Trench from 36c.M.14.A.80.78 to 36c.N.8.D.62.75. We got up 1,200 rounds tonight (600 A and 600 AX).

25 January 1918

Lt Raley went up to 1st Infantry Brigade at Cite Ste Pierre as Liaison Officer for seven days. Lt Cecil George Quinn (a reinforcement) O’Pipping from Fosse 3.

31 January 1918

Thursday – very misty day. Lt Earl Victor Sherlock (5th CDAC) staying here for a week.

5th Canadian Divisional Armoured Column

Organized in March 1916 as the 4th Divisional Ammunition Column, initially commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Costigan. Mobilized at Petawawa. No.1 Section recruited in Montreal, No. 2 in Halifax and also No. 3 in Vancouver. Left Halifax 13 September 1916 aboard NORTHLAND, and later arrived in England on 22 September 1916. Strength of 14 officers, 506 other ranks, and later became 5th Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column on 6 April 1917.

February 1918

1 February 1918

General P E Thacker, CRA, 1st CDA, inspected the guns this am. Dull day.

Major General Percival Edward Thacker

Promoted Brigadier-General, London Gazette No 29855, 9 December 1916. Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, London Gazette No 29608, 3 June 1916. Mentioned in Despatches 15 June 1916, London Gazette No 29623. Appointment to the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, London Gazette of Friday 1 June 1917. Thacker died 23 July 1945.

2 February 1918

Another dull day, and another visit – General Morrison, GOC, RA, Canadian Corps inspected the wagon lines and seemed pleased with the layout.

4 February 1918

Good visibility towards noon. Calibrated all guns on the water-tower with excellent results (feet-per-second, mean velocity).

• No 1 1580 f.s. M.V.
• No 2 1570 f.s. M.V.
• No 3 1560 f.s. M.V.
• No 4 1580 f.s. M.V.
• No 5 1630 f.s. M.V.
• No 6 1620 f.s. M.V.

Lt Locke returned on the 31st January from 14 days leave.

6 to 22 February 1918

Very quiet. Weather cold, but good on the whole. Working every day on making the pits stronger.

26 February 1918

Observation good. Visited Cite Calonne position 36c.M.13.D.4.0-2-0. Sgt Albert Edward Evans 327958 expects to be finished in two days.

Major Greene on leave to England, Col Ogilvie says we are to go out for rest 10 March 1918. Must first complete work now under way and repair pits at alternative position at 36c.M.17.c.41.37.

27 February 1918

Captain Collinson went to Bobs OP with Padre Herbert James Latimer (attached since 28-01-18), in for a visit and to see the sights. A large splinter lit on the roadway near the pair, making a heavy thud. The Padre said, “Captain Collinson, did you hear that dud?” Gunner George Rennison moved over today.

March 1918

4 March 1918

On the morning of 4 March 1918, the brigade heavily shelled from 05h22. The bombardment died down about 07h00. Major Kent killed by shrapnel while checking on his men. No other casualties recorded.

Death of Major Victor John Kent

Chaplain Latimer described Major Kent’s death.

“I heard how it all happened from two of his own boys. Our guns had ceased firing and the Major turned to a Corporal and said “You had better go down now.” “Aren’t you coming too?” asked the Corporal. “Don’t worry about me – I’ll be all right, I am just going down here to see that the men are all under cover and I’ll be down in a few minutes.”

He proceeded down the trench but did not go many stops before a shrapnel struck him and he was now more.”

Padre Herbert James Latimer

7 March 1918

Platforms and trail baulks completed at CCLXV. First men on leave to Paris.

8 March 1918

Inspected by General Mercier, GOC, RA 1st Army, accompanied by General Morrison and General Dodds.

9 March 1918

Visibility good. New gas put over on our front. 70 men affected and sent back on the morning of the 10th.

10 March 1918

Calibrated No 2 gun. Captain Daws inspected his new home. Moved Left Section to position near Whizz-Bang Corner.

13 March 1918

Lt Nesbitt from relieving battery reported. Working party sent to dig pits in Reserve Position near Bully-Grenay.

14 March 1918

Captain Daws arrived. Main Position relieved. Lt Raley with 45 Other Ranks from Division, went to Boulogne Remount Depot for 89 horses on the 12th. Major Greene reported back from 14 days leave. Relieved by the 18th Battery, CFA.

15 March 1918

Battery proceeded to its rest billet at Fosse 6, Bruay Area, for a month’s refit and reorganization.

Remainder of Left Section followed, getting to billets after midnight.

17 March 1918

Sunday. Church service at Haillicourt. Baseball game with 3rd CDMT, which we lost 11 to 4.

21 March 1918

Preparations made to move to Aire. Moved canceled in the evening, and orders received to move to Servins instead and be ready to move at 12 noon tomorrow. This on account of the great German offensive.

23 March 1918

Thursday – fine day. Moved back into our old Horse Lines in Sains-en-Gohelle. The Battery moving into action in a trench position slightly in front of Maroc. Took over from 7th Battery, CFA. This position near Maroc previously occupied by us (11 November 1917).

29 March 1918

Friday – move cancelled, or rather postponed and opportunity taken to have a bathing parade.

30 March 1918

Saturday – a cold day, afterwards turning to heavy rain. Battery moved from Sains-en-Gohelle to Waggon Lines in open field near Maroeuil. The guns moving up into action in Ouse Alley (just off the plank road) and at 51b.A.18.d. Guns covered with camouflage. In front of Roclincourt, just south of Thélus.

31 March 1918

Sunday – bright sunny day. A Sub-gun moved forward to position alongside Tired Alley. Moved our Waggon Lines to the Veterinary Hospital (The Dip) on the Arras-Bethune Road, west of Écurie, where there is cover for men and horses.

April 1918

1 April 1918

Monday – another fine day. Gun position improved. A German airman shot down four of our observation balloons in a row.

Lt C G Quinn reported to the 58th Battery, CFA the next day.

5 April 1918

Friday – weather rainy. Fired on counter-preparation soon after 5 am this morning. In retaliatory fire which followed, several shells landed near Battery Position, and one killed – Bdr John Turnbull Wood 1260430, and wounded Harry Lawson Nichol 327881 (seriously), Arthur Clifford 327980 and E Richbell 327935 (slightly). A small fragment penetrated Cpl John Edward Woods’ 331863 pocket-book, but did not injure him.

6 April 1918

J T Wood buried today at Mont-St-Eloi cemetery.

Bdr John Turnbull Wood

Son of Mrs W Robson, of Cowichan Bay, British Columbia. Native of Hawick, Scotland.

Ecoivres Military Cemetery

This cemetery really the extension of the communal cemetery, where the French army had buried over 1,000 men. The 46th (North Midland) Division took over the extension with this part of the line in March 1916, and their graves are in Rows A to F of Plot I. Successive divisions used the French military tramway to bring their dead in from the front line trenches and, from the first row to the last, burials made almost exactly in the order of date of death.

The attack of the 25th Division on Vimy Ridge in May 1916 is recalled in Plots I and II. The 60th (2nd/2nd London) Division burials (July to October 1916) are in Plot III, Rows A to H, and Canadian graves are an overwhelming majority in the rest of the cemetery, Plots V and VI containing the graves of men killed in the capture of Vimy Ridge in April 1917.

9 April 1918

Work going ahead on new position called The Castle. Moved Waggon Lines to alongside Maroeuil Cemetery.

10 April 1918

D and F guns moved to Castle Position. Moved Waggon Lines to alongside Arras-Bethune Road, north of La Targette.

12 April 1918

Handed over to 11th Battery, CFA and took over from 39th Battery, CFA, in situ, near La Folie farm, on top of Vimy Ridge. Two guns at S.28.b.70.90, two at T.19.a.80.70, and two at T.19.b.50.40. Water cart lost for some time.

13 April 1918

Moved Waggon Lines to a field near Berthonval Farm.

17 April 1918

We are O-Pipping from top of Vimy Ridge. The forward section is in front of Vimy Village.

20 April 1918

Tonight one gun taken forward to 36c.T.19.a.10.95, calibrated tomorrow, returned tomorrow night.

25 April 1918

Lieutenant Cuno Edward McGill Richer reported for duty and to forward battery position. Lt Richer has 130 days left to live.

Lieutenant Cuno Edward McGill Richer

Edward Cuno McGill Richer of Gilmour Street, Hastings, East Sussex, England, known to his friends as McGill. He completed his original posting with the Duke of Cornwall’s Own Rifles and returned to Canada in November 1917, only to re-enlist in Kingston and return to France in February 1918 with the CFA.

2 May 1918

Captain Reginald Ashe Holmes à Court, attached for several days from the Infantry, left.

Military Cross of Captain Reginald Ashe Holmes à Court

Returning to the 54th Battalion, Captain Holmes à Court later awarded the Military Cross, 2 December 1918.

‘For conspicuous gallantry and brilliant leadership in Command of a Company in support. During the advance he came under heavy fire, so placing his men under cover he went forward with a runner to reconnoitre. Finding a gap between the two Companies in front he personally lead his Company through the gap to the final objective, suffering many casualties, but capturing several prisoners and machine guns. his coolness and initiative were of great assistance to the two Companies in front’. 

18 May 1918

Reveille at 4 am. Inspection at 8 am by General Sir Arthur Currie. Colonel Newlands (formerly our Brigade Major) with the inspecting party, 52nd Battery, 13th Brigade first, our battery second.

June 1918

1 June 1918

Captain Collinson went on Brigade Liaison duty. Work commenced on Gas Chamber for use of men exposed to Mustard Gas.

2 June 1918

During the morning, the enemy strafed our forward position. Bbdr Wilfred Graham Chambers 329970 wounded in the thigh from an air burst. Evacuated to England, Wilfred remains in hospital until invalided to Canada on 27 May 1919.

Artillery Corner

4 June 1918

Our new Waggon lines on a hillside, close to two concrete gunpits in the valley.

5 June 1918

Quiet and uneventful (for the Lucky Battery). The Waggon Lines we vacated yesterday, shelled today. The 66th Battery lost heavily, and the 60th slightly.

Napoo Corner

Sergeant Archie H Willis revisited Napoo Corner in 1966.

9 June 1918

Sunday – Called upon to answer SOS at 2:35 this morning. Expended 500 rounds. We came in for attention during the area shoot, which started at about 8 am and kept up intermittently until about 1 pm. Bbdr John Clarence Fry 331884 slightly wounded in the hand. No other casualties.

13 June 1918

Thursday – quiet. On the request of the Brigade, Sergeant W A Wallas filled in application for temporary commission in the Canadian Field Artillery. The following day, Sergeant George Hamilton Scougall 331927 also filled in application for temporary commission in the Canadian Field Artillery.

18 June 1918

Tuesday – balance of battery moved forward tonight. The battery moved forward to support a big raid on Newton Trench by the Scottish, 13th Battalion Royal Scots.

21 June 1918

Friday – early this morning we fired in support of the raid put by the Scottish. Reports says that it was highly successful. Moved four guns back to Main Position, leaving C and D Subs forward.

The following letter of appreciation received from Lt-Col J A Turner, Commanding the Battalion that conducted the raid.

Lt-Col J A Turner

In the Field, 24 June 1918

Dear General

It is to you that we are largely indebted for the success of the operation. The extreme accuracy of the barrage permitted some of the Battalion to get what would otherwise have been dangerously close to the enemy trenches.

During the practices I told the men that the Canadian gunners were behind us, and that they could rely on them.

After the show I talked to them regarding the barrage, and they all agreed that it was the best thing they had ever seen, and were greatly pleased.

Our casualties – 27 in all – prove the excellency of the artillery programme. This is the first occasion on which I have personally had the co-operation of my countrymen, and I shall always remember it.

Yours sincerely, Lt-Col J A Turner, 13th The Royal Scots

25 June 1918

Tuesday – Weather in the morning fair and bright and up until 6 pm, when it became dull and cloudy. Heinie had two balloons up all day. Sgt J A Maclean proceeded on command today to attend Instructors’ Signalling Course at Dunstable, England. Gunners Richard Francis Walshe 331905 and Albert Jones 1260413 sent down to Waggon Lines sick. A quiet day.

Ablain St Nazaire

Neuville St Vaast

July 1918

1 July 1918

Dominion Day, Tincques

Weather very fine. Some of the men at the Canadian Corps Sports at Tinques.

6 July 1918

Major Greene went to Brigade to act as CO during the absence, on leave, of Lt-Col A T Ogilvie.

10 July 1918

Major Dodds inspected the Waggon Lines.

11 July 1918

Gunner W A Hendrick 331921 and Driver D S Fraser 534439 ordered to appear before the RAF representative on 18th inst.

26 July 1918

Gunner Wesley Andrew Hendrick and Driver Donald Scott Fraser would proceed to the UK on 29 July 1918 with a view to obtaining a commission in the RAF. On the previous day, A/BSM Norman Link 327860 ordered to appear before the RAF representative.

28 July 1918

At 11 pm we shot in support of a raid in B.24.a, B.24.c, B.24.b, and B.18.c.

Later we realized these raids part of the splendidly conceived plan which resulted in the wonderful successes forward of Amiens.

August 1918

1 August 1918

Reveille at 1 am, and we marched for Aubigny, where we entrained and left after having had breakfast. Detrained at Bacouel-sur-Selle and marched at 8:15 pm to Boutillerie, arriving at 1 am, 2 August 1918.

3 August 1918

Ammunition went up by pack horse tonight to dump at O.34.c.40.50.

8 August 1918

The Battery took part in the offensive started on the Amiens front today. Zero hour at 4:20 am. The Battery Position in a field of ripe wheat at U.3.d.54.64 (Demuin), to the right of the village of Villers-Bretonneux.

Villers-Bretonneux Demarcation Stone

The stone marks the furthest advance in the area during the Great War for the German Army.

Although 240 stones originally scheduled to be erected along the complete length of the Western Front between the Belgian coast and the French/Swiss border, in the end, due to lack of funds and perhaps lack of interest, only 118 eventually put in position. Twenty-two in Belgium and 96 in France. 

10 August 1918

Death Corner Rouvroy-en-Santerre

Outside the church at Rouvroy-en-Santerre, a 100 yards from Death Corner lies an old artillery piece of unknown origin.

26 August 1918

Incredibly, the gun pits dug by the 61st Battery at Sheet 51b.H.25.a used as a rain reservoir today.

September 1918

2 September 1918

In actions on 2 September 1918, Lt-Col A T Ogilvie awarded the DSO.

For conspicuous gallantry and ability on September 2nd, 1918, near Vis-en-Artois. He maneuvered his brigade from the extreme left of the corps front line into a forward position in support of the centre. He made a rapid reconnaissance of the new situation under heavy shell fire, and was in a position to cover the infantry with all his batteries before the former were in position to commence the attack. He was able, through his own reconnaissance and that of his F.O.O.’s to give the infantry brigadier much useful information, and through the day rendered very valuable support to the infantry.

Distinguished Service Order Citation

Battle of Canal du Nord

28 September 1918

L’Abbaye Notre-Dame du Verger Farm

Brigadier-General Dodds captured several aerial images during the Battle of Canal du Nord.

28 September 1918

Brunemont

The abbaye just south of Brunemont.

19 October 1918

Thanksgiving Day Service

November 1918

1 November 1918

Not well. Got up after show started and went to O.P. Show on to take Valenciennes. Stayed in O.P. all day. Stanton relieved me for lunch.  Very cold in spite of sun.  Strange sight to see Valenciennes burning.

After being on O.P. all day felt very sick at night but went on duty in control Hun shelled very close. Went up and worked out S.O.S. and harassing. Very sick.

War Diary of Lieutenant Abner Gladstone Virtue

Thulin Station

11 November 1918

Mons

British 5th Lancers attached to the Canadian Corps entering Mons on 11 November 1918.

Orp-le-Grand, November 1918

Ramillies

December 1918

7 December 1918

Three days after the first troops crossed into Germany led by Sir Arthur Currie, it was the 61st Field Battery’s turn.

The train of troops stretched to over five days in order to navigate the narrow roads and tractor paths through the Andennes.

The owners of the same location in Poteau today had no idea the Canadian Corps had crossed the frontier here in 1918. They were aware however that the former striped pole marking the old border had been tossed some yards away in the field.

The location more known to American tourists as the Battle of the Bulge from the Second World War.

13 December 1918

Allied Occupation of Germany

Head of the 61st Battery column reached the new bridge at Cologne at 10:10 am.

The 61st Battery slept in a school in the suburb of Vingst.

25 December 1918

Driver William George Calder of the 5th CDAC at left in Mehlem (Bonn), Germany, 25 December 1918.

7 January 1919

Vingst

The 66th Battery captured by Brigadier-General Dodds on 7 January 1919 in Vingst, Germany.

1919

January 1919

February 1919

Return to Orp-le-Grand

The location of the final image in Lieutenant A G Virtue’s fonds undiscovered until 2018, when the author met the granddaughter of Madame Annie Dupont, graciously arranged by the mayor of Orp-le-Grand, Belgium.

When presented with the photo, Annie Dupont exclaimed.

C’est le salon de mes grands-parents! J’avais immédiatement reconnu le papier peint.

Annie Dupont

Immediately following Annie’s comment, the author realized at this time, his grandfather, A/Bbdr Richard Francis Walshe near death, suffering from Influenza, in the bedroom upstairs.

Return to France

Opportunity rose on the return from Belgium to visit the old battlefields, and for many, to pay respects to their fallen comrades.

A/Bbdr Richard Francis Walshe lost his good friend Sergeant William Allen Wallas on 2 September 1918, and returned to his grave with Archie Wells prior to returning to England.

Canadian Artillery Memorial

Return to England

Le Havre

The 13th and 14th Brigades CFA of the 5th Divisional Artillery in Le Havre preparing to board their ship.

March Past of Dominion Troops, 3 May 1919

LCol Richard Costigan DSO

Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Costigan brought to the Notice of the Secretary of State for War for valuable services rendered in connection with the War, 7 August 1917. Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette No 31448, 11 July 1919. Finally, awarded the Distinguishes Service Order, London Gazette No 31370, 3 May 1919. Costigan died 20 October 1927 of natural causes in Montreal.

61st Field Battery, Nominal Roll, 11 November 1918

Major Elliot Anson Greene DSO

Major E A Greene awarded the DSO, London Gazette No 31092 dated 1 January 1919. Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette No 29200 dated 22 May 1915. Mentioned in Despatches London Gazette No 31099 dated 31 December 1916.

Major Green had served with the 9th Battery, 3rd Brigade, CFA in France and Belgium as a Captain, before being posted to the General List and then the 61st Battery as Adjutant on 30 January 1917. To be A/Lt Col London Gazette No 31400 dated 15 March 1919. Greene planned to move to 139 Cottingham St, Bagdad, Mesopotamia, following demobilization in Canada.

Expert Tennis Player

Greene had obtained his degree in electrical engineering from the University of Toronto in 1911. A member of the U of T team that won the Grey Cup in 1910 and 1911. An expert Tennis player and once held the junior tennis championship of Canada. He worked for the Montreal Light, Heat and Power in 1912 and for the Canadian General Electric in 1913. He worked in Baghdad for four years in the transportation field before returning to Canada to join the brokerage firm of Doherty, Roadhouse and Co.

Lt-Col Elliot Anson Greene, DSO, ED, died in Toronto on 27 January 1966, at the age of 75 years. His wife Margueritte Melanie Boulanger Greene from Boulogne-sur-Mer, died 8 March 1975. Both buried at Toronto Necropolis Cemetery and Crematorium.

Captain Clement King MC

Capt Clement King reported from the 66th Battery on 23 October 1918.

A/Captain Charles Holland Locke

A/Captain Charles Holland Locke awarded the Military Cross on 2 April 1919, London Gazette No 31680.

Previously, appointed A/Captain in the Canadian Artillery on 11 November 1918, London Gazette No. 31309.

Lt Abner Gladstone Virtue MC

Virtue a Lethbridge barrister, active in the community in many ways. Virtue started his legal career in the office of W C Simmons in Lethbridge. Continued studies at Osgoode Hall in Toronto and completed his studies at the University of Alberta in 1913. Led his class during his final year at the U of A and was named a gold medalist by the Alberta Law Society.

Opened his own legal practise in Lethbridge in the fall of 1913. After two years of practising law, he joined the Canadian military, training for his commission at the Royal School of Artillery at Kingston, Ontario and then placed with the 61st Battery in the spring of 1916.

In the 1930s, he became involved in politics. He served as a trustee on the Lethbridge Public School Board. In 1935, named candidate for the new Reconstruction Party and ran federally.

He served as a Lethbridge alderman from 1947 and 1952, serving as an independent at a time when Lethbridge had municipal political parties. On Lethbridge City Council, Virtue promoted the establishment of the Lethbridge Municipal Hospital and a board member of the hospital when he passed away.

In addition to his legal career and politics, Virtue a member of the YMCA board. Also an active member of the Baptist church and among the group who worked for the new Baptist church on 5 Avenue South after the Baptist Church lost to fire in 1953.

Virtue also an ardent student of history of western Canada and wrote many articles and radio scripts. Particularly interested in Captain John Palliser.

In June 1919, A Gladstone Virtue married Edith Torrance. She passed away in 1922. He later married Marian. At the time of his passing, he had one son, Charles, and three daughters, Carol, Edythe and Joan.

Lt George Simpson Raley

George twice married. He married Lilyan Isobelle Copping on April 22, 1925 in Ottawa, Carleton County, Ontario, Canada. His second marriage to Margaret Aline Phyllis Kilmartin in 1943.

Raley passed in hospital on 6 June 1979, age 88 years, of 955 Hooper Street, beloved husband of Phyllis Kilmartin. Dear father of Mrs. Dianne Patrick, William, Lynne and George P. Father-in-law of Lucy. Also survived by seven grandchildren.

Lt Frank McGuire Stanton

Brought to notice by the Secretary of War in a confidential report on 7 August 1917 for valuable services rendered in connection with the war. Captain Frank McGuire Stanton died 6 April 1969.

Lt Richard Wildgoose DCM

Wildgoose died 13 January 1922. A son, Captain Richard Wildgoose, 1^st Hussars, R.C.A.C., K-I-A 11 June 1944 and commeorated on the Bayeux Memorial, Panel 19, Column 1.

Gunner Arthur Davies

SoS in the British Isles on 14 July 1919. Arthur Davies returned to Canada and worked once again in the coal mines near Welland, Ontario. Arthur Davies died 5 January 1956.

Brigadier-General William Okell Dodds

Funeral of Brigadier General Dodds in Montreal on 24 August 1934.

Major George Sackville Browne

Married Margaret Cameron Woods on 22 February 1921, in Ottawa, Carleton, Ontario, Canada. Parents of at least one daughter. He died on 6 December 1954, in Montreal, at the age of 68, and buried in Outremont, Montreal.

Gunner Robert Douglas Barnes

Gnr Robert Douglas Barnes received permission to marry while recovering from the GSW to his back in February of 1919. He waited and returned with his unit to Canada in July of 1919. Gnr Robert Douglas Barnes died 23 April 1960.

Gunner Cyril Algernon Wentworth De Sausmarez

The first owners of this house until approximately 1922 Martha Jane Heath (nee Boyer) Warren (1863-1954), homemaker, and Cyril Algernon Wentworth de Sausmarez (1872-1934), born in Trinidad in the West Indies, and a post office employee.

Living with Martha four of her five children from a previous marriage; the family had immigrated from Cheshire and lived in Manitoba for some years, and her husband Edward Harry Warren had remained there.

In 1928, Martha went to Arras in France as a guest to witness the unveiling of the War Memorial to the unknown soldiers who died in that section during the last years of the Great War.

Signaller Edward James Henry Faunch

Married to Margaretta (Darlington) Fauhcr, Gnr Edward James Henry Faunch died 22 September 1974, aged 74. Buried at Mountain View Cemetery, Lethbridge, Alberta. Children Evelyn Mabel Blais, and Irene Margretta Campbell.

Signaller John Clarence Fry

John Clarence Fry married Besse Metilda Collins in 1925. He passed away on 29 Apr 1987 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Gunner Harry Lawson Nichol

Harry Lawson Nichol, seriously injured 5 April 1918, had more shrapnel removed from his shoulder and arm upon return to Canada in 1919. He died 12 April 1964 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Thomas Ogilvie

Treated for Influenza in November 1918, and found to have had a heart murmur. Lieut-Col A T Ogilvie awarded the DSO, London Gazette No 31183, 15 February 1919, also Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette No 11710.

Brigadier-General Alexander Thomas Ogilvie finally retired in 1927, and died in Camberley, Sussex, England on 26 May 1935.

Sergeant John Wallace Donnan

Sgt John Wallace Donnan died 19 July 1943.

Warrant Officer II George Hamilton Scougall

George Hamilton Scougall, Mentioned in Despatches ‘A’ List (London Gazette No 31448), died 4 January 1959.

A/Bbdr Richard Francis Walshe

Richard Francis Walshe passed away 16 June 1983 in Calgary, Alberta.

Sergeant Ward Bryan Williams

Sgt Ward Bryan Williams awarded the Military Medal, London Gazette No 31430, 3 July 1919.

Gunner Cyril Stafford Wilson

Gnr C S Wilson awarded the Military Medal, London Gazette No 31503 dated 13 August 1919.

Kaiser Wilhelm II

Following the defeat of Germany, the Kaiser’s family gave up their power, but kept most of their fortune of castles, land, artwork, swords, crowns, and jewels.

Kaiser Wilhelm II with his six sons, parading to the New Years Address, Berlin, 1914. All were born between 1882 and 1890. L-R: Wilhelm, German Crown Prince; Prince Eitel Friedrich, Prince Adalbert, Prince August Wilhelm, Prince Oskar, and finally Prince Joachim.

More

• Home of CEFRG
• Blog
• CEFRG on FaceBook
• CEFRG on YouTube
• Soldiers and Nursing Sisters
• Units (Brigades, Battalions, Companies)
• War Diary of the 18th Battalion (Blog)
• 116th Battalion CEF – The Great War
• Les Soldats du Québec Morts en Service
• Webmatters Carte de Route First World War
• Montreal Aviation Museum
• Battles of the Great War
• Cases
• Cemeteries
• Memorials
• On This Day
• About CEFRG

Please Subscribe

Please subscribe to CEFRG to be notified by email when there are new posts.

Or Contact Us