Artillery Heavy and Siege Battery, were composed of sections, each having two guns. Batteries were reduced to four guns each in December 1914 but returned to six guns each in March 1917. There were four batteries in each artillery brigade. Most field batteries did not have war diaries; accounts of their activities were recorded in the diary of their brigade.
General Morrison, G.O.C. Artillery and Railway and Staff. Battle of Passchendaele, November, 1917.
1st Heavy Battery, Canadian Field Artillery
1st Heavy Battery organizes in August 1914 under the command of Major F. C. Magee. Mobilized at Montreal and Valcartier. Recruits in Montreal from Montreal Heavy Brigade. Left Quebec 29 September 1914 aboard CORINTHIAN. Arrives in England 15 October 1914. Strength: 8 officers, 189 other ranks. 1st Heavy Battery is the first Artillery Heavy and Siege Battery to arrive in England.
Arrives in France 15 February 1915. Attaches to British formations until March 1917 when it becomes part of 2nd Brigade, Canadian Heavy artillery.
Demobilizes at Montreal in May 1919. Disbanded by General Order 191 of 1 November 1920. Perpetuated by 1st Medium Battery, Montreal.
2nd Heavy Battery, Canadian Field Artillery
2nd Heavy Battery organizes in November 1914 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Odell. Authorization published in General Order 36 of 15 March 1915. Mobilized at Halifax. Recruited men from Montreal Heavy Brigade, Prince Edward Island Heavy Brigade, Cobourg Heavy Battery, 1st Garrison Artillery at Halifax, 3rd Garrison Artillery at Saint John and 6th Garrison Artillery at Lévis and Quebec. 2nd Heavy Battery is the second Artillery Heavy and Siege Battery to arrive in England.
Left Halifax 15 June 1915 aboard CALEDONIAN. Arrived in England 22 June 1915. Strength: 7 officers, 212 other ranks. Arrived in France 16 September 1915. Attached to British formations until March 1917 when it became part of 2nd Brigade, Canadian Heavy Artillery.
Demobilized at Kingston in May 1919. Disbanded by General Order 191 of 1 November 1920. Perpetuated by 22nd Medium Battery, Cobourg.
Sergeant Francis Patrick Walshe
Sergeant Francis “Frank” Patrick Walshe, 2nd Heavy Battery, was located at this position below, at this time, just prior to the commencement of the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. Sgt. Walshe may be on the left, with his back to the official photographer, Captain Ivor Castle.
Sgt. Frank Walshe was wounded along with five other men on his gun when they had a “premature.” The ordinance exploded as soon as it left the barrel. He was struck by shrapnel in the left ankle, fracturing both his tibia, and fibula. Frank waited two days before being evacuated. By that time, infection had already set in, and amputation was necessary. Twice more, infection would cause further amputations. His first amputation was performed by Lt-Col. John McRae. The last amputation, at the hip, was performed in England.
1st Canadian Siege Battery
1st Canadian Siege Battery organizes in June as No.1 Heavy Battery Depot under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel F. Minden Cole. Authorization published in General Order 103a of 15 August 1915. Became No.1 Overseas Battery Canadian Siege Artillery on 1 October 1915. Mobilized at Halifax. Recruited in Montreal, Saint John and Cobourg. Left Halifax 22 November 1915 aboard SAXONIA. 1st Canadian Siege Battery is the third Artillery Heavy and Siege Battery to arrive in England.
Arrived in England 30 November 1915. Strength: 6 officers, 210 other ranks. Became 97th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Siege Brigade on 24 February 1916. Arrived in France 14 June 1916. Became 1st Canadian Siege Battery on 29 January 1917. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group, which, on 12 January 1918, became 1st Brigade Canadian Garrison Artillery.
Demobilized at Montreal and Toronto in May 1919. Disbanded by General Order 191 of 1 November 1920. Perpetuated by 21st Medium Battery, Toronto.
2nd Canadian Siege Battery
2nd Canadian Siege Battery organized in July 1915 as No.2 Heavy Battery Depot under the command of Major A. G. Peake. Authorization published in General Order 103a of 15 August 1915. Became No.2 Overseas Battery, Canadian Siege Artillery on 29 September 1915. Mobilized at Charlottetown. Recruited in Prince Edward Island. Left Halifax 27 November 1915 aboard LAPLAND. 2nd Siege Battery was the fourth Artillery Heavy and Siege Battery to arrive in England.
Arrived in England 5 December 1915. Strength: 6 officers, 273 other ranks. Became 98th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Siege Brigade on 24 February 1916. Arrived in France 1 June 1916. Became 2nd Canadian Siege Battery on 29 January 1917. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group and, on 12 January 1918, 2nd Brigade Canadian Garrison Artillery.
Demobilized at Charlottetown and Kingston in May 1919. Disbanded by General Order 191 of 1 November 1920. Perpetuated by 2nd Medium Battery (Howitzer), Charlottetown.
3rd Siege Battery
3rd Siege Battery organized in September 1915 as 3rd Overseas Battery Siege Artillery under the command of Major E. G. M. Cape. Authorization published in General Order 151 of 22 December 1915. Mobilized at Montreal. Recruited in Montreal. Left Saint John 18 December 1915 aboard MISSANABIE.
Arrived in England 27 December 1915. Strength: 6 officers, 216 other ranks. Became 107th (Canadian) Siege Battery on 24 February 1916. Arrived in France 19 June 1916. Became 3rd Canadian Siege Battery on 29 January 1917. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group and, on 12 January 1918, 1st Brigade Canadian Garrison Artillery.
Demobilized at Montreal in May 1919. Disbanded by General Order 191 of 1 November 1920. Perpetuated by 3rd Medium Battery (Howitzer), Montreal.
4th Siege Battery
4th Siege Battery organized in October 1915 as No.4 Overseas Siege Battery under the command of Major L. W. Barker. Authorization published in General Order 151 of 22 December 1915. Mobilized at Partridge Island, Saint John, New-Brunswick. Recruited from 3rd Regiment, Canadian Garrison Artillery at Partridge Island in Saint John, Fredericton and Moncton. Left Halifax 5 April 1916. Strength: 6 officers, 212 other ranks. Redesignated 131st (Canadian) Siege Battery, RGA on 7 May 1916. Became No.4 Canadian Siege Battery on 29 January 1917.
Arrived in France 31 July 1917. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group and, on 12 January 1918, 2nd Brigade, Canadian Garrison Artillery.
Demobilized at Saint John in May 1919. Disbanded by General Order 191 of 1 November 1920. Perpetuated by 4th Medium Battery (Howitzer), Saint John.
5th Siege Battery
5th Siege Battery organized as 165th (Canadian) Siege Battery at Horsham in June 1915 under the command of Major G. M. Maxwell. Formed from personnel of Canadian Siege Artillery Depot at Horsham, mainly from 97th, 131st, 98th and 107th Canadian Siege Batteries.
Arrived in France 21 September 1916. Redesignated 5th Canadian Siege Battery on 29 January 1917. Attached to 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group, then, in January 1917, to 2nd Brigade, Canadian Garrison Artillery.
Demobilized at Vancouver in May 1919. Disbanded by General Order 191 of 1 November 1920. Perpetuated by 5th Medium Battery, Vancouver
6th Siege Battery
6th Siege Battery organizes as No.7 Canadian Overseas Siege Battery in April 1916 under the command of Major L. T. Allen. Authorization published in General Order 69 of 15 July 1916. Mobilized at Partridge Island, Saint John. Recruited in New Brunswick, mainly from composite battery at Partridge Island. Left Halifax 2 June 1916 aboard OLYMPIC.
Arrived in France 27 September 1916. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group. Redesignated as No.6 Canadian Siege Battery on 29 January 1917. 2nd Brigade, Canadian Garrison Artillery.
Demobilized at Saint John in May 1919. Disbanded by General Order 191 of 1 November 1920. Perpetuated by 6th Medium Battery (Howitzer), Saint John.
7th Siege Battery
7th Siege Battery organized as No.6 (McGill) Overseas Siege Battery in April 1916 under the command of Major W. D. Tait. Authorization published in General Order 69 of 15 July 1916. Mobilized at Montreal. Recruited from McGill University graduates, students and friends. Left Halifax 19 September 1916 aboard OLYMPIC.
Arrived in England 25 September 1916. Strength: 6 officers, 150 other ranks. Redesignated as No.271 (Canadian) Siege Battery on 6 October 1916. Redesignated as No.7 Canadian Siege Battery on 29 January 1917. Arrived in France 15 March 1917. 1st Brigade Canadian Garrison Artillery.
Demobilized at Montreal in May 1919. Disbanded by General Order191 of 1 November 1920. Perpetuated by the 7th Medium Battery (Howitzer), Montreal.
8th Siege Battery
8th Siege Battery organized as No.5 Overseas Siege Battery in April 1916 under the command of Major A. G. Peake. Authorization published in General Order 69 of 15 July 1916. Mobilized at Charlottetown. Recruited in Prince Edward Island. Left Halifax 27 September 1916 aboard SOUTHLAND.
Arrived in England 6 October 1916. Strength: 6 officers, 132 other ranks. Redesignated as 272nd (Canadian) Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery on 15 October 1916. Redesignated as No.8 Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Garrison Artillery on 29 January 1917. Arrived in France 1 April 1917. XI Corps, then 3rd Brigade, Canadian Garrison Artillery.
Demobilized at Halifax in May 1919. Disbanded by General Order 191 of 1 November 1920. Perpetuated by 8th Medium Battery (Howitzer), Charlottetown.
9th Siege Battery
9th Siege Battery organized as No.8 Overseas Battery, Canadian Siege Artillery in April 1916 under the command of Major S. A. Heward. Authorization published in General Order 69 of 15 July 1916. Mobilized at Halifax Recruited in Halifax, Saint John and Esquimalt from personnel of Royal Canadian Garrison Artillery. Left Halifax 27 September 1916 aboard LACONIA.
Arrived in England 6 October 1916. Strength: 6 officers, 152 other ranks. Redesignated as 273rd (Canadian) Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery on 15 October 1916. Redesignated as No.9 Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Garrison Artillery on 29 January 1917. Arrived in France 22 March 1917. 1st Brigade, Canadian Garrison Artillery.
Demobilized at Halifax in May 1919. Disbanded by General Order 191 of 1 November 1920. Perpetuated by 9th Heavy Battery (Howitzer), Halifax.
10th Siege Battery
10th Siege Battery organized at Shorncliffe in May 1917 from personnel of Reserve Artillery. Depot Commanded by Lieutenant G. B. Wetmore. Arrived in France 18 October 1917. Personnel absorbed into 4th, 6th and 7th Canadian Siege Batteries.
11th Siege Battery
11th Siege Battery organized at Witley in November 1917 from personnel of 2nd Brigade, Canadian Reserve Artillery. Commanded by Major A. G. Peake.
Arrived in France 3 April 1918. 3rd Brigade, Canadian Garrison Artillery.
Demobilized at Winnipeg in May 1919. Disbanded by General Order 191 of 1 November 1920. Perpetuated by 11th Medium Battery (Howitzer), Winnipeg.
12th Siege Battery
The last Artillery Heavy and Siege Battery unit to cover is the 12th Siege Battery, organized at Shorncliffe in May 1917 from personnel of Reserve Artillery Depot. Arrived in France 18 October 1917. Personnel absorbed in to 2nd, 3rd and 9th Canadian Siege Batteries.
Brigadier-General A.G.L. McNaughton
Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew George Latta McNaughton led in the development of Counter Battery techniques. He helped advance a variety of methods of targeting the enemy’s guns. McNaughton was trained as an engineer at McGill, and enlisted in the nonpermanent militia in 1909. He took the 4th Battery of overseas in 1914.
McNaughton was twice wounded, and on 10 November 1918, he was promoted to Brigadier-General and appointed General Officer Commanding Canadian Corps Artillery.
McNaughton commanded the 1st C.I.D. in the Second World War. He commanded VII Corps from July to December 1940 when it was renamed the Canadian Corps. McNaughton contributied to the development of new techniques in the field of detection and weaponry, including the discarding sabot projectile.
McNAUGHTON, ANDREW GEORGE LATTA , army officer, scientist, diplomat. Born 25 February 1887 in Moosomin, NWT. Died 11 July 1966 at Montebello, Québec. Like Major-General E.W.B. Morrison, McNaughton also lies buried in Beechwood Cemetery.
Major-General E.W.B. Morrison
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Edward Whipple Bancroft Morrison was promoted brigadier-general on 13 Sept. 1915, to command the artillery of the 1st Canadian Division; in October he was appointed to command the 2nd Divisional Artillery. On 18 December 1916 he was made the general officer commanding the artillery of the Canadian Corps. Morrison was in command of all artillery during the Second Battle of Arras (Battle of Vimy Ridge).
He continued to serve as GOC artillery through the battles of Lens and Passchendaele, and the final offensives of 1918. He was promoted major-general on 31 July 1918.
MORRISON, Sir EDWARD WHIPPLE BANCROFT, journalist, militia and army officer, and author. Born 6 July 1867 in London, Ontario. Third son of Alexander R. Morrison and Jean Campbell. Married Emma Thacker Kaye (died 11 Oct. 1936), former wife of Charles Downing Fripp on 16 January 1911. They had no children. Morrison became master-general of the ordnance in 1920 and served as adjutant-general in 1922–23. He retired in 1924. Major-General E.W.B Morrison died 28 May 1925 in Ottawa. He lies buried in Beechwood Cemetery.
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Other Artillery Heavy and Siege Battery units were located in Canada as part of the Canadian Garrison Artillery.
29th (Vancouver) Battalion in the Great War
31st (Alberta) Battalion in the Great War
42nd Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada) in the Great War
Canadian Corps of Signals, Canadian Engineers, Signal Service, in the Great War
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