The Canadian Corps Artillery Memorial also known as the Canadian Artillery Memorial. During the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the following units represented the Canadian Corps Artillery – Canadian Field Artillery, Royal Field Artillery, Canadian Garrison Artillery, Royal Garrison Artillery and South African Heavy Artillery.
Thélus Corner
References to THELUS CORNER in Canadian War Diaries begins by May 1917 following the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The dugout, upon which the memorial constructed, previously completed by the end of April 1917. However, construction of the memorial itself begun in late summer 1917.
Following the Battle of Hill 70 in August, considerable progress made on the memorial, as these photos circa September 1917 indicate.
Canadian Corps Artillery Memorial December 1917
The memorial completed before Christmas of 1917, but a couple of months would pass by before an official inauguration.
Inaugurated by General Arthur Currie
The cross inaugurated by General Sir Julian Byng, but the memorial unveiled by General Sir Arthur Currie at 3:00 pm on 19 February 1918.
It carries the emblem of the artillery — a canon supporting the crown — and the motto of the gunners:
Ubique quo fas et gloria ducunt — Everywhere that duty and glory lead
Erected in memory of officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Canadian Corps artillery who fell during the Vimy operations, April 1917, Canadian Field Artillery, Royal Field Artillery, Canadian Garrison Artillery, Royal Garrison Artillery, South African Heavy Artillery.
Casualties
Nearly 100 men killed in the Canadian Field Artillery during the month of April 1917, including Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Isaac Vernon Eaton of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, and Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Woodman Leonard, DSO, 3rd Brigade, CFA. Another 25 men of the South African Heavy Artillery killed in the battle, with most buried in Tilloy British Cemetery, Tilloy-les-Mofflaines.
The inscription acknowledges the part paid by the artillery that supported the Corps during the battle.
Attending the Inauguration
General Henry Sinclair Horne (British First Army Commander), General Julian Byng (former Canadian Corps Commander during the Battle of Vimy), General Arthur Currie (now Canadian Corps Commander), Brigadier-General William Okell Holden Dodds (5th Canadian Divisional Artillery Commander), Major General Archibald Gordon MacDonnell (1st Canadian Division Commander), and representatives of all artillery units in the Canadian Corps, like Lieutenant William Vassie (1st Canadian Heavy Battery). Finally, blessing the memorial, Canon Frederick George Scott (Senior Chaplain, 1st Canadian Division).
Byngs Boys
Officially inaugurated by Sir Julian Byng, since it was Byng’s Boys that captured the ridge, but Byng allowed his good friend to do the talking.
Currie and Byng continued their loyal friendship following the Great War.
The dugout
The memorial originally built atop a dugout. However, the only modification made over the years, replacing the dugout with a staircase.
Brigadier General Dodds joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1914, in addition to commanding officer of the 5th Canadian Division Artillery in France from 1917-1918. The photo above from his fonds indicates the image captured perhaps in early 1919, prior to Dodd’s return to England.
Canon Frederick George Scott, C.M.G., D.S.O.
On February 19th I held the dedication service at the unveiling of the artillery monument at Les Tilleuls. Owing to its exposed position no concourse of men was allowed, but there was a large gathering of the Staff, including the Army Commander, and of course a number of officers from the artillery.
The lines of the monument are very severe. A plain white cross surmounts a large mass of solid masonry on which is the tablet, which General Currie unveiled. It stands in a commanding position on Vimy Ridge, and can be seen for miles around.
Many generations of Canadians in future ages will visit that lonely tribute to the heroism of those, who, leaving home and loved ones, voluntarily came and laid down their lives in order that our country might be free.
The Great War as I Saw It
Unveiling of the Canadian Corps Artillery Memorial
Sir Julian Byng graciously allowing Sir Arthur Currie the moments to both unveil the memorial, and to address those assembled. General Sir Arthur Currie, Canadian Corps Commander unveiling the Memorial erected by Canadian Artillery in memory of Artillerymen who fell during the taking of Vimy Ridge, 19 February 1918.
Post Great War Photographs
This photograph part of a collection of items that surfaced relating to an Edinburgh-based man, Sergeant John Walker. In civilian life, Walker originally from Haddington, but lived in Leith, and worked as a butcher he and three brothers joined the army. Walker eventually joined the Seaforth Highlanders, where awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal. Finally, Walker killed by a shell in the area around Vimy and Thelus on 15 April 1917.
Ceremony at the Canadian Memorial in Thelus
The town of Thélus extremely proud to host the 100th Anniversary of the Dedication on 8 April 2017, as well as the 95th ceremony five years previously.
Support for the maintenance of the Canadian Corps Artillery Monument in Thélus by The Royal Canadian Artillery Association. The RCA Regimental Fund (the Fund) is a non-public property (NPP) entity of the Canadian Armed Forces as defined by the National Defence Act, it comprises monies collected for the purpose of supporting the non-public affairs of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery.