Gunner Edward Court 49, grandfather of Ellen McConnell, a member of the 2nd Heavy Battery. He stowed away on the ship his wife and brother were returning to UK. Arrested by the MPs on arrival in Liverpool, but believed when he said that the ship sailed without warning. His pay reinstated and he then served in France until he left the army. He demobilized in the UK and never returned to Canada. Seen here with his wife and elder son.
Attestation
Edward Court attested 14 November 1914 in Montreal, Quebec with the No.2 Heavy Battery. At this time, Edward stood 5′ 10″ tall, 170 pounds, with healthy complexion, dark grey eyes, auburn hair, scar on right forehead, and right-low chest area. He was 30 years, 11 months of age. Married to Ellen Court of 3400 Rue Dandurand, Rosemount (Montreal), later 6 Brewery Street, Stratford-on-Avon, and later 35 Park Road.
2nd Heavy Battery, Canadian Field Artillery
Organized in November 1914 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Odell. Mobilized at Halifax. Firstly, 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. Secondly, left Halifax 15 June 1915 aboard CALEDONIAN. Finally, arrived in England 22 June 1915 with a strength of 7 officers, 212 other ranks. Later, arrived in France 16 September 1915. Attached to British formations until March 1917 when it became part of 2nd Brigade, Canadian Heavy Artillery. Perpetuated by 22nd Medium Battery, Cobourg.
Private Edward Court AWOL from 12 April 1915, discharged as a Deserter, 1 June 1915.
Taken as a stowaway on board SS METAGAMA from Canada while seeing his wife off. Then, handed over to Reserve Brigade on arrival in England. But, the Board of Officer’s findings regarding his Desertion squashed. Taken on strength of No.2 Heavy Battery from 12 July 1915, with recommendation for recovery of back pay. Finally, on 19 July 1915, Gunner Edward Court returned to strength of No.2 Heavy Batter at Otterpool.
France
Lt Col J.W. Odell passes command on 13 September 1915. Then, the battery embarked for France from Southampton on 15 September 1915. Arriving at Le Havre at 6 am on 16 September 1915. Finally, by way of Longeau, Seux, Salouel, Hamelet, Proyart, arrived at Bois Olympic near Cappy on 26 September 1915, attached to the 1st Brigade Artillery, 27th British Division.
Then, on 1 December 1915, the battery located at 57d.W.23.c.10.40 (on the northern outskirts of Albert on the Somme, just west of Le Vélodrome today). Two weeks later, back to Dranoutre in Belgium at 28.N.32.b.8.3 (just east of Aircraft Farm)., with much shelling of hostile batteries in late March near Ravine Wood.
After several months, the battery moved to north of Belgian Battery Corner on 6 April 1916, and later, seven Canadian soldiers buried in Belgian Battery Corner between November 1916 and October 1917.
Gunner Edward Court granted 8 days leave of absence in the field, 3 April 1916.
Divisional Cemetery
On 28 April 1916, the first battlefield casualty of the 2nd Heavy Battery – Gunner Henry Donly Ivey 253 buried at Divisional Cemetery. Later, Gunner Fairhurst 60 and Gunner Oakes 129 buried in the same row as Ivey.
Battle of Mount Sorrel
The month of May 1916 sees construction of three large concrete dugouts. Then, Major Scully returned from leave on 9 May 1916, and Major S T Layton begins writing the unit war diary. During the Battle of Mount Sorrel, there were so many cases of individual bravery and self-sacrifice among the men. Finally, BSM Harry Gabbutt 1 awarded the Military Cross, and Driver Joseph Henry Oulette 128 awarded the Military Medal.
Dickebusch New Military Cemetery and Extension
Very little hostile shelling experienced in July 1916. Then, on 14 July 1916, the battery moves to Dickebusch (two Canadians buried at Dickebusch New Military Cemetery and Extension in June of 1917).
Orders received to join the IX Corps, and the battery moves at once to Wallon Cappel on 1 September 1916. The following day, the battery in position near Locre. Finally, a move to Le Touret on 10 October 1916, near the scene of the Battle of Festubert (May of 1915). Lt J. Jackson on leave 15 October 1916.
Orders received on 17 December to join the Canadian Corps (up until this time, the battery attached to the Royal Artillery). Finally, leaving Belgium, a move made to Hersin-Coupigny, Pas-de-Calais on 22 December 1916.
The battery employed in Carency (36b.x.15.c.6.3) during February of 1917.
Battle of Vimy Ridge
Preparing for the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the battery in constant action from 15 March 1917. Vimy and Vimy Station hit with gas shells on 9 April 1917. The following week, the battery moves to the very hot sector of Souchez.
The battery participates in the attack on Fresnoy and Oppy, 3 May 1917.
Following the attack, a return to the top of Vimy Ridge, behind Grange Craters at 36c.S.21.d.65.20 in June of 1917, very close to the 2nd Canadian Division Memorial today.
Then, every gun in the Canadian Corps participated in a salute at noon on Dominion Day, firing three salvos, 1 July 1917.
Battle of Hill 70
The battery returns to action during the Battle of Hill 70.
Second Battle of Passchendaele
Later, a return to Flanders on 18 October 1917 in preparation for the Second Battle of Passchendaele, firing from east of Ypres at 28.I.5.b.32.35, north of Bellewaerde Lake.
Three casualties at the wagon lines near Vlamertinghe on 12 November 1917. Another four casualties on 20 November as the position is shelled for several hours.
Wimereux Communal Cemetery
Gunner Henry Edward Harry Brouse 342955 eventually succumbed to his wounds, and buried far behind the lines at Wimereux Communal Cemetery, prior to the burial of Lt Col John McCrae. Brouse died 10 December 1917.
In position at Lievin, Pasde-Calais during January of 1918.
The last two weeks of February 1918 spent in training. April particularly active in defense of the Vimy Sector, with the Final German Spring Offensive in full gear.
Second Battle of Arras
As the Final German Spring Offensive draw to a close, the battery back in training on 9 June 1918. The battery remains in the VIMY SECTOR during the Canadian Corps secret move south for the Battle of Amiens, beginning 8 August 1918. When the Corps returns, the battery particpates in the Advance east of Arras, late August 1918.
In early September of 1918, Gunner Edward Court granted 14 days leave to UK, 8 September 1918, and later rejoined his unit on 20 September 1918. Then, the battery moves forward to catch up to the advance on 26 September 1918, near Sains-le-Marquion.
Haynecourt British Cemetery
Gunner Robert Taylor 2152445 killed on 1 September 1918 and buried at Haynecourt British Cemetery.
By 25 October 1918, the battery is in Raismes, just west of Belgium, and ends the war in Thulin, Belgium.
Then, the battery moves up to Jemappes on 27 November 1918, beginning their participation in the March to the Rhine and the Allied Occupation of Germany. However, the battery does not arrive in time for the crossing of the Rhine at Bonn on 13 December 1918, arriving four days later.
The battery returned to Andennes, Belgium in February of 1919, and proceeded to England, 30 March 1919.
Andennes
Andennes one of the towns the German army engaged in numerous atrocities against the civilian population of Belgium in August of 1914. Later, Sir Arthur Currie would return to the scene of the massacre in Andennes, following his return from the Allied Occupation of Germany where he had resided in the Palace at Bonn.
Finally, Gunner Edward Court S.o.S. from No.2 Heavy Battery, Ripon, 1 May 1919, and discharged in England.
More
- Home of CEFRG
- Soldiers and Nursing Sisters
- Units (Brigades, Battalions, Companies)
- Battles of the Great War
- Blog
- Cases
- Cemeteries
- Memorials
- On This Day
- About CEFRG