Unusual aerial and artillery activity prevailed during August 6th. Lieutenant Young, No. 8 Squadron, Royal Air Force was forced to land near us. He sustained minor injuries and was directed to 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade Headquarters. From which he returned to his squadron. On the morning of August 6th, a conference of Brigade Unit Commanders was held at Brigade Headquarters. Boise L’Abbe at which detailed instructions were verbally promulgated regarding the forthcoming attack on the enemy positions; also instructions were issued, at this time, to Battalion Commanders that as many reconnoitering parties as possible were to be sent out with a view to taking assembly positions. On return from Brigade Conference, the Commanding Officer immediately held a meeting of all Company and Section Commanders. During this time Operation Order No. 199 had been issued for the attack.
Image: [French soldiers examining Sopwith 1F.1 ‘Camel’ aircraft E4389 of the R.A.F. which landed inside Canadian lines near Amiens, France, August 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
September 15th was fine. In aerial combats one enemy machine was driven down and seen to crash in the rear of our lines. Lieutenant V.R. Ullman, who was transferred to this unit from the 3th Canadian Battalion on July 22nd 1916 was wounded at the Somme on September 15th,1916, and evacuated to England. In January 1917 he returned to France and rejoined the Battalion as a platoon commander. While serving in this capacity, at Vimy, in April 1917 he was gassed and transferred to England for treatment. Where he had recovered from the ill effects of the gas he was attached to the Russian Embassy, London, England for duty. While serving at this office he was awarded the Russian Order of St. Stanislov. Early this year he gave up his position with the Russian Embassy to rejoin the battalion, but, upon arrival in France, was retained at the 2nd Divisional Wing, C.C.R.C for duty as an instructor, until August 7th, 1918, on which date he rejoined the unit. In the attack carried out by the battalion near Guemappe on August 26th this officer received slight wounds, which resulted in his being confined to hospital until 16 September, on which date he reported for duty and was appoint to command “A” company. A muster parade was held, the battalion was reported present and complete. After three years’ service in France the personnel which accompanied the battalion from England on September 15th, 1915 still serving in France is as follows:- Lieut-Colonol H.H.Pense, D.S.O.,M.C. Officer Comanding, 21st Canadian Infantry Battalion, Major G.S.S.Bowerbank, M.C., Second-in-Command, 21st Canadian Infantry Battalion, Major H.W. Cooper, attached 3rd Army School of Instruction, Major J.H.Sills, D.S.O., 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade, Major A.P.Miller, D.S.O.,M.C., Canadian Forestry Corps and Captain F.D.Raymond, M.C., Adjutant, 21st Candian Infantry Battalion. Also 182 other ranks carried on strength of the 21st Canadian Battalion. [Follow the link for the full entry]
The day was spent quietly by the Battalion which rested in Eswars. Routine Orders of the date announced the following decorations:- Bar to Military Cross Capt H.G. Deane, M.C.; The Military Cross Lieut.V.R.Ullman (Order of St.Stanislaus), The Distinguished Conduct Medal: 675739 Sergt. K.H.Draper 675360, Sergt. D.F. Garlick. The Recipients were heartily congratulated by the Commanding Officer and their many friends in the Battalion.