September 20th was inclement, rain falling at intervals during the day. Despite the adverse weather conditions aerial activity was above normal, resulting in two of our planes being driven down. The Battalion was relieved by the 18th Canadian Battalion on the night of September 20th/21st and moved to Brigade Support Area in Buissy Switch Line. Battalion Headquarters and Companies were disposed as shown on the attach sketch. This relief was completed without casualties at 10.15p.m. The undermentioned officers were posted to Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot, Seaford, England. Lieutenants W. Currier, M.C., M.M., G.A. Phillips, and J. Rutherford. Eighty other ranks reported to the battalion as reinforcements and after standing orders had been read and explained to them were allotted to companies.
Image: A ruined village on the Arras front. November, 1917, 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]
When relief was completed the battalion proceeded to area where they were bivouacked in fields and battalion Headquarters established. Upon the battalion moving forward to Brigade Support positions in Buissy Switch Line the transport and details left out of the line moved from Brocourt-Queant line to area U.17 b&d. (ref. Sheet 51.B.1 1/4000). Rear Headquarters was located at U.17.d.75.55 (Ref.Sheet 51.B.1/40000).
Conditions remained normal during the day except for considerable Aircraft activity on both sides. One of our Observation Balloons was brought down by the enemy. The casualties for the day were, one O.R. and Two horses wounded by shell fire. “B” Echelon was bombed during the night, but suffered no casualties.
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