Training carried out as usual. Ranges were allotted to Communication Section, Scouts, Police and Pioneers. All company men who required additional training also fired. During the afternoon Organized Sports were held. A concert given by the Band and members of the Battalion was held in the School-house, and heartily enjoyed by men of Nos.1& 2 Companies and half of H.Q.Details. Weather: Unsettled.
Image: [CEF, 2nd Battalion, Music Band] , Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
Orders having been received during the night that the 2nd and 3rd Battalions would pass through the 1st and 4th Battalions, this Unit passed through the outpost line at 0900 hours and continued the advance. Touch was at once gained with the 3rd Battalion. Moving behind a screen of skirmishers and scouts, the Battalion followed closely the retiring enemy. A scout patrol captured one prisoner early in the morning. In the Vicinity of Reiulay and Villers enemy patrols were encountered with machine guns. They, however, retired on the advance of the skirmishing line. Not until nearly dusk, when the pursuit had been pushed to the Western firing of the Bois des Eclusetters, did anything occur to give colour to what was more or less of a route march. North East of the Bois St. Amand a German cavalry patrol advanced cautiously, ostensibly for the purpose of getting in touch with our outpost. They made no attempt to give battle and retired at the gallop when fired upon. A scout patrol under Lieut. G. Hunter, operating far in advance of our outposts came in contact with some enemy outposts on the road between the Bois des Eclusettes and the Foret de Vicoigne. A lively fire fight ensued in which three casualties were inflicted on the enemy, with no loss to ourselves. At the end of the day, two Companies held the outpost line, West of the Bois des Eclisettes, while the remaining Companies were in support and reserve. Battalion Hqrs. were established at the Chateau near L’Ermitage. From about 1400 hours on the 19th inst. we had no touch with the 3rd Brigade on our right, some difficulty having arisen with regard to the left boundary of this Brigade. This was rectified about 1900 hours by a slight extension of our outpost line to the right and by the 16th Battalion Extending their front further to the left. Transport and Rear Details left Dechy at 0710 hours arriving at Montigny at 0820 hours. Left Montigny at 1205 hours, arriving at Pecquencourt at 1300 hours. Weather: Showery.
At 3.00a.m. August 21st the Battalion detrained at Wavrans and marched to Beauvois and Siracourt. The Battalion less “C” and “D” Companies was billeted in Beauvois. These companies’ occupied billets at Siracourt. Upon arrival in Beauvois and Siracourt the Battalion was served with a hot meal and rested during the remainder of the day.
Training was today carried out according to Syllabus issued. Weather Unsettled. 12 Other Ranks joined as reinforcements 1-10-18: 8 Other Ranks joined as reinforcements 2-10-18: Capt. H.Taylor returned from leave, 4-10-18: Capt.P.C.Band granted one month’s special leave, 7-10-18: Capt. J. E. Barry, M.C., C.A.M.C. ceased to be attached to this unit. 6-10-18: Capt. P.J.O’Dwyer, C.A.M.C. attached to 2nd Bn., 4-10-18: Lieut. J.Levkey returned from leave, 5-10-18: Lieut. J.Milne, M.C. granted 14 days leave to U.K., 9-10-18: Capt. (A/Major) H.H.Hester rejoined from C.C.R.C.,8-10-18. Lieut. Col. L. T. McLaughlin, D.S.O., rejoined, 10-10-18: Lieut. A.Hewitt from leave, 10-10-18: Lieut. J.Maxwell granted 14 days leave to U.K.. 12-10-18: Lieut. A.J.Wall from leave, 12-10-18: Capt. P.J.O’Dwyer, C.A.M.C. ceased to be attached to 2nd bn., 11-10-18: Capt. F.M.Johnson, C.A.M.C. , attached to 2nd Bn., 11-10-18: Lieut A.McKinney joined as reinforcements, 16-10-18: Lieut. D.A.Cameron, M.C. to Rest Camp, 21-10-18: Major R.Vanderwater, D.S.O. granted 14 days leave to U.K., 21-10-18: Lieut R.H.Hopkins granted 14 days leave to U.K., 23-10-18: Capt. W.W.Murray, M.C. granted 14 days leave to U.K., 24-10-18: Lieut. J.H.Eastwood granted 14 days leave to U.k>, 25-10-18: Lieut.E.T.Douse joined as reinforcement, 25-10-18: Lieut. J. Maxwell, D.C.M from leave, 28-10-18: Lieut. D.A.Cameron, M.C. from Rest Camp, 31-10-18. Signed: Lieut.Col. McLaughlin, Commanding 2nd Cdn.Inf.Bde East. Ontario Regiment.
