The weather was still unsettled and rain fell at intervals all day. The 21st Canadian Battalion moved to St. Sailve in accordance with Operation Order 251, leaving Petit Foret at 1000 hours and arriving at destination at 1500 hours. The Battalion was billeted in a large billet in the town together with the remainder of the 4th Brigade unit. At 1900 hours a warning order was received from the 4th Brigade on the following day. Lieut-Col. H.E. Pense D.S.O.,M.C. attended a conference at Brigade Headquarters at 2200 hours when the move forward on the following day was disposed.
Image: Chalets left behind by the enemy during the Canadian advance on the Cambrai front. November, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
September 25th was fine. At 2.00a.m. the Hun raided an unoccupied outpost on our front. His attack was repelled and he gained no information. The following casualties were sustained by the battalion: – Killed in Action. 3056081 Private Heath, W. Wounded 2 Other ranks. The remainder of the day passed quietly and the Battalion was relieved by the 5th Yorkshire and Lancanshire Battalion and elements of the 1/5th London Rifle Brigade on the night of 25th/26th September.
The Battalion left Eswars at 1800 hours and proceeded to take over Suport Area of the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade northeast of Iwuy. The relief was complete at 2115 hours and the night remained quiet. No casualties were reported. The dispositions of the companies were as follows:-“B” Company, right front, “D” Company left front. “A” Company right read. “C” Company, left rear. Lieut E.W.Edwards on returning from attachment to the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade was posted to Battalion Headquarters. The Battalion Transport and Rear Details remained at Eswars.
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]