38th Bn, CEF-Sunday, September 22, 1918
Battalion church parade in morning. Weather showery.
Image: Le Quesnel Church. Substitute church in front, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
History during the Great War
Battalion church parade in morning. Weather showery.
Image: Le Quesnel Church. Substitute church in front, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
Divine Service was conducted in the field by Cap. Renison of 2nd Can. Division at intervals from 9.00a.m. for Companies and Details. Roman Catholic Service was held in the field at 9.15a.m. During the afternoon baths at Hendicourt were used by the Battalion. Companies & Details bathed and were issued with clean clothing. Capt.G.G.Winterbottom, M.C., D.C.M., Lieut. R.L. Warner and Lieut. H.S.Cobb joined the Battalion. Weather: Unsettled.
Battalion on tactical scheme in morning. Four officers and 42 other ranks received as reinforcements. Weather showery.
Image: Canadian Cavalry take shelter in shellholes. Advance East of Arras. Sept. 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
Time was spent in Lewis Gun practice by Nos1&4 Companies. Nos2&3 Companies were engaged in Elementary Musketry, Gas Drill, etc. Classes were held by the medical officer, Capt.J.E.Barry C.A.M.C. to train personnel in First Aid duties. Weather: Unsettled.
Image: Guns captured by Canadians on Arras Front. Advance East of Arras. September 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.21
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.
The range at the Crow’s Nest employed by Nos 2 & 3 Companies During the forenoon and afternoon. Usual training by remaining Companies carried out. Activity was marked during the day. Especially towards evening, by repeated attack on balloons in the vicinity of the camp. Weather: Unsettled, Windy.
Image: Canadian Artillery passing an Observation Balloon which is being brought down. Advance East of Arras. September, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
Battalion training under company arrangements. Weather showery.
Image: Gen. Odlum giving instructions to a machine gunner. Advance East of Arras. September, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
September 19th was very fine, but, owing to high winds, aircraft was inactive. The Brigade Major called at Battalion Headquarters in the morning. The Enemy Shelled the area occupied by the battalion during the afternoon. Special attention to be given to the ground near Arras-Cambrai Road. Our engineers projected drums of gas into the enemy’s defense during the night. Captain F.D. Raymond, M.C. reported from hospital and resumed his duties as Adjutant. A draft of twenty four other ranks arrived from the 2nd Divisional Wing, C.C.R.C.
Image: Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade waiting alongside Arras-Cambrai Road. Advance East of Arras. September, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
Nos1 & 4 Companies employed at the Lewis Gun Range during the day. Nos2 & 3 Companies engaged in Musketry, etc. with the usual inspection of arms, equipment and bivouacs.
Image: 22nd Battalion bivouaced behind the line during the Battle of Amiens, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.19
September 18th was very fine and aircraft were very active. On the night of September 18th/19th the battalion side-slipped to the right taking over a portion of the front line from the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles. Major Bowerbank made an inspection of the line immediately after this move had taken place. On this date H.S. Webb proceeded to England on leave of absence. The following officers who were wounded in the attacks carried out by the battalion on August 26th, 27th, and 28th were posted to Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot, Seaford, England, Captain F. McPhun, Captain N.J McGrimmon, Lieutenants A.W.May, M.C. H.G.Cameron, M.C., F.O. Johnstone and P.G. Hall.
Image: A German plane successful in bringing down observation balloon. Advance East of Arras. September, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.