October 1, 1918 -- Firing and laying around most of the day. Moved up forward during the night and put our guns in position in a sunken road behind Epinay. Raining very hard all night and Fritz was shelling around all night. We had to keep awake all night, Haynecourt Cemetery 5:00
October 2, 1918 -- Started the barrage about 5:15 a.m. The 1st Brigade infantry going over on our left. The Y & L troops were held up. The 4th Battalion was also held up in the morning. I went up to the front line to carry Lieutenant Smith body, who had been killed whilst going over with the infantry. The Hun shelled our position with H. & E. gas all day.
October 3, 1918 -- Got up about 8 a.m., after sleeping in a hole on the side of the road leading into Epiperny. During the night, Fritz dropped a big bomb in the centre of the gun position, wounding several of our lads and drivers of some ammunition columns. Shelling us all day long with whizz-bangs. About 7:30 p.m., started to shell us with heavy stuff, killing Tom Grills and severely wounding Sgt. McKenzie. Gas shelled us all night. Mac died of his wounds.
October 4, 1918 -- Still in the same position. Got up about 8:30 a.m. and he was still shelling after giving us a heavy bombardment all night. Shelling all day again. He deliberately tried to destroy the village ahead of us. Pulled out at night to our old position behind the heavies.
October 5, 1918 -- Got up at 8:30, after sleeping in a hole in the open field under the tarp with the other boys. After breakfast, went to Tom Grills funeral. Helped to dig the grave. Our Padre buried him. All kinds of dead Canadians laying around waiting to be buried. Moved back of the line during the night. Fritz dropped bombs on the road near us. 400 Canadian lads buried in the cemetery where we buried Tom Grills.
October 6, 1918 -- Traveling all night. Slept near a dump all day then moved back into action during the night on one of the flanks. Slept in a German Red Cross station all night. Prospect Farm, position Secluse.
October 7, 1918 -- Making a place to live and sleep in the old farmhouse. Put in a pretty good time all day.
October 8, 1918 -- Got up and put a mock barrage on Fritz. Firing and registering the gun. Also fired until midnight. Fritz came back with gas shells. Nobody hurt.
October 9, 1918 -- Up nearly all night firing. Fritz dropped a few around. Had a pretty good sleep from 3 till 9 a.m. We certainly have been living good this last few days: bacon and porridge for breakfast, steaks and potatoes for dinner, jam, rice, cheese and bread for supper.
October 10, 1918 -- Fired a few rounds during the night. We have been living in a place called Prospect Farm. The Hun had been using it for a Red Cross Station. We fired a few rounds during the day, also at night. We were behind a big town called Seclure.
October 11, 1918 -- Got up at 9 a.m. Working around the gun pit. During the afternoon, we fired a few rounds. During the afternoon, our lads went over the top but the Hun had retreated about four miles close to the Nord Canal. We pulled out and went into a town call Seclure. Slept in a cellar all night.
October 12, 1918 -- Got up at 5:15 a.m. Put over a few and had breakfast. Firing during the morning. In the afternoon, the right section pulled out and went forward. Went into action behind a village called Bellonne. We fixed up a cellar that the Hun had slept in. There were beds and a stove in there.
October 13, 1918 -- Got up at 5:30 a.m. and put over a barrage. During the day, we were registering and firing on machine gun posts. About 8 o'clock at night, Fritz put over a few heavy shells and pretty near had a direct hit on B sub gun, setting fire to some charges and the camouflage. We went out and put out the fire About 11 p.m., a sub gun put over 40 rounds, harassing fire on the Hun roads.
October 14, 1918 -- Got up at 5:30 a.m. Went out and put up a barrage, about 30 rounds per gun. The infantry did not go over during the day. We fired a few rounds. This place, where we had the guns in action, was all smashed by our artillery to rid the place of machine gun nest. The Hun had made the place a headquarters and it was pretty cozy.
October 15, 1918 -- On guard during the night previous. We had a very easy day. The Hun was scattering a few shells around. He was shelling a big town called Vitry, a manufacturing town. You could see the place on fire and the brick dust flying around. This place had been burning several days.
October 16, 1918 -- Laying around most of the day. We got up about 5:30 and put up a barrage, about 31 rounds per gun. The Hun dropped a few shells around the position during the morning. It was also raining.
October 17, 1918 -- Working around the pit. In the afternoon, the infantry went over the top and found the Hun had retreated. About 6 p.m., we pulled out and followed him over the canal. Had to wait for a couple of hours until the engineers finished the bridge. Got across and passed the chemical works. We must have gone 5 or 6 kilos before we went into action on the right of Vitry.
October 18, 1918 -- Slept in an old factory all night. Pulled out after dinnertime and followed the Hun. Again we passed to the right of Douar. She seemed to be in good condition. Passed through Dechy. This place was in a dirty condition. Went into action in front of Loffree. Slept in a railway house near the track all night
October 19, 1918 -- Got up at 5 a.m. Sat around all morning. Pulled out about 12 p.m. Passed Briulle. Saw the civilians who had been under Hun rule. They were tickled to death to be relieved. Passed through Somaine Penian and saw all kinds of civvies. The Huns had wrecked the coalmines. Also blew great holes in the road. Slept near the railroad.
October 20, 1918 -- Cantin. Started to move again but did not go very far. We were waiting for a couple of hours before we could move. Whilst waiting, we boiled some carrots and turnips and had a good feed. We passed through Wandignes and went into action the other side of the town. Raining pretty near all night. Slept under a tarpaulin all night.
October 21, 1918 -- Got up and started to move again. Went through a town called Hasnon. Went into action the other end of town. The Hun started to shell the town, killing some of the women. We slept in a civilian's house all night and one of the occupants was telling us he had been a civy prisoner for four years. The people could not do enough for us.
October 22, 1918 -- Got up at 6:30 a.m. During the morning, the 3rd Division came in and relieved us. Pulled out of action in the afternoon but stayed in the town. We also moved the horse lines in the town. The old lady in the house kept handing us out coffee without sugar and it was awful stuff. The coffee in the coffeepot must have never been washed out for weeks.
October 23, 1918 -- Got up at 6:30 a.m. Working around guns and wagons. Fritz made a stand below St Amand. He was shelling just below the gun park.
October 24, 1918 -- Got up at 6:30 a.m. for reveille. During the day, we were washing and cleaning the gun and limbers having a pretty easy time.
October 25, 1918 -- Reveille at 6:30 a.m. During the day, washing and cleaning limbers and gun. Taking things very easy. The Hun had evacuated Saint Amand. Also he blew down one of the church towers before he went. The poor old woman had her wind up because he was dropping shells quite a piece away.
October 26, 1918 -- Cleaning around gun and wagons all morning. Taking things very easy. In the afternoon, we had a holiday. During the night, Fritz was dropping some heavy shells and was causing the inhabitants of the village to feel very nervous.
October 27, 1918 -- Working around gun and limber. Nothing much doing all day. Fritz was shelling in the early part of the morning.
October 28, 1918 -- Working around gun and limbers. Having a good time. Gas drill in the afternoon.
October 29, 1918 -- Working around gun and limbers. Nothing much doing all day. On guard during the night around gun park. Fritz put a few heavy shells over in the town of Hasnon during the night.
October 30, 1918 -- On guard during the day. Nothing much doing.
October 31, 1918 -- Our guns were going very heavy in the morning. Working around gun and limber.
November 1, 1918 -- Our guns were firing heavy in the morning. On the right of Hasnon, the Imperial made an attack and advanced four miles. In the afternoon, several prisoners came through the village.
November 2, 1918 -- Working around guns in the morning. Taking life pretty easy. Had the afternoon off.
November 3, 1918 -- Reveille 6 a.m. Only stable parades during the day. We heard that hostilities were going to cease by the end of this week. Had a walk around Hasnon. Saw the canal and railway bridge that had been blown up by the Hun.
November 4, 1918 -- Working around guns and horse lines all day.
November 5, 1918 -- Working around guns and limbers. Raining all day. Got orders to get everything ready to pull out next morning.
November 6, 1918 -- Pulled out at 9 a.m. Before leaving, the O.C. inspected the battery. Our sub section got the prize for cleanest gun and limbers. Left the town of Grand Bray passing through Raismes and we billeted in a big town call Anzin in a big house. Piano, up to date furniture, everything O.K. Had a good feed of spuds. Met Captain Hinds, also the 16th Battalion. We had a nice little concert. At night, slept on the carpet floor.
November 7, 1918 -- Left Anzin about 9 a.m., passing through Valeberas over the River Shelat. This place has certainly been destroyed. The station and bridges all blew up. Met Harry Ring, also saw Captain Hinds leading the 116th on their way to Mons. Slept in a big house on the Mons Road in St. Saulve.
November 8, 1918 -- Left St. Saulve about 9 a.m. and went along the Mons Road to a place called Quaropible. Along the Mons Road, dead horses and Fritz guns and limbers were laying. They had been caught in our barrage. We slept in a house on the Mons Road. The civilians were coming back to their homes and it would make your heart bleed to see them trudging along with their loads.
November 9, 1918 -- We stayed in Quaropible all day. Our traffic had been passing continually for two days following up the Hun troops, guns of all sizes, trucks and all kinds of army material. It was a sight worth seeing. Civilians were passing back to their homes with their workday belongings in a two-wheeled rig. Pretty near all the houses had been shelled by the Hun.
November 10, 1918 -- Resting in Quaropible during the day. Troops, guns, motor trucks and war material were passing in one continuous stream for the last two days. Civilians were pouring back with their push carts the other way. A French man dropped a message from a plane. We were putting in a good time.
November 11, 1918 -- We got the good news that hostilities had ceased. It was too good to believe. During the afternoon, Percy Boyce and me had a walk across to the Belgium border on the Mons Road. Went into the cathedral. Coming back we helped a couple of civilians back with their load. Traffic still pouring ahead.
November 12, 1918 -- Still resting around Quaropible having a good time. We were cleaning up guns, limbers and harness before starting to march into Germany. Refugees still going past the house to their respective town looking tuckered out and hungry.
November 13, 1918 -- Still resting around the same town. Refugees still going past. Some thousands must have gone past. Nothing but a continuous procession of guns and troops going towards the German boundary.
November 14, 1918 -- Lounging around Quaropible. Polishing and shining harness, also oiling and cleaning guns and vehicles. Getting ready for our big march into Germany. During the day, 1st Division Infantry came through the town on their way to Germany. Refugees still going past on their way back to their homes. Sad looking sight.
November 15, 1918 -- Got orders to move. Left the horse lines about 10 a.m. on our march to Germany. On the route, we saw German Officers coming through with white flags. We passed into the Belgian borders through a town called Quieviam. The town band was out and a Belgium guard of honour gave us a grand salute. We stopped in a town called Boussu and slept in a hotel.
November 16, 1918 -- Resting around Boussu. The roads were too congested with troops and civilians moving. We had a walk round the town in the morning and afternoon. We had a good billet in the front room of a hotel. At night, me and Brown had a walk to the next town. Ed Wright came back to the battery.
November 17, 1918 -- Reveille 6 a.m. Still resting in Boussu. Went into the Catholic cathedral in the morning. During the afternoon and night, we laid around.
November 18, 1918 -- Got orders to move. We left the town Boussu about 9:30 a.m., passing Hornu, Gemappes, Mono, Vimy Mauierea and stopped for a couple of days in a village called Casteau. A very pretty little place. Five of us had a room in a hotel and I was the lucky guy to occupy the bed.
November 19, 1918 -- Resting around Casteau, cleaning around limbers and guns. In the afternoon, we took things pretty easy.
November 20, 1918 -- Resting around Casteau. In the afternoon, we took a walk to a village called Oboury. The 116th was billeted and we found a Y.M.C.A canteen. Bought a fruit and biscuit. McGinnis came back the same afternoon and we had all kinds of good things to eat.
November 21, 1918 -- Got orders to move. We left the horse lines about 9 o'clock. Took the second class roads and passed through the village of Thrieusues Muast and stopped in the village of Eccuassines. Had a very good billet and it was a very nice village.
November 22, 1918 -- Billeted upstairs on the main street of Eccuassines. Had the horse lines gun park on the square facing the church. On guard during the night and day. The people we lived with were certainly nice people. In the afternoon, we had a walk to a stone quarry.
November 23, 1918 -- Still billeted in the same village. Cleaning around the vehicles in the morning. In the afternoon, had a walk around. At night, the battery boys had a dance at the cinema.
November 24, 1918 -- Got orders to move. Left the horse lines about 7 o'clock. All polished up, we passed through Tuchu, Teley and Marbuis on a 20 kilometer march. The people could not understand why we had the brass polished. Arrived in a village, I'rssmes St. Gossuicl. The band met and played different national airs. We went to church.
November 25, 1918 -- Left the village about 8 a.m. on a 12 mile march. We passed a lot of Hun limbers and war material. We were on our way to Namur. Went up the Wamur Road, passing through Soubrelle and arriving in a village called Corry La Chateau. Slept in a farm house.
November 26, 1918 -- Resting around Corry La Chateau. During the day, cleaning harness guns and vehicles. Getting ready for a four day hike to the German boundary. We had our horse lines near a Catholic convent.
November 27, 1918 -- Left Corry La Chateau about 6 a.m., passing around Namur. We went through the country passing through the villages. The church bells were ringing and the children cheering. We entered the Muese Valley in the afternoon. Had our horse lines near Muese River. Slept in an attic. Nice people. Town called Selayn
November 28, 1918 -- Left Selayn about 8 a.m. We passed through part of the Muese River, near a smelting works and iron, lime and coal mines. We took over the Ardenne range and it was a pretty sight looking up the valley. We passed through Andenne and Gives. We rested for the night in a village called Grand Marchin.
November 29, 1918 -- Left Grand Marchin without much breakfast for either horse or man. The troops were in an uproar. Currie and McDonnell passed on the road. We were held up for two hours. Pulled in a place called Mosdave. Slept in a Belgian house. Very nice people.
November 30, 1918 -- Started on the march from Grand Marchin through a pretty part of the country in a valley on the boundary lines. During the halt for dinner, we were inspected by Currie and staff. We stopped in a place called Tohogne. Slept in an estamient in the front room.
December 1, 1918 -- Held up for rations in Tohogne all day. The rations came in about 5 o'clock in the afternoon. During the day, they had to buy feed and potatoes for horse and men. We slept in a big room in an estamient.
December 2, 1918 -- Left Tohogne about 7 o'clock. We passed through very hilly and wild looking country, all up hill and down. We passed a village called Bomal. Stopped in a village called Harre and slept in a school house.
December 3, 1918 -- Left Harre about 9 o'clock, traveling through very hilly and wild country. We arrived in a place called Lierneux about 4 a.m. No rations came up until 9 p.m. at night. We brought some steak and had a feed. We billeted with an old couple. Last Belgium town.
December 4, 1918 -- We left Liemeux traveling via Corrone Veilsalm and Pethihier, passing over the frontier of Germany at 1.20 p.m. in the afternoon. General Currie and staff taking us over. We arrived in a German village called Recht and slept over a farmer's house. A platoon of infantry was attached to us. Frontier town Valsalm crossed.
December 5, 1918 -- Stayed in the village of Recht all day, resting the horses and cleaning vehicles and guns. We had a pretty good billet. Rations started to come in a little better.
December 6, 1918 -- Got orders to move left of Recht traveling through Born and landed in a village called Bullingham and was billeted with a German farmer. It was funny to see the German discharged soldier saluting our sergeants. The lady of the house cooked a meal of potatoes and cabbage. The village was very dirty also the roads.
December 7, 1918 -- Left Bullingham at 5 a.m., traveling through Rhineland, a very hilly country and a nice looking country. Arrived in a village called Reiffersherd at 4 p.m. Some of our fellow started a racket in an estaminet. The village was not a good looking place. Boarded with a family of six kiddies and man and wife, Passcherdale.
December 8, 1918 -- Left the village about 7 a.m., on a short march. Went through some very nice country. The Germans were just coming from church and lined up to see us pass. Passed through Gall and arrived in a village called Schever, on top of a hill. Boarded with some very nice people.
December 9, 1918 -- Left Scheven about 7 a.m. Traveled through some pretty nice country and arrived in a big barracks town called Fuskuchen. Billeted in the barracks. Met Jack Morton and one or two more Oshawa boys.
December 10, 1918 -- Left the barracks town and made a long hike and landed in a small village called Walberberg, about 10 kilos from Bonn. We billeted with some very nice German people and slept upstairs.
December 11, 1918 -- Working around the horse lines, cleaning guns and wagons. In the afternoon and night, gun park guard.
December 12, 1918 -- On guard during the day. Had a very easy day. Raining most of the day.
December 13, 1918 -- We left Walberberg about 9 a.m., on our march across the Rhine. We went through some of the main street of Colonge and across one of the Rhine bridges and marched pass General Plumer McDonnel and H.Q. staff. We had a splendid view of the Cathedral and the Rhine River. Slept in a prisoner of war cage at Humbold works, Cologne-Kalk.
December 14, 1918 -- Left Cologne-Kalk and marched to a prisoner of war cage near a dynamite works, a place called Militatraugs. Not a bad place. During the evening, six of us went to Colonge and had a look around the city. Got back about 10 at night, Lond Dynamite Works.
December 15, 1918 -- We stayed in the POW camp cleaning guns in the morning. Took things very easy during the day.
December 16, 1918 -- We left the POW camp and went to a big military barracks near Wahn. All the 1st was billeted around here.
December 17, 1918 -- We are settled down in the barracks for a few weeks. I was detailed for guard during the day. We had a good billet both for horse and men.
December 18, 1918 -- During the day, we started to clean up for a general inspection. During the night, we had a walk around town and brought some German pie and cake and she certainly was a rotten dope.
December 19, 1918 -- Cleaning up vehicles during the day. In afternoon, had a bathing parade Stayed in barracks at night.
December 20,1918 -- Cleaning up around the guns and wagons. Having a pretty good time.
December 21, 1918 -- Cleaning up in the morning. In the afternoon, on holiday.
December 22, 1918 -- Church service in the morning. A very impressive service and well attended. In the afternoon, on holiday.
December 23, 1918 -- Cleaning around vehicles all day. Putting in a pretty fair time. Sticking around the barracks
December 24, 1918 -- Working around the gun sheds. General Morrison came around inspecting in the afternoon. The Colonel inspected the horses and men. Stuck around the barracks at night. A lot of the boys were boozed.
December 25, 1918 -- Got up at 6:30 a.m. Had bully beef for breakfast and dinner. At night, we had a great Christmas dinner consisting of soup, vegetables, turkey, goose, pudding, and fruit. We had a good time. Also we had a German orchestra playing. The Colonel gave us a step dance.
December 26, 1918 -- Nothing much doing all day. At night was on guard. Some of the boys were feeling good, into boozing at night.
December 27, 1918 -- During the day was on guard duties. We were taking things very quiet. Rumors that we were going to be relieved.
December 28, 1918 -- Still around Wahn camp. Pretty well fed up with it. Everything around out of bounds. Doing very little all day.
December 29, 1918 -- Having a pretty fun time. At night, went to church. We had a pretty good service.
December 30, 1918 -- Laying around camp all day.
December 31, 1918 -- Laying around camp all day.
January 1, 1919 -- Laying around all day.
January 2 to January 13th 1919 -- We were around the Wahn Barracks until January 13th. Left January 13th and traveled via box car to Huy Belgium. We were billeted in the College de Jesuites Marncliffe Huccorgne. Took us 15 hours to get here from Vahn, a pretty bleak place.
February 1 to February 6th 1919 -- Feb. 1 Left Marncliffe for Liege for the review. We were two days on the road. We marched passed General Jacks, Currie, McDonnell etc. on the 4th of Feb. Arrived back in Marncliffe on the 6th.
February 11, 1919 -- Turn our guns and limbers over to ordinance at Huy, a pretty slippery ride.
February 24, 1919 -- Married men with wives in England left the battery for England.
March 3, 1919 -- NCO and gunners started to demobilize, the Charlottetown men going first.
March 6, 1919 -- E. Wright left the battery.
March 7, 1919 -- Dobson left the battery.
March 8, 1919 -- Took a walk to Huy.
March 13, 1919 -- Leave Marncliffe for Huy.
March 15, 1919 -- Left Huy for La Havre.
March 18, 1919 -- Arrived in La Havre about the 18th.
March 20, 1919 -- Left La Havre about the 20th on the Lorina. Arrived in Weymouth the same night. Got in Bramshoot camp about 2 in the morning.
March 27, 1919 -- Left Bramshoot to go on leave. Arrived in Heywood about the 28th.
April 4, 1919 -- Left Heywood for the camp.
April 13, 1919 -- Quite a few of the lads left on the Olympic.
April 19, 1919 -- Sailing orders close at 4 p.m. canceled.
April 29, 1919 -- Left Bramshoot 3:15 a.m. on the 29th of April. Sailed on the SS Baltic in the afternoon.
May 4th, 1919 -- Arrived in Halifax May 4. Left the boat at 11 o'clock and boarded the train about 12 o'clock for Ottawa.
May 9, 1919 -- Arrived in Ottawa 9th of May. Very nice morning
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