The War Diaries of General David Watson 9781771125062, 9781771125086, 9781771125093, 9781771125024, 9781771125048, 9781771125055, 1771125063

Table of contents :
Cover
Half Title
Title
Copyright
Dedication
Contents
Acknowledgements
A Note on the Text
Introduction
Part I Lieutenant-Colonel: 2nd Battalion September 1914–September 1915
Chapter 1: Salisbury Plain, September 1914–January 1915
Salisbury Camp (25 September–18 October 1914)
”A Sea of Mud” (19 October 1914–29 January 1915)
Chapter 2: Into the Trenches, February–March 1915
“Apprentices” in Armentières (4 February–31 March 1915)
Chapter 3: Second Ypres, Festubert, Givenchy, April–June 1915
Ypres Salient (1–26 April 1915)
Behind the Lines, Poperinge (27 April–12 May 1915)
Festubert (15–31 May 1915)
Essars (1–9 June 1915)
Givenchy (10–18 June 1915)
Chapter 4: On Leave, June–September 1915
Summer on Plug Street (22 June–26 August 1915)
Changeover (27 August–15 September 1915)
Part II Brigadier-General: 5th Brigade September 1915–April 1916
Chapter 5: Intrigue and the Front, September 1915–January 1916
Chapter 6: Disaster at Saint–Éloi Craters, February–April 1916
Build-up (3 February–26 March 1916)
Saint-Éloi Craters (27 March–18 April 1916)
Part III Major-General: 4th Division April 1916–July 1919
Chapter 7: Assembling the 4th Division, April–August 1916
Putting It Together (19 April–11 August 1916)
Chapter 8: The Somme, August 1916–December 1916
With British II Corps at the Somme (12 August 1916–13 September 1916)
The 4th Division and the Battle of the Somme (14 September–9 October 1916)
Trial by Fire (10–20 October 1916)
Final Push on the Somme (21 October–10 November 1916)
Rebuilding and Refitting (11 November–1 December 1916)
Chapter 9: Preparations for Vimy, December 1916–March 1917
Zero + 2 Hours (4 December 1916–20 February 1917)
Planning Hill 145 (21 February–1 March 1917)
Disaster at Hill 145 (2 March 1917)
Chapter 10: Taking Vimy, March–April 1917
Taking the Ridge (3–29 March 1917)
Hill 145 and Hill 120 (30 March–9 April 1917)
Consolidation (10–30 April 1917)
Chapter 11: Scarpe and Lens, May–July 1917
Chapter 12: Lens, July–August 1917
Hill 70 and the Green Crassier (10 July–14 August 1917)
Into Lens (15–17 August 1917)
Street Fighting (19–21 August 1917)
The Green Crassier (22–28 August 1917)
Leaving Lens (30–31 August 1917)
Chapter 13: Passchendaele, September–October 1917
Pas-de-Calais (1 September–12 October 1917)
Taking Passchendaele (13–25 October 1917)
Attack on 26 October (26–31 October 1917)
Chapter 14: Rebuilding, November 1917–January 1918
Chapter 15: Shake, Rattle, and Roll, February–May 1918
Fine-tuning an Elite Division (1 February–18 March 1918)
Spring 1918 (21 March–31 May 1918)
Chapter 16: Bring in the Tanks and Planes, June–July 1918
Preparing for the Final Campaign (1 June–31 July 1918)
Chapter 17: The Hundred Days, August–November 1918
Shock Army (1–10 August 1918)
The Battle of Amiens (11–27 August 1918)
Through the Hindenburg Line (28 August 1918)
Planning and Attacking Mont Dury (29 August–26 September 1918)
Canal du Nord and Bourlon Wood (27 September–2 October 1918)
Pushing Through Cambraii (3–16 October 1918)
Approach to Valenciennes (17–28 October 1918)
Final Battle (28 October–1 November 1918)
War’s End (2–11 November 1918)
Chapter 18: The Aftermath, November–December 1918
A Service of Thanksgiving (12 November–31 December 1918)
Chapter 19: Waiting, January–March 1919
Boxing in the Summer Palace (1 January–31 March 1919)
Chapter 20: Homeward Bound, April–July 1919
Sad Goodbyes (7 April–1 July 1919)
Order of Battle for Brigades and Divisions under Watson’s Command
Acronyms
Bibliography
Notes
Index
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B
C
D
F
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H
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J
K
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N
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Citation preview

The War Diaries of General David Watson

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The War Diaries of General David Watson Edited by Geoffrey Jackson

Wilfrid University Press acknowledges the the support of the Council for the for Arts forArts our WilfridLaurier Laurier University Press acknowledges support ofCanada the Canada Council the publishing program. We acknowledge the financial the Government of Canada through the for our publishing program. We acknowledge the support financialofsupport of the Government of Canada Canada Book Fund for our publishing activities. Funding provided by the Government of Ontario and through the Canada Book Fund for our publishing activities. Funding provided by the Government the Ontario Arts Council. This work was supported by the Research Support Fund. of Ontario and the Ontario Arts Council. This work was supported by the Research Support Fund.

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing Publication Library and ArchivesinCanada Cataloguing in Publication

Title: trenches : memory by/ edited veterans the Great War / edited by Alan Filewod. Title:Reliving The war the diaries of General David plays Watson by of Geoffrey Jackson. Names: Watson, 1869-1922, author. | Jackson, Geoffrey,of1979editor. Names:David, Filewod, Alan, 1952editor. | Container (work): Scudamore, H. B. Description: bibliographical index.Stabler, 1891-1963. Glory hole. | P.B.I.Includes | Container of (work):references Atkinson,and William Identifiers: Canadiana (print) 20210225025 | Canadiana (ebook) 20210225122 | ISBN 9781771125062 Container of (work): Jauvoish, Simon. Dawn in heaven. (hardcover) | ISBN 9781771125086 (EPUB) | ISBN 9781771125093 (PDF) Includes bibliographical references. Subjects: LCSH: Watson,Description: David, 1869-1922—Diaries. | LCSH: Canada. Canadian Army. Canadian Expeditionary Force. | LCSH: (print) Generals—Canada—Diaries. | LCSH:(ebook) World War, 1914-1918—Personal Identifiers: Canadiana 20200416855 | Canadiana 20210091398 | isbn narratives, Canadian. | LCGFT: Diaries. 9781771125024 (hardcover) | isbn 9781771125048 (epub) | isbn 9781771125055 (pdf) Classification: LCC D640 .W35 2021 | DDC 940.4/8171—dc23

Subjects: lcsh: World War, 1914-1918—Drama. | csh: Soldiers’ writings, Canadian

(English) | csh: Canadian drama (English)—20th century. | lcsh: World War, 1914Cover design and interior design by Blakeley Words+Pictures. 1918—Literature and the war. | csh: Soldiers’ writings, Canadian (English)—History and The front cover photo is of General David year unknown, from Watson’s personal album, held criticism. | csh: Canadian dramaWatson, (English)—20th century—History and criticism. at the Military Museums Library and Archives, University of Calgary. Reproduced with permission.

Classification: lcc ps8309.w3 r45 2021 | ddc c812/.52080358403—dc23

© 2021 Wilfrid Laurier University Press cover image: The Conquerors, Sir Eric Kennington. Beaverbrook Collection Waterloo,Front Ontario, Canada www.wlupress.wlu.ca of War Art, Canadian War Museum, Accession No. 19710261-0812.

Cover design by Martyn Schmoll.

design by John van der Woude, jvdw Designs.

© 2021 Wilfrid Laurier University Press Waterloo, Ontario, Canada www.wlupress.wlu.ca This book is printed on FSC® certified paper. It contains recycled materials and other controlled sources, is processed chlorine-free, andisisprinted manufactured using biogaspaper. energy.It contains This book on fsc® certified FSC logo

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For Madeline, Emilia, and Audrey Thank you for all of your love

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Contents

Acknowledgements / xi A Note on the Text / xiii Introduction / 1

Part I Lieutenant-Colonel: 2nd Battalion September 1914–September 1915 Chapter 1: Salisbury Plain, September 1914–January 1915 Salisbury Camp (25 September–18 October 1914) / 21 ”A Sea of Mud” (19 October 1914–29 January 1915) / 25 Chapter 2: Into the Trenches, February–March 1915 “Apprentices” in Armentières (4 February–31 March 1915) / 37 Chapter 3: Second Ypres, Festubert, Givenchy, April–June 1915 Ypres Salient (1–26 April 1915) / 47 Behind the Lines, Poperinge (27 April–12 May 1915) / 52 Festubert (15–31 May 1915) / 54 Essars (1–9 June 1915) / 58 Givenchy (10–18 June 1915) / 60 Chapter 4: On Leave, June–September 1915 Summer on Plug Street (22 June–26 August 1915) / 63 Changeover (27 August–15 September 1915) / 71

Part II Brigadier-General: 5th Brigade September 1915–April 1916 Chapter 5: Intrigue and the Front, September 1915–January 1916 / 77 Chapter 6: Disaster at Saint–Éloi Craters, February–April 1916 Build-up (3 February–26 March 1916) / 95 Saint-Éloi Craters (27 March–18 April 1916) / 102 vii

Contents

Part III Major-General: 4th Division April 1916–July 1919 Chapter 7: Assembling the 4th Division, April–August 1916 Putting It Together (19 April–11 August 1916) / 111 Chapter 8: The Somme, August 1916–December 1916 With British II Corps at the Somme (12 August 1916–13 September 1916) / 131 The 4th Division and the Battle of the Somme (14 September–9 October 1916) / 138 Trial by Fire (10–20 October 1916) / 143 Final Push on the Somme (21 October–10 November 1916) / 147 Rebuilding and Refitting (11 November–1 December 1916) / 152 Chapter 9: Preparations for Vimy, December 1916–March 1917 Zero + 2 Hours (4 December 1916–20 February 1917) / 159 Planning Hill 145 (21 February–1 March 1917) / 175 Disaster at Hill 145 (2 March 1917) / 178 Chapter 10: Taking Vimy, March–April 1917 Taking the Ridge (3–29 March 1917) / 181 Hill 145 and Hill 120 (30 March–9 April 1917) / 186 Consolidation (10–30 April 1917) / 189 Chapter 11: Scarpe and Lens, May–July 1917 / 197 Chapter 12: Lens, July–August 1917 Hill 70 and the Green Crassier (10 July–14 August 1917) / 209 Into Lens (15–17 August 1917) / 216 Street Fighting (19–21 August 1917) / 217 The Green Crassier (22–28 August 1917) / 218 Leaving Lens (30–31 August 1917) / 222 Chapter 13: Passchendaele, September–October 1917 Pas-de-Calais (1 September–12 October 1917) / 225 Taking Passchendaele (13–25 October 1917) / 230 Attack on 26 October (26–31 October 1917) / 233

viii

Contents

Chapter 14: Rebuilding, November 1917–January 1918 / 237 Chapter 15: Shake, Rattle, and Roll, February–May 1918 Fine-tuning an Elite Division (1 February–18 March 1918) / 251 Spring 1918 (21 March–31 May 1918) / 256 Chapter 16: Bring in the Tanks and Planes, June–July 1918 Preparing for the Final Campaign (1 June–31 July 1918) / 269 Chapter 17: The Hundred Days, August–November 1918 Shock Army (1–10 August 1918) / 281 The Battle of Amiens (11–27 August 1918) / 285 Through the Hindenburg Line (28 August 1918) / 290 Planning and Attacking Mont Dury (29 August–26 September 1918)/ 291 Canal du Nord and Bourlon Wood (27 September–2 October 1918) / 297 Pushing Through Cambraii (3–16 October 1918) / 299 Approach to Valenciennes (17–28 October 1918) / 302 Final Battle (28 October–1 November 1918) / 305 War’s End (2–11 November 1918) / 307 Chapter 18: The Aftermath, November–December 1918 A Service of Thanksgiving (12 November–31 December 1918) / 311 Chapter 19: Waiting, January–March 1919 Boxing in the Summer Palace (1 January–31 March 1919) / 319 Chapter 20: Homeward Bound, April–July 1919 Sad Goodbyes (7 April–1 July 1919) / 327 Order of Battle for Brigades and Divisions under Watson’s Command / 339 Acronyms / 340 Bibliography / 341 Notes / 347 Index / 371

ix

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Acknowledgements

This project has been a long journey from original inception to final product. It has taken several years, many edits, and a massive amount of support. I would first like to thank Patrick Brennan. When I raised the idea of editing Watson’s diary, he was incredibly supportive and encouraging. As always, the time, effort, and friendship he has given me is astonishing. I can not sufficiently express how much his support has helped with this project. I want to express my profound gratitude to my editor, Siobhan McMenemy, who helped correct and guide this book through publication. She has provided countless hours of incredible support, and because of her hard work, this book has been markedly improved. I also want to thank Mike Bechthold, whose work is always first-rate, for the maps in this book and the anonymous reviewers, who took considerable time and effort to read through the manuscript and offer thoughtful and insightful comments that made this project that much stronger; that said, any remaining errors remain mine alone. Finally, the most important thanks are to my wonderful family: Renee and my three daughters, Madeline, Emilia, and Audrey. They have been very patient with me and I cannot thank them enough for all the love and support.

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A Note on the Text

This text consists of extracts from the Great War diaries of Major-General Sir David Watson. Watson started keeping a diary when he set sail with his battalion from Quebec City in September of 1914, and continued writing on a near-daily basis until he landed back in Canada, almost six years later, on Dominion Day 1919. The diaries themselves were written in a series of six orderly sergeant’s daily memo books. David Watson Evans, the general’s grandson, presented the diaries to the Military Museums in Calgary, where they are currently held. The text here is substantial: the selected entries, plus my notes, total about 132,000 words. In choosing material for this volume, I have been anxious to reflect Watson’s wartime experiences, his military-political engagements, and his personal relationships, and so I have left out entries that do not address these themes. Notable actors in the war, along with recurring individuals in the diaries, receive further attention in endnotes at their first mention. Watson’s handwriting is difficult to decipher but his diary is articulate and a pleasure to read, which allowed me to transcribe it with minimal editorial intervention. I have used current practices to standardize his capitalization and punctuation, and his identification of military formations: for example, First Army; I Corps; 1st Division; I Brigade; 1st Regiment; and “A” Company or No. 1 Company. I have silently corrected spellings for the names of people and places—which sometimes was a challenge, given Watson’s penmanship. I have tended to write out ordinal numbers (except for the army units above). I have standardized the dates for diary entries—i.e., Saturday 26th September 1914—to reflect the practice Watson used virtually throughout. “Headquarters” has become “HQ” in diary entries, and “BDE” has been written out as “Brigade”; “a.m.” and “p.m.” refer to times of day. He did write in shorthand, which makes sense considering the environment that he found himself when writing the diaries. I have kept the writing as it is in the diary, so grammatical errors may exist, in some cases, within the entries.

xiii

English Channel

Ostend Nieuport

Bruges Ghent

Dunkirk Calais

Ypres Mt. Sorrel St. Eloi

dt Schel

s Ly Passchendaele

BRUSSELS

ut ca

Es St. Omer Hazebrouck Armentières Tournai Neuve Chapelle LILLE Festubert Givenchy Béthune Mons Lens/Hill 70 Scarpe Vimy Valenciennes Douai Sensée Denain Arras Cambrai Masnières Le Cateau

Bapaume Thiepval Albert

Courcelette Canal de Nord

cre

me

An

Som

Amiens

St. Quentin

Luce

Canadian Corps Battles

1. Ypres: Apr–May 1915 2. Festubert & Givenchy: May–Jun 1915 3. St. Eloi Craters: Mar–Apr 1916 4. Mount Sorrel: 2–13 Jun 1916 5. Somme: Jul–Nov 1916 6. Vimy Ridge: 9–12 Apr 1917 7. Scarpe (Arleux & Fresnoy): Apr–May 1917 8. Hill 70: 15–25 Aug 1917 9. Passchendaele: 26 Oct–10 Nov 1917 10. Amiens: 8–11 Aug 1918 11. Arras: 26 Aug–3 Sep 1918 12. Canal du Nord & Cambrai: 27 Sep–11 Oct 1918 13. Valenciennes: 1–2 Nov 1918 0 10 14. Mons: 10–11 Nov 1918

Front Lines

Oise

Compiègne

20 kilometres

Mézières

15 December 1914 20 March 1918 18 July 1918 11 November 1918

Aisne

Soissons Reims 30

Château Thierry

Marne Epernay

Vesle

Map 1: The Western Front, with major operations that Major General David Watson took part in.

Introduction

It is often remarked that good armies must have good commanders. The Canadian Corps during the First World War, from the time of Vimy Ridge in April of 1917 onward, was certainly effective; that success would encourage us to assume that its Canadian commanders must have been good at what they did. But how they did their good work on a practical, daily basis during wartime, while also navigating the hierarchies within the Canadian, British, and Allied militaries, is more opaque. Historian Stephen Harris provides an insight in his discussion of General Sir Arthur Currie, commander of the Canadian Corps from the summer of 1917 on: “Currie created an atmosphere which allowed for, in fact positively demanded, the movement of ideas from below.”1 But then historians are left to ask who the generators of those “ideas from below” were, and why the ideas those voices provided were effective for winning battle. Although historians have offered answers to some of these questions, few of these men—the idea generators—themselves have left behind answers of their own. The extensive war diaries of Major-General Sir David Watson help us to fill this gap.2 Watson rose through the officer ranks during the Great War to the second-highest level of position in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF)—commander of one of the four Canadian divisions. He also produced an exceptional document in the form of his six-volume diaries, which detail his experiences, thoughts, and feelings day by day, with candid insight. A journalist in Quebec City before the war, general manager of the Quebec Chronicle, and a militia officer, he was also active in Conservative politics. The first-hand accounts, which he wrote almost daily from the time he left Canada with the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) until his return home in July of 1919, give us insight into the evolution of his military leadership, as well as that of his peers, and into the associated challenges that they faced during the Great War. The diaries let us see how he navigated not only the military battlefields in France and Belgium but also the political battles within the Canadian Expeditionary Force and the larger British Expeditionary Force. When Watson left Canada in September of 1914, he was a colonel in charge of the 2nd Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment), comprised of about a thousand men. In August 1915 he was promoted to brigadier-general and command of the 5th Brigade (which had four thousand men at full strength), and in the spring of 1916 he would become major-general and take over the Canadian 4th Division, with a troop strength around twenty thousand 1

Introduction

troops in 1916). As an officer, Watson had to play a number of complex roles simultaneously, and needed to show tactical acumen, administrative ability, and a facility for leadership. And this is why Watson’s diaries are valuable: in them, Watson demonstrates the human qualities of hesitation, self-doubt, ambivalence, and growth he experienced as a leader while he and his men rose to the challenges they faced on the Western Front. There have been academic studies on the demands of leadership at all three of levels Watson served at: lieutenant-colonel, brigadier-general, and major-general. His diaries complement what has already been written, add new insights about the demands at various levels of command, and present a unique voice and viewpoint as the only such document from a Canadian who commanded at this level during the critical last two years of the war.

Watson’s Life: Journalist Turned Soldier David Watson was born in Quebec City on 7 February 1869, the only son of William Watson, a rigger of sailing ships, and Janet Grant. He studied in public schools, was a star athlete (especially in hockey), and—at 5 foot 11—was tall for the times. His love for amateur sport, and his ambition, would gain him entry into the Quebec Athlete Association Company, a sports group that he would later head. In 1891, he became a journalist with the Quebec Morning Chronicle. He married Mary Ann Browning in 1893, and they eventually had three daughters. Ten years later, in 1903, he became managing director of what was now the Quebec Chronicle, and one of the country’s leading papers.3 In those days, a salaried worker in Quebec City made on average $844 a year, and wage earners $285; editors at Canada’s major newspapers received between $3,000 and $7,000 a year.4 Watson, at the largest English-language newspaper in the country’s third-largest city,5 would have made an income near the top of that range. His position also guaranteed him a wide range of powerful contacts. Newspaper editors and publishers were men of stature, cultivated by businessmen and politicians—kingmakers for the political elite—and the Quebec Chronicle was known as a Conservative party organ.6 The contacts Watson made before the war, particularly with future War Cabinet members, would help him navigate the political waters within the CEF and British command structures. In 1900, Watson joined the militia, enlisting in the 8th Regiment (Royal Rifles) and receiving a commission. He had risen to the rank of captain by 1903, major by 1910, and lieutenant-colonel in 1912, when he took command of the regiment. When the war broke out in August 1914, he was forty-four years old, wealthy, and both well-known and respected in militia and political circles. As the Minister of Militia, Sam Hughes, assembled the first contingent of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, competition for commands was fierce. Thanks to his connections, however, Watson was placed in charge of the 2nd 2

Introduction

(Eastern Ontario) Infantry Battalion, and was part of the first contingent of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) when it sailed for England from Quebec City in September 1914.7 Watson began writing in his first diary notebook at the beginning of the crossing, on 25 September 1914. Entries written in the late autumn of 1914 show him to be a dedicated trainer of men, even when dealing with the famously uncooperative English weather: “Still raining and most disagreeable. It is a wonder that more of our men are not sick. It is simply heartbreaking. We cannot get a chance to do any good work. Cleared for a couple of hours in the afternoon and we did Battalion in attack. Then it started to rain again and I am now drenched in the tent.”8 He is sympathetic to his troops in his entries, displaying genuine concern for what he asked of them. Watson was also aware that his men needed exhaustive training if they were to be ready for action, and took his role in preparing his men for action seriously. This concern would surface constantly in the diaries, most notably prior to major engagements with the enemy. Once on the Western Front, the 2nd Battalion fought for the first time in April 1915 at the Second Battle of Ypres (hereafter Second Ypres), just across the French border in West Flanders, Belgium. Lieutenant-Colonel Watson acquitted himself very well, and his diary entries shows his pride in what he had accomplished. He was also devastated by the sufferings of his soldiers, two-thirds of whom had become casualties,9 and wrote as a journalist new to battle of the grim nature of the fighting the Canadians faced, and the unexpected horror: “My God!! What an awful night we have had. Lost about two hundred men and six officers of No. 1. Companies cannot put details down in paper. They are too deeply imbedded in my mind to be ever forgotten. Entrenched our remaining three companies in strongly and prayed for darkness to continue until we had done so.”10 As a battalion commander during Second Ypres, Watson was in a challenging position as he and his men endured the chaos of the Germans’ first gas attack of the war: “Hung on to trench and Germans could not throw us out. We gave them terrible casualties. At 1:55 got orders to retire and in doing so lost very heavily. Got back to GHQ [General Headquarters] lines about 4 p.m. very badly cut up and with less than half my battalion.”11 Here, we see a front-line commander receiving limited instructions from his superior officer, yet having to lead from the front an improvised defence against a weapon never seen by the Allies. We also see that the welfare of his soldiers was a priority, which would have been expected of a battalion commander and would not have been unique to Watson. What is distinctive about his concern is how it comes through in the raw entries he made during this battle (and other engagements), revealing candidly both what battalion commanders had to do 3

Introduction

and Watson’s frank reaction to the hardships he and his troops were facing. His description of this battle and others is more detailed, insightful, and complete than any other accounts from any other officers who commanded at this level in the Canadian Corps.12 In August 1915, Watson would replace Brigadier-General J.P. Landry as commander of the 5th Brigade in the newly formed 2nd Canadian Division. A year later, Minister of Militia Sam Hughes would set up a new division in England, the 4th, after creating the 3rd the previous December. Hughes informed Britain’s War Office on 5 April 1916 that Brigadier-General David Watson would head it. Hughes had initially favoured his own son Garnet, an experienced militia staff officer,13 and also considered briefly Henry Burstall, a Permanent Force officer who had ably commanded the 1st Division’s artillery.14 However, Hughes thought such “professionals” not as capable or inspired as “his” militia volunteers.15 In the end, the War Office objected to Hughes’s son as too inexperienced and, with a limited number of Canadian officers able to command at the division level, Watson was left as the minister’s only acceptable choice.16 It would end up being a strong one: Watson would go on to become the longest-serving Canadian divisional commander of the war. Watson’s diary in February and March of 1916 is full of entries relating conversations he had with political and military leaders as he angled for the position as head of the new 4th Division. Ultimately, he was chosen partly because he was viewed as a capable brigadier, even though he had been a brigadier-general for only five months and had never commanded his brigade in battle. Watson’s diary on 1 March 1916 notes: “General [Edwin] Alderson made the statement before General [Richard] Turner that I was best Brigadier he had in the Canadian Corps and he had said [it] to Army Commander.” On 4 April 1916, his diary states definitively: “Had another long interview with Minister [Hughes] and Aitken [Sir Max Aitken, Lord Beaverbrook]. And I have finally decided to accept the responsible position of GOC [General Officer Commanding] Canadian troops in England until 4th Division is formed to take command of that. I am to have sole control of all military matters.”17 His diary soon filled with entries of how political high command could be in the Canadian Corps: “In a telephone conversation with Sir Max Aitken last night, he asked how I would like command of 3rd Division. I intimated that I would go wherever ordered. He also made reference to my taking Shorncliffe command and I replied in similar manner. When Colonel Ironside got back from his meeting with Aitken in London he tells me that Aitken asked him to take over Shorncliffe and also informed him that General [Louis] Lipsett had the [Canadian] 3rd Division. What are we to think of this? Ironside has gone up to London again re Shorncliffe command.”18

4

Introduction

By summer, the 4th Division, under Watson, had been assembled: three four-battalion brigades (the 10th, 11th, and 12th), with approximately twenty thousand men and officers in total. Watson had now reached the highest rank he would achieve, and would be in the position of creating and executing battle plans that would encompass thousands of Canadians. The responsibility of this position was enormous.

Literature on Canadian Generals As most key Canadian military figures of the First World War failed to maintain diaries and personal records, and the personal papers that do exists are scattered in archives across this great country, it is not surprising that only a handful of biographies on Canadian generals in the First World War have been written. There is a full-length study of Field Marshal Julian Byng (later a Canadian governor general), and one of Lieutenant-General Richard Turner, and five have been written on Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Currie—all three men division commanders or higher. But there is nothing on Lieutenant-General Edwin Alderson, for example, and the lives and careers of many senior Canadian officers lack in-depth analysis. This is starting to change, as many leading historians add to this literature. Patrick Brennan, for instance, has examined aspects of senior Canadian leadership and how these men learned on the battlefield, and he has written on Watson’s role as divisional commander.19 Watson’s diaries reaffirm and add nuance to Brennan’s arguments. Desmond Morton wrote on the political battles between generals and Ottawa on how to fight the war, but seldom considered the interactions between politicians and military leaders below corps commander.20 The Watson diaries add new detail and insight concerning how military leaders, from the rank of colonel upwards, interacted with political leaders in both Canada and Great Britain. Doug Delaney has written broadly on military leadership, often comparing the Canadian experience to that of other Commonwealth countries, but has not examined the day-to-day experiences of commanders: the heart and soul of Watson’s diaries.21 The Watson diaries provide insight on how attacks were planned and carried out at the top level of command. While historian David Campbell has focused on leadership in the Canadian 2nd Division,22 Watson’s diaries give us a new perspective on that level of leadership by providing a daily rendering of the 4th Division, which served in the last two years of the war— something unavailable from the 2nd Division’s senior officers.23 The only other edited diary of a Canadian infantry general in the war is the collection of Sir Arthur Currie’s papers, edited by Mark Osborne Humphries. While the book is excellent, its focus is on top command and the political decisions that it made.24 This current volume is the first published and edited diary of a

5

Introduction

general who both commanded and fought through the final two years of the Great War.

Watson as a Military Manager Part of the value of Watson’s candid entries lies in how they illustrate his own tendency to question his decision-making as a division leader. In their display of human qualities such as hesitation, self-doubt, and ambivalence, the entries would suggest that not just Watson but many other military figures—especially leaders—were also prone to moments of being human, and weren’t the mythic figures of supreme power and confidence that some of them may have presented themselves to be. Some historians have discounted David Watson as a second-rate commander, but his diaries reveal his skill as a leader and should encourage us to reconsider standard assumptions about his professional capacities. While Stephen Harris has called Watson one of Militia Minister Sam Hughes’s “gems,” and Desmond Morton has labelled him one of the Canadian Corps’s “ablest senior officers,” Tim Cook has described him as “one of the weakest, if long-serving, Canadian Divisional commanders of the war.”25 In the light of such differing assessments, the substantial evidence in Watson’s diary entries may allow us a better perspective on this fascinating man, and on the challenges and pressures of commanding at this level on the Western Front. As historian William Westerman wrote: “A commander is placed in a position of lawful authority and responsibility within a military organization and is required to exercise this authority through subordinates for planning the employment, organization, direction, co-ordination and control of military forces for the accomplishments of assigned missions. Command also included responsibilities for health, welfare, morale and discipline.”26 If all these areas of authority were executed competently, that command was truly effective. A Watson diary excerpt from 8 August 1918, written as the war entered its last hundred days, exemplifies how competent the 4th Division and Watson’s leadership had become: “By dusk all objectives (the old Amiens defence line) had been captured ... I never saw so many prisoners as taken today. They came trooping down the road by hundreds.” Watson’s diaries are evidence that he was able to achieve this competency, and that he was a proficient, effective commander. The Great War made clear that the role of commander as a “great captain,” surveying the battlefield and personally directing his forces in action, was over.27 Instead, a senior commander had to be a manager of men, training and preparing them for combat—actual leadership during the fighting would be left to the junior officers. By August 1916, the Canadian Corps was comprised of four infantry divisions and various ancillary units. Out of more than one 6

Introduction

hundred thousand officers and men, only the corps commander held higher rank, and exercised more command authority, than the seven individuals who led those four divisions during the war. And of those divisions, only one—the 4th—fielded one commanding officer only: Major-General Sir David Watson. Operational decision-making and tactical insight—how to run battles— remained a necessary talent, but the aptitude for training and co-ordinating a team of subordinate combat leaders—divisional, brigade, and battalion commanders, as well as staff officers—and integrating the whole into an effective fighting force was even more vital. Typical days for Watson would follow a pattern similar to this entry, from December 1916: A nice cold crisp day. I had a meeting with all the Divisional HQ heads of Depts. this morning and went over matters fully with them. Afterwards I rode around to the 12th Brigade HQ and over to the 78th Battalion and then cross-country home by the flying school. General [Frederick O.W.] Loomis called this morning after my return ... Went down this afternoon to Château de la Haie 10th Brigade HQ and saw [minister Sam] Hughes. Also, went to see our new divisional school at Mesnil-Bouche [and] coming back I went to see General [Julian] Byng [corps commander] re the 87th and 73rd Battalions. And he told me if he were in my place, he would use all means possible to prevent them being broken up. So, I wrote General [Richard] Turner a very strong letter tonight asking him to help out.28 Divisions were completely self-contained battlefield formation, and as division commander, Watson led a force of some twenty thousand riflemen, engineers, gunners, signallers, and medical and transport personnel, and their hundreds of officers. At the forefront of the responsibilities that fell to Watson and his peers were maintaining morale, identifying and mentoring command talent, building a sense of teamwork among officers and men, training, and facilitating tactical learning. A division’s commanding officer kept tabs on every aspect of the functioning of this large human enterprise, and arguably did his most important work before and after, rather than during, the battles. Furthermore, as the war ground on, his responsibilities and independence of action expanded in myriad directions. This included maintaining relations with subordinate officers, and Watson’s diary sheds light on how he did so. If not burdened with paperwork, he would spend most evenings socializing with his officers and a stream of guests dropping by, and his diary entries recount various inspections with his officers. Overall, Watson seemed to have been quite close to his officers and, in return, inspired their loyalty; but that is not to say that he did not 7

Introduction

occasionally have fallings-out with some of them. His diaries often refer to social outings and dinners with his brigadier generals, including Edward Hilliam, who commanded the 10th Brigade from January to November 1917. Hilliam had impressed Watson so much that when he needed a replacement to lead the 10th Brigade, he requested Hilliam. However, as his diary shows, Hilliam’s poor showing at Lens and Passchendaele saw him pushed out not just out of the 10th Brigade but out of the Canadian Corps: “Hilliam sent in a letter asking to be transferred to a British Brigade, on account as he told me of the roughness of the Corps commander [Currie] yesterday when speaking to him. I had him up here however and went over the matter with him and he then asked me to tear up his letter, which I did.” However, three days later, Watson’s diary notes that, “The Corps commander came to see me late yesterday afternoon and spoke to me about Hilliam and indicated that a telegram had come in re his successor. This morning another came to us, stating that he [Hilliam] was required for an Imperial Brigade, and I got him over and he stated that he would be glad to go.”29 Watson obviously tried to talk Hilliam out of resigning, but once it became clear that Currie did not want him in the corps, Watson reversed himself. It is not clear if Watson succumbed to pressure, was forced by Currie, or simply changed his mind. What is clear is that Watson was willing to make decisions that would allow the corps’s leaders to function smoothly together. Another important relationship Watson had with a subordinate officer began in March of 1916, with the appointment of his number two, General Staff Officer 1 (GSO 1) Colonel Edmund Ironside—a man who has often been assumed the real “brains” behind the 4th Division.30 The person holding the GSO 1 position in a division was key in helping create, plan, and lead its operations. He was the most senior officer responsible for administrative, operational, and logistical matters, and conveyed information back and forth between the commanding officer (Watson) and subordinate military units. Watson’s diaries often show the two men working well together and display his support for Ironside: “Loomis yesterday made a statement that Spencer was much better than Ironside and that if Spencer had not been selected on the staff it was because Ironside was afraid of him. I never heard such an absurd statement, particularly from a man like Loomis and I strongly refuted this.”31 However, it seems over the course of eighteen months that their relationship soured. In Ironside’s last few months as GSO 1, Watson made no mention of him. On the day Ironside departed, Watson wrote tersely: “Ironside said goodbye as he goes on leave in the morning and then he is going to take over command of the Machine Gun School at Camiers.”32 Rather than revealing Ironside as the “brains” some have assumed him to be, however, Watson’s diaries give no indication that he had been leaning on Ironside. 8

Introduction

Watson would get a chance to prove himself without his former GSO 1 in 1918, during some of the hardest fighting the 4th Division would see, when he and his team demonstrated they were more than capable enough to stand alone. Ironside was a man of notoriously strong opinions, however, and he may well have compensated initially for Watson’s command inexperience. His final take on Watson is not clear. In his diary he wrote: “Dave Watson, the General, treated me very well indeed and I could not have had a more happy and successful two years than I had with the Canadians.” However, in 1946, he confided to a friend: “I always wished that we had a better man than [old?] David Watson (who) … couldn’t stand the responsibilities of command.33

Watson in Battle Watson’s first engagement as a division commander saw the 4th Division fighting at the Somme for seven weeks (10 October–28 November 1916), with mixed results. Some assaults went perfectly, despite appalling physical conditions that would have seriously hampered efforts at attack. With wire cut and artillery co-operating, the troops reached their objectives and consolidated their new positions: and yet, problems plagued the division’s efforts throughout. Watson’s diaries are full of insightful comments about preparing and launching his first offensive operations as division commander, and the horrors of the battlefield: [set down] I had a most interesting day that I shalt never forget. I left HQ at 5:30 a.m. met General MacBrien at Pozières and there went on through the West side of Courcelette [sic] and down across the Miraumont Road. Right overland into the front line … After some time, we got up into our own part of Regina and down through it up to the block. Saw some parties of Bosches under the Red Cross Flag and also one Bosche looking at me over his parapet twenty-five to thirty yards away. It was desperate hard work and often we were up to our middles in slush and slime. I was absolutely covered with mud and soaked to the skin. Saw large numbers of unburied bodies all around in all sorts of positions.34 Feedback from his peers and commanding officers was glowing. Watson mentions the numerous good wishes and congratulations after the Somme action. His first operations in a challenging situation demonstrated that he was capable and an appropriate choice to command one of the four Canadian divisions. On leaving the Somme, the division would join the Canadian Corps, now led by the British lieutenant-general Julian Byng.35 Watson, keen to prove his mettle within the corps, took up raiding, which became a staple. These 9

Introduction

small-unit attacks aimed to seize control of No Man’s Land, terrorize the enemy, gain intelligence, and build the men’s “attacking spirit.” In late 1916 and early 1917, Watson had success with such limited raids, but overconfidence led him to launch a massive raid at Vimy, using poisonous gas instead of artillery to neutralize the Germans. Poor understanding of gas, and bullishness, led to a Canadian bloodbath on 1 March 1917.36 As Watson calmly summarized in his diary: Our gas attack by 11th and 12th Brigades took place this morning. At 3 a.m. first wave of phosgene was sent over and fifteen minutes after, artillery and M.G. [machine-gun] fire was opened. The first wave took thirty minutes to escape as zero + two hrs. The second wave of chlorine was sent off taking fifteen minutes + twenty-five minutes after the infantry attacked. To our surprise the gas did not have the effect anticipated and the Bosch were waiting for us. We had heavy casualties. Cols. Beckett and Kemball killed and several other officers including Johnson of 72nd. We brought back about forty prisoners. Several men of the Gas Company were badly gassed and two died…”37 Watson does not reveal any sense of personal responsibility in his diary for this preventable disaster, beyond the feelings of any commander who believes he has done his best. Watson had overseen the broad planning for the raid, met with his staff officers and brigadiers to discuss it, and at one point even threatened to call it off if sufficient artillery support was not guaranteed. In fact, the raid revealed inflexibilities in the division’s operational culture, particularly a failure to heed the warnings of experienced front-line officers. The launching of this operation may have resulted from Watson’s feeling insecure in his command. As the most junior of the division commanders, it is possible that he was hoping to prove himself to Lieutenant-General Byng and the Canadian Corps at large. In a diary entry dated 6 February 1917, only weeks before the attack, he recorded poignantly: “[I] think it strange that Gen[era]l Byng has only been to see me once in 1½ mo[nth]s and then only to unnecessarily severely criticize.” Sixteen days later, however, when Byng visited his headquarters, Watson recorded that “he was greatly pleased with the Division and all the work and raids that had been carried out.” Watson did become more secure over the next two years, his diaries reveal a maturing and more calculated commander, his willingness (and capacity) to learn and draw useful insights from the battlefield, elements of his makeup as a general, and facts on the ground that have been glossed over or ignored in some studies on him. Thirty-nine days after the raid of 1 March, the 4th Division, still reeling from its losses, would take part in the long-planned assault on Vimy Ridge— the first time all four Canadian divisions would fight together. The 4th’s part 10

Introduction

in the assault, to take the heavily defended heights of Hill 145 and the Pimple was a success, but just barely. Unlike the previous autumn at the Somme, the Canadians at Vimy had much more time to prepare. As Watson wrote on 11 April, when his division was about to begin the final stages of the attack: One of the most momentous days for me in this war. I took Nicolls and we went quite overland up to Zouave Valley, then up the hill still overland and across our old front-line trenches over No Man’s Land and into the German lines that we had been looking over at for months through periscopes. Then on overland up past Hill 145 where we had the most glorious view of all, the country to the east of Vimy. We saw several parties of Bosche [sic] all running about in the open. But the most wonderful thing of all was the terrible manner in which our artillery had destroyed the ground. It was almost indescribable, never have I seen the like, far worse than the Somme and numbers of our men and Bosche [sic] were lying about in all directions.38 After the success of Vimy Ridge, Julian Byng was promoted to head Britain’s Third Army, necessitating a replacement to command the Canadian Corps. Over one hundred thousand Canadians were serving within the corps, but the commanding officer had always been British from the IGS. Watson’s position was clear: “Byng had intimated it was either Currie or an Imperial officer. I took exception to any such stipulation and have no hesitation in stating that Canada must in future command her own unit.”39 By this time, the public, the Dominion government, and the military wanted Canadians to have more say, especially at the highest levels of command, on how their soldiers would be used in war. 40 Watson’s position was straightforward: the job must go to a Canadian—and since Currie was the best Canadian, it must go to him. General Arthur Currie would take over the Canadian Corps, and Watson’s diaries detail his support for this command. The two men would work well together for the rest of the war. Watson’s diaries for the last year and a half of the conflict would record how the 4th Division and the Canadian Corps’s learning curve was changing. They shed light on how the tasks being asked of the 4th and its commanders were becoming ever more challenging, requiring Watson to be flexible and innovative. The diaries also offer more critical detail on the expectations of the soldiers and operations. After Vimy Ridge, the Canadian Corps would attack Hill 70 and Lens in August 1917. The initial assault on Hill 70 went well, but the Corps decided to push into Lens, tasking the 4th Division to take it. Watson and his men (or any men in the Canadian Corps) had not trained for urban, house-to-house fighting, did not receive proper intelligence, and acted 11

Introduction

overconfidently, and the division paid the price—four thousand casualties. As Watson recorded on 25 August: “The 11th Brigade relieved the 10th Brigade in the line last night. Casualties of 10th Brigade during their tour is about 1115. Left at 6:30 this morning with Ironside and went up by light rail to the triangle. Then on over Fosse 3 and Hill 65. Through Cité du Moulin to the Lens–Arras road. We had a magnificent look out at the Green Crassier and stayed there quite a while. The number of bodies lying around must be enormous, as the stench is perfectly awful. The shelling too was fairly heavy.”41 Afterwards, Watson interviewed his officers and prepared a report, taking blame— appropriately—for some of the miscommunications and miscalculations in the assault. 42 The Hundred Days campaign (August–November 1918) would show Watson as an effective commander, whose competence in the field no longer depended on the direction of an experienced staff officer like Ironside. His diary entries now show us a commander who has matured and is hitting his stride. They also reveal the growing confidence permeating the Canadian Corps in general—the sense that they all were participating in something special. On 29 July 1918, Watson learned that the corps, including his division, would be part of “a real big show.”43 Three days later, he briefed his brigadiers on the plan and, with the rest of the corps, moved to the Amiens area. On 8 August, the 4th Division gained virtually all of its objectives by the afternoon and continued to press the attack: “What a memorable day this is and a book could be written on it, instead of a slight outlook of it in these pages,”44 Watson glowed, justifiably proud of what his officers and men had achieved. 45 Canadians shortly thereafter were rushed to the Hindenburg Line between Arras and Cambrai to face the formidable Drocourt–Quéant position. Watson noted: “It is [a] very ambitious programme and I doubt if it can be carried through to the extent they have laid down.”46 It proved to be attritional warfare at its worst, with the attackers suffering disproportionately. In the end, the division did achieve its assigned goals, but just barely, and Watson found the fighting there challenging: “Today so hellish in its intensity of war and all that implies … Some of our men got as far as Blécourt but were forced back as our flanks were unprotected.”47 Diary entries from this time clearly indicate the strain under which the senior commanders and men ground their way to victory. On 11 November 1918, Watson wrote: “A most notable day. At 6:30 this morning I got a phone from Corps stating that hostilities were to cease at 11 a.m. We got together in the square and at 11 exactly the Mayor raised the French flag and the bands played the ‘La Marseillaise.’ It was the most inspiring sight that after over four years of war, we gained complete Victory of the enemy.”

12

Introduction

Watson as a Politician Off the battlefield, Watson was a witness to and a key player in the political and social manoeuvrings of the Canadian government, its politicians, and its senior military officers as they tried to navigate the conflict. His political sophistication is on display in the period immediately following Vimy Ridge (April 1917), when the question of who would succeed General Julian Byng as Canadian Corps commander was being considered in the highest circles. Watson took the initiative to promote the appointment of General Sir Arthur Currie: [Colonel Henry] Burstall came to see me this morning and said that Currie had invited the military secretary of the commander-inchief down to his HQ to confer with him regarding General Byng and the necessities of giving him the views of the Canadian Divisional commanders re any change in Corps commanders. Burstall stated it would be disaster for Currie or Turner to replace Byng now, owing to coming operations. I stated that in my estimations Currie was one of our big, capable, and efficient officers and would compare favourably anywhere. I further stated that I did not consider it wise for me to go to Currie’s HQ but that if he came to see me I would give my opinion freely that Canada should have full say in matters of policy of the Corps, but that General Byng should decide on promotion.”48 Watson’s support for influential Canadian war figures such as Currie— and his eventual withdrawal of support from Militia Minister Sir Sam Hughes— would significantly affect the wartime careers of both men. 49 The pages of his diaries reveal a senior officer’s unedited and remarkably candid opinion of the circumstances—personal and military—in which he found himself and of his colleagues. He not only had to be an effective commander of troops but had to be constantly manoeuvring on the political front to be promoted and then to retain his rank—efforts that became more and more crucial to make the higher he rose. Watson would have known many of the top wartime figures in Canada before the war, as a Conservative party mover, an anglophone editor in Quebec, and a militia officer. After joining the CEF, he widened his circles in London and England while training with his men on Salisbury Plain, and he continued to visit London on leave from the front. His diary entries in 1915 and 1916 mention constant contact with individuals key to his rapid promotion, including the very influential minister Sam Hughes. Hughes had no time for “barroom loafers” (professional soldiers), and since his election as an MP in 1892, he had fought any advance in the status of professional officers over his

13

Introduction

militia amateurs in the Canadian military. He always preferred the latter, and Watson came from the right background and political party for him. Colonel John Wallace Carson was a highly successful Montreal businessman, a militia officer, and a close personal friend of Sam Hughes’s. Carson held a wide but vaguely defined mandate in the overseas administration of the Canadian contingent, where he served as Hughes’s eyes and ears and held tremendous—although unofficial—power over the selection and promotion of senior army leaders. The Canadian-born Max Aitken—Lord Beaverbrook by 1916—was a wealthy London newspaper baron, a very influential British politician, and a close friend of Sam Hughes’s. Aitken would be Hughes’s “eyewitness,” collecting records of Canadian services overseas and sending daily cables to Canada. Hughes would give Aitken the title of General Representative for Canada at the Front, and Aitken would help decide promotions. Watson would curry the favour of these men and others as long as they held positions of influence—his diary is littered with engagements with them: “Had a good day at Asprey’s [a famous London jewellers] and other places. Got my photos fixed up and at night dined with Sir Max Aitken at [Carlton] Club with Bonar Law [Andrew Bonar Law, the Canadian-born future British prime minister] and Solicitor General Sir F.E. Smith, most enjoyable and lost 17s [shillings] at bridge.”50 Watson could have provided these men with otherwiseinaccessible information from the Western Front that would be much more valuable to them than the thoroughly censored official communiqués from France.51 In return, they would have been Watson as a priceless asset to promote, for he could demonstrably both gain inside information and influence the Canadian Corps’s actions at the front.52 Watson, it seems, shared information with these men over the numerous unofficial contacts and meetings that his diaries document. He also went out of his way to visit his senior commanders’ spouses when he was on leave: “Loafed around garden and grounds and came up to town on the 6:28 called at Mrs. Alderson’s, but she was out.”53 Watson seemed to be ingratiating himself within the family life of his superior officers, men who could advance his military career.54 When a superior fell out of favour, he cut ties and rarely mentioned them again. After being replaced as commander of the Canadian Corps, Alderson received one comment: “Left for Shorncliffe last night and today with Gaul, Carson inspected the 76th, 88th, 89th, 90th, 95th, 99th regiments. MacDougall had Alderson there which rather complicated matters and Carson was greatly annoyed.”55 Watson owed his selection to command the 4th Division in 1916 as much to his well-cultivated friendships with Max Aitken and Sam Hughes as to any military potential. But, when the time came, Watson broke with 14

Introduction

Hughes to emerge as a strong supporter of Arthur Currie.56 When a pre-war embezzlement scandal involving Currie was about to become public in the summer of 1917, Watson and his colleague Brigadier-General Victor Odlum, commander of the 11th Brigade, loaned Currie the money to repay his debt. Although Watson’s diary avoids any reference to a loan, it does suggest that the money was lent at one of the three commanders’ many contacts between mid-June and early September. As Desmond Morton and Craig Brown wrote in their excellent account of the Currie scandal, “Major-General David Watson of the 4th Division and Brigadier-General Victor Odlum of the 11th Brigade each transferred £1000 to Currie’s account at the London Branch of the Bank of Montreal.”57 Currie’s promotion to corps commander and Hughes’s exit from cabinet in October 1916 did not mean the end of politics within the corps; its nature simply changed. With Hughes and his cronies gone, Watson still needed powerful friends. By aiding Currie in his time of crisis, Watson secured his position in the 4th Division. Watson and Currie, however, were not close. In a letter to Minister of Militia Sydney Mewburn in early 1919, Currie detailed possible postwar positions for his four divisional commanders back in Canada. He sang the praises of the other three, but told Mewburn “I do not know what Watson’s wishes are, and I would not like to discuss these matters.”58 A few weeks later, when Currie was writing the corps’s official actions of the Hundred Days, Watson offered to proofread the report. This deeply offended Currie, who replied: “If you expect your brigade commanders to have confidence in your ability to do justice to the operations of their brigades, I think I am justified in asking you to have confidence in my ability to do justice to the operations of the 4th Division. I am sorry you did not mention this matter to me when I was there yesterday, for it may be that I am taking your letter in the wrong spirit but, frankly, the tone of it hurts. Yours faithfully, A.W. Currie.”59 Watson’s diary is silent on his response, but the following entry was made six days later: “I went over to [illegible] and had a long talk with General Currie.” No more details are forthcoming. Throughout the war, especially in 1917 and 1918, Watson records details of his professional relationship with Currie. While the two met often to discuss the conduct of the war, Watson’s association with Currie was always strictly business—unlike Watson’s relationships with other peers, which the diaries indicate were more personal.

Watson’s Personal Reflections as a Diarist Although Watson’s diaries focus on his command role, the men of influence with whom he interacted, and the military considerations he had to deal with, it is also filled with entries about his wife and daughters and the emotional difficulties of 15

Introduction

being overseas for years with only letters to stay in touch. His personal reflections illustrate the war’s hardships in general on soldiers who were not able to see their families for years or be actively involved in their daily lives. On 7 February 1916, Watson records: “A very lonesome and smoky and foggy sort of a day. Got lovely letter no. 40 from Mary, and an exceedingly bitter and unjust one no. 41 by same mail. Heard today we are to leave on the 7th February (my [57th] birthday). How I wish it is home. So sorry that Mary ‘is ashamed of me.’ By Jove that does hurt.”60 By 24 February, they had made up but then another disappointment: “Just got three letters (61, 62, 63) from Mary, one from Billie and one from Brownie. Hooray it does make me feel good to hear from those dear ones at home. I guess Marjorie is too busy to think of me now. Two weeks and no letter.”61 His diaries note their routines, gifts exchanged, and how he misses them. If not discussing the “work” of war, he often writes about his wife and daughters, who were clearly more than a distraction from the war and were a constant priority. His deep interest in family in his diaries makes him unique among Great War leaders of his rank.62

The Role of the Diaries It is not easy to maintain a daily diary, let alone when dealing with the stress and exhaustion of constant campaigning. Why did Watson keep a diary? The answer may, in part, be habit. He started the first one when he left for Europe, and the last one ends on the day he arrived back in Canada. The diaries are at times a day-to-day log of the activities occupying a commander at his rank. Throughout them, however, he sometimes becomes quite animated over political manoeuvres, relationships with colleagues, and his family. A diary does not have to be empirically accurate; these volumes are Watson’s perspective on events around him and those he interacted with. Other individuals who were there might have had a different impression of events. Watson was by no means the only senior officer in the British Empire to use a diary. Arthur Currie, as we saw above, kept one, as did Douglas Haig (commander of the BEF), Herbert Plumer (commander of the Second Army), and many other senior officials. For Watson, writing in his diary appears to have been a “psychological release” at the end of each day, as when he shows emotion and compassion for his soldiers and outrage at the horrors he is witnessing.63 “Had a roll call and found 376 men out of the best Canadian battalion that marched out on the 22nd of 1027 strong. Terrible.” What his diary rarely becomes, however, is a confessional, and, despite the demands of his daily, self-imposed task—one among an avalanche of duties—he never comments on why he is keeping it. Watson was not a man for reflecting on his own motives and performances.

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Watson’s last diary ends with the demobilization of the division and its return to Canada in 1919. He made the final entry aboard their returning ship in the harbour at Quebec: “Dominion Day and back in Canada for it … so after nearly five years of active service I have returned safe and secure home again. And after what terrible experiences and what fearful hardships and suffering.”64 After Watson’s death on 19 February 1922, the volumes passed on to his daughter Mary Browning Evans, whom he called Brownie, who held on to them until her death. Mary’s son David Watson Evans donated them to the Military Museums in Calgary in 2009. Watson’s diaries illuminate the development of a man who was a lieutenant-colonel leading a battalion at the outset of the war and quickly rose to major-general in command of an infantry division. They reveal inner workings of the Canadian contingent from its creation in 1914 until its dismantling in 1919, and the trials and tribulations that it faced throughout. They also portray the personal and political infighting that was endemic to the Canadian Corps and the pressures facing those in command. Finally, these diaries are a first-person account by a Canadian holding one of the most senior positions in the Canadian Corps during the cataclysm that was The Great War.

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Part I

Lieutenant-Colonel: 2nd Battalion September 1914–September 1915

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Chapter 1

Salisbury Plain September 1914–January 1915 Salisbury Camp 25 September–18 October 1914

After Britain declared war on Germany in August 1914, David Watson, aged fifty-five, eagerly joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in Montreal and trained with thousands of other men at Militia Minister Sir Samuel (Sam) Hughes’s new Camp Valcartier, Quebec. Watson’s 2nd (Eastern Ontario) Battalion was one of four battalions in the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, along with the 1st (Ontario), 3rd (Toronto), and 4th (Central Ontario). Four brigades, each with four battalions, made up the original Canadian Division (later to be renamed the 1st), which, along with its attached reinforcements, made up the 31,200-strong CEF contingent. In late September of 1914, this massive contingent—filling seven warships and thirty-one transports, and joined later by one more—sailed from the great harbour at historic Quebec City and assembled in a great convoy. On Wednesday 14 October, the convoy reached Plymouth Sound, in the county of Devon at the far western end of England. Due to disembark in the Devonport Dockyard at the Royal Navy base at Plymouth, this mass arrival of men and materiel resulted in enough chaos that the 2nd Battalion was kept on board until Sunday the 18th.1 Lieutenant-Colonel Watson began his diary on Friday 25 September, when the ship carrying him and the 2nd Battalion left Quebec City. After they finally landed in Plymouth, Watson and his unit travelled to their new quarters in Bustard Camp, one of several Canadian installations in the vast and growing military facilities on the Salisbury Plain in southwest England. In trying winter weather, they would spend close to four hard months learning the latest lessons soldiers were bringing back from the Western Front. Watson was active in the training of the men under his command during this time; he also

Chapter 1

began to play an intricate game of political intrigue, using some of his “off” time to meet and socialize with senior military leaders.

Friday 25th September 1914 Embarked on [His Majesty’s Transport; hereafter HMT] Cassandra noon on Friday Sept. 25 1914, with right half [Watson’s term] battalion. Left half [also Watson’s term] on board at 2:30 p.m. Saturday 26th September 1914 Had completed muster roll of battalion and field artillery unit, checking up closely with ship’s officers. Found nine men missing from “D” Company, five of whom reported subsequently and placed under arrest. Ship moved out of [Quebec] harbour about 7:30 p.m. Sunday 27th September 1914 Anchored off shore about 8 a.m. with SS Tunisian astern, Laurentic and Tyrolia soon afterwards, anchoring close by. Pilot Lachance left ship about 10 a.m. Divine service held on after deck, 10:30 a.m. Read message from His Royal Highness [Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, Governor General of Canada] at 6 p.m. Captain Brown raised anchor passed [illegible] about 6:30 p.m. and handed the captain secret instructions received from Colonel [Lieutenant-Colonel Sir William “Billy”] Price. Monday 28th September 1914 Held important investigation into circulation of liquor among men and found this had been primarily sold by ship’s officers and stewards. Captain Brown investigated and chief steward instructed to discontinue sale and close up all liquor on board. Officers all vaccinated at 11:30 a.m. About 5 p.m. came off where we met four cruisers and SS Canada, and at 6:30 p.m. came to anchorage in the harbour. Weather still cloudy and cold. Tuesday 29th September 1914 Weather very cold but moderately clear. Laurentic and Tyrolia arrived in harbour at 8:30 a.m. Inspected ship thoroughly with Captain Brown and adjunct. Complaints all noted. Wednesday 30th September 1914 Made thorough inspection of ship with captain. Had visit from Admiral [Rosslyn] Wemyss who intimated his surprise that only three transports had arrived. He expected twenty by noon today. Rigged up large tarpaulins with sea water for men. 22

Salisbury Plain, September 1914–January 1915

No bath in. Published official orders re officers of regiment and collision drill. Men at all the boats. Had interview with Mr. [J.R.] de Salaberry, who indicated that Honourable Mr. [Sam] Hughes and Pellinker had notified him that he would rank as captain but as he had no written authority to that effect, I was compelled to place officers in seniority according to militia list, giving Mr. [J.R.] de Salaberry the privilege of wearing captain rank until such time as had been allowed to receive word from Ottawa, which was satisfactory to him. Thursday 1st October 1914 Arrived in harbor this a.m.[:] SS Tunisian, Lakonia, Montezuma, Sicilian, and Montreal. In ships’ inspection found things in splendid condition. Just about noon got a most glorious surprise by a visit of a [illegible] with the minister [Hughes] on board, and they brought letters from home and my overcoat and [illegible] from dear old Mary [Watson’s wife]. Took occasion to write back and [illegible] to be able to get them off. With the doctor visited Laurentic and the Montezuma this afternoon to get medical supplies. It was very rough and our men had a hard time rowing the big life boat. A number of other transports have come in this afternoon. I think there are fifteen or sixteen of them in lines of three columns wide. Friday 2nd October 1914 Beautiful warm day. Had another visit from the minister [Hughes] and party and sent off some of the letters. Also, the original copy of the attestation papers of the company. To be forwarded to Ottawa. Gave these personally into minister’s hands. Inspected ship thoroughly and will hold a CO [commanding officer] inspection of men and kits this afternoon. We have been notified tonight that we leave at 8 o’clock in the morning. All well. Saturday 3rd October 1914 Another beautiful warm day and had everyone cleaning and mending clothes and persons. Got a chance to send off another letter home in a small boat that came alongside. Started on our long journey across [to England] at 3:30 p.m. We are the last boat in left column. Sunday 4th October 1914 Beautiful day and a truly wonderful sight to see the three columns of ships in three great lines of about five miles long each column. Each line headed by a cruiser. We are the last transport in the left column (thirty-one transports and four cruisers in all). At noon we spotted Cape Ray, southwest point of Newfoundland. Attended the sacrament service at 7:30 this a.m. and the whole regiment paraded for divine service on the after deck at 10:30 a.m. Also, attended the Catholic service at 4 p.m. conducted by Captain [J.R.] de Salaberry. 23

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Monday 5th October 1914 Fair but windy and cool. Had some excitement today, boat’s whistle sounded “man overboard” a man on Royal Edward fell overboard and was subsequently picked up by the Franconia, also in center column. As we passed off St. Pierre [et] Miquelon about noon, we sighted another battleship, the Glory, which is also to convey us, and another ship, the Florizel with five hundred Newfoundlander troops, also took up position in our column in our rear. Tuesday 6th October 1914 Foggy and drizzly but a warm southerly wind. We are only going at about nine knots and slowing down very frequently. Looks like a long drawn-out voyage of at least twelve days. In the afternoon wind changed strong from north, clearing away the fog, though cold and raw. Very hard to pass the time on board. Studying and reading up continuously. Captain Brown notified us today that owing to length of voyage certain rations such as butter and sugar would be restricted. Wednesday 7th October 1914 Fine and clear, strong northerly wind making it quite cold. Sea quite a heavy swell on, and a large number of the officers and men rather seasick. Made only [illegible] eight miles and expect to be still another eight days. Men on the ship still studying hard with view of getting in every way proficient for the big responsibilities to come. Passed a Holland [Line] steamer going north. Our cruisers circled around her to get particulars. Thursday 8th October 1914 Good high sea on, and a number of officers and men under the weather. The Laurentic and Royal George have gone off ahead as they are dangerously short of rations. The voyage will be very hard on us all as very few were prepared for such a long trip as this will be. Captain does not expect to arrive at destination for another week yet. Friday 9th October 1914 This is the first day that it has rained since we left Valcartier and, as it is a nice warm rain, it felt very refreshing. We had our best run today 236 miles. Though still six days to port. Sunday 11th October 1914 A beautiful day, one of the best we have had since leaving. I attended communion service at 7:45 this [a.m.] and at 10:30 we had nice regular church service on the after deck, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Ran today 232 miles. Still three

24

Salisbury Plain, September 1914–January 1915

days to go before we sight land. We have seven men of war now guarding the transports as the danger zone approaches. Saw an immense comet last night. Wednesday 14th October 1914 Still very windy and rough, got our first glimpse of England about 6:30 [a.m.] when we passed the Isles of Scilly. About 12:30 passed the Lizard [peninsula in southern Cornwall]. Saw several outward-bound steamers and a beautiful fullrigged French sailing vessel. Finished my letter to Mary and also my packing.2 All ready for disembarking tomorrow. Run today 205 miles, to our great surprise on passing Eddystone Lighthouse around 3:30 p.m. we suddenly veered to the left and made for Plymouth, arriving in that harbour at 5:30 p.m. Presume will anchor tonight and disembark in the morning. Friday 16th October 1914 Had my first trip on shore this morning when I went over in a small boat with Captain Brown and, in the afternoon, gave two officers per company shore leave and went again with them. We had a splendid time and enjoyed the outing very much. Had dinner with Billy Pope at the Globe House. Met Dr. Russell’s daughter and Mrs. Mitchell wife of captain of HMS Eclipse, in a little news store. Saturday 17th October 1914 Met Colonel [William St. Pierre] Hughes quite by accident in the England Hotel and had breakfast with him, Grant Morden, Colonel Wilson, General [Edwin] Alderson, Colonel [John W.] Carson and Win Lifson, and came out to the ship about 11 o’clock and sent the other officers ashore for their turn.3 Started in to get our wagons up so as to get them loaded as quickly as possible. Sunday 18th October 1914 Had a most busy day as we got word that pilot would come on to bring us into dock at 10:30 a.m. Got all our luggage packed on wagons. Got into dock at 1:30 p.m., received orders that we would embark at Friary Station at 12:55 a.m. and 2:10 a.m. Left ship at 10 p.m. for eight-mile march to station. Left station on LRSW [London and South Western Railway] at 1:46 a.m., arriving at Amesbury at about 9 a.m.

“A Sea of Mud” 19 October 1914–29 January 1915 The Canadians settled in at Bustard Camp, a section in the rapidly expanding Salisbury Camp—a massive British army training ground on the Salisbury Plain, near Stonehenge, in southwest England, ninety miles from London. British

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forces had used the site since the 1890s for summer camp only, with no thought of winter training there or putting troops under canvas.4 It rained heavily that autumn and the region’s thin soil was laid over chalk, which meant that the rainwater would tend to pool, rather than just sink into the ground. The constant movement by the troops over the terrain soon produced a sea of chalky mud. To add to the misery, violent windstorms blew down tents and the men were constantly wet. Sickness was rife, and there was a small epidemic of spinal meningitis. When weather permitted, the men trained for battle. Standard prediction: epic battles in 1915 would overwhelm the German forces. Monday 19th October 1914 Arrived at Salisbury Plain, Bustard Camp, eight-mile march from station about noon. Led in 181 horses with right half battalion and about five hundred with left half. Quartered in camp on plains, very pretty but cold. Went up to London, arriving there about 9:30 p.m., got my mail from the RAC [Royal Automobile Club] and slept at Savoy Hotel, where I met Colonel Hughes. Sunday 25th October 1914 Went down to Savoy [Hotel] and shopped with the minister [Hughes] for a couple of hours. Loafed around [Royal] Auto Club and had lunch at Imperial Diner. At night at [Hotel] Cecil with O’Connor5 and Greer [Captain G.G. Greer, 2nd Battalion’s medical officer]. Monday 26th October 1914 Got back to camp at 8:45 and had a very busy day. In the afternoon, an eight-mile route march and to bed early. Very tired. Tuesday 27th October 1914 Another wet and muddy day. Held office at 8:45. Companies being rapidly organized in new formation. Went for a ride with all the officers to Netheravon. Some of them went up in the aeroplanes. Sorry I was not there. All well. Wednesday 28th October 1914 Had splendid company drills today. Photos taken of officers and sergeants and an eight-mile route march to Stonehenge and back. And a five-mile ride afterwards. Sent some heather home to Mary.

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Salisbury Plain, September 1914–January 1915

Friday 30th October 1914 Arrived back in camp about 8:30 a.m. Such rain and mud I never saw the like. Had good drill by companies and possibly will go back to London tonight to see minister off in morning. 5 p.m. Did not go up to London. Have had a lot of trouble with Captain [Hector] Verret’s company [“D” Company, 2nd Battalion] and consider it wiser to stay right here and worry it out.6 Raining and cold and muddy. Not at all like our good old Canadian weather. But all’s well that ends well. Saw a lot of [illegible] today. Sunday 1st November 1914 Rode into Salisbury last night, stopped [stayed overnight] at the “Red Lion” [Hotel] and rode back to camp this morning arriving at 9:30. Pouring rain and church parade called off. Lunched with Sir Charles Ross7 and after rode to Swinton. Got two letters from Mary dated 15th and 19th of October. All Well. Monday 2nd November 1914 What terrible weather. I never saw such rain and mud. Practiced formations all morning for the visit of the King on Wednesday, all in pouring rain. The rain at night was worse than I have ever experienced and in my tent, I could not keep dry. Had to use a rubber sheet to keep dry in bed. Tuesday 3rd November 1914 A little sunshine this morning but what a sea of mud. It’s a wonder our men are not sick. It began raining again after lunch. Men had a half-day holiday to try and get dried out and cleaned for the King’s visit tomorrow. Our General [Alderson] is a great soldier and his remarks of the other day “a cheery word and a happy smile” to brush away any feeling of complaint is the right feeling to have and he shows by his example, the right spirit throughout. He doesn’t ask anyone to do anything that he won’t do himself. I think he has won them all over already. Wednesday 4th November 1914 We were inspected by the King [George V] and Queen [Mary] today and had to hang around for about three hours. [War Secretary Field Marshal Earl] Kitchener and [Field Marshal] Lord Roberts were there and a lot of other big-wigs. We had a fire drill this afternoon and got back around 5:30, and pretty dark it was. Wednesday 11th November 1914 Very cold windy and wet. Quite busy all morning with regimental matters. On ranges in afternoon got soaking wet and then attended lectures in big mess tent. While there the storm got so bad that this large marquee was blown down and our own large orderly tent with regimental papers was also blown down. And 27

Chapter 1

in pitch dark and rain all our officers did our best to save as much as possible. Fretful night. Thursday 12th November 1914 Another cold wet day. Had a great time trying to re-erect our tents. Harry [Private R.T. Cardew, Watson’s batman] got back looking and feeling pretty rocky and with a brand-new English bull dog. Have arranged for a men’s recreation room out of our old [marquee]. Friday 13th November 1914 Still raining and most disagreeable. It is a wonder that more of our men are not sick. It is simply heartbreaking. We cannot get a chance to do any good work. Cleared for a couple of hours in the afternoon and we did battalion in attack. Then it started to rain again and I am now drenched in the tent. Going to get into dry things and then to bed. Half-holiday tomorrow. All well. Sunday 15th November 1914 Another day of howling rain and storm. So bad that church parade is again cancelled. Notes here for my editorials: 1) Mercer re opinions8 2) Vacillating 3) Wet canteen 4) Results 5) My sole opinion 6) Taking authority from battalion OCs [officers commanding], leave results 7) Verret and de Salaberry—vacillating requests 8) Colonel Hughes, big Canadian only general in Canada Going to lunch with friend of Osborne, Mr. W.H. Woodson.9 Monday 16th November 1914 Had my first bad accident today. Was riding a new horse on this fearfully muddy ground and coming back to camp by myself, the wind blew my cap off. While remounting my foot (all over this greasy mud) slipped in stirrup and the horse bucked and threw me. I fell on the sharp handle of my sword. It ran into my side just over the hip and the pain is most excruciating. I think I know what it must mean to faint as I must have come very near to it. Only pure grit and will kept it off. It will be some days before I can go around again. More rain this afternoon, fretful. Tuesday 17th November 1914 This is a most painful day for me. I can hardly move. My side is so badly hurt and yet I feel I should get about, even as an example to the men. But it’s a pretty tough 28

Salisbury Plain, September 1914–January 1915

job. The ground was white with frost this morning. The PPCLI [Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry] went away yesterday morning. [Illegible] is not well and is under the doctor’s care. I don’t wonder in this abysmal weather and conditions. Thursday 19th November 1914 It was so cold last night that the large bin of water beside me was frozen solid and Harry [Watson’s batman] had to hammer it to break it up and I washed in the ice. It was fearfully cold drilling all morning. The ground was white all morning. Tom [Houghton?] has gone up to London; a detachment of an officer and sixteen men have gone to Salisbury to attend memorial service to Lord Roberts.10 In the afternoon to add to our miseries the rain started again. I never dreamed such weather. Sent a lot of photos home to Mary. This is second lot I have sent. Wednesday 25th November 1914 Got back to camp at 9 a.m. and had splendid five hours steady training with regiment. After lunch wrote letters home and packed up my Xmas presents. My how I would like to be with them all when they are opening the packages. 5 p.m. raining again. I never saw such weather and the mud is so bad. Sucks your rubbers off. Saturday 28th November 1914 Pouring rain again, this is about the limit. The doctor [Captain Greer] is complaining bitterly regarding the health of the men. It is really getting very serious. I rode over to Netheravon and back in a storm of rain but missed the regiment as they had returned by another route. At 1:15 p.m. today received a telegram intimating that Lance Corporal Jason Charles Morgan “B” Company had been accidentally killed by falling from a train at Fleet [in Hampshire]. He was on pass and was going up to his relatives in Salisbury. Am going to inquest with Mr. Gordon, leaving tomorrow Sunday, our first casualty. Sunday 29th November 1914 Went in to a place called Fleet with Mr. Gordon to identify Morgan and attend inquest. Raining all day. Arranged with station master to return on Monday and then went on to London. Wednesday 2nd December 1914 We started to move our camp yesterday afternoon and finished tonight. It was [an] awful job carrying that on and our regular musketry as well. The wind tonight is really terrible and I won’t be surprised if numbers of our tents are not down before morning. All well, but there are several officers and a large number of men in hospital.11 29

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Thursday 3rd December 1914 Well, we did have an awful night of it and a lot of tents were blown down, particularly our large mess tent and the two M. store tents. It rained fearfully hard all night long. Tom [Houghton?] rode over to Lark Hill [Larkhill Camp] today and is pretty sore tonight. I had a splendid ride over to Netheravon and forded the river there, coming home by Fairfield across the downs by a beautiful moonlight. All well. Tuesday 8th December 1914 Had letters 20 and 21 from Mary today. Also, a letter from Brownie, Billie and Marjorie. Didn’t have a break. And I got the parcel of gauntlets [gloves] last night from Mary. My she is good to me. Out at the ranges to complete [illegible] and at entrenching work all morning. In afternoon had tactical work near Netheravon. It rained in showers throughout the day. All well, except my back and sides. Wet and cold weather are bad [illegible]. Wednesday 9th December 1914 On the ranges, early and afterwards at entrenching work. Splendid training. Started our new housing arrangements today and on our own work. Rode to Amesbury with Colonel [Charles] Rogers about 4 p.m.,12 had dinner at the “Old George” and came back (riding) to camp in the pouring rain. I never saw such a black night. You could almost cut the darkness. We got back about 10:30 p.m. Thursday 10th December 1914 This has been about the one fine day we have had since over a month and even then, it rained early this morning. We carried on entrenching work all morning, five hours straight stretch and this afternoon rode over to Andover, fishing the Avon at Five Fields and making a [illegible] of about twelve miles. Wrote to and packed a lot of our Xmas cards. I wrote officially today to brigadier [LieutenantColonel Malcolm Mercer, commanding 1st Brigade] protesting against our battalion going to Lark Hill owing to unsanitary conditions in and about this camp. Memos for articles Intrusion by brigade in respect to officers the way 3rd Battalion [Toronto Regiment] is pampered. So noticeable 3rd Battalion.13 Friday 11th December 1914 What a day this is. We started off this morning on divisional exercises and the way it rained and is keeping up all day, my goodness I never saw worse weather. Sent off the pictures to Mother St. Margaret and to Sisters de Sales and [illegible]. Send off photos in frames to Mary and others to the girls. Also, the packages to the 30

Salisbury Plain, September 1914–January 1915

friends next door at 33 [illegible] Street. Hope Mary will like the photo speaking to her. Sorry did not have the one with the horse. Saturday 12th December 1914 Was called before the general this morning in connection with the [Sergeant] Wallace case of insubordination. I think he is in very bad. It was so wet and foggy today. You could hardly see GOC instructions today, to leave for Hayling Island, Portsmouth, on Thursday next for five-day musketry course. Monday 14th December 1914 Four months ago today, since I donned my uniform in Quebec and two months ago today since we arrived in Devonport. After it stopped raining this morning it turned out a fine day. We carried out entrenching work for five hours this morning and in the afternoon, rode over to Netheravon and back. 8:30 p.m. raining again. Wednesday 16th December 1914 I visited the hospital at Bulford [Camp] yesterday to see a number of our men who were there and ran into Miss Dixon of Quebec who is nursing at the manor house there. I also visited Father O’Leary who is to be operated on for gall stones on Friday. Poor old man he looked very frail for such [a] severe operation. We carried on a regimental tactical exercise today and went into Salisbury for dinner with Mr. Procher of London. Friends of Colonel Rogers. Friday 18th December 1914 Attended interesting lecture by Colonel Williams who has just arrived back from the front. And at noon left for Hayling Island [Portsmouth] to attend special musketry course. Arrived at 6 p.m. stopped at Royal Hotel [now a Grade II listed building on the British National Heritage List]. Saturday 19th December 1914 The Programme of the musketry course. 9:15 a.m. Lecture: system of elementary training 10:20 a.m. Practical examples of elementary training (moving and firing) 11:45 a.m. Lecture—visual training, judging distances, military vocabulary 12:20 p.m. Lunch 2 p.m. Practice visual training, judging distances and identifications of targets Sunday 20th December 1914 Lecture on machine gun.

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Monday 21st December 1914 9:15 a.m. Lecture—modern rifle 10:20 a.m. Tests of elementary training, how to practice a squad in snipering and rapid fire 11:45 a.m. Lecture—range of field positions 12:20 p.m. Lunch 2 p.m. Range examples of application, individual field positions 8:30 p.m. Lecture—machine gun in the field Tuesday 22nd December 1914 9 15 a.m. Lecture—field discipline and control 10:20 a.m. Field discipline exercise 11:45 a.m. Use of ground and cover 12:30 a.m. Lunch 2 p.m. Use of cover, collective field punishment, factual judging distances 8:30 p.m. Lecture—artillery and entrenchment Wednesday 23rd December 1914 9:15 a.m. Infantry formations under fire 10:20 a.m. Fire discipline and control (advance stages), field orders and landscape targets, written fire orders Thursday 24th December 1914 Returned to camp. We were duty battalion and had a great many fatigues to carry out. Put up large marquee for men and Xmas dinner and concert Xmas Eve. Fearfully lonesome today. Took long ride all alone over the downs to try and shake off my depression. Very cold night. Canadian weather. Friday 25th December 1914 (Xmas Day) And so, this is Christmas in camp. What [a] lonesome day. It is just like a Canadian winter day. Hoar frost everywhere and the ground as hard as iron. It was a fearful cold night. We had a good pleasant hour in [Captain] O’Connor’s but last night spent his Xmas here. I got a little chocolate horse and I sent it to Brownie [aged 10]. Today I am going out for a ride over Netheravon to meet [Major A.E.] Swift. Tuesday 29th December 1914 What a night it was last night, stormy and blowing and raining, and our mess tent came down again in the storm. I have written the brigadier [Mercer] calling attention to men coming out of the hospital and suggesting that they be isolated. This spinal meningitis is getting very bad. Several deaths each day.

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Salisbury Plain, September 1914–January 1915

Wednesday 30th December 1914 Received that lovely photo of Mary and the girls last night. By Jove, that’s a crowd to be proud of. Sent the battalion out on a route march under Colonel Howard.14 I had to ride over to Lark Hill to see Colonel Reid.15 Nasty wet and cold day. A lot of our officers went away on their New Year’s bash today, all well here, but fearfully muddy. Friday 8th January 1915 Carried out another brigade field day at Tilshead and got severely criticized by brigadier [Mercer] and umpires. In the afternoon, late attendee [to] another lecture to officers in theatre tent, still raining and extremely miserable weather. Monday 11th January 1915 We had our first real route march today under service conditions. Left at 9:30 a.m. and marched to Amesbury then to Woodford and back to camps. Between fifteen and sixteen miles. Only two men dropped out. We got soaked through in a big rain and hail storm on way home. We are all feeling tired tonight. Tuesday 12th January 1915 Another route march today. This time to Winterbourne, a distance of only about ten miles. Nice bright day and no rain as yet up to 3 p.m. We are going over to Lark Hill in a few minutes to see the artillery practice. I hear today that we will be in France within three weeks.16 Wednesday 13th January 1915 We were stayed from route marching today. So, entrenching work. Bayonet fighting and fire discipline and control. It rained quite hard all morning but got finer in the afternoon. I have been asked down to the Bakers at Wilton tonight. Thursday 14th January 1915 Had an inspection of our lines this morning by General Alderson. Found all in good condition. Afterwards went for a sixteen-mile route march south and west to [illegible] and Stapleford. Our men are getting in splendid condition, good and hard. Friday 22nd January 1915 Heavy snowstorm this morning. The most snow we have had yet. We had to do route marching today instead of our regular battalion work. Sent home a copy of the programme and card postponing the dance.

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Sunday 24th January 1915 A very lonesome and smoky and foggy sort of a day. Got lovely letter no. 40 from Mary, and an exceedingly bitter and unjust one no. 41 by same mail. Heard today we are to leave on the 7th [of] February (my birthday). How I wish it is home. So, sorry that Mary “is ashamed of me.” By Jove that does hurt. Monday 25th January 1915 Had a big inspection today of our transport and got word that our Web [an arrangement of belts and straps made of woven cotton, which soldiers used to carry gear] equipment had arrived. Route march for regiment and officers stayed back to fix up the reorganization on the four-company basis. Tuesday 26th January 1915 We are taking the entire day to issue, fit, and number the new Web equipment. It is a lovely cold day. I am going over to Tilshead [in Wiltshire] to [illegible] about the 8th [Battalion] men coming to me. Wednesday 27th January 1915 Sent Mary a lot of snap shots today taken by Capt. O’Connor. Occupied all morning in fitting out the men with new Web equipment. Saw Sterling, who informed me that he and [Major Leo] McWilliam and 120 men would come over from the 12th [Battalion, CEF, at the Canadian Training Depot, Tidworth Camp, also on Salisbury Plain]. Thursday 28th January 1915 Completed our fitting out today with Web equipment. Saw the general [Alderson] and obtained permission to get the Quebec boys with me from the 12th [Battalion] although McCloud [Lieutenant-Colonel H.F. McLeod, 12th Battalion] refused yesterday after telling us that he was agreeable to the transfer. Went for route march with marching orders through Shrewton. Went nine miles and afterwards rode to Figheldean [and] on to Netheravon, about ten miles. Very cold and raw. Friday 29th January 1915 Another very busy day with the preparations of our men who are being sent to the [Canadian Training] depot at Tidworth. We sent about forty-five and papers for about eighty more. And I believe I will get our Quebec men but I won’t be so certain till I get them. Rode over to Fairfield and Netheravon with [Colonel Charles] Rogers. Cold raw day but no rain.

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Salisbury Plain, September 1914–January 1915

2nd Battalion Head Quarters near Neuve Eglise. Watson is standing alone on the left. IMAGE COURTESY OF MILITARY MUSEUMS (CALGARY, ALBERTA), MAJOR GENERAL DAVID WATSON PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS, MR2007.015-SERIES 2, ALBUM 2.

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Chapter 2

Into the Trenches February–March 1915 “Apprentices” in Armentières 4 February–31 March 1915

In mid-February of 1915, Watson and his men arrived in French Flanders and were thrown into the horrors of the Western Front. The challenges of commanding men—many of whom were about to die, and some of those close friends—quickly arose, as the brutal realities of the war made themselves apparent.

Thursday 4th February 1915 Had our great review this morning at 11 o’clock before the King. It was the most glorious sight I have seen. And the Canadians were very rightly congratulated afterwards. Lord Kitchener was there and a number of other high officials. It had been raining but turned out beautiful and fine as the King was inspecting our happy company. At night went in a [illegible] at home in Salisbury, guest of Mr. and Mrs. Parker. Sunday 7th February 1915 My [46th] birthday and a pretty lonesome one away from all my “own folks.” Harry [Watson’s batman] did not forget it this a.m. Well, we got our marching orders today. 1st Batt. leaves tonight at 9:15 and 11:15 and we leave at 2 (trains after two hours’ interval). Nasty not birthday. Tuesday 9th February 1915 Left Avonmouth last night at midnight. We are bound for Saint-Nazaire in France and we will get there about midnight Wednesday. It is rolling fearfully and a lot officers and men are dreadfully sick.

Chapter 2

Memos re Varnet and Salaberry Received a letter from Varnet at Falmouth [a defended port in Cornwall, with military HQ at Pendennis Castle] complaining about his position. On Saturday the 24th of January had a visit from Colonel [Malcolm] Mercer stating that Varnet was offered a position on staff at Salisbury. I wrote Varnet and he accepted position. When he came back to get his effects, he told me Salaberry had been sick all the time at Falmouth and that he wished to be attached there. I wrote and wired Salaberry and both times he intimated that he wished to remain there. I wired him again on 5th February [illegible] him to whom and he again wired back asking to be left [to] continue course there. I also offered Varnet a position in the regiment on Sunday 7th February but he declined, stating that Colonel [John W.] Carson was gathering him a staff but requesting that I wire him later when any casualty requiring an officer, offers. Wednesday 10th February 1915 I never put in such a night as last night. Such rolling and pitching. I slept on deck and at times was pitched from one side of the deck to the other. The officers were greatly excited. Some thought the ship was going down. We passed Belle-Île [near Brittany, in the Bay of Biscay] at 9 p.m. Ship stopping to pick up pilot. We expected to arrive at Saint-Nazaire about midnight but will not disembark until the morning. Ship pitching badly. The Canadian Division made up the first non-British element of the seventeendivision-strong British Expeditionary Force (hereafter BEF), to which it would now be “apprenticed.” Watson’s 2nd Battalion would move to its posting close to Armentières, site of a heavy German attack (the Battle of Armentières, or Lille) in October 1914. The posting was situated on the Western Front, which would eventually stretch some 440 miles southeast from the North Sea to the Swiss border. In the winter of 1915, the front did not feature the sophisticated structures of the later war years: at this time, it was mostly a series of trenches, many still fairly simply constructed—just ditches with sandbag parapets and poor drainage, offering little protection from shrapnel. A battalion’s “tour” in the front-line trenches lasted typically four to six days before being cycled out behind the lines. Watson and the 2nd Battalion would soon learn fast and hard about the differences between training in England and the realities of battle.

Thursday 11th February 1915 We disembarked at 11 a.m. at Saint-Nazaire [in Loire-Inférieure (now LoireAtlantique), at the mouth of the Loire River, near Nantes] and had a fearful task getting off the horses and transports to the special train. Left at 4:38 p.m., we had 38

Into the Trenches, February–March 1915

to leave from two platforms and six wagons behind. Passed a miserable night on the train, forty men in each box car and thirty-two officers in a passenger coach. The 1st Battalion (Ontario Regiment) had a man killed at Nantes and another near Rouen. They were just ahead of us all the time. Friday 12th February 1915 All day again in the train, going north and east. Passing through a number of towns and villages, passed another night on the train. Arrived at Calais up north of France early Saturday morning. Pouring rain and carried orders to go on as far as Hazebrouck [southeast of Calais]. Saturday 13th February 1915 Arrived at Hazebrouck at 10:30 a.m. Detrained and marched from Strazeele to Merris, where we were billeted in farm houses and still pouring rain and mist. Miserable conditions. But men and officers all happy and cheerful. Sunday 14th February 1915 What a Sunday. Pouring rain and blowing a gale. Can hear the guns quite plainly. We are only about five miles away now from the front. Visited all our billeted points in the afternoon and found them all comfortable. Much more so than the Battalion HQ. We are quartered in an attic next door to HQ. Nine of us in a room. Tom [Houghton] is with me and Harry [Cardew, batman] is next door. Our horses are all opposite us. Tuesday 16th February 1915 Well, we are all ready to move farther east first thing in the morning. Our regiment is going right into the town of Armentières, where we are to be for six days. That is right with the firing lines and we are to take our turns in the trenches. This has been the first fine weather since arriving. Wednesday 17th February 1915 Left Merris at 8 a.m. in pouring rain and driving wind. Passed through S. [illegible] and arrived at Armentières about 2:30 p.m. soaked through and nearly frozen. Reported to the OC [officer commanding] North Staffordshires, who made us warmly welcome. We are billeted in a lunatic asylum. My room is just opposite the room that a shell came in through the wall. The big guns are going strong tonight and now and again the shells come into the town. Tomorrow I am going into the trenches for four days and nights. Some of these trenches are only two hundred yards from the German lines. I am to go with Colonel de Falbe.1 Two companies of the 2nd Batt. will also go in at 3 a.m. on Friday for 24 hours, and two other companies on Saturday morning and then rotate for another two days. It is most 39

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awful weather and such darkness. I never saw the like. Tom and I and Harry are sitting around tonight in my little billet in this asylum listening to the guns and wondering if one will blow in this way. Thursday 18th February 1915 A most eventful day in my life. Walked about Armentières in the morning and at 10 a.m. had lunch with General [George] Harper commander 17th Brigade [BEF] and composed of North Staffordshires, Leicester’s [Leicestershire Regiment] 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade, and 3rd Battalion City of London Fusiliers. After lunch the general [Harper] put the motor car at our disposal and we visited all along the lines in rear of trenches and breastworks. Saw a fine artillery duel by our batteries on the German trenches. At 6:30 p.m. we started for the trenches. Colonel de Falbe, St. Hubart of the North Staffordshires and Captain [Willis-] O’Connor [adjutant] and myself. It was quite dark when we arrived at HQ situated in a little farm house about four hundred yards in rear of trenches, and at 9 p.m. we left for the trenches. It is hard to gain a proper opinion of these in such darkness and rain, except that they were terribly muddy and real deep water in some places. The men on duty were bright and on the job and the others sleeping by in the dugouts. On way back [to] HQ farm about midnight the bullets were coming thick and plenty and one felt inclined to duck. Friday 19th February 1915 This was certainly a great morning. Rifles and machine guns going strong from about 4 a.m. and at 7:30 just as I got up the artillery started to shell the houses right beside us. It was a wonderful sight and quite fascinated me. After the second shot, they go the exact range and I picked about twenty shells through the roofs and walls. Spreading flame all round, it was indeed a miracle that the ninety-six men in the building got out without a single casualty. The enemy’s artillery then directed their fire on the reserve billet and put several shells through the building, wounding one man. We’re now obliged to leave our shack and take refuge in the dugouts, where I am now writing this. Saturday 20th February 1915 We had another good practical night (last night) in the trenches, went in about 6:30 last from our HQ [illegible] directly in rear. Visited White Farm first which had been shelled Friday morning. Ceilings riddled with shrapnel. Macintosh [raincoat] belonging to officer also badly perforated. Went into centre and right trenches and inspected throughout most carefully and minutely examined barriers and breastwork. During yesterday one man was killed and about twelve wounded in our trenches. One of our “C” Company [sergeants] was also wounded. Sand by breastwork not thick enough and man was killed by shot coming through during 40

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the night, the machine guns and snipers were fairly active. O’Connor and I slept in the dugouts. It is supposed the Austrian troops are occupying enemy trenches immediately in front of us. Our artillery is fairly quick this morning. Sunday 21st February 1915 What a sad day this is. Poor Harry [Cardew, Watson’s batman] got killed last night in his dugout. I cannot describe [the] utter lonesomeness that his death has caused. I went out to the trenches as usual last night and I got back before 11 o’clock. They told me Harry was in the dugout, and coming down in the pitch dark, I saw that the iron cover had collapsed. Harry must have been instantly killed. We took him up to the hospital, but it was too late. And we buried him just before midnight in the little yard of the hospital with a cross and his name on it at head of grave. I have arranged to have a photo to be taken and sent home to Amy. The bullets did whiz around last night and their snipers were very active. I fancy the continued rifle fire might have had certain effect on throwing forward the crosspiece causing Harry’s death. This is a cold wet foggy day and only casual firing. Monday 22nd February 1915 Came out of the trenches last night about 10:30 and gave the Germans a salvo of artillery, four Very pistols [flare guns] rapid firing and cheering. I guess they thought it was a big attack for sure. I feel as if I were in for a good dose of grippe [flu] today. I am billeted at one of the houses of a wealthy family who has skipped off to Paris and left one of the servants in the house. Armentières is a large deserted city. I am going over to the lunatic asylum for dinner and we leave back for Merris at 6:30 tomorrow morning for a well-earned rest. As far as I can see our casualties are three killed and about ten wounded. Wednesday 24th February 1915 I am perfectly miserable with this heavy cold and have tried everything at my disposal, but it’s no good. I really don’t know what to do and the weather is abominable in this forsaken hole of a place. I am hugging a little fire and trying to get some warmth in my bones. Will try and have a good sweat tonight. Five p.m., just got three letters (61, 62, 63) from Mary, one from Billie, and one from Brownie. Hooray it does make me feel good to hear from those dear ones at home. I guess Marjorie is too busy to think of me now, two weeks and no letter. Saturday 27th February 1915 Another rush order received at midnight last night instructing us to proceed today to Sailly[-sur-la-Lys, in Pas-de-Calais] for further instructions. All the COs and adjutants drove over in two London omnibuses and we have received orders that 41

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the Canadian Division are to take over part of the trenches. We (the 1st Brigade)2 leave tomorrow Sunday [the] 28th at 9 a.m. for Bac-Saint-Maur [near Sailly] where will be billeted for the night and next day go to our regular area at the front. The 2nd Battalion will co-operate with the 4th Battalion (Central Ontario), which is so satisfactory to us all. It has been a fearfully cold raw day. We got back to our billets about 4 p.m. Sunday 28th February 1915 Left Merris at 9 a.m. arriving at Sailly about noon. Billeted all around the railway station. Went into the trenches at night with [A.G.] Turner. Trenches are south and east of Bois-Grenier village. Got back to new billets about 1 a.m. extremely tired and cold. Monday 1st March 1915 Left Sailly at 4:30 p.m. First of all, at 11 a.m. had a meeting with General Alderson, and 2nd Battalion marched to Fleurbaix, where guides met us and brought us into our trenches. We took over from the Warwicks [Royal Warwickshire Regiment] at 7:30 p.m. and are now on our own and holding down part of this great line of defences for the Empire. Tuesday 2nd March 1915 Regret to report two killed and eight wounded today. Majority by a trench mortar. Eight in No. 2 Company and two in No. 3 Company. Colonel [Malcolm] Mercer and General Harper visited our trenches tonight.3 Turner and I only got to bed this morning about a quarter to six. We have had a rather strenuous time since our arrival here in trenches. Wednesday 3rd March 1915 Miserable wet day. Cold and raw. Regret one more man killed last night in No. 4 Company. In the afternoon went around Bois-Grenier village regarding alleged spies. At night with adjutant of 4th Battalion inspected our left two companies. Regret that Sergeant Duxee was wounded by fragment while returning to trench after patrol duty. Thursday 4th March 1915 Yesterday had a most complimentary phone message from General Alderson. This morning had a heavy shelling from the enemy. Bois-Grenier was their principal objective. Our patrols reported activity on the part of enemy in vicinity of our old trenches. I reported activity on the part of enemy in vicinity of our old trenches. I reported all these facts to Brigade HQ.

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Friday 5th March 1915 We’ll have had our fourth night and this is our fourth to last day in the trenches in this our first shift. We are to be relieved tonight about 8 o’clock by the 4th Battalion. I went around trenches last night with General Mercer and Colonel [Henry Edward] Burstall and found great improvements and betterments in conditions. Saturday 6 March 1915 Came out of trenches last night, were completely relieved by 4th Battalion. Almost 9:30 p.m. marched back to our billets at Bac-Saint-Maur. Got to bed about midnight, fearfully dark night and raining. Reported at noon today to Division HQ and had a good bath and change. First time I have had my clothes off for over a week. Had dinner tonight with Tom [Houghton]. Wednesday 10th March 1915 This has been an eventful day. Our first experience of real attack work. Last night we received notice that the 4th Division [BEF] (on our right) were to attack and take Neuve-Chapelle if possible [a battle did get fought there,10–13 March]. A bombardment was to start at 7:30 a.m., and at 8 a.m. all our rifles and machinegun fire was to be employed as demonstration. At 8:30 o’clock the attack was started and at 9:15 the place was seized and 180 prisoners taken. In the afternoon, a vigorous advance was also carried on. We had four men killed and one wounded this morning. Thursday 11th March 1915 Another big day for the artillery which commenced a bombardment about 7 this a.m. and I believe the troops on our right made another good advance. I had four letters from Mary tonight 66-67-68-69. One from Marjorie and one from Billie. All well. Captain [T.S.H.] Abell [3rd Company] was wounded in foot tonight. Saturday 13th March 1915 The artillery had a great duel last night, and it was a wonderful sight. The battalion on our right (Camerons) had a little demonstration.4 This is the first fine day we have had, and the big guns are going strong this morning. We suspect that we will be relieved by the 4th Battalion but up to present there is no official notification. Thursday 18th March 1915 Spent the entire day in the front trenches. One man was hit last night, just as we were relieving. The sniping all day was bad and seemed to come from all directions. General Mercer made a casual inspection of left trenches tonight. 43

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Saturday 20th March 1915 This is a real fine wintry day. After the snowstorm of yesterday, sunny and cold. It is awfully quiet here today. Something new for the Bosches [Germans]. Thackery the FOO [forward observation officer] artillery shot himself in the foot yesterday in the HQ. I don’t think it is very serious but it was extremely careless of him. Sunday 21st March 1915 This is a nice fine Sabbath day. Clear and sunny. Two German aeroplanes came over our lines this morning and were promptly shelled and chased away. Yesterday afternoon one of our men in Reserve (No. 4) Company, while coming across the road near our HQ, was shot through the leg. He was very brave about it. I was with him about second or third and helped fix him up. A big 100 [mm] shell came within fifteen feet of our dugout. This afternoon we had quite a heavy shelling on our position but no losses to our men. We were relieved by 4th Battalion at 9:00 p.m. Total casualties during this period one killed, four wounded. Friday 26th March 1915 We arrived at our new billets last night about 9:30. It turned out a lovely night, fine and moonlight. These new billets are about two hundred yards to the west of Neuf-Berquin about ten miles from our last quarters. Enormous number of troops seem to be sent to the eastern area. I rode over to Estaires with Tom [Houghton]. Visited several places. Saturday 27th March 1915 Fine sunny cold day. Had a meeting at Brigade HQ to consider attack formations and in the afternoon had a visit from General Alderson, who congratulated me on excellent work done while in the trenches. Rode over afterwards to Estaires. The Germans dropped a few shells today into Estaires. Colonel [Charles] Rogers rode over to Béthune today to visit one of his friends. Monday 29th March 1915 Another fine but very cold day. Practicing entrenching work and attack drills by companies. Very interesting. Brigadier [Mercer] present. Average about ten minutes for a man to entrench himself safely. In the afternoon later rode into La Gorgue and Estaires, the latter place a splendid address by the Bishop of London [Arthur Winnington-Ingram] on the town hall steps. Had dinner with [Colonel] Harry Lamb [General Headquarters, or GHQ] and officers of Divisional HQ. Tuesday 30th March 1915 Practiced advance and attack work today. Sorry to state two of our men were wounded while practicing bomb throwing, one man of 1st Battalion was killed. 44

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Had two officers with us tonight for dinner from Gordon Highlanders [BEF]. They were at the Neuve-Chapelle fight [10–13 March] and gave us many valuable pointers. Meeting tonight at Brigade HQ where outline of our next battle was discussed. It is going to be a very momentous event for Canada and thousands of homes in Canada. I was told that our old HQ at Bois-Grenier was shelled and destroyed. Wednesday 31st March 1915 We are off on a long route march this morning to get back into perfect condition for next week. Went to Vieux-Berquin and back, about eight miles. Learned that the big operation for next week has been postponed. Practiced much work in and out of the trench simultaneously down at 4th Battalion area. Gave the men splendid practice. Later Colonel Rogers and I rode over to Merris to see our old friends there.

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Chapter 3

Second Ypres, Festubert, Givenchy April–June 1915 Ypres Salient 1–26 April 1915

In the autumn of 1914, as the Allies and Germans “raced to the sea,” the fighting in northwest Belgium (Flanders) had created the fortified Ypres Salient, which remained in Allied hands as of the spring of 1915.1 The Belgian town of Ypres occupied a low point of this angular piece of land: about nine square miles in size, it was exposed to German fire from low ridges to the northeast, east, and southeast. The Allies viewed the town as a key strategic position, the terminus of a vital transportation conduit to the Channel ports—and key logistical arteries for the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). The 1st Canadian Division, including Watson’s 2nd Battalion, would move into the Ypres Salient in mid-April 1915, just before Second Ypres (or the Second Battle of Ypres, 22 April–25 May 1915). The Canadians would reach the town of Vlamertinghe only two days before 22 April, the day the Germans launched a massive assault using 150 tons of chlorine gas. The attack, the first-ever use of poison gas on the Western Front, plunged the Allied lines into chaos. The Germans directed the attack against the French colonial troops occupying the northern flank of the salient and, lacking respirators, the defenders began to fall back in disorder. The Canadian 2nd and 3rd Brigades, who were deployed directly to the right of the French troops, rushed forward to try and close the gap being torn in the Allied lines. The 1st Brigade, which had been in reserve (including Watson’s 2nd Battalion), was rushed forward during the night of 22–23 April to help seal the breach. The following day, the 2nd Battalion was ordered to make a counterattack, which failed. It was able to dig in and hold its furthest point of advance for two

Chapter 3

days, despite repeated enemy attacks. On the 24th, however, because units on both of its flanks had retreated, leaving it exposed, the battalion was ordered to fall back to GHQ lines, and sustainied its heaviest losses at this point. On the 26th, the 2nd Battalion retired to Divisional HQ and was bivouacked in a nearby field. In these four days of fighting—its first sustained combat—the battalion had suffered losses of 544 killed, wounded, and missing.

Thursday 1st April 1915 April Fool’s Day in Neuf-Berquin France. Who would ever have thought of such a state of affairs. Shelled a German aeroplane over us this morning. This a lovely fine spring day made a splendid break for practicing in rear of our billets. Rode into Estaires and back by Merville Road this afternoon. [Adjutant Captain Willis-] O’Connor’s birthday today. Friday 2nd April 1915 Bathing day for our battalion men, marched to Estaires, batches of one hundred. 4th Battalion had one killed and two wounded early yesterday while digging near Fleurbaix. Had lunch with Captain Moir of Ordnance Department at Estaires while waiting for our baths. Rode on to Merville afterwards. Had visit from Dr. [R …]. Saturday 3rd April 1915 Easter Saturday, no going around to visit the markets [in Quebec] with the girls this year. Very spring-like and warm rain today. Expect our new motor kitchen with the ladies who are running it sometime this afternoon. Attended an important meeting at Divisional HQ. We are to move north about fifteen miles on Tuesday morning presumably to take over part of French lines. Sunday 4th April 1915 Easter Sunday and not at all like our bright Canadian Easters. Dull and raining. We have service in the field at 10 o’clock and I took the communion afterwards. Church of England in one field and Presbyterian in another and R.C. in the little church. In afternoon Capt. Moir took me for motor drive. We went through VieuxBerquin, Strazeele, Caëstre, Steenwerck. It was a great drive and we had dinner with [Lieutenant-Colonel] John Penhale at [the town of] Le Doulieu and came back home via Estaires.2 Monday 5th April 1915 Sent a report to minister [Hughes] regarding boots and puttees. 2nd Brigade went out this morning and we are busy getting ready for our fifteen-mile march tomorrow morning. Raining and cold. 48

Second Ypres, Festubert, Givenchy, April–June 1915

Tuesday 6th April 1915 Left Neuf-Berquin at 7:30 a.m. and marched through Vieux-Berquin, Strazeele, Caëstre, Steenvoorde, and arrived at Winnezeele at 1:15. 5¾ hours for fifteen-mile march. We are billeted in the château in the village. The motor kitchen sent out nearly five hundred meals of soup today. I marched the whole way here. Wednesday 7th April 1915 Inspected all the billets today. They are scattered all over the place, about three miles from one billet to another. Where I am billeted, there is a crazy woman and I have no door to my room. Rode over in the afternoon to Steenvoorde and had tea with officers of divisional train [support services following a unit]. Rained hard all afternoon. Friday 9th April 1915 In a blinding thunder, lightning, and snowstorm, the men waited for an hour and were inspected by General [Edwin] Alderson. They certainly looked splendid and we were most highly complimented by the general. It turned out fine after lunch and we rode over to Herzeele and Wormhout. Saturday 10th April 1915 Inaugural field sports for the men to relieve the monotony of the work. We are also gathering tubs to provide washing facilities. Fine spring morning. Located a field for the inspection on Monday. Rode over to Cassel in the afternoon. Beautiful view from high hill, saw old windmill over six hundred years old and inspected the grinding of flour. Monday 12th April 1915 Brigade was inspected this morning by our new commander of Second Army, General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien.3 We had a grand day for it and the men passed a most credible inspection. He informed us that we were to occupy left of the line of British troops at Ypres. Tuesday 13th April 1915 Numbers of French troops are moving northwards this morning through this place, possibly to relieve part of the French army north of Ypres. We heard today that we are to army reserve at Vlamertinghe and we are to go up about Saturday. Rode into Steenvoorde in the afternoon. At night rode out on a night reconnaissance with [Colonel Charles] Rogers. Very hard to distinguish the various roads at night. Search lights and guns going all night.

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Sunday 18th April 1915 Left Winnezeele at 9:26 a.m. and marched through Watou and on to Couthove [Flemish: Kasteel Couthof] about two miles north of Poperinge. We are billeted in a convent. A great number of Belgian refugees are here. The priest speaks English perfectly having been in the States and Canada for a number of years. This was a grand day to move. The name of the convent is [Sisters of] St. Vincent de Paul, Poperinge. We called at the famous Château De Lovie and had a very pleasant half hour with the Comtesse [Marie] de Brouchoven de Bergeyck. Monday 19th April 1915 Beautiful fine day. Visited the nuns4 making lace and ordered three collars, one for Mary, Marjorie [turning twenty in April] and Billie [now eighteen]. They will take eight weeks to make. We have been notified that we are to move tomorrow. Rode up to W [illegible] in the morning and into Poperinge in the afternoon, got three little German helmets as souvenirs for my girls at home. This was one of the finest days we have had. All well. Forty people were killed and wounded beside us in Ypres today. Tuesday 20th April 1915 Cold in morning but turned out fine in afternoon, we left convent at 2:36 p.m., passed through our new billets in and around Vlamertinghe at 5 p.m. We are billeted in a large brewery on the main street. In coming over yesterday we passed hundreds of refugees coming from Ypres where there had been a terrific bombardment all night, and today over two hundred casualties reported. Wednesday 21st April 1915 Ypres was bombarded all night. The cannonading being incessant. It is raining hard now and we have just received orders to be ready to move at an hour’s notice. At noon, I got instructions to send up two officers to recon the Hill 60 which was taken by the British on the 20th [of April]. I went myself [to Hill 60] with [BrigadierGeneral Richard] Turner and had a most interesting and exciting afternoon’s work. We were under constant shell fire and had several narrow shaves crossing canal—at Brigade HQ [Gonnehem?]—at Battalion (Norfolks) HQ—and on hill itself—Nobby Neale [hand grenades]—men buried in trenches. Importance of that hill as it dominates Ypres and the whole valley for seven miles around. Our artillery killed four men in our trenches. Demoralizing effect, especially when lines are cut.

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Second Ypres, Festubert, Givenchy, April–June 1915

Thursday 22nd April 1915 Saw the bomb throwers at work and commended them on their skill. Inspected all the companies in the morning. In the afternoon rode around via Woesten. A horrible shelling on Sunday last. Bodies had been thrown up by action of the shells and enormous holes made in grounds around church. Very heavy shelling started about 5 p.m. It is a big action. We have just learned that the Germans have broken through the French lines north of Ypres and there is a regular panic and rout through Vlamertinghe. 7:50 p.m. we have received orders to march at 9 p.m. to try and stop the German advance. Friday 23rd April 1915 My God!! What an awful night we have had. Lost about two hundred men and six officers of No. 1 Company. Cannot put details down in paper. They are too deeply imbedded in my mind to be ever forgotten. Entrenched our remaining three companies in strongly and prayed for darkness to continue until we had done so. Stanley Marchant wounded bringing in two wounded men. Russell Fletcher hit in chin. Saturday 24th April 1915 Hung on to trench and Germans could not throw us out. We gave them terrible casualties. At 1:55 got orders to retire and in doing so lost very heavily. Got back to GHQ lines about 4 p.m. very badly cut up and with less than half my battalion. Saved all our wounded and [illegible]. Sunday 25th April 1915 Hung on to our trench near Wieltje but were fearfully shelled all day. Lost some more men in front trenches again. Got word that entire Canadian Division would likely be relieved early Monday morning. In dry [illegible] and cellars for two nights and very little to eat. Not hungry. Monday 26th April 1915 Left near Wieltje about 2 a.m. and arrived back at Vlamertinghe at 5 a.m. Had to bivouac in fields in rain for two hours. Now have the men in billets. Had a roll call and found 376 men out of the best Canadian battalion that marched out on the 22nd of 1027 strong. Terrible. Instead of going to visit at first, we were told we had to defend the Yser Canal. Got to our billets about 7:30 a.m. and about 10 a.m. got word to be ready to move at 2 p.m. At 3:30 were moved over near the Yser Canal and kept there until 9 p.m. The most terrific artillery bombardment I ever heard. Over seven hundred guns on our side. It is stated that the Germans were forced back.

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Behind the Lines, Poperinge 27 April–12 May 1915 Poperinge was a town eight kilometers west of Ypres. It was used to billet British (and Dominion) troops, and provided a relatively safe area for field hospitals. It was one of only two Belgium towns that was not under German control at this point.

Tuesday 27th April 1915 Re-organizing companies and making up reports of various matters and standing by for further instructions. Wednesday 28th April 1915 Received hurried orders at 7:00 p.m. to rush over to provide support at Yser Canal as it was reported the French had again given way. We bivouacked all night in field rear of HQ. Terribly cold and raw. Got fearful shelling during day as we were lying in that field. Got orders to proceed at 7 p.m. across the canal to a point west of Wieltje to form a covering party for the brigade to dig trenches. It was a nerve wracker and I never want such another. We got back to billets at 4:30 a.m. [on the] 29th. Colonel Rogers took over 4th Battalion at almost 5 p.m. Thursday 29th April 1915 Got two shellings in our billet this morning. The first I was obliged to get up and go down into the cellar. The second one I didn’t bother about. After last night, I am completely exhausted. I made Raymond Fletcher an officer yesterday with Nielson, and promoted all the others. Friday 30th April 1915 We got a terrific shelling yesterday afternoon and last night and had to sleep down in the cellars. A family of ten were shelled opposite us, eight killed and two wounded. It was an awful sight. This is a cold foggy day. How I do wish we could all be relieved for a real rest. Had a meeting this afternoon at Division HQ with all the COs, terrific shelling going on all the time. Feeling very seedy at night and went to bed early. Heavy shelling during night. I see by papers that this artillery work is the greatest the world has ever seen and the cost of same must be fabulous. We moved our transport and QM [quartermaster] stores over to the Poperinge and [illegible] road. Saturday 1st May 1915 What a beautiful fine May Day this is, and spoiled by horrible war. We have a road fatigue party of three hundred men on today to fix up the main [illegible] Road. 52

Second Ypres, Festubert, Givenchy, April–June 1915

Called at Brigade HQ and submitted my report on operations 22–26 April. Also list recommendations for rewards. In afternoon went over to convent near Poperinge. Sunday 2nd May 1915 Yesterday was a rather quiet day, very little artillery heard. We were told that the French had captured a complex of trenches and had advanced about five hundred yards to the N.E. Rained during night. We are having divine service this morning at 10 o’clock up at No. 1 Billet. In the afternoon drove over to Poperinge and [illegible] and got back at 7 p.m. to find battalion called out for a sudden emergency. Monday 3rd May 1915 Another rush by the Germans last night, together with their gas bombs, caused a loss to our side of a few trenches, which were taken or all retaken by our troops. The 1st Canadian Brigade [Watson’s unit] was called out as reserves and we manned the roads leading to canal roads until 2 a.m., when we got orders that situation was secure and we marched back to our billets, arriving there about 3 a.m. Tuesday 4th May 1915 We got a “hurry order” last night at 9 o’clock to get ready to move. And it was a welcome order. At 10 o’clock we were at our rendezvous and marched all night, arriving here at Bailleul [Canadian Corps HQ] at about 4 a.m. It rained in torrents and we were all drenched and fearfully cold. We are all scattered in billets over the town. Wednesday 5th May 1915 Rained hard all night but it has turned out a fine day. I have a lovely billet and garden all in flower. It is a beautiful spot and so calm and peaceful. We got another draft of three officers and 210 men today. Had a long interview with Brigadier [Mercer] today re—position of 1st and 4th [battalions] on 23 April. They left road east of canal going north six hundred yards in first advance then 150 yards further and a third of about three hundred yards but were not supported by French. Were relieved by another Brigade and went into support trenches, came out on night of 24th and assisted in attack on right of Saint-Julien.5 Thursday 6th May 1915 Had a visit yesterday at our Brigade HQ [Gonnehem] from General Sir [Horace] Smith-Dorrien who complimented the regiment on their recent splendid work. Also, a visit last night at my billets from Canon [Frederick] Scott.6 This is a beautiful day and we are completing our organization and carrying on platoon 53

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work. Had a delightful visit this afternoon from Colonel [John W.] Carson [Sam Hughes’s representative] and Colonel McBain. They stayed with me quite a while. It was fine to have them again. Sent Osborne a good graphic account of the big fight.7 Also letters to Stocking, [Frank] Carrel, and Home. Monday 10th May 1915 Mary’s Birthday. I do trust she has received my cable. We hardly realize yet the horrible cruelty of the Germans in connection with the Lusitania.8 This great day, we are practicing musketry and carrying on our organization. In the afternoon, we heard that the French had taken Arras [battle, 9 May 1915] and had made some great advances in the south. Over ten miles in depth. Eleven hundred prisoners and several guns. In the afternoon played an indoor baseball game among the officers and in the evening, wrote long report of recent fight to Mary and Mr. Pensland and answered letters. Tuesday 11th May 1915 Beautiful day. We are going to practice entrenching in the aviation field today. We have received word to be ready for a move at 1½ hours’ notice. The whole day was taken up in teaching entrenching in the aviation field. Rode over to 3rd Brigade HQ [CEF] and had tea with General [Richard] Turner and Garnet Hughes [Colonel Garnet Hughes, Turner’s second-in-command, and son of Sir Sam Hughes]. Wednesday 12th May 1915 Very fine in the morning and carried on entrenching work with two companies and outpost duties with other two. No news yet as to our next movements. Learned that General Smith-Dorrien had resigned as he could not get enough troops to hold out around Ypres. I think he is quite right in this stand as there are not nearly sufficient around that important front.

Festubert 15–31 May 1915 The Battle of Festubert (15–25 May 1915) was fought by Britain’s First Army against Germany’s Sixth. This was part of French Commander-in-Chief General Joseph Joffre’s Artois offensive, which started on 9 May while the British Second was still engaged in the Ypres Salient. The British forces advanced against Aubers Ridge, which ran roughly one mile northeast behind German lines and about twenty-two miles south of the Ypres Salient, initially holding the Canadian 2nd and 3rd Brigades in reserve.

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Second Ypres, Festubert, Givenchy, April–June 1915

On the night of the 17th, the two Canadian brigades received news that they would be attacking the following morning. They joined the battle on the 18th, and while the Canadians ultimately reached few of their goals, they continued to press on over the coming days. The Battle of Festubert cost the CEF 2,605 casualties—in effect, four men for every yard gained. While the supporting 2nd Battalion did not end up heavily involved in the fighting, two of its men were killed and thirty-one wounded. The 2nd Battalion left Festubert at the end of May. Tuesday 18th May 1915 I thought yesterday was bad, but today beats it all as far as hardships were concerned. We were ordered to move out of Boom and down to a place called Lobe, and when we got here we were told there were billets only for one company and all the rest had to bivouac out in the field and in the cold and wet. We are all pretty miserable and this is due to bad generalship and their work. We have to put up with these continued mistakes. Wednesday 19th May 1915 Another wet miserable day. Served the men out with rum this morning to compensate and warm them up after the vile night. I hope we get orders to move away from this place today. Trenches are preferable to this. Had an inspection today of rifles and at noon received orders to move tonight to new area on Essars Road. Colonel Rogers was instructed to report back today to 2nd Battalion as second in command. We have received orders to move to Essars leaving at midnight tonight. Lots of letters from home today. Thursday 20th May 1915 Left Lobe last night at 12:15 (midnight) and marched about three hours. We got to our new billets, past Essars, at about 3 a.m. It was raining and cold and we have pretty poor billets. I slept on a little straw on the floor and the others are all equally crowded. The sun is shining a little today, which will brighten up our spirits. We are three quarters of a mile from Béthune. I rode into Béthune this afternoon and had a treat of ice cream. When we got back they started to shell a French Caquot balloon nearly opposite our billets.9 At 7:30 p.m. the 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards, passed by with the Prince of Wales [later Edward VIII] in their centre. Irish Guards also passed. They had lost five hundred men the day before. Bad staff work. They were firing some shells at a French Caquot over to the south of our billets. They must have a wonderful observation of the German line from there.

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Friday 21st May 1915 Had a great bath this morning and now ready for anything that comes along. It is a nice day out but no news yet about our move. I believe Colonel Rogers handed in a request for his resignation to be accepted last night. He feels very bad at being again reverted to second in command. We heard today that Italy has come in with us and declared war yesterday and that England and France had decided to use gas. Heavy bombardments around here today. Heard that 3rd Brigade had done good work last night. We sent twenty Bombers to B[rigade] HQ in an attack tonight. Officers played NCOs [non-commissioned officers] a baseball game this afternoon and we won out. Saturday 22nd May 1915 I wrote Brigade HQ again today pointing out that on the 6th and 17th I had received assurances from Colonel Wood that a second in command would be sent to me. Also, that I was three officers and 205 men short and [cited] Captain [Hector] Verret for inefficiency. We got a hurry call at 3:30 this a.m. to be ready to move at short notice. Terrific cannonading through whole night. At 5 p.m. I got orders to move up into the trenches. The 1st Brigade [made up of the 1st to 4th Battalions] are to relieve the 3rd Brigade, 1st Battalion on right, 3rd on left and 4th in old German trenches behind 3rd, and us [2nd] in old British trench behind the 4th. We left at 7:30 tonight and got fixed up about midnight. We had a fearful thunderstorm, thunder and lightning. Sunday 23rd May 1915 It turned out a lovely warm day, after the terrific storm (12 o’clock noon). As I write this, we are getting a fearful shelling. The big ones are bursting all around very close. The fragments of shells are striking all around. One man has been killed and five wounded, so far, this morning. After lunch, I walked up to the old German trenches and the sight of all those men lying unburied between the trenches was appalling. I managed to get a nap between shell fire but it was close work. We are right in between all the shelling and it is very severe today. Monday 24th May 1915 What a difference this 24th is compared to the previous 24th [April]. The shelling was very violent all night. Our Brigadier [Mercer] and staff captain were in a hedge for nearly an hour, waiting for it to subside. There were two attacks last night but I have no idea yet of results. We had one killed and ten wounded yesterday. I gave General Mercer message to Colonel Rogers that he had been given seven days’ sick leave, starting from today. The attack of 3rd Battalion last night on Trench 10 was not a success. The enemy had machine guns, which have not been located and they were therefore unable to carry the position. The 56

Second Ypres, Festubert, Givenchy, April–June 1915

artillery support was very halfhearted and the timing arrangement between the artillery and infantry attack was wretched. I believe one of the trench mortars was not in position and the whole affair seems to have been badly muddled. Wednesday 26th May 1915 Chrysler and Graham were both wounded yesterday by shell fire,10 also two other men and three others were reported wounded from bombers. Totaling two officers and five men for yesterday’s report. Our troops on right in their attack last night took the objectives they were after K.6—and 7.11 The shelling on both sides was continued throughout the night. This is another very warm day (noon). Have just come in from a reconnoitring tour up at the 1st and 3rd Battalion lines. The sights up there were appalling, dead men lying in ditches and fields. Got photo taken beside enormous shell, two feet six inches high. Captain Bowen left for hospital today. He is complaining about his stomach. But complaints brought in by Captain [George Taylor] Richardson [No. 2 Company] and Lieutenant Neilson show that Verret and Bowen had been drinking in the trenches. Thursday 27th May 1915 In view of trouble in No. 1 Company yesterday, I put Captain Turner in complete charge. It is strange, fifteen minutes before change had been made the Brigadier [Mercer] was here and requested me to make a report of inefficiency on Verret, which I was reluctant to do and this is the way he now acts, when in charge of No. 1 Company in absence of Chrysler. We had six men wounded yesterday. There is great change in weather today. Was quite cool and raw. Saw a large unexploded 12-inch shell yesterday and got photo’d beside it. This morning a 250 mm shell struck five feet from Mr. Hodges’ dugout and did not explode. It went about twelve feet into the ground. It was an 8½-inch shell and we took a snap of it in front of my shack. The 4th Battalion are relieving the 3rd tonight. And there is a rumour that we may relieve the 1st Battalion tomorrow night. Friday 28th May 1915 We got a bad shelling around our HQ just as we were going to have breakfast. The roof of our shack was blown off, and two or three holes put through our breakfast, it was ruined and my spoon perforated. This was [one of] the closest touches that we have had. It is a cold raw day, one man wounded last night. Captain O’Connor got hit in the chin by a stray splinter of shrapnel this morning but it was only a scratch. We learned yesterday that both Scott and Hooper are wounded and prisoners in Germany. We received orders to take over the 1st Battalion trenches tonight and at 5 p.m. went over and arranged for relief with Colonel F.W. Hill.12 Their trenches are in a disreputable condition. Had a package of “telegraphs” shot through at my dugout today. Sent them on to Frank Carrel [at the Quebec Daily 57

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Telegraph] as souvenir. The 1st Battalion patrol brought in four poor wounded men last night who had been in the fields since the 15th. Saturday 29th May 1915 We took over from the 1st Battalion last night and completed the relief about 11 p.m. We had one man, Grenier, shot through the head while going up. We had to help dig forward trench and manned it about daylight this morning. It was a hard night’s work and a nervous one. I had to get two thousand sand bags up to the front trench at about 2 a.m. It is very warm today. We got a very severe shelling all day and especially when our transport was coming in at 8 p.m. I went up to front trenches at 8:30. Work was getting on splendidly and 3rd Brigade completed set up on our right. One man was severely wounded. This period one killed, twentynine wounded including two officers wounded. Sunday 30th May 1915 Rather cold and raw sort of day but their artillery continues to pound over back lines. I am so thankful they leave our front lines alone. At noon, Gates reported a dead man on our front wire, it is strange as all our men seem to be accounted for. We hear today that we are to be relieved tomorrow night. Got shelled throughout the day and night about midnight. I thought they were going to attack, their artillery and ours went at it so hard for about an hour. Colonel Sir Robert Moncreiffe of the 6th Battalion Black Watch is to relieve us tomorrow night commencing at 9:45 p.m. I took some of their officers and gave them every information possible. Monday 31st May 1915 A lovely fine day but still that combined shelling, our front lines are in good shape now. We found a dead man on our wire in advanced trench and at night discovered it was a man from the 3rd Battalion who had stayed over there. Shells came through and over our trenches this morning. They are getting at us in in great style these days. At 10:30 tonight the 6th Battalion Black Watch came in and took over our two front lines, and at midnight the 7th Battalion Black Watch took over our reserve trenches.

Essars 1–9 June 1915 Tuesday 1st June 1915 We marched out of Festubert trenches about 1:30 a.m. and marched to Essars where we arrived at 3:30 a.m. Men had hot [illegible] and then bivouacked out. We 58

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are to get our old billets today, as soon as 2nd Brigade moves out. I have my HQ down at the Estaminet at the canal opposite [illegible]. This afternoon with Tom [Houghton] and had a great bath at the hospital. Thursday 3rd June 1915 Wrote yesterday again demanding that Colonel Wood’s promises of 6th [May] re second in command [Battalion] be fulfilled. Also, wrote today to General [John W.] Carson asking that [Lieutenant] Lauric (who called me yesterday), [Lieutenant H.F.] Hall,13 [Major Greville-]Gavin, McWilliam be sent on at once to fill up. Rode into Béthune this morning with Tom [Houghton] to draw money to pay men. The Germans put a lot of shells into Béthune this afternoon. Got word from HQ that [machine-gun officer] Major [A.E.] Swift has been appointed second in command, also that [Lieutenants] Hall and Lauric were told off for this [2nd] battalion. Friday 4th June 1915 Took a whole bottle of castor oil last night to try and shove off that cold and cough, and feel a little better today though very weak. Wrote to Colonel Carrick today about the car.14 Went up in motor to the convent at [Poperinge] to see if lace was finished but it will not be done until the 2nd of July next. Had lunch at Bailleul. Met Colonel [Harry] Lamb [from GHQ] and Colonel [Archie] MacDonell at our HQ in the afternoon. Monday 7th June 1915 Another fine warm day. It is very hard to keep the men employed properly. I have arranged for an inspection by General Mercer tomorrow at 10 a.m. Had unpleasant interview with [General] Alderson in connection with that [illegible] [Captain] Clifford. Alderson is not [illegible] but he wants Clifford to be recognized as himself, but if he knew it he would never stand for many of Clifford’s contemptible acts. However, that is for Alderson to find out for himself. A new (13th) battery, four guns 60 pounders [heavy field guns that fired 60-pound shells], passed through to front tonight. They are part of Kitchener’s new force.15 Good luck to them all. About 9 p.m. received a letter from HQ in re nominal roll of officers and replied as per company retained. Wednesday 9th June 1915 Nice cool day after the big heat and storm of yesterday. Meeting of OCs’ companies this morning and explained scheme and making of maps for operation of 10th. Had a great swim this afternoon at the open-air swimming pools in Béthune. Lieutenants Lauric and [H.F.] Hall reported for duty this afternoon with the 2nd Battalion.

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Givenchy 10–18 June 1915 The British attack of 18–22 December 1914 on German forces holding Givenchyen-Gohelle (in Pas-de-Calais), had been a costly failure—hence the famous “Christmas Truce” just days later. On 10 June 1915, the 2nd Battalion (CEF) moved near Givenchy. It would advance in attack as part of Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Rawlinson’s IV Corps (BEF). The Canadian 1st Division would play a smaller role here than at Festubert. On 15 June, the 2nd Battalion supported the 1st Battalion’s attack as it struggled forward under machine-gun fire. But the advance began to falter, and by the end of the day it had failed, with Watson’s men suffering ninety-three casualties. The unit would be relieved two days later. Though neither officers nor men knew it at this time, Givenchy would turn out to be 1915’s last assault operation for the 2nd Battalion, and for the 1st Division as a whole.

Thursday 10th June 1915 Rained fearfully hard all night and heavy artillery firing as well. Inspected different companies and bombs for that important [illegible]. Went in closely into detail for attack operations, noting down all essentials that I could think of and getting [Major A.E.] Swift and [Captain] Turner to do the same. Had a visit from Captain Clifford on re interference with sentry and apologizing for the occurrence. Got a hurry order to go and see trenches of 16th Battalion [Canadian Scottish]. Got there with officers at 3:30 p.m., back to our HQ at 5:30 and started off with battalion at 6:15, arriving up at Vauxhall Bridge at 7:30 p.m. and getting three companies fixed up by 10 p.m. A bad mistake at Brigade HQ caused our No. 4 Company to be out nearly all night. Orders for 4th and 2nd Battalions were duplicated and we were out in the cold and rain. It rained very hard all night. Trenches in very bad conditions. We are occupying front line from H.3 to H.1, 4th Battalion on our right sector, Guards on our left. Friday 11th June 1915 Was up nearly all night fixing up things as well as I could and in morning shortly after 5 o’clock with Brigadier [Mercer] went over all our trenches. It was an awfully muddy tour and we got back after 8 a.m. About noon I got a fine cable from General [John W.] Carson offering me a trip home to Canada on furlough but, though it would be the wish of my life, I could not accept very well for duty as well as sake of example. Made another inspection of the lines in the afternoon with [General George] Harper, Melville and [General Edward W.B.] Morrison.

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Saturday 12th June 1915 There was a big explosion about 1:30 this a.m. Appeared as if a mine had been exploded. This is a dull depressing day. Artillery are shelling away today on both sides of us. At 9:30 a.m. got a phone message and met Generals Alderson and Mercer, went with them all through our lines, inspecting and showing them everything. General Alderson complimented me warmly on my reply regarding offer of furlough and asked me to go over to 2nd Division to give them all information regarding operation and other details. An officer of Royal [illegible] was wounded in front lines. They tried to get him in with a rope but Germans shot and killed him while they were attempting to do so. Believe the Germans are trying to run a mine under our lines. Received word to evacuate parts of our front line tomorrow morning as artillery are going to cut wires. Sunday 13th June 1915 This certainly does not seem like Sunday when we are used to quiet and peace. Both sides are doing their [level] best evidently to get the best in artillery and the shells are merrily sailing over us from both directions. They are gathering two 18 pounders [field guns] up in fire today so it looks as if there were big things coming. Went around all companies in the evening. Dinner only at 9:45 p.m. Monday 14th June 1915 Heavy artillery fire all day long, cutting wires and knocking down enemy’s trenches. Had several of our men wounded today by shells. Many coming quite close to us. Had meetings of officers (CO’s companies) and explained thoroughly all plans for tomorrow’s operations. I had the nearest shave from a shell just about 6 o’clock tonight. It struck about five or six feet from me and I could feel the wind as it whizzed by me and kicked up a great lot of smoke and dust. Tuesday 15th June 1915 This is the eventful day and the shelling has been particularly severe. We have had a lot of casualties today. Went to [illegible] report centre for a meeting with Brigadier [Mercer] regarding our part in operations. We are making our HQ down the street, 3 o’clock. At 3:30 p.m. all the troops were in position and at 5:30 word was received that mine was ready. At 5:30 the artillery started and I never saw or conceived anything so terrible. At 5:58 the mine was exploded sending one company of Germans into the air but also wounding about fifty of ours. The 1st Battalion made a good advance, took first and second lines of trenches and some even into the third line, but 7th Division could not advance and so our lines had to retire and suffered fearful casualties. Captain O’Connor was wounded in coming down the trenches, with Lieutenant Ackerman and Lieutenant Lauric … both wounded by shells near their dugouts. 61

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Wednesday 16th June 1915 Another fearful day and another attack ordered for 4:45 p.m. I was asked at 1:20 p.m. if I would care to undertake the attack but as we had been holding the line for six sleepless days and with only 2½ hours allowed for the preparations I declined, and heard afterwards from Brigade Major that it was the duty of 3rd Battalion and not ours. The attack did not develop as the 3rd Battalion did not advance owing to 7th Division left being held up. The shelling was something awful. Our losses were three officers and ninety-seven men, fifteen of whom were hospital cases for nerves. Thursday 17th June 1915 We were retired this morning at 9:20 by 7th Battalion of 2nd Brigade and marched about ten miles back through Béthune to a place called Oblinghem, a pretty little village near Divisional HQ. We are all played out nerves and otherwise. Was called up to Brigade HQ at Gonnehem by General Alderson and there given seven days leave and instructions to give lectures to 2nd Division.

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On Leave June–September 1915 Summer on Plug Street 22 June–26 August 1915

The 1st Canadian Division, including the 2nd Battalion, would hold the relatively quiet front stretching from Ploegsteert (“Plug Street” to the British troops) in Hainaut, Belgium, to Messines in West Flanders for much of the summer. When the 2nd Battalion was not training, the men were manning forward trenches, building defensive works, and taking well-deserved leaves. In late August, Watson’s army career would take a dramatic new turn.

Tuesday 22nd June 1915 [In England on leave] Went down to Salisbury about my luggage and called on the Parkers and Woodrons. Had lunch at latter place. Loafed around garden and grounds and came up to town on the 6:28 called at Mrs. Alderson’s [Alice Mary Sergeant, wife of General Alderson], but she was out. Wednesday 23rd June 1915 Had a good day at Asprey’s [jewellers] and other places. Got my photos fixed up and at night dined with Sir Max Aitken at [Carlton] Club with [Andrew] Bonar Law and Solicitor General Sir F.E. Smith, most enjoyable and lost 17s. [shillings] at bridge.1 Thursday 24th June 1915 Called on Dudley Oliver [Bank of Montreal] and saw Sir Thomas Shaughnessy off to Canada.2 Had tea with Mrs. Alderson at the women’s club and dined with Colonel [James H.] MacBrien at the Savoy.3

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Sunday 27th June 1915 Arrived at Nooteboom about last midnight and rode over this morning to Le Pont d’Achelles to look over road for tonight’s march. We leave at 4:30 a.m. for the trenches to take over from the 11th Middlesex Regiment all lines of trench[es] 34–69. The 3rd Brigade on our right, the 4th Battalion on our left. Arrived up the trenches at about 8:30 o’clock very tired. Made the relief with 11th Middlesex by 11 p.m. Very quiet all along the line for which we were all very thankful in our tired condition. Tuesday 29th June 1915 Met [Minister] Hughes, [Major-]General [Arthur] Currie, [Lieutenant-Colonel Louis] Lipsett, [illegible] and [illegible]4 and went over the line with them starting at 7 a.m. We had to change our battalion HQ and evacuate numbers 62 and 63 trenches. This is to take place tomorrow night. We started tonight to build a new trench from right of our line to the Devil’s Elbow. The lines were marked out and wire all cut and all made ready to dig trench tomorrow night. Raining very hard. All well. Wednesday 30th June 1915 Made a full inspection of our own lines today. Major [George Harrah] Ralston had a very close call this morning near our HQ. I again visited the lines this afternoon with General Mercer and tonight went down and supervised the digging of a new trench. Had a most interesting experience with our bombing party and listening posts. Bombed the Germans and got bombed back. Completed new trench at 2:15 a.m. and manned it at 2:50 a.m. Thursday 1st July 1915 Dominion Day and in the trenches. What a contrast to previous years. Went through our lines with General Alderson and General Mercer and their staffs and the lines were in splendid shape. 6 p.m. a man was hit just over his heart almost opposite our shack. They brought him in to our HQ. The shells were flying freely. Received a most complimentary message today from General [illegible] on the splendid work in building the new trench last night. Rainbow took first prize at the Brigade Horse Show held today. Friday 2nd July 1915 Omitted to state yesterday that being Dominion Day parts of the trenches were tastefully decorated and we were able to photograph them as souvenirs. The Germans shell our HQ and vicinity quite regularly. We are finishing up the work in our new trenches and communication trenches tonight.

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Tuesday 6th July 1915 Left Plug Street [Ploegsteert] last night about 10 o’clock and arrived at La Crèche, after marching about 3½ hours at 1:30 a.m. We have nice billets, clean and comfortable and the men are having a great rest and general clean-up. I rode around the billets of the different companies this morning. We had two killed and six wounded during this period in the trenches. But several other men of other units were hit, close to our HQ. Yesterday afternoon one shell killed one man and two horses and wounded four other men right close to my HQ. It was a great shot right down the centre of road. Rode into Bailleul in the afternoon and called on my old house where I had been billeted. Captain [Willis-]O’Connor [adjutant] and Salway returned to duty tonight. Friday 9th July 1915 We started today among the different companies to make a subscription to the big war loan, and thanks to pay master, who had worked very hard, we sent off tonight to the chief paymaster in London with Colonel Murray £6548 and £220 sent direct. Saturday 10th July 1915 Visited companies and watched the bombers at their work. In the afternoon, rode into Nieppe and Armentières and called down an officer named [Lieutenant G.C.] Carvell of PPCLI [Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry] for insulting language to General Hughes Minister of Militia. Monday 12th July 1915 Raining this morning but turned out fine in afternoon. Rode up in motor car to the [Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul] convent near Poperinge. Got my lace presents which I sent home to Mary, Marjorie and Billie by registered mail tonight. Tuesday 13th July 1915 Nice fine cool day. We had made all preparations for our move into the trenches tonight, when about 10 a.m. orders came in to cancel same and we are to stand to pending further instructions. In afternoon went for a ride into Bailleul and had a splendid bath, after played baseball against NCOs and got licked. Met General [Haftner] and got new trenches explained. In the morning got telegram offering a week leave to see General Hughes but in view of going into new trenches, thought it wise not to accept and wrote General Hughes to that effect. Thursday 15th July 1915 It was certainly a most awful night to effect a relief. Pouring rain, inky darkness. Strange trenches mud from head to foot and tired wet men enough to discourage 65

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the hardiest. We made the relief by about 1:30 a.m. got in bed at 2:30 and was awake at 4:45 a.m. to go around the trenches with the Brigadier [Mercer] at 7 o’clock. [Illegible] awful Vézina badly shot in head. Dennis in back. Another man shot through hand. Captain [George Taylor] Richardson left to take ambulance at Nouvelle-Église to have his wrist X-rayed. Horse fell with him coming in. Sunday 18th July 1915 Another surprising order came in late last night. That we are to be changed again tonight. The 28th Division’s [BEF] taking over the lines. These changes are really becoming more than a joke and the men are getting absolutely tired out with them all. We are to go back to huts north of La Crèche and the 3rd and 4th are to take over from 3rd Brigade at Plug Street [Ploegsteert]. Wednesday 21st July 1915 Nice and fine cool day. We move into the Plug Street trenches tonight, 3rd and 4th Battalions in front, 3rd in support and 4th in reserve. We are to meet [Prime Minister] Sir Robert Borden5 and General [Sam] Hughes [minister] as we go in tonight. We relieved the 14th Battalion at the Piggeries [near Ploegsteert Wood and Hill 63] and other points in rear of our old lines 126 to 130 and completed same by about 9 p.m. Friday 23rd July 1915 Colonel Burland DSO [Distinguished Service Medal] and Captain [Dr. Francis Scrimger] VC called at our HQ on their way back from London [for investiture with the King].6 Colonel Burland stated that minister wanted to see me relative to 2nd Division and other matters. Walked down to Brigade HQ but staff away. Rained hard all night. Germans shelled Plug Street yesterday and again this morning. Sunday 25th July 1915 We had Divine service at 11 o’clock by Ross McGordon. It was a very slim attendance as we only had two companies. Went around trenches with Major Hughes. At night, I had 280 men as a working party and built a splendid long trench of over four hundred yards from Hasted House to rear of 128. No casualties. Monday 26th July 1915 The batteries of artillery behind Piggeries are very active today. Went around with [Major Ross] Hayter and saw new trench and other works. Sent Sir Robert Borden a letter yesterday [and] signed Alderson’s letter and copy of Brigade’s recommendation for myself and two other officers of battalion. [Illegible] and changeable weather.

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Tuesday 27th July 1915 Wet, raw and cold day. Another batch of two officers and five men go on their week’s leave today. 3rd Battalion captured two prisoners last night. Received visit this afternoon from Major [John] Clark, Captain [William MacLeod Moore] and Captain Hamilton. Brought them up to Captain Verret’s HQ. Some shelling went on at the château. Started a new trench from Château Road to [Hasted] House. Wednesday 28th July 1915 Another nice cool day. Went around all the posts and inspected the new works. Major Jakes’s party completed a new trench from new trench near [Hasted] House down to fire branch at 129. Walked over to Brigade HQ and complained about manner in which 2nd Battalion officers and men had been ignored in list of honours. Could only get word that this would be [rectified] in a later list. Thursday 29th July 1915 It turned out to be a very warm day. We finished up all our trench work and got everything ready for the relief. We were relieved by the 16th Battalion starting at 8:30 p.m. and was completed about 11 p.m. We then rode back to billets arriving at huts about midnight. Companies marched back independently. Friday 30th July 1915 About 3:30 a.m. there started a terrible bombardment and kept it up until after 6 a.m. It seemed like a big attack. Am trying to arrange to meet the minister [Hughes] in London tomorrow. Left billets at 1:15 p.m. by motor cab (Colonel Williams’), Brigade HQ and arrived at Boulogne[-sur-Mer] at 4 p.m. and London at 9 p.m.7 Met the minister who was delighted to see me and stopped at the Savoy with him. Saturday 31st July 1915 Visited and had breakfast with General Hughes and Sir Charles Ross in his room. Then motored around to St. Thomas Hospital to see the wounded. Went to record office and called on Colonel Ward [Royal Artillery]. In afternoon minister [Hughes] went to Wales and I had to go to Asprey’s [jewellers], tailors and other places. Monday 2nd August 1915 Breakfast with Sir Cha[rle]s Rose [Charles Rose, Montreal-born UK Liberal MP] at Burlington Hotel. Nice day. But everything closed, bank holiday. Had a chat and long lunch with Sir Robert Borden and R.B. Bennett,8 also Sir Max Aitken and Sir Herbert Hobs.

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Sunday 3rd August 1915 Did a lot of shopping and at night, had dinner with General [John W.] Carson at the [Hotel] Cecil. Met the minister [Hughes] afterwards who had just returned from Wales and later had supper with Sir Max Aitken at his rooms. Monday 4th August 1915 Went down to Shorncliffe on special car with the minister [Hughes] with Bonar Law [illegible] important and party.9 Went to inspection of troops and at night big meeting in city hall. Thursday 5th August 1915 Crossed over to France in destroyer Amazon, took one hour Folkestone to Boulogne. Went with party and inspected Nos. 1 [Étaples], 2 [Le Tréport], and 3 [Dannes-Camiers] Canadian hospitals and saw a number of old and familiar faces. Among them Dr. Label who had just been operated on for appendicitis. At night was entertained by McGill Dockers and then motored back to Nouvelle-Église arriving there about 2:30 a.m. Saturday 7th August 1915 Cold cloudy day. At 9 a.m. went down to trenches with [Major Ross] Hayter. In the afternoon met General Hughes, Alderson, Mercer, Prince Alexander of Teck,10 Sir Max Aitken and others and went through lines with them. Artillery began just as they were leaving. General Hughes looked tired and played out. He appears to be having [a] pretty strenuous time. Sunday 8th August 1915 Another Sunday in the trenches. Does not seem like Sabbath day. Went around trenches with Major [Alexander “Sandy”] MacPhail engineer officer to locate positions for new Sap trenches.11 In the afternoon, again with General Mercer. My repeated suggestion and opinion that a long trench should be constructed between 125 and 129 has been turned down by brigade. I put myself on record for this. Monday 9th August 1915 There was another terrific bombardment at about 3 o’clock this a.m. The building shook with some of the [illegible]. It was kept up until about 5:30 a.m. The Germans replied, several big shells striking very near our HQ splinters striking our roof. Rolled over and went to sleep.12

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Tuesday 10th August 1915 Had a visit yesterday from General Burstall13 and went with him to his various forward positions. Barrel House, Villa House, Thatch Cottage, Haystack and dugouts and had S.O.S. tests fired from each. Twenty-five seconds was the best record. Yesterday had one killed and two wounded and last night one man wounded. Made the round of trenches last night, firing was very heavy. British took back position at Hooge [eastern Ypres Salient] yesterday a.m. Had visit from Colonel [V.A.S.] Williams and advised him re General Hughes. Also, had visit from General Mercer yesterday who showed me [General John W.] Carson’s letter and his reply. Went to a gas demonstration at 2nd Brigade HQ [Gonnehem]. Was most interesting. Went through trench filled with poison gas, ten times as strong as Germans could put on us. But helmets made everything quite safe. At night went around to see that everything was alright. Wednesday 11th August 1915 Went around trenches in morning and in afternoon met with General Alderson who told me that my name had gone in for the 5th Brigade and that I might be moved in a few days. Saw a most wonderful airplane fight about 5 p.m. Never saw such bravery or daring as that displayed by English airman. Time and again he returned to the attack and the way he was shelled and escaped was phenomenal. At night made rounds of trenches as usual. Saturday 14th August 1915 Nice fine day. Sent in a strong recommendation for Sergeant Major [W.O.] White.14 Went around the lines with General Mercer. In the afternoon got a box of candy from Mary and also a heavy shelling. One shell went through roof and another hit the middle of the road. Pretty narrow escapes. Went around with Colonel Williams to inspect the Mons Rail. Very wet weather. Wednesday 18th August 1915 Very heavy rain during night. Have just heard that [HMT] Royal Edward [carrying troops to Gallipoli] has been torpedoed by Germans [submarine, 28 July, near the Turkish coast].15 Very quiet today. Had a fine letter from General [Richard] Turner [head of new Canadian 2nd Division] today re my promotion. Also, a letter from Hay and one from Kidd. Rode over with Major Tates to Nieppe and Bailleul. Got more lace at convent [Poperinge] for Mary. Saw Tom [Houghton] there and got back to camp around 6:30 p.m.

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Thursday 19th August 1915 Another cloudy wet day, our working parties are hard at work. Germans shelled Armentières heavily yesterday. No less than nine buildings were on fire at one time. Very slow day and very lonesome. Friday 20th August 1915 Appears to be trying to be fine at last but terrible rains of the past week have put the trenches in a frightful condition of mud and slosh. Located a new battalion HQ which will be built in rear of Rosswedd House. Took good dose of medicine today. Not at all well. Feverish. Saturday 21st August 1915 Pouring rain again. I see the Germans have sunk the [SS] Arabic [in a submarine attack, off the Irish coast]. We are getting ready to go up into the front line to relieve the 3rd Battalion tonight. Completed the relief at 7:35 p.m. Monday 23rd August 1915 There was a very heavy bombardment today about 3 this a.m. lasting for nearly an hour. Sergeant Goodman was killed last night and another man wounded. Went around our lines this morning with [Lieutenant-]General Sir Charles Fergusson,16 [III] Corps commander who was highly pleased with our trenches. While with him I received news that official news had been received regarding my promotion and received General Fergusson’s congratulations. Tuesday 24th August 1915 Last night [illegible] news of Russian fleet victory 17 was given out, we had all the men cheer in our front lines to give the Germans the welcome news. Went around château grounds today inspecting posts. Could see where Germans’ working party are hard shoring up earthworks. Captain O’Connor received information today regarding his appointment [as aide-de-camp (ADC) to General Arthur Currie] on the staff of 1st Division. Another man wounded tonight. Wednesday 25th August 1915 Fine bright morning. The men who were going on leave and Tom [Houghton] and QM were disappointed yesterday as leave is postponed until today. [Major] Swift and other men (except Wishers) came back from leave today. I went down to Nieppe and said goodbye to all there. Had dinner with General Alderson and called on General Mercer on way back. Then about 9:30 p.m. went around trenches and said goodbye to officers and it was a good night, full moon. Both sides had working party out in full view of each other.

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Thursday 26th August 1915 A beautiful day for my leaving. German aeroplanes over our lines for a long time. This morning heavy firing on it. Left at noon by motor with Colonel Williams.

Changeover 27 August–15 September 1915 David Watson would return to England at the end of August 1915 to receive a promotion to brigadier-general and to take over the Canadian 2nd Division’s new 5th Brigade. The 2nd Division, which had arrived the previous April at Folkestone/Shorncliffe, in Kent, consisted of the 4th, 5th, and 6th Brigades. Each brigade held four battalions, and all four belonging to the 5th Brigade— the 22nd/22e, 24th, 25th, and 26th—were from Eastern Canada. Watson and his new brigade would leave for France on 15 September. Friday 27th August 1915 Arrived London last night at 9:30 p.m. Max Aitken phoned and asked me to stop with him at Hyde Park Hotel. Had fine room there. Dinner with Tom [Houghton] at the [Hotel] Cecil at night.18 Monday 30th August 1915 The eventful day has come [when Watson was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general]. Went down to Folkestone at 9:05 a.m., met [Colonel] Garnet Hughes [Turner’s second in command] at station and went to [2nd] Division HQ [Shorncliffe Camp]. In afternoon went up to 5th Brigade HQ and called on [Lieutenant-]Colonel [J.P.] Landry.19 It was a most delicate matter but had to be got through with. Tuesday 31st August 1915 Spent my first day [at Shorncliffe] with the [5th] Brigade. How lonesome I am here tonight. No one can imagine how utterly despondent I am. Went up this a.m. at 8:30 and had short lunch (fifteen minutes) with 26th [Battalion] and then off to [illegible] work until 5:30. Made four speeches and visited the four battalions and tried to work up their enthusiasm but it was very hard work and not like my old 2nd Battalion. Wednesday 1st September 1915 Another hard day. Yes, very hard one and bad news from Mary and Marjorie to cap it all. Raining and cold and miserable. Dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Neil but left early.

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Went out to Sir Max Aitken’s house and again met Sir F.E. Smith, General Steele, General Carson and Sir George Perley.20 Got back about 12 a.m. Thursday 2nd September 1915 His Majesty and Lord Kitchener reviewed the 2nd Division this morning and I had about twenty minutes very interesting chat with them both. Got soaking wet marching back to camp. Had lunch with 24th Battalion and got back to hotel at 6 p.m. Ten hours work today. Wednesday 8th September 1915 Had our trench attack drill today, 22nd and 24th in morning. Other two battalions in afternoon, General Turner, Colonel [H.D.] de Prée [chief of staff, 2nd Division] and others were there in the morning and all appeared most satisfied. Thursday 9th September 1915 Had a cable today from Mary and one from the boys at the office. Both were splendid and made me feel so good. I inspected two battalions 22nd and 24th with new equipment. Both did very well indeed. Sunday 12th September 1915 Motored down from London to Folkestone. Most beautiful drive and a beautiful day. Seventy-six miles two hours and twenty minutes. We have orders to leave on Tuesday, thank goodness. At night sat around and listened to the music on the Leas [a cliffside promenande in Folkestone, know for entertainment]. It was a beautiful night. Warm and balmy. Wednesday 15th September 1915 Turned out a nice fine day. We learned that one of our own torpedo boats rammed the transport [G…] with HQ 4th Brigade last night but no loss of life occurred. Went around with General Carson to see the various battalions and saw the 22nd Battalion off at 6:45 a.m. Had my last meal in Folkestone and then went down to quay and went on Queen with 24th Battalion, leaving at 4:30 p.m. for my second [sic] trip to France.21

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Notes from the end of diary, Volume 1 Postcards from prisoners in Germany. All well. Splendidly treated. And P.S. two men shot this morning for complaining. MERCER22 Dirty-unshaved. Gives orders, does not carry them out. Rubber boots. His own disgraceful boots. No uniformity or discipline. On 9th January, the 2nd was bad in deploying, 4th best. This was made generally known. Same day 2nd was by far the best in long [illegible] 4th worst. Not a word said about that until next day to me, personally and before Captain Ware. Fourth Battalion It was frequently said to me that “Ronnie was weak, very weak.”23

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Part II

Brigadier-General: 5th Brigade September 1915–April 1916

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Chapter 5

Intrigue and the Front September 1915–January 1916

In September of 1915, the new Canadian 2nd Division arrived in France. A new call to arms had gone out across Canada soon after the massive armada containing the CEF’s first contingent left Quebec in late September 1914, and thousands of men had responded. Units were raised from across the country, and from the West in particular. The 5th Brigade, however, was a mixture of forces drawn from Quebec and the Maritimes. Quebec’s 22nd/22e (French Canadian) Battalion (known as the Van Doos) was the Canadian Corps’s only French-Canadian battalion, and the 24th (Victoria Rifles) came principally from Montreal’s English-speaking Victoria Rifles of Canada. The 25th (Nova Scotia Rifles) and 26th (New Brunswick) included men from those two provinces.1 Command of the 2nd Division in France went to Major-General Richard Turner, VC—who was not the first choice of Lieutenant-General Edwin Alderson, commander of the Canadian Corps (which was at this point, in effect, a BEF army corps). As his diaries reveal, Watson would harness the worsening relations between these two men for his own purposes. Once it reached France, the 2nd Division quickly took over lines in the Ypres sector, where the battle-hardened 1st Division would show it the ropes. The newcomers provided minor support during the British assault on Loos (25 September–8 October), principally by calling down artillery fire, and would execute minor operations. These raids, which Watson helped in the planning and results of, helped these initiates to hone a range of valuable skills. It was at this time that the Canadian army withdrew Sir Charles Ross’s problematic Ross rifle from service, despite its popularity with Militia Minister Sam Hughes and a number of senior officers, including Watson. Hughes had

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promoted the Ross rifle as a Canadian success story, but it performed horribly in battle and often jammed in the heat of action. Many Canadian soldiers had stood defenceless during Second Ypres in the spring because their rifles had failed. When demands to replace the weapon became an issue, Hughes attacked any critic, inhibiting any open discussion. One officer, W.A. Griesbach, called Hughes’s tactics a type of “military terrorism.” As Tim Cook observed, Many generals and colonels spoke their disapproval of the Ross in whispers, but in official communications temporized and wrangled— said that the rifle might be improved or altered, that perhaps it had not a fair trial, or that the ammunition was perhaps unsuitable—anything indeed but the truth they knew.2 Canadian Corps commanders were split on what to do. General Alderson commissioned a survey of brigadiers and battalion leaders—again—and opinion came back evenly split. However, a survey of junior officers—who knew the men—showed that almost everyone who used it on the field opposed the rifle. Watson’s diary discusses testing the Ross rifle and comparing it to the replacement (British) Lee-Enfield, as well as his meetings and lunches with Sir Charles and Lady Ross. Thursday 16th September 1915 Arrived at Boulogne[-sur-Mer] about 11:30 last night. The battalions all marched up to St. Martin’s Camp [Camp Saint-Martin]. About two miles up and the Brigade HQ booked at the Hotel Louvre for the night. In the morning, we got a motor from Captain [H.W. “Harry”] Blaylock [Canadian Army Medical Corps, or CAMC] and motored to Saint-Omer and later on to Wallon-Cappel where we were billeted with 22nd Battalion [Van Doos] who came in near 12 midnight and over four hundred men short. Friday 17th September 1915 Had meeting with [Lieutenant-]Colonel [Frédéric-Mondelet] Gaudet and officers 22nd Battalion re men dropping out and insisted on better march discipline.3 Moved out at 2 p.m. to Hazebrouck where our [5th Brigade] HQ are located at 80 rue Merville Excellent quarters. Had visit from Colonel Garnet Hughes [Turner’s second in command], re 1st Brigade and also from Colonel Williams [V.A.S. Williams, adjutant general, Division HQ]. Others battalions getting slowly to quarters.

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Saturday 18th September 1915 Received marching orders to take over from 83rd Brigade [BEF] on 19th and 20th. Went around with Durry and saw all our battalions in their areas, only the 22nd had any men who had not come in. Went to Caëstre and had lunch with General [Richard] Turner and a long talk with him in re proposed change of brigades as suggested by Sir Max Aitken who called on me here last night. Monday 20th September 1915 Went all through right sector trenches with Colonel Morris of 2nd King’s Own Battalion. It was a most confusing mass of trenches and when I think of commanding green troops in that tangle it makes me shudder. I get fearfully downhearted and depressed at times. In the afternoon, the 22nd and 25th were inspected by General Alderson and General Wood and he paid me a great compliment before all the troops. Privately he told me that he had again strongly recommended me for honours and that if I did not get the VC I would surely get the CMG [Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George]. We are still in tents and it is still fearfully cold. Very heavy shelling tonight. Half battalion of 22nd and 25th went into the front trenches tonight. Tuesday 21st September 1915 Went all around the left section trenches this morning with Colonel Brooke of 2nd Battalion York Light Infantry and in afternoon went to Dranouter to see Colonel Hughes RE [Royal Engineers] and later on to Hazebrouck to phone [2nd] Divisional HQ. Officers of the 24th and 26th went in to trenches tonight for instructional purposes. Had a fine big mail from home today. Two casualties today, one in 22nd (Poirier) and one in 25th. Friday 24th September 1915 Had heavy rain during night and trenches were in a terrible condition. Went around right sector with Colonel [H.D.] de Prée [chief of staff, 2nd Division].4 Sent in six hundred big bags of straw for tomorrow’s demonstration. Our 60 pounders [field guns] bombarded German position on our right from 4 to 5 p.m. All ready for tomorrow’s show by midnight, but everybody worked off their feet. Saturday 25th September 1915 Heavy rain all night. The bombardment started at about 4:30 a.m. and keeps up incessantly. Went around our left sector this morning with General Turner. It was fearfully wet and muddy.

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Monday 27th September 1915 We heard that good advances had been made by both English and French troops and that substantial numbers of prisoners and guns were taken. Went around left sector with General Turner and right sector with Captain Turner [No. 1 Company]. Some grenades were sent into our lines just before we arrived. No casualties. Sent in eight officers of the 24th and 26th to learn the trenches before their battalions went in tomorrow. It was a fearfully cold night. Wednesday 29th September 1915 It was an awful night to effect the relief, it rained and wind howled continuously. This morning I went around right sector with General Turner and got properly drenched and covered with mud. Had official report that three divisions of the French had broken through German lines down in Champagne district. General Garneau tonight. Friday 1st October 1915 Was to go around this morning with General Alderson, but he got a message to go to meet army commander and had to postpone visit until tomorrow. Went to [Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul] convent at Locre today and ordered some nice things for Mary and the girls. Will not be finished for a couple of months. Cold and windy today and very muddy. Sunday 3rd October 1915 Very cold raw day. Divine service today in the lines of 25th Battalion. Wrote Sir Robert Borden and sent Mary a small cheque. Went up around lines with Turner.5 Conditions improving somewhat. Monday 4th October 1915 Went around and saw the 22nd and 24th at their HQ. The 22nd relieved the 26th by 10:30 last night. Had a visit from General Turner. The Germans gave us a hard bombardment this afternoon. The Seely Brigade took over tonight from 52nd Brigade on our left.6 Terrible weather. Cold and raining all the time. Tuesday 5th October 1915 Went around this morning with Colonel de Prée and Major Carr. Selected positions for strong points in rear of lines. Raining hard and heavy. Shelling by Germans in afternoon. Six of our men were wounded last night by a bomb. 25th Battalion relieved 24th by 10:30 last night. Our casualties for the two tours in the trenches to date eleven killed, thirty-one wounded.

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Wednesday 6th October 1915 Made an inspection of our new trenches in J.3. R and L this morning. When in K.1 New was speaking to Major [A.G.O.] Roy and half a minute about after I left him, he [Roy] was badly hit and died this afternoon. It was very hot in new trenches all morning. We had a lot of casualties in right section. General Turner called this afternoon. 26th Battalion were shifted to La Clytte [De Klijte] for two to three days. Friday 8th October 1915 Went up to inspect left sector this morning and General Turner took the right sector. As we were going in, the Germans exploded a mine opposite K.1 [illegible] 150 feet long and one hundred feet wide. Only one of our men killed. Trenches getting in much better shape. We are going to have wire fixed up tonight. Very heavy bombardment heard to the south, has been going on now for some hours. I had my second great nervous touch tonight, when the sudden and heavy bombardment took place about 5:30 p.m. The Germans blew up two mines today. The second one tonight at H.4., which buried thirteen men in it. You could put a good-sized house in it. They gave us an awful shelling and we both went at it for a couple of hours. Saturday 9th October 1915 I went around the trenches and visited the craters and where the trenches had been blown in. In afternoon went up Mont Kemmel and watched our bombardment in retaliation. We gave it to them pretty hot. At night drove over with General Turner to his [2nd Division] HQ at Westouter. Things seem a little quieter tonight. The 26th Battalion are relieving the 22nd tonight. Put in a report tonight regarding conduct of 25th last night. Tuesday 12th October 1915 The big demonstration is postponed until tomorrow. It has turned out a fine day though it looked bad last night. Busy at the defence mining schemes. And we have withdrawn our men from H.4 and 3. And J.1. One of 22nd[’s] men shot one of his own men yesterday by accident when cleaning his rifle. The man shot was asleep when killed. Their QM Baker is also reported for drunkenness. Wednesday 13th October 1915 It was foggy and wet in the morning but cleared up before noon. Big demonstration took place commencing at 2 o’clock with 18 pounders to 3 o’clock and with heavies to 3:30. Then the smoke bombs were sent in and rifle and machine guns pass at them. 26th Battalion party assaulted the crater opposite K.1 [illegible] and satisfied themselves that no Germans were there. The Germans’ artillery strafed our lines from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m. and our guns again retaliated. 81

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Our los[s]es will be nearly fifty, including two officers wounded. Major Brown and Lieutenant [illegible] and Lieutenant Duclos went to hospital again today with a temperature. Thursday 14th October 1915 Very foggy and very quiet after yesterday’s demonstration. Our losses yesterday amounted to sixty-eight. Went around in afternoon and visited observation posts in left sector. Walked up and down almost all the way in the open. Got a series of excellent aerial photos today of our lines, showing new craters and had a meeting tonight at their request with [Lieutenant-]Colonel [George Le] Cain and some of his senior officers, 25th Regiment [Battalion]. After going over the situation Colonel Le Cain and I intimated it would be necessary for both him and his second in command to resign.7 Friday 15th October 1915 Fearfully foggy and wet. The 26th Battalion patrol brought in eight bodies last night from Crater, also one wounded man Private Knowles. Very fine work indeed. Had an interview with Generals Alderson and Turner re 25th Battalion and have recommended the withdrawal of the two senior officers of that regiment. In afternoon, General Alderson addressed the officers and men of 25th. The 22nd relieved the 26th by 7:55 tonight. Sunday 17th October 1915 Still very foggy. Went down to trenches with [Major Ross] Hayter and [Edward] Hilliam the new CO of 25th Battalion. He took over today. The trenches were in a very good state. The 25th had two men killed this morning. In afternoon drove over to convent at Proven and got eight handkerchiefs for Mary. Monday 18th October 1915 In morning went down to Battalion HQ and saw [Lieutenant-Colonel F.-M.] Gaudet at 22nd. In afternoon went to a test of ammunition and Ross and [Lee-] Enfield Rifles and sent in report against N, B and G [rifle] marks. Interviewed [Lieutenant-]Colonel [J.L.] McAvity [26th] and told him he was responsible for his officers and battalion. Very heavy bombarding going on all day. Our trenches are pretty badly knocked about by several casualties. Sent Brownie her nice lace handkerchief. And wrote to Sir Robert Borden re 25th and Sir Charles Ross re rifles and tests. Received a very nice letter from General Alderson today. Very heavy bombardment going on all evening and big guns too.

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Tuesday 19th October 1915 Went to right observation post this morning with Turner. We got sniped and shelled but the view was grand. Went to the sports of 1st Brigade at Dranouter this afternoon. They were very good and it was a lovely afternoon for them. Friday 22nd October 1915 Sir Max Aitken told me last night that the King had arrived in France on a visit to the troops. Went after some spies yesterday in a house near Siege Farm, but they were innocent I believe. Saturday 23rd October 1915 Went down with [Lieutenant-]Colonel [J.A.] Gunn [24th] and inspected new support trenches on right and after went to the new trenches in left sector. In evening I had Gaudet [22nd] and Hilliam [25th] over to dinner and we had a good report on the mining from Bullock. Sunday 24th October 1915 Had a visit from Colonel Topping, artillery officer commanding, and went over entire situation with him. Cold and raw today and getting quite wintry-like. Our heavy guns kept pounding away all night. Monday 25th October 1915 Was over at 4th Brigade HQ for dinner last night and talked over full situation with Lord Brooke.8 Got back about midnight. This is one of the worst days we have had. Pouring rain and bitterly cold. All work cancelled. [Brigadier-]General [John W.] Carson and [Lieutenant-Colonel] Sir Montagu Allan, Sir Max Aitken, and [Lieutenant-]Colonel [Samuel] Maynard Rogers called this afternoon. At night, there was a most violent machine-gun and rifle fire as well as heavy artillery on our left front. It was quite weird to hear all this going on and the terrific wind storm at the same time. Tuesday 26th October 1915 It has turned out a fine sunny day, though very cold. The heavy guns are banging away quite freely this morning. Went around with Captain Turner to our rear left positions. Had a great view today of air battle, one if not two German craft were knocked out. One came down inside our 1st Brigade lines. At night had dinner at convent [Locre] with 22nd Battalion. It was their first anniversary. Very enjoyable time and big success.

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Wednesday 27th October 1915 Very rainy weather, roads and trenches are in a fearful condition. I have my old friend sciatica and it is very painful. This afternoon the Canadian Corps was inspected by the King. The Prince of Wales [later Edward VIII] was present and the rain kept off until after it was over. The men looked splendid and very fit. Thursday 28th October 1915 Another fearful day. Cold and wet and the wind howling. The mud is fearful now. Went all through new trenches and part of old lines this morning. It was simply shocking the mud and slush but there was no complaint whatever on the part of the men. Sunday 31st October 1915 Halloween and a fearful Sunday. Wet and cold and raw. Went to service today and heard Rev. Mr. Shatford of 24th Battalion. Splendid sermon. Afternoon went to a good demonstration of rifle grenade firing. The Newton Pippin was a great success.9 Monday 1st November 1915 A terrible day, cold and wet. Went around the right sector with Colonel Hilliam [25th]. It was simply awful the state of the trenches. Had lunch at 25th Battalion HQ and attended a meeting of COs with General Turner at RE [Royal Engineers?] farm. Colonel McCarthy had dinner with us tonight. I don’t think I have seen a worse night in France than tonight. Wednesday 3rd November 1915 Rained hard all the morning. Went to a conference of Corps generals at Bailleul and had lunch at Supply Column HQ. Things all made on improvised stoves and the Germans are nearly drowned out too. As they shouted across to us not to shoot and they would not, so both sides are working hard right out in the open today and both keeping faith. Thursday 4th November 1915 Went up to our front lines today. It would be impossible for me to attempt to describe the terrible state existing in the CT [communication trench] and front lines. I was in mud and water up to my waist. We have parties everywhere trying to get ahead but the sides of the trenches are nearly all down and there is not a dugout left. Met General Turner down in our lines trying to get over to 4th Brigade area.

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Sunday 7th November 1915 Very foggy in morning but turned out finer in the afternoon. Went around support lines again by myself. Artillery bombarding very heavily on our left front today. Am going over to [2nd] Division HQ [Westouter] tonight. “Ginger” [horse] got a terrible cut in his foot last night. He must have lost over a bucket of blood and was very weak this morning. At night was invited to a surprise dinner to General Turner at Divisional HQ, very nice affair. About fifty officers present. When I got back I found that my shack had been nearly burned down. The bricks under the fire getting so hot that the bottom of house took fire. Monday 8th November 1915 Attended a conference at Westouter [General Turner’s HQ] this morning, and in afternoon a meeting of commanding officers of 24th and 25th Battalions to vexed questions between them. At night went to first anniversary dinner of 25th Battalion at convent at Locre. Generals Alderson, Turner and [Arthur] Currie [now heading 1st Division] also present. Tuesday 9th November 1915 Attended our Brigade bombing school this morning in field in rear of Brigade HQ. Germans were shelling us very heavily this morning. Our new interpreter officer arrived and reported this a.m. Friday 12th November 1915 Had the narrowest escape from shell fire this morning. Went with Generals Turner and Wood to front line trenches. Our communication trenches were so bad that we had to go overland. Two shells burst right beside us, one only a few feet away. Splattered us with rocks and mud. The trenches are awful and the weather is fierce. Saturday 13th November 1915 One of the worst days I have ever seen. A real hurricane of rain blowing. Captain Turner got shot through the leg this morning. He will be laid up for five or six weeks. I am going down to Bailleul tonight to have dinner at GHQ. Chip Drury got home from leave last night. Captain Turner got shot below the knee about noon today. It is not a serious wound. Went to Bailleul and had dinner with General Alderson and General Wood tonight and a game of bridge after. Won twelve francs.

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Sunday 14 November 1915 Fine bright day. Went up to look over our support trenches and laid out a new line of breastworks this morning. Very heavy shelling as 26th were relieving 22nd in daylight. Very bad mistake and it will not occur again. Monday 15th November 1915 Had an off day. Stuck around the office getting up with back work. In afternoon went up to see Sgt. Bullock on our mining operations. Got some nice lace at the convent [Locre] for Mary. Heavy shells came from a long way back. Going over our heads towards Westouter. It transpired later that these big shells landed just next to us in the field used by our bombing school. Two unexploded shells were dug up. Thursday 18th November 1915 Went up to see Colonel Gaudet [22nd] re [illegible] and [illegible] for self-inflicted wound. Both are serious cases. In afternoon, it started to rain again. Awful weather. Got letter no. 74 from Mary. What a fine letter it was too. Also letter from Tom [Houghton?] and Colonel Harshow. Sunday 21st November 1915 Foggy cold raw day. Going up to Division HQ [Westouter] at 11 this a.m. for meeting of Brigadiers. Had General Turner and General [Douglas] Ketchen [6th Brigade] over to lunch and afterwards we had a very instructive lecture on the war by our French interpreter officer.10 Monday 22nd November 1915 The foggiest day we have had. Could hardly see across the road. Went up to our Battalion HQ but no observations could be made. Turner went off to hospital this afternoon. Saw Maryesons [Major F.S. Morrison] re going back to Canada. Sent two parcels home yesterday, one with four silk dresses and one with lace. Tuesday 23rd November 1915 Sent another parcel home today, two waists and [illegible] for Brownie. Very quiet all day. Colonel Hilliam [25th] returned from leave tonight. Went all through our support lines with [Chip] Drury today. Our new breastworks are going ahead splendidly also the new wiring. Wednesday 24th November 1915 Turned out fine and cold. Artillery carrying on a heavy bombardment today, 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Our casualties to date 431. In afternoon went up to Scherpenberg Hill [125 m high, near Locre] to see the artillery fire and called on Colonel Gaudet [22nd] who was far from well. 86

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Saturday 27th November 1915 Rode into Bailleul this morning with [Chip] Drury to attend funeral Lieutenant Lawson of 26th Battalion. Buried in military cemetery there. We have had news that Germans are contemplating an attack on our lines and I have warned our battalion commanding officers in writing. Sunday 28th November 1915 Fearfully cold day. Went to Brigade church service this morning at Locre. Down with men in afternoon went to trenches with Major Davis, Bradley and Drury. We got a good shelling and sheltered at new dugouts at K.3. Drury was hit by a piece of shell, which burst right over us. It was a scalp wound only. Piece hit me in leg. Man in next trench was killed. Tuesday 30th November 1915 St. Andrew’s Day [patron saint of Scotland, Presbyterians] and what a contrast to the others we have had in Canada. Nice fine day, after a long night of rain. Went up and had a long conference with Hilliam [25th] regarding a little offensive operation. General Turner called to see me today and instructed me definitely not to go near the trenches nearly as much in the future as things were now well organized. Wednesday 1st December 1915 Rained hard all night but later this morning turned out fine. Going over to hospital to see [Chip] Drury. He is to be evacuated tonight. Briggs and Doucet have both volunteered to help with our staff work. Drury went off last night to [Canadian military hospital in] Boulogne. Saturday 4th December 1915 Went up around our trenches today with [Brigade] Major [T.M.] McAvity. Too bad that Colonel [J.L.] McAvity [26th] is not feeling well. I am afraid he will have to go to England for treatment. Rode over to see how men of 25th Battalion were getting on for the special work they are going to undertake and which was organized yesterday. Sunday 5th December 1915 A wet dreary Sabbath day. Had a long visit from General Turner today and we discussed fully many matters of great importance to the Brigade. Got arrangements pretty well organized for the 25th Battalion scheme.

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Wednesday 8th December 1915 Turned out a fine day after a dark wet night. It is so dark at night that we cannot do army work. Meeting of Brigadiers today at Westouter [2nd Division HQ] at 11:30 a.m. Sent off two boxes with photos to Mary yesterday. Thursday 9th December 1915 Went around trenches with General Turner and he was greatly pleased with all he saw. The weather was awful. Went to see Colonel McAvity [26th]. Colonel Gaudet [22nd] also asked to be allowed to cancel his request to retire from 22nd. Am to settle the J.A. Grant cowardice charge tomorrow. Friday 10th December 1915 Attended our special class of 25th volunteers at our general grounds and in afternoon with General Turner, [Colonels] de Prée and Hilliam [25th], inspected the operations. Settled the Grant affair. He resigned or applied to resign from the service. Very bad morning rain and fog but cleared up in afternoon. Sunday 12th December 1915 Went down to the trenches this morning with my brigade major [T.M. McAvity]. Inspected the lines, saw Colonel Hilliam [25th]. Called on Colonel Gaudet who stated that he did not want to relinquish command of 22nd and accepted General [John W.] Carson’s offer to accept position at War Office [London]. Still fearful weather and raining hard. In afternoon at 4 o’clock the 4th Battalion commanders [22nd, 24th, 25th, 26th] met at [5th Brigade] HQ [Saint-Omer] to talk over matters before relief of 22nd and 25th tonight. Monday 13th December 1915 Fine bright morning. Called over at the [Royal Field] Artillery 18th Brigade Colonel Oveclay. Had Captain Molson and McDougall over to lunch (from [illegible]) and afterwards we had a very interesting lecture by Mr. Deckert. Tuesday 14th December 1915 Rode down to Bailleul with Deckert and saw [illegible] Hamilton, [Colonel V.A.S.] Williams and Mitchell on various Brigade matters. And came back via SaintJans-Cappel, called on General [Arthur] Currie, and got back to camp about 4 p.m. Visited special 25th Battalion class and at night attended another rehearsal, getting home near midnight. Wednesday 15th December 1915 Cold and raw, I forgot today that I got four boxes from home on Monday last. General Alderson yesterday gave me his photo as an Xmas card with autograph. 88

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[Captain] Turner got back today from sick leave. Got some more lace in afternoon. In morning went down to both battalion HQ. Sunday 19th December 1915 At 4 o’clock this morning we were wakened by a terrific attack (bombardment) and at 5 o’clock I suddenly smelled gas. I jumped up and dressed and the gas fumes were very bad, so much so that I had to make our sentry put on his gas helmet. The heavy cannonading lasted about four hours, but regular shelling kept up much longer. Nice day, with gentle wind favouring a German gas attack. Tuesday 21st December 1915 Met the artillery officers re our little show and the big gun shoot at mine head tomorrow. General Turner called and gave me fine box cigars. I also sent some apples and McWilliam cake. In afternoon went to convent near Proven and got my beautiful altar piece for Mary. Prettiest piece of work of this kind I ever saw. Gaudet [22nd], Gunn [24th] and Mackie leave for Xmas holiday tomorrow a.m. Wednesday 22nd December 1915 Went through trenches (right) sector with Colonel Hilliam very fine work throughout. Good deep slits and good communication trenches. Bomb and grenade depots in fine order. In afternoon, we had the heavy guns on mine shaft. Got very wet and muddy in the morning. Friday 24th December 1915 Xmas Eve and such a cold wet miserable day. The only redeeming point was the pleasure I gave the little children at the convent [Locre]. I bought over three large boxes and distributed candies and toys all around. What a pleasure that was. And at night I attended midnight service at the convent with Deckert and Turner. The music and singing were beautiful. Saturday 25th December 1915 Xmas Day in the trenches. Went down and through our trenches with [Captain] Turner. It was raining hard and the mud was fierce. We got very wet and very dirty, but the men were cheery and bright. Saw three Germans from our observation post no. 3. In afternoon and against orders some of our men went out and fraternized with the Germans. Brunelle went through their wire and onto their parapet. Counted forty-five of them. Trenches good and dry and strong. Got one of their buttons as a Xmas souvenir. In afternoon called at 22nd and at Division [Westouter]. General Turner called at our [5th Brigade] HQ [Saint-Omer]. At night had our Xmas dinner, Goose. Oswelt, Osler, [Lieutenant-Colonel] Hilliam, [Major A.E.] Swift, [Captain] Hamilton and [Rev. Mr.] Shatford were our guests. Ourselves 89

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being Deckert, McAvity [unclear if T.M. or J.L.], Briggs, Turner and myself. Very enjoyable. Shatford made nice speech and Deckert kissed him on both cheeks, French style. Sunday 26th December 1915 Very quiet day, windy and a little sun. Rode over to see Colonel illegible, 18th Brigade, RFA [Royal Field Artillery], re the artillery co-operation of our little show this week. Got Canadian mail today. No. 92 letter from Mary and a lot of cards from friends. Monday 27th December 1915 Spent the morning in our horse-lines. The horse standings are good but the surrounding mud is awful. In afternoon and at night went through practice with 25th Battalion section for special attack. Wind particularly strong at night. Tuesday 28th December 1915 With Colonel de Prée had an interview relative to our attack. Then with my B.M. [batman] went through lines and strong points. At night attended rehearsal of the 25th Battalion operation party. Wednesday 29th December 1915 Busy all morning with Scarb and at 11 a.m. a big meeting taking with all OCs of units who are taking part in operation scheme. In afternoon spoke to the men themselves. Deckert gave a good lecture to artillery officers. Thursday 30th December 1915 Went into all details with Hilliam re operation of 25th Battalion. Had visit from General Turner, [Captain] Hamilton and Griffiths. About 8 p.m. as it was a bright starry night, operation was postponed. Friday 31st December 1915 Went down to trenches for last time this year. Very heavy shelling all day. In afternoon turned out very dark and wet. Towards 6 p.m. it began to get very bright with stars and it was deemed again to defer our little offensive. Saturday 1st January 1916 New Year’s Day and a cold raw day. Blowing and raining. Went around our Battalion HQs and paid them a New Year’s visit. Rode to Westouter [General Turner’s HQ] and paid my respects to [2nd] Division. In afternoon, General Alderson called and paid quite a long visit. Turned out quite bright at night.

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Sunday 2nd January 1916 Attended divine service at Locre school house and afterwards Holy Communion at this service. Two Methodists and five Presbyterians joined the church. Very stormy at night. Tried to carry out our little attack tonight but on account of Germans fixing wires, could not do so with 25th. The 22nd successfully carried out their little operation.11 Monday 3rd January 1916 Got in at 6 a.m. and went to bed till 11:00 a.m. After lunch held meeting with Hilliam and other officers of special operation. They propose trying again on first suitable night. Took a good hot bath tonight and turned in rather early. Tuesday 4th January 1916 In morning went up lines to battalion HQ. Saw about the arrangements for tonight’s show. Hope to pull it off successfully this time. Later—it was an ideal night. Unfortunately, Lieutenant James, in charge of scouts got drunk and this with other causes again brought about a failure of our well-laid plan. Wednesday 5th January 1916 Got in at 8:15 a.m. Slept till noon and had a meeting in afternoon with officers and men of operation party. Also a visit from General Turner and [General Charles H.] Harrington. Hilliam is to go to England for some new officers. Thursday 6th January 1916 Went to Mont Noir to see Rev. Mr. Shatford who is laid up there. Went around to see our new machine-gun bullets. Called on 25th re progress and at convent [Locre] in the afternoon re new table clothes they are making for Mary. Friday 7th January 1916 Went up to the trenches this morning, and made a little round all by myself. Attended funeral of Lieutenant illegible of 26th Battalion. Interviewed Lieutenant Bull of CMR [Canadian Mounted Rifles] re brigade bombing officer’s job. Nasty wet and cold windy day. Saturday 8th January 1916 Put in for my leave from the 17th and rode into Bailleul today to see General Wood about it. Saw Sergeant illegible and arranged for a minstrel show each week, one for each battalion in division reserve. Nice fine morning. Cold and raw in afternoon.

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Sunday 9th January 1916 It turned out a fine day and Captain Turner and I rode up to the little convent near Proven. He got his collar and I got five nice handkerchiefs. Heavy bombardment going on at night. Monday 10th January 1916 In morning Captain Turner and I went up the trenches in the right sector and went up to the very front in J.3L and J.4 and J.10. Also, around in rear to new dugouts and visited the battalion HQs, 22nd, 24th, and 26th. Turned out fine and sunny. Got word from Hamilton today that Russell Fletcher would get commission and job as paymaster 22nd Battalion. Tuesday 11th January 1916 A big 9.2[-inch] gun was brought in during night and is just across the road from our HQ. I see trouble ahead now. Turner and I went up Mont Kemmel to the observation post there. Called at convent in afternoon. Colonel Hilliam got back from England tonight. Did not get any officer. Wednesday 12th January 1916 Went up to [2nd] Division to see General Turner re Hilliam’s report. At Shorncliffe, they will not send us out good officers and men. Met General Alderson on way back. Visited trench warfare school in afternoon and then went up to HQ of battalions in the trenches. Possibly our operation may come off tonight. Thursday 13th January 1916 Very cold windy day. Had a meeting with [Lieutenant-Colonel] T.F. Homer-Dixon re his job. Got an invitation to dine with General Alderson tonight and met Sir Max Aitken, Sir George Perley, Honourable Frank Cochrane [Conservative MP, Canadian Minister of Railways and Canals], went up and down to Bailleul with General Turner. Friday 14th January 1916 Started in fixing up things for my leave on 15th. Am going to Saint-Omer in divisional car and to meet Sir Max and others then and go on with them to Paris. Our big new guns opposite our HQ started firing today. The Germans got after our J.4 again today. I had a close one last night when riding up to the [illegible]. We had several casualties yesterday and today. Just received a cable tonight from General [John W.] Carson that I had been awarded the CB [Companion of the Order of the Bath, King’s New Year’s Honours List].

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Saturday 15th January 1916 Left our HQ at 8:15 a.m. with Deckert. Broke down at Bailleul. Got another car from [Colonel James] MacBrien and arrived at Saint-Omer at 10 a.m. Left at 10:30, arrived and had lunch at Amiens at 1:30 p.m., arrived Paris 6:30 p.m. Had dinner with Aitken, Perley, Cochrane, [illegible] and Sincay. Wednesday 26th January 1916 Left prompt at 4:30 a.m. Breakfasted at Abbeville at 8:30 a.m. and arrived at Boulogne at 10:00 a.m. Left by boat at 1:30 with [Hon. Major] Parson [John M.] Almond. Thursday 27th January 1916 Stopped at RA [Royal Automobile] Club and went to theatre and after to supper with Sir Max Aitken and party. Castlerosse,12 [Attorney General] Sir F.E. Smith, [Henry] Dalzieil [newspaper owner and Liberal politician], [John] Watson [Canadian] poet, James, Ray, Erskine and [illegible] (on 26th). Friday 28th January 1916 Had a lunch with Lady Ross and talked Ross rifle and polic[i]es. Went to shops and got stockings and gloves for them at home.

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Chapter 6

Disaster at Saint-Éloi Craters February–April 1916 Build-up 3 February–26 March 1916

During the winter and spring of 1916, Watson and his 5th Brigade would continue to train near Bailleul, not far from Ypres, and would see significant combat at the Battle of Saint-Éloi Craters (27 March–16 April 1916)—the 2nd Division’s first major engagement. Saint-Éloi [in Flemish, Sint-Elooi] was about three miles south of Ypres, on the corner of a German-held salient that expanded from a base six hundred yards wide and penetrated one hundred yards northward into the British lines.1 Here the German and British lines ran from east to west, instead of north to south like much of the Western Front. Fighting in this area had been constant and vicious. The new two-division Canadian Corps was part of Sir General Herbert Plumer’s Second Army. The Canadians’ goal here was to straighten out the lines in this salient and avenge a German assault of February 1916.

Thursday 3rd February 1916 [In London] Had an afternoon with Lord Brooke [6th Brigade, CEF] at White’s Club and a good drive around afterwards. At night went to a show. Streets are in a fearfully dark condition. Too much Zep[pelin]s.2 Friday 4th February 1916 Had a private audience with the King this a.m. at Buckingham Palace. Spent over half an hour with him and got the CB investiture. Had dinner at Carlton with Walker, [illegible], and Rogers.

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Saturday 5th February 1916 Went down to Folkestone at 4:25 p.m. Stopped at Metropole [on the Leas next to the Channel]. Went and saw General [Sam] Steele and stayed with him for over two hours. Monday 7th February 1916 My [47th] birthday and I do feel punk with this terrific cold and la grippe [flu]. General [Richard] Turner [VC, head of 2nd Division], was here to see me. Very changeable weather. Wednesday 9th February 1916 Our demonstration could not be made last night. Wind too strong. Newspaper man [Frederick] MacKenzie [Toronto Star] had a great trip to trenches. My cold is not near better yet, though somewhat easier. Wrote twenty-nine letters yesterday and about near as many today. Fine day. Ordinary shelling. Friday 11th February 1916 With Captain Turner I rode to Bailleul, (rained and sleet all the day) to attend funeral of poor old [Captain] George [Taylor] Richardson.3 What a terrible feeling of loneliness such a fine officer. Killed in the prime of life. Four generals were there and a very large number of officers and men. Beautiful flowers. Firing party and “Last Post” most impressive. Wrote and asked Mary to come over for a three months’ trip. Saturday 12th February 1916 Inspected the brigade machine-gun [illegible] and found it very unsatisfactory. Gave officers a good going over. Rode over to Divisional HQ [Westouter] in afternoon re Montreal Brigade [24th Battalion]. General Turner is to write to [illegible] and hold same in [illegible] until 4th Division is formed.4 Germans surprise attack last night on 14th Division [BEF] near Ypres. Heavy shelling all day and we hear that all trenches have been retaken. Monday 14th February 1916 Blew a regular hurricane during night and today it is trying hard to clear up. Am going to try and meet up [Lieutenant-Colonel] Winston Churchill [MP, future UK prime minister, and commanding the 6th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, near Ploegsteert] this afternoon. Had a visit from General Turner re brigade matters. Major Brelege was wounded today and [I] wrote to Hugill asking if he would like the promotion.

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Tuesday 15th February 1916 Germans made an attack yesterday afternoon on 14th Division front west of SaintÉloi and took some of British trenches. Very violent bombardment took place early today but I understand, no material results have yet been effected. Hooge [east of Ypres] has also been heavily bombarded today. Deckert and Briggs leave today on holiday leave. Our big guns made a most awful row tonight and a regular hurricane of wind was howling. Wednesday 16th February 1916 The 24th Battalion captured a German prisoner early this morning. He was over to try out our wire. On being questioned states he found it better than theirs. Terrible day again, blowing a hurricane and raining very hard. Went to a lecture in Bailleul with General Turner. Friday 18th February 1916 Watson and Malloch returned from leave this morning. Bad wet day. Fearful for our work in the trenches. Am inspecting the grenade classes today and have written very strongly to left sector on the subject of wiring, which is in a precarious condition on their front. Sunday 20th February 1916 The Germans had an air raid over us at 7 o’clock this morning and dropped several bombs. Three came very close to my shack and made a horrible noise coming down. I sent a piece of shell home to Mary. Also, wrote Tom [Houghton] today. Beautiful fine day. Aircraft very active. Several fights just over us. Monday 21st February 1916 Heard Zeppelins over us last night. We had five killed and five wounded by the air bombs yesterday and six killed at Bailleul. I rode into Bailleul this morning with [Captain] Aitken to attend lectures on Loos [where the 2nd Division had provided back-up for British forces in early autumn, 1915] by [Major-]General [Archibald Amar] Montgomery [chief of staff, Fourth Army]. Very heavy shelling to south of us all last night and today. Saw Hugill today and made offer of second in command 26th Battalion. Friday 25th February 1916 Colonel Hilliam [25th] arrived back from leave last night. I had a long interview today with [Lieutenant-]Colonel [G.S.] Maunvesell, officer commanding heavy group [artillery], re our little offensive on enemy salient. Very cold today but lots of shelling to the north of us. Got bad news tonight that we have to get out of our right

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sector and take over the right sector (southern) of 4th Brigade. Heavy snowstorm tonight. Saw Hughes and [Major A.E.] Swift re Hugill. All OK so they say. Saturday 26th February 1916 Rode over to Westouter with [Lieutenant-Colonel J.L.] McAvity [26th] to arrange for taking over extra section of the line. Had lunch with General Alderson at Bailleul and discussed fully the dental matter. Then went on to Berchem to see a demonstration of the [three-foot-long] Stokes gun.5 Very effective indeed, but not for wire cutting. 31st Battalion [Alberta] of 6th Brigade are taking over from our right sector, 24th Battalion tonight. Monday 28th February 1916 Went down to our new left sector taken over by 4th Brigade, M.1 to N.3. Pretty rotten trenches. No support lines and no communication trench. We got heavily shelled just as we were coming out of the other brigade communication trench. Raining pretty hard. Very little snow left. Deckert got back today. Tuesday 29th February 1916 Was a lovely morning but turned out wet and cold in afternoon. Rode over to Westouter to see the ADMS [assistant director, Medical Services: Colonel J.T. Fotheringham] re dentist and hope to have this settled in a satisfactory manner to all concerned. Advance party of 60th Battalion [Victoria Rifles of Canada, from Montreal], 9th Brigade [3rd Division], arrive to secure billets re for their unit arriving tomorrow. Wednesday 1st March 1916 [Captain] Turner got back this morning. Had a great holiday in Paris. Went up to meet General Alderson, [Colonel Gilbert L.] Foster [deputy director, Medical Services, Canadian Corps] and [Colonel J.T.] Fotheringham at Divisional HQ re the dental difficulties and hope it will be settled now once and for all. Heavy artillery started at noon today on the bluff [Bluff and Spoil Bank southeast of Ypres; see 16 March]. Big events tonight and tomorrow. Five letters from home today. Splendid. General Carlson responded to us today for training purposes (176th Brigade [BEF]).6 Thursday 2nd March 1916 At 4:30 a.m. the 17th Division [BEF] on our left re-took the trenches that had been captured from them some days ago. Took over two hundred prisoners. Our artillery was stupendous. Heavy guns for miles all centered on that point of attack. Rode into Bailleul to see the General [Alderson?]. Spoke to me about commanding

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a division. Could not say who was going to get the 4th Canadian. Very heavy shelling in afternoon and we all stood to in view of expected attack. Friday 3rd March 1916 At 4 a.m. our bomb depot blew up, it was a great fiendish display and gave us quite a start. Also ten thousand rounds SA [small-arms] ammunition. In morning went down our right sector with [Captain] Turner. Heavy shelling in Watling Street. In afternoon went to a conference at Westouter. Pearcy Haurd of Montreal Star was with us for dinner. Also, General Carlson and [Hon. Major] Parson [John M.] Almond for lunch. Saturday 4th March 1916 Showed [Percy] Haurd all around our right sector. There was a blinding snowstorm on but he had a great “trip.” [Brigadier-]General [Frederick W.] Hill [9th Brigade, 3rd Division, CEF] and his B.M. [batman] came to lunch today and General Carlson left for home. Fearful weather, snow and rain and kept this up practically all night. Could not carry out my work. Relief completed. Sunday 5th March 1916 Another wet raw day. Have recommended McAvity and Captain Turner for DSO [Distinguished Service Order]. Asked to dinner tonight by General [Arthur] Currie 1st Division. General Turner called this afternoon re recommendation for [F.-M.] Gaudet [22nd]. Got back from 1st Division about 10:30 p.m. Monday 6th March 1916 Got orders this morning that we were to be relieved by 6th Brigade [2nd Division, CEF] on 8/9th March, are going back to [illegible] and [illegible]. Went up to 24th and 25th [Battalions] this morning and selected new battle HQ near the Dickebusch–Vierstraat road. Pouring and wet again. Another order came in tonight that relief order was cancelled and we have to stick on for a further period. Tuesday 7th March 1916 Went down our left sector today and all through our front lines and came out up the Vierstraat road. It was a regular snowstorm. Stopped at 24th HQ for lunch. Got orders to take over three sectors. Fifty percent addition of all frontage. Sent in my list of honours. Wednesday 8th March 1916 Another very heavy snowstorm last night, six or seven inches on the ground today. Walked up to our trenches, as going was too bad to ride. We have now three battalions in our front line, fifty percent more frontage than before. 99

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Thursday 9th March 1916 General Turner came down today and gave us the horrible news that we have to move up into the Ypres Salient again. Only those who have been through that can understand what that means. Rode up to convent near Poperinge this afternoon. Cold raw day. Sunday 12th March 1916 Fine bright sunny day and the snow is fast going away, but the mud remains. Rode around the convent [Poperinge] to get medicine from [Colonel] Murphy and called at 24th Battalion HQ. Deckert went to hospital today. Had Colonel Gunn [24th] and [Major R.O.] Alexander [24th; he would replace Gunn as first in command in November 1916] to dinner for pair of ducks sent by Mrs. Gunn. Monday 13th March 1916 Spent last night in the trenches. Went up at 8:30 and got back around 2 a.m. Had splendid night, and inspected both my old sectors very thoroughly. Germans were pretty nervous and lots of rifle, machine and artillery fire. Very heavy fog today. Tuesday 14th March 1916 Very fine warm day. Had a conference of the 2nd Division. Brigadiers at Westouter re our new area to be taken over in the Ypres Salient. When I rode back Germans put in about twenty very large shells about our Brigade HQ. Old lady and family very busy with their [illegible]. Very sincere. In afternoon one of our aircraft was shot down just above us. Came down above La Clytte [De Klijte]. Air man was shot in the abdomen and died shortly after he came down. Wednesday 15th March 1916 A nasty wet day. Very heavy bombardment to the south of us. General [Edward W.B.] Morrison7 of 2nd Division artillery went around our lines this morning with [Brigade Major T.M.] McAvity. Lieutenant Ferguson, MG [machine-gun] officer of the 26th Battalion, was killed this afternoon in L.4. Called at hospital to see Deckert. Thursday 16th March 1916 With [T.M.] McAvity went all through left of 4th Brigade trenches and over through the R.s, T.s,. Q.s and to 23 b.8 where we were blocked. Had good view of the Bluff [earth mound created from the digging of the Ypres–Cominge canal] and Spoil Bank, but these last trenches that we went through, are in a fearfully dirty condition. Lieutenant B[ell?] our bomb officer was accidentally killed today at the bombing school. Attended funeral Lieutenant Ferguson at 26th HQ [General] Alderson was there. 100

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Friday 17th March 1916 This morning with Colonel Hilliam [25th] motored over to Steenvoorde and back to Bailleul for lunch. In afternoon attended poor Bell’s funeral at Locre. Very impressive. General Turner was there. Met Arthur Fleming this afternoon. He is a Lieutenant in the 26th Battalion. Heard today (rather yesterday) that Chip Drury is sailing from Canada tomorrow. Saturday 18th March 1916 We had quite a strafing last night from the Bosches and lost over twenty men. We are going to come back at them tonight. Rode over to see Colonel [William] Dodds this morning.9 General Turner is coming to meet battalion commanders this afternoon re our move up north at end of month. Major [D.S.] Bauld [25th] and Major Weston were both seriously wounded this afternoon in going up to take over our new area at [Ypres–Comines] canal. These are our first casualties in this new line. Sunday 19th March 1916 We gave the Bosches a good strafing last night. And this morning there was a great bombardment down south of us. I rode up to Mont Kemmel today and had a great view of all the surrounding country. This afternoon went to Hazebrouck with our interpreter and Vermy from the division. Monday 20th March 1916 We got a great strafing from the Germans yesterday, 181 big shells and only two casualties. Had a visit today from General [Edward] Morrison [artillery]. Nice warm day. Two battalions are being relieved tonight. Big Canadian mail yesterday. Five letters from home and all well. Poor Major Brelege was killed this morning. He was hit by a high explosive at [illegible] and literally blown to pieces. Poor chap had only come back from being wounded about a month ago. Tuesday 21st March 1916 This morning went around all our front trenches and with [Brigadier-]General [Henry F.H.] Clifford of the 149th Brigade, 50th Division [BEF], who is taking over from us about the end of the month. We got a pretty heavy shelling with black woolly bears [slang for German shells that gave off clouds of smoke when they detonated]. Last week we have had fifty-four casualties, including eight officers. In the afternoon attended funeral of Major [B?]. [Generals] Alderson and Turner were there too.

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Wednesday 22nd March 1916 Heard from General Alderson yesterday that Sir Sam Hughes had arrived in England. Had a long visit today from General [Edward] Morrison re further artillery demonstrations. Nasty cold wet day. Am going up to 24th Battalion Medical Officer to get my inoculation. Had a particularly heavy week of casualties, sixty instead of fifty-three, as previously reported. Thursday 23rd March 1916 What a night I had with that inoculation.10 I thought I would shake to pieces and this morning I am so weak and chilled and my right breast and arm so stiff. It is very sore painful. Am going over with General Turner to inspect Brigade Machine Gun Company. It is wet and nasty out. Heavy shelling to the north of us. The machine-gun lines this morning were a treat to look at and the general was greatly pleased. Have just heard that poor Major Bates has died of his wounds. Poor fellow. He will be buried in Locre tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock. Sunday 26th March 1916 Major [R.O.] Alexander [24th] with me went over all details of evidence for court martial tomorrow. Colonel Ker [GSO 2] called about the big attack tomorrow opposite Saint-Éloi. Heard that Sir Max Aitken had cabled for me some days ago, but on account of this show, the general very wisely could not allow my going.

Saint-Éloi Craters 27 March–18 April 1916 In the early morning of 27 March, the British 3rd Division (serving in Plumer’s Second Army) opened up with its guns at Saint-Éloi, three miles south of Ypres. It also detonated mines, audible across the Channel, that destroyed the enemy’s front line and created seven large craters, and immediately attacked. After a week of hard fighting by the British, they were relieved by the Canadian 2nd Division, starting with its 6th Brigade, on 3 April. For the Canadian 2nd Division, it was, as historian Tim Cook has written, the “first set-piece battle on the Western Front. It was also an unmitigated disaster.”11 The unspeakably shattered ground beneath the Canadians was, according to the division’s report, “more of a line on the map than an actual line of defence.” As one private wrote: “When day broke, the sights that met our gaze were so horrible and ghastly that they beg description. Heads, arms and legs were protruding from the mud at every yard and dear knows how many bodies the earth swallowed. Thirty corpses were at least showing [in] the crater and beneath its clayey waters other victims must be lying killed and drowned.”12 102

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The 6th Canadian Brigade went to work to try and build some sort of defensible positions. On 6 April, the Germans launched a blistering counterattack. The Canadians had no idea of what ground they held, but knew it was a bad situation to be defending the low ground of a poorly constructed defensive position, while enemy artillery surrounded them on three sides and was firing into a narrow area of the front. By 8 April, Canadian commander Major-General Richard Turner suggested to General Plumer that he either pull out the Canadians and shell the Germans, as they were doing to the Canadians, or attack on a larger front to take the pressure off the Canadian forces. Fighting back and forth in this area would continue for a week, however, with Canadian leaders unsure of what positions they held. On 11 April, Watson’s 5th Brigade moved into the craters, and its men would fight there for the next eight days. Aerial photography on 16 April showed the Canadians in a difficult position, and 2nd Division HQ ordered them to stop. German forces continued to attack, and this series of engagements pushed the defenders further back towards their starting positions. Half of the remaining men in the craters surrendered to the Germans, and the other half were able to fall back. The battle ended with the Germans still in control of the battlefield, as at its start. More than 1,370 Canadians were killed or wounded, along with an estimated 480 Germans.

Monday 27th March 1916 We were up at 3:45 this a.m. and went up [Scherpenberg] Hill. Saw the first gun at 4:15 a.m. and then the terrific explosion of the mines, and at once every gun in the area turned on that particular point. It was a great success and the 3rd Division took three officers and 168 men and the two lines of German trenches. I went up to our lines after. Our casualties were heavy too, thirty in all, several of these killed. Tuesday 28th March 1916 Our heavies [field guns] kept up a fearful bombardment all last night. It was so heavy that a number of windows in our billets were smashed. Nasty cold wet day. Am president of a court martial at Locre today on three officers up for drunkenness. Wednesday 29th March 1916 Spent the whole day from 10 a.m. at the court martial at Locre. Fearfully depressing and fatiguing. At 9 a.m. went to Division for meeting re artillery retaliation. Last night had dinner with the officers at “B” Mess. 103

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Thursday 30th March 1916 Went around our front trenches with Captain Aitken and had lunch with Colonel Hilliam 25th Battalion at R.I. farm.13 After we [Canadians] got through the lines the Germans shelled us very heavily and we had a number of casualties in the left sector. Received word tonight from divisions that minister [Sam Hughes] wanted to see me [in London] and I will leave on Saturday morning [illegible] to see him for a couple of days. Friday 31st March 1916 Nice fine day, McAvity got back last night from leave and Mackie left on his. Just had another visit from General [Henry] Clifford [149th Brigade, 50th Division BEF] and his Brigade major re taking over on the 3rd/4th. Am getting things in shape for getting away tomorrow. Saturday 1st April 1916 Left HQ last night at 9:30 o’clock, arrived Boulogne about 2 a.m. and left on packet boat 11 a.m. Arrived London about 4:30 p.m. Orderly waiting for me at train. Minister reported to have left for Canada. Saw him however at Ritz [Hotel] at 6 p.m. His sailing had been cancelled. Had dinner with him. Sunday 2nd April 1916 Motored down to Cherkley [Court, Max Aitken’s home] with Minister [Sam Hughes], [illegible] and Douring. Talked over situation with minister and Aitken. Had lunch there and came up to town at 5 p.m. Had dinner at Trocadero and again called on minister at the Ritz. Tuesday 4 April 1916 Had another long interview with Minister [Hughes] and Aitken. And I have finally decided to accept the responsible position of GOC [general officer commanding] Canadian troops in England until 4th Division is formed to take command of that. I am to have sole control of all military matters. It is with great diffidence I have accepted the former. Had dinner with [Brigadier-General] Lord Brooke [6th Brigade, CEF] and arranged Bramshott [Camp Bramshott, the Canadian training camp in Hampshire] matters. Wednesday 5th April 1916 Went up to Liverpool with the minister and party. Saw him on to the SS St. Paul [American Line] and came back to London, arriving at 11 p.m. I had informal meeting of new council. General [John W.] Carson is to write War Office at once in regard to my “gazette” [official announcement] and then I am to come over [from

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the front] as soon as matters with General [Sam] Steele and [Acting Adjutant General Lieutenant-Colonel James Charles] MacDougall. Thursday 6th April 1916 Left London at 10:05 a.m. arrived at Boulogne at 2 p.m. Saw Madame Roy about her late husband [Major A.G.O. Roy, who was killed on 6 October 1915] and left for new camp at 4:40 p.m., arrived at Reninghelst at 7 p.m. Great excitement there as Germans had retaken part of front line and craters held by 6th Brigade. We spent the night at Camp A. Battalions in [illegible] and we in little huts. Terrific shelling and raining hard. Friday 7th April 1916 Got orders from Division to return to camp at 7 a.m. and came back to Reninghelst. Visited all the battalions during the day and impressed on them the necessity of learning from recent operations. Saw General Turner who was not at all satisfied with the methods employed by 6th Brigade. Cold raw day. Believed General [Robert R.] Rennie has been put in command of the front-line operations. Saturday 8th April 1916 Divisional line was taken today by the 4th Brigade. I believe the 6th Brigade have over five hundred casualties since their tour of four or five days in the line. Inspected and visited all the HQ of our battalions. At night, the 4th Brigade made an attempt to retake the lost craters, but failed. The 24th Battalion was sent up to Camp A as a close support in event of trouble. Monday 10th April 1916 Rode up to Lovie convent at Krombeke with Captain Turner. We got some nice lace, but not the big pieces. In afternoon attended the sports of the 25th Battalion and after dinner, called on General Turner. We got our orders tonight to take over from the 4th Brigade tomorrow night. They have only been three nights in. Our troubles with them begin in earnest. Tuesday 11th April 1916 Nasty wet cold day for making the relief. Last night our 24th Battalion which was ordered up for work, lost eight men killed and twenty wounded. Not fair at all, took over from the 4th Brigade with 25th Battalion in the craters. Finished relief at 2 a.m. The mud and conditions are awful. Sent out several parties and reconnaissance work.

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Wednesday 12th April 1916 Up all night and could not shave today. Reminds one of the Ypres days of last April. Went down to Division for conference with [General Charles H.] Harrington [General Staff] and others. In afternoon went down to 25th Battalion HQ in Convent Lane [trench] and arranged for offensive operation tonight. The weather is awful. Later tonight’s affair is called off. Thursday 13th April 1916 Had a quiet night for taking over the rest of the line by the 24th-22nd- and 26th Battalions, which was completed by midnight. Colonel [J.L.] McAvity [26th] has gone to hospital, [Archibald E.G.] McKenzie in command of 26th.14 Generals Alderson and Harrington came around to see me yesterday. They say they had a near shave from a shell, down our road. Have arranged with [General] Morrison of 4th Brigade for Stokes Battery of six guns for tonight’s operation. At 3 p.m. we received notice to cancel operation tonight and there are to be over two thousand men working on our front instead. Friday 14th April 1916 Received a letter today from P.J. Egan at the office [Quebec Chronicle]. Nasty wet down making a relief of the 24th with 25th Battalion tonight. Work going on very well in spite of the horrible weather and fearful conditions up there. Went down to 24th Battalion lines, and arranged for a demonstration tomorrow night. Had visit from Generals Harrington and Morrison and arranged artillery [illegible]. We had four attacks by Germans this morning between 5 and 6 and another at 10:30 but all were easily repulsed. Saturday 15th April 1916 Went around last night and visited 26th Battalion, got back about 1 a.m. Germans started in another attack on [nos.] 4 and 5 Craters, but were again beaten off. We got pigeon communication from craters at 9:05 a.m. Herby Kingston was wounded in no. 1 crater. General Alderson visited me on 4th Division command. Said he had received a letter re same. This afternoon Germans again shelled us horribly and we went back at them. Sunday 16th April 1916 Had a lengthy conference today with General Turner relative to the tactical situation at craters and we decided to push on the work tonight and mapped out the different works and arches. Colonel Gunn [24th] was rather disappointed in his views and feelings.15 Nice day, HE [high-explosive] heavy shelling all around our HQ. Looking for batteries. One of the heaviest shellings by “8” [8-inch] guns I have experienced. Colonel Archie Macdonell reported this afternoon to take over 106

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Brigade when I leave. New air photo this afternoon showed that Germans were holding all four big craters, and we were only holding the small ones. Monday 17th April 1916 Found out yesterday that the four large craters were held by the Germans, and our two were only small ones some distance to the north. Our work parties last night had a very hard time, and there were several casualties. The bombardment this morning lasted two hours and forty minutes. During the entire day, the shelling was kept up. I never heard or experienced such bombarding. Tuesday 18th April 1916 I fully expected to be relieved this morning at 10 o’clock, but received orders at 10:30 to remain on duty and take command of the 6th Brigade when it relieved ours tonight. We had 252 casualties during six days. Went into all details with battalion commanding officers of 6th Brigade. Our last two battalions were relieved tonight by 27th and 28th battalions [6th Brigade].

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Part III

Major-General: 4th Division April 1916–July 1919

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Chapter 7

Assembling the 4th Division April–August 1916 Putting It Together 19 April–11 August 1916

Wednesday 19th April 1916 General Turner came up to our camp and I was relieved of my responsibilities with 6th Brigade at 10 a.m. and came back to our rest camp at R[illegible]. What a change and what a [illegible] and change of underwear we had, after ten days without taking off our new clothes. Nasty wet day. At 7:30 p.m. we had a call to stand to and sent the 24th Battalion up to Camp A to join the 25th for emergency. The Germans attacked and took craters [nos.] 6 and 7 from 6th Brigade and we had another anxious night. Did not take my clothes off. Thursday 20th April 1916 Bright windy day. Am to go over and see the corps commander [Alderson] today before leaving. Yesterday the Germans shelled our old HQ at Wall Garden, that we left in the morning. One direct hit was made on the dugout next to mine and the artillery officer was killed and two men wounded. Another hit was made on our office but glanced off. Went around and visited the 22nd battalion this afternoon. They seem to miss my going [sic] very greatly. Friday 21st April 1916 Went around this morning to 25th Battalion at Camp A and said goodbye to the officers and men. Colonel McDonald went with me and in the afternoon, went to the 22nd and 26th. Last night had dinner at the 24th where I said goodbye. Tonight, am having the four commanding officers down to dinner with us. Will try and get away tomorrow, as I have handed over command tonight.

Chapter 7

Saturday 22nd April 1916 Am a free lance today. Went around with [Brigadier-General Archibald Cameron “Archie”] Macdonell [7th Brigade] and showed him through everything for last time at 3 o’clock in pouring rain. Turner and I left for Boulogne. About a mile out of [R?] we broke down and Montagne picked us up. We got to Boulogne about 8 p.m. Sunday 23rd April 1916 Phoned through to Canadian HQ at Hesdin [2nd Echelon, Hesdin, France] and then went on to Montreuil to meet Sir Max Aitken at his request. Went on with him back to Cassel [HQ, Plumer’s Second Army]. He went on to Divisional Corps HQ. I waited at Cassel for him. The [General Richard] Turner matter has to be a very serious one as Generals Plumer and Alderson have recommended his removal. Sir Max and [Lieutenant-Colonel F. Manley] Sims [GHQ, Aitken’s assistant] got back to Cassel about midnight. Monday 24th April 1916 We left Cassel about 9 a.m. and got to Boulogne about noon. Took the boat at 3 p.m. and got into London at 7:30 p.m. Went to the [Royal] Auto Club. General [John W.] Carson came to see me at 9 p.m. Tuesday 25th April 1916 Went down to [General] Carson’s office and had a long talk with him and [George] Murphy [acting quartermaster general (A/QMG) in England] and afterwards went down to Sir Max Aitken’s office with Carson. Had a full discussion on the subject of 4th Division and came back to the [Royal Automobile] Club for lunch. Wednesday 26th April 1916 Went down to [Camp] Bramshott [in Hampshire, site of Canadian training camp] with Turner and [illegible] (Captain) and got introduced around to the provisional staff. Saw that things were in a disorganized state. [illegible] to go and see Sir Max Aitken and War Office with [Brigadier-General Lord] Brooke [6th Brigade] and Ironside.1 Thursday 27th April 1916 Went up to London by motor, got there at 1 p.m. Lunched with Max [Aitken] and went over to War Office with him. At night, we dined with [Viscount] Castlerosse and went on to Savoy and Carlton [hotels] afterwards. Hard to get any taxicabs on account of the darkness.

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Friday 28th April 1916 Had a most interesting and satisfactory conference at the War Office. General [Sir Robert] Whigham [deputy chief, Imperial General Staff (IGS)], General Sir Wilkinson Bird [IGS], Sir Max, [General John W.] Carson, [Lieutenant-Colonel] MacDougall, [General Sam] Steele, Ironside, [A/QMG George] Murphy and myself. And it was clearly decided that no more interference was to be made with 4th Division but that all assistance was to be accorded me in organizing [illegible]. Lunched with Grant Morden and then motored back to Bramshott. Saturday 29th April 1916 Had a busy day altogether with interviewing people and arranging details with Ironside my new GSO 1. Had a long interview with [Lord] Brooke and insisted on a definitive reply within ten days re his [taking over new 12th] Brigade. Had lunch by myself and spent afternoon at office. Took dinner at night with [Captain] Turner at the Moorlands Hotel and got back to our quarters quite early. Monday 1st May 1916 Had a most busy day going around inspecting 53rd Battalion [North Saskatchewan] and afterwards told [Lieutenant-Colonel C.F.] De Salis and others of new arrangements. It turned out a nasty wet day. At night decided to leave Ball’s House and took a room over at Moorland’s Hotel. Cold bleak place. But better than the trenches. I have a nasty cold. Wednesday 3rd May 1916 Left London 7:40 a.m. and got back to camp around 9:30 a.m. I inspected 71st Battalion [from Woodstock, Ontario] at 10 o’clock and then held usual reception at the office. In afternoon, General [John W.] Carson came around with Mrs. and Miss Carson. Discussed many matters with him. He authorized purchase of tires, rental of three cars. The selection of Reverend Mr. Gordon. The appointment of Walker Bell, the allotment of Divisional cavalry and Divisional [illegible], my gazette, the details to the attached to 4th Division [to appear in official Gazette, London] et cetera. Thursday 4th May 1916 With Colonel Ironside we motored down to Folkstone leaving at 8:45 arriving at 1:15 p.m. Had lunch, called on General Steele and then inspected the 73rd [Royal Highlanders of Canada, from Montreal] and 45th [Manitoba] Battalions. The 73rd is a fine regiment, well officered and well-disciplined and would be a great acquisition to the new 4th Division. Got back to Bramshott at 8:15 p.m. Motored in all about 225 to 230 miles.

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Friday 5th May 1916 Inspected the 74th [from Peel and York counties, Ontario; absorbed by other units, September 1916] and 75th [Mississauga] battalions in the morning and in the afternoon three of the [four] battalions in the 10th Brigade [47th–50th Battalions] who were working at the trenches and doing good practical work. Had a very busy day altogether. My official notification re appointment and promotion came out in Gazette of May 3rd and it states date April 25th, the day I took over here. Monday 8th May 1916 In the morning, I inspected the 72nd Battalion [Seaforth Highlanders of Canada] from Victoria [they were actually from Vancouver], and in the afternoon the 87th Battalion [Canadian Grenadier Guards] from Montreal. Both are splendid battalions. At noon Colonel [Edward] Hilliam [25th Battalion] came to see us and stayed to lunch. Am going to make a big effort to keep him. It has been a nasty raw wet day. Tuesday 9th May 1916 Wet miserable and cold. Went around camp and carried on usual inspections of battalions. In afternoon went up to London, saw Carson and Aitken. The latter read me a report he was sending the minister [Hughes] and I believe will make certain corrections in same which referred to me and were incorrect. Had dinner with [Captain Harry] Blaylock and party. Wednesday 10th May 1916 Mary’s birthday and I sent her a cable. Came up from London at 5:50 a.m. and had a busy day of it. Wrote Aitken a long letter but did not post it as I spoke later on phone with him and he indicated that his report would meet my views and satisfaction. Heard that Loomis was back.2 I guess he will come down to see me re the brigade. Lord Brooke and Hilliam [to head 10th Brigade] have been selected by myself and now Loomis will complete.3 Thursday 11th May 1916 Went around last night and inspected the 46th [South Saskatchewan] Battalion in the trenches that they are to occupy for twenty-four hours under actual service conditions. This morning we again visited them and found them going on in a very fair shape. In evening had the Dicksons and Mrs. Moschly to dinner. Met Mrs. Frimont and Mrs. Panet [wife of Lieutenant-Colonel Henri Panet] in afternoon. Friday 12th May 1916 Had telegram from Carson re my choice of brigadiers intimating that minister

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was to appoint same. I wrote him pointing out gravity of any change when recommendations are made on merit alone. General Loomis reported for duty here this afternoon and I allotted him temporarily to the 11th Brigade. Saturday 13th May 1916 Wet cold day. Inspected the details going off to musketry, as well as the new drafts that arrived yesterday to complete our deficiencies. Loomis yesterday made statement that Spencer was much better than Ironside and that if Spencer had not been selected on the staff it was because Ironside was afraid of him. I never heard such an absurd statement, particularly from a man like Loomis and I strongly refuted this. Sunday 14th May 1916 Went up to London yesterday and saw [A/QMG George] Murphy re deficiencies in the division. He promised to have them remedied as soon as possible. Came back after lunch and carried on with a brisk afternoon’s work at the office. Monday 15th May 1916 Had a visit today from Reverend Mr. Stacey and secured his assent to the appointment of Reverend Mr. Gordon as Senior Chaplain of 4th Division. Also, had a visit from [Brigadier] General [François-Louis] Lessard re the inspection of General [Lord] Brooke’s command. Sent my report on this matter to the minister [Hughes] at Ottawa. Tuesday 16th May 1916 Had a visit from Major-General Sir Francis Howard [inspector of infantry] and [Brigadier-]General Doran.4 Went thoroughly into the divisional conditions as well as with the brigades. Then went around with them to the camp and grounds. They professed themselves greatly pleased and stated that we should be ready to move out by first week in July. General Ellison also called on us today. Captain [J.W.] Carson [medical officer, 14th Battalion] reported for duty. Also, yesterday my new ADMS and DADMS [deputy ADMS]. Thursday 18th May 1916 Sir Arch Hunter [General Sir Archibald Hunter, commander, Third Army] came to see us today relative to the inspection of the Division by the King. I had suggested 1st July and this appealed to him very strongly as our national holiday. We went over and saw Hankley Common [near Elstead, Surrey] and located the ground for the Division.

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Friday 19th May 1916 We had the usual busy day, rode around and saw the men in the trenches. Had a visit from [Lieutenant H.F.] Hall and White, and told Hall I had asked for him to come on my staff. Rode over to [nearby] Ludshott Common with [Captains] Turner and Aitken. Saturday 20th May 1916 Very busy in the morning and motored up to London. Had a long interview with Carson and Renaud [Lieutenant Ernest James Renaud, Canadian Ordnance Corps] re the ordnance supplies, transport and equipment, was with them until nearly 7 o’clock. Met Gaudet [22nd Battalion] over at the club and went into the French Can[adian] question very closely with him. Monday 22nd May 1916 A great surprise and treat today. Got a cable from Mary telling me they had sailed on Saturday [20th] on the Scandinavian [Allan Line, from Halifax] and should be here on the 28th or 29th. Wednesday 24th May 1916 Empire Day [commemorating Queen Victoria’s birthday]. We had a very nice visit today from Lord French5 and went around to all the battalions with him, as well as to the ranges. There was a very brilliant staff here with him. Generals Hunter, [Cecil] Lowther [military secretary, GHQ, France], [Beauchamp] Doran and others. Thursday 25th May 1916 We motored over to Aldershot, today and had a fine view of the inspection by the King of the 40th Division, the Bantam Division it is called.6 It was a great show. Captain Aitken went up to London yesterday and got us a cook and maid for our new house. General Carson and his family also had tea with us yesterday. Friday 26th May 1916 Another letter today from [daughter] Billie [now nineteen] and she intimated that Brownie is coming over too. Saw the 47th [British Columbia] at exercise today. We leave the hotel tonight and take our new house. Had Colonels [A/QMG George] Murphy and McRae here today and settled on various points in the interest of the Division. Moved from Hotel today into our new house at Bramshott. Very comfortable. Saturday 27th May 1916 Had a lovely first night in our new house. Cook arrived quite all right and Lady Plowden had made everything very satisfactory for us. Am going up to London 116

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tonight and on to Liverpool tomorrow to meet Mary. Went to races at [illegible] on way up to London and called at Cherkley to see Max Aitken re Webb[ing] and Oliver equipment [soldiers’ belts and packs] et cetera. Sunday 28th May 1916 Had word from CPR [Canadian Pacific Railway] that Scandinavian would not be in until early Monday morning. Had lunch with Loyal at the Mitre Inn, Hampstead, and at midnight went on to Liverpool. Got a berth on that train. Very comfortable. Monday 29th May 1916 Got into Liverpool at 7 a.m. Went to Adelphi [Hotel, Ranelagh Place] and phoned the CPR and got word that ship would not be in until late Tuesday night. Got Captain Forster and arranged with him to meet Mary and got them all fixed up through to London and then came back to camp. Met Boyer [Captain Guy Boyer, Watson’s ADC], Horden and Colonel Pelletier at the RAC [Royal Automobile Club] London and got to Bramshott at 4:30 p.m. Had dinner with Captain Taylor and his brother just back from the front. Our new house is more than comfortable and I know Mary and the girls will be delighted with it. Tuesday 30th May 1916 Went up to London with Colonel Ironside and had a meeting with Carson and [A/QMG George] Murphy and at night had dinner with Lord Brooke, [Winston] Churchill, Brolazm, Middleton, [Max] Aitken, [Attorney General Sir] F.E. Smith, W.D. Baird, Sir D[avid] Henderson and others.7 At 9:30 Mary and girls arrived and I met them at [Hotel] Cecil at 11 p.m. Wednesday 31st May 1916 Left [Royal Automobile] Club at 5:45 a.m. and got to Bramshott at 7:02. Went out to Ludshott Common to see the 10th Brigade all work on the field maneuver. Hall arrived and I cabled to his father. Mary and the girls arrived down here at 6 p.m. Had an interview with [Lieutenant-]Colonel [F.S.] Meighen and [Lord] Brooke re 87th Battalion.8 Also, a wire from General Carson that he was coming down to see us about the 87th. Thursday 1st June 1916 Turned cold and raw again. Mary and the girls were delighted about the arrangements about the house, and at 8 a.m. [I] went up with Ironside and Panet to inspect the 78th [Winnipeg Grenadiers] and 80th Battalion [from eastern Ontario] at Bordon Camp.9 Was most favourably impressed with the 78th Battalion. The 80th requires a lot more practical training.

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Friday 2nd June 1916 Mary and girls went up to London early, and Ironside, Panet, and I went up in the afternoon re the equipment. At night had dinner with Grant Morden and some very nice people. Heard of the sad losses in the great naval engagement.10 Motored back to camp arriving home about 1:45 a.m. Terribly cold coming back. Saturday 3rd June 1916 Went around camp in the morning inspecting units and details and in the afternoon had a long ride around Ludshott Common and some fine tennis afterwards. Mary and girls got home from London about 7 p.m. and girls went over to [Max Aitken’s] Cherkley for weekend. Sunday 4th June 1916 Nasty wet cold day. Spent morning at office and rest of day with Mary at the cottage. [George McLaren] Brown [CPR] and George Farrel visited us and stayed to lunch, also had visit from Lord Brooke [12th Brigade] and his staff. Heard sad Canadian losses near Hooge and the loss of [Major-General Malcolm] Mercer and Vic [V.A.S.] Williams.11 Monday 5th June 1916 Heard with great regret that General Mercer has been killed and over fifty officers lost from 3rd Division. Very sad loss. Nasty wet cold day. Mary and the girls have gone up to London. Inspected the lumber-cutting battalion that is here under my command. Had nasty news that War Office may take some of our battalions as re-enforcements for the front. Tuesday 6th June 1915 In a telephone conversation with Sir Max Aitken last night, he asked how I would like command of 3rd Division. I intimated that I would go wherever ordered. He also made reference to my taking Shorncliffe command and I replied in similar manner. When Colonel Ironside got back from his meeting with Aitken in London he tells me that Aitken asked him to take over Shorncliffe and also informed him that General [Louis] Lipsett had the 3rd Division. What are we to think of this? Ironside has gone up to London again re Shorncliffe command. We got news today that [HMS] Hampshire had been torpedoed in North Sea with Kitchener and staff on board.12 Wednesday 7th June 1916 Went up to London today and had a real good talk with Sir Max. He was exceedingly frank and pointed out certain shortcomings which I trust are now straightened out forever. I asked him in re Bell’s statement “that he was in a 118

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rage with me and that he was fed up.”13 Hilliam’s [25th Battalion] case was also dismissed. Also, young Carson’s case. Had lunch with Aitken at the Colonial Bank H[ome] O[ffice] [Aitken was its chairman; it later merged with Barclays]. Saw Casgrain afterwards and then Carson, both at [Hotel] Cecil. Aitken put up three propositions [for me], first to take 3rd Division, second to go to Shorncliffe, third to carry on with 4th Division, and I unhesitatingly stated that I would undertake any of these which would be considered the most useful for our side and Canada’s interests. Got back to camp about 2:15 a.m. Thursday 8th June 1916 Inspected the drafts from this division going out to the front, also sections of 87th Battalion and now signaling sections. Colonel Rexford asked to speak to me when I was with [Lord] Brooke, and I told him he must see and explain anything of this nature to his Brigadier [Brooke].14 I went down later and told Brooke of conversation. Colonels [George] Murphy [A/QMG] and White came to see me this afternoon. Had dinner at night with the 73rd [Royal Highlanders of Canada] Battalion of Montreal.15 During the day we sent away twenty-five hundred men and officers as reinforcements for the front. Friday 9th June 1916 Went up to range this morning. [The] 72nd’s [Seaforth Highlanders, attached to 12th Brigade] two companies have made great shooting averaging 95.6. We also went over and saw the South Africans shooting and received and heard complaints regarding the Lee-Enfield rifles jamming. In afternoon inspected the King’s Guard and also visited dentist and had tooth out. Mary and girls gone to Bath to see Dr. Delaney. We have two thousand extra men ready for drafts. Had visit from Colonel Reid, Captain [J.W.] Carson [medical officer] has intimated his intention of re-joining his regiment, the 14th Battalion. Saturday 10th June 1916 Nice fine morning. The 38th Battalion from Ottawa [who were attached to the 12th Brigade] got in to camp at Bordon last night. Went up with Ironside and Panet and inspected them [38th] thoroughly. At noon received a phone message from Sir Max, of an extremely confidential nature and he asked me if I would like command of 3rd Division. I told him I would gladly take it but asked his practical advice. He recommended staying on [illegible] with the 4th, and stated that we had acted with such sound judgment, in regard to the drafts that had sent out, that we could get whatever battalions we wished from Shorncliffe, and he would help us to the utmost.

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Sunday 11th June 1916 At office till 11 o’clock. Saw A.R. Doble there and had a long talk with him about Hal [Doble]. He left his wife destitute and had to be assisted with money. Then Mary, Marjorie, and I motored down to Portsmouth and Southampton and back by Winchester where we had lunch. In afternoon Murray and his wife called, also Turner, Merritt, [B?]. Tuesday 13th June 1916 Captain [J.W.] Carson [medical officer] left yesterday to rejoin his old regiment the 14th. Have given Guy Boyer his job and Sir Max is to get me a new and good ADC [aide-de-camp] in his place. Inspected the 10th Brigade Machine Gun Company and in afternoon went to the ranges. Mary and girls went to town today and will be away until Thursday. Wednesday 14th June 1916 Went to ranges today and had an interview with an officer of the South African contingent in which he gave some interesting facts re the Lee-Enfield Rifle. See my typed notes on same.16 Nasty cold wet day. Thursday 15th June 1916 Left for Shorncliffe last night and today with Gaul, [General John W.] Carson inspected the 76th, 88th, 89th, 90th, 95th, 99th regiments. [Lieutenant-Colonel] MacDougall had [General Edwin] Alderson there which rather complicated matters and Carson was greatly annoyed. We came back to London at 4 p.m. and had dinner with Dr. Pelletier at the Carlton [Hotel] and motored back to camp arriving about midnight. Friday 16th June 1916 Inspected more men that have been ordered by War Office for overseas drafts. It is heartbreaking to have all our men go all for the sake of Shorncliffe. Wet cold day. Mary and girls are back. Sunday 18th June 1916 In morning early, we inspected another draft of 1075 men. From 54th, 75th, 72nd, 73rd, and 87th. Another bad blow for us to send these fine men away from the division. After, we all motored to Chichester. Saw Clifford Fletcher at the hospital there then went on to [B?]. Marjorie had a swim and we lunched at Royal Hall. Came back by Arundel [Castle] (Duke of Norfolk’s place), Midhurst and Petworth. Very fine day and drive.

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Tuesday 20th June 1916 Fine in morning but cold and raw in afternoon. Went over to Linchmere Common to see 4th [Central Ontario] Battalion operation. Back at 11 a.m. to meet [Major-] General [Beauchamp] Doran re arrangements for four new battalions coming from Canada. Lunched with Lord Brooke [12th Brigade] and met Sir Sydney Greville.17 In afternoon girls had a nice tea and tennis party at the house and they all had a great time. Ten sat down to dinner. Wednesday 21st June 1916 Mary and girls left for London at 9 a.m., trunks went up by train with Captain [Guy] Boyer [ADC]. Panet and I went up at 11 a.m. Dull, cool day. Had lunch at RAC and then went shopping with Mary. At night went to see Bella Donna and supper after at [Hotel] Cecil. Thursday 22nd June 1916 We all went for a drive around city and bought some second-hand old silver as a present for Mary. Had lunch at Cecil. Mary and girls went for a drive with Madame Chevalier. Then we had dinner with Colonel [Grant] Morden and his party at the Ritz. His wife took them all to Daddy Long Legs. I went with Morden to Royal Thames [Yacht] Club. Met afterwards at Savoy [Hotel] where girls had supper with Harry Brittain [journalist and Conservative politician]. Friday 23rd June 1916 Went up to Liverpool with Mary and girls. CPR officials all most kind. Nice suite at their disposal on the [SS] Grampian [Allan Line, chartered to Canadian Pacific Line], lots of flowers and telegrams. Came back on 4:05 train. Dinner in London and back to camp via Cherkley. Saturday 24th June 1916 Very busy day and rained heavily in afternoon. Went over to [Grant] Morden’s place and stayed overnight. Met there Mr. and Mrs. Walter Long [Canadian Conservative/Unionist MP]. Extremely nice people and they invited me back to their place, Rood Ashton [in Ashton, Wiltshire]. Sunday 25th June 1916 Went for a fine ride with Morden. Mr. [Harry] and Mrs. [Alida] Brittain18 were there as well for lunch and [Lieutenant] Lord [Charles Alexander Yorke, 8th Earl of Hardwicke], Judge Philpin and others. Got back to camp at night.

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Monday 26th June 1916 Cold wet day. Went to Aldershot for a conference and later arranged for our big review on 1st July and then sports on the 2nd. Had a game of bridge at night. Captain Pattison of 73rd [Royal Highlanders of Canada] came over for the evening. Tuesday 27th June 1916 Another damp cold day. We are practicing for our review on Saturday next and the men are marching over to Hankley Common. It was a splendid practice and we had lunch out there afterwards. Sandwiches on the grass. Took thirty-seven minutes to ride back. At night I had Lord Brooke and the OCs battalions, 12th Brigade, at dinner. Wednesday 28th June 1916 Went around to all the ranges this morning and spoke very plainly to OCs 74th Battalion [from Peel and York counties, in Ontario]. Arranged to see General [John W.] Carson tomorrow re uniforms for 72nd [Seaforth Highlanders of Canada] and 73rd Battalions. Colonel [J.A.] Gunn [24th Battalion] and Colonel [William] Dodds called this afternoon. Dinning at [Lieutenant]-Colonel [Henri] Panet’s tonight and had a nice game of bridge afterwards. Thursday 29th June 1916 Went over to London on urgent matters with General Carson re the equipment of the divisions. Had lunch with Mr. and Mrs. Asquith at [10] Downing Street.19 General [Sir Bryan] Mahon [commander-in-chief, Ireland] was there too. After [Lord] Brooke and I went to the law courts and heard the verdict in the Casement trial.20 Also, his long oration and the sentence by Lord Chief Justice [Sir Rufus Isaacs, Lord Reading]. Got back to camp at night. Very wet and cold. Friday 30th June 1916 Still wet and cold. Am inspecting the 65th, 77th, 84th, and 102nd Battalions today. Took me all morning. The 102nd [North British Columbia] are by far the best unit. In afternoon inspected the two guards for Aldershot and the 10th Brigade practicing for review. Later General Carson called and we discussed the 87th [Canadian Grenadier Guards] Battalion matter. Both General Brooke and Colonel Ironside spoke out very straight and indicated that [Lieutenant-]Colonel [J.P.] Rexford was not strong enough to command that battalion.21 Carson stated that it was the minister’s [Hughes’s] distinct instructions that 87th were to be included in 4th Division and I stated that I would report straight on the matter on receipt of the brigadiers’ report. At night attended dinner with the 67th Battalion.

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Saturday 1st July 1916 Dominion Day. Big review today of my division on Hankley Common. King and Queen present, also Lord French, General [Sir Archibald] Hunter, Sir G[?], [Colonel Gilbert L.] Foster [deputy director, Medical Services], Sir George Perley [Canada’s overseas minister] and many others. It was a magnificent success and everyone including the King were evidently greatly pleased. We had thirty-six guests to lunch at our house afterwards and a review of balance of troops at 3:30 p.m. by [Sir George] Foster [Canadian trade minister], Perley and Earl Grey.22 Sunday 2nd July 1916 Attended service at 73rd Battalion lines and afterwards the sports which carried on all day. They were most successful. Over twenty thousand present. General [Archibald] Hunter came over from Aldershot. The big offensive in France started yesterday.23 Mrs. Richardson [mother of the late Captain George Richardson] stayed to dinner with us. Monday 3rd July 1916 Went up to Ludshott Common and inspected the 12th Brigade at their work. In the afternoon went thoroughly into the transports of the different brigades and found them in rather poor shape. Gave the transport officer until Wednesday to get them into shape. Tuesday 4th July 1916 Went up to the ranges and to the training areas at Bordon. The 102nd Battalion are shaping up very well. I could not get up for the Canadian Lodge [Masonic] function [London]. Wednesday 5th July 1916 Nasty bombing accident today. Colonel [H.] Snell [46th Battalion (South Saskatchewan)] and two others wounded and one man killed. I was out all morning with 87th Battalion at a field exercise, not very good. The fault was chiefly due to 12th Brigade Staff. Too ambitious a proposition for one battalion. Saturday 8th July 1916 Had an interview at 10 a.m. with Captain [William] MacLeod Moore and later with Colonel Odlum.24 A most satisfactory one indeed. Later called on General Carson and received notice that [Lieutenant-]Colonel W. St. P. Hughes [21st Battalion] had been recalled by War Office to take over [Canadian] 10th Brigade. I also told General Carson that Colonel Rexford as OC 87th Battalion was impossible and asked to have him removed before an adverse report was submitted on him. This

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he promised to do before Monday morning next. Had dinner with [Guy] Boyer [ADC] and went to see Romance. Monday 10th July 1916 Around at office at 8 a.m. General Carson called and we discussed freely the 87th Battalion matter. He said first that Rexford refused to be superseded, but afterwards he came back with Rexford and [Lieutenant-Colonel Frank S.] Meighen and stated that Rexford was willing to be relieved on command and go back to second in command. General Carson recommended Captain [R.W.] Frost as commanding officer. I insisted that Rexford write me an official note on the subject and General Carson an official letter, recommending Frost as I did not know him. Both agreed to these proposals. I had suggested Major Alexander but Carson preferred Frost [who took command 27 July]. In the afternoon went up to Ludshott to see 38th Battalion at work. Tuesday 11th July 1916 Another bleak cold day. Sir Francis Howard [major-general, inspector of infantry] and General [Beauchamp] Doran are coming today to commence their inspection of our fitness. Colonel [Victor] Odlum reported to us yesterday to take over the command 11th Brigade. Major H[?], BM [brigade major] 11th Brigade arrived today. Inspected 38th, 78th, and 73rd today at field work on Ludshott Common and later motored to Coombe [Buckinghamshire] and had dinner with the D[?]. Friday 14th July 1916 Another dark wet dreary day. Inspecting the 12th and 11th Brigade bombers this morning. To my mind they are not nearly sufficiently advanced in their work. Had a long talk with Odlum regarding commanding officer and 102nd Battalion. Saw Lieutenant Bassett today. He is coming on Monday as officer commanding 12th Brigade trench motor battalion. Cabled Osborne [Quebec Chronicle?] today and told him that we would take [Major Leo] McWilliam as S[illegible] major until position was open for him. Saturday 15th July 1916 Called at General Carson’s office [London] at 10 a.m. today and there met Colonel [William] St. Pierre Hughes [21st Battalion] who had just arrived back from the front to assume command of 10th [Canadian] Infantry Brigade. Got specific assurances from [A/QMG George] Murphy re our equipment ordnance and met Colonel[s] Hallick and Basil White. Had lunch at sports club with Ironside [GSO 1] and Boyer [ADC] and at night with [Grant] Morden. Left town 11 p.m. and went back by Heatherden [Hall, Morden’s home] and then on home.

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Original 4th Canadian Divisional H.Q. Staff (and Gib). IMAGE COURTESY OF MILITARY MUSEUMS (CALGARY, ALBERTA), MAJOR GENERAL DAVID WATSON PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS, MR2007.015-SERIES 2, ALBUM 1.

Sunday 16th July 1916 Hear the minister [Hughes] will be over here on the 20th. Good news indeed if true. Wet cold day again. Colonel and Mrs. Gaudet [22nd Battalion] are coming down today. Am going over to [Admiral Sir Albert and Lady Theodora] Markhams for lunch and back at camps for 4:30 p.m. to meet the D[illegible] and Lady Delaware. Colonel [William St. Pierre] Hughes is reporting today. Got back about 5 p.m. and had a visit to office afterwards with Hall. Attended evening service at Bramshott Church. Very enjoyable indeed. Wednesday 19th July 1916 It is still fine and we went over to Ludshott to see the men of the 12th Brigade carry on with their trench and gas helmet work. When I got back, I had a most pleasant surprise in the shape of letters from home. Two from Mary and Billie and one from Marjorie. I replied at once as usual. Am dining tonight with the 125

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commanding officers of the 72nd. Ironside leaves today for a few holidays. Had some good tennis tonight with Merritt and the two Halls and McLellan but the beastly flies are very bad. Nothing particular at night and dined with 72nd Battalion [Seaforth Highlanders of Canada; Lieutenant-Colonel John Arthur Clark commanding]. Thursday 20th July 1916 Another very fine warm day. Went out on Ludshott Common and saw the 73rd at a special attack scheme. Lots of points were corrected. After lunch called at hospital to see Colonel Snell and told him we would wait until 1st September for him to rejoin his battalion (46th). Colonel [AD] McRae called re train. At night had dinner at Frensham Pond Hotel with Brooke [12th Brigade] and his officers and their wives, sixteen in all. Very enjoyable. Friday 21st July 1916 Have had a particularly busy day. Got a cable from Mary re Charlie Grant [cousin?] and I at once cabled Colonel [William “Billy”] Price to do what he could for me. I then rode up to Headley and inspected the 10th Brigade on their route march after we got back. I went and saw the three brigades [10th, 11th, 12th] machinegun corps at their work under Captain Foster a specialist Imperial officer. They were exceedingly good. Took Rev. Major Gordon [senior chaplain, 4th Division] home to lunch with us and then inspected the transport of 38th and 67th [Pioneer] Battalions not very good. Complimented Odlum [11th Brigade] and musketry staff on their great assistance for us. Went and visited [Colonel] Snell [46th] in hospital and introduced Colonel [W. St. P.] Hughes [soon to head 10th Brigade] to him. Left for London about 5:30 p.m. to see General Carson. Saturday 22nd July 1916 Spent all the morning almost with Colonel Murphy [A/QMG] at Carson’s office regarding officers, rifles, equipment and learned that the minister had sailed on the Finland last Wednesday and due here next Friday. Lunched with Boyer [ADC] at Trocadero and after went around to Hyde Park. At night had dinner at Savoy, the guest of Captain Patterson and motored back to camp, arriving about 1 a.m. Very hot day. Sunday 23rd July 1916 With Captain Hall I attended Divine service at the 46th Battalion HQ. Received a cable from Les McWilliams that Ottawa would not allow him over and I woke Mary and told her to tell him that I would speak to Minister [unclear which] about him on his arrival, after lunch went over to Loxley Hall. It was the finest place I ever seen and so interesting, when Elizabeth and James 1st slept [illegible]. 126

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Monday 24th July 1916 Cold bleak day. Alderson coming today on a three-hour inspection. He got here at 11 a.m. and we went over to the 67th and afterwards inspected them at wiring. In the afternoon went onto Ludshott Common and saw the 38th and 78th at work. Very fair indeed. General Alderson asked me during afternoon what was the matter with me and I told him exactly that I thought he was unfair when he reported on my letter to Canada on 25th May last and printed out where he had been wrong and unfair and he afterwards apologized. Tuesday 25th July 1916 Inspected the 72nd and 73rd Battalions on Linchmere Common in a spirited trench attack. Both battalions were exceedingly good, and General Alderson was greatly impressed. In the afternoon he inspected the RE [Royal Engineers] and train [supplies]. The latter was very good. At night had the Markhams to dinner and the cook made the laughable mistake about dessert and melon. 80th band was present and was very fine. Thursday 27th July 1916 Inspected the 10th Brigade today. 44th [Manitoba] and 47th [British Columbia] on Chapel Common and Linchmere and then back to Liphook where he [General Alderson] saw the 46th [South Saskatchewan] and 50th [Calgary] go by on a route march. General Alderson, in all his speeches to the battalions, stated that I had one of the best battalions in the Canadian Corps and also that I was one of the best brigadiers in the Corps and that I was the right man to have been selected to command this 4th Division. At lunch today and for the past three days, General Alderson was our guest and today we also had G. Mc L [George McLaren] Brown and Mr. Doring of the CPR. It has been fearfully hot and close. The minister is also expected tomorrow. Friday 28th July 1916 Fine warm day. Went up to London at 10 a.m. Called at the French Embassy with Brooke and Boyer to see the Vicomte [Louis] de la Panouse [military attaché]. Then met Brooke’s sister Countess Feversham and went on to White at the War Office. Had a long chat with the Duke of Devonshire [Civil Lord of the Admiralty; he was appointed governor general of Canada on 8 August 1916]. Lunched with [Lord Robert] Cecil at Royal Colonial Institute, and heard Sir Geo[rge] Foster’s [Canadian trade minister] great speech.25 Afterwards called on [David] Lloyd George [secretary of war, who succeeded Kitchener]. [Guy] Boyer [ADC] made excuses for French Canadians not enlisting to the lumber people in Quebec not allowing their men to go. Such rubbish.26 Afterwards met [Major Clive] Wigram

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[equerry to the King], Churchill and others. Dinner at Savoy with S[illegible] and back home at midnight. Saturday 29th July 1916 Another nice fine day. Both Generals Odlum and Hughes are not gazetted as brigadiers. Cable from Mary received not to send maids. Mr. [George McLaren] Brown wants our house for a month, so maids can go with him. Reverend Dr. Williamson of St. Giles Edinburgh arrived at our house. Monday 31st July 1916 Another fine warm day. Carried out office work all morning. Sent on cable from Osborne, also my copy of letter to him, over to Aldershot. In the afternoon visited the 102nd and 44th Battalions at Wheatsheaf and Chapel Common and then on to the Brigade machine-gunners at Longmoor Ranges. It was terribly hot. At night there were boxing competitions on our sports grounds. Sent a telegram of welcome to Sir Sam Hughes. Tuesday 1st August 1916 Another very hot day. Had quite a talk with the minister over the phone this morning and he seemed quite chirpy. Spoke to Boyer this morning about his going to Lord Brooke about [Major Georges] Vanier [22nd] after I had decided not. And he admitted his wrong and apologized. In the morning I went over to Aldershot to see about Sir Sam’s [Hughes] review. Sir Arch[ibald] Hunter [commander, Third Army] was out but I saw [Major-General Sir Francis] Howard, [Major-General Beauchamp] Doran and Wood.27 In afternoon called on Brooke, Odlum and [Sir Sam] Hughes. The latter was in London. We had a big tea party on our lawn and the Markhams and their party to dinner, and the 67th Band in attendance. Wednesday 2nd August 1916 Left at 9:15 a.m. with Ironside and motored up to London. Called on Sir Sam Hughes with Brooke and had lunch there. He was particularly nice and helped me out in many ways with our equipment and personnel. Also went around to see Colonel Murphy and Carson. Had dinner at night with Grant Morden at Jr. Carlton Club and got back to camp about midnight. Thursday 3rd August 1916 Another nice fine day. Had all my Brigadiers [W. St. P. Hughes (10th), Victor Odlum (11th), and Lord Brooke (12th)] to see me today and this afternoon we inspect the Battalions that have arrived over at Bordon Camp. Our advance party for overseas leaves tomorrow. The new Battalions at Bordon are a very poor lot and I would not want any of them. At night we had the Markhams and a few others in for 128

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dinner. Odlum sent the 11th Brigade band over. It is an exceedingly good one. The fine weather continues. Friday 4th August 1916 Another fine but cooler day. Busy arranging for the minister’s inspection on Monday. Invitations have been sent out. Conference of Brigadiers and other OCs’ units at noon to discuss the matter. Left at night for London. Saturday 5th August 1916 Had a most busy and important day with General Carson and Murphy. I refused to allow the Irish members of Division any leave over the others. Came back to camp right after lunch and picked up Ironside on the road back. Sunday 6th August 191628 In the morning I attended open air service, 72nd, 73rd, and 67th Battalions. Generals Sir Arch[ibald] Hunter and Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien were present. It was a magnificent spectacle. At one o’clock the Minister [Hughes] and party arrived. After lunch went up to Bordon and inspected the troops there. Then called on Lord Selborne [colonial administrator and former member of Asquith’s cabinet]. Had a tea on our grounds and the 80th Band. Most pleasant party. After dinner sat outside and listened to the band. Monday 7th August 1916 It was a dreary looking day at first but got beautiful afterwards. We had a magnificent review, and Lloyd George made a very nice speech. We had luncheon in a big Marquee on the common. Got back to the office at 3 o’clock. Came back in car with Sir Max Aitken. Had a few people down to tea, friends of Boyer’s and went over with Hall and had dinner with Odlum and some of his friends. Tuesday 8th August 1916 Very much cooler today. Had a long interview with Brigadier-General [W. St. P.] Hughes about his battalions [44th, 46th, 47th, 50th] not coming in to strength yesterday and gave some good advice to him. Got another cable from Mary to send the maids on to her. Boyer and Hall are gone to London to put away their kits. [Captain] Turner and Boyer [Watson’s ADC] have got their Majorities and Turner is stopping with us now till we go away. The Richardsons [family of slain Captain George Taylor Richardson] and McLellan came over for some last tennis.

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The original Outfit at Bramshott, July 1916. IMAGE COURTESY OF MILITARY MUSEUMS (CALGARY, ALBERTA), MAJOR GENERAL DAVID WATSON PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS, S MR2007.015-SERIES 2, ALBUM 2.

Wednesday 9th August 1916 Went over to Aldershot this morning with Ironside and Panet to say goodbye to them all and afterwards went up to London for our final instructions and orders. Our cars go away today and am sending my kit with my car. Friday 11th August 1916 At last it has come to our day for leaving. Panet, Odlum, and I motored down to Southampton, getting there at one o’clock. Had lunch at the Star Inn and went down to the docks. We got on the [illegible] but afterwards transferred to the Connaught a much faster boat. We left at 7 p.m. and it took us about six hours to Le Havre. Though we did not get off the boat until 7 a.m. Saturday.

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The Somme August 1916–December 1916 With British II Corps at the Somme 12 August–13 September 1916

After assembling the new 4th Division at Bramshott Camp betweeen late April and early August in 1916, Major-General David Watson arrived with an advance party on 12 August in Le Havre (Seine-Maritime department, Normandy). There Watson, and later his men—the 10th, 11th, and 12th Brigades—entrained for the French town of Godewaersvelde, on the Belgian border, whence they marched to the Canadian Corps lines in Flanders. As the massive, deadlocked, horrifically devastating Battle of the Somme dragged on and on, the new division would train nearby until November 1916. The division set up headquarters first at Hoograaf (13 August), next at Reninghelst, and then at Westouter, while it proceeded to pair units of its three “green” brigades with Canadian formations returning from the front. On 14 and 15 August, the 4th attached its 10th and 11th Brigades to the 2nd Canadian Division, and planned to link its 12th Brigade to the 3rd Division.1 However, because of the delayed relief of the 3rd Division, the 12th Brigade instead joined the British 19th Division. From 3–8 September 1916, the 4th Division was part of Franks’ Force, named after the Second Army’s Major-General George Franks—a temporary grouping of British, Australian, and Belgian artillery units and other miscellaneous formations. When Franks’ Force dissolved, Watson’s division joined Britain’s II Corps and entered the Battle of the Somme.2 This would be Watson’s first time commanding a unit—a full division—in a major operation, while facing a daunting objective that had stymied more veteran units (including Canadian forces) than his—Watson’s true trial by fire.

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Saturday 12th August 1916 After coming off we went to the Continental Hotel [Le Havre] and had breakfast. Then called on the Camp Commandant General Assan. Then went over to the docks again. Got our cars out and ready. Got our passports and left about 11 a.m., [Colonel Henri] Panet with me in my car. We got to Rouen about one o’clock. Had lunch at Hôtel de la Poste. Visited the cathedral and started on to see Colonel Hamilton and the base officer, also met Sergeant Owen of 2nd Battalion, left about 3 p.m. for Abbeville. When we got to Blangy met young Ross of Quebec [son of J.T. Ross at the Chronicle] and Henri Panet and my [?]. Panet stayed over for dinner with his brother. I got to Abbeville about 7:30 p.m. and put up at the Hôtel de France. Sunday 13th August 1916 Left at 10:30 a.m. and went to Montreuil-sur-Mer. Got there about 11:30 called on GHQ [GHQ, British army] and went on to Arques, where we all had lunch together. We had met Ironside, Turner and Morris in the morning near Abbeville. Arrived at Abele at 4 p.m. Called and reported to General [Sir Julian] Byng [commander, Canadian Corps] and then went on to [4th] Divisional new HQ at Hoograaf [just south of Poperinge]: Very lonely as we are the first to arrive. Monday 14th August 1916 Went down to breakfast with 5th Brigade [which Watson had headed until April 1916], saw Pulley and the horses. Called on General [Richard] Turner at [his] 2nd Division HQ. Went over at night to Steenvoorde and had dinner with [Colonels] Panet and Ironside. Two companies of the 46th [South Saskatchewan] Battalion went into the line with the 4th Brigade [being trained with veteran units]. Our divisional details arrived tonight. Tuesday 15th August 1916 Had our first meal in new mess this morning. Got up, pretty and rainbow. We have now got in all the 10th Brigade, two battalions of the 11th and all details. Went down to Locre and got all the fine lace for Mary that I had ordered three months ago. Went down to 5th Brigade for dinner and met all my old commanding officers. It rained pretty hard all day. Thursday 17th August 1916 In the morning with Colonel Panet rode around and located and visited the 72nd, 73rd and 75th Battalions and in the afternoon, same the 78th, 87th and 102nd Battalions and impressed on them the necessity of strictest discipline, pointing out the recent cases of three Canadians being shot for various offences.3 At night

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dined at the 3rd Division HQ with Odlum [11th Brigade]. Very heavy bombardment during night and rained very heavily. Friday 18th August 1916 In the morning, I went with Ironside over to the Corps school for officers [Royal Flying Corps and Station] near Abeele. It was very interesting and we got hold of a lot of new ideas. It is officiated by Crickley, Cameron and McDonald [?]. We saw the Minister [Sam Hughes] and his party in the distance as we came away. In afternoon had a visit from Colonel [Garnet] Hughes and I went around with Panet and [Captain H.F.] Hall to see the 38th and 78th Battalions. Saturday 19th August 1916 Rained exceedingly hard all night and roads are already in a deplorable condition. We are warning all units re necessity of preparedness of coming bad weather and [illegible]. With Panet went up and visited the 67th [Pioneer] Battalion just arrived. And afterwards calling on General Odlum. Got soaking wet coming back to our camp. The aeroplanes were very busy all afternoon, awful heavy rain stopped. Sunday 20th August 1916 Fine and clear in the morning. We had our first officer casualty yesterday. Major Weaster of the 46th Battalion was killed by a piece of shell in the Vierstraat sector.4 The 73rd had [a] hard time last night. When coming out of Ypres a big shell killed an officer and five men and wounded eight others. The 102nd had a shelling losing four men killed and about fifteen wounded. This last time in the trenches of S[ain]t-Éloi. With [now Major] Turner, I went up the line today. Went in by the Dead Dog Farm at 22nd Battalion HQ and through Voormezele, around to Colonel [illegible] HQ. Had magnificent visual of lines from artillery OP [observation post] in farm. Came back by the Voormezele switch and Middlesex Lane. We had lunch at the 5th Brigade. It rained very heavy in the afternoon. We got back to our camp about 4. Had dinner with General Turner. Saw 6th Brigade move out this morning, on their way south. Monday 21st August 1916 Saw the battalions of the 10th, 11th and 12th Brigades [all 4th Division] that were out of the line. Got by to their new camps this morning. The 38th were the best of the lot and the transport of all was not up to the standard. In the afternoon went around the remaining battalions that I had not seen and met General [Julian] Byng at 10th Brigade HQ. He was exceedingly nice and offered to back me up in growing efficiency and results. We had tea with General W. [St. P.] Hughes. At night had our divisional band playing for the first time here.

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Tuesday 22nd August 1916 At 6:30 this morning with [Major] Murray [Watson’s GSO 2] and [LieutenantColonel George A.] Inksetter Royal Canadian Engineers [RCE], 4th Division HQ] went up for an inspection of the front lines. Went in by the Spoil Bank [on canal near Saint-Éloi] and down Estaminet Lane along front trenches until we got to No. 23 which had been blown in yesterday. Then waded through the mud of the support lines and back No. 19 in front along and then up the Shelby Lane, old French trench, Convent Lane and back to main road. They shelled with some pretty big fellows quite close to us on our way out. Got back after midday. Last night got a wire from Sir Sam [Hughes] asking me to go to Boulogne to meet him. Cannot understand it but left it to General Byng who sent word today to go. So, will leave tomorrow morning at 6:30. In our tour today we came across a place in Shelby Lane that almost sickened us and there was a skull of a man with hair fringed on it grinning at us from an old dump pile behind the brickwork. Wednesday 23rd August 1916 Our 10th Brigade took over the Vierstraat sector of the line last night and we are now holding our first share of the British front. Our divisional band is now engaged each evening with a program of music during and before dinner. Thursday 24th August 1916 Left at 7 this a.m. and went to De Panne first where I saw many officers and men of the old 2nd Battalion [Watson’s first wartime command] prior to their going down to the Somme. Went on to Boulogne but found that the minister had left last night before without leaving me word of explanation. Rather curious treatment and I was extremely annoyed. Came back via Cassel and had tea with the [Second] Army commander [General] Sir Herbert Plumer. At night Colonel Panet had a birthday party. [Major] Borfer had gone to hospital in Hazebrouck with Inksetter [RCE, 4th Division HQ]. Saturday 26th August 1916 In the morning called General [Hon. Sir William] Lambton,5 GOC 4th British Division on my left and afterwards went on to the new Canadian Corps school and had a talk with General Byng, re our 4th Canadian Division. After he left and he assured me that there was no reflection whatever in General Franks being sent on here for us a few days after he left as it was only to co-ordinate the different artillery groups. Then called on General [Sir Alexander] Hamilton-Gordon at Bailleul. He commands IX Corps, under whom we will serve after our Canadian Corps moves out. Had a big conference with my brigadiers CRE, CRA [illegible] and [Brigadier-]General [Charles] Rosenthal of the 4th Australian Divisional Artillery.

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Sunday 27th August 1916 Washy wet and disagreeable day. Am going up this morning to No. 3 Hospital [Canadian Casualty Clearing Station (CCS) No. 2] at Remy Siding to see if I cannot get cured of this disagreeable affliction which has been following me for over two months now. Left after 3 o’clock with [Major] Turner and went all through left sector down P. and O. trench and through front line. [Ended] up at 54th [Kootenay] Battalion where we met [General Victor] Odlum and had dinner there in Colonel [A.G.H.] Kemball’s [54th] dugout. Went on after with Odlum, Turner and Worsnop down through Convent Lane across old French trench over to Arundel House.6 And on up to Spoil Bank. Stopped there a while and then back home. Walked across country to Café Belge [on the Ypres–Dickebusch road] and down road to Odlum’s HQ and home by car arriving just before 1 a.m. pretty tired and muddy. Monday 28th August 1916 Nice cool day. Went for a ride this morning and in afternoon went over with my brigadiers and twenty-five other officers from 4th Division to a big demonstration at Wisques. Very fine indeed especially the trench mortars, Stokes guns and explosion of mine eighty-five hundred pounds of ammonal. Just before going we heard that Romania had come into the war with us.7 Tuesday 29th August 1916 Lord Brooke [12th Brigade] got an order to proceed to England to see Sir Sam Hughes. He left here this morning at 8. Our 44th and 50th Battalions relieved the 46th and 47th Battalions [all 10th Brigade] last night in Vierstraat sector. It is raining and cold today. Got a cable yesterday from Mr. Hall re condition of Mrs. Hall. Gave it to young Hall who did not know anything about [illegible]. Major Borfer reported back today at lunch from the hospital [CCS] at Hazebrouck. In afternoon, they had a heavy bombardment in the 19th Division on our right and it was stopped by terrific rain and thunder storms. I went to Bailleul with Boyer and saw Mr. Loti the painter. Wednesday 30th August 1916 With Captain Hall we left about 6:45 a.m. and went up to front lines via Chicory Lane in our right sector. Visited strong points and went from the Ms through Ws and Ds and then up through the P and O trench. Called at HQ of 50th Battalion HQ. It rained very heavily drowning our trip and we got back pretty wet and muddy. It was very quiet in the lines. At night dined with the 4th British Division guest of the General the Honourable Mr. Lambton GOC. Sent General W. [St. P.] Hughes a list of wrongs that are being carried on by 50th Battalion in his [10th] Brigade.

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Thursday 31st August 1916 Turned out fine after the terrible weather of the past two days. Went up to see [General Victor] Odlum [11th Brigade] this morning. They had quite a shelling around their HQ. The woman of the house was wounded in thigh, and two calves killed. The people have evacuated at once. The 54th HQ [illegible] also got a doing yesterday. In the afternoon had a visit from the army commander, Sir Herbert Plumer, and at night [Lord] Brooke got back and called with lots of news from the minister. He has been offered the position of Canadian representative in France with rank of Major-General. I went with Boyer to Bailleul and sat for portrait by Mr. Loti. Friday 1st September 1916 Had a long talk with Brooke this morning and advised him to accept minister’s offer. He is going now to see General Byng at 3:30 p.m. It is a washy raw day. We have received orders to take over a very large piece of the line in addition to our present front from the canal on the north to the Kemmel–Wytschaete road on the south. A heavy load for a new division. Our line I have just heard goes farther south as far as Piccadilly communication trench, about a five-mile frontage. Just got a cable from Mr. Hall telling me about Mrs. Hall’s death [Captain H.F.’s mother]. Had dinner at 12th Brigade tonight. Cannot understand Brooke. He has stated to me that Ironside has warned him against accepting job of Canadian Representative as [illegible] and that he “could not hold it for 24 hours.” Ironside totally denies this and states he advised Brooke to take it. Ironside also stated that General Byng would not approve of Brooke taking this job. General Byng today in front of Ironside said “he was all for it.” Heard tonight of another big Russian victory with over fifteen thousand prisoners.8 [Major-]General [George McK.] Franks [Second Army, Royal Artillery] was there today with Robertson to take over corps (my division and artillery.) He is very [?]. Monday 4th September 1916 Raining and cold again today. Went up with Colonel Panet to see General Odlum re H[?] and other matters. We just got word today that 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery are to support us instead of the Lahore Artillery, which we were looking forward to. At 10 o’clock this a.m. took over our new right sector and have to hold over five miles of front-line trenches. F from E1 north to the canal and Bluff. General [Tom] Bridges commanding 19th Division and Franks temporary command Canadian Corps are our guests at dinner tonight. Wednesday 6th September 1916 With [Major] Murray, I left at 6 a.m. for the trenches and then right along the whole of our front line from H.1 to L.7 and then back by the support lines. Called 136

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on [Lieutenant-]Colonel Davidson [Peers Davidson, 73rd] and [Lieutenant-]Colonel [C.M.] Edwards [38th]. Got back at 1 p.m. very dirty and muddy. Had long interview with CRE [Canadian Royal Engineers] on works in our area. Our heavies kept hammering away all night. Brooke got back tonight. Thursday 7th September 1916 Nice bright day. Am riding over to the 12th Brigade to get decision re Brooke inspecting a new draft of four hundred men, first for the casualties in the division at 1:30 today. Sitting [for Loti] at Bailleul, afterwards at the YMCA very long 1¾ hours. [Captain] Pattison is coming to dinner tonight. Wrote General Byng re Brooke. Friday 8th September 1916 This morning we went over to M[?] and had a great demonstration about liaison of aeroplanes and infantry. It was most interesting and instructive. In afternoon had a big conference of our brigadiers and artillery re demonstration about middle of month. Had a meeting after with General Franks. Saturday 9th September 1916 Very foggy day. Just heard that two officers of the 75th Battalion were on German wire. Probably killed [Lieutenants Harry Devlin and Francis Howard both died]. Artillery barrage is to be started and a volunteer party is being organized to go out after them. They went out at 1 p.m. five men and brought in a cap and revolver. It was a most brave act and I have recommended them for immediate awards [and several medals were awarded]. With Ironside I went around our trenches this afternoon. Down Poppy Lane up Smart Lane over the open in spots and back through the new support trench. Got back shortly after 6 p.m. pretty muddy. Monday 11th September 1916 A fine nice morning and am going up to the front line at ten this morning to right sector with Brooke. [General] Rosenthal and Ironside are also going up about gun positions. What a wonderful escape or series of escapes we had today. Going down to front line one shell threw up such an amount as to cover us with earth. Another came still closer but proved a “dud” coming and when at [Mont] Kemmel the Bosche was in front of us. Brooke was rather badly wounded in hand and thigh, [Lieutenant]-Colonel [J.A.] Clark [72nd] slightly in neck and I escaped one piece of shell evidently through my puttee. One man opposite was killed, another behind was seriously wounded and about ten others more or less hurt. It was a very warm corner for an hour or so. Called on Brooke at La Chapelle before they took him on to Bailleul. The dressing station was a shamble and one shell, when we were inside, crumpled up the house next door. 137

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Tuesday 12th September 1916 Nice fine morning. We are attending another demonstration this morning with connection between aeroplanes and the infantry. Three stations are to be located and operations carried on between them. Advice came last night from General Byng that he had recommended that [Lieutenant-]Colonel MacBrien to command the 12th Brigade since Lord Brooke and Colonel Alderson to go to the Corps and Brown to 3rd Division.9 Wednesday 13th September 1916 Just heard last night that the Quebec Bridge had again collapsed and large number of casualties.10 What a terrible calamity that will be for Canada. It has been a terrible day rain and cold. Went into Bailleul for another sitting with Loti.

The 4th Division and the Battle of the Somme 14 September 1916–9 October 1916 Joining the Battle of the Somme under way since 1 July 1916, the Canadian 4th Division took part in raids that Britain’s Second Army launched as a diversion for the Fourth Army’s assault in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette (15–22 September). Of the raids on the night of 16 September, which were numbered one through ten, the Canadians conducted the first seven.11 The raiders-to-be had left the line a week earlier and practised on dummy courses right up to the final night. The effort involved a total of 274 officers and men from the 4th Division, with soldiers drawn from the 46th, 47th, 54th, 72nd, 75th, and 87th battalions.12 The plan was for the raiders to approach the German lines silently and wait for Allied artillery to smother the positions. Once the barrage lifted, they would bomb their way into the enemy trenches, grab prisoners or documents, and withdraw via a path earlier laid out with white tape. On 3 October the rest of the division would start the move to the front lines of the Somme. This would be the first test of the 4th Division (and of Watson) in an assault on the Western Front. Thursday 14th September 1916 In the morning, I rode around to the various camps where the men are training for their raids. The 11th Brigade men and, in the afternoon, went up to the 12th Brigade and then to the 10th. It was a very hard day and I was pretty wet and cold. Went up to [Mont] Kemmel and observed our fire on the German lines. Alderson left to take up his new duties with the Canadian Corps.

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Friday 15th September 1916 The big offensive started this morning at 6:20. At noon today the news was particularly good and the Canadians have taken their objective. Went down to Bailleul to see IX Corps commander [Hamilton-Gordon] and made representation that three brigades should be in our new line and make their own reliefs. The [Second] Army commander [Plumer] called on me this a.m. and congratulated me on my lucky escape the other day. Saturday 16th September 1916 The news from the Somme seems very satisfactory. Infantry and great gains of prisoners have been made. Went down our lines this morning with Colonel Turner of Second Army. Went down Chicory Lane and across new trench and down to the Ns and Os. The Bosche was active with his “rum jars”13 and he got his fill of it in return with all our guns and trench mortars. He was subsequently very mild. Got back around 1 p.m. Sunday 17th September 1916 Our first big raid took place at 12:30 early this morning and was a most successful affair in every respect. We had seven raids and results as follows: • 10th Brigade (three raids) eleven prisoners and about twenty Bosches killed. Our casualties eleven killed, eleven missing, two officers wounded. • 11th Brigade (three raids) eight prisoners about ninety-five killed also got a German machine gun, our casualties three officers and thirteen other ranks wounded, two other ranks killed. • 12th Brigade (one raid) two prisoners, about ten killed. Our casualties four other ranks wounded. Our artillery support was very fine and the barrages were very carefully registered and carried out. It was all over and quiet by about 3 a.m. Prisoners taken were all Württembergers and a pretty scrappy crowd they are. Went into Baileul this afternoon for my last sitting with Loti and developed a harmful cold in the head. Monday 18th September 1916 One of the worst days we have had. Howling wind and deluge of rain. Our 11th Brigade was relieved by the last night and are now back in Divisional Reserve. We also came under the command of the [Hamilton-Gordon’s] IX Corps at 9 o’clock this morning. Franks’ Force becomes nonexistent. Got telegram from Franks’s force, Canadian Corps, Second Army and GHQ re success of our raids. Got word last night that this division is to be drawn out and relieved by the 16th Division. That means down to the Somme with the other three Canadian divisions. Odlum had lunch with us and later we found that our casualties are higher in the other 139

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nights’ show than first reported. The [Second] Army commander [Plumer] visited us this afternoon. Tuesday 19th September 1916 Went up to our lines this morning with Captain Hall. We rode up as far as Siege Farm. Went around our subsidiary lines and called on 12th Brigade HQ on way back. Hon. Mr. [William Howard] Hearst [William Howard Hearst, Conservative premier of Ontario], Dr. [iIllegible] and Colonel Machin were with us to lunch. The 10th Brigade are to be relieved tomorrow night and the 12th on the 24th. Received later orders tonight that the 36th Division take over from me on the morning of the 21st at 9 o’clock. Wednesday 20th September 1916 Took our three visitors over past Bailleul to see the battalions of the 11th Brigade. Moving out into our new area near Saint-Omer. It rained pretty heavily all morning. In afternoon our new Brigadier [James MacBrien] for 12th arrived and took over his command. General [Charles H.] Harrington [General Staff] and Major Robertson called. We are busy getting ready for move tomorrow. Friday 22nd September 1916 Two years ago, as far as I can remember, we left Quebec and what a great deal has since happened. Ironside, Inksetter and I leave this morning for the Somme. We are to stay there for a couple of days to get all information we can. Got down to Canadian Corps at about noon, had lunch with General Byng, and then went over to see General Turner. Got a lot of good information from them. Then went and saw 5th Brigade people [22nd, 24th, 25th, 26th Battalions]. General Archie MacDonnell [7th Brigade], Walker, Colonel [J.A.] Gunn [24th] and Colonel [Archibald] Mckenzie [26th] and then on to [illegible] to see [Lieutenant-] Colonel [Edward] Hilliam [25th] who had been shot through hand. Also called on [Lieutenant-Colonel A.E.] Dubuc of 22nd.14 They have all had losses and it made me sick to think of all the officers I know who are gone. Saturday 23rd September 1916 One of the most interesting days I have ever been in [the Somme]. Left at 6 a.m. motored through Albert where we saw the statue of the Virgin toppling over [on top of the basilica, leaning after attack in January 1915], on through [recently recaptured] Ovillers, Contalmaison and Pozières.15 Left the car and walked over the battlefield. Never saw such a sight in my life. Not a foot of ground that was not shelled and the quantity of rifles, bomb grenades, equipment, skulls, arms, legs was awful. Our aircraft were really splendid. Not a Bosche to be seen anywhere and the shelling was pretty bad. Our guns are as thick as flies and such stacks of 140

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ammunition. Canadians have lost very heavily, 1st [Division] about three thousand, 2nd four thousand, 3rd four thousand and such a loss of fine officers.16 Frank Maguire, Tripper, Ross, Brooks, Boussel, Gaudy and a host of others. Left at noon, had lunch at Ovillers and got back to Tilques about 4 p.m. Sunday 24th September 1916 A beautiful fine day. With Colonel Ironside I rode around our area visiting the 10th Brigade at Éperlecques and then 44th and 46th Battalions near there. And then on to the 11th Brigade area near Tournehem. Came back across country and saw the 75th Battalion at work in the training area. Got back to our HQ about 1 p.m. At night we had [Lieutenant-Colonels John] Warden [102nd], [Sam] Beckett [75th] and [R.W.] Frost [87th—all from 11th Brigade] in to dinner with us. Our billets are in a charming little château in Tilques and the flowers are all in bloom outside, such a wonderful contrast to the horrible scenes we saw yesterday down near the Somme area and where we are going on the 30th. Monday 25th September 1916 Panet, Odlum and Hughes went down to the Somme yesterday. This morning with Ironside and Murray I went around to see the four battalions [54th, 75th, 87th, and 102nd] in the 11th Brigade and had a fine cross-country ride, to and from their areas. In the afternoon, we motored around to the 10th Brigade area and got back about 6 p.m. Had [General] Rosenthal in to dinner at night. Wednesday 27th September 1916 Rode out over the area in the morning and saw the 10th Brigade offensive operation. It was not successfully carried out and ordered to be repeated on Friday. The aeroplane did not train as the operation was late. Combles and Thiepval both fell yesterday [Somme fighting]. Thursday 28th September 1916 The 12th Brigade had their practice schemes today and did it fairly well but not as good as the 11th. In the afternoon, I went to Boulogne and consulted Colonel [Dr. James] Elder about my inward trouble.17 And I have to go to the hospital for two or three days for a small operation. This can be done later on after we get fixed on the Somme. Saturday 30th September 1916 Stormy and cold. With [Guy] Boyer [ADC] went over the areas of the 10th and 12th Brigades and saw them steadily at work. In afternoon, Crandall, Lefroy, Curran Smith of Vancouver World18 accompanied by Colonel Sims [F. Manley Sims, GHQ, Max Aitken’s assistant] came and had tea with us. And I then sent them up to see 141

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Loris of the 87th Battalion. They left for Hesdin [Canadian HQ] about 2:30 p.m. Ironside, Murray and I went up to the 10th Brigade for dinner. Sunday 1st October 1916 With [Major] Borfer I rode up through Serques and Watten up across the canal and up the Watten hill to see the old English Jesuit monastery ruins there. They are very interesting dating back to thirteenth century. We met there the [illegible] of Chatham and had rum and cake. Most interesting people and great view from the top. In afternoon [illegible] 12th Brigade at indoor hall and then attended service at our HQ in the twilight. Reverend Mr. Gordon [senior chaplain, 4th Division] came to dinner with us at night. Monday 2nd October 1916 Wet cold day. I have a fearful cold in my head. Everybody busy today in getting ready for our next big move starting early tomorrow morning. Have sent Nicolls back to [illegible] at [illegible] for my coal oil stove and lantern. In afternoon, we were asked to tea at a Madame Wisk a friend of the HQ staff of the 12th Brigade. She lives in a château at a place near Watten and tomorrow early we start moving from three different stations one train every three hours. We entrain at SaintOmer, Arques and Audruicq and detrain at Doullens North and South and Candas. Wednesday 4th October 1916 Nasty wet foggy day all four units got in last night and today. They are resting up. With Panet I went to visit the brigades: 10th BDE Amplier 11th BDE Gézaincourt 12th BDE Beauval All our divisions have now arrived. Sir Douglas Haig [commander-in-chief] called at our billet this afternoon. Thursday 5th October 1916 Sent Mary £5 and to Marjorie and Billie £1 10 s. 50 p each. We left Beauval about 10 a.m. and went to our new quarters at Rubempréa very dirty little village. We got nice quarters there where the people have a nice garden and orchard. The weather conditions are very bad and disagreeable. We went over to Canaples at night and had dinner with General [Richard] Turner [commanding 2nd Division]. Friday 6th October 1916 Our brigades have moved up another journey nearer to the front and are today at: 10th BDE Hérissart area

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11th BDE Vadencourt area 12th BDE Bonneville area The [Canadian] Corps commander [Byng] saw the 11th come in and was greatly pleased with their splendid showing. We had Brigadier-General Garnet Hughes in to lunch with us. He was on his way back from leave. In the evening [Major] Borfer gave Murray, Panet and myself a dinner at Amiens and when starting back met [Colonel Sir William “Billy”] Price in the dark, recognized his voice and brought him back to camp with us. Sunday 8th October 1916 The Canadians were to try and get Regina Trench early this morning. We hear they were successful. It started to rain very heavily about 8 a.m. Trust they got their objective before that time.19 Our brigades today are located as follows: 10th Brigade Brickfields [reserve area at old brick factory near Albert] 11th Brigade Vadencourt 12th Brigade Warloy Monday 9th October 1916 Went down to Albert yesterday 13 Rue Herlu and saw General Hughes. The traffic through there is enormous. Just got orders to move the 10th Brigade up into the 3rd Division as their brigade reserve and had all arrangements made for same when orders late this afternoon cancelled same. The attack yesterday by 1st and 3rd Canadian Divisions was not a success and they are back in their old trenches again, with orders today to dig a line two hundred yards from the German lines. This afternoon rode over to Vadencourt and saw Odlum. He is all ready for his effort when called upon. This morning sent Hughes and COs of 10th Brigade up in the line in a [illegible] for reconnaissance purpose.

Trial by Fire 10–20 October 1916 On 10 October, 4th Division arrived on the Somme and took over the line from the 3rd Canadian Division, whose 8th Brigade remained temporarily under Watson’s command. The 10th and 11th Brigades, as well as the 8th, were responsible for the front around the ruined town of Pozières. BEF Commanderin-Chief Field Marshal Douglas Haig had reported on 7 October to the Imperial General Staff (IGS) that the Germans had already sent roughly seventy divisions to the Somme and lost some 340,000 men. Haig felt that the remaining German defences lacked the strength and depth of the elaborate trench systems that the British had already captured from them and asked for the “utmost efforts

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of the Empire … to continue the offensive without intermission.”20 He admitted he had no idea how near breaking the Germans were but saw an opportunity for far-reaching success. Poor weather and disappointing results in the following days caused scaling back of the ongoing attack.21 According to the British official war history, “By the middle of October conditions on and behind the battle-front were so bad as to make mere existence a severe trial of Body and Spirit.”22 No longer would the Third Army be taking part; instead, the Reserve Army, under General Hubert Gough, to which the II Corps (including the 4th Canadian Division) was attached, would attack on 23 October, with elements of General Henry Rawlinson’s Fourth Army on its left. The Fourth Army would then launch a massive attack on Le Transloy on the 26th, in conjunction with a French assault on Rocquigny. The II Corps, employing the 4th Canadian Division, planned to attack Regina Trench on the 19th; this would complete the capture of Thiepval Ridge. A large section of the Reserve Army would then move through that area on the 23rd to launch its major assault astride the Ancre River. Gough, who had just been commanding the other Canadian divisions in early October, wanted the II Corps’s attack to “straighten our front for a final attack and clear the enemy off all vantage points.”23

Tuesday 10th October 191624 In the morning Ironside and I went up to the Corps at Tara Hill. At first, we got orders that we were to take over on the 16th. But while we were there the army commander Sir Hubert Gough came up and arrangements were all changed. We are to take over tomorrow one battalion from 3rd Division and one from 1st Division. We came back after lunch went over [illegible] Hill and back for a conference with our brigadiers at 3 o’clock. The 11th are to go in on left and 10th on right. At night had General [Archie] MacDonnell of 7th Brigade and his BM [brigade major] Captain Widd to dinner. Wednesday 11th October 1916 We rode up in our motor through Albert to the new HQ in Tara Hill arriving about 10 a.m. and took over the line at noon. The 8th Brigade are in the line. In the afternoon about 3 o’clock the Bosches made an attack at about point R.18 central but the artillery of 2nd Division got at them and they were pretty badly mauled. We take over our extra piece of the line tonight of the 2nd Brigade frontage. Had lunch today with General [Edward B.] Morrison [2nd Division artillery]. At night had a conference with our brigadiers about our big effort on the 16th. Saw young Horne yesterday in Warlow as we were going out.

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Thursday 12th October 1916 With [Captain] Hall. I left at 6:15 a.m. and went in through Pozières over by K Swamp down Tom’s Crest and the sunken road over the crest by Oxford Trench and on down past Folback and Hessian Trenches. We had a good view over the country from there and we watched the heavy shelling of Courcelette. Then came back and over to both 10th and 11th Brigade HQs and back through Contalmaison and Fricourt to our camps. We got back after one o clock. Our preparations are pretty well arranged now. Had a conference with [Lieutenant]-Colonel [Raymond] Brutinel and are to have ninety machine guns at our disposal.25 Colonel Surifs called and [illegible] that he was recalled to England to command a training brigade. Friday 13th October 1916 This morning had our skeleton scheme mapped out and had interview with corps commander who made certain suggestions. This morning Colonel Inksetter CRE and Major Turner were both wounded in the operation east of Courcellete. Inksetter leg is broken. Turner hit in the back. We have received orders now for only one objective on 16th two hundred yards on from Regina Trench and to occupy the top of [a] 130 yd. crest. Saturday 14th October 1916 A cold rainy day out. The plans for the show are now being completed and this morning had a walk with General Percy de B. Radcliffe [major-general, director of military operations, War Office] and also went over to the 1st Division HQ to see General Currie. He was away however. In the afternoon went up with [Captain] Hall to our 10th and 11th Brigades HQs and our artillery were putting on a barrage as we had planned. It was a grand sight and fearfully noisy. Odlum was hit again in the foot with the flat piece of a shell. I brought down a piece of our own shell that killed five of our men today. We walked back from past Pozières. Had a meeting after with Corps Commander [Byng]. It is quite possible now that our show will come off on 16th. Fourth Army is not ready. Sunday 15th October 1916 This is a day of bad news. In the first place, I was told this morning by General Byng that our operation for the 16th is indefinitely deferred and the Corps are to pull out and we the 4th Division are to remain under the IV Corps again. We have just heard that Inksetter died this morning from his wounds. I went to Contay in the afternoon and attended his funeral. Also, went to Warloy this morning with Odlum. He went up in a plane and I had my tooth fixed.

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Monday 16th October 1916 Beautiful fine cold day. Had a visit this morning from General Byng who asked me to go over to Contay tomorrow to meet Sir Henry Wilson, our new IV Corps Commander when the Canadian Corps goes away on Wednesday. This afternoon I had a visit from our Army Commander Sir Hubert Gough, Reserve Army, and the plans are evidently changed again. We are to come under II Corps’s General [Claud] Jacob and there are to be two big operations on Thursday and Monday next in which we are to take part. Had a visit this afternoon from Canon Scott [Major Frederick Scott, senior chaplain, 1st Division] and also General Harridge of the IV Corps artillery. Tuesday 17th October 1916 Still fine and cold. Three German planes came over yesterday and one was brought down past Colbert. Last night another Bosche came over and dropped bombs on camp on other side of road, one man killed and seventeen wounded. A big 18-inch gun is being put up just behind us on the other side slope of our hill. Had a visit this morning from General Jacob the GOC II Corps who explained the two operations of 19th and 23rd, next of General [Ivor] Maxse GOC 18th Division on our left coming to discuss the operations with me. Wednesday 18th October 1916 It was a fearful night wet and cold and black as pitch. Two companies of 87th who were going in to relieve got lost and had to stay in shell holes all night. With Ironside went up to 10th and 11th Brigades HQs and got the schemes for tomorrow’s operation quite properly arranged. The whole ground was as slippery as grease and was mud caked with mud and how our guns did roar around that area. Practically all arrangements are now completed for the operation tomorrow. General Laurie CRA [Commanding Royal Artillery] II Corps was here and went into all artillery details. Weather is going to get brighter it seems. Thursday 19th October 1916 It got very bad during the night and this morning it was still pouring raining so orders were received that all operations would be postponed at least 24 hours. Got five letters from Mary and one from Billie also one from Jack O’Meara and Lord Shaughnessy [Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, head of the CPR] and Paddy. The mud around here is something awful and we can’t walk on it. It is so very greasy and slippery. The corps commander General Jacob came to see me today relative to the light sentences inflicted on officers and also about our additional offence against the quadrilateral in conjunction with the big movement taken in the afternoon at a visit from the army commander Sir Hubert Gough and all operations are now off until 21st. The weather is just desperate. 146

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Friday 20th October 1916 During the night, it got colder and the dawn broke fine and clear. Three companies of the 102nd and three of 87th came out of the line last night for a twenty-four-hour rest. They were in deplorable state of mud and wet. Had another visit this morning from II Corps commander [Jacob] and the operation is scheduled for tomorrow. [Colonel Manley] Sims [Aitken’s assistant] came around to see me today. We got buses to take us up to the companies of 7th and 102nd this afternoon. Our casualties to noon today were nearly six hundred.

Final Push on the Somme 21 October–10 November 1916 Major-General Watson’s men now held a 2,000 yd. line east of Miraumont Road on the II Corps’s right. The II Corps would advance on a 5,000 yd. front. Moving forward simultaneously, from right to left, would be Canada’s 11th Brigade, Britain’s 53rd Brigade (18th Division), and two brigades each from its 25th and 39th divisions. The goal was to gain the whole of Stuff Trench and all but the most easterly thousand yards of Regina Trench. Two hundred heavy guns and howitzers would back up the artillery of the seven German divisions.26 Appalling weather delayed the attack three days. However, the sun came out on the clear, cold morning of the 21st. Saturday 21st October 191627 This morning at 6 o’clock I took Nicolls and we went first up through Pozières then on to the Sugar Refinery [Factory] and to the east of Courcelette. Stop and lunch there but came back and went up Colonels [illegible] across the 20th Road and on up. We had a grand view of the whole country and the village of Pys. Came back overland and went to the HQs of 10th, 11th Brigades and on back to [4th] Divisional HQ [Warloy]. While away one of our aeroplanes came down beside our office seriously injuring White, also another orderly. Our offensive came off at 12:06 today and in nine minutes our men of 102nd and 87th were in the Regina Trench and all along the lines. I believe we have occupied that trench with strong spots well forward. Sunday 22nd October 1916 Another fine but very cold day. Our total casualties pushing more to over 750, but the losses to the Bosches must be much in excess of that and we have forty-three surrendered and a number of wounded Bosches. They made a couple of feeble counterattacks yesterday but all easily repulsed. Captain M[?] with his MG battery did splendid work. Have received a very nice letter from Corps commander [Byng]. 147

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In the afternoon went up to see Odlum [11th Brigade] and [W. St. P.] Hughes [10th]. The 11th now say they got 163 prisoners and one hundred Bosches killed. He [Odlum] says our casualties are about 150. Hughes will carry on a minor operation on the 24th to take the balance of Regina [Trench] on his immediate front. Monday 23rd October 1916 Had a very busy morning getting through my documents and papers and had a conference at noon with brigadiers’ staffs to the Corps commander came in while we were at it. Colonel Talbot (six foot six) came in for lunch. The tallest person I’ve ever seen. I cabled Colonel B.A. Suss today about his son and arranged for Harry (son’s) body to be brought down tonight. This afternoon attended my first corps conference at the II Corps. General Jacob presided. Tuesday 24th October 1916 Our operation with the 44th Battalion for this morning did not come off as the night turned very bad and they took over seven hours to move up into the lines and were quite exhausted. With [Captain] Hall I went up to the north and south practice trenches and visited the 54th and 44th battalions there and then went on to the 75th HQ. It was a desperate trip and terrible weather. We got back over country to Brigade HQ and then got our car at the Red Cross flag. Going up we walked right up Albert–Bapaume road. Was soaked to the skin. Wednesday 25th October 1916 This morning at 7 o’clock the 44th Battalion made an assault on Regina Trench but were enfiladed by machine-gun fire from the northeast and the whole operation was unsatisfactory and deferred until larger operation later on. They had about two hundred casualties. The bad weather still continues and is really appalling. We expected a visit from the [soon-to-be governor general] Duke of Devonshire and the commander-in-chief [Haig], but weather conditions must have kept them back. The aeroplane contact work today was very good and we are now pounding Regina with heavies. The Duke of Devonshire and three other officers came around about 3 o’clock. They were plastered with mud. Thursday 26th October 1916 On account of the weather all operations have been put off for some days and I am changing two brigades in the line and bringing them out for a rest tonight. The 12th Brigade will take over the whole line. The weather is still bad hard and it rained from time to time and does not dry up at all in consequence. The big guns are going very hard and is all the time and the row is tremendous.

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Friday 27th October 1916 The worst day we have had yet. Rain and blowing like anything. It is quite impossible for us to do anything. One company of 78th Battalion got lost last night in making the relief. The big guns are quiet this morning. No observations can be had. Grant Morden phoned me this a.m. from the flying HQ. He is coming out to see me. He got here for lunch and after I took him up as far as Pozières and across to our Brigade HQ. Had a meeting of officers of 11th Brigade at 3 p.m. It was a nasty cold night. Saturday 28th October 191628 Grant Morden left this morning after breakfast. I had a meeting of officers 10th Brigade at 11 a.m. and after met the army commander for a short time. Then with Murray went into Amiens to get haircut and had lunch there. It is trying hard to get fine today. We got back around 4:30 o’clock. Everything quiet. There were a great number of Bosche prisoners working at the roads all along the way to Amiens and they all appeared to be a pretty tame crowd. Sunday 29th October 1916 One of the worst we have had. I went up to see the 11th and 12th Brigades with [Captain] Hall and as usual we got our fill of mud and wet. In the afternoon, Mary’s cake came and it was a corker but not nearly big enough. The roads are getting in an awful shape and about impossible for supply of ammunition purposes. Monday 30th October 1916 Another nasty rainy day. The 10th Brigade will move over to Bouzincourt and the 11th to Albert to give the men a rest and dry spell. This morning I inspected the transports of the brigades and found some very good and some very bad. In afternoon had a visit from Colonel [A.D.] McRae, Sims [Aitken’s assistant, Colonel Manley Sims] and A[?]. It simply poured rain all afternoon and came through my dugout roof in buckets, all night long is keeping up. The worst storm I have ever seen. Tuesday 31st October 191629 It rained again in the morning and the gale of wind was very strong. In the afternoon it got finer and the sun came out. We had the Duke of Connaught [outgoing governor general] to lunch with us today also the army commander General Sir Hubert Gough and Colonel Shearfield and S[?]. They were all exceedingly nice and enjoyed their meal with us. Afterwards they met our brigadiers and then divisional unit commanders. The name of our army now is 5th Army instead of Reserve Army.

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Wednesday 1st November 1916 Very unsettled sort of a day. We have got new orders about our co-operation with 32nd Division in the attack on Pys. I called over on General Maxse this morning and had a long talk with him and General R[?] In the afternoon, I presented ten medals (or ribbons rather) to the gallant men of 87th and 102nd Battalions for their work on 21st October. Also, the Military Cross to Lieutenant Johnson of the 67th Battalion. Am asked to dinner tonight with General Maxse GOC 18th Division. Got no. 173 letter from Mary of 18 October and she says something about Jimmie S[?] going back. What on earth does it all mean. First Bowe cabled not to come out and now Jimmie sent back. Thursday 2nd November 191630 I had a most interesting day that I shall never forget. I left HQ at 5:30 a.m. met General MacBrien at Pozières and then went on through the west side of Courcelette and down across the Miraumont Road. Right overland into the front line. In fact, we went farther and started to go beyond Regina and were called back by one of the Suffolks in 18th Division. After some time, we got up into our own part of Regina and down through it up to the block. Saw some parties of Bosches under the Red Cross flag and also one Bosche looking at me over his parapet twenty-five to thirty yards away. It was desperate hard work and often we were up to our middles in slush and slime. I was absolutely covered with mud and soaked to the skin. Saw large numbers of unburied bodies all around in all sorts of positions. Walked out by 10th Street, W.45 [illegible] trenches and down to Bapaume Road. Got back at almost 11 o’clock. In afternoon went to see Corps commander to lay before him my opinion of the situation. Friday 3rd November 1916 Another bad day out raining and foggy. Am going up with Ironside to see 10th and 11th Brigades re the disruption of their relief tonight. I am going to hold the line very lightly on account of the terrible conditions up there. There was quite a lot of shelling today to the west of Pozières when we were going up the lane. Got two letters from Mary today, Nos. 171 and 172, and two from Billie [aged nineteen] and one from Brownie [aged twelve]. The prospects in the weather tonight look very bad and the glass [barometer] is dropping again. The 54th are relieving on the left tonight and the 46th on the right. Saturday 4th November 1916 Another drill and heavy day. No chance at all of ground drying up in this sort of weather. The reliefs were both made last night before 10:30 o’clock. Was going into Amiens today, but Corps wished Ironside to stay. I decided not to go either. General [Edward] Morrison [2nd Division artillery] had direct hit on one of his 150

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guns last night, destroying the gun and killing the four men in the gun crew. It was just west of Courcelette. Walked up to 67th Battalion HQ. The mud up there is just as bad as here. On our way back saw more horrible sights, legs, arms, feet sticking out of a hole that shell had recently made. When I got back had letter from [Dudley] Oliver [at the Bank of Montreal] telling me that Mrs. Swift [wife or mother of Major A.E. Swift] had been killed by a runaway horse. Too bad. Sunday 5th November 1916 Another Sabbath day came around, but it makes no difference at all to us out here. It rained hard in the night but this morning the sun is shining and the wind is howling almost at a hurricane pace. We have lost up to noon November 3rd 144 officers and 3116 men = 3260 in all. Afternoon walked down back to Albert and inspected our laundries and bathing arrangements. Also, the stables. At about 1 o clock today the Bosches put three shells just over my dugout about 150 yards in rear. Monday 6th November 1916 It rained during the night but this morning the glass went up a few points and we got our W orders.31 It was quite showery all morning. I ordered six hundred Christmas cards today from Asprey’s [jewellery store in London] to be delivered to me no later than 30th November. About 10 o’clock at night Zeppelins were reported and a number of horrific explosions were heard to the least of us when they had dropped large bomb. They evidently got one of our very large ammunition dumps, as all night long the roar of the shells could be heard. Tuesday 7th November 1916 A horrific explosion took place about 7 this morning from the dump set on fire last night by the Zepps and all morning the roar of the exploding shells can be heard. It is a great disaster and tons and tons of munitions must be destroyed. It will no doubt change all plans and the weather is fearful again, sleet and rain. There will be no chance for any operations. Conference at Corps that was to have taken place this morning was cancelled. We had General Maxse and Colonel [Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel W.D.] Wright VC [18th Division] in to discuss. He told me a remarkable story of one of his brigades. See notes at end of this book.32 Wednesday 8th November 1916 Another fearful night and a still worse day. All operations are indefinitely off. Is a very good thing I insisted on each battalion having their men in the front lines or support on 24 hours in all. Went over to Senlis to see the corps commander General Jacob regarding our remaining with II Corps until they were drawn out of the line and he assured me that such was his policy and intention. In evening I 151

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walked around the hills towards D[?]. It was fearfully muddy but the sight was just the flashing of the big guns forward and on the flanks. Thursday 9th November 1916 It has turned out to be a bright warm morning, though cold. The enemy aircraft were particularly busy this morning coming over, our anti air guns were kept busy. But the Bosches were up very high and was very difficult for our planes to get up fast enough to intercept them. In the afternoon, I went up with Odlum, overland and tried to get his observation post in N.26 central. The shelling was so severe however that we could only get about one hundred yards the other side [of] Gun Pit Road and had to come back to a point opposite the Sugar Factory. The shelling was very heavy all around and we had a lot of rather close ones. The III Corps had a show also on our right and we had great observation of that. Also of an air battle. Three or four Bosches and several of ours. One of ours was brought down near Brigade HQ. The army commander was here this morning. Had a lively time at night with aircrafts. They dropped two bombs just behind my dugout and as I was walking over about 9:30 p.m.33 Friday 10th November 1916 Another fine day the second in succession. Had a visit this morning from the corps commander [Jacob], who gave me the details of the new objectives. An enemy airplane was brought down near Le Sars this morning. This afternoon Colonel [Manley] Sims called and brought with him Messrs. Irving and Simms, two American journalists. They came late and went on to Amiens and will come back in the morning to be shown around. Had a letter from Marjorie [now twenty-one] tonight dated October 13th last. The Bosches were more than [illegible] tonight with their aeroplanes. They bombarded Albert several times and ours were after them with shells and machine guns. But it was very hard to see them.

Rebuilding and Refitting 11 November–1 December 1916 The 4th Division was to try again at the elusive section of Regina Trench, but only after two days of artillery barrages and with no wire remaining.34 Rain fell on sixteen of the twenty-one days the division was on the front line. Saturday 11th November 191635 We had our operation last night against the balance of Regina Trench about a thousand yards in length and advanced our lines almost five hundred yards. The 11th Brigade with 102nd Battalion and 10th Brigade with 49th and 46th battalions. 152

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Heavy bombardments during day and all the guns turned on at exactly midnight bringing barrage on trench for eight minutes to give our men time to get across. We took all our objectives and at 2:30 a.m. consolidated up our whole position. Took three officers prisoners and about sixty other ranks. German casualties must have been very heavy. Had telegrams of congratulations from Army and Corps commanders. Sunday 12th November 1916 The corps commander [Jacob] came to see me today and expressed his great satisfaction at our success yesterday. Odlum and Ferres-Grey came to lunch and I went up with Odlum afterwards and saw MacBrien [12th Brigade]. The artillery kept up a continuous strafe all day in preparation of the big show tomorrow. We are to be ready to take advantage of all offering opportunities. The Bosche officer that we captured was surprised that we were offering any opposition as they were informed that London had been destroyed and our fleets sunk.36 Monday 13th November 1916 It is a mild foggy day. The big bombardment started this morning and at 8:55 a.m. we got the first news that German first line had been taken. Later we heard that 19th and 39th Divisions of II Corps had got all their objectives and that the others in V Corps had got through except the 2nd and 3rd Divisions which had been held up. A number of prisoners are reported to have been taken. The big guns are keeping on speedily. Tuesday 14th November 1916 The attack on our left is going steadily on and up to 1 p.m. We have heard that prisoners now amount to about seven thousand and a large number of machine guns and other equipment also an electric light plant, already three large villages have been captured. In one place they have been held up. Our tank was brought in and soon cleared up the situation. Had a meeting with corps commander [Jacob] and General Maxse this morning and later received orders for our other attack for tomorrow morning at 5:45. Had a visit this afternoon from General Burstall [MajorGeneral Henry Burstall, Canadian 2nd Division] and lots of news from the corps. Wednesday 15th November 1916 It turned out to be a very cold morning but bright. The big guns kept at it all night, but there was no attack this morning. It had been postponed twenty-four hours. The Bosche aeroplanes were over again last night and this morning and dropped some bombs quite close to our HQ. The number of prisoners taken on our attacking divisions on the left has we are told totaled up to nearly seven thousand and a great number of machine guns. Have just heard that Sir Sam Hughes has 153

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resigned. This will undoubtedly be a wise move for all concerned as his health must be impaired to have made such unjustifiable statements as he has recently made in speech in Toronto.37 Thursday 16th November 1916 A fine cold morning with lots of frost on the ground. It is too bad that operations are not going on these fine days. There is to be a conference at Corps HQ this afternoon and perhaps new developments will then be given us. Have been to the conference and we have got orders to increase our frontage by a thousand yards and eighteen hundred to two thousand yards in all. We have to capture and consolidate Desire Trench and will use five battalions to do it. Weather permitting it will come off on the 18th. Friday 17th November 1916 Canon [Frederick] Scott went up to our old front line on nights of 15th, 16th and found the body of his son [died instantly, 21 October] and buried him and put a cross over it. Major Tryan of the 73rd died yesterday of wounds a very fine officer gone. We took over a thousand yards more last night of Regina Trench west of our present old site and we are now holding roughly about thirty-three hundred yards. It is another very cold day and ground is all frozen up. Went up to see General [W. St. P.] Hughes [10th Brigade] re tomorrow’s operation and received his assurance that all was to his satisfaction including machine-gun and artillery support. Saturday 18th November 1916 It was a terrific night and howling gale with snow and sleet. I sent the 78th Battalion up at midnight as an additional precaution for at 2 a.m. we received orders that Grand Canal Trench had been captured. At 6:10 this a.m. the attack began 38th on left 87th between the two Miraumont roads. The 54th east of Courcelette Trench and 75th over to block. Then 50th and on right the 46th. Our frontal attack about twenty-five hundred yards’ frontage. About 8 a.m. we began to get news, that attack had gone favourably except a part of 50th Battalion which had been held up. But General Hughes in [illegible] that he was sending up reinforcements to deal with that situation. It began to rain about 8 a.m. In one case when the Germans were coming over to counterattack us they threw away their rifles and threw up their hands and came into our lines as prisoners. At 12:15 p.m. I decided after consultation with General Maxse to withdraw my part of 87th and 38th in Grandcourt Trench and to consolidate strongly in Desire Trench.38 Sunday 19th November 1916 The situation is somewhat clearer. We hold the whole line of our objective and one position of the 87th has pushed in to Grand Canal Trench. The 10th Brigade 154

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on right did not do successfully. I have decided to make new dispositions, 12th Brigade to have left of line with 78th and 72nd and 11th Brigade to right of line with 75th and 102nd and the 73rd Battalion. The Corps intimated this morning that we would be relieved within a week. Our number of prisoners now taken by this division is seventeen officers and 588 OR [other ranks]. The weather is desperately bad; the mud makes it almost impassable. Monday 20th November 1916 Sir George Perley [overseas minister] and Sir Theos Whick paid us a visit this morning and stopped for over an hour. We discussed matters re Canadian troops in England and the GOC for that position. Odlum and Hughes came down and stayed for lunch with us. Have heard that Jim Williams was killed on the 18th also John Lewis. But Lewis only a rumour. Have sent [Captain] Hall up to see. We made the relief last night complete two new CT [illegible] over front lines. Also three new [illegible] points and wired same. We got telegrams of congratulations today from Second Army commander and our corps commander. We hear we will not be relieved until 29th November. Tuesday 21st November 1916 A very misty day indeed. One of the most we have had. Went with Ironside to visit 87th, 54th, and 38th Battalions and to congratulate them on their recent splendid work. In the afternoon, we buried Major Hall and Sgt. J. Williams in the little cemetery down at our HQ [Warloy]. Their graves are next to the road seventh row from the top. We have learned definitely that we are to be relieved by the 51st Division commencing on the night of the 26th–27th. 18th Division start going away tomorrow morning. Wednesday 22nd November 1916 We picked up an officer, one NCO and five men [Germans] yesterday morning just behind our lines. They had wandered down from Miraumont and had actually captured one of our 102nd men. Last night we captured four others and have started [illegible] in our whole front line. We found John Lewis’s body today and are going to bury it there tonight in the little cemetery beside Williams’s body. Had a meeting this morning with General Hughes and pointed out how unsatisfactory have been the efforts of his [10th] Brigade in the last offensive and the ADMS also pointed out to him the medical deficits in his brigade, also the AA [anti-aircraft] v two MG from an administrative standpoint. [Captain] Hall was not at all well tonight and I sent over some extra blankets and Nicolls to look after him.

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Thursday 23rd November 1916 It turned out a nice fine day. Our heavies are pounding the opening to the northeast of Pys road. Attended the funeral of three officers of 38th Battalion this morning in little cemetery [Warloy-Baillon] beside HQ. Captain Sears was one of these officers. Later buried John Loomis and Rogers of 87th in the same little plot. His grave is in seventh row down. Odlum stayed for lunch with us. I sent over several things to Asprey’s [London] today to make souvenirs. Aeroplanes were busy today. A Bosche was over us this morning and right after they shelled Albert. The 10th Brigade relieved the 102nd and 73rd [Battalions] tonight on the center and right of the line. It was very long however before relief was complete. Friday 24th November 1916 A cold drizzly day. We got a copy of a report that the II Corps have sent to the Canadian Corps regarding our period under their command. Was most satisfactory indeed. I brought Odlum and Murray to the HQ at Albert and then I went out to Benzin canal to see reinforcements that had arrived for the Division. They are a good lot but are sadly lacking in training. Received a cable from Sir George Garneau [former mayor of Quebec, first chair of National Battlefields Commission] this afternoon re my offer to take his son on my staff. And cordially thanking me for my offer. Young [Leonard] Garneau is evidently in England now. Monday 27th November 1916 By Jove it was a cold night and our heavies did keep pounding away all night. I went to see Sir George Perley and ask him to [illegible] comply at once with my request re General [W. St. P.] Hughes. Have heard this morning that General [Richard] Turner has been sent for to take over English Command. He will make a splendid appointment as he understands fully our requirements. General Hughes is supposed to arrive today for the purpose of looking over things prior to his taking over tomorrow. I have recommended Odlum, Ironside and Panet for CMG [all three men became CMGs], of Edwards and Frost [87th] for DSO [Distinguished Service Order] and [Captain] Aitken for MC [Military Cross]. Got a book today from Bob Ramley. Am asked to dinner tomorrow night with the army commander [Gough]. Wednesday 29th November 191639 A miserable cold day and my room and billet was like a farm. Had a dreadful cold in the head. Are holding an F.G.C.M. [full general court martial] in [illegible] [Francis] Leader 72nd Battalion for refusing to obey an order. Late this afternoon they have arrived at a verdict and is _______ [blank in original].40 What a terrible position for him to be in and to think of my having such further power over life and death [Watson recommended the carrying out of sentence; see diary entry of 16 December for final disposition]. We are moving off again tomorrow. This time to 156

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Doullens. Got seven packages today from the Hamel workers club of Chalmers [Free Presbyterian] Church [in Quebec City] and I gave them to Nicolls to properly distribute among the men of our HQ staff. Have completed today my confidential report on Somme and re operations for our Canadian Corps. I regret it has to contain adverse report on 10th Brigade. Thursday 30th November 1916 St.Andrew’s Day and what a lot of memories it brings with it. Another blizzardly cold raw day. We left Léalvillers at 9:30 and got to Doullens about 11 o’clock. Found our billets and temporary office and mess and Ironside and I went to the little hotel called “Les 4 Fils Amons” for lunch. It is fearfully cold and we are nearly perished in our billets. In the afternoon, [official British war correspondent] Mr. Phillip Gibbs and another American press correspondent called on me and I gave them a few notes and episodes of our tour in the trenches and our attacks on the Bosche lines.41 I am in a doctor’s house and how cold it is. We are having a haggis tonight that Ironside got from Scotland. Friday 1st December 1916 We had haggis last night and a Scotch piper from 67th gave us some fine selections. It was a miserable cold night and today is just repeat of it. We moved this morning about ten miles to a place called Frohen-le-Grand, another small dirty village. Had two fine letters from Mary 11th and 12th November. Also one from Jones, O’Meara Brown and Stuart. We are in an old château called the Château Bourrin named by a Countess du Passage.42 In the afternoon [Henri] Panet and I rode up to the 10th Brigade HQ saw General [W. St. P.] Hughes. It was a bitterly cold night and the trees were covered with hoar frost just like Christmas time in Canada. I wrote a long letter to General Currie today congratulating him on his English appointment. On 4 December 1916, the Canadian 4th Division would enter the Canadian Corps, where it would remain for the rest of the war.

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Chapter 9

Preparations for Vimy December 1916–March 1917 Zero + 2 Hours 4 December 1916–20 February 1917

After the Battle of the Somme ended in the late autumn of 1916, the new 4th Division would join the three senior divisions of the Canadian Corps. From January to early April of 1917, it would participate in a series of raids and undertake considerable training, as the British and Canadians analysed lessons from the Somme and began to apply their insights. It would prepare for the assault at Vimy, first undertaking a disastrous raid on 1 March. During this preparatory period, Major-General David Watson’s command would render the 4th as capable as any other Canadian division. However, its operations would also reveal that its senior commanders were still maturing and making costly mistakes, with bloody consequences for their soldiers.1 Watson’s new Canadian Corps commander, General Sir Julian Byng, was a career officer in the British army. By this point during the war, he had commanded a cavalry division, the Cavalry Corps, IX Corps at Gallipoli, and the Suez defences. Byng had taken over the Canadian Corps from General Edwin Alderson in May 1916,2 and seems to have had good, strictly professional relations with Watson. The following diary describes a typical interaction: “Had an interview with the corps commander today, and he put up to us a suggestion on taking the Pimple on Z night. I sent in a proposal regarding this tonight.”3 Watson would fight only one major operation (Vimy) under Byng before the latter left to take over the Third Army. At this time, Watson had much more personal relations with his own brigadiers-general and fellow division commanders.

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During December 1916 and January 1917, Major-General Watson and his chief of staff, Lieutenant-Colonel Edmund Ironside, reorganized the 4th Division. Having completely lost faith in Brigadier-General William St. Pierre Hughes (10th Brigade CO and brother of former Militia Minister Hughes), Watson now sought to engineer his removal. Byng replaced Hughes with Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Hilliam,4 who had been leading the 25th Battalion in Watson’s former commande, the 5th Brigade. On 4 December 1916, the 4th Division joined the Canadian Corps in Artois, on the British First Army’s front, looking up at Vimy Ridge. The 4th went immediately into the training area, where Lieutenant-Colonel Colin Harbottle (who would later command the division’s 75th Battalion) set up the 4th Canadian divisional school at Mesnil-Bouche. Its courses there used War Office training materials and concentrated on the offensive, all aiming at fostering the attack: bayonet fighting, bombing (including the use of rifle grenades), the Lewis gun, and rifle marksmanship. Instruction followed the recent training documents from the War Office pretty closely. During the winter of 1916–17, the front was relatively active on both sides, and Canadian units rotated between the front and division training schools in January of 1917.5

Monday 4th December 1916 It turned out to be a very fine cold but sunny day for our last move, into our new area with Canadian Corps at Bruay. We motored over from Monchy (a place I never want to see again) and got to Bruay about 10 a.m. We are billeted in a fine house in the town belonging to a wealthy brewer and we are most comfortable indeed, all the more to be appreciated after the past six days arduous billeting. This is a large mining town numerous collieries all around.6 Our Canadian Corps Commander General [Julian] Byng called this afternoon and congratulated me very warmly on our work down on the Somme. I reported on the 10th Brigade matters, and he advised me to read report to General [W. St. P.] Hughes and send it on officially to him. Tuesday 5th December 1916 I had a most disagreeable duty to carry out this morning. I called on General W. St. P. Hughes, and read him my report to the Corps commander regarding the operations of the 4th Division down on the Somme and the grave cause I had for complaint against the 10th Brigade by reason of their two failures and other reasons. Naturally he was much exercised but he signed it and I sent it on to the Corps. I then motored over to the 1st Division HQ and saw General [Arthur] Currie. [Victor] Odlum [11th Brigade] and I stopped to lunch, and we got all the information and maps possible as we will start relieving the 1st Division about the 15th 160

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December. We got back to HQ about 4 o’clock, and found an order to go to Corps HQ tomorrow at 10 a.m. re the Hughes matter. [Major] Murray [GSO 2], [Major] Aitken and [Captain] Hall left on leave today. Wednesday 6th December 1916 Got two letters from Mary today (75th and 76th)7 also from Rathay. I have sent on my Xmas letters and presents to Mary and the girls $ for Mary, $40 for Marjorie [aged twenty-one], $30 for Billie [nineteen] and $5 for Bronnie [twelve], also paid $175 for Billie’s out and $45.50 for Marjorie’s. I went to the Corps today. The GOC [Byng] had General Hughes up and went thoroughly into his case and will render a decision in a few days. In afternoon, I rode around to the 12th Brigade HQ at Remilly and came home by Mesirel and Houdain. It was fine and crisp for riding. [Major C.] Ferguson of 38th and [Lieutenant-Colonel W.N.] Winsby of 47th came to dinner tonight. The big guns were singing away this afternoon just in the old familiar way. Thursday 7th December 1916 In the morning, I went over to the 46th Battalion and saw a couple of their companies at work. No officer was with “C” Company or the details. Later the corps commander [Byng] called and discussed the General Hughes matter, and put it up to me. It was his opinion that if the matter were left to him, he would severely censure him, but if I recommended a change, he would endorse my request. After I went and saw General Hughes at his HQ and put the matter squarely to him—if he was going to stand by the deficiencies of his brigade staff, then I would recommend him to go. If he admitted their mistakes and promised to recommend against Ramsden, Janski and Macklem then I would recommend another chance. He promised me faithfully he would take the latter course. At 5 p.m. we again met the corps commander and he spoke very frankly to Hughes and then burned the charge I had sent in. I spoke out and stated that as I was responsible to the corps for the division I would accept no excuses in further from Hughes, and any defects of staff or battalions must be assumed by Hughes. The corps commander endorsed these remarks. Saturday 9th December 1916 Was up at 5 o’clock this morning and motored over to 1st Division HQ. Got [Captain Willis-]O’Connor [now Currie’s ADC] there and we went on through Villers-auBois, Carency and Hospital Corner. From there went overland down past Cabaret Rouge [south of Souchez], Zouave Valley and along the lower base of Vimy Ridge, as far as the left battalion of our furthest sector. They were trench mortaring very hard, so we came back and went up [illegible] to the front line with Major Page of the 5th Battalion. Along the front line and down Vincent Avenue. Then called at 161

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HQ of 10th Battalion, 7th Battalion and went back by way of Boyan Avenue to Souchez Road, on overland to the HQ. 8th Battalion at Bois de Berthonval and then across to Hospital Corner where we picked the car up again. Got back shortly after one o’clock. Later went to Lillers to hear lecture by Colonel Travis and at night attended first annual dinner of 102nd Battalion at a little Cabaret in La Comté. Got three letters from Mary and two from Paddy re Osborne, and I wrote at once and demanded Osborne’s resignation. Sunday 10th December 1916 Had a very busy day both with interviewers and gathering [illegible] of correspondence. Not having heard from [General] Hughes re his promises to re-organize his staff [10th Brigade], I have written him for a reply. Mr. (Drew?) ADC [to] Captain Walker of 60th Battalion arrived today. In the afternoon late, we went to a concert in the Town Hall in aid of the French Red Cross and I took castor oil at night. Monday 11th December 1916 I learn that Colonel Chisholm ADMS is far from well and likely to be evacuated. With Ironside I rode around this morning and saw the 72nd, 73rd, and 78th. The new lot of 150 men for the 73rd are about as good a lot as I would want to see. They are from the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade, which has indecently been broken up for drafts.8 The 87th also got a draft but they are made up of Russians, Swedes, Italians, Danes, French Canadians with other English Canadians. Tuesday 12th December 1916 The inspection of the 38th Battalion and the other three battalions [72nd, 73rd, 78th] of 12th Brigade on the march by the corps commander [Byng] had to be put off this morning as it started snowing and was so wet and miserable that it was postponed. We are cleaning up on our back correspondence and getting things in shape for the move we are to start making on the 18th instant. I got a Xmas parcel yesterday from the [Admiral and Lady] Markhams and wait to be opened till Xmas. This afternoon I visited our divisional school [at Mesnil-Bouche], where we are training officers and NCOs [non-commissioned officers] in bombing, machine guns, Stokes mortars, bayonet fighting and NCOs’ classes. We expect to turn out two hundred per week. Wednesday 13th December 1916 Another cold wet raw day. I went up to the Locre convent this morning with Heakes our field cashier to see if any of my lace things were finished and to pay a cheque that they seemed unable to cash in. I only got a small collar. We had lunch in Bailleul went in to see Loti the painter and then came on back to Bruay. It took us just over one hour from Bailleul. In afternoon had another interview with 162

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General Hughes and Colonel Panet and again repeated to him [Hughes] that he would be entirely responsible for his staff as he was working to retrain Captain Gzowskiy. He stated that if Gzowskiy fell down, that he, Hughes, would go out with him and Panet was quite satisfied with General Hughes’s responsibility. We went out to Odlum’s HQ at La Combe tonight for dinner. We heard today that Kaiser had offered terms of Peace to Allies.9 Thursday 14th December 1916 This morning we rode over to the road leading to 12th Brigade. The 38th Battalion was drawn up and was thoroughly inspected by the corps commander [Byng] and afterwards he saw the 72nd, 73rd, and 78th march by. They all looked very fit and business-like. Colonel Peers Davidson of 73rd is to be bounded out medically unfit. In the afternoon, I rode over to the HQ 10th Brigade and met General Hughes as I was riding back. MacBrien had been offered a post in England on [General Richard] Turner’s staff [commander of Canadian forces in Britain], but does not want to take it. He later on decided that he would not accept. Friday 15th December 1916 In the morning, we motored over to Carton and the corps commander [Byng] inspected the 54th Battalion. He first presented the ribbons to those men of the 11th Brigade that had been approved by the II Corps. General Byng found the 54th Battalion in a most unsatisfactory state, dirty and unorganized and told Colonel Kemball so very plainly. Afterwards we went over to La Combe and saw the 75th, 87th, and 102nd march past. The 87th were by far the best. I saw Harry Stanley from Quebec, he has been recently sent out as a draft to the 11th Brigade MG company. In the afternoon, the [First] Army Commander General [Sir Henry] Horne and General Byng came to see us. I had my Brigadiers [Hughes (10th), Odlum (11th), MacBrien (12th)] here to meet them. Saturday 16th December 1916 This morning I went up for another stroll around the rearward lines and trenches of our new area. [Major] Willis-O’Connor came with me. We went down by the Souchez road and across Bofoli Trench and then back across country to Carnoy. In afternoon, I attended a lecture by Professor Adkins, in Bruay. Subject, Britain’s past in the war. We heard tonight that [Lieutenant Francis] Leader’s [72nd Battalion] sentence was commuted [by Field Marshal Haig] to cashiering and ten years’ penal servitude. We got our Xmas cards today and I sent off my Canadian ones at once.

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Sunday 17th December 1916 With [Major] Dr. Jenkins [ADMS, 4th Division], I went down to Boulogne today to see Colonel [Dr. Henry] Birkett at No. 4 Hospital about my throat.10 He examined me and took something out and gave Jenkins instructions how to treat it. I also brought Edwards and Clarke down, and Pat Edwards gave us lunch at Mony’s. We then saw them to the boat, called on [Captain H.W. “Harry”] Blaylock11 [CAMC] and then came back, getting to Bruay about 4:30 o’clock. In the evening, we attended a concert at the Town Hall, in aid of the orphans of the French soldiers of Bruay. Monday 18th December 1916 This morning at 9:30 I attended a conference at the corps [illegible] the possibility of breaking up two Montreal battalions to provide re-enforcements for the other five Montreal regiments. Also, the matter of criticism of operations by officers on leave in England. In the afternoon, I rode around to the flying school and then on towards Houdain and had a conference with my brigadiers afterwards. [Major] Murray, [Captain] Hall and [Major] Aitken got back last night. [Major-General Henry] Burstall has got the 2nd Division [confirmed as replacing Turner]. [General Edward] Morrison [2nd Division artillery] goes to corps and Henri Panet as [brigadier-general and] GOC 2nd Division. Tuesday 19th December 1916 A nice cold crisp day. I had a meeting with all the Divisional HQ heads of departments this morning and went over matters fully with them. Afterwards I rode around to the 12th Brigade HQ and over to the 78th Battalion and then cross-country home by the flying school [possibly Royal Flying Corps aerodrome, Saint-Omer]. General [Frederick] Loomis [7th Brigade] called this morning after my return. I put in for my leave today, fourteen days from 11th January. Went down this afternoon to Château de la Haie [Canadian military centre, near Gouy-Servins, Pas-de-Calais] 10th Brigade HQ and saw [General W. St. P.] Hughes. Also, went to see our [Colin Harbottle’s] new divisional school at Mesnil-Bouche. Coming back I went to see General Byng re the 87th and 73rd Battalions. And he told me if he were in my place, he would use all means possible to prevent them being broken up. So, I wrote General [Richard] Turner a very strong letter tonight asking him to help out. Wednesday 20th December 1916 A bright cold day and with [Captain] Hall I motored up to Locre to the little convent and got two centre pieces but no collars. They are all to be finished by March. Called at Loti’s at Bailleul on way down, and saw the frames for our paintings. On way up we killed a dog, knocked a man into a ditch and ran into a cart, not too bad.

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We got back at 1:30 p.m. Dr. Gardiner of our old 2nd Battalion called on us in the afternoon. He is now with the 1st Field Ambulance. Saturday 23rd December 1916 A terrible day, windy and raining. Odlum and I were to have gone up W. N.D. [Notre Dame] de Lorette Ridge12 [540 feet, Ablain-Saint-Nazaire, Pas-de Calais] to observe, but had to defer our trip. Had a long interview with [Lieutenant-Colonel Raymond] Brutinel [Brutinel’s Brigade] about machine guns and [BrigadierGeneral Edward] Nairne about artillery and trench mortars.13 In the afternoon, I rode up to near Hospital Corner and got an awful soaking on way back. Got an invitation to dinner with the Army Commander [Sir Henry Horne] on 1st January next. Tuesday 26th December 1916 [Roland] Hill left early this morning for 3rd Division. I interviewed old Christie of 67th and Rhodes of 67th who got four years P.S. [penal servitude]. Then I rode over to our school at Mesnil[-Bouche] and inspected the NCO school. When I got back met Gerry Poole of the heavies [guns] and he stayed to lunch. After I went over to Estrée-Cauchy [illegible] and spoke pretty plainly to the officers of the 47th battalion. Went down to see Corps Commander [Byng], and had a most satisfactory interview. He would back us up where any weakness was shown in senior officers and in matters of seniority, he recognized that I was after [General Arthur] Currie. Thursday 28th December 1916 I had to interview and recommend to be sent away another senior officer this morning, Major Cooke second in command of 47th Battalion. He was under influence of liquor even when he came up before me. After I rode up through Villers-au-Bois and on overland to Bois de Berthonval and back by Hospital Corner and Carency. Got a cable today from Charlie Grant. Had a long interview with CRE [?] re work parties and then went on to corps to see General Byng who kindly told me that we could have services of 4th Canadian Entrenching NT Battalion and all others of 1st Entrenching Battalion that would be available. Had a cable tonight from Brodie re Sir John’s [?] greetings. Friday 29th December 1916 I rode up to divisional school and addressed the NCO’s class re their duties in the trenches and then got back and met the 245 officers that are to be attached to this division for training. [Colonel William] Gibsone or Talbot did not come. Then rode around to our brigade areas and saw brigadiers and got back after dark. We blew

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a camouflet today, damaged about fifty yards of our trenches and do not think very much damage was done to the German line.14 Saturday 30th December 1916 Early today I took [Captain] Walker and we went up to our lines. The very heavy rain of last night has destroyed a great part of our lines, and only herculean work can save the system. The Bosches were fairly active today with their artillery and shelled our [illegible] and Hospital Corner. After lunch, today I had a visit from the Corps Commander [Byng] and Lord Northcliffe.15 He was very talkative, and is out here in the interests of the Canadians whom he states are not getting sufficient credit for their splendid efforts. Sunday 31st December 1916 The last day of a terrible year and as dark and gloomy as possible. A fitting day for the ending of such a year. I went up to our schools today and inspected the personnel of the new 4th Machine Gun Company. Lieutenant-Colonel Brutinel was there and greatly pleased with the men. Then went over and inspected the NCOs’ class, bunkers, Stokes gunners and cooking classes. In the afternoon with [Captain] Hall, I rode up to Ablain-Saint-Nazaire and walked down past the village into outskirts of Souchez. Got back home shortly after 6 o’clock. Wednesday 3rd January 1917 Another raw, windy wet day. I interviewed Major Lills this morning and he intimated he was not suited for “I” [Intelligence] work and would prefer to go back to his battalion and wrote the Corps to that effect. The Bosches raided our left bombing post last night and killed one man, one wounded, and the third is missing. Probably a prisoner. In afternoon with Colonel Panet and [Captain] Hall rode up to Hospital Corner and went across to [Lorette] Ridge at Ablain-SaintNazaire, and came back across country to Mont Saint-Éloi and back main road home. Thursday 4th January 1917 Ironside left on his leave last night. The Corps Commander [Byng] came to see me this morning and raised quite a row over that raid against 47th last night. He also spoke about Hughes and said that Ironside had been making further statements about the weakness in the 10th Brigade. It is a most disagreeable state of affairs altogether. Lieutenant [Leonard] Garneau reported here today as one of the ADCs on establishment. The special Canadian Band is also with us for a few days and Captain Edmund Burke the great [Toronto-born bass opera] singer is in charge, and gave us a concert tonight. We lost 122 men in all in the heavy shelling by the Bosches yesterday. 166

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Saturday 6th January 1917 Went over early today to Estrée-Cauchy and inspected the 44th Battalion. They were very dirty and rifles and arms very rusty and muddy. Gave them the dickens. Then rode up to the new ranges and tested their safety-proofness. After had the recruits of the 11th Brigade given a few movements by Captain Patterson. The Corps Commander [Byng] went up with General Odlum this morning to have a look over his front. This afternoon we had following visitors arrive: F.B. McCurdy MP [from Nova Scotia], Colonel Thomson, Colonel McG[?] and Captain Long. They arrived about 6 p.m. Sunday 7th January 1917 There was a heavy ground mist this morning preventing the aerial observation, at original hour selected. Our visitors were sent up to see Carency and Hospital Corner and then went back to Corps HQ at 10 a.m. Lord Brooke [now with Canadian Mission in Paris] arrived shortly after 11 o’clock and had lunch with us. He brought us a parcel of oysters. Took him up to 12th Brigade HQ, [to] 38th Battalion and to 11th Brigade. Had a talk with Major [R.D.] Davies re his taking command of 44th Battalion [he took over 22 January] and he was very greatly pleased with my offer. At night about 6:30 p.m. the 73rd Battalion placed three bombing attacks. The artillery and trench mortar fire of the Bosches was pretty heavy all day long and a lot of trenches were knocked about. Monday 8th January 1917 Owing to the relief of the 11th Brigade today, the shoot was postponed until tomorrow. It is a fine bright day but a regular hurricane of wind blowing. I have a very sore throat and a nasty cough which is rather disagreeable. Went around with Corps Commander [Byng] to our divisional school and he expressed himself greatly pleased with everything. After I had a most disagreeable task of showing General Hughes a letter which I proposed sending the Corps about his brigade and my opinion on the matter. He complained about my action but my duty is clear and I cannot evade the great responsibility of not [sic] clearing up the situation. His brigade is in a bad state and I cannot afford to take any chances on any weak part of the division. Tuesday 9th January 1917 It has been decided this morning to have our big shoot on the Bosche front and support lines this afternoon at 2 o’clock and while observation is rather poor it is better to get at him now, than to let him continue with his active operations. He gave us another little strafe this morning, and this had got to be stopped. [Captain] Verret [formerly of 2nd Battalion] came to lunch with us today and is very much

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fed up with his present job. Reports from 10th and 11th Brigades state that our shoot was quite satisfactory. Wednesday 10th January 1917 I went over to the Corps last night and handed in my report on 10th Brigade to General Byng and stated that my opinion stood until in his judgment it was wise and expedient to same. This morning I went around to the brigades, saw Hughes at 10th Brigade and told him I had given my report in and also that I had stated his views to General Byng but that I still held that he could not reorganize the brigade, as at present constituted. I further stated that General Byng would send for him when ready. In the afternoon, I presented the medals to officers and men of 11th Brigade and at 4 p.m. with Odlum, Rumsden and Phelan. I left by motor car for Calais, on my leave. It is a dull bleak day but the prospect of going away makes everything look different. Wednesday 17th January 1917 Called on Mr. [George McLaren] Brown at CPR offices [Canadian Pacific Building, London] and on Sir George Perley at the High Commission office. He stated that General W. St. P. Hughes had arrived back and that I had done absolutely right in my dealing with the very regrettable matter. Had dinner at Trocadero with Captain Doyle and then went out to Maida Vale for the night. Long way out there, and had to go by [illegible] as [illegible] no taxis. Saturday 20th January 1917 Went to hospital again and got treated by [Major F.M.] Fred Wells, throat and mouth exceedingly sore and raw. Had lunch at Ritz [Hotel] with Morden, Walter Long [colonial secretary] and Burstall and then went to Savoy and met [Colonel William “Billy”] Price and [J.H.] Scott. Had dinner with them and got back home early. Monday 22nd January 1917 Another morning at the hospital. Throat no better. Had lunch today at Clarence House [The Mall] with the Duke and Duchess of Connaught [former governor general and his wife] and Princess Patricia [their daughter, for whom the regiment was named]. Also there [Major-General] Sir Francis and Lady Lloyd and Sir Malcolm Murray.16 At night went to the Redmonds’ at Claridge’s Hotel for dinner. Captain Redmond is my new ADC. Played bridge after. Won $6.10. Tuesday 23rd January 1917 Went down shopping with Lady Markham also to the hospital and had brunch at the military service club, the guest of Admiral Markham. Colonel [Henry] Page 168

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Croft [Conservative MP] and Odlum also there, after had an interview with Colonel Reid who stated that General W. Hughes was most vindictive and that General Turner had expressed his great sympathy on his behalf. At night had a quiet evening at home for our last night. Thursday 25th January 1917 On my return, I find that Corps have named Colonel [Edward] Hilliam to command 10th Brigade. So, I went up to see him this morning and had a long talk with him. Also, called at 12th Brigade. Saw [Captain H.F.] Hall there where he is attached for training. In afternoon went around to both our schools at Mesnil and Servins. Also to the new ammunition dumps that have been created since I left on leave. Saturday 27th January 1917 A very fine but cold day. In the morning, I went around to see the battalions in brigade reserve and could only get to the 44th. Saw Davies [44th] and spoke about his second in command. He will make a decision when next out of the line. Met [General Arthur] Currie and had a long talk with him. A large number of our heavy guns are being taken away up north. In afternoon had a big conference of my brigadiers and staff officers and went over prospective operations with them. Each will submit a proposal for an attack on his respective front, and we will make arrangements for gas as well. Sunday 28th January 1917 Another fine cold day. This cold spell has lasted a considerable time now. The big guns still keep moving out, much to our regret. Interviewed Captain Stewart of 44th Battalion this morning. This officer has been reported upon as inefficient. Went around to HQ tunneling company with Ironside and inspected their quarters. In afternoon had a visit from Norman Mccaughay. He wishes to transfer to heavy artillery. Walked around to 11th and 12th Brigade HQ. Got word tonight that [Major] Murray [GSO 2] was leaving to go as GSO 1 some other division. Have put in [T.M.] McAvity’s and Widd’s names for the vacancy. Monday 29th January 1917 The Bosches shelled S[ain]t-Éloi pretty heartily yesterday and we retaliated with heavies on tender spots in his rear lines this morning with German. I went up to the centre sector and went over their front lines from Coburg to International Avenues. We got back about 1:30 o’clock. It was very cold and the shelling was fairly active. Had Odlum [11th Brigade] and MacBrien [12th] in to dinner tonight. General Hilliam [10th] carried out a small raid tonight with 46th Battalion. They carried their objective successfully.

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Tuesday 30th January 1917 Another cold fine day. It snowed again this morning. In last night’s raid, we had only three slight casualties. This morning I went up to Hilliam and discussed the defects in 47th and am having a joint meeting of all concerned tomorrow. Afterwards I inspected the 4th Entrenching Battalion HQ and found the billets satisfactory but the organization very defective, and had occasion to reprove Major Vanet, very severely.

Wednesday 31st January 1917 In morning went up to 10th Brigade HQ and held an investigation into the matter of German bombs found in our Wilson Trench on the night 25/26 January and in my opinion the blame lay principally with Captain Devonshire. I also named General Hilliam that he was responsible and that I would look to him only for proper carrying out of all duties in his brigade. I walked back across country to our HQ. In afternoon attended a lecture on gas attacks given by Captain Gardner, gas expert. At night, we had Colonel Maxwell and Captain Sinclair of the Lahore Artillery in to dinner. Friday 2nd February 1917 [Major] Murray left us this morning and the new man is to take ten days’ leave before he comes to us. In the morning I went up to General Hilliam’s HQ, they were all busy over a rained scheme of 44th and 50th Battalions for tomorrow night. In the afternoon, I inspected the 5th Companies of 10th, 11th, and 12th Brigades. The 10th, 12th, 11th were the order of merit. But they are all coming on in first class [illegible]. At night, General Hilliam and Captain Reid his batman came to dinner with us and we had the rest of the Christmas pudding. It has been a beautiful clear cold day and beautiful sunset. Saturday 3rd February 1917 A fine beautiful cold day. Took [Lieutenant] Garneau with me and went through practically all over main support lines. Redoubt Road, North [illegible] Line down to 130 Road. Over to Souchez main road then back and over to Cabaret Rouge. Visited 44th Battalion HQ then on to 102nd Battalion HQ in the Music Hall Line and back by Worsley Avenue. All preparations have been made for the raid tonight by 44th and 50th Battalions. Sunday 4th February 191717 The big raid last night was quite a success. We got twenty-one prisoners, one machine gun, destroyed another, also several emplacements, mine shafts and dugouts. Also, inflicted very heavy casualties on the enemy. On the left his line 170

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was very strongly held, besides being reinforced by a large working party. This is another cold but bright day. [General] Burstall [2nd Division] came to see me this morning and said that [General] Currie had invited the military secretary of the commander-in-chief [Haig] down to his HQ to confer with him regarding General Byng and the necessities of giving him the views of the Canadian divisional commanders re any change in corps commanders. Burstall stated it would be disaster for Currie or [Richard] Turner to replace Byng now, owing to coming operations. I stated that in my estimations Currie was one of our big, capable, and efficient officers and would compare favourably anywhere. I further stated that I did not consider it wise for me to go to Currie’s HQ but that if he came to see me I would give my opinion freely that Canada should have full say in matters of policy of the [Canadian] Corps, but that General Byng should decide on promotion. In afternoon went up to Cabaret Rouge and had a wonderful view of attack by 73rd Battalion over the Montreal Crater. They took two prisoners and a machine gun and inflicted casualties on the Bosches. At night had dinner with General Hilliam at the 10th Brigade mess (with [Lieutenant] Garneau). Monday 5th February 1917 This morning we had a visit from [illegible] Will, and several M[?] WI Press correspondents and Captain Kedge of GHQ. They stayed to lunch and after I sent [Major] Aitken with them up as far as Cabaret Rouge. I went up and had a long talk with [Lieutenant-Colonel Sam] Beckett of 75th Battalion and then went on and had a long talk with General Currie and gave him my views on the Canadian officer question. We heard today that the US had declared war on Germany.18 Tuesday 6th February 1917 Another nice clear cold day. The big guns are pounding away very hard today and our windows and horses are getting a good shakeup. Had an interview with General Hilliam today regarding another raid by the 46th and 47th Battalions. Then rode over to divisional school with Perry to see a demonstration of very lights and rockets for the artillery liaison work. Came back across country, a glorious ride. Saw Colonel Lorne Ross re the possibility of 67th Battalion being broken up for reinforcements. I cancelled my name to the corps for the Italian trip. Think it is strange that General Byng has only been to see me once in 1½ months and then only to unnecessarily severely criticize. The Bosches dropped bombs last night from aeroplanes and hit about two hundred yards from our HQ but did no damage whatever except to scare people. Wednesday 7th February 1917 My [48th] birthday. Two years ago today we left England for France and what changes since then. It was fearfully wet night and now it is freezing cold. A nice 171

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fine day however. Went up and inspected the 10th and 12th [Brigade] officers at the new platoon organization, and in the afternoon walked over to the 12th and 11th Brigade HQs and talked to them about preparedness for the big operations. Colonel Lorne Ross came to dinner. Piper Campbell played afterwards. Thursday 8th February 1917 Ironside and I left and motored over to Floringhem [in Pas-de-Calais] in the morning, inspected our new machine gun company. It was a very fine cold day. We found them in pretty good shape, but the HQ required a lot of gingering up. In afternoon, I walked around by Camblain-l’Abbé to see the large dumps of ammunition around there and at night dined at the 12th Brigade mess. My cold is pretty bad and am bothered a lot with coughing and congestion of phlegm. Friday 9th February 1917 Another fine bright but very cold day. [Major] Turner, [Captain] Redmond [Watson’s new ADC] and [Jimmie] Scott arrived last night near midnight. They have been over a week on the road. My cold is pretty bad today. This afternoon went to Lillers and Pernes to see our last NCO’s class. They finish up tomorrow and will be sent back to their battalions. We also sent over a thousand men from the divisional school back to their units yesterday. Later I attended a very interesting lecture at our cinema on “Christianity and the War” by Colonel Blackburner, the chief chaplain of First Army. Saturday 10th February 1917 We rode up to [illegible] and inspected the drafts just arrived, about eight hundred in all, also twenty-eight senior officers. I addressed these afterwards and explained that they had to be subordinate until they had acquired experience. In afternoon, I presented medals for bravery to Lieutenant Griffith of the 73rd Battalion and Lance-Corporal Elder of the 12th Trench Mortar Battery. Then went on to Château d’Ax to visit our new quarters, when 2nd Division turn us out of present billets. At night, we celebrated second anniversary of our arrival of 1st Division in France and had following senior officers present, Generals Odlum, MacBrien, and Hilliam and Colonels Chisholm, Kirkcaldie, and Warden, Webb, and Irving, and McQueen and Lorne Ross, Ironside and myself. Also two ADCs, [Captain] Walker and [Captain] Redmond.19 It was a very happy event. I had sent messages to the corps commander [Byng] and to GOCs of 1st, 2nd and 3rd Divisions. Monday 12th February 1917 This morning I went down to see General Byng relative the battalion that is coming to us and I requested the 85th Battalion as I knew that 116th Colonel Sam 172

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Sharpe would be far from agreeable to all concerned.20 I also requested that the 85th should replace the 67th and keep the 73rd intact. After coming back, I rode up to see General Hilliam and the rehearsal for tomorrow’s operation and in the afternoon, did not go out on account of my bad cold. General [Robert] Leckie [3rd Brigade] came to lunch today and we had a long chat afterwards. Tuesday 13th February 1917 Our big raid by a company each of the battalions of the 10th Brigade took place this morning at 4 o’clock, preceded by a splendid artillery barrage. Our men reached their final objective, the quarries, over eight hundred yards in and destroyed all mine shafts, dugouts and gun emplacements. They also brought out one officer and over fifty other ranks prisoners. It was a great success. Our new GSO 2 Major the Honourable Greville-Gavin reported to us today. He is taking the place of Major Murray. Wednesday 14th February 1917 A nice fine day and my cold is still very bad. Coughing an awful lot and sore throat. Am having a conference this morning with my brigadiers regarding our coming big gas attack. Went up and interviewed Colonel [Allison H.] Borden of 85th Battalion just ordered to join us. In afternoon Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, Commander-in-Chief, visited our divisions and saw in rotation, 54th Battalion, Divisional train, 38th Battalion and composite Battalion of 10th Brigade under [Lieutenant-]Colonel Davies of men who took part in the big raid. The C-in-C expressed himself greatly pleased with the Division. Friday 16th February 1917 The 72nd Battalion had a very successful raid at 3 o’clock this morning entering the Bosche lines capturing eleven prisoners including three NCOs and with only three men slightly wounded themselves. At 11 o’clock the divisional commanders and staff met General [Robert] Nivelle the commander-in-chief of the French Armies at Bruay. He is a very distinguished soldier, the 7th Brigade were drawn up to meet him and then marched past. It was a very fine sight, but not one of the battalions in that brigade could compare with any of ours. It is still cold and raw and my cold is pretty bad. Saturday 17th February 1917 Got two letters from Mary today. Numbers 59 and 60 of the 29th and 31st of January. Also a box of cigars from Lord Grey [former governor general]. In morning with Redmond [ADC] I went down to the trenches, to the right sector, went up Cavalier and on to the right and then back and through [illegible] and on and down Tottenham. We then went to 102nd Battalion HQ to see General 173

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Odlum at his new HQ on Worthy Avenue and then back home across country. It got very misty as we came back and we were able to go across the open. Colonel Sykes and two of his officers and Mr. Loke were with us to lunch. I just got back in time. Had an interview with Colonel [A.H.] Borden about his [silver] band [Old Stellarton Band] and told him that I could not allow a band of [illegible] men, that it was not fair to the other men of the 85th Battalion, but that I would give him (say three weeks) to secure permission to have the band as supplementary to the establishment which would be satisfactory to me. Colonel Borden intimated to me that such a proposition was most agreeable. Sunday 18th February 1917 A very foggy day. The thaw has evidently set in for good. The big guns keep coming in very rapidly and this weather will be most suitable for placing them in positions. Stayed in all morning and saw people and finished up old correspondence and in afternoon went for a long walk, met General Hilliam and came back with him. Ironside went to the corps to arrange for the big offensive. I saw General Nairne [Lahore Artillery] today and made it quite clear that in one big gas attack I wanted a barrage on the basis of a gun for every seventy-five yards and did not care to put the men over, unless we had that minimum of protection by field guns. Monday 19th February 1917 A very foggy misty day. Can hardly see fifty yards away. The 78th Battalion are putting on a raid this morning at 9:30 o’clock and this weather should be most suitable for such an attack. Had an official note from [General] Byng that 73rd were to remain on at present, and 85th be fully trained, until such time as Sir Robert Borden, the Prime Minister, would make a definitive decision on these matters. Tuesday 20th February 1917 We had two raids on the German lines yesterday. The first at 9:30 in the morning by the 78th Battalion on their front. They caused a great amount of damage, blowing up mines and also numerous casualties and brought back three prisoners. They had eight killed and six wounded. In the afternoon at 5:30 the 46th Battalion put on a raid and also caused numerous casualties and destroyed much material. They had only five men slightly wounded and did not bring back any prisoners. The fog was particularity heavy and thick today. I rode up to Ablain-Saint-Nazaire and called at 67th Battalion HQ this afternoon. We nearly had an accident last night, when the two mules were killed that were bringing in the gas cylinders.

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Planning Hill 145 21 February–1 March 1917 Brimming with confidence, Watson, Ironside, and 4th Division HQ decided in early February to launch a seventeen-hundred-man attack against Hill 145, the highest point along nearby Vimy Ridge.21 As the diary entries for February have shown, the 4th Division was constantly making raids during this period. The operation at Vimy on 1 March would be the Canadian Corps’s largest raid to date, and was to gather prisoners and intelligence on forward German defences and to destroy enemy strong points, all in preparation for an upcoming attack on the ridge. Quite probably, Watson planned this oversized assault raid as a way to demonstrate that the untested 4th (the junior Canadian division) and its commander had the offensive spirit Byng so prized. A raid on this scale could also provide practical training for entire battalions. The commanders planned to use gas to gain tactical surprise in the raid. Units from the 72nd and 73rd Battalions would lead the assault, with elements of the 54th and 75th in support. According to the commanders’ plan, the gas would, as at Second Ypres (April–May 1915), incapacitate the enemy, so troops could approach the formidable German defences with relative ease.22 Hoping to retain the element of surprise, they proposed no artillery preparation, and no rolling barrage to protect the advancing troops.23 Success would depend on the gas neutralizing the enemy defences. But how to disperse the gas uphill, in the absence of a suitable wind? At least two of the 11th Brigade’s battalion commanders grasped the risks and argued that total reliance on gas was too risky. Lieutenant-Colonel Sam Beckett (75th) said that surprise was unlikely and that his troops had insufficient training with gas. Lieutenant-Colonel A.H.G. Kemball (54th) urged Brigadier-General Odlum (11th Brigade) to postpone the raid, because the wind was unpredictable then, and to send more artillery fire against the German defences.24 Odlum apparently agreed with both men and went to Division HQ to ask it to re-evaluate the plan, proposing it wait at least for favourable winds. Odlum also called for more artillery. He had a heated argument with Ironside, as one officer present reported, “using very stiff, almost insubordinate language.”25 In the end, however, Odlum was overruled. The 85th Battalion, one of the corps’s pioneer (labour) units, carried the gas to the front-line trenches and had it in position for use on 25 February. In the words of its regimental history: “Fifteen tons of gas was to be sent over to strike terror into the black heart of the enemy. The first wave was to be deadly poisonous gas

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that would kill every living thing in its path: While the second would corrode all metal substances and destroy guns of every description. When complete all our men will have to do would be to walk into the enemy trenches, throw out their dead bodies and take possession.”26 There were high hopes for this endeavour. Watson led the planning and felt confident in the use of gas.

Wednesday 21st February 1917 Waited in today as we got a message from GHQ that two newspaper men were coming around. They came about 11:30 a.m. Mr. C.H. Grasby, treasurer of the New York Times and Mr. C.W. [illegible] of the foreign newspaper Assen in Paris. Kept them for lunch and after brought them around part of our lines. It was very muddy and about half way down, they quit and we came back by Cabaret Rouge. In the evening Ironside and I went up and dined with Hilliam at the 10th Brigade. It was a desperately foggy night. Thursday 22nd February 1917 With [Captain] Walker, I went up to the front-line trenches this morning. Went up by Worsley C.J. from Music Hall Line, it was fearfully bad mud over our boots and like glue. We went up to the 38th Battalion HQ saw Colonel Edwards [38th] and Colonel Borden [85th] there, and then on up the International Line along the front down Vincent. Called at the 87th and 75th Battalion HQs and then on into Tottenham Tunnel. Met Jimmie Scott there, also Gunn and Sutton and came back across country. Had lunch with Odlum in his battle HQ and got back to our HQ at 2:30 p.m. The corps commander [Byng] came to see me this afternoon to discuss the big operation and he gave me fuller particulars regarding same. He was justly pleased with the division and all the work and raids that had been carried out. Friday 23rd February 1917 This morning with [Major Dr.] Jenkins and [Major] Aitken, went up to Bailleul and on up to Locre to the convent there. We got some lace but the tablecloth that I ordered will not be finished for a month and a half. Took us about 1½ hours each way. I paid Loti for my frame and the “Desolation of Ypres.” Got back to camp around 2 p.m. Had Mr. [Frederick] MacKenzie the representative of the Toronto Star with us for the day. Saturday 24th February 1917 Went up to the 12th Field Ambulance and had my tooth attended to by Captain Walt. In the afternoon went in to Bruay to attend a lecture by Major Gore-Browne on artillery work. It was exceedingly elementary and just about what we had

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already known and carried out. In the evening, Captain Loste of the French mission came in and we had some bridge. Monday 26th February 1917 Interviewed several officers and men re commissions and at request of Mr. Loste sent up a number of names for French decorations. Colonel Panet came back from leave yesterday. This afternoon, attended an important conference at the corps for the purpose of arranging our artillery barrages for the big show. We heard today that the Germans had retreated at a number of points down near our old positions at the Somme. Tuesday 27th February 1917 The wind did not prove favourable last night for our big attack, and we were obliged to so notify the brigades at midnight. All is in readiness now. This morning went up as far as Cabaret Rouge range with [Generals] MacBrien and Hilliam and I then walked over and saw [General] Odlum at his forward HQ. We had Colonel [Manley] Sims and Major Humlake for lunch and Mr. MacKenzie of Toronto Star left with Loris [87th Battalion] afterwards. The big guns are roaring away tonight and the glass is shaking hard in windows before me. Wednesday 28th February 1917 Another disappointment last night, after being favourable all day the wind practically died away just before midnight and left us stranded again. Panet went away this morning on a visit to the French armies. We got an allotment of 151 honours and mentions for the [King’s] Birthday list in June. We have over twenty-eight thousand on our ration strength now and these have to be divided proportionately. Thursday 1st March 1917 Our gas attack by 11th and 12th Brigades took place this morning. At 3 a.m. first wave of phosgene was sent over and fifteen minutes after artillery and machinegun fire was opened. The first wave took thirty minutes to escape. At zero + two hours the second wave of chlorine was sent off taking fifteen minutes, and twenty-five minutes after the infantry attacked. To our surprise the gas did not have effect anticipated and the Bosches were waiting for us. We had heavy casualties. [Lieutenant-]Colonels Beckett and Kemball killed and several other officers including Johnson of 72nd. We brought back about forty prisoners. Several men of the gas company were badly gassed and two died. Corps commander [Byng] went on leave this morning and sent me a nice letter before he went.

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Disaster at Hill 145 2 March 1917 Bad weather had postponed the attack until the early morning of 1 March. At 3 a.m., the gas specialists released 1,038 cylinders of White Star (chlorine and phosgene) gas. Their own defensive doctrine had prepared the Germans well for a gas attack, and their artillery began pounding the Canadian trenches—the source of the gas. Soon their shells began to puncture the canisters, some still with lethal contents, and both the gas specialists and Canadian infantrymen began to succumb to their own gas.27 Even worse, the gas they had released did not seem to be melting away the German defences. It moved the defenders briefly out of their trenches, but, after it passed their front lines, weak Canadian artillery support allowed surviving garrison members to return to man their weapons.28 The raiders were to go forward forty minutes after release of the second cloud at 5 a.m. However, the wind changed as that cloud began to drift up the slope, the wind changed, and the gas began to waft back down the hill into the Canadian lines, saturating them.29 The raiders, hoping that the gas had done its job, now left their trenches and struggled forward towards the German lines. During the night, Canadians had set up white flags to direct their troops through gaps in the belts of uncut wire, on the assumption that the gas would have incapacitated the enemy. But, with many Germans still manning their trenches, these white flags merely moved the attackers into the line of fire. As the Canadians continued to push forward under enemy fire, scores, including the mounting number of wounded, tried to hide in the many shell craters. But gas filled the craters, and the Germans directed gas shells of their own into the Canadian lines. The attack rapidly degenerated into a slaughter.30 The following day, the field of corpses was so ghastly that a German officer left his trenches to offer the Canadians a temporary cease-fire for removal of the dead and wounded.31 The body of Lieutenant-Colonel Kemball, who had challenged Odlum about the attack’s viability, was peeled off a belt of wire. Sam Beckett, too, died, leading his men. Unusual for battalion commanders, both men had felt the attack so questionable that they had accompanied their men.32 The raid was a disaster and seems to demonstrate that the staff officers (including Watson) who planned it had little understanding of how gas worked.33 A telling line in Watson’s diary on 1 March reads, “To our surprise the gas did not have effect anticipated and the Bosches were waiting for us. We had heavy casualties.” He refers to this raid and the consequences only on that day. The terrible results do not seem to have hampered the 4th Division’s eagerness for

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raiding, however; it launched another on 31 March, with over six hundred troops, and this one was deemed a success.

Friday 2nd March 1917 General Odlum and Colonel Skinner left today for England. The former on the sad mission of conveying to Mrs. Beckett, the bitter loss of her husband. In the afternoon I went up to a demonstration of flares and rockets at our divisional school and afterwards inspected our 4th Machine Gun Company which had just completed its training. Then rode over to see General Hilliam re [Lieutenant-] Colonel Davies and met General Currie there. He is acting corps commander now during General Byng’s absence. [Colonel Manley] Sims here later, with offer to make Queen Alexandra Honorary Colonel of 85th Battalion, but the Officer Commanding stated that Sir Robert Borden was Honorary Colonel and I suggested the 87th Battalion [for the dowager queen].

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Chapter 10

Taking Vimy March–April 1917 Taking the Ridge 3–29 March 1917

Saturday 3rd March 1917 Went up the lines this morning. It was very cold. While at the 11th Brigade HQ learned that Germans had offered us opportunity of bringing in our wounded and dead which we did and got in Colonel Kemball’s body, also [J. Miles] Langstaff’s, Tooker’s and Lucas’s and about 20 others including eight wounded men. At 12 o’clock hostilities were resumed as usual. At night [General Gilbert] Foster [deputy director, Medical Services] came in to dinner. Panet got back from his trip to the French armies, last night. The Army Commander and General Anderson [I Corps] came to see me this afternoon and both expressed their great satisfaction at our efforts. Sunday 4th March 1917 In the morning, I rode up to Bouvigny with Major [Greville]-Gavin [GSO 2], it was very cold and raw. Major F.M. Wells came to lunch with [Major Dr.] Jenkins and went up to see part of our area afterwards. In the afternoon, I attended the funeral outside Villers-au-Bois of Colonel Kemball, Colonel Beckett and their officers and men killed in recent raid. It was very impressive. There were between forty and fifty bodies. General [Percy de B.] Radcliffe [chief of staff, Canadian Corps] attended for the corps. He also told us that Prince Arthur of Connaught [son of the former governor general] arrived at the Corps last night for attachment to the Canadians. Ironside and I are dining with General Hilliam tonight. General Currie is to be there too. Got back and it was a very cold drive too.

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Monday 5th March 1917 We are having an old-time snowstorm this morning. We are investigating the short shooting of artillery yesterday. Two men killed and four wounded. Prince Arthur [of] Connaught now attached to Canadian Corps and his equerry Captain Sinclair called on me this morning. General Radcliffe was with them. In the afternoon I went up to see the 75th Battalion at Coupigny and learned from [Colonel] McCausland [formerly of 74th] that the morale of the men was bad. Will take this up with General Odlum. Went down to Mont Saint-Éloi and called on 22nd Battalion. Saw [Colonel] Tremblay, [A.E.] Dubuc, Chasse, [Major Georges P.] Vanier [MC]1 and other old friends. Wednesday 7th March 1917 Went over preliminary scheme for big attack. Also signed up the big list of honours and awards. Went up the line with [General] Anderson, up by redoubts and 130th Street. Then to Cabaret Rouge and on to 11th Brigade HQ Got back to our HQ about 2 o’clock. Saw General Radcliffe about new officers coming out from England and gave him a list of those required for 54th and 75th. It is exceedingly cold today. Rode up to 10th Brigade HQ to inspect our new quarters. Thursday 8th March 1917 A very heavy snowstorm started in this morning. The heaviest we have had this winter. Got in all our lists of honours and awards by 8:15 this morning. Interviewed Reverend Mr. Gordon re rights of casualties and his duty in having these matters smoothed over. Had a long interview with Colonel [W.N.] Winsby 47th Battalion over charges made against his ability as commanding officer by General Hilliam, and I gave him until tomorrow morning to send me in, in writing his answers to these charges. Had Locke and Buster Brown in for dinner tonight.2 Friday 9th March 1917 It was a very clear fine morning and [Captain] Walker and I went up on Lorette Ridge. We had a great view both to the north and then on our own Vimy sector. After lunch went up to Gouy where Sir Robert Borden, Bob Rogers [minister of public works], Prince Arthur [of Connaught] and their staffs inspected the 85th Battalion and then on to the 12th Brigade where they had a practice raid and attack. We have had a fearful snowstorm and blizzard all afternoon, and we were nearly frozen at this inspection. At night I was invited to dinner at the corps to again meet the Canadian representatives. As General Byng was away and General Currie was ill, I was reluctantly obliged to act as host. It was fearfully foggy on way back.

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Saturday 10th March 1917 Second anniversary of Neuve-Chapelle. I went up to see General Odlum this morning and got back at noon. It was fearfully muddy and wet. At noon we had the great pleasure of a visit from Mr. Walter Long [colonial secretary] and Sir [William] Bull [British Conservative MP]. Mr. Long made a charming address to the senior officers I had to meet him. Prince Arthur of Connaught and [his equerry] Captain Sinclair stayed to lunch with us, and after I went up to 12th Brigade sports and also presented medals to officers and men of that Brigade. I also gave my decision in Colonel Winsby’s matter and gave him a month’s probation to make good. Have arranged for Cecil Thomson to go on 10th Brigade staff. Fearfully foggy but quiet tonight. Sunday 11th March 1917 Turned out quite warm today. Interviewed Colonel Borden of 85th Battalion re his band and made it quite clear that no such number of men would be allowed unemployed, but must come into fighting strength of his battalion. With Ironside I rode up to Bouvigny and saw some of the 85th at their work. The Bosches put some shells in here a few days ago. The 11th Brigade are being relieved by the 10th Brigade today. Colonel Basil White is dining with us tonight. The 2nd Battalion [his first command] are in the huts right beside our HQ. Monday 12th March 1917 This morning early, I went up with Ironside to our right front trenches. We went overland to Bajoli and then up by Central. The mud was almost as bad as the Somme and we were fearfully plastered. Went up Cavalier and to the sap at head of Cavalier. Then on in the front line and down the tunnel. The corps commander [Byng] came to see me in afternoon and said that 73rd would remain for the present. Odlum told me today that rumour had it he had been called home and also that officers of 54th state he had sacrificed that battalion [in 1 March raid]. Both these were unfounded. Had a big conference this afternoon and went thoroughly into details of his big operation. We hear today that Baghdad has fallen [to General Maude, on 11 March].3 Wednesday 14th March 1917 Another wet cold raw day. Rode up to new HQ and had a long talk with [General] MacBrien [12th Brigade] relative our recent gas operation. The corps commander inspected the 11th Brigade today. Had a long interview with Odlum this afternoon and he has now accepted my opinion regarding his HQ. Called on the 2nd Battalion this afternoon and met a lot of old comrades, new officers, Walker, Neilson, Learmouth, Foley and Fellows, Taylor, Lamplough. Met Horsey Jones at Château de la Haie. He has just come out as Company Major with 124th Pioneer 183

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Battalion. Went to dinner with Hilliam and met [Lieutenant-Colonel L.F.] Paige the new OC 50th Battalion. Friday 16th March 1917 The 44th and 47th Battalions of 10th Brigade had a raid this morning at 3:45 about three hundred men in all. Objective first and second German lines. The operation was not a success. They had a stiff fight, caused certain casualties but got no prisoners and lost about forty to fifty men killed and wounded. The principal reason given was the imperfect artillery barrage. Full reports however have not yet come in. I rode up to Coupigny and Bouvigny hills. This morning, Pulley went to hospital yesterday, and I got a Russian groom from 67th Battalion today. At night we had Bronssian, Dansereau, and Chisholm and Mulqueen in for dinner. Sunday 18th March 1917 A nice fine morning. The 2nd Battalion are having service opposite my HQ. It seems like old times with [Captain] Redmond [ADC]. I went up into our front lines this morning. Went up La Salle Avenue on our right and on north in our front lines. Went out the saps. The front line in places was very bad, water up to my hips nearly and very muddy. We came down Cavalier Tunnel and Central Avenue and out Central Avenue and out control CT In afternoon went up to see 67th Battalion at Camp Ross. Major Leo McWilliam reported for duty this afternoon and I put him to 12th Brigade for the 73rd and 38th Battalions. Corps Commander [Byng] was here to see me this a.m. but I was up in the line. It was about the 102nd Battalion and I immediately wrote General [Richard] Turner a very strong protest in the matter. We hear today that the Germans are falling back even farther north and as far as the southwest of Arras.4 Monday 19th March 1917 A cold very windy day. Went up to see Brigadiers re necessity of pushing out strong parties to keep in touch constantly with Bosches. We hear that Germans have retired some distance, both on the French as well as the English front. In the afternoon, I rode up to the Bouvigny hut with Panet and then on to Bouvigny. We got soaking wet on the way back. General Currie called on us today and General Radcliffe was also here for tea. Tuesday 20th March 1917 Another nasty wet day. It was snowing hard this morning. Got report of unsuccessful raid of 44th and 47th Battalions and have interviewed General Hilliam and Colonel Winsby this afternoon over this matter. The charges against Winsby are of so contrived a character and now so serious to his battalion and brigade, that I am compelled to recommend his removal from that command. 184

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The Germans have made another big retirement and both the French and English armies have pushed on very rapidly. Péronne, Bapaume, Roye and C[?] and about sixty villages have now been taken in this advance. Wednesday 21st March 1917 At last we have got a Canadian mail, after three weeks nearly without one. This morning I walked over to 11th Brigade HQ and spoke to Odlum about the work last night and I asked to meet his battalion commanding officers [54th, 75th, 87th, 102nd] this afternoon. After lunch, I rode over again and had a heart-to-heart talk and gave them three alternatives, the 10th to go in, officers to be removed, or to go ahead and carry out the work with determination. I left then so that Odlum could deal with them. Saturday 24th March 1917 Got up early and left at 7 o’clock for the trenches. Took Anderson [chauffeur] with me. Went up into the line by Vincent and then in part of 11th Brigade area then out into the new front line on 11th Brigade frontage. It was a very cold day, but very clear and we had a wonderful view everywhere. The aeroplanes were very active and one of ours was brought down behind the Bosche lines. Our artillery was shelling the Bosche lines pretty heavily too. Colonel [Manley] Sims [GHQ, Max Aitken’s assistant] called in afternoon re 85th band and I made a suggestion re having half of band boarded and then sent back as P.B.[?] men to 85th Battalion. Also re a letter from Aitken re supposed letter written by him. I replied in private letter to Aitken. Monday 26th March 1917 A terrible day pouring rain, cold and raw. The 12th Brigade got another prisoner last night. The corps commander [Byng] sent in a stiff letter of complaint about the reserve division artillery. In afternoon with Hilliam went over to Écoivres to call on General Currie but found he was up and quite well again. The roads up to there are in a most frightful state and terribly congested. We had several heavy snowstorms in the late afternoon. Had General Nairne GOC Lahore Artillery Division in to dinner. Tuesday 27th March 1917 Another bitterly cold day, we had several snowstorms also rain and roads are getting worse. With Colonel Ironside, rode over to see the 16th Machine Gun Company and found their transport in a very bad state. Our artillery is keeping active all the time and today the Bosches gave us quite a heavy retaliation all along our line and in Zouave Valley. Had interview with tunneling officer re camouflage blown by Germans on 25th and ours blown yesterday. We had five 185

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killed and ten wounded by the Bosches’ effort. It turned very cold during the evening and during the night our artillery strafed the Germans harder than I have heard for many a long day or night. Wednesday 28th March 1917 With Nicolls I went up to the trenches this morning. It was a pretty cold day but clear. Got into Music Hall Line and went through the Valley Tube for the first time. Got into Zouave Valley, and found they were shelling very heavily there. Went down into the tunnellers’ dugout until it quieted. Then out of Cavalier into the Tottenham Tunnel and back home by Worsley. The shelling on both sides was the heaviest I have yet seen in that area and our casualties were pretty high. Thursday 29th March 1917 Another desperately bad day. Pouring rain, and so cold and raw. [Major J.A.] Dr. Lancy acting OC 25th Battalion came to see me yesterday and stated that he had it from the brigade major of 5th Brigade that Generals [Richard] Turner and [Herbert] Thacker were going back to Canada. I wrote Mr. [Robert] Rogers [minister of public works] on the subject today. This morning I presented five medals to men of the 78th Battalion and then watched them go through their attack practice. The Bosches again shelled Zouave Valley this morning, made a direct hit on 73rd Battalion HQ and killed the assistant adjutant not Captain Noreworthy and Captain Vincent had his arm blown off yesterday.

Hill 145 and Hill 120 30 March– 9 April 1917 The Canadian Corps had been preparing for the attack on Vimy Ridge since January. Byng would often meet his divisional commanders, including Watson, and go over the details of the operation and their roles. In March, the 4th Division was hard at work, with training as realistic as possible. Large open fields sported a full-scale taped course replicating the German position under attack. The men practised there, going over it first in platoons, then in battalions, and finally in whole brigades. Unprecedented thoroughness ensured that all ranks knew their objectives and potential difficulties. The 4th Division would be attacking the northern side of Vimy Ridge. Two points stood out on the ridge: Hill 145 (145 metres, or about 480 feet, at its highest point) and Hill 120 (known as the Pimple, at about 390 feet). Hill 145 offered a commanding view over the Canadian lines, while Hill 120, about 1,650 yards west of Hill 145, would give its German defenders a clear view of much of Hill 145 and allow them to deliver deadly enfilade fire. 186

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Watson and Ironside reported back to corps HQ that taking both targets would be too ambitious and that it required a second division as well. Their superiors told them curtly that the 4th was on its own, but made a concession, delaying the operation against Hill 120. Either the 4th’s remaining brigade, if it was not helping to take Hill 145, or some other division’s brigade would attack Hill 120. The Canadian Corps had assigned the most challenging objectives in its assault to its greenest division—the 4th. Robust German defences, difficult geography, and poor weather led to many hardships for the Canadians.

Friday 30th March 1917 A fearful wet cold morning. We had a big conference at the Corps today, and the army commander [Horne] was there. Previously most important matters regarding the big operation were discussed and opinions commented upon. In the afternoon, Colonel W. [Billy] Price turned up to take over the job of divisional claims officer. Major-General [H.F.] Mercer of the Army Artillery also came in to see us and stopped for tea. It turned a little finer in the afternoon. Our casualties for past three days have been fairly heavy, about fifty per day for two days and eighty-five yesterday and a large proportion are killed. Shelling not so heavy today sixty-five all told today. Saturday 31st March 1917 It is trying to be finer today, but at times it rained and snowed. Our artillery fairly heavy and Bosches not nearly as bad as yesterday. With Price, I went down our lines, in by redoubt Arras road, Music Hall Line and out by Worsley. Just heard that Kay Shuttleworth of the Lahore Artillery was killed last night. Sent car down to Boulogne with [Captain] Verret and one box, one parcel saved in white canvas, one parcel green canvas and one German rifle, sent to [Captain] Harry Blaylock [CAMC] to take care of me. He has also two other large cases for me, one the box of portraits and the other the big painting [“Desolation of Ypres”] I bought in Bailleul. Sunday 1st April 1917 It tried to be fine today, but in the afternoon, we had another desperate blizzard and in the middle of it a terrible thunder storm, the lightning struck the captive balloon over our HQ and it came down in a mass of flames. Had an interview with corps commander [Byng] today and he put up to us a suggestion about taking the Pimple [Hill 120] on Z night. I sent in a proposal regarding this tonight. The Bosche shelling has not been so busy today. Our raid last night by the 46th, 47th and 50th Battalions was a success. We got four prisoners and destroyed a great many dugouts and Bosches. 187

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Tuesday 3rd April 1917 Another very bad day. We had a conference at the corps and went carefully over details of our coming big operations. In the afternoon, I rode over to Coupigny. The roads are in a desperate condition and dead horses lying around everywhere. At night we had to dinner, our three brigadiers [10th–12th] and their brigade majors, also General Nairne and his brigade major. Had a very pleasant evening and discussed matters re the show. Wednesday 4th April 1917 Another very bad day, snow and rain. The Bosches put over a very heavy bombardment on us and we had quite a few casualties. Getting everything into good shape. General [Sir John] Capper [24th Division, BEF] was in to lunch with us and we arranged [illegible] certain matters on his front for Z day. At night we went over to Hilliam’s for dinner. Our heavies are more than pounding away all night long now. Thursday 5th April 1917 It is at last a fine day. The Corps Commander [Byng] came in to see me today and we discussed the situation very clearly. Panet and I rode up through Gouy to see our dumps and back by Ablain-Saint-Nazaire road. General Archie MacDonnell [7th Brigade] and Colonel McGee were in to lunch with us. Had a letter from [Guy] Boyer today. Prince Arthur of Connaught was here for tea and more than enjoyed Mary’s cake. My birthday box got here this morning. Chutney and cake and homemade too. They were fine. Friday 6th April 1917 Another very bad day it turned out to be. In morning watched the 44th and 50th Battalions going over the ground in their rehearsal for their attack. Then presented medals to men and officers of 10th Brigade. Had an interview with Major-General [Warren Hastings] Anderson of First Army [Chief of Staff, First Army]. Interviewed Captain Turner of 54th Battalion then rushed up to Windmill [Ridge] to witness bombardment. It was one of the grandest sights I have ever seen. Hundreds of guns of all size going at full blast. The Army Commander [Horne] called on me when I got back and I then attended the sports of 10th Brigade. We got another prisoner today a most insignificant sight of the 11th Bavarian Regiment. We got intimation that operation is deferred twenty-four hours. Hassland, McDougall dined with us. Saturday 7th April 1917 I presented medals to several officers and men of 72nd Battalion and then went over and watched 10th Brigade battalions go through their attack scheme with 188

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aeroplane contact machines. In afternoon, I rode up with Panet to see our 16th Machine Gun Company transport and back calling on officers of 2nd Cavalry Division and on to Colonel Chadwick of 134th Battalion. Colonel Ward of pay department called on us this afternoon. It is a fine day though cold and windy and our artillery are hammering away very briskly all day. Sunday 8th April 1917 Easter Sunday. What a contrast to the real objective of this Holy Day. I never heard such shelling as last night. It has turned out a fine though cold day. The corps commander [Byng] visited me this morning. The US have declared for war.5 I went over to 72nd Battalion and presented medals to their officers and then attended divine service in the open with them. Walked up to Windmill Ridge and watched the shelling. Putting final touches on for tomorrow’s show. In the afternoon rode over to Coupigny and called on Colonel [Billy] Price. Got him down to HQ for the night to see the show in the morning. Monday 9th April 1917 One of the most momentous days in Canadian military history. The Canadian Corps with Third and Fifth Armies, made their great attack. The 4th Canadian Division occupied the left flank of this great attack and we had to take Vimy Ridge and Hill 145. It began at 5:30 a.m. and the bombardment was something terrific. We had 12th Brigade on left and 11th on right on frontage of twenty-one hundred yards. We got through to near the Black Line objective and then found that Bosches were coming out of tunnels and dugouts behind us which made a most difficult attack to unravel. We got another attack prepared at 5:15 p.m. and by dark had Hill 145 and Beer Trench beyond it and had linked up with 3rd Division on right. We took over two hundred prisoners and several machine guns and killed a very great number of Bosches. Had a very hard day of it and turned in clothes and all for a couple hours sleep at midnight. All the divisions to south of us have taken their objectives and as far as can be learned over ten thousand prisoners and over forty field guns and several large guns. The biggest first day show of the War.

Consolidation 10–30 April 1917 The Canadian Corps had trained hard, in a very sophisticated manner, for the attack on Vimy Ridge. To allow the 4th Division’s troops to move as close as possible to the forwardmost German position, tunneling companies had spent three months building six tunnels extending from the rear areas to the 4th’s jumping-off points. The Germans had turned the summit of Hill 145 into a

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fortress. A double row of barbed wire and pillboxes surrounded its four sides in the form of a square. The outer trench served as either a communication or fire trench and to direct fire over the valley below. Also, on the reverse side of the trench, an extensive system of deep dugouts protected German reserve units from Canadian artillery fire. At 5:30 on Monday, 9 April, as the artillery across the Canadian Corps punctured the air, mines in front of the 4th Division were blown, leaving gaping holes in the German lines as the Canadian troops left their positions and began advancing behind the rolling barrage. The fighting throughout the day was brutal, often resorting to hand-to-hand combat. By evening, Canadians had taken Hill 145, except for the farthermost part of 12th Brigade’s objectives and part of the reverse slope. The shattered 11th Brigade had to withdraw, and the reserve Brigade (10th) took its place. The drive the next day to consolidate Hill 145 saw, once again, hard and desperate fighting. As Victor Wheeler, a signaller, recalled: “[Men] were being impaled like grotesque scarecrows on rusty concertina wire, splashed into water-filled craters, scattered over lower slopes of the hill in gruesome fragments.”6 By day’s end, the 4th Division had consolidated the remaining objective on Hill 145. However, because of terrible weather, Watson held off attacking the Pimple (Hill 120) until the 12th, when it too was taken after tough fighting. Watson himself had handled his command responsibilities well during the assault on Vimy Ridge. With the confusion of the first day, a divisional commander could only hope he had the right officers at brigade and, especially, battalion levels, men who would respond promptly to situations on the ground. This he had. In the following days, his efforts, with his brigadiers-general and staff devising a working plan to take Hill 145 and Hill 120, demonstrated that he could make sound decisions in the most trying situations.

Tuesday 10th April 19177 I have put in the two battalions of 10th Brigade to push on to the Red objective. This was taken by 4:30 p.m. with posts put out and our original furthest objective has now been gained. The weather has been vile, snow and rain and little sun. If all goes well I propose to attack and capture the Pimple tomorrow with 44th and 50th Battalions. In the operation, this afternoon we took over two hundred prisoners more four machine guns and three Minenwerfers [short-range mortars].

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Wednesday 11th April 19178 One of the most momentous days for me in this war. I took Nicolls and we went quite overland up to Zouave Valley, then up the hill still overland and across our old front-line trenches over no man’s land and into the German lines that we had been looking over for months through periscopes. Then on overland up past Hill 145 where we had the most glorious view of all, the country to the east of Vimy. We saw several parties of Bosches all moving about in the open. But the most wonderful thing of all was the terrific manner in which our artillery had destroyed the ground. It was almost indescribable, never have I seen the like, far worse than the Somme and numbers of our men and Bosches were lying about in all directions. I had a close shave by a big shell that hit quite close to us, a piece giving me quite a knock on the shoulder. There was also some sniping going on and we had to keep low in places. Saw Jimm[ie] Scott up at head of Tottenham Tunnel. Having the worst snowstorm of the season tonight. Bad for our operation. Thursday 12th April 19179 This morning at 5 o’clock we attacked the Pimple with the 10th Brigade and succeeded in taking that strong position after very severe fighting. There was a blinding snowstorm at the time, and we found ourselves up against the 5th Prussian Grenadier Guards. We took about one hundred prisoners and secured the line very safely against any counterattacks. We had a large concentration of guns all over our area ready for any offensive they might have made. Friday 13th April 191710 This has been a most eventful day. In the morning, we rode up to top of Lorette [Ridge, 540 feet, Ablain-Saint-Nazaire] by an area completely destroyed by enemy shell fire. In the afternoon, we began to fall out with our brigades and found that Bosches had retired from Givenchy. The 12th Brigade got in there first from the south and then the 10th got in from the west. We got an 8-inch howitzer and went on to Angres–Vimy line, which had also been evacuated by Germans. We got two prisoners there of 95th Regiment and also found two of our own aviators wounded, in a dugout. They told us the Bosches had hurriedly left in confusion at 2:30 a.m. leaving behind equipment and stores. We are being relieved this afternoon by two brigades of the 5th Imperial [British] Division. MacBrien was shot through the shoulder by one of our 50th Battalion near the Angres–Vimy line, and Odlum is reported to have gone on as far as Avion by himself. Hilliam came in to see me at midnight. He got two field guns, a 12-inch and 8-inch howitzer. Saturday 14th April 191711 As the command of this sector had now been taken by the 5th Division, I left with Ironside at 8 a.m. motored up through Souchez and over the duck walk over the 191

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ridge, to the Pimple. It was a most wonderful attack of the 10th Brigade and they caused an awful lot of casualties to the Bosches as the dead are lying about very thick. We then went on through Givenchy, and on to near the Angres–Vimy Line up the sunken road to Cyclist Trench. Saw one aeroplane that had been brought down on the 9th and the block made by 78th Battalion. We got a wounded German and helped him along. He had no food for five days and was all in. We came over Hill 145, and saw them collecting our dead and burying them in one large grave there. Tuesday 17th April 1917 Another bad day, cold, wet and very windy. The road through Souchez is now well on and the guns are being pushed through. We hear the French have started their offensive and taken over ten thousand prisoners in the first day’s operations. Another very heavy snowstorm this afternoon. Rode up to Gouy about my glasses. Saw General Radcliffe who states we are not to go in until the 22nd and 23rd. [Colonel] Price came down to see us again today. He is to go up to the Pimple and [Hill] 145 tomorrow. Wednesday 18th April 1917 Another day of snow and rain. It is perfectly miserable this weather. Our lines have not been advanced yet, waiting for the artillery to get over the ridge. Rode over to see corps, re 67th Battalion for reinforcing the 54th and 102nd. Also re [Lieutenant-Colonel C.B.] Worsnop of 75th and [Major H. LeR.] Shaw of 87th. Had a long interview with Worsnop and told Odlum that a specific report on this officer must be sent in if any change is desired. Thursday 19th April 1917 Another miserable wet cold day. Ironside, Panet and I went up through Souchez, across and to the left of Fosse 6, into Cité de Gaumont, and on up to outskirts of Liévin, then across last to near Hill R[?], and back through [illegible] and Bois en Hache, Souchez. When going through Souchez we had a very narrow escape. A 5.9 [gun] hit right beside us. We were covered with mud and water and hit with chunks of stone. Private Carter of 73rd Battalion deserter is sentenced to be shot tomorrow morning. Our first extreme penalty and the first time I have had to sign a man’s execution papers. But he was a confirmed deserter, his second offence and the example is needed for discipline purposes.12 Friday 20th April 191713 Went around to the 11th Brigade and saw commanding officers of 75th, 102nd, and 54th. The 87th are away on a working party. Made it clear to Odlum that report on Worsnop [75th] must be clear and definite, also that his brigade should be left out this coming tour for the first period. Colonel [Canon John] Almond and Major 192

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McGreer were with us for lunch today. I learned that we were not to go into the line until 26th April. Numerous rumours are afloat about peace. How we all wish it were true. I have written the corps today about statements supposed to have been made by Brigadier-General W. St. P. Hughes and asking for an explanation. Tuesday 24th April 1917 A nice fine cool day. We start relieving tonight. Went up and saw General [Reginald] Stephens at his HQ [5th Division] and arranged details of relief with him. The corps commander [Byng] was there too. When I got back saw Hilliam. Full instructions re that left flank of his. Very heavy shelling all day long all over the area. Wednesday 25th April 1917 I rode up to our new HQ and looked over the line at 9 o’clock this morning. Our two Brigades, 10th on the left, 12th right, completed their reliefs at 3 a.m. I am in Odlum’s old dugout. It has been bitterly cold day and our guns around our HQ have been consistently active. Lord Brooke came to see us today and stopped to lunch. He is doing some special work for the Canadian authorities with the French government. Thursday 26th April 1917 Went up to 12th Brigade HQ in the Tottenham Tunnel and saw [Captain] Hall there, got full details of the location of 12th Brigade. Then went on to King’s Cross to 10th Brigade HQ and saw Hilliam, also Hill who had just got back. Hilliam came back with us. We came back via Souchez and the Arras–Béthune road. LieutenantGeneral Sir Thomas Moreland of X Corps called and I took him up to the Zouave Valley. About 2 o’clock the Bosches put in an attack on our left battalion, but it was driven off with casualties. Friday 27th April 1917 We put on a fairly heavy barrage at 5:15 this a.m. and a number of the big guns that were near this HQ have moved up nearer the front. Went up over the crest of [Hill] 145 with Ironside. The Bosches shelled the Pimple area a bit, but we sat and walked with numbers of our men in the open on this side of the Lens–Arras road. A few of our men are still unburied, and large parties are busy salvaging et cetera. Saturday 28th April 1917 At 4:25 this morning our 1st Canadian Division attacked and captured Arleux, but the XIII Corps on their right were not successful against Oppy. I went up to the 78th Battalion this morning on Hospital Ridge and on to 12th Brigade HQ. Odlum and his batman came to lunch with us today and this afternoon Prince Arthur 193

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called on me in my dugout. Hilliam’s near miss just, was struck with a shell yesterday and last night several shells struck near our present Divisional HQ. This afternoon a shell burst prematurely in a gun near HQ and wounded seven men, two badly. Sunday 29th April 1917 A beautiful fine day. I took [Captain] Hall and went up over the ridge and down into the plain beyond. We went across country to the HQ of the 72nd Battalion. Then on to the 44th Battalion and back across the Lens–Arras road to the HQ of the 78th Battalion. As we were going to the 44th a couple of shells dropped in the trench ahead of us and we had to run through that area. It was hot work. We got back about 1 o’clock. It took me 5½ [hours] for the trip. In the afternoon, I took Prince Arthur and Sinclair [equerry] up to the top of the Vimy Ridge. It was beautifully clear and they had a magnificent view. McAvity came to see me today. Also, Colonel [Dr.] Peters the incoming ADMS [assistant director, Medical Services]. The XIII Corps did not take Oppy today. Monday 30th April 1917 A beautiful fine day. It is rather quieter around our HQ now that the big guns are gone a little further up. Major Howard in command of the 6-inch howitzer battery beside us, called on me yesterday. I went down to Hilliam’s HQ in the Zouave Valley for lunch and while there they put over quite a few shells near the little hut we were in and Hilliam was living in a hut. Later it got so bad, they had to leave and go back into the tunnels for shelter. Notes from the End of the Volume Gas Attack Preparations for attack building emplacements in front and support lines, bringing up cylinders, each weighing about one hundred pounds, about four feet long. 1st night: Two mules killed hauling up a load of these in trench tunnel. 2nd do14: One blown up in air over twenty feet, and two men going calmly on and picking it up and placing in [illegible]. 3rd do: Shell hit two [illegible], pierced them, two men knocked out, other two plucking fox in masks and carry on. 4th do: Shell hit one in emplacement, gas oozing out, men fix same. Then explain terrible effects of gas. White Star, phosgene, and Red Star, chlorine. The placing of them in tunnels and then bringing them up in position, under heavy shell fire. This gas is just like a most deadly snake packed up in a paper bag. Humanity of German officer. Eight wounded and twenty bodies in. My staff officer sent up to express thanks. 194

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Prince Arthur and General Watson inspecting the drafts. IMAGE COURTESY OF MILITARY MUSEUMS (CALGARY, ALBERTA), MAJOR GENERAL DAVID WATSON PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS, MR2007.015-SERIES 2, ALBUM 2.

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Chapter 11

Scarpe and Lens May–July 1917

The Canadian Corps (including the 4th Division) would be active again only a couple of weeks after its “Easter Monday” triumph at Vimy Ridge. Reinforcements of both officers and men began to arrive at the end of April from reserve battalions, and as the less seriously wounded began to filter back.1 At this time, the corps were part of Sir Henry Horne’s British First Army, which participated in the Second Battle of the Scarpe. On 28 April, the 1st Canadian Division attacked Arleux-en-Gohelle (in Pas-de-Calais), achieving its goals and pushing its line forward five hundred yards, while the other First Army assaults faltered. As Cyril Falls, the British official historian of the war observed, the Canadians managed “the only tangible success of the whole operation.”2 When the offensive resumed on 3 May, in the Third Battle of the Scarpe, the 4th Division attacked in the Souchez–Avion sector.3 In May and June 1917, it undertook a series of diversionary attacks against the German lines near the coal-mining town of Lens in Pas-de-Calais, just north of Vimy Ridge, primarily to stir up German reserves so that corps artillery would know the routes the Germans took forward.4 These May and June operations produced mixed results. The raids in early May, which had limited objectives and substantial artillery support, succeeded, and the specific objectives were doable, despite limited training. The advances in late May and early June also had limited objectives and the support of modest fire-power, but most of them fell apart. The blame for their lack of success rests not solely with the new troops, however, as all the battalions in operations in May were also active in June. It does not lie at the brigade level—in the planning— either, as battalions in the same brigades had different results: whereas the 47th and 46th Battalions achieved their goals, the 44th was ripped apart. It is possible

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that the Germans fought and defended their trenches more fiercely at the end of May than at the beginning. The pressure the First and Third Armies put on the German forces during the Second and Third Battles of the Scarpe, in late April and early May, had begun to weaken, and the Fifth Army’s attack at Bullecourt was also wrapping up. This meant that the Germans now had time and resources to direct against the Canadian forces. The 4th Division’s May and June attacks were sloppy, however, and lacked the detailed, pre-Vimy type of planning and preparation it had undertaken before Hill 145. In June, Arthur Currie, general officer commanding (GOC) of the 1st Canadian Division, would take over the Canadian Corps, replacing Julian Byng. MajorGeneral David Watson admired Currie’s professionalism, telling colleague Henry Burstall (GOC, 2nd Canadian Division) that he was “one of our big, capable and efficient officers [who] would compare favourably anywhere.”5 Watson urged all the senior Canadian field commanders to line up behind Currie so that neither Richard Turner, nor Garnet Hughes especially, received the job, and ensure the new commander certainly was not a British officer.6

Wednesday 2nd May 1917 I rode over to the 11th Brigade at Château de la Haie (near Gouy-Servins, Pasde-Calais) to see [General Victor] Odlum [11th Brigade] about the re-organization of his battalions. The 60th men came last night for the 87th Battalion and this morning the 67th men marched over to the 102nd and were received with cheers. Odlum stated he was fully satisfied with everything and especially with his new Brigade Major. The Corps Commander [Byng] called when we were out and we went down to see him this afternoon. He wants us to make a little diversion for the other big show in the morning. General [Ivor] Maxse [18th Division] had tea with us this afternoon. Our airmen brought down four enemy balloons in flames today. They went at them at a height of from fifty to one hundred feet. Thursday 3rd May 1917 Another fine day. The attack of 1st and 2nd Divisions came off this morning at 3:45. We hear that the 1st got Arleux and that 2nd got part of their objectives. The XIII Corps again failed to take Oppy. Further advances farther south had more or less success. I finished up the honours and rewards for our late show, it was a long job getting them in shape. Saturday 5th May 1917 Another very hot day. Our big guns are still keeping at it, night and day. They [mistakenly] dropped some bombs near our 11th Brigade HQ last night. I went up and saw Colonel [John] Warden and officers of the 102nd Battalion this morning. 198

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In afternoon I went up to Zouave Valley. They have some 6-inch howitzers now up there just about [C] Street. Our operation tonight of 10th Brigade was evidently quite successful, capturing our objectives, consolidating same and getting between thirty and forty prisoners. Have not yet heard what our casualties have been. Sunday 6th May 1917 A very cold raw day. Such a change from yesterday. The gunning kept up very heavily all night, and we beat off two counterattacks. An aeroplane attacked one of our captive balloons tonight, just behind our HQ. He circled around it firing away, but evidently missed through nervousness. The two observers came down safely in their parachutes. The Bosches got away safely. Tuesday 8th May 19177 Went around with Hilliam to visit his lines, it was a nasty wet morning and very muddy. We went by north end of Vimy Spur through Cité de [Gaumont] then on through Fosse 6, east by the [R…] Embankment to 47th Battalion HQ. Saw Francis there, in a very fine day out, then on through the embarkment to Cité de L’Abattoir where the 50th Battalion HQ is located. It is a nasty place to get at, then back again by Fosse 6, and south through Givenchy to [C…] Trench, where we met [Lieutenant-Colonel R.D.] Davies officer commanding 44th Battalion and then back by 12th Brigade area over Vimy Ridge to Zouave Valley and back to my HQ. Our 10th Brigade operation for tonight is postponed twenty-four hours. Wednesday 9th May 1917 Another nice fine cold day after the rain. The 2nd and 5th Divisions made an attempt to get back Fresnoy which was taken by the Germans yesterday morning but our divisions did not succeed. The artillery bombardment was intense. The corps commander [Byng] called today and gave me our future plans. We are to dig in on several lines and fortify strongly by wiring and dugouts. In their words an aggressive defence. Went down to see Hilliam this afternoon. Thursday 10th May 1917 Mary’s Birthday and in honour we pulled off a raid on the German lines early this morning. Capturing about 350 yards of front and support lines, ten prisoners, and inflicted considerable casualties. Walked down to Hilliam’s HQ this morning and congratulated him on the fine work. I am relieving him tomorrow, putting the 11th Brigade in with two battalions’ frontage and next day the 3rd Division is to take over a piece of our line, the 11th Brigade will put another battalion and so relieve the 12th Brigade. The 11th will then hold entire line with three battalions and one in support, also two battalions of 12th in support in Zouave Valley. We are making 199

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arrangements today for building a series of defensive lines in our front and rear areas. Friday 11th May 1917 Another very fine day, after the light rain of last night. We had hard luck last night. The Germans attacked several times last night on our left brigade front and at 3 o’clock this morning in force and by the aid of Flammenwerfers [flamethrowers] forced us out of part of their trench that we took from them yesterday. Our casualties are estimated at about fifty. This morning I got the order for the evacuation of a larger number of our heavy and field guns. The [First] Army commander [Horne] and General Byng called at my HQ this afternoon. We intercepted a [P…] message today stating that Bosches admit great casualties in the show this morning. At 5 o’clock this afternoon we attacked him again and in ten minutes had recaptured all that we had lost and more. Saturday 1st May 1917 A very hot day. The hottest we have had so far. I went up the lines with [Captain] Redmond [ADC], over the ridge and down onto the plain. Went up to 85th Battalion HQ and saw Colonel [Allison H.] Borden, then on and up [C…] to 87th Battalion HQ met the new commanding officer [Lieutenant-Colonel J.V.P.] O’Donahoe, saw Jimmie Scott up there too. Came back through Givenchy and over the Pimple back to General Odlum’s HQ and then over the duck walk through Souchez and home. I was soaking with perspiration. [Colonel Billy] Price was with us for lunch. Major-General Twinning of First Army and Hughes were to tea.8 Went over to General Hilliam’s for dinner tonight. The relief of the 10th Brigade by 11th Brigade was completed this morning at 3:30. The other battalions of 12th Brigade by 75th Battalion of 11th Brigade will be relieved tonight. Tuesday 15th May 19179 A fine day but cloudy and somewhat cold. I rode over to the château and saw the 44th, 47th and 50th Battalions at their training. It has been very quiet around here since the heavy shelling they gave us two days ago. We are getting on fast with our new lines of defence and will soon be good and snug in these. Large parties of men are working mightily. Saturday 19th May 1917 A cloudy day but fine in a way. Went down and had a long talk with Odlum regarding situation and I told him he was to carry out the operation when he came into the line again and also that he must go on leave when he comes out this time. Captain M[?] arrived back from sick leave today. The Bosches are more active in

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their shelling of the ridge and the valley than formerly. They have many captive balloons up now and get good observation. Sunday 20th May 1917 A beautiful fine day, there seems to be a big fight going on south of us as the guns have been hammering hard all night. Got a long letter from F[?] yesterday. He is far from consistent in his arguments. General Farmer from the corps came up this morning and brought with him several charges made by Brigadier-General W. St. P. Hughes. Monday 21st May 1917 A fine day but cloudy, General Byng came by with [General Louis] Lipsett [3rd Division] and we went over the joint scheme of 3rd and 4th Divisions operation. Byng also spoke to me regarding ridiculous charges that Hughes had made, and instructed me to reply only to those that applied since 6th and 7th December last when the Corps Commander [Byng] had seen Hughes and settled everything up to that date. I visited the 44th and 50th Battalions at Berthonval Wood this morning. Tuesday 22nd May 1917 A nasty wet cold day. With [Major Greville-]Gavin [GSO 2] I left camp at 5:30 a.m. called on forward 12th Brigade HQ near La Folie Copse for [Captain] Hall, and we went up the line. We started on the left near the Arras–Lens road and worked our way north until we got to the easternmost post opposite the electric station. We had a magnificent view from there right in behind La Coulotte, east over the right embankment and north into the electrical station. Came back by Chicas Trench, called at 78th Battalion HQ then across country to 72nd Battalion HQ saw progress of work on the machine-gun emplacements in the Res[erve] Line and then back to forward HQ of 12th Brigade. Left Hall there and we got back over the ridge at 11:30 a.m. a six- hour trip. We were fearfully muddy and wet. A report has been made by the 11th Brigade that Colonel [V.V.] Harvey of 54th Battalion went away without leave. I had him paraded and have recommended his return to England. Wednesday 23rd May 1917 It rained all night but cleared up this morning. Ironside has gone off to Abbeville to see [General] Assan, I rode up to Berthonval and saw the 44th and 50th Battalions at work. The 12th Brigade pushed forward and occupied a post up [iIllegible] Trench last night and were bombed out again today. [Rev.] Captain Shatford, [Rev.] Major Gordon and Colonel Price were in today to brunch. General [Richard] Turner called at HQ today for a few minutes, but I did not see him. Witnessed one of the best air fights I have ever seen tonight. A Bosche came over and made for one 201

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of our balloons. The two men came down in parachutes and two of our threedeckers came along, there was a great battle but he got away safely. Saturday 26th May 1917 Another fine warm day. Bosche aeroplanes were over last night and dropped some bombs around Vimy Ridge. Wilks my second groom was killed yesterday by a shell near Carency, over a mile behind my HQ. Colonel Fred McRobbie and Captain Molson called today. They came out as [illegible] with drafts. At 3 o’clock I left with [Colonel Henri] Panet and Locke for Paris. Went down by Arras, Bapaume, Albert and Amiens. It was most interesting to motor through the part that we had been fighting over such as Bapaume, Loupart, Pys, Warlencourt and the farmers battle, Les Lars [Battle of Mouquet Farm, the Somme]. Got to Paris at 9 p.m. Three punctures and one blowout. Stopped at the Crillon. Very poor hotel. Had a bite at the Ambassadeurs [hotel’s restaurant] and then back to bed. Tuesday 29th May 1917 Went around and did my shopping. Got [illegible] for the misses. Had lunch at the [Hôtel] Ritz. Met there several old friends General D’O[?], Major St-Sauveur, Drexel and others. Left at 4 o’clock from British Garage at Saint-Denis [northern Paris, QM storehouses] and got to my HQ at 8:45 p.m. no punctures. On arrival I got the welcome news that I had been awarded the Legion of Honour from the French Government and the grade of Commander.10 I also got my box from Mary with chutney and Sailor biscuits.11 Wednesday 30th May 1917 Got my back correspondence up to date and had an early lunch. Then went on down through Arras to a place about five miles beyond and we had a most interesting demonstration with the new tanks. After we got back I went down to see General Hilliam and discussed the coming little operation and the projected scheme. Came back across country. Friday 1st June 1917 A nice fine day, General Odlum got back from leave this morning. We put over six hundred gas shells from projectors last night but no retaliation followed. I motored over to Sains this morning with [Colonel] Sparling [33rd Division] to see [Major-]General [William] Thwaites of the 46th Division. Went up through Souchez and up the Arras–Béthune road. Major-General [Gilbert] Foster [Medical Services] and Brigadier-General [Herbert] Thacker [CRA] called this afternoon.

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Saturday 2nd June 1917 A cold raw day. Had a long interview with Odlum regarding [Generals] Currie and Hilliam. And have made all arrangements for the operation of 10th Brigade tonight. Had dinner with the 12th Brigade at Château de la Haie tonight. Colonel [C.M.] Edwards is back again to the 38th Battalion. Sunday 3rd June 1917 I stayed up all night to follow the operation of the 10th Brigade against electric station, brewery and part of La Coulotte. It was carried out by 44th and 50th Battalions. The 50th on our left were successful and got their objectives. The 44th got a good start but later got certain reverses by strong troops, that caused them to fall back to original line. We took about ninety prisoners and inflicted a great amount of casualties. Ours will mount up to about seven hundred. This includes the losses we have sustained all today. The shelling was particularly heavy, all over our front. Telegrams of congratulations have been received by Army Commanders, Commander-in-Chief [Haig]. Monday 4th June 1917 Another book begun and still at war.12 I was in hope that the other one would see the end of it. Well, we got knocked back into our front line again and our casualties were pretty heavy, about eight hundred. But are giving the Bosches as much if not more, and we took over 100 prisoners. The situation is quiet now. General [Sam] Steele had lunch with us today. I presented decorations to 12th Brigade this morning and attended their sports this afternoon. We are arranging a new plan now for the 8th. The Bosche planes came over again tonight and shelled our battalion in Berthonval. We had several casualties. The 12th Brigade Machine Gun Company NCOs suffered hard, their tent had a direct hit on it. Eight killed and seventeen wounded. Tuesday 5th June 1917 I see by the paper that I have received a CMG in the [King’s] birthday honours. Also Odlum and Hilliam. A fine warm day. Had a conference this morning with General Thwaites of 46th Division and we arranged barrages to our mutual satisfaction. I wrote Sir Edward Kemp in Ottawa today re my Canadian rank.13 Wednesday 6th June 1917 Our casualties in the 10th Brigade in recent show now 576. This has been a warm day with a bit of thunder at night. I went down to see Odlum this morning and General Twaites of 46th Division was over after to conclude arrangements about artillery barrage and had dinner with old Hilliam tonight and learned that General

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Byng had been ordered to the command of the Third Army, instead of [General Edmund] Allenby, who goes to Egypt.14 Thursday 7th June 1917 The big offensive up north took place this morning and the British have gained all their objectives; Wytschaete, Messines, and other places. Numerous prisoners and light losses. I went over our lines this morning, with Nicolls. Started at 5 a.m. up [illegible] and around our left system. Through Red Line and back through H[?]. Took us nearly six hours. The Corps Commander [Byng] came to see me after I got back. I believe General Currie is to be temporarily in command. I got a note yesterday from the Belgian mission, sending congratulations on a new Belgian order. I don’t know anything about it. Friday 8th June 1917 General Byng came to the Château de la Haie at 10 this morning to say goodbye. I had all officers available to meet him and a guard of honour from 10th Brigade of one hundred men. He was very much affected. He leaves tomorrow to take over command of Third Army. He told me that Currie was recommended as his successor. Last night Ironside told me that Byng had intimated that it was either Currie or an Imperial officer. I took exception to any such stipulation and have no hesitation in stating that Canada must in future command her own unit. Our artillery have been hard at it all day. Pounding up to Bosche lines, [preparing] for our attack tonight. Saturday 9th June 1917 Our big raid last night had a big success. The 11th Brigade with 102nd Battalion on left and 75th and then 87th on right. At 8:30 the 102nd carried out a very successful minor operation in conjunction with the 46th Division north of river. And at 11:45 our main show took place. Everything went like clockwork. We got all our objectives, destroyed everything, took between seventy and ninety prisoners and then retired to our lines after two hours in Bosche trenches. Our casualties were about 350 but two hundred was caused by barrage put down at 8 o’clock for the 46th Division operation. General Sir William Robertson [Chief, Imperial General Staff] visited us this morning at the Château and then went up to see Hill 145. General Currie was there, and told me he was practically sure of getting the corps. I went to the 10th Brigade sports in the afternoon. Sunday 10th June 1917 A nice fine day. Ironside and Hilliam went to Boulogne for a holiday. I went up through our new communication trench over the ridge from Kennedy Crater into Givenchy and saw the wiring already done on the ridge. Then I went down and had 204

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a talk with Odlum. I find the 46th Division have lost the post on the north of the river and I propose taking and holding it. General [Edward] Morrison [artillery] came to lunch with us today, also General Odlum and Colonel [John] Warden [102nd]. Had tea with General Thwaites 46th Division and then on to see the Whizzbangs15 of 5th Division. Tuesday 12th June 1917 We put on another good operation this morning at 7 o’clock, with 102nd Battalion of the 11th Brigade. They captured and consolidated the strong machine-gun emplacement on the north side of the river, and also took sixteen prisoners. Our casualties were only three killed and ten wounded. It was a most creditable operation. In afternoon I went up on top of Locre Ridge. The 12th Brigade relieved the 11th tonight and just as relief was in course of being carried out the Bosches made a counterattack. Our SOS was put on at once and at 10:45 things had again quieted down. Wednesday 13th June 1917 A nice fine day. General Currie and [General Louis] Lipsett [3rd Division] came over today to discuss details for the operation towards end of month. In the afternoon we held the first part of horse show events. I met Major-General John Hughes [Sir Sam’s brother] there. The relief by 12th Brigade was completed about 3:30 this a.m. Thursday 14th June 1917 We held our regular divisional sports this afternoon. In the open officers’ chargers I took first place with Brownie. The whole affair was a great success. General Currie was ordered over to England to attend a Canadian Conference.16 Sunday 17th June 1917 Another very hot day. In the morning attended the 11th Brigade church parade service, and there decorated a number of officers and men of the brigade, and witnessed a march past. In the afternoon, after lunching with Odlum saw the [illegible] compete for my cup in the finals. Odlum told me tonight that Currie was confirmed in appointment of Corps Commander and [Archibald Cameron “Archie”] MacDonnell of 7th Brigade to command 1st Division. Tuesday 19th June 1917 It rained so hard this morning that part of the Corps Horse show had to be postponed. I had to consider two death sentences on two boys of 38th Battalion and gave instructions to get certificate of birth before recommending the extreme penalty. Had lunch with General [Sir Henry] Horne and then was decorated with 205

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Order of Leopold by Lieutenant-General Orth.17 It is a gorgeous affair to go around the neck. Wednesday 20th June 1917 Our little operation yesterday was a success and we took seven prisoners. This morning I took Nicolls and went over the ridge, along yellow line and down through Givenchy and back south of Fosse 6 to 10th Brigade HQ. In the afternoon Colonel [C.H.] MacLaren the new 4th Division artillery commander [replacing Nairne and Lahore Artillery] called on me. We dined at 46th Division HQ tonight and had a very enjoyable evening. Thursday 21st June 1917 In our gas show last night, two rounds fell short causing forty-six casualties (fourteen deaths) in 46th Division on our left and eight in our brigade. It is a cool cloudy day. In the officers’ charger competitions this morning I did not get placed. We are busy getting ready for our next big show. Had tea with General Currie at the tent sports. The [First] Army Commander General Horne went up into Hirondelle today. Friday 22nd June 1917 A nasty very wet day. Went over this morning to attend a big conference at the First Army HQ in connection with our coming operation. The zero hour was fixed, barrages arranged and co-ordination of all the attacks by divisions. I am arranging for a big raid north of river to help out the 46th Division. Saturday 23rd June 1917 Got up at 4 a.m. motored down past Souchez and with Nicolls went over the ridge behind Fosse 6 and up the road by the embankment as far as Red Line. Up that as far as Casket Trench and east on that. Evidently took the wrong turn, and had to go overland for last four hundred yards in full view of 65 and Fosse 3. Not a shot fired at us. Had a good inspection of the northern part of our lines at the Souchez River and then came south through all over front lines, and back by 12th Brigade, old forward HQ. Sunday 24th June 1917 A nice cool day. Rode over to 12th Brigade training area and first presented decorations to officers and men, including the Victoria Cross to Major [Captain Thain] MacDowell [DSO, 38th Battalion].18 Afterwards they had a practice attack for their operation on the 28th. General Currie was present also three American officers who have just arrived to learn all there is to see. They came and had lunch with us and then went over [Hill] 145. At 9:30 p.m. our 46th Battalion took 206

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on a little show in conjunction with an operation of 46th Division and were quite successful in securing all objectives. Monday 25th June 1917 Broke a tooth at breakfast and went over to No. 12 FA [Field Ambulance] and had a new tooth cemented on. Came back and went through Souchez to King’s Cross to see General Hilliam. The day is quite cool. In afternoon went to the army horse show. Very fine indeed. At night we pushed forward with patrols of 10th Brigade and also later made a relief of 10th by 12th Brigade. Very dark wet night. Tuesday 26th June 1917 This morning at 7 o’clock we pushed forward and occupied Ontario Trench, the brewery, La Coulotte, Quebec Trench and are pushing forward posts and patrols up all communication trenches. It is a windy, cold but clearer day. The Corps Commander [Currie] was here this morning and complimented us warmly on our work. In afternoon went over the ridge with Odlum and had a great view of the Bosches shelling La Coulotte. Wednesday 27th June 1917 A showering day but very warm at times. In the afternoon I went up on the ridge with General Currie and there met the Duke of Connaught, Prince Arthur, the army commander [Horne] and I took the Duke and Prince Arthur over [Hill] 145 and to our forward Observation Post. It was a wonderful panorama and there was quite a lot of shelling of the lines going on. Did not go to the Corps HQ but stopped back and got things ready for tomorrow’s operation. At night had Nairne, Nornabel, and Sinclair in to dinner, and presented Nornabel with the cup I gave for the officers [illegible]. Thursday 28th June 1917 The 12th Brigade carried out their operation this a.m. at 2:30 o’clock. We captured all our objectives including Éleu-dit-Leauwette church and posts down Saskatoon Road down Avion Trench past Poupore and Patrick and back down Innes into our front line. We got six machine guns and twenty-four prisoners. Our casualties are light. We got very valuable information from the prisoners. General Currie called and was highly delighted at our success. At 7:10 p.m. we made another attack and pushed forward about eight hundred to one thousand yards beyond Leauwette and captured all the north part of Avion and all the systems of trenches between Avion, [illegible] to the river. Our total bag was twenty-five prisoners, including one officer, and seven machine-guns. All the area to the north east of Avion is inundated. Our casualties for the operation were seventy-one.

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Friday 29th June 1917 Generals Currie and Radcliffe came around this morning and were greatly delighted with our very successful operations. After they left we got a rush wire that arrangements were all to be changed and the 3rd Division were to relieve us and the 2nd Division to relieve the 46th Division. With Ironside and de [illegible], I motored over the ridge and down through Givenchy and then went on to 12th Brigade HQ in Red Trench. Coming home we had a rather close big shell drop rather close in front of us. At night dined with Hilliam at Château de la Haie. Generals Currie and Radcliffe were there. The Bosches put a couple of barrages on our line at night, sheer nervousness I have no doubt. Monday 2nd July 1917 We compiled the relief early this morning and at 9 o’clock a.m. the 3rd Division took over the line to my infinite relief. At 9:30 Ironside, Hilliam and myself left for Boulogne. Had lunch there with [Captain Harry] Blaylock, went to the McGill Hospital [No. 3 Canadian General Hospital] in afternoon, and at 7:30 left by boat to England, this was a great surprise to me, as I only got the chance at the last moment.

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Lens July–August 1917 Hill 70 and the Green Crassier 10 July–14 August 1917

On 7 July 1917, the First Army commander, General Henry Horne, notified the Canadian Corps that it would be attacking Lens—a diversion to draw German forces away from the larger British offensive at Ypres.1 Three days later, after scouting the ground, Horne and General Currie discussed the possibility that the Canadian Corps might capture Hill 70 instead, which overlooked Lens to the north. If they could provoke the Germans into trying to retake Hill 70, and if the enemy followed its usual practice, the Canadians would use their artillery to destroy the counterattacks.2 Currie also thought that if the Canadians could take Hill 70, it might force the enemy to evacuate Lens without a fight. Horne had already considered a similar approach and readily accepted Currie’s analysis. However, the Canadian Corps understood that, even after taking Hill 70, it would still have to attack the city;3 the corps’s orders of late July 1917 emphasized “offensive operations with the ultimate objective of the capture of Lens.”4 If the 1st and 2nd Canadian Divisions would capture Hill 70 and hold it, the 4th Division—along with elements of the 2nd—would advance on Lens proper.5 Horne gladly accepted this plan, as it clearly fit in with Field Marshal Haig’s strategy of drawing German forces to the region and away from what was, for the British, the critical Ypres Salient in Flanders.6 In the build-up to the attack on Hill 70, the 4th Division started bombing and raiding in the area around Lens in July and early August. Using elements of the corps’s artillery, it sought to convince the Germans that the corps’s main weight would fall on the city itself. The Corps Garrison (Heavy) Artillery, under Counter Battery Staff Officer Lieutenant-Colonel A.G.L. McNaughton, and the Canadian Corps’s Field Artillery, under its staff officer, Royal Artillery Major Alan Brooke, bombarded Lens systematically. The Canadians planned their raiding program

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so as to convince the Germans occupying 11th Reserve Division7 that the Canadians’ main concerns were attacking Lens, and on gathering information on how they would fight in the city if they took Hill 70. But the Germans decided to stay.8 Accordingly, in July and early August, the 4th Division was launching raids by one of its twelve battalions about every three days, many of them right into the city. The raiding parties ranged in size from eight to thirty men, and were much smaller than those used in March.9 The raids were unevenly successful: some took prisoners, while others acquired no intelligence at all. Similarly, some had multiple casualties, and others had none. A raid on 1 August by the 87th Battalion miscarried when the Germans became aware of the raiders’ presence and dropped gas shells on the men, resulting in eleven casualties.10 Eleven days later, however, a raid by the 38th suffered no losses and gathered useful information on enemy defences.11 Overall, the intensive artillery barrage, in combination with the raids, seems to have convinced the Germans that the Canadian Corps’s main objective was, indeed, Lens. All levels of the 4th Division also felt they had figured out how to attack the city. One private boasted: “We even know the names of the streets we are to march up and the actual houses we are to mop up.”12 And yet, all the raids and all the intelligence did not significantly alter the plans made by Horne and Currie in early July—attack Hill 70, and then northern Lens and the expansive coal-mining slag heap on its southern edge known as the Green Crassier. The 2nd Division would use those of its battalions not committed to the mid-August attack on Hill 70 in a two-phase attack on the northern outskirts of Lens later in the month; the 4th Division would first attack into the city and then push beyond, to the Green Crassier. The Canadian Corps’s leaders felt confident about operating in Lens and achieving their objectives, but events would prove them wrong. The Canadians would confront six corps of the German Sixth Army, each defending a sector under the command of an army corps HQ. The German organization, in the assessment of historian Robert Foley, “allowed for a stacking of reserves. The army groups were each given a certain number of divisions depending on the length of the front that they held and the threats that they faced.”13 That most of the German divisions in this area were experienced, and part of a rotation system, would just add to the difficulty.

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Saturday 7th July 1917 [In London] Lunched with [Dudley] Oliver of Bank of Montreal and Mrs. Oliver and then took Dr. [Austin] and Mrs. Irvine down to Heatherden [Hall, Bucks.] to Grant Morden’s. It was a fine afternoon and we watched them playing tennis. Dr. and Mrs. Irvine came back to town after tea. I went for a ride across country with Morden. Tuesday 10th July 1917 A nice fine day. Had a message that Sir George Perley [overseas minister] wants to see me this morning at 10:30. He wanted my opinion about the composition of the Canadian mission to France. I recommended Garneau and Joly strongly at night had a most enjoyable dinner with Bristol at the Ritz [Hotel]. Met Lady Maxwell [of Calderwood], [landowner/horseman Captain] Quintin Dick [né Hume], [Colonial Secretary Walter] Long and others. Tuesday 17th July 1917 Went to Buckingham Palace at 10 a.m. and got invested with the CMG by His Majesty. He was particularly pleasant and I had quite a long private talk with him. Left at 11:05 a.m. by Charing Cross. Got to Folkestone at 12:45. Left at 1:50 arrived Boulogne 3:30 left at 4 p.m. and got back to my HQ at Barleux at 5:55 p.m. Wednesday 18th July 1917 Spent the morning with 10th Brigade at their rifle range competition and in the afternoon went to see Odlum. MacBrien also called at the Corps HQ. It rained very hard all afternoon. Thursday 19th July 1917 The corps commander [Currie] inspected the 54th and 102nd Battalions this a.m. They had very realistic expectations of attacks. And one man had his hand pretty badly done in. In the afternoon I went to the 10th Brigade sports at Château de la Haie. It is still bad weather. Had dinner with the 10th Brigade. Heavy shelling heard during night. Saturday 21st July 1917 Had a very busy day. The corps commander [Currie] inspected the 50th Battalion and found it in a shocking state. I went down in the afternoon with Hilliam and gave them another going over. The 47th were also inspected in the morning and were in a somewhat better state. At night we were guests of Odlum and 11th Brigade at a big dinner in Bruay. There were over two hundred guests present. Got back after midnight.

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Sunday 22nd July 1917 A beautiful fine day. Rode over the hill and through the forest of Olhain and got back about one o’clock. [Major] Borfer and Hartwood called to see us. They came down from Dunkirk. In the afternoon went over to Château de la Haie. The Bosches were very active today with their artillery and aeroplanes. Monday 23rd July 1917 The 3rd Division had a very successful operation last night and got over fifty prisoners. It was in the form of a raid. I went up this morning and saw our artillery and the heavies. There was not much change in our old forward HQ area. Called on MacBrien and Odlum on way back again to see 11th Brigade. It has been a very fine day, but I have a dreadful cold in my head. Had a game of bridge at night, the first for a long time. Heavy cannonading to the north all night. Tuesday 24th July 1917 Another warm sultry day. Had a long dreary inspection of our engineers this morning near Mesnil-Bouche. The corps commander [Currie] was there and Nos. 10 and 11 Companies were especially good. In the evening I went down to see General [Edward] Morrison of the corps artillery. He told me that [Henry] Burstall [2nd Division] was claiming seniority of divisional commanders. At night had a very enjoyable dinner with 72nd Battalion. Saturday 28th July 1917 Ironside got back this morning at one o’clock. It was a fearfully hot day. I rode up to Zouave Valley with Panet, and then on down the valley and out by Souchez and home by Ablain-Saint- Nazaire. In the afternoon went around to see the 11th Brigade bombing area and dump. Colonel Williams chief recruiting officer in Canada was with us for lunch today. Had a game of bridge tonight, the Bosches put over a lot of gas shells tonight. We had about forty-five casualties. Sunday 29th July 1917 This morning went up with Ironside over the ridge. Went up by motor over new road near King’s Cross. It started to rain heavily and we got thoroughly drenched, in the afternoon went up by motor with Panet through Angres and Liévin to Odlum’s HQ. It was a very interesting trip. Came back and went out to Fosse 6 and left the car and went on up to see MacBrien. Coming back they were shelling so heavy in Angres we could not get through and had to come out by road east of Givenchy and over the boardwalk. It was the first motor that went by that route. Went and saw General Currie today and had lunch with him. He was much concerned about the two ladies that had visited the corps and their talking of

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coming operations. Also spoke about the seniority question and the proposition of three months’ leave to Canada for those who had been out from the start. Monday 30th July 1917 Another bad day, I rode up to Notre Dame de Lorette Ridge with Ironside and saw the defences of that area. We had a great view of all the country about the ridge, but got pretty wet on the way back. The 11th Brigade pushed out their posts eastwards last night and captured one prisoner. We got a lot of useful information from him. Tuesday 31st July 1917 Went to the dentist in the morning, but he was not in. There was hardly any shelling this morning. In the afternoon I went down to the Arras road and saw the 10th Brigade go on with a gas mask attack. It was only fair. The corps commander [Currie] came around and had tea this afternoon. The big offensive up north started this morning early.14 We learn that they have had good success and the first two objectives have been captured. Wednesday 1st August 1917 We had an awful night’s rain and it has kept it up all day long. Our forces up north have consolidated their gains, but no other report has come in yet today. This afternoon I went up to No. 12 Field Ambulance and had my teeth looked after. Gave orders today for Good day[?] to be sent to the forestry unit in England in accordance with request GOC troops in England. Friday 3rd August 1917 Another terrible night of rain. The conditions around our lines are getting very critical indeed. The quality of rain falling is something appalling. Had a fine letter from Mary today, dated 19th July. Am sure she is not too well, as her writing shows her to be tired. Hilliam went off to Arras today without leave. I have taken strong exception to such conduct. Saturday 4th August 1917 The commencement of our fourth year into the war, a wet cheerless day. I went up with Ironside to see MacBrien. The trenches were very wet and muddy and it was decided for 12th Brigade to remain in for another ten days if possible. Hilliam and [Colonel C.H.] MacLaren [4th Division artillery] came for dinner tonight. Another of our men Private Pattison of the 50th Battalion was awarded the Victoria Cross [posthumously] today in the London Gazette.15

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Tuesday 7th August 1917 With Ironside, I went up into the right sector. Left at 7 a.m. went up on the right trench R[illegible] with Rogers in charge. Through Souchez, [Cité de] Gaumont, and Givenchy and right into La Coulotte, where we inspected the deep vaults, called on [Lieutenant-Colonel John Arthur] Clark 72nd Battalion and then crossed over by the Fosse 3 and the water tower to the railway then up that road almost into Avion, up a trench eastward and then got up right beyond and east of Avion, went along through outskirts and got down into Billie Bunker Trench and out into a bombing past three hundred yards and within about five yards of the Bosches. Then along and west of Batty Trench to railway again. And back by La Chaudière Wood and ruins of La Chaudière village, where gasoline engine was waiting for us, and then on home. Engine near ran off the track near Fosse 6. Our trip took up nearly seven hours. Two of Odlum’s posts got pushed back last night. We played the corps team indoor ball this afternoon at 6 o’clock. We won out 15 to 8. Prince Arthur played on corps team. Wednesday 8th August 1917 Inspected our divisional school in the morning and gave officers class a good talking-to. They were not as good as the NCOs. In the afternoon went up by motor to Fosse 6 with [Captain] Walker, then on up through Gaumont, Roclincourt and Abattoir to Liévin to see General Odlum at his HQ. Had a good long talk with him and had tea there. Came back by the Red Gap to Fosse 6. The army commander [Horne] called on us at 6 o’clock. Roland Hill [Toronto Star] was with us for dinner. Thursday 9th August 1917 Went to a conference at the corps at [C?] regarding new methods of dealing with operations due to the new tactics adopted by the Bosches, all the divisional officers commanding in the corps were there. In the afternoon I rode around to Ablain-Saint-Nazaire, but the weather was so bad, could not go very far. Friday 10th August 1917 We had a first-class little operation early yesterday, by 75th and 102nd Battalions of 11th Brigade resulting in two prisoners and a lot of Bosches killed. The corps commander [Currie] came to see us today to lunch. He told us the 5th Division artillery were coming out shortly. The 3rd Division’s HQ ball team came over today and gave us a good trouncing 15 to 4. Saturday 11th August 1917 The corps commander [Currie] gave our divisional school a good inspection today, and expressed himself greatly pleased with all he saw. In afternoon I started off with Hilliam to go up to the 12th Brigade forward HQ but the storm and rain were 214

Lens, July–August 1917

Aconite trench Lens. IMAGE COURTESY OF MILITARY MUSEUMS (CALGARY, ALBERTA), MAJOR GENERAL DAVID WATSON PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS, MR2007.015-SERIES 2, ALBUM 2.

so bad that we did not get up beyond the Arras road. Today is the anniversary of the arrival of the division in France. We played “B” Mess at baseball late in the afternoon and beat them 16 to 5. It was slippery on account of the heavy rains. Monday 13th August 1917 Tried to be fine today but showery throughout. The Bosches shelled our guns heavily all day and several were knocked out. Rode up to the top of Lorette Ridge and watched our heavies bombard at noon. Met [General Louis] Lipsett up there. In afternoon went around and inspected our horse standings with Panet and played the “B” Mess another ball game. Defeated them about 18 to 4. Dined with 50th Battalion on the anniversary of their arrival. Tuesday 14th August 1917 It is trying hard to get fine, though cloudy and overcast. The 87th pushed on their posts last night on the left, but afterwards Major Collum was seriously wounded. I went first to the corps this morning and then on to No. 7 CCS at Bracquemont. Saw Collum and had a chat with him. He is hit through the spine and has not much chance whatever. Had Dr. Tory and Major Eaton in to lunch today.16 215

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Into Lens 15–17 August 1917 On 15 August, Canada’s 1st and 2nd Divisions quickly reached their objectives and dug in. Major-General Edward Morrison, commander of the Canadian field artillery, recalled: “To our great satisfaction the enemy put down a tremendous barrage in front of Lens and Avions … He was entirely outmanoeuvred … and by the time the Germans realized their mistake the attacking troops [at Hill 70] were on their final objective.”17 The 4th Division masked the Canadian Corps’s main assault by sending strong patrols into Lens. Over the next five days, the Canadians repulsed multiple enemy counterattacks against their forces on Hill 70, at heavy cost to the German forces. As General Arthur Currie recorded in his diary: “Our casualties so far about fifty-six hundred but in my opinion the enemy casualties must be closer to twenty-thousand. Our Gunners, machine-gunners and infantry never had such targets. FOO [forward observation officers] for all of their targets … It was a great and wonderful victory. GHQ regard it as one of the finest performances of the war.”18

Wednesday 15th August 1917 Got up at 3 o’clock and went up by motor on top of the Lorette Ridge with [Henri] Panet. It was very dark. The big barrage started at 4:25 a.m. and was a wonderful sight, together with the boiling oil [?]. Our attack started at 8:25, 4½ hours, after that of the 1st and 2nd Divisions. We got into Aconite Trench, but heavy counterattacks drove us out, and we then consolidated for the night on Great Peter Street and Bell Road. Major Charlie Lindsay has been appointed Brigade Major to 11th Brigade in place of Collum, who died yesterday about noon. Colonel Burland lunched with us.19 Thursday 16th August 1917 Drizzly bleak day. Sun shining in spots. Went up with Odlum, and gave him his instructions about our future operations. The 102nd are to attack the Aloof Salient tonight, and 19th Brigade will relieve the 11th in their sector tomorrow. Two American journalists visited our area today and I sent them up on to the Bois de Riaumont [Liévin]. Friday 17th August 1917 Heard today that Gérard Garneau was wounded and I cabled Sir George. Also heard that Ronny Laird was killed. The 102nd Battalion made an attack this a.m. at 4:35 on the Aloof Salient in conjunction with 4th Brigade. The attacks did not come off together, and consequently did not greatly succeed. The corps claim

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over a thousand prisoners in this last operation. The 10th Brigade relieved the 11th Brigade in the left sector tonight and will take over about six hundred yards more to the north tomorrow night.

Street Fighting 19–21 August 1917 On 18 August, General Currie and the staff of the Canadian Corps set the launch of the follow-up Lens operation for the 21st.20 For the infantry of the 2nd Division (4th–6th Brigades) and the 4th Division, urban combat would be entirely new, and they had no relevant training appropriate to its challenges. A private remembered his foreboding: “You see, the houses were built in long rows and they had knocked bricks out of each house and built tunnels through. You could move two or three streets, out of sight. Don’t forget this, the Germans had been there for about twelve or thirteen months.”21 As chance would have it, the two sides attacked each other on this frontage almost simultaneously. Fresh German troops from the 1st Guard Reserve Division, which had replaced the 11th Reserve Division in Lens on the 20th, launched their assault at 4:25 a.m., as the Canadians were massing for their own attack. The Germans tumbled over the 5th Brigade’s trenches and, in the chaotic fighting that ensued, drove back the 5th Brigade. The 25th Battalion, however, led a counterattack that let them regain a foothold in the 5th’s original positions later that morning.22 As an intelligence report from the 25th recorded: “A lively scrap ensued in which our men fought their way out of the dugouts, and began to drive Germans from our trench … The troops that “D” Company opposed … were probably the best which [we] ever encountered.”23 Meanwhile, ten minutes after the Germans started their surprise attack that morning, the Canadian 6th Brigade launched its own assault. They met advancing enemy forces in No Man’s Land, where the fighting was especially brutal; as a rifleman in the 31st Battalion later reported, “A battle royal took place. After bombing and bayonet work, we slowly forced the enemy back, meeting another line later on. After some desperate fighting, we were supposed to have reached our objective, but with sadly depleted forces. We had, however, to pull back leaving outposts composed of bombers and Lewis gunners to hold the line.”24 The 6th Brigade suffered so badly, in fact, that it had to be pulled from the line on 22 August, and the 5th Brigade had to extend its line to cover the former’s front. The 2nd Division also found the fighting to be frenzied and vicious throughout the day and, by noon, it had reached none of its objectives. This marked the end of action for the 2nd Division in the Lens area.25

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Sunday 19th August 1917 A nice fine day. Went to divine service with Odlum at 102nd Battalion in YMCA [tent]. In the afternoon, rode up to Zouave Valley and saw the 87th officer commanding and Ralston. Got good information from them about their last operation and sent Ralston up to the 10th Brigade to see Hilliam and Page. The heavies are shelling constantly now, and the Bosche lines are gradually disappearing. Monday 20th August 1917 A nice fine day. In the morning the corps commander [Currie] came around to see me and gave some interesting news about future dispositions. They have been shelled both at Corps HQ and 2nd Division HQ. Went and inspected the drafts that arrived. Splendid men for the 72nd Battalion all arrangements completed for tomorrow’s operation. The 50th men have pushed on today into the school house and Amulet Trench. Also into Aloof, but the Bosches were too strong there and we went back to Amulet. Had dinner at night with the 102nd Battalion officers. Tuesday 21st August 1917 Another nice fine morning. Was up at 4 o’clock, attack started at 4:35. There was some very heavy shelling prior to the attack, but they got off safely at the appointed zero hour. We have taken about seventy-five prisoners so far including one officer. These prisoners are from various [German] regiments. The 55th, 61st, 64th, 99th and 105th.

The Green Crassier 22–28 August 1917 The 4th Division’s task at Lens was more daunting than the 2nd Division’s, as its battalions were to press into the ruined city centre. The German army had spent thirteen months setting up defensive positions in the rubble with its usual thoroughness: “What had originally appeared to be the ruins of workingmen’s houses on the Southern edge of Lens were discovered to be lined and interlined with trussed concrete. The walls were from six to eight feet thick and practically impregnable to even the heaviest shells. One of these pillboxes, armed with a machine gun[,] could hold up an advance on nearly a mile front.”26 And effective the Germans’ machine guns really were—entering this all-butdestroyed city with its underground bunkers and hidden pillboxes would be a totally new and deadly type of warfare for the Canadian infantry. The Canadian 10th Brigade was to storm Lens on 21 August in co-ordination with the 6th Brigade. On the 20th, however, the 50th had Battalion decided, based on 218

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the 2nd Division’s intelligence report, to attack Aloof Trench so as to secure a better jumping-off point for its attack the next morning. The 50th’s commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Lionel [L.F.] Page, believed that the Germans opposing his forces were withdrawing and that his men would meet weak resistance. On 21 August, the day of the main assault, enemy artillery that had zeroed in on its position pounded the 50th Battalion, paralyzing it for twenty-five minutes and causing substantial casualties before the men left their trenches. The 50th still pressed forward, but under increasingly heavy machine-gun fire from houses in Lens. Some small parties reached their objectives, but the battered 50th fell back. The soldiers spent the rest of the day regrouping and discussing with brigade command what to do. At 6 p.m., they attacked again, but they failed to gain any of their objectives quickly and were promptly called off. When the battle had begun on the 21st, and in following days, the Germans launched red flares similar to the Canadian ones to summon supporting fire. The 46th and 47th Battalions’ attack into Lens also started ominously. On the night of 20 August, just prior to the main Canadian attack, the Germans shelled the battalions’ lines relentlessly. All officers in the leftmost company of the 46th fell, and officers had to come up quickly from reserve battalions to replace them. The Germans shelled consitently and caused numerous casualties. The Canadians finally left their lines at 4:35 a.m. on the 21st and advanced quickly into the neighbourhoods of Lens, soon fighting from house to house in fortified and booby-trapped areas. As one Canadian soldier recounted: “Bombs would be concealed in small dugout stoves, with wires attached to the doors. Naturally enough, a door would be opened sooner or later, and immediately the safety pin would be released and the bomb would explode, doing considerable damage to the garrison.”27 The fighting in Lens was fierce, but by early evening the 47th and 46th Battalions were consolidating their objectives.28 Phase II of the attack on Lens—the attempt to take the Green Crassier—was about to start, despite uneven results in the initial push into Lens. The Green Crassier would be the defining battle for the 4th Division and the Canadian Corps in Lens. If the Canadians took it, they would enclose three sides of the city, which would probably make the Germans’ position untenable and force them to withdraw.29 The Green Crassier was a large, flat-topped pile of mine refuse between the railway station on the south side of the city and the Lens Canal, 350 yards (323 m) to the right of the 10th Brigade’s position. A private in the 44th Battalion described it as a “tremendous thing, it stood up as a land mark, it stood about roughly five hundred yards [462 m] to the side, in the shape of triangles, heart shaped, with the points down towards us, and toward the Lens–Arras railway. Now they had the damned Souches [Souchez] River right

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near that place and it had flooded the whole area and the crassier something like an arrow point.”30 Urban warfare in 1917 was not easy. The Canadian Corps had not trained for it and was not ready for it. The 4th Division had focused on storming trenches with heavy and accurate artillery support—of little use here, which its casualties reflected. The poor outcome of the initial push into Lens should have indicated to senior commanders that taking sections of built-up areas—a maze of improvised bunkers, pillboxes, and tunnels—would simply bleed the infantry. Brigade and division commanders knew they had not anticipated the difficulty of fighting in Lens but felt that bite and hold—so successful at Hill 70—would enable them to take Lens.31 Clearly, they needed to re-evaluate their objectives, but, despite the corps’s failure in the previous day’s assaults on Lens, they decided to attack the Green Crassier. Indeed, after six days of heavy engagement, the Canadians must have understood the Germans’ stranglehold on Lens and their readiness to fight for it.32 But the 4th Division decided to press on regardless, a serious misjudgment by its leaders—and by the corps. All levels of command knew that Lens was proving very difficult, but Watson left the decision on the Green Crassier to Hilliam, who wanted the Canadians to surround the city.33 The Corps knew that the attack on the Green Crassier was going to happen. Watson’s diary also shows his pre-attack consultation with Currie. We must assume that the 4th Division (and the corps) felt that attacking with the intention to envelop the town would put pressure on the Germans to send more reinforcements to the area. The 44th Battalion came out of reserve for this operation on 21 August. It would push towards the Green Crassier, take it, and swing left (north) to face the city centre. However, the unit would have to advance towards the slag heap through a tight corridor that was mostly in German hands, between the river and the surrounding area, that intelligence said the 10th could take. This route passed by Fosse St. Louis, one of the many pithead installations dotting the area. Scouts reported back, erroneously as it turned out, that the Fosse and the route to the Crassier were relatively clear of Germans.34 Captain Marshall, one of the 44th Battalion’s company commanders, later recounted: “A communiqué came out from company HQ said, to all company commanders … to submit plans and attack the Green Crassier as a company operation. Well it was such a colossal proposition—this man Bruff, wonderful man, kept everybody in excellent humour, and so I thought it was a joke … and answered it in a joking way, figuring it was the thing to do. Told them, well the thing to do was … to attack in single file mind you up the railway embankment and have a couple of battleships and submarines. Well I got snapped up so

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fast on that, it would make your hair curl so I missed that show. I was under open arrest.”35 Both Corps and Division HQs believed they understood how to attack and capture the Crassier, as their messages to the artillery on 19 August revealed: “The most important Artillery target in our operation is the GREEN CRASSIER. This must be thoroughly isolated both during and after the operation.” Corps HQ insisted on proper artillery coverage: “Too much cannot be made of neutralizing the Green Crassier after the assault has succeeded because it dominates the right flank and casualties will be heavy if it is not properly dealt with.”36 However, the 44th lacked adequate strength and reinforcements. In thirty-six hours of fighting, the 44th suffered 260 casualties, including seventy who had been taken prisoner.

Wednesday 22nd August 1917 In attack yesterday, our men rescued Lieutenant McLean and Private [Illegible] of the 87th Battalion who had been hiding in houses east of Aconite Trench since the 15th and would not give up. I went up to see MacBrien and then walked over the Hierondelle and Piamont to see Hilliam. The shelling was fairly heavy during our stay up there. Thursday 23rd August 1917 The 44th Battalion attacked and captured the Green Crassier this morning at 3 o’clock, also captured Fosse 4, and brought down an aeroplane in flames. We have had very severe fighting all day. No less than seven attacks on Fosse 4, each time we were put out, and as often we got back again. Friday 24th August 1917 We pitched off the Green Crassier last night. The fighting all about there has been the severest in the war, and the Bosches have had terrible losses. We are deliberately shelling Combat Trench today as well as the Crassier, and will make these both untenable, and will then have another shot at them. Coming back from an inspection of our new house standings at Ablain-Saint-Nazaire today. I ran into a big [illegible] [illegible] and got pitched clean off my horse. The muscles in my right arm are badly strained, but otherwise all OK. Saturday 25th August 1917 At 2 o’clock this morning the 50th Battalion assaulted and captured Aloof Trench, that had been holding out against us for nearly ten days. We had only six men wounded. They report many German dead in the trench. Our line is now consolidated down to south of Fosse 4. Prince Arthur called on me this morning.

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Sunday 26th August 1917 The 11th Brigade relieved the 10th Brigade in the line last night. Casualties of the 10th Brigade during their tour is about 1115 [illegible] days. Left at 6:30 this morning with Ironside, and went up by light railway to the triangle. Then on over to Fosse 3 and Hill 65. Though Cité du Moulin to the Lens–Arras road. We had a magnificent look at the Green Crassier, and stayed there quite a while. The numbers of bodies lying around must be enormous as the stench is perfectly awful. The shelling too was fairly heavy. As we came back, we only got through Gaumont by a few seconds, when they shelled it very heavily with big stuff. We got back to HQ about 10 a.m. Monday 27th August 1917 We got orders to go over to Estrée-Cauchy this morning at 11:45 where we met the Commander-in-Chief Sir Douglas Haig for a few minutes. It got very bad in the afternoon, one of the worst storms we had. I motored up to Liévin to see Odlum. He has had several big shells land near his HQ. At night had dinner with the corps, Perley, Dodds, Ogilvie were there. Tuesday 28th August 1917 The corps commander [Currie] told me that the government had offered Odlum the position of collector of customs for Port of Vancouver, and I went up this morning to see him, but he declined to leave his present position under any consideration. It has been a fearfully windy day. The warning order has come in for the Sallaumines operation.

Leaving Lens 30–31 August 1917 General Horne, commander of the First Army, wanted to try again for Lens, feeling strongly that a converging assault southeast from Hill 70 and northeast from Élue to the other high point overlooking Lens—the Sallaumines Hills— would allow for the city’s capture. The 4th Division was alerted, but the attack never materialized. The fighting in the Ypres Salient was not going well, and the Canadian Corps soon moved north to take part in the Battle of Passchendaele. The Germans would hold Lens for another year, until the summer of 1918.37 Thursday 30th August 1917 Inspected the drafts and NCOs at the divisional school this morning and in afternoon attended an important conference at the corps in connection with the coming operations. General Currie notified me yesterday that it had been decided

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to recognize my seniority as divisional commander and this was also acquiesced by Sir George Perley overseas Minister of Militia. Friday 31st August 1917 Another cold and wet day. Odlum has pushed out posts so that now he occupies a position practically all along the Lens–Arras road. Went and inspected the horse standings around Carency this afternoon. At night we dined with General Hilliam at the 10th Brigade mess.

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Chapter 13

Passchendaele September–October 1917 Pas-de-Calais 1 September–12 October 1917

After Lens and Hill 70, the Canadian Corps remained near the city, undertaking small, localized raids on German trenches. In early October 1917, it received orders to head to the Ypres Salient, where they would ultimately capture the village of Passchendaele and its ridge—the principal British goal in the Third Battle of Ypres (also known as the Battle of Passchendaele), 31 July–6 November 1917. The great British offensive against German forces had stalled, and the BEF was suffering very heavy casualties. For General Haig, the most recent position on was not particularly defensible, but it offered an excellent starting point for a fresh campaign in 1918.1

Saturday 1st September 1917 The 11th Brigade raids did not come off last night, as the Bosches barraged us rather heavily and pushed in some of our posts. This morning with [Captain] Redmond [ADC] I went up around La Chaudière, Hill 65, and west of Avion. The Bosche was fairly active. It turned out again wet and cold in the afternoon. General [Arthur] Currie went off on leave today, and I am acting [Canadian] Corps Commander. Colonels [Dr. John] Birkett and [Dr. Henry] Elder [No. 3 Canadian General Hospital] are coming today to visit us for a few days. Sunday 2nd September 1917 Took Birkett and Elder up to [Notre-Dame de] Lorette Ridge and then back by Ablain-Saint-Nazaire, Souchez, and into Saint-Éloi. In afternoon they went up to Liévin and I went to the corps to sign papers re absence of corps commander [Currie]. The 10th Brigade relieved the 12th Brigade in the Avion sector tonight.

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Monday 3rd September 1917 [Captain H.F.] Hall came back to us today after a six-week absence in hospital. He told me that Okill Learmonth had died of wounds.2 Went over [Hill] 145 with Birkett and Elder and had lunch with [General Edward] Hilliam [10th Brigade] at his forward HQ. Our concert party opened their season tonight. It was a grand success, and we had [General Percy] Radcliffe [chief of staff, Canadian Corps], McDonald, Heakes and [Captain] Patterson in to dinner afterwards. Wednesday 5th September 1917 Another fine warm day. My right leg and arm are still very sore and painful and I can hardly walk. Rode up to Lorette this morning and saw our divisional school units at work. The Bosches are putting over a lot of their new mustard gas these days and we are having considerable casualties. [Lieutenant-Colonel James] Buster Brown [logistics staff officer, CEF] had dinner with us tonight. Thursday 6th September 1917 Another fine warm day. The 11th Brigade made a very successful raid on the enemy lines early this morning and secured their positions and objectives and took ten prisoners. Had a letter today from Alfred Wood re “news-advertisers” am going to consult Odlum about it. [Captain] Hall got back to us the day before yesterday. He is quite all right again. Sunday 9th September 1917 Another fine warm day. I went down to King’s Cross again this morning. Odlum left on leave at 2 o’clock this afternoon. I rode around and visited the HQ of the 87th and 54th Battalions. The Bosche is shelling the big balloon over our HQ this afternoon. He is doing some pretty good shooting. Friday 14th September 1917 A nasty raw cold and wet day. All morning I have been busy going over and signing immediate rewards for the 1st Division. There are six Victoria Crosses at least, and the gallantry of the men was wonderful. In afternoon rode around by Villers-au-Bois and Camblain[-l’Abbé] and called at the HQ of 2nd Division. My left [illegible] is still very painful. Bill came to see me today. Saturday 15th September 1917 A cloudy unsettled day. [Lieutenant-Colonel H.J.] Dawson [46th Battalion] went on leave today. Inspected No. 13 Field Ambulance this morning at Gouy-Servins. They made a very fine showing indeed. In the afternoon finished with the honours and awards for the 1st Division and took them to the corps. Had a good game of squash with Radcliffe. Got a fearful cold in the head over it. 226

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Sunday 16th September 1917 A nice fine day. Went to divine service with 10th Brigade and then presented decorations to a number of officers and men of that brigade including two French interpreters. Captain Shatford preached a magnificent sermon. In the afternoon attended at a very impressive service on top of Vimy Ridge, and unveiled the monument erected by the 87th Battalion. To their fellow comrades, the monument includes the names of the 240 who lost their lives on the ridge. The entire battalion was present today and the service was conducted by the Protestant and Catholic chaplains together, a most unique incident indeed. Monday 17th September 1917 The corps commander [Currie] got back from leave last night and my period commanding the corps has been terminated. Went down to see 11th Brigade this morning. [Colonel John] Warden [102nd] was not feeling well. In afternoon I went around to Servins, and saw the commanding officers of 44th, 47th and 50th Battalions. Everything quiet up in our lines and the work is progressing very well. Thursday 20th September 1917 Colonel [John] Gunn [24th Battalion] called on us today, also the Chaplain General Major-General [Bishop John Taylor] Smith and Dr. Williamson of [St.Giles] Edinburgh. They stayed to lunch, and the latter addressed the 46th Battalion afterwards. A very fine address indeed. Major [Dr.] Jenkins leaves tonight for England to take up a position there, also Colonel [J.D.] McQueen [21st Battalion]. Friday 21st September 1917 Another very fine day. The big offensive of the Second and Fifth Armies started yesterday and I believe have captured all their objectives.3 I went up in an aeroplane this morning went over our front and German lines from Lens down to near Méricourt and up and down. It was a most exciting and interesting trip. General Odlum came back from leave today, Sir Robert Cullin was with us for dinner tonight. Monday 24th September 1917 Another nice fine day. Went over to the corps and had a long interview there about re-enforcements and late in afternoon went up by Fosse 6 to Odlum’s HQ and arranged with him the artillery barrages and other details. The Bosche was shelling our front lines at Liévin and Avion very heavily. I went down and had lunch today at Pernes where the corps shoot was taking place.

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Tuesday 25th September 1917 Another fine day. Was up at the corps today to see General Currie. In the afternoon at Currie’s request, I attended the rifle meeting at Arnes and presented the prizes. The 4th Division did remarkably well got three of the bronze shields and fully a third of the prizes. Had a conference of our brigadiers when I got back. Hilliam and Odlum stayed for dinner. Wednesday 26th September 1917 Went to a big conference this morning at the corps to arrange numerous matters about our coming operations—had the tank officer here today to go into that question with him. The elimination for the corps sports started this afternoon. We won the indoor baseball game after an exciting contest of twelve innings and altogether took five out. Thursday 27th September 1917 Another nice day, though it rained hard early in the morning. Rode down to Hilliam’s at King’s Cross, and there inspected the machine-gun battalion at Carency. C. H. Grasby of the New York Times came to see me today and I took him over the ridge. The Bosches were shelling our balloons and he saw one of them come down in a parachute. The Bosches brought down two of our balloons this afternoon. Friday 28th September 1917 We brought down the Bosche that shot down our balloons yesterday. He was shot in three places in the arm. This morning I rode around and saw the 12th Brigade go over the tapes and in the afternoon got my honours and awards fixed up. The 10th Brigade relieved the 11th last night. Captain Barker of the 87th was killed in the relief. The Bosches put up a very heavy shelling. It has been another lovely day. We had the official photographers here this afternoon. Saturday 29th September 1917 Another nice day though overcast and misty. I went up our re-enforcement camp this morning and inspected our latest drafts. They are certainly splendid men and a lot of them are wounded who have come back. Sunday 30th September 1917 Another very fine day. Went over to see General Currie re our sick cases and also about Clark of the Machine Gun Company. Left at 11 o’clock and motored down by Arras, Bapaume, Peronne, [illegible] in all that devastated area. In some villages there was not a sign of any human being. Got back to Paris at 5 o’clock with Panet and [Austin] Irvine. Stopped at the Crillon. Very poor. Went and had dinner with the 228

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Davieses [Lieutenant-Colonel R.D. Davies, 44th Battalion, and mostly likely his wife] at Lacomier, 11 Rue Lépic [Montmartre]. Very good. Back to bed early. Tuesday 2nd October 1917 Went around with Irvine and did our shopping. Got three fine blouses for Mary and the girls. Prettiest I have seen. At night had dinner with Colonel [Harry] Blaylock [CAMC] and Mr. Henderson at the Hotel Le Meurice and went on to the Folies Bergères [cabaret]. Thursday 4th October 1917 Got up at 5 o’clock. Windy raw day out. Left at 6 o’clock and called for Panet at the Hotel Cecilia. Had lunch at St.[illegible]. Just two punctures and got to camp at 12 noon. Just six hours on the road. Then heard the news that we are to be taken out of the line to possibly to go up north. Sunday 7th October 1917 The clock was put back an hour this morning. It is a cold raw wet day. I went over and saw the corps commander [Currie] this morning about various matters of reinforcements et cetera. In the afternoon went around to Bruay and saw MacBrien [12th Brigade] then on to Béthune with Panet. I got myself some heavy winter underwear. Monday 8th October 1917 Rode around all morning and visited battalions of the 10th Brigade. Also went and saw the old historic Château d’Olhain. In the afternoon we received a warning order about our next move. We are to start on the 11th and 12th for the north, and we must be up in the new areas by the 17th and ready for work on the 20th. Tuesday 9th October 1917 Had a very important conference at the corps this afternoon, and a good many details of our coming move were discussed. It is not yet certain to what part of the Second Army front we are to be sent. This will depend on operations prior to our arrival. At night we had the opening of our E[?] party at Bruay. We had the army and corps commanders [Horne and Currie] there, five nurses from No. 6 GCCS and other important guests. After we had General Currie and Prince Arthur [of Connaught] to dinner with us. Wednesday 10th October 1917 Ironside is laid up with rheumatism in his neck. I went around to see the 11th and 10th Brigades this morning. In the afternoon the Bosches shelled around this area and some men were wounded on the road here. At night I had dinner with 229

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the army commander [Horne]. A sort of farewell affair. The offensive up north was continued today and very successfully from reports received. Thursday 11th October 1917 The 11th Brigade moves off today by train, and three battalions of the 10th Brigade also are being moved by buses. They go up to the Steenbecque area for tonight. Tonight we had the Honourable Philippe Roy [Canadian commissioner general] of Paris with us. It was a terrible night and my cold is pretty [illegible].

Taking Passchendaele 13 October–31 November 1917 On 3 October 1917, the Canadian Corps learned that it was heading to Ypres and would be operating under General Herbert Plumer’s Second Army.4 By 13 October, Plumer’s HQ had directed the corps to “submit plans for the capture of Passchendaele (Ridge and village),”5 and Currie’s HQ started compiling a list of what it would need. Despite earlier, discouraging reports, scouting the Passchendaele terrain still shocked Canadian staff officers. The whole area was a morass, where the only sure-footed passage was on duckboards over the slime. Everywhere, rotting, bloated corpses floated in the mud. The village of Passchendaele was now only a swamp of mud and rubble, artillery having pounded it out of existence. Passchendaele Ridge, the base of which was to be the Canadian front, was small—only about 3,250 yards long and a few tens of yards high—but it gave German machine-gunners and artillery spotters a commanding view. The German artillery wrapped around the Canadians’ line, giving it an almost two hundred–degree view of the latters’ positions.6 As the two sides had fought over Ypres since the war started, the German artillery had registered accurately on the British front lines and shelled them constantly. The Canadians had had three months to train for Vimy Ridge, six weeks for Hill 70 at Lens, and now fourteen days for Passchendaele. The logistics of building roads to move artillery, ammunition, equipment, and supplies, as well as tens of thousands of troops, forward across a quagmire with enemy shells raining down were staggering. The German artillery policy focused on all “living targets”7 and “the enemy’s service of supplies”: and there were lots of targets in the congested Ypres Salient.8 Receiving orders to move near Ypres on 13 October, the 4th Division arrived there only on 22 October. The operation, however, used no intricate tactics.

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The 4th, with the support of heavy artillery, would push forward a mere 550 yards to reach its limited objectives. Passchendaele itself would become famous for the miserable weather, and because of the weather and hellish ground conditions, men could not tape out a course or do anything more than a cursory scouting of the ground. The battle would be a straightforward brawl for them.

Sunday 14th October 1917 Got finer today, though very overcast at times. Had a corps conference at our HQ, this morning and we are to take over from the 3rd Australian Division about the 20th. In the afternoon, I went up through Poperinge, Vlamertinghe and Ypres to the Ramparts [near Ypres’ Lille Gate]. The HQ of 3rd Australian Division saw the GOC General [John] Monash and got a lot of information from him. Monday 15th October 1917 This morning had a busy morning in the office and then went around to see my brigadiers. Saw Odlum [11th] last night at Sainte-Marie-Cappel and this morning, MacBrien [12th] at Étaples and Hilliam [10th] at Nieppe. All are well and comfortably billeted. Ironside went up this morning to have a look at the line. We are having a corps conference this afternoon at Poperinge. Wednesday 17th October 1917 A nice fine bright day. Left before 8 a.m. with [Captain] Walker and motored up through Ypres and to Saint-Jean and got out at Wieltje. We then walked along up the road until we got almost to Saint-Julien, could not see anything of my old 2nd Battalion HQ or anything else except the Kitchener Wood. We then crossed over across country and got to Frezenberg. Then came down the main road to Potijze, and then on back into Ypres where we picked up the car again. The shelling was pretty continuous, and one dropped about fifty yards on road ahead of us as we went out of Ypres. Thousands of men were all over that forward area, fixing up roads, tracks, railways and other works. It was a most interesting trip and we got back to our HQ at Hazebrouck at about 2 p.m. Saturday 20th October 1917 Another nice fine day, though cold and at times overcast. The guns kept hard at it all night long and very hard early this morning. I went around this morning and visited the 75th Battalion, the 11th Brigade and then the 102nd Battalion, 87th Battalion, 72nd Battalion and 38th Battalion. All are in splendid shape.

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Sunday 21st October 1917 The 10th Brigade moved up into Potijze today, as they were going through Ypres, they had over twenty casualties, the Bosche was shelling there very heavily. We also had one of our motor cars smashed and the chauffeur wounded. I went around to Bailleul, Merris, and Caëstre today to see some of our old billeting areas and friends. Monday 22nd October 1917 A nasty wet misty morning. We left at 8:45 a.m. and got up to our new HQ in the ramparts at Ypres and took over the line at 10:00 a.m. Poor old Ypres had a bad doing yesterday, several large shell holes in the middle of the streets. The 3rd Australian General Officer Commanding [John] Monash and his staff got out pretty quickly after we got here. In the afternoon I walked up to Potijze and saw Hilliam. The conditions there are pretty bad. We are going up into the line early in the morning. Tuesday 23rd October 1917 Rained hard all night and the whole country is now one great big sea of mud and slush. Got word during night of a conference at corps. Got there at 10:30 and had a most important exchange of views on the coming operations. Sir Douglas Haig [British commander-in-chief] also got there before we left and had quite a long talk with all of us. Wednesday 24th October 1917 It turned out finer today, though cold and overcast at times, with quite a hailstorm in the morning. The [First] Army commander Sir Herbert Plumer came to see me this morning and after I went up to Potijze and saw the 102nd and 75th Battalions. They had some casualties this morning from bombing. When we were coming back, ten more Bosche planes came over and dropped bombs, and we were glad to duck into an old ruined building for a bit of shelter. In the afternoon went over to the Lille Gate and called on General [Harold] Walker commanding 1st Australian Division. The Bosche was dropping some shells near the rail station. Thursday 25th October 1917 I left at 7 o’clock with Ironside and [Major Greville-]Gavin. We motored up to near Bavaria House, then across country to K track. And on up it, past Iberian House, Van Isacker’s Farm, where we met General Hilliam coming out, on up past Abraham Heights, to Hambury, and into our front lines, we had a real good look around, and then came back by Jill track, but they began to shell this pretty badly and we had to hop across country to the old K track and came out at Kink Corner. We went in and saw Hilliam there, and then walked down the road to Bavaria 232

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House, where we got the car again. General Currie called on me after I got back and General Birdwood who commands the 1st Australian Corps also called. [Colonel Dr.] Lorne Drum [No. 3 Canadian General Hospital, Boulogne] also came in during the afternoon.

Attack on 26 October 26–31 October 1917 The attack went off in the grey dawn of 26 October, with the 46th Battalion leaving its trenches (little more than interconnected shell craters) as its barrage commenced. However, the guns, in swampy positions, could not keep the range, and the barrage began to fall on the 46th’s men. The Germans, watching from the heights of the ridge, also began to shell the attackers. The 46th’s survivors struggled through the mud and, miraculously, fought their way to the Red Line. At 9:20 a.m., their lieutenant-colonel, Dawson, could report that they had reached their objectives, but with 70 per cent casualties.9 In three days of fighting, the 4th Division suffered 942 casualties.10 The Canadians would attack again in conjunction with a larger British offensive, in which the 3rd and 4th Canadian Divisions would be advancing, with two British divisions to the north and the Australian Corps to the south. The 3rd Division faced the toughest challenge—the Bellevue Spur at the crest of the ridge. However, the 4th would be attacking uphill towards the ruins of the village of Passchendaele. Barring its way was the impressive Crest Farm under the protection of twenty-four enemy machine guns in strong positions and the redoubtable Vienna Cottage. With flooding all around it, the ground in front seemed like a small lake.

Friday 26th October 1917 A very bad day, raining and cold. We attacked this morning at 5:40 under a most intense barrage, at 11 o’clock we learned that the 9th Brigade of 3rd Division on our left were back in their original lines. Our attack seems to have gone well and we have all our objectives and got a good number of prisoners. Last night a party of twelve Bosches got lost and wandered into our lines, and were promptly made prisoners. At 5 o’clock this afternoon the Bosches put over a very heavy counterattack. The big gun fire was very heavy on our whole new front. The extreme point of our salient on the crest of the hill road was pushed back a little, but the rest of the line has held firm. The Bosches put in a large number of heavy shells into Ypres, making the whole of our dugouts shake like anything.

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Saturday 27th October 1917 It turned out fine this morning, and the roar of the guns is so heavy and continued that it is like an immense machine gun. The 3rd Division have secured their objectives during the night, and took eighteen machine guns. We received a report this morning that we are back on our old jumping-off position. I was informed later that the only place we had not secured was Decline Copse and General Hilliam blames [Lieutenant-]Colonel [M.J.] Francis [47th] for result—drawing his line from there. In the afternoon I went up to Kink Corner. The noise was tremendous as we were putting on a big shoot and we had to pass through all the guns near the road. On way back the big fellows were coming uncomfortably close and we had to hoof it to get through. I went over and saw General Walker of the 1st Australian Division. Sunday 28th October 1917 A nice fine cold day. Sir Herbert Plumer came to see us this morning and congratulated the division on their good work in recent operations. The 44th Battalion attacked and captured Decline Copse last night and the 47th pushed out the Red Line with patrols. In the afternoon I went up to Potijze to see the 12th Brigade relieve the 10th in the line tonight with a company each from 85th, 78th, and 72nd. Relief complete at 2:40 a.m. At 8:19 the Bosche made a counterattack on our right and was defeated. At 10 o’clock he again attacked and pushed us out of Decline Copse, but we countered at him at once and drove him out and our line is now again intact. We got two prisoners tonight from 463rd Regiment, 238th Division. Monday 29th October 1917 A nice fine morning. The corps commander [Currie] called this morning at 8 o’clock and before I was finished dressing. He was greatly pleased with our efforts and successes. My morning was all taken up with going over artillery and machine-gun programmes and going into all details of the operation for tomorrow. We had a sad blow tonight, just about 8 o’clock there was a swarm of Bosche machines came over us, and dropped a number of bombs, one of which killed our chief engineer, Lieutenant-Colonel T.J. Irving. He was struck in the chest and his arm was broken, and he died about an hour later. He was killed near our HQ and had tea with us only a short time before. It is curious that just a year ago his predecessor Colonel Inksetter was also killed with us down on the Somme. Tuesday 30th October 1917 A fine very cold morning. Our second big attack started at 5:50 a.m. with the 85th, 78th and 72nd on our left, three companies of each and 38th in support. They got off to a good start, though we had an anxious day yesterday, with the changing of 234

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barrages. The 10th Brigade were two hundred yards back of point where other claimed they were. MacBrien had a close shave going up to [illegible] last night. His runner was killed, who was with him. Our operation today was a complete success. All three battalions gaining their full objectives. We took 101 prisoners, and caused very considerable casualties on the Bosches. I reckon ours will be about two thousand for the two operations. Wednesday 31st October 1917 A nice fine day. I went to a conference at corps HQ this morning. The 3rd Division did not get on nearly as well as we did and will continue their efforts tonight. A great many Bosche planes were over today, getting observations, and the II Corps are to relieve the XIX Corps on our left and come under the Second Army. Have just learned that Major Brown, our salvage officer, has died. He got hit the other afternoon just after we had left them at Potijze. We captured another prisoner last night. The 1st Australian Division are to take over a piece of the right of our line tomorrow up to Tiber Cottage and I have put the 102nd and 75th with the 12th Brigade for the balance of their hour in the line. The 4th Division had finished the two phases of its duties at Passchendaele. During the night of 31 October, the Canadian 2nd Division took over its lines, and the 4th moved to the rear.11

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Chapter 14

Rebuilding November 1917–January 1918

For ten months between the end of the Battle of Passchendaele in November of 1917 and the assault on Amiens in August of 1918, the 4th Division (and the Canadian Corps) would see no major fighting. For the 4th Division, this was a time to train and change some of its leaders at the battalion, brigade, and senior staff levels. During the winter of 1917–18, the Canadian Corps deployed to the north of Vimy Ridge. For January and most of February, the 4th Division, holding its old stomping grounds in the Lens sector, took part in minor raids and had constant artillery exchanges with the German forces opposite it. Neither side, however, launched any large-scale attacks.1 During its time at the front, the 4th Division, like all BEF units, worked to repair and expand the forward trench systems. After Passchendaele, Watson decided to replace Edward Hilliam, commander of the 10th Brigade. As we saw in chapter 8, the 10th Brigade had misstepped both at Lens and at Passchendaele, as Hilliam (at Lens especially) unwisely kept pushing the attack forward. His manner of command was unnecessarily hot-tempered, undermining his working relations with his subordinates, and he came across as too “English”—always a possible difficulty vis-à-vis Canadians.2 As historian Patrick Brennan has concluded, after Watson told Hilliam to mend his ways or be transferred back to the British army, a stern lecture from Currie decided the issue, and Hilliam was replaced.3 Thursday 1st November 1917 An overcast misty morning. We got our guns up farther last night behind Abraham Heights and Otto Farm. They put over an attack on our left front yesterday. About eighty Bosches came at us, but were stopped by our fire and

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they had a number of casualties. After a bit they put up a white flag and twenty of them surrendered. I went up to Potijze and called on the 87th Battalion and went around to the HQ of 54th and to see Colonel [Hector] Verrett. The 102nd took over from the 85th yesterday, and tonight the 1st Australians [Division] have taken over a piece of our line on the right from the railway up to Tiber Copse. Friday 2nd November 1917 A cloudy drizzly day. The Bosches are putting in occasional high velocity shells this morning quite close to our HQ. All hands are busy today preparatory to handing over to the 2nd Canadian Division tomorrow. General [Charles] MacLaren, our CRA [Canadian Royal Artillery], “blew up” yesterday, went clean off his head, with nerves and jumpiness, and I had him taken away at once [sent back to Canada for battlefield exhaustion]. General Currie was here this morning for quite a while, and after I went back to Brandhoek to see Hilliam and put the alternative straight to him. If he wished to go to an Imperial [British] brigade, or take more tactful precautions with his battalion commanders, his staff, and the divisional staff. He promised me faithfully that my wishes would be strictly carried out in future. Very quiet day around our front. Saturday 3rd November 1917 We had a most exciting night, the Bosches attacked several times, and on the right where the Australians took over from us, we are told the line has been driven back a bit. The brigade of 2nd Division that was relieving us, had a hard time getting up, owing to the heavy shelling, and relief was only completed at 4:30 this morning. As soon as it was finished they [Germans] attacked us again, but without any results. The 3rd Division made another attempt at 3:30 this a.m. to straighten out their line, but I don’t think they were successful. General [Henry] Burstall took over from me at 11 o’clock this morning, and we left then for Caëstre, where we are to be at rest for a short period. Am in a very nice billet, but very noisy, as it is right on the street, misty, foggy, day. Sunday 4th November 1917 I sent the fancy certificate of my “Commander of Leopold” order, back to Mary for safe keeping. Went around after lunch to see our old HQ near [illegible]. At night went up to the Fifth Army HQ at Louvie near Proven and had dinner there with General [Hubert] Gough [Fifth Army]. We called at the corps first and had a chat with General Currie. At night I had the most dreadful time with my cold. I could not lie down and at times could not even sit down, and walked the floor all night long. It seemed an interminable night.

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Monday 5th November 1917 Am fearfully weak and tired this morning, after my terrible night. Have been carefully examined by [Colonel Dr.] Peters, who tells me that lungs are quite alright. Had two more very bad turns today. It is as if I were choking and cannot get breath. Got a Canadian mail and answered all correspondence, as I did not go outside the door all day. The corps commander [Currie] inspected the three brigades [10th–12th] today and was greatly pleased with the men. I wrote Sir Robert Borden today about the gallant behaviour and work of the 85th Battalion. Tuesday 6th November 1917 A fine day though overcast. The 1st and 2nd Divisions carried out their first operation today and we hear that they were successful everywhere. I sent them both telegrams of congratulation. Hilliam sent in a letter asking to be transferred to a British brigade, on account, as he told me, of the roughness of the corps commander [Currie] yesterday when speaking to him. I had him up here however, and went over the matter with him and he then asked me to tear up his letter, which I did. Hilliam also told me that he had no confidence in Davies [44th] as they just heard that three officers and seventy-three men were taken prisoners at the Green Crassier. I took castor oil last night and a drink of hot rum. The latter promptly came up. I could not lie down again last night, but had to doze in a chair. Had one bad attack at 4 o’clock this p.m. Did not go out again today. [General] MacBrien [12th Brigade] went on leave today. Wednesday 7th November 1917 I had another bad night of it. Could not lie down at all. That is my fourth night without lying down or my clothes off. A nice way to be out at rest!! It is a fine morning, but raining in the afternoon. The 1st and 2nd Divisions have got all their objectives and are firmly consolidated now beyond Passchendaele Ridge. [Colonel Dr.] Lorne Drum [No. 3 Canadian General Hospital, Boulogne] and [Dr.] Austin Irvine were in to see me this morning. Ironside went up to GHQ today for a threeday special work. We got a warning order today to take over from 2nd Division by the 13th [illegible]. Thursday 8th November 1917 Another bad night of it. [Colonel Dr.] Peters gave me a hypodermic to try and make me lie down and sleep, but it only got me dozing for three or four hours and then I was as bad as ever and the after-effects make you sick at the stomach. So no more of those things if possible. It was nice in the morning, but got overcast and heavy. Went in as far as Hazebrouck to try and get some fresh air, at night was pretty bad again with that choking and gasping.

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Friday 9th November 1917 The corps commander [Currie] came to see me late yesterday afternoon and spoke to me about Hilliam and instructed that a telegram had come in re his successor. This morning another wire came to us stating that he was required for an Imperial Brigade and I got him over and [he] stated he would be glad to go so I wired in that we had no objection. I went up to corps but they were all out. It is a nice morning but overcast and glass [barometer] going steadily down. From 4 to 6 this morning I had a very bad time of it, gasping and coughing. Saturday 10th November 1917 A very bad morning. I had Hilliam in last night. He leaves us today and is transferred to command the 44th Imperial Brigade in the 15th Division. I left at 7:45 this morning with [Colonel Dr.] Peters, [Captain] Walker and Stevenson and got to Boulogne about 9:45. Went right to the dock, and got safely into a cabin on the packet boat,4 arrived Folkstone about 2 and London 4:30. Went and saw [Dr.] Delaney and he came to club with me. Gave me a good examination, and fixed me up for the night. He came again at 10 o’clock and stayed with me until midnight. Sunday 11th November 1917 A nice fine day out evidently, though I stopped in bed all morning. I sat up in bed all night, but had about seven hours good rest, the best I have had for ten days. Got a very nice letter from both the Admiral [Sir Albert] and Lady Markham to go and stay with them, but as long as I am bad I would prefer not. Sunday 18th November 1917 Stayed in bed all day long. Got up at 4:30 p.m. Had an early dinner and went in and listened to the concert for a few minutes and went to bed at 9:30. Had an awful bad night, the phlegm came up in mouthfuls but [Dr.] Delaney said it was the cold breaking up, for after this I got better. Monday 19th November 1917 Went and did some shopping for Mary and the girls. Got them each two nice waists and silk stockings and sent them off home by mail. At night went out to General [Richard] Turner’s at Golders Green and stayed with him all night. Friday 23rd November 1917 Got a few more of my things together and brought the Admiral [Markham] to his office. Lunched with the Duke of Connaught [Clarence House]. They are always exceedingly kind and homelike to me. At night dined with [journalist] Harry Brittain at the American Officers Club. Attended a meeting in the afternoon at

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Hector McGuinness office. Met General Sir J[ohn W.] Carson and had a long talk with him today about his son and other things. Monday 26th November 1917 I left Charing Cross at 10:50 a.m. and got down to Folkestone about 1 p.m. On account of the great crowd it was near 2 when we started. It was fairly rough crossing and got to Boulogne about 3:45. Left at 4 o’clock and got to our new HQ at Auchel at 6 p.m. Tuesday 27th November 1917 Went down to the corps and saw General Currie and found that [General Ross] Hayter had been appointed to 10th Brigade [replacing Hilliam]. Stayed there for an hour, then went on to see [General Victor] Odlum [11th Brigade], and had lunch with him near La Combe. Went on to Bruay after and saw Dawson [46th Battalion] and 10th Brigade and then on to see MacBrien [12th Brigade] at Raimbert and back home for dinner. Thursday 29th November 1917 Left at 9:30 and went on to Bruay. Got Dawson [46th] and Reid and visited the 50th, 46th, 44th and 47th Battalions. The last two at Houdain and the first two at Bruay. In the afternoon had an interview with Scott OC machine-gun battalion and gave him one more chance of improving that unit. Then rode over to CamblainChâtelain [“Charlie Chaplin” to Canadian troops] and saw the 75th Battalion, [Lieutenant-Colonel Colin] Harbottle was away, and I came back across to our HQ at Auchel. Sunday 2nd December 1917 What a lonesome day this has been, thoughts of home and all those dear ones there, kept swinging over me all day long. It’s a bitterly cruel thing this war. We hear that the Third Army have been pushed back in places and over four thousand prisoners taken by the Bosches. I went over to Tenby this morning to see [General Victor] Odlum and to straighten out those difficulties between him and [Colonel H.] Snell. In afternoon I had the satisfaction of casting my vote for our Canadian [federal] elections [held 17 December]. It has been a bitterly cold and blustering day. Monday 3rd December 1917 A very cold day. I rode over and had a long chat with Colonel Edwards [CO 38th Battalion] about [Major R.F.] Parkinson and the 38th Battalion. Sir Charles Gordon5 and Mr. Catto came to lunch and afterwards I took them up to [Hill] 145 and Vimy Ridge and back to General [Archie] Macdonell’s HQ [1st Division] for

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tea. They left for GHQ [Cassel] about 6:30, [General Ross] Hayter [10th Brigade] reported by wire tonight at 6:15. Tuesday 4th December 1917 Another bitterly cold day, but bright. I went over to Bruay and took Hayter around and introduced him to his battalion commanders [47th–50th]. In the afternoon I rode over to Finby to see Odlum and saw the place for inspection of engineers on Friday, at night dined with MacBrien [12th Brigade]. Wednesday 5th December 1917 Another very cold day, the coldest yet that we have had. Went for a ride across country towards Raimbert and saw some of the 78th Battalion at work. In the afternoon went to Bruay and had an interview with [Lieutenant-Colonel M.J.] Francis [47th]. He is to be evacuated with a bad heart [replaced by R.H. Webb]. Saw the gas officers about all precautions re gas and went over to 50th Battalion to get them to look up evidence in the Prefee Jones matter. Then called on Colonel King, GOC 4th Division Artillery, and had tea there. At night went to see our theatre party and had all three brigadiers [10th–12th] in together and to dinner. Heard today that Hal Doble is a reinforcement to the 87th Battalion. Thursday 6th December 1917 Another bitterly cold but bright day. In the morning I attended a requiem mass at the little Le Ponchel church for the men of the 12th Brigade, who fell at Passchendaele. [Major R.F.] Parkinson [38th] goes back to Canada today. I gave him lots of messages for those at home. In the afternoon I went down the second largest mine in France. [Lieutenant Leonard] Garneau and Marshall came with me. It was a most interesting tour and a great deal learned. The pit was over twelve hundred feet deep, and the galleries ran over to Marles, three miles away. They take out over four thousand tons a day and employ over forty-five hundred hands. Sunday 9th December 1917 A very nasty wet day. With [General Harold] Walker, [Colonel Dr.] Peters, and [General Arthur] Currie I went down to Boulogne. Peters and Currie were going on leave, Walker invited [Colonel Harry] Blaylock, Matheson and White to lunch and we went to the Criterion where we got a good meal. Saw, read re elections at Blaylock’s office, and we got back to our HQ at 5:15 p.m. Monday 10th December 1917 In the morning I rode around to near Raimbert, to see the 72nd Battalion but unfortunately missed them and in afternoon went around to 11th Brigade at their HQ and stayed to dinner with Odlum. The Bosches dropped a number of bombs 242

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on Bruay and killed seven women in one house which was completely destroyed. A nasty wet cold day. Tuesday 11th December 1917 Another wet cold raw day. I went over to the 10th Brigade and with Hayter inspected parts of 44th and 47th Battalions with their work. The former was at the ranges. Came back by Bruay and saw Dawson [46th] re [William] MacLeod Moore. At night we had the lady of the house in to dinner. [Colonel Henri] Panet went up for an inspection of our coming left sector, today. Wednesday 12th December 1917 This morning I went over to Bouvigny and inspected the 124th Pioneer Battalion. They were not too good and I am going to inspect them later again. Hersin was being shelled by the Bosches this morning. The corps commander [Currie] inspected the 54th and 87th Battalions this morning and in the afternoon I met him at division and he inspected No. 3 Company of the train. Afterwards I went over and saw No. 13th Field Ambulance at Villefort. In the afternoon late, Godfrey Langlois called on me in connection with the coming elections. Thursday 13th December 1917 A cold dreary day. I went up to Locre [convent in Poperinge] this morning with [Captain] Walker, and got the lace tablecloth for Mary. It is certainly a most beautiful article. Got back at 1 o’clock, with a goose bought at Bailleul. Langlois and [Colonel Hector] Verrett were with us for lunch and Locke went to Dunkirk today. I dined with the 87th Battalion at night. [William] MacLeod Moore came to me today as ADCG. Friday 14th December 1917 Had a very busy day. Started off at 8 a.m. and with the corps commander [Currie] inspected the 46th, 50th, 44th, and 47th Battalions. Got back to lunch with Hayter at 1 o’clock and then left and inspected the 124th Battalion at Bouvigny at 2:30 p.m. and got back to our HQ about 6 o’clock. It was a cold raw day throughout. I got Mary’s Xmas box today. One bottle of chutney was unfortunately broken. Monday 17th December 1917 This is voting day in Canada. This division has cast over seventeen thousand two hundred votes, and I don’t think five percent will be for the opposition. It snowed all night, and the artillery inspection for this morning had to be cancelled. I went over and had lunch with Colonel King [4th Division artillery] and then went on to see General Odlum. New orders have come in that our left boundary is to be the

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Souchez River and we are to go south and take about three hundred yards over from the 2nd Division, as well as the Avion sector. Wednesday 19th December 1917 A bright very cold crisp day. With Panet, I started off at 8:15 a.m. and we went up through Neuville-Saint-Vaast and down through Petit Vimy and on up the Lens–Arras road to the Red Line. Then on last in it to our right boundary and Toast Trench, and on Teddie Gernard and Doris Trenches and back by Cyril to 12th Brigade HQ. Took the motor out Fosse 6 went home via Béthune, got back near 5 o’clock. Had a long day in the lines and a most interesting one as well. This is our last night out at rest. Results of elections in Canada are indeed splendid. At least forty-one [seat] majority for the [Borden] Union government and without the votes of two hundred thousand soldiers over here, which are almost unanimous for the government. Friday 21st December 1917 I assumed [temporary] command of the [Canadian] Corps this morning. The 11th Brigade took over last night on the right of the line and I now hold over nine thousand yards of front. With MacLeod Moore I went up to Liévin this morning and called on Tuxford of the 3rd Brigade then went on and down through Cité de Moulin and across by the electric station into our own area. Then east into Éluedit-Leauwette and down the front line of trenches as far as Avion. Called at 38th HQ in La Coulotte, on 85th HQ in front of Red Trench, and then at the 12th Brigade HQ and got back about 2 p.m. Saturday 22nd December 1917 Went with Nicolls this morning up to Fosse 6, and from there around to see the new defences of the Hirondelle Spur. When up there saw one of our machines get sent crashing down by a Bosche plane. Both of our men were killed. I came back by Clucas and called at 12th Brigade HQ in passing. Got back to my HQ about 2 p.m. It was a much milder day and very clear visibility. Tuesday 25th December 1917 Christmas Day. I got up at 6 a.m. and went up to 11th Brigade at Thélus and with Odlum went down through Petit Vimy, called on 75th Battalion and then on over the right embankment up Hayter and called on 87th Battalion in Doris Trench, then on up Keane and Betty to the left of 10th Brigade line. On down through the whole front line of the 87th Battalion then one company’s front of 102nd Battalion, and out through Frost Trench, called on 102nd at Mount Fosee quarries, going through a long tunnel to get there, then on via New Brunswick, Trust and Grand Trunk trenches to the 54th HQ behind Vimy station. Then on east of Vimy, up the 244

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hill and back to Odlum’s HQ. Got back home about 1:30 pretty tired and muddy. Saw the concert party at their dinner and then opened Mary’s Xmas box, had McAvity [earlier] in to dinner. The Bosches were pretty active all day long. The [First] Army commander, Sir Henry Horne, called on me in the afternoon. Wednesday 26th December 1917 Xmas is over and we are getting settled down again to serious work. I rode around this morning with Marshall and visited the 10th Brigade HQ and our divisional school. Lunched with the army commander [Horne] at Roclincourt and was decorated by General Orth for the King of the Belgians with the Croix de Guerre. [Colonel Edmund] Ironside said goodbye to us all tonight, as he goes on leave very early in the morning and is then going to take command of the machine-gun school at Camiers. Monday 31st December 1917 Very much milder today. We had the royal artillery band play in our theatre this afternoon and at night the first performance of the Xmas pantomime by our 4th Canadian Division concert company was put on. It was a great success and we had the Canadian press rep. Mr. Williams up to see it. Everybody was enthusiastic over it. Wednesday 2nd January 1918 A nice mild day. We had three big raids on us last night. The Hun got through our wire and captured four of [the] 54th men. We got four prisoners and caused considerable casualties. It has been a great lesson to all concerned. Have received a big surprise today. Saw in Times [of London] that I had been created [in New Year’s Honours List] a KCB [Knight Companion of the Order of the Bath; he would now be called Sir David]. Have cabled Mary at once congratulating her [now Lady Watson]. Major-General French of the US army is here with us for ten days. Friday 4th January 1918 The corps commander [Currie] came back last night and I have relinquished command of corps. It was a murky day but cold. I took General French up through Neuville-Saint-Vaast, and down through Petit Vimy to the 87th Battalion HQ and then on back to Vimy and up to Thélus Caves to the 11th Brigade HQ. We got back to my HQ about 1:30. There were a number of cables, telegrams and letters of congratulations [re knighthood] which I have replied to this afternoon. Sunday 6th January 1918 Got a phone message from the corps that General Currie was coming up to see me. He came about 12:30 and had lunch and we discussed the new coming 245

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disposition of the [4th] Division. It has been a raw cold day and I did not go out much but interviewed people and finished up some back correspondence. Had a visit from Colonel Tom Murphy this afternoon, who told me several things about Brousseau calling him a coward and instancing things at Béthune with Cameron (Dental M.G.) and at Neuville-Saint-Vaast, when Brousseau admitted his cowardice and referred to “what his family would do without him.” Tuesday 8th January 1918 We had one of the heaviest snowstorms that I have seen in this country. Panet and I motored up to the Red Trench to discuss the raid and other matters with [General Ross] Hayter [10th Brigade]. We got up all right, but it suddenly cleared up, and the car was in full observation, and had to get out in a hurry. We had a visit today from Colonel George McL[aren] Brown and Mr. A. McTire [both] of the Canadian Pacific Railway and had General [Archie] MacDonnell of the 1st Division into dinner and theatre as well. Thursday 10th January 1918 The 12th Brigade relieved the 11th Brigade in the right sector last night, the relief being completed by 10:30 p.m. It rained during the night and today it is freezing and blowing a gale. I rode over to see Odlum this morning at Château d’Ax and in afternoon fixed up things preparatory to going away tomorrow early. At night the corps commander [Currie] came to see our concert party and afterwards stayed to dinner. Monday 14th January 1918 Got up early and were taken to St. Joseph’s Hall where we had a lecture by General Marshall on artillery work in the big battles of the Chemin des Dames by the 6th French Army in October last, and the part taken by the XIV, XXI and XI Army Corps in that battle. In the later period the Bosches were forced to evacuate their position to the east. At 10:30 we took autos for Mailly, where there is a large artillery training camp, and also a large American camp. We had lunch there and were afterwards given practical demonstrations by the artillery, in barrage work, attack schemes, and comparison of various barrages. I changed my quarters tonight and am located in the Hôtel Reynard. Tuesday 15th January 1918 Had a pretty busy day of it. Attended a lecture in the morning on infantry organization and attack, given by Colonel Lalondot. Very interesting but altogether based on the principles that we have adopted for over a year back. Called at the hospital and got again examined by Dr. de Jong and was found quite fit. He insisted however on sending a nurse at 5 o’clock to put bottles on my back to draw 246

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blood. In afternoon we were taken to Vadenay and given practical demonstrations of company organizations and battalion in attack. The Flammenwerfers [flamethrowers] were about the only new things that were to be learned there, and should be used in my opinion to form quick smoke screens. Wednesday 16th January 1918 Rained heavily all night and today it is stormy and very windy. We started off at 7 a.m. and went out to machine-gun schools, where we had some very interesting experiments. The principal of which were the new straps for the automatic rifles, and cradle stands for the Vickers guns, I got a sample of each. We then went on to the rifle ranges and had a very interesting demonstration of attacks with rifle grenadier bombers, automatic rifles and machine-guns. They also gave us an exhibition of what they are going to adopt for carrying loads very much on same principle as our T[?] liners. In afternoon we went out to aviation schools but it was too windy for flying. Thursday 17th January 1918 Another wet and very bleak day. We left at 7 a.m. and went out to Vadenay where we saw the liaison school of the Fourth Army. These have only been in operation for about four months and have been found to be of great service in the instruction of officers and men in proper liaison work. In the afternoon, we were taken out to the Farm Vadenay and there given illustrations and lectures in aeronautic work and intelligence. At night we gave a little dinner to Generals [Louis] Conneau [French cavalry] and Grange and Colonels Lalondot, de Littenière, André and de Jong, at the little Reynard hotel. They all appeared delighted at our courtesy to them and were loud in their praise at the most pleasant evening they had enjoyed. Friday 18th January 1918 It was quite warm and mild this morning and in the afternoon it rained hard. We went out to La Comté and had a most interesting lecture on the work of the French intelligence department, its system of spies, methods of [illegible] information, examination of prisoners and other details. We then motored out to Mailly and had a great treat in the inspection of the French heavy artillery and naval guns. Had lunch there and went on to Sommesous where we visited the large aviation schools and had a lecture on liaison with infantry. We were to have gone up for a flight, but it started to rain so hard, we had to give it up. Saturday 19th January 1918 Left at 8 a.m. for Vadenay and were given practical examples of liaison work, between artillery and infantry including aeroplanes with varied colored signals, 247

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heliograph, power buzzer, telephone, runners, dogs and pigeons. It was a very interesting morning. We came back by [illegible] where the 31st Army Corps have their HQ. In afternoon we went out to Melesse and were shown the physical training and bayonet fighting courses. Very much inferior to ours. Afterwards a lecture in uses of gas and test made on a dog in the trenches, but wind was too strong and gas cloud blew over the trenches. In evening we had the pleasure of dining with General [Louis] Conneau who commands the area. Sunday 20th January 1918 At 8:30 this morning we had a lecture at La Comté by Colonel Lalondot, on the action of the III British Corps in on the Battle of Cambrai on the 20th November last. The French attributed the partial success of the operation to the lack of proper liaison between the front and rear, and between the infantry and the artillery. We then motored on to Épernay, the center of the great champagne industry, where we had lunch and then went on to Rheims, motored right up to the cathedral and were taken inside and shown the destruction caused by the constant shelling. They say about three hundred to four hundred shells are put into the town and vicinity daily. It was a fine warm day, and we were greatly interested in the miles and miles of grape vineyards on the slopes of the hills around Épernay and Rheims. Got back to Châlons about 5 p.m. Monday 21st January 1918 Nasty wet, rainy day. We left at 7:30 this morning and motored to Givry where we had a demonstration of indirect machine-gun fire. We went on to a place two thousand yards in advance of the guns, in shelters beside a large pond eight hundred by five hundred yards, and could get a very fine observation of the fire as the bullets splashed into the pond. In some of the exhibitions, they fell only about twenty-five yards in front of us and cut many boughs of the trees over our heads. We motored over to Avizo, commanding northern group of four French armies. Thursday 24th January 1918 Had a sitting this morning at 11 o’clock. Major [William] Orpen is painting the Canadian generals.6 I am the third to be done. It is to take three days I believe. We lunched today at [Hon.] Philippe Roy’s house No. 53 Avenue des Bois and afterwards had a drive around the park. The weather is wet and drizzly since we have been here. Sunday 27th January 1918 Another very fine day and so warm that we took a long walk up to the Bois [de Boulogne]. Thousands of people were out in their summer [illegible] enjoying

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the lovely weather. At night we dined with the Mayers at their apartment in the Vendôme Hotel and at lunch we were the guests of Madame de Lotbinière. Monday 28th January 1918 I omitted to state that the last sitting was given yesterday morning for the portrait which is a very fine one indeed. We left Paris at 7:40 a.m. and arrived back at our HQ at Château de la Haie at 12:35. Door to door in four hours and fifty-five minutes. And without any accident whatever. I had a tremendous pile of correspondence waiting for me and no end of work to get through with, receiving reports regarding the new area we are now in and my division took over the Lens area on the 20th instant. Wednesday 30th January 1918 Rode over to the corps this morning and had a good long chat with General Currie regarding future policy. I then got back and started in to write out a synopsis of the course that I followed down in the French areas. It is such a nice fine day out and I can see some of our men playing football already. Got a letter from McLeod re Billie and answered it today. The 12th Brigade are relieving the 11th Brigade in the line tonight. Thursday 31st January 1918 With [William] MacLeod Moore [ADC] I left about 9 o’clock and went up over our left and centre front sector. Went in by Saint John’s Road and Great Peter Street and across to Amulet and Aloof Trenches to junction of Cotton, called at the two companies’ HQs of the 78th Battalion and then went up Amalgam and [illegible] to centre front line, and came back overland to Crocodile. Then on to 78th Battalion HQ where I tried to see Captain Pedley, who was seriously hit in the head about 10 a.m. Then back to 38th Battalion HQ and on to Brigade HQ and arrived back at the Château de la Haie about 1:30 p.m. In evening General Hilliam, Captain Rolls and Colonel Paulet called and stopped for dinner and theatre.

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Shake, Rattle, and Roll February–March 1918 Fine-tuning an Elite Division 1 February–18 March 1918

Between February and July 1918, the 4th Canadian Division—now deemed one of 27 elite BEF divisions by the Germans—restructured its battalions and brigades, along with the rest of the Canadian Corps, in preparation for the titanic struggle surely to come.1 It also spent this crucial hiatus fine-tuning its fighting units in accordance with Canadian Corps and BEF training doctrine, training intensely, and changing some leaders at the battalion, brigade, and senior staff levels.

Friday 1st February 1918 Another very misty day. I sent in my report today to the corps on my recent visit to the French training centres. Went around to Servins to see some of the 10th Brigade’s battalions there. The Bosches are giving us a lot of gas shells lately and we have a lot of casualties. [Major Greville-] Gavin [GSO 2] and I went down to Arras this afternoon and had the theatre there and dinner with Hilliam. Saturday 2nd February 1918 A nice fine day. The corps commander [General Sir Arthur Currie] came up to see me and we had a good long talk on the Canadian Corps situation and he expressed himself very frankly to me. I advised him strongly not to let anything deviate him from the great main issue of the good of the side, and that good judgment would prevail understandably on the part of the Canadian authorities in England. Fred Astre arrived today about lunch time and in the afternoon I took him to Liévin and to the artillery positions there, then on to [illegible] HQ to the 12th Brigade HQ, the white château [de la Haie], 3rd DA [Division Artillery] HQ and home.

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Tuesday 5th February 1918 The corps commander went away today and I am now in command of the [Canadian] Corps during his absence. We inspected the school this morning and later went up on top of Lorette Ridge and back by Ablain-Saint-Nazaire. Had photo taken by official photographer. A very interesting group at our front door. The others went on to see our new CC stations at Maisnil-lès-Ruitz [illegible]. Bruff Ogilvie came in to see us today. Thursday 7th February 1918 My [49th] birthday and the fourth I have had over here. Four years is a long time in one’s life. Three years ago today we left England for France and what changes we have had since then. It is a nasty wet day and I have taken advantage to get back work brought up. Dr. Dauviac inspected our train this morning and after lunch left for home, full of all he had seen here. I got inoculated at 5 o’clock this afternoon and am looking forward to a rotten twenty-four hour effect. Monday 11th February 1918 Another dull drizzly day. Rode over to Servins and arranged that MacBrien [12th Brigade] should go on leave at once, instead of Odlum [11th]. Five American officers have arrived with us for training. In afternoon I went up our lines with Gavin and Scott. We went up east of Fosse 9 into the Cushing and up to near top of Cotton. They were shelling and trench mortaring very freely and we were chased away from there. As we were coming out two fell very close, one caused me to be covered with earth and stones. Called at Brigade (10th) HQ on way out and had tea with [General Ross] Hayter. Mathews left this afternoon. Thursday 14th February 1918 The 46th Battalion had a good raid this morning and got four prisoners and two machine-guns. They had only three light casualties. It was a most successful affair. I went up the line this morning with Brooke and Oliver and visited brigade and both battalions in the line. It was fairly lively and they had a very interesting trip. It got very misty afterwards. The officers who came out with the old 1st Division had a most interesting reunion tonight, the third anniversary of our landing in France. It took place at Camblain-l’Abbé. There were about 125 present. Friday 15th February 1918 A misty cold day. Odlum went away again in his second attempt at leave. Oliver also left corps this morning for home. [Lieutenant] Garneau came to me and asked to transfer to Flying Corps.2 Cannot get on with Q Branch he states. I had [Lieutenant-]Colonel [K.R.] Marshall3 [adjutant and quartermaster general, 4th

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Division] in with Garneau and then sent Garneau off to think it over. At night we had in Edwards [38th], Carey [54th], O’Donahoe [87th] and Simmons. Saturday 16th February 1918 A very cold day, freezing hard but bright. Inspected the 38th Battalion at their parade grounds and then went for a ride with Marshall [adjutant]. The Bosches were putting in some high explosive shrapnel almost over us all the morning. It was very cold at the inspection. Have sent in a report to corps on the 46th operation of 14th. Sunday 17th February 1918 Left with Gavin at 8:30 this morning and went up to Liévin. We met the corps commander [Currie] there and [went] with him to all our support strong points showing him new trenches, wiring, machine-gun positions et cetera. He was greatly impressed and interested. Got back to our HQ about 12:30. The Bosches have been shelling Liévin pretty heavily and have got several direct hits on the main street. Monday 18th February 1918 Another very cold but bright day. [Colonel Henri] Panet and [Captain] Walker left for Nice this morning. The Bosche is putting over some very long-range shells. They are bursting almost over our HQ. A day or two ago he shelled Hersin, miles back of us and killed seven women and wounded eighteen others in our laundry. At night we went to see the 2nd Division concert party in our theatre and then had dinner with General [William] King of our [4th Division] artillery. General [Edward] Morrison [artillery] was there. Heard that [Field Marshal Douglas] Haig [commander-in-chief] had resigned [untrue].4 Tuesday 19th February 1918 Another nice fine but cold day. Went to Fresnicourt and saw the 11th Brigade move back to their rest area. They turned out very fine indeed. I then had a long interview with the corps commander [Currie] about re-enforcements, machine guns, and defensive training. In afternoon attended a most impressive ceremony at Le Tilleul, at the unveiling of a monument to the officers and men of the artillery who were killed during the Vimy Hill operation. Friday 22nd February 1918 This morning the corps commander inspected the 11th Brigade at Houdain. The 87th were very good but the 75th was particularly deficient in ammunition and other articles. The 11th Field Ambulance and No. 3 Company train were also inspected. In afternoon I went over to Coupigny to see the 10th Brigade. There 253

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and at night had [General Ross] Hayter, O’Donahoe [87th], Magee and Hahn in to dinner. A nasty wet drizzly day, all through. Got no. 61 letter from Mary.5 Tuesday 26th February 1918 A most beautiful day. Cool and bright. We organized a staff ride for all the officers of [?] Divisional HQ, about fifteen came along and we rode over to Ourton across country and back by the road. In the afternoon we attended a lecture at Camblain on the Battle of Cambrai by General [Julian] Byng one of the most interesting addresses I have ever heard.6 Wednesday 27th February 1918 A cold windy day. Went over to Barlin to see our supply column. Then on to Aix-Noulette to see the 47th Battalion and back by Souchez and No. 12 Field Ambulance where I saw Colonel Bell about my eyes. We heard this afternoon from a captured the Germans are to attack at dawn tomorrow in the vicinity of Gheluvelt. We had a big lot of invited guests from Bruay. It was a great success. Thursday 28th February 1918 The Commander-in-Chief Sir Douglas Haig inspected our 11th Brigade this morning near Houdain. He was greatly pleased and the brigade was turned out in magnificent shape. He was accompanied by Sir General [Sir Herbert] Lawrence and Major Thompson ADCG. In afternoon visited No. 40 Air Squadron near Bruay and had a most interesting visit there, and at night went over to Bracquemont and had the theatre and dinner of the old 1st Division. Friday 1st March 1918 A rather changeable day. Snowing at times, then the sun shining out. Rode over with Marshall to Auchel to see the 12th Brigade and coming back also called at the 11th Brigade HQ. Both brigadiers were out. At night we had in Mr. and Madame Bouillez and Mr. and Madame Mille Vignat and Hector Verret [now major]. Had the 44th orchestra and all had a very pleasant time. Saturday 2nd March 1918 A terribly cold day, raw and windy with snow. The corps commander [Currie] visited the 11th Brigade and in afternoon gave a little address to the officers at the cinema at Houdain. I had lunch today with M. Elbery, the mayor of Bruay and chief director of the mines and at night went to the 11th Brigade for dinner. Sunday 3rd March 1918 A very nasty day out. Raining and freezing as it falls. There is very little to do. The 11th Brigade are changing locations with the 10th Brigade today. The 10th 254

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are coming back to this area. Went around and inspected the Australian Flying Squadron of twenty-five machines (new establishment) and in the afternoon went in to M[?]. Vignet’s for tea and had a most enjoyable musical afternoon. MacBrien [12th Brigade] and his brother were there. McKinnon, Law and Foulkes in to dinner. Monday 4th March 1918 Another nasty wet day. There was a very heavy bombardment at 6:45 this morning. The heaviest I have heard in this area. Went down to divisional school and gave officers there a good talking-to on discipline and behaviour. Had lunch there after inspected around camp and then went over to machine-gun battalion at Farm, inspected their camp and kitchens and at night Gorden, Ward and Mercer came for dinner. [Henri] Panet and [Captain] Walker arrived back. Wednesday 6th March 1918 Pretty sick all day long and stayed in bed to try and shake it off. Deathly ill in the stomach. Legs and arms just like lead. Could not got to Vignat’s where we were all invited to spend the evening. Thursday 7th March 1918 Had a real good sweat last night and a good sleep so feel full much better this morning, though the doctor will not let me go out today. Lorne Hamilton called and we went into a number of details regarding the coming re-organization. It was very foggy this morning. [Major] Gavin and Panet went up to see the [illegible] Sainte-Émilie sector. I was to have gone but this illness has prevented me. Friday 8th March 1918 A lovely fine day. Gavin and I left early and went up to have a look around our new area. Went in by Bully-Grenay and Moroe, then on up through Cité Saint-Pierre. Had a real good look at Loos and Hill 70. Then went on down Red Line and out by the easterly part of Saint-Pierre. The gas was pretty bad around there. We went on to Saint-Éloi and had lunch with the tank people and then had a most interesting ride in one, over big trenches and other obstacles. At night had dinner with C Mess and got ready to leave early in the morning. Firing pretty lively to the south. Saturday 9th March 1918 Left at 9 o’clock for Auchel where I handed over to MacBrien and gave him full instructions. Left there at 10:07 and arrived in Boulogne at 11:40. It was a beautiful day. Boat left at 2:15 and we got into London at 7 p.m. Had dinner with Colonel MacBain and his party at the Carlton and then went on to Murrays for an hour or so.

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Monday 11th March 1918 Went out early and started in my shopping. Got order in for china and glassware at Harrods for Mary and also got stockings and gloves for them all at Selfridges. Had lunch at club with Fred Astre and Mrs. Hunter and her brother and at night went to dinner and theatre party with General [William] King [4th Division artillery]. Friday 15th March 19187 Another delightful day out. I had lunch today at Jules with a number of newspaper friends. It was a most interesting hour, and matters were freely and openly discussed. Went around later with [MacLeod] Moore [ADC] to get our mess things at Harrods. Monday 18th March 1918 Went down to Mr. [Walter] Long’s [colonial secretary] at Howard Hotel [Temple Place, Victoria Embankment] to see the propaganda work he is carrying on with and then went on to lunch at Carlton [Hotel] with [illegible]. At night went to the Lyceum, a women’s club [Piccadilly]. [Illegible] of the greatest experiences I ever had.8

Spring 1918 21 March–31 May 1918 The Americans had entered the war in April 1917, and the Germans were planning a massive three-pronged offensive in spring 1918 to force the British and French armies out of the war before (the Germans hoped) the full weight of US numbers could decisively tip the balance. Field Marshal Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria’s Sixth Army would open the campaign with an advance on both sides of the Scarpe River, while General Otto von Below’s Seventeenth was to attack towards Bapaume, and General Georg von der Marwitz’s Second was to advance southwest from Cambrai. If all went according to plan, these three armies would break through the British Third and Fifth Armies in a pincer movement and trap sizable British forces in the Cambrai Salient. From there, they planned to roll back the remaining BEF forces towards their Channel bases. The Germans would be attacking with almost 1.4 million troops in 192 divisions,9 with support from masses of artillery.10 The German Spring Offensive started on 21 March and found the Canadian Corps still holding its position immediately northeast of Vimy Ridge. The 4th Division and the Canadian Corps as a whole did not suffer any major attacks in their sectors and easily beat back the few hostile raids. However, the German and 256

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Canadian forces carried out ferocious artillery duels, and harassing machinegun fire was prevalent in late March and early April. As British divisions on the Canadian Corps’s flanks moved to help stop the enemy forces to the south, the Canadian Corps began to take up and defend more and more of the line. On 28 March, light railway rushed Victor Odlum’s composite brigade, consisting of the reserve battalion from each of the three brigades (10th–12th), near Mont Saint-Éloi. However, this unit was short-lived, and the battalions returned to the 4th Division’s ranks by 29 March.11 By 31 March, the division was manning a front of about fifty-five hundred yards. Less than two weeks later, the Canadian Corps was holding what amounted to one-fifth of the entire BEF frontage.12 The German offensive largely bypassed the Canadians, whose 4th Division continued to hold the line until 7 May, when the British 51st Division relieved it. The great battles were elsewhere, and April passed without any serious incidents, despite intense shelling of Canadian lines.

Thursday 21st March 1918 The big German offensive [Spring Offensive (Kaiserschlacht)] started this morning on a fifty-mile front from the Oise north to the Scarpe. I had lunch today with Sir Edward Kemp [overseas minister] and afterwards went for a drive with Mrs. Shuttleworth. In the morning I took the Markhams out for a motor drive as far as Kensington and back. At night went to a big official dinner given by Grant Morden for the British Commonwealth Union and while there got a note from General Currie to go back in the morning as things are not going well. Friday 22nd March 1918 Left London at 11:20 a.m. got to Folkstone about 1:30 and found that owing to heavy fog all leave boats were cancelled. A few of us got on destroyers and got across to Calais. It took us two hours to cross in the fog. We left Calais at 5:20 and I got up to my HQ at 8:20 p.m. We learned there that the Germans had pierced in several places into the line. General Odlum left London a day before me and I got back here a day before him. Saturday 23rd March 1918 A beautiful fine day. Spent all morning getting through correspondence and accumulated divisional matters interviewing officers and other such like work. In afternoon took a long ride around Ablain and back by Carency. The roar of the guns has been continuous night and day since I got back. Got a lovely photo of Mary, the best present I have ever received, with her insightful lovely eyes.

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Sunday 24th March 1918 Another beautiful day. Had a very noisy night. Shortly before 3 the Avion Sector started up with a terrible bombardment, and about 4:30 a.m. our Lens and Sainte-Émilie sectors sent up SOS signals. Our 10th Brigade took over the Loos on Hill 70 sector last night and this morning at 10 o’clock I took over the whole line from Hill 70 south to the Souchez River, about five miles. General Currie came to lunch today and gave us some interesting news of the big battle. In the afternoon I motored up to Fosse 7 and then walked across country to Private Castle to see [General Ross] Hayter [10th Brigade]. General Odlum [11th Brigade] got back today. Monday 25th March 1918 Had a turnaround part of our lines this morning, and went to see Generals MacBrien [12th Brigade] and Odlum at their HQs in Cité Saint-Pierre and Liévin. It was pretty cold later in the day. Things do not seem to be going well down south, and we are making big preparations here, pending any offensive on our front. We had a very noisy night. Tuesday 26th March 1918 We put on a very heavy bombardment this morning but the Bosches hardly replied. The situation down south appears to be rather serious, the Bosches having got as far as the old line of the Ancre. It is a very cold windy day but bright. I went up to Verquin this morning and called on General Davies commanding 11th Division on our left. While [I was] there General [Archie] MacDonnell of 1st Canadian Division came in and stated that they would probably take over from 11th Division tonight. At night, to our great surprise we were notified that 46th [Division] were to relieve us and that we were to be ready to proceed south. Wednesday 27th March 191813 A nasty cold raw day. General [William] Thwaites [46th Division] came to see me this morning and discuss the question of taking over and the condition of our four present areas. In afternoon [Henri] Panet and I motored up through Liévin to see General Odlum, and we all had some revolver practice there. The 46th Division battalions started to relieve our reserve battalions this afternoon. Thursday 28th March 1918 Another nasty cold raw day. We projected about three thousand drums of gas early this morning. The Bosches have started in on an offensive against XIII Corps on our right and last report this morning states they are in their front and support lines. The Bosche is also shelling Mont Saint-Éloi and Villers-au-Bois this morning. Things are developing fast. Five of our [4th Division] battalions who have been relieved by the 46th Division are ordered to be under 3rd Canadian Division 258

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and are now situated as follows: 72nd, 85th Battalions to Neuville-Saint-Vaast, 54th and 75th Battalions to Château d’Ax and then Bois des Alleux, 47th Battalion to Mont Saint-Éloi. Friday 29th March 1918 A nasty wet cold day. I handed over the line to the 46th Division at 8:30 this a.m. and went to Château de la Haie. All our battalions are now in their new ready positions and we have come under the command of the XIII Corps for the time being. We expect to be ordered into the line again tonight to take over from 56th Division in front of Oppy. Had a conference of brigadiers this morning and went over situation very carefully with all concerned. Went up to Victory Post at 10 p.m. and slept there. Saturday 30th March 191814 Took over from 56th Division at 6 o’clock this morning. My HQ were then near Roclincourt. I went around the lines to see the brigadiers and had a very fine trip indeed. At 10 a.m. the HQ was moved to the big caves at Aux Ritz [soldiers’ ironic name], where I am now in dugouts. It turned out a nasty wet day. At night had a visit from Colonel Pigot of the tanks regarding co-operation in attack. Sunday 31st March 1918 Easter Sunday and what a contrast from our usual lovely quiet Sundays at home. Here everything is war, war. Guns roaring, ambulances everywhere. I left with Colonel Panet and made a complete circuit round the Sainte-Catherine’s switch lines, calling in our three brigadiers as we passed. The shelling was very heavy around 12th Brigade HQ. We have a very heavy concentration now of guns, both heavy and field, as well as machine guns. It took us seven hours to go around and I am pretty tired tonight. It was a nice cool day, with some spattering of rain at night. Monday 1st April 191815 A nice cool day. The corps commander [Currie] called before 8 this morning and appeared most satisfied with all arrangements and preparations. Had a Canadian mail today and nos. 67 to 70 from Mary. The Bosche has shelled around here pretty continuously all morning. Had a long talk with Massey of heavies and he promised to have matters bettered.16 I saw one of the pluckiest things of the war this afternoon. A Bosche plane came down over and by himself shot down four of our big balloons. Wednesday 3rd April 1918 A nice fine cool day with occasional little showers. The 54th Battalion took two prisoners last night. They were from 392nd Regiment, 23rd Division, and normal. 259

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I went around the 11th Brigade front lines this morning. It took us 7½ hours, but went closely into all the details, wire, defences, posts. The corps commander [Currie] called this morning when I was out and the [First] Army commander [Horne] called this afternoon. We got another wounded prisoner tonight of the 102nd Regiment, 23rd Division. He was wounded on 28th March and had been lying out there ever since. Friday 5th April 1918 A nasty wet morning. It has rained heavily all night. At about 5 this morning he [the Germans] put down a heavy bombardment over our right front, and lasted about three hours. I was going up into the line, when this news came in. At night we discharged sixty-five hundred gas shells over the corps front. This is the largest number ever put off at one shoot and it lasted nearly twelve hours. Saturday 6th April 191817 A nice fine day and cool. I went around and called on General Massie [GOC HA] at Berthonval Farm and then went with Colonel [Andrew] McNaughton [artillery] to see his sound ranging and flash spotting apparatuses (see back of book).18 In afternoon went down to see Hayter [10th] and MacBrien [12th] and also Colonel Custer of 83rd Bicycle H.A. Colonel Sparling of 33rd Division called on us this afternoon. Colonel O’Donahoe of 87th Battalion was wounded in the leg yesterday [he later died]. I went up to General Odlum’s HQ to see him but he had been evacuated. Sunday 7th April 1918 A nice fine morning. Left early (7 a.m.) with [Mac] Moore and motored up to near Bailleul station. Went down and saw [Lieutenant-Colonel H.J.] Dawson at 46th HQ and then went up into front line and down over almost whole 10th Brigade front. Called on Webb of 47th Battalion and on Davies [44th] at Point Du Jour Road and then on to Page [50th] at Blanche Post and got back home about 1 p.m. pretty tired and very muddy and wet. Monday 8th April 1918 Got letters numbers 73rd and 74th from Mary and sent $50 for a birthday present. A nasty wet day. Went up to see Odlum. Motored up by Thélus and on to Commandant’s House Corner and then on by Brierley Trench. It is a nasty route and was heavily shelled during our trip. Arranging for two raids tomorrow morning by 46th and 47th Battalions. At night dined with the 72nd Battalion at Écurie. It got fearfully misty at night.

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Tuesday 9th April 1918 The anniversary of Vimy Ridge. A very misty day. We put on two raids this morning by 46th and 47th Battalions. They got one prisoner and killed a lot of Bosches. The corps commander [Currie] called this morning. The 1st Division took over from 4th Imperial Division on our right, last night. We learn at midday that the Bosches have attacked from La Bassée Canal to Armentières. Went around Sainte-Catherine’s switch lines [illegible]. The Bosches shelled the main roads very heavily. Reports are in that enemy have attacked north of canal and have pushed in over three miles on a ten-mile frontage. We hear that the Portuguese ran away.19 Wednesday 10th April 1918 A bright cool day. The Bosches put in a lot of heavy shells around our HQ this morning and got a number of casualties on the road. The 102nd and 87th raided the enemy lines this morning. The 102nd got ten prisoners and accounted for thirty-five more killed and wounded. Our casualties are about twenty. Thursday 11th April 1918 The 12th Brigade relieved the 11th last night and this morning we got orders for them to go in again, taking over a further piece of line to the north. The Bosches are making serious progress in the north and divisions are rapidly being sent up. A nice bright day. I went down and saw 10th and 11th Brigades today. Friday 12th April 1918 Another nice fine day. I went up to Ridge Post and saw MacBrien, and then came across to 9 Elms and went up to the Thélus Caves to see 11th Brigade. Went over after and had lunch with General Currie. Things are very serious up north and he [the Germans] are now past Merville. Saturday 13th April 1918 We took over a much longer frontage last night and I now hold about twelvethousand yards, and in a most important area. I went down to see Odlum this morning. His HQ is near Petit Vimy. Then went up to see MacBrien at Thélus Caves, a heavy misty morning. The Bosch is still making headway west of Merville. Sunday 14th April 1918 A very bad day, very cold and raw, and blowing a gale. This is my fifth volume of the diary. The last one ended very badly for our cause, and it is earnestly to be hoped that this one will bring brighter and more successful results. I had a visit from the corps commander [Currie] this morning, who told me that the situation up north was much better now and that French troops were behind us. Went up

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to see Odlum [11th] and MacBrien [12th] and after lunch, over to corps to see about tanks for raids. Then on to see Hayter [10th] at his new HQ north of Roclincourt. Monday 15th April 1918 A nasty cold raw windy day. Stayed in this morning to see corps commander but he did not turn up. In the afternoon walked over to near Berthonval Wood and back by Neuville-Saint-Vaast way. We learn today that several attacks on our positions up north have been repulsed and our line is now holding firm. Tuesday 16th April 1918 A cool dull day with occasional misty showers. I left about 8 a.m. and went up by Vimy and into the 11th Brigade area. Called at the 102nd Battalion and then on to the 75th Battalion. Poupon came around with me and we went all around their front line, up Battic and Keane and down Billie Burke and Veste Tilley back into the Blue Line, then went along to the [illegible] quarries and called on the 54th and then back over the Ridge by the Mersey Trench. Called at the 12th Brigade HQ on the way out. We are arranging for tank raid co-operation. Wednesday 17th April 1918 A cloudy dull day. We learned last night that Bailleul and Nouvelle-Église had been captured by the enemy. The 54th raided last night and got a sergeant prisoner. We put off about three hundred drums of gas last night. I went down to see Odlum in the afternoon. Met Stafford and McGreer on the way. At night went over to Corps for theatre and dinner. Thursday 18th April 1918 The 72nd put over two raids last night, one up Hudson and one up Antelope Trench. They were very successful and caused considerable casualties to the Bosches. This morning I took [General Thomas] Anderson and went up into the centre area by Mersey and CPR[?]. Called at 78th HQ first and then on to the 72nd. Colonel [John] Clark [72nd] came around with me and we went around by Ottawa and Hudson trenches and then back to his place where we had lunch in his dugout. Called at 12th Brigade on the way out and got back about 4 o’clock. Pretty tired. Got letters 75 and 76 from Mary. Friday 19th April 1918 The Bosche attacked very heavily yesterday on the 1st, 3rd, and 4th British Divisions north of the canal and was everywhere repulsed. I had a visit from corps commander [Currie] this morning and the Army commander [Horne] this afternoon. Went up to see Odlum afterwards to settle the machine-gun situation. We had quite heavy snowstorms last night and today. 262

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Sunday 21st April 1918 A nice fine cool day. I went up to the front this morning with Odlum. We selected the points for work and improvement and the dispositions of his left battalion. I had lunch up there with the 54th Battalion in their dugout in the Railway Embankment. At night we had with us to dinner, Major Harvey Cushing of the US Army the celebrated brain surgeon. Monday 22nd April 1918 This is our third anniversary of the Second Battle of Ypres. A cool cloudy day. We had three raids last night by 46th, 47th, and 78th Battalions. All three reached their objectives and had some stiff fighting but got no prisoners. In our town so far we have got twenty-four notifications from twenty prisoners and four off dead Germans. Went down to see Hayter at 10th Brigade this afternoon. Walked cross country and back. The enemy were shelling very heavily all afternoon. When I was there a message came in that a shell had landed in 47th Battalion HQ and [Colonel R.H.] Webb had lost a leg and Mills and Martin both wounded. The concert party put on Camouflage here at Merville-Saint-Vaast tonight.20 Gilday was also wounded today. I saw Rathay yesterday up at 87th Battalion HQ. Tuesday 23rd April 1918 A very nice warm day. The corps commander came in to see me this morning and we went into several matters concerning the division raids, work, promotions. In the afternoon I went around the Ridge Line with [Henri] Panet and came out by the 10th Brigade HQ. They have asked to have [Major H.L.] Keegan in place of Webb of 47th Battalion and I have consented. Brigadier-General [A.J.] Chapman [85th Brigade, 25th Division, BEF] called in this afternoon. Wednesday 24th April 1918 A very misty foggy day. Took [Captain] Walker and went down to commandant’s house in car. Then walked down the road to 38th Battalion HQ then on back railway line to 44th HQ where I inspected the [illegible] and spot where [Colonel R.H.] Webb [47th] and the others had been knocked out. Then back to 38th and on up to front line by Tired Alley and back by Ottawa Trench and Hudson Trench to the 72nd HQ. Then on to 85th HQ and back home by 12th Brigade. Major Harrington of the Canadian HQ staff in London visited us today. Thursday 25th April 1918 It rained hard last night, and today it is dull and cloudy. The 44th got a German last night. [Major H.L.] Keegan has got the 47th in place of Webb, and Baker takes 2nd in command in place of Mills. The guns were particularly active all last night.

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We had a terrific hail and thunder storm this afternoon while I was up at the 11th Brigade HQ. Friday 26th April 1918 A very misty foggy day. I went up Concrete Road this morning and called at 47th HQ to see the new commanding officer Major Keegan [47th]. Then went on to see the 38th. Their raid last night was hardly a success. They got to their objective, but did not get any prisoners. Only an identification of the 102nd Battalion. Then I went out by Sunken Road and Commandant’s House and across country to the 12th Brigade HQ to see General MacBrien who was sick in bed with whooping cough. This afternoon I went over to Aubigny to see Colonel Webb [replaced at 47th] and called in at the corps on way back. The Bosches have taken Mont Kemmel and Dranouter. Saturday 27th April 1918 A cold raw foggy day. The 44th raided the enemy lines last night, and secured identification and one light machine gun, besides inflicting casualties. Ours were one serious and three light. In afternoon went up to see MacBrien [12th] and then across country to see Odlum [general, 11th Brigade]. We gave the Bosches a good “dummy” raid tonight and then came heavily on him with heavies and gas. Sunday 28th April 191821 A very foggy day. I sent [Macleod] Moore [ADC] down to Boulogne today. The 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, had a fine raid last night and captured one officer and fifty other ranks and three machine guns and a light trench mortar. We have put on eighteen raids now during the month we have been in. It will be one month tomorrow since I took over. Went to church this morning with [Captain] Walker. I received a letter today notifying me that I was unanimously (sixty-six [votes]) elected a member (Honorary) of Canada [Masonic] Lodge in London. Monday 29th April 1918 Late last night we got notification that the Canadian Corps were to be taken out of the line tomorrow night. This morning there was a conference at the corps to give us plans of future moves, and in the middle of conference a message came in from the [First] Army that no moves would be made at present. In the afternoon [Henri] Panet and I went over to Bas Rieux and I had an interview with General [Torquhil] Matherson [20th Division]. We had a conference of our brigadiers at 6 p.m. and I gave them all the details at my command. It has turned out to be a nasty wet day. Friday 3rd May 1918 A nice fine day, though muggy and hazy. I left with Hahn at 6 a.m. and motored up to Bellevue Farm in the new area. The locality received a lot of attention by 264

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heavy shelling. We crossed over to Mont-Bernanchon. Got up into a ruined house, but could not get good observation on account of haze. Then went on forward into the trench lines behind canal. We walked along canal bank by Douce Cream Farm and inspected the foot and wheel bridges. Went across canal at Pt. Levies and came back by the main road to E[?] T[?] Barastre and Basseux. We met General [Thomas] Moreland GOC XIII Corps there and another old friend General [Frederick] Sykes [chief of the Air Staff] and got back to our HQ at 1:30 p.m. Saturday 4th May 1918 A misty dull cold day. Went up and saw MacBrien and Odlum and talked over the coming propositions with them. General [John] Hill GOC 52nd Division has just returned from Jerusalem and [they] are to take over the northern portion of my present front. Had a cable from Taschereau re Medicine Hat [illegible] and I have sent Mr. [Charles Andrew] Pentland22 two cheques for my full share, one for eleven thousand dollars on Bank of Montreal and one for fifteen hundred dollars on Quebec Bank.23 We had General [A.G.L.] McNaughton GOC 15th Division artillery in to dinner tonight. Sunday 5th May 1918 It rained heavily through the night. We had a report that the Bosches intended attacking this morning and we put down a good counter-preparation shoot at 4:30 a.m. [Macleod] Moore went over to England yesterday for four days on duty. I went over to corps to arrange certain details and had a long talk with Currie. He tells me that four British divisions are taking over our line with forty-eight battalions which we had been holding with thirty-six. There was some shelling on road as we were coming back. Monday 6th May 1918 A nice cool fine day, cloudy and trying to get fine. I went over to [illegible] to see General [Cyril] Deverell of the 3rd Imperial Division and spent the morning with him going over details of his front line. General [Carter-]Campbell [51st Division] was here to lunch. The 12th Brigade was relieved in the line last night by the 153rd Brigade of the 51st Division, and that part of line taken over. We dined tonight at the Château Villers hotel. The guests of “B” Mess were there too and we had a most enjoyable evening with music. Tuesday 7th May 1918 A fearfully bad day and raining like anything. The 10th Brigade were relieved in the line last night by the 152nd Brigade, 51st Division. I handed over the line this morning, the two right brigades to 51st Division, and the left brigade (which comes out tonight when relief is completed) to the 52nd Division. Held a conference at 10 265

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this a.m. at Villers hotel and then went on to our new HQ which are at the château at Bruyas. Wednesday 8th May 1918 A beautiful fine day. Got a nasty surprise at breakfast today with news of a big Bosche pending attack and orders for us to reconnoitre lines of I and XVIII Corps. Panet and I left and went on to I Corps HQ at Bruay-la-Buissière. I had a long talk with General [Sir Arthur] Holland. In afternoon went to Camblain and saw my old friend General [Sir Ivor] Maxse GOC XVIII Corps. The news is very disquieting about concentration of many German divisions on First Army front. I had a very busy day indeed. Wednesday 15th May 1918 A very beautiful day, the best we have had so far. I carried out a staff ride today, starting at Vaudricourt with a view of putting through a counterattack with my two brigades, the 11th and 12th assembling in the Vaudricourt–Sailly area and going through the brigade of 46th Division and capturing the Sailly post, Beuvry, Béthune locality line. It was most instructive indeed. The Bosche was shelling Beuvry pretty heavily just before we went through it. Colonel [George] McLaren Brown and Colonel Braithwaite came to lunch with us today. Thursday 16th May 1918 A fine very hot day. There was a tactical scheme on today between the corps troops under [General Raymond] Brutinel [mechanized warfare] and the 11th Brigade. It was held about Béthonsart and Villers-Brûlin and won out eventually by the corps troops. In afternoon I went over to Camblain-l’Abbé to see General Maxse [XVIII Corps] and talk over disposition with him. Friday 17th May 1918 Another gorgeous but fearfully hot day. I went over and inspected the 3rd Brigade CDA at maneuvers around the Béthonsart area. They were only fair at this open warfare work. We had Merling in today and he gave us some good descriptions of the machine-gun work in the March fighting and the great casualties they inflicted. I had some tennis this afternoon and there was not a sound of a gun around here today. The Bosches are thoroughly organizing for next attempt. Saturday 18th May 1918 Another fine hot day. [Major] Gavin and I rode over to the Monchy training area and laid out a plan for an operation by 11th and 12th Brigades next week. We had four journalists to lunch today. In afternoon the medical people of 3rd and 4th Divisions had an indoor ball game. The 3rd Division won out. It was a lovely 266

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afternoon and we had tea out on the lawn. Several nurses came over from No. 7 CCS [Casualty Clearing Station]. Sunday 19th May 1918 Another delightful day, fine and warm. I rode over with [Colonel] Marshall to Monchy-Breton and attended open air Divine Service with the 38th Battalion. Had a visit in afternoon from Lindsay CRE [Canadian Royal Engineers] and I recommended Willger, Trotter and Thompson for the commands of the three new engineer battalions for this division. The gunning is pretty heavy this afternoon and there were a number of Bosche planes over today. The corps commander [Currie] was here today, but I did not see him. Monday 20th May 1918 Another very fine warm day. Left early and saw the 11th Brigade and then went on and inspected the engineers at their work at Cauchin Leyal and at (or near) Hermin. It was mostly interesting as they were putting up all sorts of bridges over moats and ravines. After had lunch with Colonel Malcolm and his officers at Hermin. At night had Percival Phillips [an American] and Phillip Gibbs [both men official British war correspondents] in to dinner. Tuesday 21st May 1918 Another beautiful day. Went to see the tactical school between the corps troops under General [Edward] Morrison [artillery] and the 12th Brigade. It was a most instructive operation and they had a big powwow after at Monchy-Breton. In the afternoon we had an At Home at which over one hundred guests were present including the corps commander [Currie] and [Catholic] Bishop [Michael] Fallon [London, Ontario]. Wednesday 22nd May 1918 Another very hot day. Colonel Panet went off to Paris today to see a specialist about his knee. I sent [Macleod] Moore with him. They have begun a tennis tournament here in these grounds. Thursday 23rd May 1918 A very windy day but fine and cool. Went over to Ablain-Saint-Nazaire to see the platoon competitions of the 10th Brigade which were well carried out. In afternoon we got a warning order that the division had to move north on Saturday and this ends our nice short holiday here. At night Bishop Fallon and Colonel French came and had dinner with us.

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Monday 27th May 1918 A fine cool day with a nice breeze. The gunning was pretty heavy this morning early. The Bosches are using a great deal of gas lately. I had a nasty accident this afternoon. The nail of third finger left hand got torn out by roots and is most painful. The bombing was very bad tonight, all the people in this house have left for parts unknown. The Bosches have attacked on a wide front near Rheims and at Locre in the north, looks as if it were the re-commencement of his next offensive. Tuesday 28th May 1918 A nice fine cool day. [Captain] Walker went to 12th Brigade today for instruction. We got word that [Nat] Arfer is also coming to us. Walked around with Peters and called at No. 4 CCS and had tea there. While [we were] there the Bosches dropped a few big shells quite close to their camp. At night the shelling was very heavy and I thought the big attack was starting up in the north. The big German attack south at Chemin des Dames [ridge between Aisne and Ailette Rivers] seems to have had a big success yesterday and we hear the Bosches have crossed the Aisne and progressed about thirteen kilometers.24 Friday 31st May 1918 Went over to Houchin this morning to see the 44th and 50th Battalions who are bivouacked there and in afternoon rode over to Diéval to see the 11th Brigade. It was a very hot day. The Bosche is still putting in some big shells into this place. At night they brought down a Bosche machine in flames. It had four men in it and all were killed. General [Charles] Armstrong [chief engineer, Canadian Corps] called tonight. Have not seen him for over three years.

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Bring in the Tanks and Planes June–July 1918 Preparing for the Final Campaign 1 June–31 July 1918

By June 1918, training for the 4th Division was emphasizing tactics for the smaller units—company, platoon, and section—as was common across BEF divisions at this time. Platoons received special attention, especially in aimed rifle fire, as ammunition resupply for bombers, Lewis gunners, and rifle grenadiers was difficult to manage in sustained combat.1 The 4th Division’s war diaries mark particular attention to working with tanks and airplanes during this time.2 Major-General Watson’s diaries in June and July 1918, meanwhile, show him inspecting many of his battalions and brigades as they practised their attack schemes. In his examination of the 12th Brigade, historian Mark Osborne Humphries mentions the 4th Division’s large training exercise, in conjunction with two brigades from the 3rd Division, on 5 July.3 This endeavour reinforced the previous two months’ training, and applied it on a larger scale—doctrine largely from GHQ manuals of 1916 and early 1917 had worked well. The exercise made clear that the troops, after a relatively long rest period, were preparing for a major assault. The 10th and 11th Brigades also held large individual training exercises. In these, assault troops would push to the furthest objective, while following units mopped up and both artillery and trench mortars provided support. After laying down its opening barrage, the artillery would focus on enemy strong points, while machine guns would contribute covering and suppressing fire. The relatively recent emphasis on co-ordinating the infantry with airplanes and tanks added new depth to the training. General MacBrien (12th Brigade) stressed infantry advancement, overcoming machine-gun defences, infiltration, liaison between arms, and platoon-level initiative—tried and tested concepts.

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Coupling highly mobile platoons, under their own leaders’ flexible command, with overwhelming artillery support could win the battle.4 The 4th Division had ample time to rest and train in reserve during June and July, and it was going to need to do both, for from early August onwards it would be constantly engaged in its heaviest, and costliest, fighting of the war. In the meantime, it spent much of June on sport, preparing for the Canadian Corps’s athletics day on 1 July (and for what was to follow).

Saturday 1st June 1918 Another very hot day. I went over to the Monchy-Breton training area this morning to see the 11th Brigade carry out certain maneuvers and then called at the corps on the way home. In afternoon went for a ride over the hill and towards Bailleul. Had a letter from Panet yesterday. They shelled a lot during the day around here, one shell scattering up the main street as I was riding up. Monday 3rd June 1918 A cool windy day. Went over as far as Crépy to see my new car which is being fixed up.5 Had lunch with Odlum at Diéval and attended the sports of the 11th Brigade in the afternoon. The people in this house and many others in this little town are moving out fast on account of the shelling and bombing. Wednesday 5th June 1918 A nice fine cool day. Went down to Camblain-l’Abbé and called on General Maxse [XVIII Corps] and then on to Château de la Haie and had lunch with General [Ross] Hayter [10th Brigade]. General [Richard] Turner [VC] called and had lunch at my HQ today and I had a long chat with him after. Rode over the ridge later and came back via Bailleul. In the evening went to Valhuon and had dinner with the 87th Battalion. I took over command of the C[anadian] Corps today. Friday 7th June 1918 Another very fine day. We have a lovely place here, quite rustic and everybody that comes to see us is quite charmed. This morning I spent with the 11th Brigade. They had their four battalions [54th, 75th, 87th, 102nd] out in the Monchy-Breton area, and practised with the smoke bombs [illegible]. We had a picnic lunch with them and then they had a lecture on tanks by Colonel Pigot of 11th Battalion. [Captain] Walker came back to us today from the 12th Brigade. Saturday 8th June 1918 Cloudy and dull at first but turned out very fine in afternoon. This morning I went up to the Bruay area and watched two battalions of 12th Brigade carry out 270

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operations with the tanks. It was a very interesting affair. In afternoon went over to Crépy to see how new car was getting along and saw a battalion of American troops with transport moving in. This is the first armed body of Americans that we have seen. At night had dinner with 75th Battalion at Camblain-Châtelain, Webber went away for a few days tonight. Sunday 9th June 1918 We all went down to Paris-Plage [“Beach,” on the French side of the Channel] this morning to play baseball with the forestry corps people. We had a lovely trip though it rained in the afternoon and stopped the big tennis game. The Bosches have again started their offensive today, but we learn that the French have held them pretty well.6 Monday 10th June 1918 A cool but fine day. Rained a bit in the morning. Had an inspection of our signal unit in the morning and they carried out some field operations. In the afternoon I presented decorations and inspected the 11th Brigade. They looked magnificent. Came back by the corps and signed papers there and talked over the organization of our new engineer units. Tuesday 11th June 1918 A very cloudy and dull morning but turned out very fine in afternoon. Went down to Monchy area this morning and watched the 11th Brigade carry out operations in conjunction with tanks, aeroplanes and artillery. It was well carried out. In afternoon we had our little at home which was a most enjoyable affair. We had a big crowd and had a baseball game, part of concert party and dancing and music. Donnelly and others came up from the forestry units. Thursday 13th June 1917 A cool cloudy day. Got my new closed car last night and used it for the first time this morning. Went over to Diéval to the inspection of the new British Motor Machine-Gun Brigade by the [First] Army commander [Horne]. Colonel Panet comes back today. Had dinner with the 102nd Battalion. Saturday 15th June 19187 It turned out to be a beautiful ideal cool day for the divisional sports. They started at 11 a.m. on the Pernes field. We entertained every unit commander in the division to lunch in a marquee on the field. We also had with us [illegible] [Tobias] Norris, [William] Martin, and [Charles] Stewart, the premiers of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta [respectively]. We had the [First] Army commander

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[Horne], [Major-General, 14th] Lord Lovat and many other guests with us. It ended up with a show of our concert party at No. 4 CCS. Nat Arfer arrived this afternoon. Thursday 20th June 1918 Got Canadian mail today and letters 98 and 99 from Mary. I also read that Mr. Stewart had passed away. Yesterday we had our third execution in the division. This time Private Fowles of the 44th Battalion.8 He was killed at 3:50 a.m. for desertion. I went to M[?] Farm this morning and spent the day with 50th Battalion and the tanks and had lunch with [General] Hayter [10th Brigade] afterwards. The corps commander [Currie] came back last night and took over the corps and had a long chat with me this afternoon. It started to rain heavily about 5 p.m. today. Friday 21st June 1918 A nice cool day, though cloudy and overcast. I went out for a long ride and took Arfer with me. Went to Fiefs and back by Sains. Got Billie [now 21] a nice waterproof coat and sent it on to her today. Went over to the big aerodrome near Boyaval and saw Denham there, who used to be with me in the 2nd Battalion. Saturday 22nd June 1918 It was a very bad stormy wet night, and today it is cold and raw. Went to Auchel and had a long talk with MacBrien and then went over to the Monchy-Breton area where the 11th Brigade were carrying out a little scheme with tanks and a battery of machine guns. Called to see [Brigadier-General Frank S.] Meighen [head of training, Bramshott] at Valhuon on way back. At night dined with the 50th Battalion at Château de la Haie. We are suffering from an epidemic of influenza. Some battalions have over one hundred men laid up.9 Monday 24th June 191810 A cold cloudy day. I inspected the 72nd Battalion at Riencourt this morning and stayed to lunch with [Lieutenant-]Colonel [John] Clark [72nd] at Auchel. In afternoon went over to Diéval to the 11th Brigade and stayed there for dinner. It is very quiet all over the front here. Wednesday 26th June 1918 It was a nice fine day. Colonel Peters took N[ursing] Sister Garland out for a ride and we went all through the hill and into Laires and back home. Then I went up to Lozinghem and saw the 85th Battalion inspected. They are certainly a fine unit, and a credit to Nova Scotia. In afternoon went to the eliminations at the Pernes field. We got quite a start today when [illegible] to get plans ready for rapid embussing to the north. I trust they do not send us up there again.

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Thursday 27th June 1918 A beautiful fine morning. Got a letter from Frank Carrel [Quebec Daily Telegraph] that he’s coming over with other newspaper men from a Cook’s tour.11 They left on the 20th June. Had a staff ride exercise this morning with my brigadiers, also artillery and machine-gun commanders. We had it at the Noyelles-lès-Vermelles, Maninghem Philosophe area, and was very instructive to us all. Our guns were very busy and it was the first time for some weeks that we had been under fire. In afternoon went to a tank demonstration at Érin, bomb fields were laid to blow up tanks. Friday 28th June 1918 A cloudy cool day. The aeroplanes have been busy these past few bright nights and a lot of bombs have been dropped in the vicinity. Went for a long ride in morning. In afternoon I rode around by Fiefs and Nédon. Colonel [W.F.] Barker of the 11th Worcesters has been attached to us for instruction. We had Colonels [K.M.] Perry [87th] and Meighen [earlier and future CO, 87th] in to dinner tonight. Saturday 29th June 1918 A nice fine warm day. I went over to Magnicourt and saw the 54th Battalion practice an attack on machine-gun positions, artillery, trench mortars, stokes, and machine guns co-operated. The 5th and 31st Divisions had a most successful attack yesterday and advanced their lines and got over four hundred prisoners. Sunday 30th June 1918 In the morning had the 11th Brigade at a big brigade church service at which was the corps commander [Currie] and Honourable Mr. [James] Calder [Canadian minister]. It was held between Marcot and Diéval. In afternoon went to a dedication ceremony for Canadian dead at a little cemetery near Pernes and afterwards went to 11th Brigade sports. At night was asked to the corps for dinner to meet [Prime Minister Sir Robert] Borden and ministers, [Arthur] Meighen, [James] Calder and [Newton] Rowell.12 Monday 1st July 1918 Dominion Day and a beautiful warm day, real July weather. Took Mr. [Arthur] Meighen up over Vimy Ridge and showed him other interesting sites. We all had lunch with Currie at Tincques and all went to the sports afterwards. They were the most successful effort that has ever taken place out here. The Duke of Connaught [former governor general], and commanders of First and Fifth Armies [Horne and William Birdwood, respectively], all the ministers and many other notables were present.

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Tuesday 2nd July 1918 Another very hot day. Had a fine inspection this morning of the 12th Brigade at Ferfay. Sir Robert Borden, Mr. [James] Calder and the corps commander [Currie] were there. Borden made a speech and presented decorations to 12th Field Artillery men. [Major Greville-]Gavin and [Captain] Walker went away to the Cambridge course today. Wednesday 3rd July 1918 Went down to the Houdain ranges this morning to the army competition for the three platoons in this division. It was won by the 46th Battalion after a very fine contest. In the afternoon I inspected the 10th, 11th, 12th Engineer Battalions at Burbure. These have just been organized. At night we had one-arm MacDonald in to dinner. Thursday 4th July 1918 Went over to the Auchel area this morning and saw the 85th Battalion practise the attack on machine-gun position with artillery and machine-gun co-operation. It is another very nice day. Honourable Mr. Calder inspected the 4th Division artillery this morning. Colonel Peters went on leave today and Odlum comes back tonight. Friday 12th July 1918 A very wet morning. Left at 7:15 a.m. with Ayer. Motored up the Plank Road and went in by Tired Alley and on up to the front line. Inspected it and support lines. Went around and out to Bow Trench and back by Ouse Alley, all this in 10th Brigade area. The 47th Battalion on left and the 46th on right. There was a lot of shelling as we came out in Ouse Alley near the Regiment Crossing. I went on to see [Victor] Odlum [11th Brigade] and then to Dawson [46th Battalion], who is acting GOC 10th Brigade and back home by Plank Walk. It took us six hours for the tour. The 46th Battalion got two prisoners yesterday, one of 48th Division and one of 15th. [Lieutenant-General] Sir Charles Fergusson GOC XVII Corps [formerly III Corps commander] called to see me this afternoon. Saturday 13th July 1918 Had interviews with several officers for serious offences and recommended that they be sent back to Canada. In morning I rode over to Château d’Ax and called on General [John] Hill of 52nd Division to see what his policy of defence of line was. I do not at all agree with him to give up the first two lines but it is a matter for our corps to fight out with the [First] Army. At night dined at the corps and met there General [Sydney] Mewburn [minister of defence], Colonel [Charles] Ballantyne, minister of marine, General [Erastus William] Wilson of Montreal [head of No. 4 Military District] and Colonel George McL[aren] Brown. 274

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Sunday 14th July 1918 A fine morning but rained in afternoon. With Ayer I left early (7 a.m.) and went up just beyond Roclincourt by car and then on and over Railway Cutting and to Bailleul. Called at 87th Battalion HQ and then on into the line. Went down Kilkerran Trench, a fine new front-line trench, and on through the 87th and 75th lines. Then back by Toury and on to the 54th Battalion HQ and 75th HQ at Pointer John redoubt. We had a narrow shave from a shell there and came out by Blanche Post and Chanteclerc. It took us over six hours for the trip. Monday 15th July 1918 A cloudy day, but sultry and very hot. Went up with [Henri] Panet and [Charlie] Lindsay [brigade major, 11th Brigade] to determine on an HQ for the two brigades in the line and decided on strengthening and improving their present localities. Colonel George McL[aren] Brown came to see us today, and he and the corps commander [Currie] stayed for lunch. The Canadian Corps took over from XVII Corps at 10 o’clock this a.m. and now we hold the north sector of sixty-five hundred yards with two brigades. The 1st Division south of us on a similar frontage with two Brigades and the 2nd Division south of them on a one-brigade front. The 3rd Division are on their right but are still under the VI Corps in the Third Army. Tuesday 16th July 1918 We had a terrific thunder storm early this morning, and I never heard such rain and thunder. Last night, aeroplanes came over and dropped several bombs quite close to us here. Went up this morning by the Plank Road and down to see the 47th and 44th Battalions in the line and came back by 11th and 10th Brigade HQs. Odlum is troubled with his stomach. They are shelling around here this afternoon with high velocity shells. Went to see our concert party at Camblain-l’Abbé tonight and then dined with General [Aylmer] Hunter-Weston, VIII Corps. This was about the noisiest night I have heard for a long time and the guns kept roaring continually all night long. Wednesday 17th July 1918 An extremely hot day. General Mewburn, minister of militia, Colonel [Charles] Ballantyne, minister of marine, and General [E.W.] Wilson of Montreal [No. 4] District came to us this morning and I took them over to see the 85th and 78th Battalions at Bruay. Then on up the Concrete Road to see some artillery. The Bosches were shelling up there and they did not stay long. We then went on to see the sound ranging instruments and they had lunch with us before leaving for the corps. Mewburn made me an offer of the command of Montreal District if I wished, or any other vacant command. And I asked if that offer might be left open.

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In afternoon went to 78th Battalion sports. General [Warren] Hastings Anderson [chief of staff, First Army] called here later in the afternoon. Thursday 18th July 1918 A nice bright morning but windy and raining in the afternoon. Rode over to 12th Brigade this morning and also to the machine-gun battalion HQ. We got warning this morning that we are to relieve 1st Brigade on our right tomorrow night. Thus we will have our three Brigades [10th–12th] in the line and will be holding about ten thousand yards frontage. We had our first draft of newspaper visitors for dinner tonight. My old school chum J.H. (Bert) Woods of the Calgary Herald, [William James] Southam of Hamilton Spectator, [Arthur] Penney of Quebec Chronicle, a Captain H[?] from GHQ and Major Montague, formerly General [Richard] Turner’s staff. Friday 19th July 1918 I left with Colonel Panet went up Plank Road and down Tired Alley, and then right along the whole of the Support (Brown) Line. Found it in very good shape as we were coming out. The Bosches started to shell [illegible] Corner. We had to duck several times into the bank as he was making excellent shooting on the road. My car got a bullet through the back glass, and badly shattered it. All the newspaper men went to our concert party show tonight and after the following came to dinner with us, F. Smith, Toronto News, [William] Douglas, Mail and Empire, and Magrand La Presse [Montreal]. We also had General [Alexander] MacRae [assistant to Lord Beaverbrook, British minister of information], Colonel [Gerald W.] Birks.13 All the press people went to our show tonight and were greatly delighted with same. Saturday 20th July 1918 A very warm day with heavy showers in afternoon. Left at 10 a.m. with General MacRae, Frank Carrel [Quebec Daily Telegraph] and Bert Woods [Calgary Herald], took them into the line via Mersey and CPR trenches, on to 50th Battalion HQ. Then down and along front line and back to HQ 10th Brigade where we had lunch. They then saw the heavies target them down Plank Road to the car, and on to the sound ranging machines then to see No. 3 Company division train. Tea with the train and a drive around to the big cemetery at Villers-au-Bois, on to AblainSaint-Nazaire, Souchez, Arras and then home. At night we had them to dinner as follows: [Bert] Woods Calgary Herald, [Frank] Carrel Quebec Telegraph, Macklin Winnipeg Free Press, Gavin, Kingston [Whig-]Standard, Robillard Montreal Patrie, and General MacRae. They all stated that they [had] a most wonderful day.

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Sunday 21st July 1918 A cloudy, windy, cold day. Attended divine service near the cemetery at Marœuil for divisional troops. Movement off today to Paris with the journalists. We took over another brigade frontage down to the Scarpe on the night of 19/20. We now have the three brigades [10th–12th] in the line and are now holding about ten thousand yards. Monday 22nd July 1918 A very warm day. Left early with Ayer and went up into right brigade area. It was all new to me as we had never been there before. Went through Arras, SaintNicholas and up to Athies, and along trench north of the Scarpe River. Took us over six hours to do the trip and called at 38th and 78th Battalion HQs and at 12th Brigade on the way out. We projected cylinder gas last night. Two of our men of 38th Battalion were killed and another badly gassed. Colonel [R.W.] Smart [136th (Durham) Battalion] came to us today for lunch. The 1st Division take over a brigade frontage extra on right from 3rd Division. The 59th Division take over the other brigade front. And the 3rd Division until then be taken out. 2nd and 3rd Canadian Divisions will be then behind in reserve. Tuesday 23rd July 1918 A very wet blustery day. Went to a conference at the corps in the morning and discussed further operations to be known as D.E.[?]. The 54th and 102nd Battalions pulled off good raids last night. The 54th got a machine gun and the 102nd nine prisoners, all from 17th Regiment, 15th Division. The Bosches shelled us heavily last night with gas and we had seven officers and 131 men knocked out. In afternoon I went to No. 2 FA [Field Ambulance] and got my eyes tested for glasses. Wednesday 24th July 1918 A windy cloudy day. Inspected the road control for this morning. This is under the a.p.m.[?] and was creditably turned out and then went on with Marshall [adjutant] around by Écurie and Mont Saint-Éloi. General Currie came to see me this afternoon and we had a long discussion on future policy and I had my eyes fixed up and examined yesterday and they are rather sore today. Thursday 25th July 1918 A cloudy cool day. Went up Plank Road and down Tired Alley and met General Hunter-Weston commanding VIII Corps. We had a good look around at our joining defences in and about the front line and I came back by Thélus. General MacBrien [12th Brigade] came back from leave last night. We had a conference today of brigadiers to discuss future operations. The aeroplanes were busy tonight. They

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dropped a big bomb on No. 3 Company, the train killed fourteen of these fine black horses and wounded thirteen others. Two men also wounded. Saturday 27th July 1918 It rained very heavily all night and nearly all day today. Left about 9 a.m. and went up by Plank Road and then across country and down Ouse Alley to 11th Brigade HQ. Went around with Odlum to see the 87th, 75th, and 102nd Battalion HQs. It was fearfully muddy and wet and I stayed up at his HQ for lunch and got back shortly after 2 o’clock. The 46th carried out a very successful raid last night and got two prisoners. The 2nd Brigade on our right also had a big raid of about four hundred men and they got a machine gun and seven prisoners. Sunday 28th July 1918 A cloudy cool dull day. Attended divine service with the divisional HQ troops near the cemetery at Marœuil and presented decorations to Taylor, Morgan, and Peggy. In afternoon went for a long ride over towards Camblain-l’Abbé. Late in afternoon, we received a warning order that Canadian Corps was to move out and this division is to be relieved on the 31st by the 52nd and 57th Divisions and the 1st Canadian Division is also to be relieved by the balance of 57th Division and the 56th Division. General Currie came to see me today. Tuesday 30th July 1918 Mac Moore [ADC] got back today after having conducted the Canadian journalists about eight days through France. Panet, MacBrien, and I went down to the Australian Corps near Bertangles to see a demonstration of tanks and infantry. We then had lunch with General [John] Monash at the Australian Corps HQ. Wednesday 31st July 1918 A very hot sultry day. Had a visit this morning from Major-General [Reginald] Barnes GOC 57th Division who is taking over my right brigade frontage, and Major-General [John] Hill of 52nd Division who is taking over my center and left brigades. In afternoon attended a very important conference at Bouquemaison [Somme] to go thoroughly into the details of approaching operations. The 11th Brigade are relieved tonight by two brigades of 52nd Division, the 170th and 171st. We had thirty more gas cases today in 78th Battalion. The 85th Battalion tried a raid last night but our own barrage was too close in.

278

Lens Tournai

Vimy Front Lines 15 December 1914 20 March 1918 18 July 1918 11 November 1918

Som me Luce

Ancre

Albert

Neuville-Vitasse

Douai Monchy-le-Preux

Drocourt-Quéant Line

Se ns é Dury e

Thiepval Bapaume

Scarpe

German Defensive Lines

Denain

Mons

Bourlon

Courcelette

Valenciennes Mont Houy

Cambrai l na d Ca Nor de

Masnières

Le Cateau

279

German Defensive Lines

10. Amiens: 8–11 Aug 1918 11. Arras: 26 Aug–3 Sep 1918 12. Canal du Nord & Cambrai: 27 Sep–11 Oct 1918 13. Mont Houy & Valenciennes: 1–2 Nov 1918 14. Mons: 10–11 Nov 1918

St. Quentin

0

10

20 kilometres

Map 2: The 4th Division’s operations during the Last Hundred Days.

30

Bring in the Tanks and Planes, June–July 1918

Amiens

Arras

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Chapter 17

The Hundred Days August–November 1918 Shock Army 1–10 August 1918

The British Expeditionary Force had not planned for Amiens to be an epic battle, like Third Ypres or the Somme. Henry Rawlinson, commander of the Fourth Army, asked Field Marshal Douglas Haig to sanction a further, limited advance on his front after seeing how the Germans had fared in July. Initially, Haig said no, according to Gary Sheffield, because he did not think that the advance would be sustainable, but he did allow Rawlinson to “study” the problem.1 As the counteroffensive on the Marne was proceeding well for the Allied forces, Haig gave Rawlinson the go-ahead for Amiens on 23 July. Rawlinson, to his “surprise and delight,” would have the Canadians and Australians leading this attack.2 To maximize the element of surprise, the Fourth Army planned no preliminary bombardment, and the infantry would instead advance under cover of a creeping barrage assisted by tanks and aircraft. General Foch was keen to provide maximum assistance and ordered the French First Army under General Debeney to stage an equally grand supporting assault.3 Rawlinson was keen to strike quickly, lest the Germans withdraw before the punch, and so the attack was to go ahead on 8 August.4 On 29 July, superiors informed the commanders of the four Canadian divisions of their corps’s upcoming attack near Amiens, along General Rawlinson’s Fourth Army front, and instructed the division commanders not to discuss the news with their subordinate commanders in the interest of maintaining surprise.5 The Canadian Corps left the First Army and, without troops knowing their destination, moved southward in complete secrecy.6 The Canadians would be attacking on a front that extended southeast of Amiens from Marœuil to Ville-sur-Ancre—about twenty thousand yards. On the Canadians’ right would be the First French Army, and on their left the

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Australian Corps, with the British III Corps on their flank. The major thrust would come from the Canadians and the Australians in the centre. The Canadians would have three objectives: the Green Line, the Red Line, and the Blue Dotted Lines.7 If they made it beyond these points, the offensive could well break through German defences completely, which would allow a substantial cavalry force to continue to push forward. On 5 August, Rawlinson wrote in his diary: “My chief anxiety [is the Canadians] as they have the most difficult job.”8 Currie and Watson, as they had been since the 4th Division joined the Canadian Corps in December 1916 at Vimy, were in close contact. Currie’s diary during the (final) Hundred Days—beginning on 8 August—did not discuss any of the division commanders, focusing rather on the divisions’ locations, plans, and achievements. Watson’s diary was more forthcoming about Currie, as in this entry made on 4 August: “Currie called this morning and gave us all the outside news concerning our big operation. We had an important conference and went fully into many details.”9 The 4th, yet again, had little leeway and independence in planning the assault, as Currie and his staff were keeping tight control over all the divisions. GHQ intelligence reported poor morale in the German divisions manning the Amiens sector, and little reinforcement of resting enemy divisions before they returned to the line. Nonetheless, the intelligence rated three of the nine enemy divisions in the line as “very good” and the rest as “average.”10 A bright point for the Canadian Corps: enemy forces were relatively weak. The Second German Army, under General von der Marwitz, had not recovered from the Spring Offensive and had an outbreak of the 1918 influenza, both factors shrinking many units well below strength.11 Its three corps held the line from Albert to Héricourt and consisted of three corps. It lacked prepared positions and well-dug trench systems; regular BEF aerial reconnaissance revealed poor defences, with few improvements and little maintenance.12 At 4:20 a.m. on 8 August, the Canadian Corps, in conjunction with the Australian forces, attacked. As an exuberant Brigadier-General Andrew McNaughton, the Canadian Corps’s counterbattery staff officer, wrote to his wife that morning: “4:20—they are off, well together and on time, all along the front. A terrific racket. The Bosche [sic] is getting his now. Long live Canada.”13 The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Divisions all advanced rapidly, the early morning mist helped mask their movement across open ground, they gained their objectives, and they quickly reached the Green Line. At 7:20 a.m., the 4th Division was allowed to cross the Luce River and join in the general advance.

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The Hundred Days, August–November 1918

Thursday 1st August 1918 Went over to Écoivre this morning to see [General Victor] Odlum, where the HQ of 11th Brigade are located today. In afternoon had an important conference with my brigadiers, and took them into my confidence about the coming operations. The army commander [Rawlinson] called this afternoon to say goodbye and wish us all good luck. The Bosche believes we are going to attack [illegible] his artillery is getting severe [illegible]. The air bombing was not near as severe as it was last night. It was the worst we have had. Friday 2nd August 1918 It started to rain this morning again. The other two brigades were completely relieved about 2 this a.m. and the command of my line passed at 10 o’clock this morning, the two left brigades to the 52nd Divisions and the right brigade to the 57th Division. We took up our HQ at Hermaville in a fine château there. Saturday 3rd August 1918 A fine morning, but it turned out very bad later, and rained almost all day long and very heavy too. [Henri] Panet and I left at 6:15 a.m. and went up to the scene of our coming operations, through Amiens and down about five miles on the main route road. We left the car at the barrier, and walked in by Domart, and up the ridge to the north, where we had a magnificent view of all the country round about. Came back by Gentelles. Got soaked to the skin. Came back again through Amiens, which is very badly battered about and called at the corps HQ at Molliens-Vidame and back to our new HQ at Haillicourt. Only got into my dry clothes at 7 p.m. Sunday 4th August 1918 A nice fine day. General Currie called this morning and gave us all the outside news concerning our operations. We had an important conference at 11 o’clock and went fully into many details. In afternoon I went over to see General [William] King CRA this division. Our brigades start moving tonight. Monday 5th August 1918 A very busy day indeed. First I went over to see the 11th Brigade at Hendecourt. Had a long talk with [Lieutenant-Colonel Colin] Harbottle over 75th Battalion matters, and made it quite clear as to his responsibility as commanding officer of that battalion. Had General [A.E.W.] Harmon of the 3rd Cavalry Division in and went over all our liaison details with him. Got in touch with 1st and 3rd Divisions about their parts and ours. Moved at 5 p.m. to Cavillon. All our battalions are moving on tonight. Some of them have very long marches.

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Tuesday 6th August 1918 A fine windy day after the very bad weather of yesterday. Went down to the corps at Molliens-Vindame and had a long talk with the corps commander [Currie] and [General Norman] Webber, about time tables for crossing the Luce and other details.14 Went on to see [Brigadier-General Victor] Odlum [11th Brigade] at Prouzel and then back home to Calonne. It started out to rain again before noon. Wednesday 7th August 1918 A nice fine day with a splendid ground mist, just what we want for our present critical assembly work. Left early with [Henri] Panet and went to Boves to see the 11th and 12th Brigades. Had lunch with MacBrien [12th]. I never saw such a congestion of horses and traffic, as when we went in to Boves. Had a long interview this morning with [General Louis] Lipsett [3rd Division] about our mutual work.15 After lunch went on to see the GOC of 66th French Division and then on to the 153rd French Division and arranged liaison with both of them. Came back by Doury where the corps are located and saw General Currie in re new and future operations, in case tomorrow’s is a success. Came on and saw [Ross] Hayter [10th Division] at Doleux and then on to our new advanced HQ in dugout least of Bois de Gentelles. The 4th Army Commander General Rawlinson called to see me. I never saw such a concentration of men and guns. We are all ready tonight for the big effort of tomorrow morning. This is a very dirty dugout and very small too but it is only for the night. Thursday 8th August 1918 What a memorable day this is and a book could be written on it, instead of a slight outlook of it in these pages. At 4:20 this morning the bombardment started, and it was a terrible one indeed. Like Hell let loose. The 3rd Division attacked on right. We were in corps reserve. At 10:15 we got word that 3rd had taken their first objectives, and I went forward to Domart and had a talk with Lipsett. I gave zero hours for our advance as 12:10 and at that hour, the 11th Brigade on right, 12th on left, and 10th in support, pushed forward having crossed the Luce River at 10:30. We had thirty-four tanks with us of the 1st Tank Battalion. At 1:00 p.m. I moved my division HQ across the Luce to a point about a mile east of Démuin, and by dusk all objectives (the old Amiens defence line) had been captured, except Le Quesnel opposite 11th Brigade. I never saw so many prisoners as taken today. They came trooping down the road by hundreds and very tame they were too, some without any guards at all. Slept in a little dugout near Démuin. Friday 9th August 1918 Another very fine day. At 4:30 this morning the 87th and 75th attacked and took Le Quesnel and balance of objectives and gave a clear way through to 1st and 284

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3rd Divisions who went on through us for another advance. I rode all over the area in the afternoon and it was most interesting to visit the places that we had such hard fighting to take. There were hundreds of dead Bosches lying around everywhere. The other divisions captured their objectives again today. There was heavy bombing tonight all over the area. At our HQ one man was killed, several wounded and several horses killed. Two bombs dropped very close. The explosion was quite severe and I was plastered with dirt. Saturday 10th August 1918 Another very nice day with heavy ground mist. The 4th Division went through the 2nd and 1st Divisions this time on the left of the line, and the 32nd Division [BEF] went through the 3rd Division. We moved off to the attack at 10:15 a.m., the 12th Brigade on left and 10th on right. 11th in reserve. By night the 12th Brigade had captured all its objectives, Moyencourt, Chilly and Hallu, and the 10th had very [illegible] opposition and fighting but finally captured the heights and villages of Fouquescourt. Had a visit from General Currie today. It was a grand sight to see the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Divisions of cavalry maneuver around us. In afternoon, three Bosche planes were brought down in flames. It was a grand but terrible sight.

The Battle of Amiens 11–27 August 1918 The attack on 10 August had brought only limited gains for the 4th Division, but largely because of circumstances outside its control. It could not bring forward sufficient field artillery, tanks, and supplies quickly enough, so its men had limited resources, basically relying on their own weapons for fire support and frequently running low on ammunition. Also, German resistance had solidified. Captain John Preston of the 85th undoubtedly expressed the common view: “Fritz has rushed up fresh guns ... I think we are held up, until we can get up sufficient [of] our heavies to blow him out of his position.”16 This experience was common across the BEF’s front; the earlier potential for a breakout had evaporated. The 10th and 12th Brigades had fared well, demonstrating their effective training and competent officers and non-commissioned officers. The following day, the 4th Division was ordered to hold the line—in fact, its fighting at Amiens was over. Sunday 11th August 1918 Another hot fine day. We are ordered to hold the line and make another attack today on Chaulnes and Fransart. We made full preparations for this, but in the afternoon it was cancelled by the army on account of the undoubted heavy 285

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casualties that would be caused. The Bosches put on a severe bombardment this afternoon and a counterattack and pushed the 78th out of Hallu, and our line now runs five hundred yards in rear. I had a notification to go to 4th Army HQ to be invested [as knight] by the King [George V], but the situation would not demand my leaving here. I went up to MacBrien’s [12th Brigade] this morning, in a trench just north of Méharicourt and in afternoon to see Hayter [10th Brigade] just beyond Warvillers. Monday 12th August 1918 A fearfully hot day. The corps commander [Currie] came over this morning, and went into the future policy of operations with me. With Hahn I then went down and visited the 10th [Brigade] behind and near Fouquescourt. It was very quiet while we were there. There are still a lot of bodies lying around unburied. We had a very strenuous tour and came back by way of R[?]. We got orders in afternoon re the resuming of the attack. 2nd Division relieves us tonight. Tuesday 13th August 1918 Another very hot day. The 4th Brigade of 2nd Division relieved us last night except two battalions of 12th Brigade who will be relieved by the Australians tonight. The 46th [Battalion] also had to stay in reserve, the relief being completed so late. There were several air fights this morning around us and two Germans were brought down, one very close to our HQ. The 47th got eleven prisoners last night and the 44th got forty. Saw a great air fight today and the Bosche plane came down upside down, and crashed right beside our HQ. Had a visit from General Currie today and went back to Sains for a change of clothes and a bath. Got orders tonight regarding the continuance of the offensive on the 15th. The 2nd and 3rd Divisions to go on first and 4th and 1st through them when their objectives have been secured. Wednesday 14th August 1918 Another very hot sultry day. Went around this morning with MacBrien [12th Brigade] to see [his] 38th, 72nd, 78th, and 85th Battalions. They are all in fine fettle and have already received a certain number of reinforcements. In the afternoon had a big conference and discussed the many lessons learned in the fighting to date. Rode over to 1st Division HQ and then on to Le Quesnel to attend a conference of divisional commanders. It is learned that there will be no further move for the present and we are to put our frontage in good defensive shape. Thursday 15th August 1918 The Bosche is shelling a lot around our HQ today, putting big ones in all over the place. It is a warm sultry day. Rode over to Dernancourt and called at our rear 286

The Hundred Days, August–November 1918

HQ, then at 38th Battalion and on to see General [Victor] Odlum [11th Brigade]. When coming back my horse got a nasty gash from barbed wire and had to be evacuated. I see that Norman Fletcher is in the wounded list. Our casualties to date for the week’s fighting are forty-four officer[s] and 541 other rank killed and missing and eighty-six officers and 1537 other ranks wounded. A total of 130 officers and 2078 other ranks or 2208 in all. Fletcher was wounded in wrist, and Hal Doble by shrapnel in ankle. The Bosches shelled pretty heavily all about our HQ today. It was mighty uncomfortable at times. Friday 16th August 1918 Another very fine day. We start taking over part of the line tonight by 10th Brigade on right. Went over to 2nd Division HQ near Vrély to have a talk with [General Henry] Burstall [2nd Division] about taking over his line tomorrow. Had [General Victor] Odlum [11th Brigade] over to lunch and General Currie came in after and we had a good long talk on past operations and the lessons to be learned. The 3rd Division did very well yesterday and took Parvillers and Damary. The French are also attacking today down near Roye and the bombardment has been heavy all day. Saturday 17th August 1918 Another very hot day. The dust is getting very bad indeed. Went to VillersBretonneux this morning to see the 4th Australian Division and ascertain their policy. I never saw such a wrecked about place as Villers-Bretonneux [Spring Offensive, 24–27 April 1918]. At noon took over the left division area of the corps from 2nd Division area of the corps from 2nd Division. The 10th Brigade is in the right and the 5th Brigade in the left subsector. Our HQ is also removed to a sunken road west of Vrély. Sunday 18th August 1918 I left at 7 this morning with [Mac] Moore [ADC], motored over east of Rusire and then went on foot up to 87th HQ first and then on down into the line and worked our way south between Chilly and Mancourt. The Bosche was shelling pretty heavily for a time with big stuff. We went on to HQ of 50th Battalion and then on to 11th Brigade and 10th Brigade and got back about noon. The Bosche is shelling our HQ today with H.V. [high-velocity] shrapnel. Hahn’s horse was killed. The corps commander [Currie] called and gave us the welcome news that we were going to be relieved in this sector. Monday 19th August 1918 Another fine clear day, a Bosche machine came right over us yesterday and shot down a balloon in flames. The two observers landed safely a very short distance 287

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away from us here. Orders have gone out verbally to brigades to mark time and save men owing to coming relief. In afternoon at 4 o’clock 87th Battalion carried out a small operation to straighten out their line. I went across country to Rosières to call on General MacBrien [12th Brigade]. The 87th were quite successful in their operation, straightened out their line, and took one officer and five other ranks prisoners. Later at 8:30 p.m. the Bosches counterattacked three times but did not succeed in going back. Tuesday 20th August 1918 A cloudy cool dull day. The Bosche is persistently shelling all around here. He killed two of our men and wounded five others in a house just east of our HQ. I have given the whole morning to going through and signing the honours and awards of the 10th and 11th Brigades. Wonderful gallantry those officers and men have shown. The 1st Division were begun to be relieved last night by a French division of the XXXI Corps. At 6 o’clock tonight the Bosche started in shelling very heavily around our HQ. Savage got wounded, and so I ordered everyone out. And we moved HQ over to Beaucourt Wood at 7:30 p.m. All day he [Bosche] had been shelling around, but about 6 o’clock got pretty violent. Wednesday 21st August 1918 A very fine warm day. We are all located in dugouts and shelters in Beaucourt Wood. Rode over to Cayeux to see the mobile vet people about a horse for myself. Good news has been received from the French down south, ten thousand prisoners and several guns. The Third British Army have also attacked this morning, and we hear they also have made substantial gains. Had a visit this afternoon from GOC 34th French Division who is to relieve part of my left brigade. Thursday 22nd August 1918 A frightfully hot day this morning. General Maréchal GOC 35th French Division who is to relieve my 10th Brigade and part of 11th called to see me. They propose starting in the relief tomorrow night. The 34th and 35th Divisions with 45th Division in rear, all of the XXXVI Corps are the new units coming in. The Canadian Corps moved away today at noon, and we are now under the Australian Corps until we are relieved. This afternoon I went up to see the two brigades [10th and 12th] in the line. They had quite a heavy shelling around their HQ today. The bombing was pretty bad tonight. Friday 23rd August 1918 Cooler today after the great heat of yesterday. The III Corps and 1st Australian Division attacked north of us this morning at 4:50. There was a very heavy barrage. Several French officers have been here getting information concerning our lines. 288

The Hundred Days, August–November 1918

In the afternoon I took a long ride around the area to get [illegible] on my mind, the locations and sites of our attacks on the 8th and 9th [August]. Lots of French troops and artillery are coming in. Saturday 24th August 1918 A cool cloudy day. Two battalions of 10th Brigade and the 85th (12th Brigade) were relieved last night by battalions of the French 35th Division. The reliefs were completed quite early. I went up this morning and called to see the three brigades. It was very quick. The GOC called this afternoon. I took a long ride around Beaucourt and Le Quesnel this afternoon. The bombing tonight was the worst I have ever experienced. They bombed all around the place. The 78th were just marching past, and got nineteen killed and forty-one wounded. The artillery had twenty-six more. Sunday 25th August 1918 I handed over the lines to XXXVI French Corps (34th and 35th Divisions) at 8 this a.m. The balance of reliefs of 10th and 11th Brigades being completed at 2 a.m. It is another lovely fine day, on account of bombing last night we move HQ today back to Sains. At 1:15 Peters, Magee and I set off to have dinner in Paris. It took us about 2½ hours to run in, stopped at the Meurice and went to the Folies Bergères after dinner at the Café de Paris. Monday 26th August 1918 A lovely cool day after the rain of last night. Went in the car and showed Peters and Magee some of the sights of Paris as they had never been there before. Called on [Philippe] Roy [Canadian representative to France], had lunch at the Ritz and left for camp at 2:15. Got back to Sains about 5 o’clock, and found everything all right there. Tuesday 27th August 1918 Left Sains at 9 a.m. and went to Elisy to call on General [John] Monash GOC Australian Corps, then on through Arras to Flixecourt to say goodbye to General [Henry] Rawlinson. GOC Fourth Army. Then called at corps at Noiselles Vron and l learned situation, 2nd and 3rd Divisions did awfully well yesterday, took Monchy and Wiencourt and got about two thousand prisoners. Our brigades are training up today and will not be in until late tonight. Went over to Camblain-l’Abbé for lunch. It is a dull rainy day.

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Through the Hindenburg Line 28 August 1918 From Amiens, the Canadians transferred out of the Fourth Army and into the First, shifted to the Arras region, and prepared to attack the vaunted Hindenburg Line again17—specifically the Drocourt–Quéant (DQ) Line, a thick web of strong points that the Germans had built on hills and ridges overlooking the river valleys and the flat country to the west. Behind this lay the defensive line of the Canal du Nord, whose marshes and woods the enemy had supplemented with deep trench systems for protection.18 If the Canadians overcame all of this, they would be in position to attack Cambrai—a key railway and logistical hub. The Canadian Corps would have to overwhelm hundreds of machine-gun positions with interlocking fields of fire and artillery emplacements that the enemy had cunningly sited on reverse slopes. It would be a challenging task. In fact, the Canadian Corps made only the most perfunctory preparations. Unlike at Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, and Passchendaele in previous years, where it had had weeks to plan assaults of this scale, it would have to rush into this attack. Field Marshal Haig aimed for a launch on 25 August, but Currie was obstinate and gained an extra day. Fortunately for the Canadians Corps, it would advance first against Orange Hill, a position it had planned to attack back in July in an earlier, cancelled operation, so it had already done much of the staff work. Watson’s 4th Division had not yet arrived, so on 26 August, the 2nd and 3rd assaulted the German lines. The fighting was fierce, with very heavy losses, and on the evenings of 28 and 29 August, the Canadian 1st and the British 4th Divisions began to push forward.19 It fell to the Canadian 4th and 1st Divisions (the latter playing a smaller role) to take the heavily defended DQ Line proper. Reinforcements had filled the ranks of Watson’s division in the weeks since Amiens, but although its battalions were up to strength, its new men were raw, with only the returning wounded having had any experience on the Western Front.20

Wednesday 28th August 1918 A wet showery day. Am attacked at last with this dysentery. It makes one awfully weak. Almost everybody else has had it. I went around to see the brigades this morning. The artillery in Saint- Amand, the 11th Brigade in Bernaville, the 10th Brigade in Arras (S.W. part in caves) and the 12th in Louie. The 2nd and 3rd Divisions are still in the line and have been ordered to push on to the Drocourt– Quéant Line, they are to be relieved tonight by the 1st Canadian and 4th British Divisions.

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The Hundred Days, August–November 1918

Planning and Attacking Mont Dury 29 August–26 September 1918 The key to this attack on the DQ Line and Canal du Nord and the proposed breakout was taking Mont Dury and surrounding trenches—“the main German position on the Western Front,” according to the Dury Canadian Memorial. This hill was the high point of a ridge that dominated the sector and which the German forces had heavily entrenched. The Canadian 4th Division (with support from the 1st) would have to approach this long, sloping rise while in plain view of enemy machine-gunners. Worse still, when the men crested the ridgeline they would be in silhouette for and prey to the many German machine guns on the far side. Reinforcements had filled the 4th’s ranks since Amiens—mostly raw, straight from England, with only the returning (lightly) wounded being veterans of the Western Front. On 30 August, Watson detailed the plan for the assault to his three brigadiers, who all expected a ferocious German defence. In this somber meeting, they all acknowledged that German forces would defend the hill with determination. The plan was for the 12th Brigade to attack and take the ridge and the Red Line just beyond it. Once it had done so, the 10th and 11th would pass through the 12th’s positions and hope to exploit the situation east of Mont Dury. However, with the British 4th Division very weak from the previous days’ fighting, Watson had to alter the plan. His 10th Brigade would now have to take over the British line on the north flank of the Mont Dury position,21 meaning that only the 11th Brigade plus the reserve battalion of the 12th would be fighting past the Red Line. At all levels of the Canadian Corps, everyone realized that this change in plans would make the 4th’s task even more difficult; Currie emphasized that it “will interfere with the exploitation.” The attack, already ambitious, had now become dangerously so.

Thursday 29th August 1918 I was pretty bad all night and very weak today. It is a fine cool day. Went over to the corps this morning to learn the policy for the employment of my division in future operations. It is a very ambitious programme and I doubt if it can be carried through to the extent they have laid down. In evening had the old baron from here and our other two friends from Villers-Châtel in to dinner. Friday 30th August 1918 A nice fine day after the rain of last night. With [Henri] Panet, I went to a conference at 1st Division HQ forward of Neuville-Vitasse and the coming operations were fully discussed and policy, objectives decided upon. After we 291

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went on and saw Odlum [11th Brigade], where we had lunch, then on to MacBrien [12th Brigade] at Feucheux and on to Hayter [10th Brigade] near Arras and got home about 6 p.m. pretty tired after a long day’s work. Saturday 31st August 1918 A cloudy, showery day. We move this afternoon at 3 o’clock to our advanced HQ beyond Neuville-Vitasse and near Wancourt, N 15 b 5.9, from which point I shall direct the first part of the operations.22 We are attacking on a 1500 yd. frontage in the centre with 12th Brigade. The 1st Division on our right and the 4th British Division on our left. The 1st Division cleaned up their front this a.m. and are now ready for our 12th Brigade to go in tonight and take over the centre sector. Our new HQ are in dug outs away off the road which is fearfully congested with troops, lorries [trucks], et cetera. Sunday 1st September 1918 A nice fine cool day. The 12th Brigade went into the line last night on a one brigade frontage (battle), 72nd Battalion on right, 38th in centre and 85th on left. The 78th in reserve. This morning the Bosche counterattacked, after 1st Division had straightened their line and we went at him again and the 72nd took one hundred prisoners and got their jumping-off positions. With Lindsay I went up past Wancourt and [illegible] to 12th Brigade HQ and then on to a good position where we had a magnificent view over the line. The shelling on the front areas was pretty heavy. The 10th Brigade take over a 1000 yd. frontage from 4th British Division tonight on the left of 12th Brigade with 47th Battalion on right and 50th on left. The 11th Brigade start moving up to their zero positions at midnight. The bombing tonight is getting bad again. A Bosche came over tonight and shot down one of our balloons in flames. The corps and army commanders were here today. Monday 2nd September 1918 We attacked this morning at 5 o’clock. 10th on left, 12th on right on a 1000 and 1500 yd. front respectively. They had to capture the Drocourt–Quéant Line of trench defences. They got through in about three hours and the 11th Brigade then took up the battle. They had to advance without artillery or tank support and were soon held up by well-organized machine-gun fire. The 10th Brigade captured Dury, but both it and 12th were also held up by heavy machine-gun fire and heavy artillery fire from the north. We have captured over a thousand prisoners, and these are from no less than six German divisions, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Guards, 16th, 48th, and 111th Divisions. Also a number of officers. The 1st British Division is behind us tonight, also the 2nd and 3rd Canadian Divisions. Our signal communications were very bad. The Commander-in-Chief Sir Douglas Haig came up to see and congratulate us this afternoon. 292

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Cross road south of Drury. IMAGE COURTESY OF MILITARY MUSEUMS (CALGARY, ALBERTA), MAJOR GENERAL DAVID WATSON PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS, MR2007.015-SERIES 2, ALBUM 2.

Tuesday 3rd September 1918 Another fine day with a few showers. We were going to put on a big attack this morning, but it was postponed for twenty-four hours. Had word early that the Bosches were retiring and our patrols got quickly up to them, and kept on their heels until they had crossed the Canal du Nord. We [illegible] captured several villages and many miles of ground without a fight. Had a conference at corps HQ this morning. In afternoon moved HQ up to a point about a mile east of Chérisy. After conference in morning I went up to Mont Dury with [Henri] Panet and saw the 11th and 12th Brigades. Had a very fine view of all the country about. The 4th British Division is being relieved tonight by the 1st British Division and the 1st Canadian Division. Wednesday 4th September 1918 The bombing last night was pretty bad again. This morning at 3 o’clock, we got hurried instructions that attack was to be continued across the canal [du Nord] 293

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and orders were at once issued to the 10th and 11th Brigades to that effect and to make necessary reconnaissance. It was found that all bridges had been destroyed, and canal impassable everywhere. I went up this morning with our CRE [Canadian Royal Engineers] first to Odlum [11th Brigade] at his new HQ near Saudemont and then back to Hayter [10th Brigade] in Dury. I learned on my return that the division on our right could not get across and this will consequently prevent our attempt. Got letter number 20 from Mary tonight, she appears to be dissatisfied with things, much to my regret.23 Thursday 5th September 1918 The 10th Brigade was relieved last night by the 9th Brigade 3rd Division. I went up early this morning with [Mac] Moore and called on [General Daniel] Ormond, GOC 9th Brigade and then went on to see Odlum [11th Brigade]. We then went on to their observation post and then on to the 54th Battalion HQ at Orvillers Farm. While there I heard that a patrol of [British] 9th Brigade (116th Battalion) had got across the canal. So I hurried back and left Odlum there. Then went again to 9th Brigade HQ and gave instructions to be carried out in event of patrols getting over. It later transpired that they had not got across at all. In afternoon I learned that General Odlum had been wounded at 1 p.m. Went over to his hut where he was, and made him go back to No. 1 Canadian CCS [Agnes-lès-Duisans, Pas-deCalais]. He is wounded in the arm and back by a sniper. Friday 6th September 1918 A very hot sultry day. Went back to No. 1 CCS and saw Odlum. Brought him back to Magoval and had him X-rayed. Located the piece in the big muscle under the right arm. In afternoon I went over to the corps and had a talk with General Currie about further policy [illegible]. Things are very quiet up at the front. Saturday 7th September 1918 Another very hot day. Went around and saw the four battalions of the 12th Brigade this morning. [Lieutenant-Colonel J.L.] Ralston of the 85th Battalion is back to duty and [S.J.] Gardner is taking over from Edwards [38th]. [Lieutenant-Colonel John] Clark of 72nd has got the 7th Brigade and [Lieutenant-Colonel G.H.] Kirkpatrick has got the 72nd Battalion. In afternoon I went over to No. 1 CCS and upon the recommendation of Dr. Robertson, brought Odlum back to his brigade. Sunday 8th September 1918 A stormy rainy day. I went over to attend divine service with 54th Battalion but it started in to rain so heavily that I dismissed the parade. In the afternoon I went down to Rollancourt with [Mac] Moore to visit my friends the war correspondents. Got letter 21 from Mary today. Had word from corps tonight late that leave had 294

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been granted. About midnight, he [Bosche] put down about eight large shells right near us here. Monday 9th September 1918 A nasty drizzly day. Corps commander [Currie] called this morning and we had a good general talk on all the situation, policy and I afterwards went over to see Hayter [10th Brigade] at Ronville and called at Angy our rear HQ on the way home. Am getting everything ready to get away tomorrow night if possible. It rained very hard tonight but the Bosches persistently shelled around here. Tuesday 10th September 1918 A nasty wet cold day. I finished up my reports this morning and went through a lot of honours and awards, also cleaned up a lot of correspondence. Corps commanders told me that [Louis] Lipsett [3rd Division] was going to the 4th British Division and that he was going to recommend [General Frederick] Loomis [2nd Brigade] for the 3rd Division. Left at 2:30 with [Mac] Moore and arrived at Boulogne at 5:10. Saw [Victor] Odlum at the Folkestone Hotel and gave him definite instructions concerning the division during my absence. Had dinner at the Criterion and stopped with [Colonel Dr.] Lorne Drum at No. 3 Canadian General Hospital. Saw Dr. Carter and Carruthers both of Quebec. Wednesday 11th September 1918 We had a terrible night, the heaviest rain I have ever seen. Went around and saw our concert party this morning. They are leaving Boulogne today for a tour with the forestry people for two weeks. Was appointed OC[,] boat to go over to England and we left Boulogne at 11:45 and arrived at Folkestone at 2:30. Left for London at 3:00 and arrived there at 5:15 p.m. Dined at the Carlton with General [William] King [4th Division artillery]. Saturday 14th September 1918 A very close hot day. Went around to some of the hospitals [to visit 4th Division officers] in the morning and also to do some of my shopping. Had lunch at the Junior Carlton with Grant Morden and Dr. Austin Irvine and we then came up to my room and had a long chat. Irvine is seriously considering going back to Canada. Guy Thomas gave a little dinner at the Savoy and [I] sat down after to hear the music. Saturday 21st September 1918 Rushed around to get things settled up as I got word through Odlum regarding an operation and am making ready to go back Monday morning. Had lunch at the Savoy with Kidston and then went to see Delysha at the Palladium and at The 295

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Hindenburg Line broken through by 4th Canadian Division September 1918. IMAGE COURTESY OF MILITARY MUSEUMS (CALGARY, ALBERTA), MAJOR GENERAL DAVID WATSON PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS, MR2007.015-SERIES 2, ALBUM 1.

night had a quiet little dinner at the Piccadilly Grill. It got very cold and wet in the afternoon. Tuesday 24th September 1918 A beautiful fine cold morning. Left Victoria Station at 7:50 a.m. got to Folkestone at 9:40 left there at 10:45 a.m. arrived Boulogne at 12:45 and got back to camp at near Arras at 6 p.m. Took Colonel Wilson to Étaples on our way back. Went into the orders that had come in for the next big offensive and got to bed pretty late. Wednesday 25th September 1918 A cold cloudy day with gusts of drizzling rain. All morning busy with back work, honours and awards, operations. Had interviews today with all my brigadiers and made certain changes in the plans for the big show. Left our HQ at 4:30 p.m. and opened up our new HQ in a trench and dugouts north east of Quéant V 27 d.2.2.

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Thursday 26th September 1918 A very fine day and a very busy one indeed. Went down the Hindenburg support line to near Inchy to see the 10th Brigade in their forward HQ and then back to our new observation place where we get a magnificent view of all the area over which we are to operate, even up to the Bourlon Wood. All our arrangements are completed at midnight tonight. I took over the line at 10 this a.m. with 10th Brigade in the line. The 12th Brigade got badly bombed last night at Arras station when entraining and had 115 casualties principally in 85th Battalion.

Canal du Nord and Bourlon Wood 27 September–2 October 1918 The Canadian Corps had very challenging objectives: it would advance over flooded approaches with little dry ground, cross the Canal du Nord (which, ironically, was dry in the Canadian sector), fan out, storm Bourlon Wood, and capture Cambrai, all while under German fire. But the Canadians had nearly a month to start partly rebuilding their battered units and to plan for this daring assault. And the enemy, confident in the area’s superior defensive positions and difficult geography for offensive operations, was complacent. As one intelligence report from the 4th Canadian Division stated, “[While] the operation presented many difficulties ... [at least] the enemy was not holding the front in any great strength.”24 General Currie had an audacious and bold plan to meet those objectives: the Canadian infantry would have to hit its section of the canal like a sledgehammer, cracking open the German defences; then reserves would have to pour through this opening quickly and spread out to take the key positions to the east. The First Army’s General Sir Henry Horne and BEF commander Field Marshal Haig both visited Currie to discuss the plan and, despite their reservations over Currie concentrating his entire force on a relatively narrow front, agreed to it in the end. The 4th and 1st Canadian Divisions would lead the attack, which would commence on 27 September at 5:20 a.m.25

Friday 27th September 1918 It rained heavily during night but was bright and pretty clear in morning. We attacked at 5:20 a.m. 10th Brigade with 44th Battalion on right 46th on left, their task to cross canal and capture trenches and the sunken road to east on a frontage of fifteen hundred yards. Their 47th on right and 50th on left to go through to first objective. The 11th Brigade on right and 12th on left carry on to capture of Bourlon and Bourlon Wood. The 1st Brigade of 1st Division is on our 297

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left and 52nd Division [British] on right. Then 63rd Division go through 52nd and later the 57th take on from 63rd but 1st Canadian Division and ourselves carry on right through. The Bosche barrage came down five minutes after ours. At noon the situation was most satisfactory, the 10th Brigade had crossed the canal and on schedule time had captured the Red Line. The 11th and 12th then went through and gallantly captured the Green Line, then Bourlon Wood and Village and by noon had secured their final objectives with exception of right of line which is held up on account of 63rd Division not getting on. At 4 p.m. we completed our task and hold all Bourlon Wood and all objectives. We move HQ tonight to near Inchy. D 12 and D 9.2. in pillboxes in the main Hindenburg Line. Saturday 28th September 1918 A bright clear morning but showery at times. I went up with Magee across Canal du Nord past Quarry Wood and on up beyond Bourlon to see [Ross] Hayter at his [10th Brigade] HQ. Then went on over to the Cambrai road and back. We attacked this morning with 10th Brigade and captured Raillencourt and Sailly and took a number of prisoners. Corps commander [Currie] called today. General MacBrien [12th Brigade] got shot through calf of left today and Colonel Gardner [38th] is also badly wounded. [Lieutenant-Colonel James] Kirkcaldy is temporarily commanding the 12th Brigade. Sunday 29th September 1918 What a different day to last Sunday. Then so peaceful and quiet, today so hellish in its intensity of war and all that that implies. Moved today up to west of Bourlon, rode across canal and up here. In the afternoon I rode up to near Raillencourt and called on Odlum [11th Brigade] and then went across the main Arras–Cambrai road to HQ of 12th Brigade. The shelling was pretty heavy while we were there. It started to rain as we came back. The 12th Brigade went through the 10th Brigade at 8 o’clock this morning and pushed on and captured Sancourt. Some of our men got as far as Blécourt, but were forced back as our flanks were unprotected. Monday 30th September 1918 A cold windy raw day. The 11th Brigade attacked this morning. They got on very well at first, but met a strong Bosche attack that had evidently been in course of developing. The artillery and machine-gun fire was very heavy and they had to get back to the line of the [illegible] which they now hold. General Currie was here and then called a conference of divisional commanders, and it was decided to defer any further action until tomorrow. Our front is then to be shortened up and 1st Division on left and 3rd on right, with us, to make a concerted effort. [Colonel George McLaren] Brown [assistant director of movements] was here today. Great news today, Bulgaria accepts unconditional peace terms.26 298

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Tuesday 1st October 191827 It rained very hard during the night, but this morning it was bright and clear. We attacked again this morning with 11th Brigade. The 102nd ahead with 87th to leapfrog through. Our men hung out most gallantly all day on their hard-gained objectives, though the divisions on right could not get on and 1st Division on left were driven back almost to starting point. This afternoon I rode up to Odlum’s HQ [11th Brigade] and had a magnificent close view of Cambrai, and came back through part of Bourlon Wood and Bourlon village. We are going to be relieved by the 2nd Division tonight. In this five days’ fight, my division had been up against ten divisions, or fifty battalions, and the corps up against thirteen divisions and eighty battalions. Wednesday 2nd October 1918 A cloudy but nice morning at 3:30, the front being taken over by the 2nd Canadian Division. Took a long ride this morning all along canal bank with Colonel Panet and then on through Mœuvres, Pastanneux and Fontaine, and entirely around Bourlon Wood. Had a fine close view of Cambrai, with many places on fire in it. In afternoon went back to our rear HQ in Inchy and got a few things there. Some of the American labour delegates called on me this afternoon. We are remaining on here in present HQ though all three brigades [10th–12th] are going back tonight to areas west of canal. Lieutenant Bosche came over and told about an attack tonight, all preparations were made, and attack easily repulsed.

Pushing through Cambrai 3–16 October 1918 The Canadian Corps had predicted that the first hammer blow (Canal du Nord) would stun the German forces, which were obviously beginning to crumble. But on the Cambrai front this was not the case, and the 4th Division had to keep pushing against a prepared and determined enemy. To make matters worse, the surprise that had permitted the initial breakthrough was now lost. Also, divisions on either side of the 4th failed to keep pace, adding hardship. Chronic ammunition shortages, communication breakdowns, and exhaustion complicated the 4th’s struggles, and gaining objectives became much more trying. It was attritional warfare at its worst, with the attackers suffering disproportionately. In the end, the division did its duty, but just barely. Thursday 3rd October 1918 A nice clear bright day. Went for a long ride this morning around to visit the battalions [47th–50th] of the 10th Brigade. Got some wonderful stories of their 299

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share in the recent fighting. Went back to near Quéant and had a long talk with corps commander [Currie] who was loud in his praise of the division. We are to be out for about two weeks, and are to be moved out west of Arras. The corps is to be relieved by the XXII Corps [formerly II ANZAC Corps] and we move northwards. I met General [Alexander] Godley this afternoon (GOC XXII Corps).28 Friday 4th October 1918 [Henri] Panet went on leave to Paris today. I sent [Mac] Moore and Currie with him for the trip. Lindsay went on leave yesterday. I rode around Bourlon Wood this morning with Peters. Doble was to come to us today on a visit for a couple of days, at least, he was to come, but somehow I could not locate him at rear HQ. Went over to Quéant today and had a long talk with Odlum [11th Brigade] and then came back by the corps. Also called on [Ross] Hayter at his [10th Brigade] HQ near Inchy. Odlum and MacBrien [12th Brigade] have got bars to their DSO.29 The Bosche planes are very active overhead these nights. General [Richard] Turner was at the corps today. Sunday 6th October 1918 A nasty cold raw day. Attended service this morning with the 85th Battalion near Quéant, and then went and saw the 72nd, 78th, and 38th Battalions [all in 12th Brigade] and had lunch at 12th Brigade HQ with [Lieutenant-]Colonel [James] Kirkcaldy [acting CO]. The 12th Brigade move back tonight to the Avesnes area. Moore and Currie got back from Paris tonight. Monday 7th October 1918 A cloudy windy day. We got in the wireless this morning that Germany had intimated her willingness to accept [US President Woodrow] Wilson’s peace terms and asking for an immediate armistice. Divisional HQ moves today at 1 o’clock back to Étrun. Took us 1½ hours to motor back, and came through a great part of the country that we had fought over. At night [Colonel] Marshall’s [adjutant] birthday, we had in Kirkcaldy, Hughes, Magee, King did not show up. It turned out a very bad rainy night. Wednesday 9th October 1918 A nice bright day. Went over to Hautes-Avesnes and inspected the 12th Brigade. They had 1843 other ranks and seventy-three officers on parade and with exception of 38th Battalion looked very well. I made an address to them and then watched them march past. In afternoon went over to Villers-Châtel and afterwards called on Odlum at his HQ [11th Brigade] at Marœuil huts. The 2nd and 3rd Divisions captured Cambrai this morning and everywhere the situation is most satisfactory. 300

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Thursday 10th October 1918 A wet drizzly morning but turned fine in the afternoon. I took [Victor] Odlum and [Mac] Moore and we went up by Béthune, Estairs, Bailleul and on to Ypres. It was sad to see the utter destruction of all these fine towns, that we had known so well in the past. We came back by the Wytschaete–Messines Ridge and through Nouvelle-Église, tried to get to Sailly and Fleurbaix, but the bridges were blown up. We then came down by Richebourg, Saint-Vaast and tried to get to La Bassée, but the roads were too bad. Had the Villers-Châtel people in to dinner tonight. Friday 11th October 1918 Fine in the morning but showering at night. I inspected the 10th Brigade this morning near Arras. Over two thousand on parade, found them in excellent shape. Made a speech and then had a march past. Went over to First Army HQ in the afternoon and had a talk with [General Warren Hastings] Anderson re policy and as we came into army reserve at 11 this a.m. Dined with the 12th Brigade tonight. Had letters 31 and 32 of 18 September from Mary tonight. Saturday 12th October 1918 A nasty wet day. Got letter number 33 of 21st September from Mary today. Went and had my teeth fixed up by the army dentist at No. 4 CCS [Agnez-lès-Duisans] this morning. We got warned today that we are to start relieving the 56th Division in the line on the 14th inspection. All units warned and I went up to their [56th] HQ to make arrangements, it is located in a sunken road north of Cagnicourt. The GOC is Major-General [Charles] Hull. He married Miss [Muriel Helen] Dobell of Quebec. Sunday 13th October 1918 A nasty wet cold day. I attended the 11th Brigade church service this morning and afterwards made an address to the officers and men and then had the brigade march past. They looked uncommonly well. The 10th Brigade have been bussed up to the Écurie area this afternoon and the 11th Brigade go tomorrow by rail. We are taking over from the 56th Division early on the 16th. Great news has come in this afternoon, that the Bosches had accepted in full the terms laid down by President Wilson. Peace at last. Monday 14th October 191830 A nice fine morning. [Lieutenant-]Colonel [K.M.] Perry of 87th Battalion left today to take over the 13th Battalion. I rode over to see Odlum [11th Brigade] this morning, and talked over future policy and in afternoon I rode over to HautesAvesnes to see 12th Brigade. Roulers was captured today by the Belgians and the Second Army also commenced their attack this morning. We heard the sad news 301

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this afternoon that [General Louis] Lipsett [GOC British 4th Division, formerly GOC Canadian 3rd Division] has been killed by a sniper east of Cambrai. Tuesday 15th October 191831 A cloudy dull cool day. Busy all morning straightening out things before we take over tomorrow morning. I got a fine letter from General [Sydney] Mewburn [minister of militia] this morning offering me Montreal at $6000 a year. Went to Quérant this afternoon to attend poor Lipsett’s funeral. While there I met the Prince of Wales [later Edward VIII] and had quite a long jolly talk with him. He is attached to the Canadian Corps for a month. Wednesday 16th October 191832 A nasty wet dismal day. Left Étrun at 8:30 a.m. and took over from General Hull of 56th Division at Villers-lès-Cagnicourt at 10 a.m. Our HQs are in huts and dugouts in a little sunken road. I took [Mac] Moore’s [ADC] and went up to Écourt–SaintQuentin to see [Victor] Odlum at his HQ and had lunch there and then went on to see [Ross] Hayter [10th Brigade] near Sauchy-Cauchy at Cemetery Wood. Both are fairly comfortable.

Approach to Valenciennes 17–28 October 1918 By 17 October, the 4th Division was back in the line and, with the rest of the Canadian Corps, pursuing the Germans as they retreated towards the Belgian frontier. As the Canadians passed through war-ravaged towns, they could hardly fail to notice how the enemy occupation had affected people. The Germans practised a “scorched-earth” policy as they withdrew and, as their discipline broke down, caused much wanton destruction. Thursday 17th October 1918 A nice morning though cloudy and misty. Went up with [Ross] Hayter over his area [10th Brigade]. Motored up through Épinoy and then up the Douai–Cambrai road to the HQ of 46th Battalion then on to the right of the line near Fressies and had a good observation there. Then on back to the left of 10th Brigade line. Met [Major] Davies [second in command, 10th Battalion Engineers] and went up to his observation post and then back around Oisy-le-Verger and back home. The Prince of Wales and [Captain] Lord Claude Hamilton [equerry] came to lunch today and afterwards we spent the afternoon together visiting the brigades and battalions. The 87th Battalion crossed the canal this afternoon.

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Friday 18th October 1918 A very misty but fine day. All our troops of 10th and 11th Brigades got across the canal early this morning. I took [Mac] Moore and called for [Victor] Odlum at Écourt–St-Quentin and we went first to Arleux, then across canal and on to see the 87th at Bugnicourt, then down Cambrai road into Aubigny. We were the first to go down there. Then across canal again and called on 10th Brigade HQ at Aubencheul. Got back about 1:30 p.m. [Major Rev.] Almond and [Captain Rev.] Shatford were in to lunch. Our troops have got on well today, and are on the Auberchicourt–Marquette line approximately. Saturday 19th October 191833 Another nice fine day. Panet came back from leave last night and Lindsay today. I went up with Odlum this morning and had a good tour around the [11th Brigade] area. Went up through Bugnicourt, on to Erchin and then to Villers-au-Tertre. Saw the 87th, 54th and 102nd Battalions [all in 11th Brigade]. Then went on to Fressain to see the 10th Brigade. It was rather misty for observation. We have got on far beyond our objectives and have captured Aniche, Abscon, Escaudain and many other places. Our patrols are in Denain. We have released over three thousand civilians. Sunday 20th October 191834 A nasty wet cold day. We have captured Denain, Haveluy and other places. This morning our HQ was moved forward [to] Auberchicourt. I then went up with Odlum and [Henri] Panet and stopped at Abscon, where we had liberated about twenty-three hundred French civilians. The people were just crazy with joy, and the mayor made a speech and presented me with a fine big French flag. I replied in French. Then went on to Escaudain and on to Bévillers where I saw the 54th and 87th Battalions. He [Bosche] was shelling nastily all around there. We saw the 47th on way back also the 78th and 75th and went down to Rœulx where we saw the 50th. Then into Denain where we had a talk with [Ross] Hayter at the 10th Brigade HQ. The junctions of roads are badly blown up everywhere. The corps commander [Currie] called to see us in the afternoon. The Bosche is evidently trying hard to stop our advance at this point. We have liberated about twenty-eight thousand civilians in Denain today, but the Bosche is starting to shell it. Monday 21st October 1918 A nasty wet and cloudy day. I left early and went up into Denain and had a long talk with [Ross] Hayter. Our lines were advanced this morning about three miles and we are well on to Valenciennes. Tried to get over to the 51st Division on our right is cleared up, and they will be able to come up with us. In afternoon I went up again to Escaudain and on into Haveluy, where 11th Brigade are now established, then down [illegible] into eastern outskirts of Denain. 303

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Tuesday 22nd October 1918 A nasty wet cold day. The 51st Division are still held up at T[?] and our brigades are pushing rapidly on to the north of the canal. We are right on the western outskirts [illegible] of Valenciennes. I rode over to Abscon today to 12th Brigade. They are relieving the 10th Brigade in the right sector. Wednesday 23rd October 1918 A nice fine day, with a smattering of mist. I went up to Auby this morning, the new HQ of the 11th Brigade. It is only about three thousand yards behind the front line. The 11th Brigade completely occupied their final positions all along the canal bank this morning. And the 12th are also well along it, hope to have it cleared up today. We moved to Escaudain this afternoon, and I went over to Denain to see [Ross] Hayter. He is going to the corps to replace Webber, and [Brigadier-General J.M.] Ross, formerly of 5th Brigade, is going to get my 10th Brigade. General Currie was with us for lunch today. Thursday 24th October 1918 A nice fine cloudy day. [Mac] Moore and I went up to Auby, and got [Victor] Odlum, then went on up into Raismes, and on to the 75th Battalion HQ at Beauvois. We then walked across to the front lines beyond Denain-Anzin, and on to the canal, where we had a wonderful view of all the surrounding country, canals and lands inundated with water. Had lunch with Odlum and then went on and saw 12th Brigade. The XXII Corps on our right attacked this morning, and all got across the river and well beyond. Friday 25th October 1918 I rode over to the 12th Brigade this morning, through Denain and back across country. General Currie was at our HQ today, and our new GSO 2 Major Grosvenor reported this afternoon. I went up to Cambrai this afternoon with Peters. It is fearfully smashed in. On way back I called at Avesnes-le-Sec to see [MajorGeneral G.T.C. Carter-Campbell] the GOC 51st Division. They made good headway today on our right. Had dinner with Odlum tonight and came back by 12th Brigade HQ. Kirkcaldy [12th] told me that the engineers had let him down in the bridging, and the operation did not take place as scheduled. Saturday 26th October 1918 A nice fine bright day. Took a long ride this morning up to Haveluy and back across country. Our little operation of last night was put off, as I did not want to needlessly sacrifice men. This afternoon went up to 12th Brigade and went into details of the operation for tonight and came back to see [Ross] Hayter. Our new GSO 2 Grosvenor reported yesterday. 304

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Sunday 27th October 1918 A delightful morning and a day of most historic interest. The people of Denain had a religious and patriotic service in the cathedral. We arranged for a very fine spectacular show and had the streets lined with troops of 10th Brigade. The mayor and council presented me with an address and a flag. The Prince of Wales and the corps commander [Currie] were there and the three of us had seats in the chancel of the church. They had many young ladies who were dressed in national costumes and presented all the generals with flowers. The dean of the church made an exceptionally fine address and afterwards the troops marched by the Prince of Wales. We had a number of newspaper correspondents there too. And the streets were beautifully decorated with flags. I went up to Aubry in the afternoon to see the wreck of 11th Brigade HQ. The gas was still pretty bad all around and I was badly affected. [Nat] Arfer and concert party came back to us today. Monday 28th October 1918 A misty dull day. Panet, Grosvenor, and myself went up around La Sentinelle [a high-elevation commune] early today to get a general view of the situation, but it was too foggy to get any decent observation. We came back by Bellaing, the 11th Brigade new HQ. I then went up to see the 12th Brigade and on to the 85th Battalion. The 51st Division on our right attacked today to get Mont Houy [overlooking Valenciennes from the south] but only had partial success.

Final Battle 28 October–1 November 1918 The retreating Germans wanted to make a stand at Valenciennes, the last major French city in their hands. The British First Army decided, at a meeting on 27 October, to take Mont Houy. It planned to use a height of land dominating Valenciennes from the south (a strategy similar to Hill 70, in 1917). The British 51st Division captured Mont Houy on 28 October, and during the day the Canadian 4th Division would link up with it, with the two then jointly launching a two-pronged, staggered assault on the city. Surprisingly, on the morning of 28 October, a single battalion (five hundred men) from the badly weakened 51st attacked and took Mont Houy, but it was unable to hold it and fell back.35 Authorities then removed the depleted 51st from the line and ordered the Canadian 4th to take both Mont Houy and Valenciennes. That very day, 28 October, the capable Brigadier-General J.M. Ross took over 10th Brigade from Brigadier-General Ross Hayter, who left to assume a staff position at corps HQ.36 The 4th’s initial assault on 29 October went satisfactorily, with the division

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occupying three sides of the height. However, because of the 51st’s failure, the 10th Brigade could not accomplish all of its goals.

Tuesday 29th October 1918 A nice fine day. General [J.M.] Ross formerly of 5th Brigade came yesterday and took over command of the 10th Brigade, [Ross] Hayter having gone as BGGS at the corps. I left early today with [General Lord] Brooke and motored up to Prouvy and then we walked cross country to Trith-Saint-Léger where we had a wonderful view of Mont Houy and all the surrounding country. We came back by the main Valenciennes road, and called at 12th and 10th Brigades on way home. The 10th Brigade take over the frontage of the 154th Brigade tonight. The 11th Brigade was relieved by the 8th Brigade last night and are now in divisional reserve. The Australians have asked the W.S. [?] to make peace terms. Wednesday 30th October 1918 A very fine fall day. We took over the brigade frontage of 51st Division last night with the 10th Brigade and their HQ are now in Thiant. We moved divisional HQ this morning to Denain. I went over to Thiant to arrange with Ross for the artillery barrage for the next operation. The corps commander [Currie] came in to see us, also General [Neville] Cameron of the 49th Division and we all settled on the artillery barrage table. In the afternoon I had a conference at this HQ to discuss fully the details of the coming operation. The Bosches put some big shells into this place. Thursday 31st October 191837 A dull cloudy day. All arrangements are now practically completed for our big operation tomorrow. I went up with Panet this morning to La Sentinelle (motored up) to the divisional observation post there, and had a good look over the country that we are to go over tomorrow. Then came back to Thiant to see the 10th Brigade and then on to the 12th Brigade. At night all arrangements were completed for the big show in the morning. Our concert party opened in Denain tonight. Friday 1st November 1918 A beautiful fine day. We attacked this morning at 5:15 with 10th Brigade. 49th Division on our right. This 10th Brigade had the 44th Battalion on right with 47th on left. 46th to leapfrog the 44th and 50th in support. We had eight brigades of field artillery and about 102 heavy guns, and seventy-two extra machine guns on barrage work. Practically on schedule time we finished our job and won all our objectives. Took about two thousand prisoners and six field guns and our casualties were moderately light. I went up this morning through Maing and on to La Fontinelle and then back by Trith. In afternoon went up to 12th HQ. The 38th and 306

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72nd are both across the canal and have entered Valenciennes from the west. The 49th Division did not get their objectives today, but are about a thousand yards back of it. Turkey and Austria both surrendered yesterday and an armistice has been signed with them. Germany is now alone.38

War’s End 2–11 November 1918 On 2 November, the 12th Brigade replaced the 10th, and the 54th Battalion, pushing through Valenciennes, found that most of the Germans had fled the previous evening. On 6 November, the 4th Division moved into corps reserve. Its war was over. Saturday 2nd November 1918 A drizzly cold day. Last night 11th Brigade relieved one battalion of 10th Brigade in front line. Left to right now, two battalions of the 12th brigade, one battalion, 10th Brigade and one battalion, 11th Brigade. After relief 11th Brigade pushed out and captured Marly and twenty-eight prisoners, and this morning at 7:50 the 12th Brigade with 72nd on left and 38th on right, captured Valenciennes and went right through to eastern edge of town. The 72nd Battalion have pushed on and captured Saint-Saulve and the 11th Brigade have taken up a line from there about due south. I went up to near the Chemin Vert, beyond Famars this afternoon to see Odlum. There was a tremendous congestion on the roads as we came back. Sunday 3rd November 1918 A cloudy dull day. I left with Walker and motored up through La Sentinelle and on across the new bridge into Valenciennes and made a call on the mayor and the prefect of the town. They were all so delighted to see us. The outskirts of the town are badly knocked about but a great number of fine buildings in the city are all right. The Bosche has gone back again, and our patrols are on through SaintSaulve and Estreux and still pushing forward. We are now established tonight on the Red Line, the objective given us for tomorrow morning. This afternoon we moved our HQ into Valenciennes. Monday 4th November 1918 I had a most exciting and interesting day of it. Left with Panet and Odlum and went up to the front-line battalion (75th) at Saint-Benin and saw them all there. Then back and up to the 12th Brigade front-line battalions. The 72nd and 38th in Annœullin. While [we were] there the Bosche began to shell pretty heavily and hit the church only across the road from us about four times while we were there and 307

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he had quite a barrage on the road ahead of us, as we came back. [LieutenantColonel] Sir Montagu Allen [of Montreal] came to see us today. The Third and Fourth Armies started a big attack today. An armistice was signed today with Austria. Tuesday 5th November 1918 A wet cold dreary day. Stayed in all morning. 11th and 12th Brigades attacked at 5:30 this morning, and advanced our lines about four thousand yards, capturing the villages of Rombies and Quarouble. We are to carry on tomorrow to get up as far as the Grande Honnelle River, when the 2nd Division are to relieve us. General Currie was around this morning. Our Third and Fourth Armies and French Army to the south of us have made great progress and have taken over fifteen thousand prisoners and two hundred guns. Wednesday 6th November 1918 Another wet disagreeable day. We attacked at 5:30 this morning, and both the 11th and 12th Brigades have secured their objectives on the [Grande] Honnelle River and gone onto the high ground beyond. Attended an important meeting this morning at the corps on the question of demobilization and very strongly advocated that we go back as units.39 We were relieved in the line tonight by the 2nd Canadian Division. Since the 15th October, starting at Cagnicourt, we have been in the line and advancing steadily and tonight have handed over the line on the high ground on the east side of the Grande Honnelle River. Thursday 7th November 1918 A nasty cloudy and drizzly day. Rode up to Anzin and Raismes to see the 11th and 9th Brigades. The army had a show this morning to receive the adulations of the people of Valenciennes. I did not go to it, nor any of my staff. We heard last night that the Germans were sending over a party of four officers to get terms of the armistice. What glorious news that is. Friday 8th November 1918 A very bad wet day. I went with [Victor] Odlum and [Mac] Moore up to Lille this morning and had a most interesting trip there. We got there before lunch, had a good walk around the town, called on General [William] Birdwood commanding Fifth Army, and then came back to the War Correspondents HQ and had lunch with them. Got back to Valenciennes about 4 o’clock. Had dinner tonight with General [William] King, but had to leave early on account of a very bad cold in my head.

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Saturday 9th November 1918 A beautiful fine warm day. The Bosches are retiring very fast on this front and the troops of the 2nd Division are well on to Mons [Belgium]. I went with [Colonel] Marshall this morning, and rode across country up to Fosse 2, and around by Quarouble and back by Ouvaring. The army commander [General Henry Horne] called this morning, but I did not see him. In afternoon went around by Rombies, Anzinjive, Baisieux, [illegible], [illegible], [illegible] and back by main road. The 2nd and 3rd Divisions are well up to Mons by now. Mauberge was captured today. Sunday 10th November 1918 One of our most historic days. Went over to the [Valenciennes] square in the morning where we met M. [Raymond] Poincaré the president of the French Republic, and had an invitation to lunch with him. We had a fine guard from the 72nd Battalion for him and the army commander [Horne] was there. In the afternoon we gave a reception to the mayor and aldermen and their families. We had over two hundred there, and afterwards our concert party gave a performance in the local theatre for all the townspeople free. At night the Prince of Wales and [Captain] Lord Claude Hamilton [equerry] dined with us. They also attended at the theatre. Monday 11th November 191840 A most notable day. At 6:30 this morning, I got a phone from corps stating that hostilities were to cease at 11 a.m. We got the bands of 10th Brigade together in the [Valenciennes] square and at 11 exactly the mayor raised the French flag and the bands played the “La Marseillaise.” It was the most inspiring sight, that after our four years of war, we gained complete victory over the enemy. At noon we attended a Te Deum service in the cathedral and in the afternoon motored up as far as Bousies. We were going to Mons but the motor broke down and had to turn back. I got presented with a beautiful piece of real Valenciennes lace, 150 years old from their museum for Mary.

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Chapter 18

The Aftermath November–December 1918 A Service of Thanksgiving 12 November–31 December 1918

Tuesday 12th November 1918 Another beautiful day. I went for a long ride over through Saint-Saulve and then back across country. Everything is very quiet now all over the whole front, not a shot to be heard anywhere. In the afternoon had a conference at the corps. We are selected as one of the corps to march to the Rhine, and we are today transferred into the Second Army. We are to start on the 17th. Later I had a conference at our HQ and gave out all the information I had received, laying strict emphasis on the rigid discipline to be maintained at all times. At night dined at 10th Brigade. Sunday 17th November 1918 A bright clear cold day. We attended a special service of thanksgiving at the theatre in Mons this morning. It was one of the finest scenes I have ever witnessed and our senior chaplain Major [Alan P.] Shatford [24th Battalion] gave a most eloquent address. In the afternoon I rode over to see the 10th Brigade at [illegible] about ten miles off. Monday 18th November 19181 A cold wintry day. It snowed this morning. The 1st and 2nd Divisions started this morning on the great advance to the Rhine. We are all busy preparing for our move on the 20th. The [First] Army Commander General Horne came to say goodbye to us today. We are now transferred into the Second Army. Rode away eastbound and met hundreds of returning [Allied] prisoners in all sorts of rigs. English, French, Belgians, and Italians, all delighted at their freedom and all telling the same story, that the Bosche was far more beaten than we have ever realized.

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Tuesday 19th November 1918 A nasty wet cold day. Went over to [illegible] to see Odlum this morning and he has had an interview with Meighen [87th Battalion] and [G.H.] Kirkpatrick [72nd] about their return to Canada and left it to them to decide which it should be.2 Also discussed with Odlum future prospects in Canada and the necessity of starting an organization over here that would grow and spread at home. Went to 7th Brigade this afternoon to a little reception they had. Also called at the corps. Wednesday 20th November 1918 A very cold foggy day. I left at 6 a.m. with Sir Montagu Allan, and motored down to Boulogne. Got there at noon. We stopped at Montreuil on way down to see General [John] Embury [formerly commanded 28th Battalion, now head of Canadian section, GHQ]. Left at 2:30 got to London at 7:30 p.m. Hard to get rooms but met Grant Morden and stopped with him at the Ritz. Friday 22nd November 1918 Another very nice day. Went around to try and get some films, but could not find any at all. Had lunch with Dudley Oliver and some other friends at the Carlton and then went on to see a few friends. Called to see Sir Robert Borden at 6 o’clock and spent an hour with him. Went to see The Man from Toronto at night. Very Good. Sunday 24th November 19183 Another very fine day. Had letters 44, 45, 46 from Mary and told me that Marjorie had been very ill with the flu. How glad I am she is all right now. Went up to see General Currie and to say au revoir for a few days as they are moving off forward today and we are left behind with the 3rd Canadian Division under IV Corps. Monday 25th November 19184 A cold misty day. We set off early and motored up the main northern route and visited the farmers fields of Waterloo, climbed to the top of the mound two hundred feet high and had a splendid look over all that historic country. Then went on into Brussels and had lunch there at the Palace Hotel and got back to Mons about 7 p.m. after a most enjoyable day. Wednesday 27th November 1918 A cloudy cool day, at 10:30 we were invited to a reception at the governor’s house to meet the King of the Belgians [Albert I]. Afterwards we went over to the city hall where there was another reception and then back to the government house for luncheon. In the afternoon I went up through Charleroi to Gosselies for a corps conference on the educational scheme.

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Friday 29th November 19185 A cloudy dull day. Went over to Hyon and inspected the 12th Brigade and presented decorations to them. Then had a march past and an inspection of all the transport. Had lunch with [General James] MacBrien and in afternoon had a large conference of all unit commanders in the division on the educational questions. At night had in the four commanding officers [54th, 75th, 87th, 102nd] of 11th Brigade to dinner. Saturday 30th November 19186 A cloudy but otherwise fine day. I went up and had a long talk with [Victor] Odlum and then rode around by Obourg. In the afternoon we rode up into Havré through the forest. I had an interview today with young Angus and also several interviews with Hicking and Miller re the regrettable incident at the 10th Brigade HQ Dance the other evening.7 Also saw Mallock re pooling of car. Tuesday 3rd December 1918 A nasty cold drizzly day. I inspected the 12th Brigade on a rank march today. They marched right around Mons, and presented a very fine turnout, especially their transport. In the afternoon, I went over near Havré, and inspected the 126th Brigade of artillery, who are attached to this division. Rode over to Havré and called on the 87th Battalion and then back to 11th Brigade HQ. We got our warning order today and expect to start moving east about the 8th instant. Got an intimation tonight from Odlum re 87th men breaking into some cases of champagne. Wednesday 4th December 1918 A nasty wet day, and the inspection of 10th Brigade is postponed until the 6th. The 126th Brigade inspection was also postponed. I had a visit from Odlum about the 87th Battalion insubordination in their guard over stores yesterday, and he apologized for his remarks last night. I rode around the town this afternoon and then had a meeting of brigadiers to discuss giving a [New Year’s Eve] ball in Brussels. It was computed that it would take 4½ days’ pay for all the senior officers, and each brigade was to see if all would agree. Thursday 5th December 19188 A nice mild fall day. Heard last night that a number of men in 10th Battalion of our engineers were in a mutinous state and had been placed under open arrest. They refused to go out on the regular parade. Went up this morning to Brussels, where I entertained all the unit senior officers in the division at lunch at the Taverne royale. There were thirty-six present and I also had Burgomaster [Adolphe] Max, the mayor of Brussels.9 It was a most enjoyable affair and a most historic one too. 313

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We got back about midnight. Odlum’s car skidded and ran into a tree and he had a rib or two broken. Friday 6th December 1918 A beautiful warm day. Inspected the 10th Brigade this morning and presented decorations to them. Had lunch with [Colonel James] Kirkcaldy [12th Brigade] and inspected the 126th Brigade of artillery in the afternoon. They were very fine indeed. At night had dinner with “C” Mess. We got word that our move is again postponed until the 11th. Sunday 8th December 1918 A beautiful fine day. Attended divine service with the 85th Battalion just outside Hefron, and then went on to see General Odlum and on up to lunch. Had a conference at our HQ in connection with the proposed divisional ball. It was decided by the majority to have it an assessment function, though Odlum and I were very much opposed to this. Monday 9th December 1918 A cloudy morning but very fine in afternoon. [Colonel] Marshall and Stevenson left on leave early this morning. In the afternoon I inspected the machine-gun battalion at Frameries and was most agreeably satisfied with their general appearance. I found today that two officers of the 10th Battalion Engineers have overstayed their leave five days, and have given instructions for a full report. Colonel Hughes also stated that he was far from satisfied with Major Davies, second in command of that battalion. The 3rd Division are giving a big ball tonight in Brussels. Tuesday 10th December 1918 Another nice mild day. We got orders last night that we should start moving forward on the 12th and orders were at once sent out to all units. This morning I inspected the 10th Brigade on a route march with all their transport and they made a very fine showing and in the afternoon went over to Binche and presented decorations to the engineer brigade. I then addressed them and gave them a good talk on the behaviour of certain of the men in the unit. Also had the officers up afterwards and told them a few things on the effect of example. Wednesday 11th December 1918 A cloudy regular fall day. The 3rd Division have started moving forward this morning. I rode around to the 12th Brigade to arrange for some sword dancing at the big ball. Called to see Major Jackson of 85th Battalion who is ordered back home on account of health. In afternoon I inspected the transport section of our signal unit. Several guests came down from Brussels and had tea with 314

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us, and afterwards we all went on to Odlum’s for dinner, where he gave us a very enjoyable evening, dinner, cinema, music, and dancing. Thursday 12th December 1918 A nasty disagreeable wet day. All the divisions except divisional HQ started on our big move east this morning. All highly elated, at the prospect of getting into Germany. Our friends from Brussels went back at noon today. They had a splendid time here with us, and we are all invited there for Christmas. Had a manly letter from [James] Craig about [daughter] Marjorie and I replied asking for information re prospects. Had a visit today from General [George] Harper, commanding IV Corps, and at night dined with General [Alexander] Godley, GOC XXII Corps here in Mons. Monday 16th December 1918 Left at 7 a.m. after a cheerless breakfast, and we went by Dour where the 2nd Army HQ are and on by Zülpich and Eruse Kierchen, and got to Bonn at 10 a.m. Met the corps commander [Currie] who was just going to meet Hay at Cologne. Had our conference at 4 p.m. and it was agreed that it was best to try and get the corps out into a back area, and got all together again, so that the preliminary work in connection with the demobilization could be proceeded with. Had a long talk afterwards with Currie and stayed at the corps all night. Tuesday 17th December 1918 A nice morning but rained later in day. Left at 7:05 a.m. and got to Aix-la-Chapelle [Aachen] in 2½ hours and passed by Liège and on to our new HQ in Jodoigne [Belgium] where we arrived at 12:30, a splendid run of 5½ hours, and not a puncture or an accident on either way. We are in a very nice large château and the old gentleman is very kind, but the brigades are very scattered and not at all comfortable. We had in Mr. Vacheron tonight for dinner, the owner of this fine château. Wednesday 18th December 1918 Another very bad day, it hailed and rained all night, am getting things straightened out after my trip to the corps. Have sent in a strong letter of protest against the poor billeting accommodations for the men in this area. In afternoon had a long conference with my brigadiers and in connection with demobilization and arranged to go to the IV Corps tomorrow to protest against the present accommodation for our men, which is the worst we have had.

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Thursday 19th December 1918 I left with Panet this morning and motored back to the IV Corps HQ and had a long interview with General [George] [illegible] Harper [commanding IV Corps] who at once vigorously took up the matter with the army. Took us 2½ hours to be there and only one hour and fifty minutes back. Stevenson and our Christmas things got back tonight. Wednesday 25th December 1918 Christmas Day and a beautiful day too. It snowed slightly last night, and today it is bright and summer-like. I went around to all the brigades and to a number of battalions and all were in the best of humors. I got [daughter] Billie’s Christmas stocking, but no box yet from Mary. We had our Christmas dinner tonight and had in old Vacheron to it. I called on the French general of the division that is also in this town, and he returned my call this afternoon. Friday 27th December 1918 Another fearfully bad day, poured rain all afternoon. I rode over to Jofer in the morning and had a long talk with Odlum. Then went on to Wavre and had lunch and a long talk over our new area, with General [George] Harper commanding IV Corps. The 3rd Canadian Division started moving back today and we are to go into their present area starting on the 2nd January. Had a big meeting of our ball committee this afternoon and our interviews with Captain Logan afterwards. Got advice that my Xmas box from home had been looted on the way up. Sunday 29th December 1918 We got definite order for the move yesterday and have worked out the march table, a most complicated affair. General [J.M.] Ross of 10th Brigade came home today. It is a most disagreeable wet windy day. Got a long cable message last night from [Lieutenant-Governor] Sir Charles Fitzpatrick on behalf of the Province of Quebec extending all good wishes for the New Year.10 My car has been laid up for three days and it is most difficult to get around without it, in this scattered area. Went up to Brussels this afternoon about the final arrangements for the ball. Called on the Villerses, and on Countess de Merode. Both are most charming people. Colonel Marshall went off to Lille in my car to meet the de Lesseps. Got an invitation from [Foreign Minister Paul] Hymans for dinner on the 31st. Tuesday 31st December 191811 The last of such a memorable year and a nice fine day. Rode up towards Tirlemont to see the 77th French Division about right of way in our next marches. Heard last night that the Prince of Wales was coming to our ball. We left at 5 p.m. for Brussels had dinner with M. et Madame Paul Hymans, Minister of Foreign Affairs, 316

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and then went on to the ball where I received the guests from 9 to 10 p.m. There were about two thousand present and everything went off marvelously well. The Prince [of Wales] had a great time. Prince [Alexander] of Teck [since 1917 Earl of Athlone, future governor general of Canada] was also there and numerous Lords and Dukes and Counts and Generals Godley, Hunter, Weston and Harper came. At midnight we brought in the New Year in great style. A big clock with electric fittings and the pipers marching in through the big hall. We had three big dance halls going all the time. Got back about 5:30 a.m.

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Chapter 19

Waiting January–March 1919 Boxing in the Summer Palace 1 January–31 March 1919

The end of the war had arrived, but the logistics of getting the Canadian Expeditionary Force home, with its men and equipment, was a challenging one, and meant that many had a long wait to return. Both men and their officers were billeted in small towns and villages in the Wavre-Jodoigne area of Belgium, about forty kilometres from Brussels. Their four or so months there would be filled with programs of training, principally to maintain physical fitness; sporting events; educational classes; and opportunities for touring. In the end, the 4th Division would remain in Belgium the longest of any Canadian division, with its last units leaving for England—and then Canada—at the end of April.

Wednesday 1st January 19191 New Year’s Day and such a beautiful day. Rested up and just loafed around after our big ball last night. In afternoon attended the new opening performance of our concert party here in Jodoigne and later had in a few guests to dinner. It blew a gale at night and we had difficulty getting out a car to get the guests home. Thursday 2nd January 1919 Another fine day. We had a lot to do fixing up after the ball and practically all the accounts now paid and the slate cleaned up. Went for a long walk today along the river back to [illegible] and in afternoon rode over to the 11th Brigade. Colonel [James] Kirkcaldy [commanding 12th Brigade] called in to see me about their honours. Friday 3rd January 1919 The corps commander [General Arthur Currie], [General George] Farmar [deputy adjutant, Canadian Corps] and [Currie’s ADC Major Henry Willis-]O’Connor came

Chapter 19

to see us this afternoon and stayed overnight. We were all the guests for dinner of Mr. de Vacheron and he did put on a great spread, and then we had some music. I had a long talk with Currie about various divisional matters, and also about demobilization, as he is going over to England on that subject. Sunday 6th January 1919 A cold raw day. I inspected the 102nd, 54th and 87th Battalions on the march today near Opprebais. General [George] Harper [IV Corps] was also there to see them. I then went on to Brussels with [Henri] Panet and [Mac] Moore, and made good preparations for our officer’s club. Called on the Merodes [count and countess], Hymans [foreign minister and wife] and the Villerses [British minister and wife], as well as the British Mission and the area commandant. I interviewed the officer commanding 4th Division artillery (Macdonald) and Stewart of the 8th Army Field Artillery Brigade regarding the laxity of discipline in these units. Wednesday 9th January 1919 A nice fine cool day. Left Boulogne at 9:30 a.m. got to Folkestone at 11:30 and arrived in London at 2 p.m. Car met us there and I got a room at the Royal Auto[mobile] Club went and saw [Dudley] Oliver and [Grant] Morden [newly elected Unionist MP] and then at 5 o’clock went to the Royal Colonial Institute Lodge [Masonic] to see my friend Sir [George McLaren] Brown installed. Had dinner in the Connaught Rooms and left about 10 p.m. pretty tired. Tuesday 14th January 1919 Another foggy day. [Victor] Odlum got here today and brought me a big mail. All has gone well at the HQ in Belgium much to my relief. Another lunch today, Allison, Grundy, Somerville, Berry, Martin, Mac Moore and I. At night [Grant] Morden and I were the guests of Mr. Walter Long [First Lord of the Admiralty] at the Junior Constitutional Club and I went home early. Wednesday 22nd January 1919 Very foggy at first but turned out a very fine day later. Got up and left by 7:35, train arrived Folkestone at 9:30 and Boulogne at 12 noon and found that Perry had sent the car on to Paris, so we had to wait and come on by train, leaving at 5:30 and got to Paris at 10:15 p.m. Sir A. Shirley Brown [businessman and Conservative MP] and Grant Morden were with me. Got rooms all right at the Ritz. Saturday 25th January 1919 Another raw cold day and disagreeable day. Went around to see various people on business with Morden. Met Mr. N the big shipbuilder of Le Havre. And in the afternoon had a long interview [about repatriation?] with Mr. Dellrez the general 320

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manager of the General Trans S.S. Company. It was a most satisfactory meeting. At night had a farewell dinner for Grant [Morden] and supper at the de Lesseps. Friday 31st January 1919 A very cold bleak day. Took H(?) and went around to see the 11th Brigade. Called at 87th Battalion, 54th Battalion then up to the outskirts of Brussels and saw the 102nd Battalion. Then back to the 11th Brigade HQ and back to La Hulpe where I visited the 75th Battalion and back to our own HQ. Got very nice letter from [James] Craig tonight re [daughter] Marjorie. Also very nice letter (No. 63) from Mary. Sunday 2nd February 1919 I had an exceedingly busy day of it. Started off and visited the 44th and 50th Battalions at Overyssche then went on to Wavre and attended divine service with the 46th Battalion. On to the 47th for a short time, then back home, and changed and after lunch went on to Brussels and attended a most interesting lecture at the [Royal] Museums of Fine Arts by Paul Durand-Rueul [legendary Parisian art dealer] on the subject of Flemish art. Then went on to Tervuren to call on the Baron de Harelleville and back to our HQ where Lady Perley [wife of Canada’s overseas minister] and Lady [Julia] Drummond [head of wartime Information Bureau, Canadian Red Cross, London] had come for tea and at dinner at night we had the British Ambassador Sir Francis Villers and his daughter. [Captain Mac] Moore [ADC] got back from leave last night. Monday 3rd February 1919 Another cold cheerless day with more snow. Went down to Perbais in the morning to see the 10th Battalion of Engineers and spoke to the men regarding their recent bad break and remitting [illegible] their punishment. I never saw men so affected. We had Lady Perley and Lady Drummond to lunch with General [Arthur] Currie, and after I had a long chat with him. Had a conference with my battalion commanders and brigadiers on the venereal trouble [almost epidemic among Canadian troops] and demobilization.2 Tuesday 4th February 1919 A nice wintery day. Rode over to the 75th Battalion and went to see their educational classes at work. Most interesting. Then went on and inspected the billets. One company has three fine châteaux and the men are most comfortable. In the afternoon went into Brussels with Mac [Moore] to see our new officers club, 8 Rue de Suisse. It is a charming place and well conducted under LieutenantColonel [Percy C.] Webb. Went around to see the Hymans [foreign minister and wife], Quersins and Greindls, and also the Marshall of the king re our boxing tournament. At night attended a big reception given by M. [Léon] Delacroix[,] 321

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Prime Minister of Belgium. There was an awful crush, and it was not at all an enjoyable affair. Friday 7th February 1919 My [50th] birthday. I got a fine big box of grapes from the W[illegible]. It is a cold fine day. I went up to Odlum’s for a ride, and in the afternoon went up to Brussels to see our officers club. Sunday 9th February 1919 Another beautiful cold sunny winter’s day. I attended the memorial service of the 85th Battalion at Rixensart this morning. It was an impressive service. I had to make an address, also the corps commander [Currie], after we had lunch with the 85th at their battalion HQ. Later I rode over to the field of Waterloo. Monday 10th February 1919 Another beautiful winter’s day. I went up to Brussels this morning and attended a most interesting lecture by Senator Spoufer at the Palais de Justice on Belgian law, and afterwards we were entertained at his house for lunch. There were many interesting people there, the Belgian minister of war [Fulgence Masson], the president of the Brussels University, Mr. [Sadi] Kirschen, the attorney that defended [British] nurse [Edith] Cavell, and many other gentlemen.3 At night I went over to Genval and attended a dance given there by the 85th Battalion. In the afternoon I went over to Jodoigne and had a long talk with General Currie. Friday 14th February 1919 Very much milder today without any sun at all. Stayed in all the morning and fixed up my things. In afternoon I went over to the 12th Brigade where they had a very enjoyable [illegible], and then to the 10th Brigade at Wavre to attend the finals in their boxing tournament. We stayed there for dinner. At night it rained and got very foggy and murky. Saturday 15th February 1919 A very mild day. The snow is now going fast. [General John] Embury sent me a copy of the Belgian [agriculture] minister’s letter re the horses, and everything now seems satisfactory. Embury and Folyer leave today for Renaix to see about the taking over of the balance of the 3rd Division’s horses. Marshall [?] had a party in at lunch, and afterwards we all went up to the [officers] club at Brussels. Sunday 16th February 1919 A mild foggy day raining hard in the afternoon. Yesterday I took up vigorously with the 44th Battalion and today with the 46th Battalion the matter of sending 322

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in of protests by the men of these battalions and I have been assured that the whole thing is now better understood by the men, and the protests repressed. I went up and had lunch at the [officers] club today and after went to see the Wiertz collection of paintings [now part of Royal Museums of Fine Arts]. These were the work of a crazy artist [Antoine Wiertz, 1806–65] and afterwards we went to see the collection of Bosche caricatures in the Théâtre du Parc. Monday 17th February 1919 A very mild day. All the snow has gone. Went down to corps this morning and got through all papers there. Located ground for the inspection of division by King Albert. In afternoon rode up to the 11th Brigade and then went into Brussels and had tea at D’Outremonts, and dinner at Senator Doubocte’s. Very charming people, and so homelike. The [departure of the] men of the 1st Division scheduled for tomorrow has been deferred two weeks owing to strikes and labour troubles in England. Thursday 20th February 1919 Milder but blustering. Went down to corps in the morning and fixed up all the things there. Came back through Louvain. It is badly knocked about in the center of the town. In afternoon went to Refexes [friends] at the [Hôtel] Astoria. Very enjoyable indeed and at night we had the Earl of Athlone [formerly Prince Alexander of Teck], Queen Mary’s brother, in to dinner. Heard today of sudden death of [Liberal leader and former prime minister] Sir W[ilfrid] Laurier on Sunday last 16th February.4 Friday 21st February 1919 Another nasty windy day. The Germans have signed the Armistice on the 17th, and now seems as if they were thoroughly beaten. Went to Renived to see my Machine-Gun Battalion today and in the afternoon rode up to see Odlum, General [James Campbell] Robertson of the 4th Australian Division. [Illegible] and old friend of mine called this morning. Allan and Grosvenor went on leave today. Monday 24th February 1919 A raw cold day. Went with General Currie to the three Brigades [10th–12th], [illegible] he addressed at length on demobilization. He lunched with us at our HQ. In afternoon I went to see Madame de la Vaulx a charming elderly lady, who has such a nice place on the Avenue de Terveuren. At night I attended the boxing finals of 12th Brigade and went on to the machine-gunners after. Friday 28th February 1919 A nice day though misty and foggy. Went up on the practice tracks with Odlum and had a good ride around. [Fred] Grundy has been laid up with a cold. In afternoon 323

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attended the finals in the football game between our division HQ team and the 13th Field Ambulance which ended in a draw, 1 to 1. After I attended an afternoon tea and dance party at 12th Brigade HQ. Saturday 1st March 1919 A beautiful fine day. Grundy, [Mac] Moore and Wallace left this morning for a visit to Cologne and Bonn. Attended an interesting lecture given by General Harper on the field of Waterloo itself. In afternoon went to a baseball game between the 85th and 54th Battalions, won by the 85th, 10 to 7. At night went up to Brussels to a dance given by the Tibbauts. Wednesday 5th March 1919 Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of Lent. A very cloudy murky day. In morning attended at office and arranged for the boxing tournament on the 15th, invitations. In afternoon had the Refexes to lunch and then went out for a long ride and attended a meeting in Brussels afterwards. [Mac] Moore and [Fred] Grundy and Wallace got back from Germany tonight. They had a really wonderful trip and I got back several souvenirs, Iron Crosses, match boxes. Thursday 6th March 1919 A nasty foggy day. Met Sivgney [Albert Servaes] the [religious expressionist] artist and arranged for a dozen original copies of his work. Went on and had lunch with the [Ambassador Sir Francis] Villers, at the British legation and afterwards went on to see the Natural History Museum with the Villers, and Princess de Croÿ.5 It was a most interesting afternoon. “B” Mess gave a little shine this afternoon. Sunday 9th March 1919 Nice and fine in morning but showery and cold in the afternoon. The 102nd Battalion had a fine church parade to the [Brussels] Protestant Church in Brussels this morning and attracted a large crowd in the streets. Odlum and I also went and we afterwards had Professor [J.A.] Dale [professor of education] in to lunch with us. He is from McGill [University, Montreal]. Monday 10th March 1919 Another cool raw day. I went down to the corps in the morning. I found [General Arthur] Currie was not returning until the end of this week. In afternoon attended football match. Our division HQ team won over 13th Field Ambulance 2 to 0. I took violently ill about 6 o’clock, and had to get home to bed. Was very bad all night. Tuesday 11th March 1919 A cloudy day but fine at times. Am very weak and side is very painful. Stopped 324

Waiting, January–March 1919

in bed all morning. The first time in years. I cannot go to the Groux at home this afternoon in consequence of this trouble. Wednesday 12th March 1919 A nice bright morning but cloudy and dull at times. Stopped in again this morning on account of the bad pain in my side which is still very severe. Had a long interview with [Captain] Frank Wilson [Canadian YMCA War Service] on YMCA matters. At night I went down to corps HQ to say goodbye to General Byng.6 I had to make a speech. Got back about 11:15 p.m. Thursday 13th March 1919 A nice sunny morning. My side is not nearly as sore this morning. Went for a ride over to the 12th Brigade to see Colonel [J.L.] Ralston [85th Battalion]. Got word today that sporting editor of Daily Telegraph [London] is flying over to attend the big boxing tournament. Attend the 102nd Battalion dinner and dance at Boitsfort tonight. Saturday 15th March 19197 A lovely mild day. Went up to Brussels early and attended the preliminaries of our boxing contest in the Palais d’Été, then took [Georges] Carpentier and five others to lunch at the Palace and again in afternoon to the big contests. They were exceedingly good and the sights in the big hall was a most spectacular one. General Currie, [Georges] Carpentier, Bennison of the Daily Telegraph and the [Fourth] Army Commander [Henry] Rawlinson were in my box. The King [Albert I] arrived at 4 o’clock, and at the end presented the prizes. Carpentier boxed three rounds with Childs, and Atwood beat Hickey in the international event. We had a dinner at the officers club afterwards for the officials and then I went on to an [illegible] concert afterwards. Sunday 16th March 1919 A mild cloudy day. Made all arrangements for my shine tonight. After lunch went down to Corps to see [Arthur] Currie about furnishing guards, demobilization. He told me last train for 4th Division would leave on 2nd May and that their guards would only be for two weeks. On way back, dropped in to signals mess where they were having a little “At Home.” At night I had eight ladies and my generals in to dinner, and after dinner about fourteen more couples came in and they had a most enjoyable dance. Wednesday 19th March 1919 A beautiful spring day. Odlum came in to see me and we went carefully over various matters. Heard today that things were speeding up, so that the corps would be leaving shortly for England. The 1st Division have gone now. In afternoon 325

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rode around to see football game between 54th and our division HQ, won by 54th 1 to 0. And then to baseball game 54th vs HQ 12th Brigade, also won by 54th. And then went into Brussels for a ride in motor car and back home for dinner. Friday 21st March 1919 A cold raw day. Got letter from [daughter] Billie telling me that she had broken off her engagement. Rode over and inspected the 75th Battalion this morning. They looked very fine, particularly their transport. In afternoon went up to see our teams play against 2nd Division teams for the corps championships. The 2nd Division team won the football 3 to 0. At night we had Madame Edwina and Princess Marie de Croÿ in to dinner. Saturday 22nd March 1919 A cold dark bleak day. We all went into Brussels this morning to take part in the corps sports. And had lunch at the officers club with Borden, Sifton, Foster and Doherty,8 all the guests of the corps commander [Currie]. Went on again in afternoon to balance of sports and at night attended a reception in Hôtel de Ville [Grand Place] by Burgomaster [Adolphe] Max. It was a regular blizzard of a night. We got back quite early. I intended going on to Lille but had such a bad attack of diarrhea that I could not face it. Sunday 23rd March 1919 A nice bright sunny day but ground is covered with snow. I took a good dose of castor oil this morning and stayed in my room, nothing of import going on except that orders again came in that all demobilization and leave is again stopped. Saturday 29th March 1919 Another nasty day, cold and wet. Fixed up back correspondence in morning and after lunch went in to Brussels to see the boxing between the Australians and Canadians. The Australians won 5 to 2, but two decisions were pretty raw. Attended the big Canadian night at the theatre, and went on to the Astoria Hotel [Rue Royale] afterwards. Monday 31st March 1919 A nice bright day. Left at 7 a.m. and went to the corps, and had breakfast there with [Field Marshal] Sir Douglas Haig, who had come to say goodbye to the senior officers. We had photos taken after breakfast. We learned that 2nd Division started to go yesterday and will be gone by 12th. Then we will also begin to go about the 15th April. Went and saw Sivgney in the afternoon to see how my paintings were getting on.

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Homeward Bound April–July 1919 Sad Goodbyes 7 April–1 July 1919

Monday 7th April 19191 A terrible accident has occurred. Mac Moore was found lying on the pavestone dead this morning. He had fallen out of the second-story window early this morning. He had dined at “B” Mess last night, and none of us at “A” Mess had seen him since dinner. He was to have left with me this morning to fly over to England, and I only heard of it as I was dressing at 7:30 a.m. I left Nivelles in a big Handley-Paige [biplane] with Grosvenor at 10:30 and in three hours we had landed at Kenley [Royal Flying Corps airfield, south Croydon] in England. Took us twenty minutes to cross the Channel. Went and saw Mrs. and Miss Moore and broke the terrible news to them. Stopped at Grant Morden’s flat and had dinner with him at the House of Commons restaurant. Very enjoyable indeed. Tuesday 8th April 1919 Went out again and saw Mrs. Moore. Poor lady, she is almost heart broke. Went out to Hendon [Aerodrome, northwest London] to fly back, but it was raining and foggy and the big machine could not fly back, so I got them to give me a D.H. [de Havilland] 4, a two-seater, and left at 12:40. It was a very fast machine, crossed the Channel in thirteen minutes and was back over Brussels in 1 hour 55. We came by Calais, Dunkirk, Ostend, Bruges, Ghent and averaged over a hundred miles per hour, I wrote Mary when eight thousand feet up. Was back in time to attend Mac’s funeral at La Hulpe at 3 o’clock. Lieutenant Barnard the pilot came and stopped overnight with us. We took him up to have a look at Brussels about 6 p.m.

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Wednesday 9th April 1919 A cloudy day, but warm. Marshall took a flight up with Barnard before he left to go back to England. I rode up around the [railway] Culvert and back. It was a lovely afternoon. Miss Moore and Miss P(?) arrived up today to visit Mac’s grave and get his things. They had tea with us and went on to Brussels for the night. Attend an “At Home” of 11th Brigade in afternoon and went on to a concert at 102nd Battalion afterwards. Thursday 10th April 1919 Another nice day, but colder. Had a good long ride with Marshall, and went up to the old practice track near Groenendaele to see the horses train. The court of enquiry on Mac’s death brought in the finding of “accidental death” while walking in his sleep. He is buried over here in the little church yard of La Hulpe. The ladies of Brussels gave a reception and dance to our officers at the Carlton Hotel tonight. Friday 11th April 1919 A nasty misty cold day. The corps commander [Currie] came back yesterday, and this morning I assisted with him at the presentation of colors to the 78th Battalion. It was a very fine ceremony and we stayed on to lunch with the 78th afterwards. In afternoon I went up to Meischelein (Malines) and called on the famous Cardinal Mercier.2 He was most affable and gave me his signed photo, put his name in my autograph book. At night went to a ball at [Hôtel] Astoria by 4th C.D. Artillery. Sunday 13th April 1919 Another nasty cold wet day. Went down to Limial to attend divine service with the artillery who start leaving for the base tomorrow. [Arthur] Currie was there too, and we all stayed there for lunch. In afternoon took in the military horse races near Boitsfort and had the [Montagu] Allans for dinner. Marshall and the Allans went up to see Antwerp yesterday and tomorrow. I got word tonight that I must fly over to England again in connection with the getting over of my division. Wednesday 16th April 1919 Another horrible day. Cold and windy and wet. Got a cable yesterday from Mary, very unsatisfactory, only one word “Sorry.” Well perhaps she will be sorry one day. A case of asking for bread and getting a stone. The Allans left for Boulogne this morning. Marshall went with them. Sunday 20th April 1919 A dull cloudy day. Easter Sunday too. We had a church parade up to La Hulpe village of all the divisional HQ troupe and had the 87th Battalion band. It was

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a very impressive service. The last one probably that we will be all at together. Attended the horse races in afternoon near the Tervueren area. Monday 21st April 1919 Cold at first but got nice and warm in afternoon. We attended the horse races near Boitsfort and had good success and a very pleasant afternoon. In the evening we dined with the Baron D(?) at their place in Brussels and then went on to the dance (charity) at the [Hôtel] Astoria. An awful crowd and very little pleasure. I am again in command of the corps as Currie has gone off somewhere else. Friday 25th April 19193 Another nice day. At 1:45 this morning I got a telephone instructing me to proceed over to England at once by aeroplane. As I could not get away early enough and as General [William] King was going, I gave him my messages to General Currie and last night I sent a wire protesting against parade in London without all my division being over there. King flew across this morning and I went to the 78th Battalion at night to say goodbye to Colonel [James] Kirkcaldy [12th Brigade] and his officers. Saturday 26th April 1919 A fearfully bad day. In accordance with orders however, I went to Nivelles and got a plane (Lieutenant Lewis the pilot) to take me over. It was awful that trip, we ran into sleet and hail and snow, and regular blizzards. Landed at Marquise inside two hours, tried three times to get across the Channel and eventually got across in twenty minutes. It was even rougher on the English side, and when near Penshurst, the engine started to give greater trouble and we crashed down. The machine was effectively wrecked and we fortunately escaped. I had a most miraculous escape and came to London in a milk train. Currie had gone to Brighton and I reported to him by wire. [General William] King called on me about 10 o’clock. I was pretty nervy and unstrung after the accident. Wednesday 30th April 1919 Another cool raw day. Went down to Bramshott with Perry and O’Donahoe [both had headed 87th, in 11th Brigade] to arrange for the arrival of the division. Had lunch with 10th Brigade who have all arrived. Detachment of all battalions of 11th arrived this afternoon, also the 85th Battalion. Got back to town about 3:30 and attended a meeting of a syndicate for re-construction and banking in Belgium. Dined with Sir Montagu Allan and his party at the Criterion. O’Donahoe, Lindsay and Merston have arrived over. Also [Victor] Odlum.

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Thursday 1st May 1919 Rained this morning but fine and warm at night. Went down to Bramshott in the morning and held a conference at HQ to fix up details for the parade on Saturday through London. Got back about 5 p.m. Dined at the House of Commons the guest of Mr. [Walter] Long [First Lord of the Admiralty] to meet Mr. [Josephus] Daniels the Secretary of the American Navy. Saturday 3rd May 1919 Another very nice day. The big review by the King [George V] and parade through London of the overseas troops took place this afternoon. It was a wonderful parade and started at Hyde Park at 2 o’clock and finished about 4. I rode at the head of my division. At night I was the guest of Fred Grundy at the Savage Club, where I presented a block and gavel and made an address. Sunday 4th May 1919 Another nice warm day. Had a very nice letter from Jim Craig and sent it on to Mary.4 Motored over to Hampton Court and had lunch there and then came back by Croydon and Purley. Had dinner at night at the Carlton [Hotel] with General [William] King and the Tibbauts. Monday 5th May 1919 Warm and sultry but no sun. Attended an important meeting of the new parent British Belgo Industrial Company [of] which I am a director and had lunch after with [Lieutenant-Colonel A.T.] Shillington and [Lieutenant-Colonel K.M.] Perry [87th]. Went down to Bramshott after and got things going and in shape there. Had a game of bridge after dinner. Live in a little hut there. Tuesday 6th May 1919 A nice fine warm day. Went around to see and visit all the units in the division. They are all very comfy, and getting away quickly on leave of eight days. After lunch came up to London to see about the car situation and to speed up the shipping question. Had long interviews with Hogarth and Morrison. At night dined with Brown [George McLaren Brown, of the Canadian Pacific Railway] at his house. Wednesday 7th May 1919 A fine warm day. Had a long meeting of the board of the new British Belgo industrial company and then went on to the Admiralty [House] to see Mr. Walter Long. Lunched with Lord Ruthven, [Rhoda Howard] Lady Carlisle [Dowager Countess of Carlisle], and Mrs. Quintin Dick [wife of a landowner/sportsman] and then went on to do some shopping and arrange other matters at Argyle House for 330

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our transport to Canada. Had dinner at night with Guy [Lord] Brooke [headed 4th and 12th Brigades, CEF] and a long talk after at the Marlborough Club. Took in a play called The Very Idea, pretty smutty. Thursday 8th May 1919 A beautiful fine warm day. Went down early to Bramshott. Took half hour to get down. Got through quite a lot of work down there, and brought Lindsay back about 6 o’clock. Also brought Mac Moore’s things up and gave them to his old mother. At night had dinner at the Naval and Military Club. The guest of General [Hubert] Gough, formerly of Fifth Army. Monday 12th May 1919 A very nice warm day. Left at 7:30. a.m. for Bramshott and finished up all my work there. We have had official notice that the [RMS/TTS] Aquitania on the 17th will take all our artillery.5 Had lunch with General [Richard] Turner, at the Naval and Military Club. At night went to see the big boxing bout between Mr. Goothy and Harvie at the National Sporting Club. The former won quite easily in three rounds. Wednesday 14th May 1919 A very warm day. The car arrived at 10:30 a.m. We got in by train at 10 a.m. Robson went off with the car at 11 a.m. and I am waiting for the officers to clear up all our divisional details in this area. Called on Major-General Williams who is commanding the Fourth [Army] area, and at night strolled quietly around the town. It was a beautiful full moon night. Thursday 15th May 1919 Another delightful day. Got a car from the Fourth Army area depot, and went up to Nivelles to try and arrange for a plane to fly over tomorrow. Saw Major Whitelock and he has fixed things up for tomorrow. Got back quietly to Namur by 6 p.m. Friday 16th May 19196 Another very fine day but very foggy in the afternoon in the air. Strolled around the town sightseeing and left at 11 a.m. in a car from Fourth Army. We got to Nivelles about 12:30 in time to see a plane crash down with the pilot that was to take me over. He was not hurt however and he and I left in a DHQ at 1:30 p.m.7 At first it was alright, but halfway down it got very foggy and near Saint-Omer we ran into a big fog bank and got completely lost. We wandered about for about twenty minutes and finally got to Marquise at 3 o’clock. It was too foggy to fly the Channel, so I took the boat and got to London about 9:30 p.m.

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Sunday 18th May 1919 A very nice cool day. Had a long interview this morning with Sir Robert Borden and spoke out pretty frankly about the senatorship. Went down to the Thames Hotel at Maidenhead [Bucks.] for lunch and got back to town about 4 p.m. Dined quietly at night and listened to orchestra at [Royal Automobile] Club. Tuesday 20th May 1919 Continued fine weather. Finished up quite a lot of shopping and getting my kit together. Had lunch with Sir James Craig [Northern Irish MP], Avery Dean VC at the House of Commons and went in to the House after for half hour. At night was a guest at the Canada Club dinner at the Savoy Hotel. Thursday 22nd May 1919 Still another beautiful day. Went down to Bramshott early in morning and got through a lot of work there. In afternoon inspected the contingent from my division that are leaving for Scotland tomorrow [for ceremony on 24th] and came up to town with Foulkes. Called at Queen’s Club [sporting club] and then dinner at Criterion with Robson. Saturday 24th May 19198 A cloudy cool day. Got into Edinburgh at 7:30 a.m. sharp on time and am stopping at the North British Hotel. Took a drive around town and went up to the [Edinburgh] Castle and got an old sergeant major to take us around and explain things. Had lunch at the armoury with all our men, the Lord Provost [John William Chesser] presided and I replied to the address of welcome. The troops marched past the saluting base at 3 o’clock. Salute was taken by Duke of Atholl,9 the king’s representative. We took another long drive after and went up and saw the famous Firth of Forth bridge, and had dinner at the municipal building [Edinburgh City Chambers, Royal Mile]. The Lord Provost again presided and I made another speech and left at 10 o’clock p.m. Sunday 25th May 1919 Got back [to London] at 8 a.m. was pretty sick with diarrhea all night and stopped in my room all day. It is cool and showery out today. Had lunch with General King, Goodeve and Langton and at night dined quietly at the Piccadilly Grill. Tuesday 27th May 1919 Continued fine weather. Went down to Bramshott and got through a lot of good small history of the division, each man getting copy free of charges. At night a number of us were guests of Canada [Masonic] Lodge and I went off to Liverpool at 11:45 p.m. 332

Homeward Bound, April–July 1919

Wednesday 28th May 1919 Got into Liverpool at 6 a.m. Lovely weather. Stopped at Adelphi Hotel for breakfast and then went on to the docks to the [RMS/TTS] Empress of Britain [Canadian Pacific] which is taking over our 10th Brigade. They began to arrive shortly after 10 a.m. and I had a very affecting goodbye with them. Had lunch on board and caught the 2 p.m. for London. Had dinner at night with Mr. Robson at his home. A beautiful place. Saturday 31st May 1919 Very fine and warm. Left at 6:45 a.m. for Liverpool with Humphries. Got there about 1 p.m. and went on to [RMS/TTS] Adriatic [White Star] where we had lunch. Two battalions of 12th Brigade. The 78th and 85th were on here. I made three speeches, one over to the officers and two to the men. Was out in the Stream[?] on her for nearly four hours, and could not get to see the 11th Brigade on [RMS/TTS] Mauretania [Cunard]. Caught the 5:20 train back to London and met Henderson and Waldon at the [Strand] Palace [Hotel]. Demobilization of soldiers from England to Canada would reach 49,887 troops in May 1919, with most of the Canadian troops already home. The 4th Division HQ, with Watson, would be among the last Canadians to be repatriated.

Wednesday 4th June 1919 Another fine morning but got very wet in the afternoon. Through the kindness of Sir [illegible], I was taken to the Derby 10 by Mr. W. Peterson a perfect host, and I had a most wonderful day. They had a private box and a superb lunch there, and I paid all my expenses and had £7.50 over. Went to a little dance at the RAC [Royal Automobile Club] at night with Perry [87th], [Lieutenant-Colonel A.T.] Shillington and [Major Henry] Willis-O’Connor. Friday 6th June 1919 A very warm day. I went out on the beach and had a real sun bath two hours in morning and three in afternoon. Lunched up at Moor Court, the officers’ convalescent home, and at night [Colonel Harry] Blaylock [CAMC] had a dinner party and we played bridge after. I have a terrible sunburn on. Saturday 7th June 1919 The 72nd and 38th [Battalions] and all the engineers, machine-gun battalions and details from division left yesterday on the [RMS/TTS] Olympic [“Old Reliable,” White Star] from Southampton. It is a very foggy day and not nearly as warm as

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yesterday. Had some tennis with the officers this morning and at night dined with the Allans and had some good bridge after. Sunday 8th June 1919 Nicer day and cool. Left at 11:50 by train and got back to London at 4 o’clock. Found a lot of mail and other documents from the division requiring attention. Am informed that the Minnedosa will not sail now until the 17th on account of fog delays. Tuesday 10th June 1919 Another fine warm day. Went around to the tailors and bookmakers and had a business lunch at Jules with Mr. [Francis] Stopford who is writing our divisional history. Ross and Wallace were also there. At night had a quiet dinner at the Berkeley [Hotel] with Mrs. Shearer, Shillington and Perry. Wednesday 11th June 1919 Very warm and sultry. Went around with Odlum in the morning. Tried to get a nice dress for Mary at Harrods but could not find anything nice enough. Had lunch with [Sir Jack] Norton-Griffiths at the Carlton [Hotel]. Odlum flew over to Brussels this afternoon. At night had dinner at Savoy with Henderson, Patrides and Kidston and went on to see Business before Pleasure [by Montague Glass; Savoy Theatre] after. Friday 13th June 1919 Fine warm weather. Went around with Odlum to do his shopping and get medal ribbons. Had lunch with Avery [MP] and some of his friends at St. James Palace Hotel [Park Place, St. James’s] and at night dined quietly with Sir James McKechnie [ran naval construction at Vickers Ltd.] at the Savoy and went on to Dalmeny Court afterwards for a short time. Sunday 15th June 1919 Another very hot day. With Goldayer and his brother and Ashe, we motored down to Leigh [Surrey] near Dorking, to the residence of Mr. and Madame Lourdes, French people. They were exceedingly kind and we stayed there for lunch and dinner, and got back to London about 11:50 p.m. o’clock, and Brown flew the Atlantic today.11 Monday 16th June 1919 The hottest day we have had. Got notified that Minnedosa will not leave until 19th or later. Strikes are now very bad in Liverpool and all boats are delayed. Had lunch with Henderson and Langton and at night dined at the Criterion with Henderson and his party. 334

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Thursday 19th June 1919 Rather cooler and cloudy. We learn today that the Minnedosa will not sail until the 24th. Nearly two weeks waiting here in London for her. Odlum went over to Ostend [Belgium] today and at night I was invited up to a little dinner and poker party at a Mr. McCandlish’s apartment off Oxford Street. I won about thirteen pounds. He has a most charming apartment and service. Friday 20th June 1919 Rain at last, after nearly six weeks of drought. Loafed around all morning with nothing particular to do. Went to a very fine lunch at the Savoy [Strand] by the Daily Mail to Alcock and Brown, who flew the Atlantic.12 Got a letter from Mary today, possibly the last I shall get on this side. I hear the Germans have signed the peace terms today, and I win £5 from Small. Sunday 22nd June 1919 A nice cool day with Henderson and Langton. I went down to the river at Maidenhead, where we had lunch and went up the river in a canoe and later went on to Marlow [on Thames, in Bucks.] where we had tea. Got back early to London and listened until 10 o’clock to the concert in the [Royal Automobile] Club. Monday 23rd June 1919 Another cool day with showers. Very busy getting ready to go away. Settling bills and finishing my shopping. Had lunch with Mr. Chambers at the Carlton Hotel and paid several goodbye calls. Dined at the [Royal Automobile] Club and left for Liverpool with Odlum and Humphries at 11:45 p.m. The boat is to leave tomorrow 4 p.m. Tuesday 24th June 1919 A very cold raw day. We got into Liverpool about 6:30 a.m. and had breakfast at the Great Western Hotel. All our luggage was taken to the steamer by the express people and we took the overhead railway down to the docks where the [SS/TTS] Minnedosa [Canadian Pacific] was lying. We got all our things on safely had lunch on board and she pulled away from the dock at 6 p.m. and we left for sea and home at 8 p.m. Wednesday 25th June 1919 A nice cool day. We have come around by the north coast of Ireland and passed the glimpse of land this morning at 11 o’clock. Had a cable yesterday from Mary and several wires from friends in London. A lot of people on board are seasick today. About 5 o’clock this afternoon we passed the [TSS] Cassandra also going

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westward. It is a curious coincidence that we should pass her, as she is the boat I came over on in 1914. Thursday 26th June 1919 A nasty foggy damp day. I slept for nearly eleven hours last night. We expect to get wireless news today about peace being signed. A baby was born on board last night. I have the usual bad cold in my head. Friday 27th June 1919 Another cold raw day. We did 252 knots the first day out to noon. 410 to noon yesterday and 407 to noon today. The captain thinks at this rate, we ought to sight Cape Race [Newfoundland] Sunday morning.13 It is dreadfully dull on board, not a thing to do except eat and sleep and think. Saturday 28th June 1919 It got very foggy during last night and the siren kept blowing nearly all night long and we had to slacken our speed in consequence. This morning it is brighter, but cold and raw, due possibly to our getting close to the ice banks of Newfoundland. This morning I went around with Captain Evans on his daily inspection of the ship. In the afternoon we ran into a very dense fog and got very rough. Our run today 420 knots. Sunday 29th June 1919 Very foggy and wet. We went very slow all night on account of fog and the proximity of icebergs. Attended divine service this morning in the main dining saloon. The baby born two days ago was christened “Minnedosa” but it died yesterday and was buried overboard at 5 p.m. Our run today was only 350 knots. It rained heavily all morning but cleared up in the afternoon. A wireless received states that peace was signed at 3:10 p.m. presumably on Friday last. We passed Cape Race at 9 p.m. and saw lots of icebergs in the vicinity. There is an oscillating light there flashing every 7½ seconds. Next light [illegible] ten miles west. Monday 30th June 1919 A nice warm morning but cold and cloudy in the afternoon. We passed Cape Ray at 12:15 p.m.14 and passed the Canada and [Canadian Pacific Line, SS] Scotian [Canadian Pacific] both going east at noon and 12:30 respectively. Passed the Bird Rocks [Magdalen Islands] on the port quarter at 4 o’clock p.m.15 It rained quite heavily towards night. They had a concert on board tonight.

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Tuesday 1st July 1919 Dominion Day and back in Canada for it. A beautiful fine warm day. We got to Father Point at noon and took on the pilot and put off the mail for the lower provinces. We passed Quarantine Grosse Isle at 6:30 p.m. and arrived up at Quebec at 9:30 p.m. So after nearly five years of Active Service I have returned safe and secure home again. And after what terrible experiences and what fearful hardships and sufferings.

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Order of Battle for Brigades and Divisions under Watson’s Command

5th Canadian Infantry Brigade

4th Canadian Division

Order of Battle, September 1915 Brigadier-General David Watson

Order of Battle, August 1916 General Officer Commanding: Major-General David Watson

22 Battalion 24 Battalion 25 Battalion 26 Battalion

10 Brigade Brigadier-General W. St P. Hughes 44 Battalion 46 Battalion 47 Battalion 50 Battalion 11 Brigade Brigadier-General V.W. Odlum 54 Battalion 75 Battalion 87 Battalion 102 Battalion 12 Brigade Brigadier-General Lord Brooke 38 Battalion 72 Battalion 73 Battalion 78 Battalion

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Acronyms

Many of the acronyms found in Watson’s diaries were standard military acronyms. Watson also created acronyms of his own, likely a shorthand created when writing quickly. Acronyms with periods are likely Watson’s own; not all are possible to interpret now, and have been flagged as “unknown.” AA – anti-aircraft

FA – Field Ambulance

ADC – aide-de-camp

F.G.C.M. – full general court martial

ADMS – assistant director, Medical Services

FOO – forward observation officer

A/QMG – acting quartermaster general

GCCS – General Casualty Clearing Station

AQMG – assistant quartermaster general

GHQ – general headquarters

Batt. – battalion

GOC – general officer commanding

BDE – Brigade

GSO – general staff officer; GSO 1 and GSO 2

BEF – British Expeditionary Force

GTC – unknown

BGGS –Brigadier General General Staff

HQ – headquarters

B.M. – batman (Watson’s abbreviation)

HMT – His Majesty’s Transport

BM – brigade major

IGS – Imperial General Staff

CAMC – Canadian Army Medical Corps

KCB – Knight Companion of the Order

CB – Companion of the Order of Bath, King’s

of the Bath

New Year’s Honours List

MC – Military Cross

CCS – Casualty Clearing Station

NCO – non-commissioned officer

CDA – unknown

OC – officer commanding

CIGS – Chief of the Imperial General Staff

OP – observation post

CMG – Companion of the Most Distinguished

OR – other ranks

Order of St. Michael and St. George CMR – Canadian Mounted Rifles

PPCLI – Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry

CO – commanding officer

QM – quartermaster

CPR – Canadian Pacific Railway

RCE – Royal Canadian Engineers

CRA – Commanding Royal Artillery

RE – Royal Engineers

CT – communication trench

RFA – Royal Field Artillery

DA – Division Artillery

SS – ship designation (single-screw steamship)

DADMS – deputy ADMS

VC – Victoria Cross

DHQ – Division Headquaters

W.S. – unknown

DSO – Distinguished Service Order decoration

340

Bibliography

Archival Sources Bundesarchiv-Militararchiv (Freiburg) Various papers Canadian War Museum (Ottawa) John Preston Papers, 1918 20030140–005 Imperial War Museum (IWM, London) 808 Papers of Field Marshal Lord Ironside 12468 Lord Horne Papers Library and Archives Canada (LAC, Ottawa) Manuscript Groups (MGs) MG 30 E 100, Arthur Currie Fonds MG 30 E300, Odlum Fonds MG 30 E488 William C. Morgan Fonds Record Groups (RGs) RG 9 Department of Militia and Defence, various series RG 24 Department of National Defence, various series RG 41 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Fonds, interviews relating to “In Flanders Fields” The Military Museums Library and Archives (University of Calgary) Major-General David Watson Fonds Concordia University, (Montreal) YMCA of Montreal Fonds

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346

Notes

Introduction 1 General Sir Arthur Currie was commander of the Canadian Corps from June 1917 until the end of the First World War. See Stephen Harris, Canadian Brass: The Making of a Professional Army 1860–1939 (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1988), 115. 2 The six-volume set of diaries belonging to Major-General Sir David Watson (1869–1922), covering the time period between September 1914 and July 1919, are now in the Military Museums, Calgary, the gift of his Evans descendants in that city. 3 Patrick Brennan, “Major-General David Watson: A Critical Appraisal of Canadian Generalship in the Great War,” in Great War Commands: Historical Perspectives on Canadian Army Leadership 1914–1918, ed. Andrew B. Godefroy (Kingston, Ont.: Canadian Defence Academy Press, 2010), 112. 4 Paul Rutherford, A Victorian Authority: The Daily Press in Late Nineteenth-Century Canada (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1982), 18. 5 The Canadian census of 1901 showed Quebec as the country’s third largest city. 6 Rutherford, A Victorian Authority, 237. 7 Ronald Haycock, Sam Hughes: The Public Career of a Controversial Canadian, 1885–1916 (Waterloo, Ont.: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 1986), 183–87. 8 Military Museums, Calgary, Major-General David Watson Fonds (hereafter Watson Fonds), Diary, 13 Nov. 1914. 9 Nathan M. Greenfield, Baptism of Fire: The Second Battle of Ypres and the Forging of Canada, April 1915 (Toronto: HarperCollins, 2007), 260. 10 Watson Fonds, Diary, 23 April 1915. 11 Ibid., 24 April 1915. 12 The Canadian Corps was the largest formation within the CEF, which also included cavalry, hospital, and transportation units. 13 Greenfield, Baptism of Fire, 281. 14 Andrew Iarocci, Shoestring Soldiers: The 1st Canadian Division at War, 1914–1915 (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2008), 29. The Permanent Force was the standing military force Canada had before the war. 15 Brennan, “Major-General David Watson,” 122. 16 Ibid. 17 Watson Fonds, Diary, 4 April 1916. 18 Ibid., 6 June 1916. 19 Brennan’s essays and articles include: “The Other Battle: Imperialist versus Nationalist Sympathies within the Officer Corps of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1914–1919,” in Rediscovering the British World, Proceedings of the Second British World Conference, ed. Phillip Buckner and Douglas Francis (Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 2005), 251–61; “Julian Byng and Leadership in the Canadian Corps,” in Vimy Ridge: A Canadian Reassessment, ed. Geoffrey Hayes, Andrew Iarocci, and Mike Bechthold (Waterloo, Ont.: Laurier Centre for Military, Strategic and Disarmament Studies, 2007), 87–104; “Completely Worn Out by Service in France: Combat Stress and Breakdown among Senior Officers in the Canadian Corps,” Canadian Military History 18, no. 2 (2009): 5–14; “Major-General David Watson,” in Godefroy, Great War Commands, 111–44; and Patrick Brennan and Thomas Leppard, “How

347

Notes

the Lessons Were Learned: Senior Commanders and the Moulding of the Canadian Corps after the Somme,” in Canadian Military History Since the 17th Century: Proceedings of the Canadian Military History Conference, Ottawa, 5–9 May 2000, ed. Yves Tremblay (Ottawa: Department of National Defence, 2001), 135–44. 20 Desmond Morton, A Peculiar Kind of Politics: Canada’s Overseas Ministry in the First World War (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1982). 21 Douglas Delaney, The Imperial Army Project: Britain and the Land Forces of the Dominions and India, 1902–1945 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2017), and “Mentoring the Canadian Corps: Imperial Officers and the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1914­–1918,” Journal of Military History 77, no. 3 (July 2013). There are no studies of Canada’s divisional commanders, but there recently appeared Susan Raby-Dunne, ed., Morrison; The Long-lost Memoir of Canada’s Artillery Commander in the Great War (Surrey, BC: Heritage House, 2017). 22 David Campbell, “‘A Leap in the Dark’ – Intelligence and the Struggle for the St. Eloi Craters: Reassessing the Role of Major-General Richard Turner,” in Andrew B. Godefroy, ed., Wartime Command: Perspectives on Canadian Army Leadership, 1914–1918 (Kingston, Ont.: Canadian Defence Academy Press, 2010), “Military Discipline, Punishment, and Leadership in the First World War: The Case of the 2nd Canadian Division,” in C.L. Mantle, ed., The Apathetic and the Defiant: Case Studies of Canadian Mutiny and Disobedience, 1812 to 1919 (Toronto: Dundurn, 2007), “A ‘Most Spectacular Battle’: 2nd Canadian Division and the Battle of Vimy Ridge,” in Geoff Hayes, Andrew Iarocci, and Mike Bechthold, eds., Vimy Ridge: A Canadian Reassessment (Waterloo, Ont.: Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies, 2007). 23 For more information on Watson’s 4th Division, please see Geoffrey Jackson, The British Empire on the Western Front (Vancouver: UBC Press, 2019). 24 Mark Osborne Humphries, ed., The Selected Papers of Sir Arthur Currie: Diaries, Letters, and Report to the Ministry, 1917–1919 (Waterloo, Ont.: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2008). 25 Harris, Canadian Brass, 119; Morton, A Peculiar Kind of Politics, 91; and Tim Cook, At the Sharp End: Canadians Fighting the Great War, vol. 1, 1914–1916 (Toronto: Viking, 2007), 341. 26 William Westerman, Soldiers and Gentlemen: Australian Battalion Commanders in the Great War 1914–1918, Australian Army History Series (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2017), 8. 27 In the twentieth century, battles would no longer be fought with direct oversight from senior officers, as they were under Major-General Sir Isaac Brock during the War of 1812. 28 Watson Papers, Diary, 19 Dec. 1916. 29 Ibid., 6 and 9 Nov. 1917. 30 Edmund Ironside had been with Watson from the outset in helping to create and lead the 4th. When he left, it was to become commandant of the British Expeditionary Force’s (BEF) Machine Gun School in nearby Camiers. Over his long career, the Scots-born and multilingual Ironside would rise to become Chief of the Imperial General Staff (CIGS) and a field marshal. 31 Fredrick Loomis was a Canadian officer, promoted in September 1918 to take command of the 3rd Division. 32 Watson Papers, Diary, 26 Dec. 1917. 33 See Edmund Ironside, High Road to Command: The Diaries of Major-General Sir Edmund Ironside, 1920–1922 (London: Leo Cooper, 1972), 71; also Imperial War Museum (IWM, London), 808 Papers of Field Marshal Lord Ironside, Imperial War Museum, Ironside to Lindsay, 23 Oct. 1946. 34 Watson Papers, Diary, 2 Nov. 1916. 35 Lieutenant-General Byng replaced Lieutenant-General Alderson in June of 1916. 36 Tim Cook, “A Proper Slaughter: The March 1917 Gas Raid at Vimy Ridge,” Canadian Military History 8, no. 2 (Spring 1999): 7–23. 37 Watson Papers, Diary, 1 March 1917.

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38 Ibid., 11 April 1917. 39 Ibid., 8 June 1917. 40 For a more in-depth examination, see Tim Cook, Shock Troops: Canadians Fighting the Great War, vol. 2, 1917–1918 (Toronto: Viking Canada, 2008), chap. 16. 41 Watson Papers, Diary, 26 Aug. 1917. 42 Geoffrey Jackson, “‘Anything but Lovely’: The Canadian Corps at Lens in the Summer of 1917,” Canadian Military History 17, no. 1 (Winter 2008): 5–20. 43 Watson Papers, Diary, 29 July 1918. 44 Ibid., 8 Aug. 1918. 45 For more on what the 4th Division achieved on 8 August, an overview of the battle is provided in Chapter 10. For more in-depth analysis, see Jackson, British Empire on the Western Front, 220-227. 46 Watson Papers, Diary, 22 Aug. 1918. The “they” Watson is referring to is the staff at Canadian Corps HQ, who requested the attack. 47 Ibid., 29 Sept. 1918. 48 Ibid., 4 Feb. 1917. 49 An example: in 1917, when the Canadian government asked senior officers who should be corps commander, Watson backed Currie—support Currie needed. For more on this, see Cook, Shock Troops, chap. 16. 50 Watson Papers, Diary, 5 July 1915. 51 Morton, A Peculiar Kind of Politics, 46. 52 Such sharing of information was not uncommon; for examples, see Morton, A Peculiar Kind of Politics, and Haycock, Sam Hughes. 53 Watson Papers, Diary, 22 June 1916. British Lieutenant-General Edwin Alderson was the first commander of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. 54 Watson was one of four divisional commanders at the front. It is possible that he sought out these women because he was lonely, and it was easier to meet spouses of superiors than the wives of other ranks, especially of men he commanded. However, he appears to have had a full and active life in London, with loneliness not an issue there. 55 Watson Papers, Diary, 15 June 1916. 56 Brennan, “Major-General David Watson,” 111. 57 R. Craig Brown and Desmond Morton, “The Embarrassing Apotheosis of a ‘Great Canadian’: Sir Arthur Currie’s Personal Crisis in 1917,” Canadian Historical Review 60, no. 1 (March 1979): 53. 58 For the entirety of the letter, see Humphries, ed., Sir Arthur Currie, 171. 59 Ibid., 175. 60 There is no mention in the diary as to why she was ashamed of him. Watson Papers, Diary, 7 Feb. 1916. 61 Ibid., 24 Feb. 1916. 62 Neither Haig nor Currie mention family in their diaries. See Gary Sheffield and John Bourne, eds., Douglas Haig: War Diaries and Letters 1914–1918 (London: Weidenfield and Nicolson, 2005), and Humphries, ed., Sir Arthur Currie. 63 Some individuals in high-profile postions kept diaries with an eye to how historians would judge them. There is no indication in Watson’s diary that he kept it for any reason beyond it being a daily account of his activities and a release. On motives for keeping diaries during this period, see Tim Cook, The Secret History of Soldiers: How Canadians Survived the Great War (Toronto: Allen Lane, 2018), Introduction; Christopher Dummit, Unbuttoned: A History of Mackenzie King’s Secret Life (Montreal and Kingston: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2017); and Sheffield and Bourne, ed., Douglas Haig: War Diaries, 3. 64 Watson Papers, Diary, 1 July 1919.

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Chapter 1: Salisbury Plain, September 1914–January 1915 1 Andrew Iarocci, Shoestring Soldiers: The 1st Canadian Division at War, 1914–1915 (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2008), 40. 2 Over the next five years, Watson and his wife, Mary, would exchange hundreds of letters (numbered in sequence). His diaries often mention correspondence with her and their three daughters: Marjorie Grant, Mildred Jean (“Billie”), and Mary Browning (“Brownie”). 3 Lieutenant-Colonel William St. Pierre Hughes was Sam Hughes’s brother; he took command of 21st Battalion (Eastern Ontario) on 6 May 1915, and 10th Brigade (as brigadier-general, under Watson) in July 1916. Canadian-born financier Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Grant Morden was a friend of Sam Hughes’s who then became Watson’s friend and frequent host, and later served as a British MP. General Edwin Alderson was a senior British army officer and head of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Colonel John W. Carson was one of Sam Hughes’s closest advisers—a mining promoter, strong Conservative, and former commander of the Canadian Grenadier Guards. 4 Tim Cook, At the Sharp End: Canadians Fighting the Great War, vol. 1, 1914–1916 (Toronto: Viking Canada, 2007), 74. 5 Captain Henry Willis-O’Connor (frequently referred to O’Connor), 2nd Battalion’s adjutant; he was later aide-de-camp (ADC) to General Arthur Currie and, after the war, to five governors general. 6 Verret became a major after Second Ypres (April–May 1915) and won the DSO [Distinguished Service Order decoration] at Mount Sorrel (June 1916). 7 Scots-born landowner Sir Charles Ross designed the infamous Ross rifle, which his Ross Rifle Co. mass-produced for the CEF. The controversy over its deficiencies, spurred by problems during Second Ypres, deeply divided the CEF’s leadership (see diary entries in autumn 1915). The rifle was replaced by the British Lee-Enfield by July 2016, and the Battle of the Somme (July 1916). 8 Brigadier-General Malcolm Mercer was commanding officer of the 1st Brigade—a lawyer and close friend of Sam Hughes’s. In 1916, he became major-general in command of the 3rd Division and died at Mount Sorrel on 3 June of that year. 9 No other information about Osborne is currently available 10 Lord Roberts, a successful Victorian-era general, had died on November 14 and was lying in state. 11 The number of men in the hospital was due to the spinal meningitis outbreak. 12 Charles Herman Rogers was the 2nd Battalion’s second in command. 13 The 3rd Battalion was raised in Toronto, primarily from the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. Its commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Rennie, had served in the militia. 14 Colonel F.A. Howard commanded the 2nd’s left half until the battalion went to France in February. 15 Colonel Reid is mentioned three or four times, but no information currently exists as to his identity. 16 They were in France by mid-February, as it turned out. Chapter 2: Into the Trenches, February–March 1915 1 Lieutenant-Colonel V.W. de Falbe was the OC for the North Staffordshires. 2 Made up of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Battalions, all from Ontario. 3 Watson may be referring to Brigadier-General Malcom Mercer, commander of the First Infantry Brigade. 4 The Cameron Highlanders, 79th Regiment of Foot, BEF. Chapter 3: Second Ypres, Festubert, Givenchy, April–June 1915 1 A salient is part of the line that extends into enemy territory and is surrounded on three sides, making it vulnerable to enemy incursion. 2 Lieutenant-Colonel John Penhale was attached to the 1st Divisional Ammunition Column. He was a noted engineer and innovator in asbestos mining.

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3 Sir Horace Lockwood Smith-Dorrien, a career soldier, commanded II Corps at the Battle of Mons (23 August 1914). He commanded the Second Army at Second Ypres (22 April–25 May 1915); when he requested permission to retreat from the Ypres Salient to a more defensible position, Sir John French, the BEF commander (and a long-time critic of Smith-Dorrien) relieved him of command. 4 The nuns of the St. Vincent de Paul convent were famous for making lace. 5 The battle of Saint-Julien was part of the large battle of Second Ypres. 6 Rev. Frederick Scott was an Anglican clergyman, born 1861. At the outbreak of the war, well past 50, he enlisted, and served as the senior chaplain of the 1st Division. 7 It seems that Watson was writing accounts of the battle to send back to his journalist colleagues. Frank Carrel was a writer for the Quebec Daily Telegraph. 8 The passenger liner RMS Lusitania was sunk off the coast of Ireland by a German U-boat on 7 May 1915 with 1,962 people on board; 1,198 of them perished, including 128 Americans. The sinking outraged people in the British Empire, and saw the neutral United States begin to shift its alliances in favour of Britain. 9 Albert Caquot designed the Caquot dirigible—a type of tethered balloon—for artillery observation. It was known for its stability, which was essential for spotting work. 10 Captain G.G. Chrysler, the officer commanding No. 1 Company, and Lieutenant G.H. Graham. Both were invalided back to England. 11 These numbers (K.6, K.7, etc.) are trench designations off of maps that the CEF would have been using. 12 Colonel Frederick W. Hill, 1st Battalion (Ontario Regiment); later brigadier-general. 13 Brigadier-General John Wallace Carson, Sam Hughes’s eyes and ears, had been promoted from colonel; W.C.J. Hall, Lieutenant Hall’s father, had been with Watson’s militia unit in Montreal, according to information from Bill Evans (Watson’s great-grandson) and Graham Wagner (H.F. Hall’s grandson). This information was gathered from a conversation with Bill Evans. 14 Lieutenant-Colonel J.J. Carrick, minister’s liaison at GHQ, Saint-Omer. 15 Between August 1914 and December 1915, 2,466,719 men volunteered to serve in the British army, many in response to the appeals of War Secretary Lord Kitchener (later a field marshal)—hence “Kitchener’s Army.” For more, see Peter Simkins, Kitchener’s Army: The Raising of the New Armies, 1914–1916 (London: Casemate, 2007). Chapter 4: On Leave, June–September 1915 1 Andrew Bonar Law, British Conservative MP, party leader, and future British prime minister (1922–23). Born in New Brunswick, he was the first British prime minister to be born outside of the British Isles. 2 Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, a Montrealer, was the president of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). He put the CPR’s resources behind the British Empire’s war effort, and was ennobled in 1916. His youngest son, Alfred Thomas, was killed on the Western Front. 3 MacBrien later commanded the 12th Brigade. 4 Lieutenant-Colonel Louis Lipsett headed the 8th Battalion and later the Canadian 3rd Division. On 14 October 1918, he was killed by German machine-gun fire. 5 Borden was prime minister of Canada from 1911 to 1920, first as a Conservative, and then as a Unionist. 6 Colonel W.W. Burland, 14th Battalion (Royal Montreal); Dr. Francis Scrimger was awarded the VC for his actions at Second Ypres. 7 Colonel V.A.S. Williams, adjutant general.

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8 R.B. (Richard Bedford) Bennett was a Canadian Conservative politician and later prime minister (1930–35). In 1914, aged forty-four, he tried to enlist but was turned down as medically unfit. In 1916, he was appointed to lead the National Service Board, identifying potential recruits. 9 Shorncliffe camp is in Kent where fresh troops from Canada were being trained. 10 British Lieutenant-Colonel Prince Alexander of Teck (1874–1957), and his sister, Queen Mary, belonged to Britain’s “old royal family”—their mother was a granddaughter of George III, and a first cousin of Queen Victoria. He had been nominated to be governor general of Canada, but was called up in 1914 by his regiment (the 2nd Life Guards). After the war, as Earl of Athlone, he served as governor general of South Africa (1924–30) and of Canada (1940–46). 11 A Sap is a tunnel within a trench, dug to a point beneath the enemy’s trench, rather than a defensive trench—they’re short and point towards No Man’s Land. 12 At the back of his diary’s first volume, Watson wrote an additional note for 9th August: “Visit to artillery with Burstall. Barrel House. Villa. Haystack, Thatch cottage. S.O.S test.” 13 Henry Edward Burstall was in command of artillery for the Canadian 1st First Division from 1914 to 1915. Recently promoted from colonel, he was general officer commanding (GOC) Royal Canadian Artillery from 1915 to 1916, and afterwards was in command (major-general) of the Canadian 2nd Division (1916–18). 14 White would receive his commission and became acting paymaster of the 2nd Battalion. 15 The Royal Edward, part of the convoy that brought the CEF to England, was sunk on 28 July, near the Turkish coast, while carrying troops to Gallipoli. 16 Sir Charles served as governor general of New Zealand (1924–30), as did his son, Brigadier Sir Bernard Fergusson (1962–67). His father, Sir James Fergusson, and his father-in-law, David Boyle (the 7th Earl of Glasgow), had also been governors of New Zealand. Sir Charles’s grandson, the Hon. George Fergusson, was British high commissioner there from 2006 to 2010. 17 In the Battle of the Gulf of Riga (8–20 August 1915), the German High Sea Fleet failed to destroy the Russian fleet, so could not take Latvia. 18 At the back of his diary’s first volume, for 27 August, Watson wrote: “Two hours after I left our HQ at Kent House, it was badly shelled and the assistant cook was severely wounded.” 19 Watson was replacing Colonel Landry. Later Landry rose to the rank of major-general. 20 Sir George Perley was the Canadian high commissioner (ambassador) to the United Kingdom and would become the minister in charge of overseas military forces. Sam Steele made his name as an officer in the North-West Mounted Police as head of the Yukon detachment during the Klondike Gold Rush. 21 On the next page of the diary, Watson calls it his second campaign. 22 This entry and the ones below are presented how Watson had written them down on the last page of the first volume. He is discussing General Malcolm Mercer here. 23 Robert Hodgetts Labatt, of the famous Canadian brewing family, headed the 4th Battalion beginning in August 1914. On 7 June 1915, he was evacuated to England, suffering from ill health. Chapter 5: Intrigue and the Front, September 1915–January 1916 1 Tim Cook, At the Sharp End: Canadians Fighting the Great War, vol. 1, 1914–1916 (Toronto; Viking Canada, 2007), 304. 2 Cook, At the Sharp End, 313. 3 Colonel Frédéric-Mondelet Gaudet was one of the first francophone graduates of the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont. He retired from active service in the permanent forces in 1913, but reenlisted when war was declared. He was the first commander of the 22nd Battalion. Watson would find him wanting, and replaced him on 24 January 1916.

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4 De Prée was later promoted to brigadier-general, General Staff (BGGS), IV Corps, BEF. One contemporary could not understand how he “got such a responsible job.” 5 It is unclear if this is General Turner or Captain Turner from No. 1 Company. 6 The Canadian Cavalry Brigade was headed by Colonel J.E.B. (“Jack”) Seely, British MP and war secretary (1912–14). The brigade arrived in England in the autumn of 1914, but left for the Western Front in April 1915 as a dismounted unit. It would remain an infantry unit until January 1916, when it re-formed as a cavalry unit. 7 George Augustus Le Cain of the 69th Militia Regiment was given command of the 25th Battalion when it was raised. Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Hilliam had served in the 5th Battalion and seen combat during Second Ypres. Hilliam would take over the 25th Battalion on 26 October 1915. 8 Lord Brooke, CO of the 6th Brigade, CEF. 9 The Newton Pippin was a type of hand grenade. Captain Henry Newton, 5th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, began to produce it in Second Army Workshops, Armentières. It was used on the Western Front starting in June 1915. 10 Ketchen had fought in the Boer War and later served in the North-West Mounted Police. He commanded the 6th Brigade from 1915 to 1918. After the war, he remained in the army, eventually achieving the rank of major-general. He also became a Conservative MLA in Manitoba (1932–45). 11 Charles Harington was the Brigadier-General, General Staff of the Canadian Corps at this time. 12 Valentine Browne, Viscount Castlerosse (and later 6th Earl of Kenmare), was a newspaper journalist and director, and a close friend of Max Aitken’s; he served as a captain in the Irish Guards, and was seriously wounded during the war. Chapter 6: Disaster at Saint–Éloi Craters, February–April 1916 1 Tim Cook. “The Blind Leading the Blind: The Battle of the St. Eloi Craters,” Canadian Military History 5, no. 2 (Autumn 1996), 25. 2 In 1916, the Germans launched twenty-three raids over England, dropping 125 tons of bombs, killing 293 people, and injuring 691. For more information, see Christopher Cole and E.F. Cheeseman, The Air Defence of Great Britain 1914–1918 (London: Putnam, 1984), and Nigel Steel and Peter Hart, Tumult in the Clouds: The British Experience of the War in the Air (1914–1918) (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1997). 3 Richardson came from a prominent Winnipeg family. He was a superlative amateur hockey player (and would posthumously be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1950); the Richardson Memorial Stadium at Queen’s University was named for him. 4 The 3rd Division was established in England, in December 1915, under Major-General Malcolm Mercer. 5 The gun was for firing 18-pound Stokes mortars, developed in January 1915 by Wilfred Stokes. 6 Watson wrote in the margins of his diary that “General Alderson made the statement before General Turner that I was best Brigadier he had in the Canadian Corps and he had said [that] to Army Commander.” 7 Morrison, like Watson, was a journalist, writing for the Ottawa Citizen; he rose to the rank of majorgeneral and commanded Canadian artillery during the First World War. His long-lost memoir would appear in print as Morrison: The Long-lost Memoir of Canada’s Artillery Commander in the Great War (edited by Susan Raby-Dunne) in 2017. 8 These are coordinates on a map for trenches. 9 William Okeel Holden Dodds worked in life insurance and was a militia officer in 3rd Montreal Battery. He commanded the 5th Brigade’s field artillery until promoted brigadier-general in charge of 4th Division’s artillery in October 1916. 10 Possibly against typhoid, but more probably enteric (intestinal) fever, given Watson’s severe, quite typical reaction.

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11 Cook, “The Blind Leading the Blind,” 26. 12 Douglas Fraser, The Journal of Private Fraser 1914–1918: Canadian Expeditionary Force, edited by Reginald Roy (Victoria, B.C.: Sono Nis Press, 1985), 109. 1 3 Alan Aitken held a staff postion with the 5th Brigade HQ. He would be promoted to major and transferred to the staff of the 4th Division, and be awarded a military cross. 14 Lieutenant-Colonel Archibald Ernest Graham McKenzie would command the 26th Battalion (except 2 July–4 October 1917) until he was wounded in the Arras offensive on 28 August 1918. He died on 29 September. 15 It emerged late in the battle that the Germans still controlled the craters, but Lieutenant-Colonel J.A. Gunn (24th Battalion) refused to carry out Watson’s order, fearing unnecessary sacrifice of his men. For this, Watson had insulted and abused Gunn in front of his staff. Gunn offered to resign, but asked to plead his case before Watson’s senior commander, as was his right. Watson, worried about how the testimony would reflect on him, withdrew his criticism and apologized. Gunn accepted the apology, but later regretted his decision, calling it in 1939 “a very grave mistake in not pushing the matter through, as Watson later, through bad judgment and looking for kudos, cost the lives of many Canadians.” For more, see Tim Cook, At the Sharp End: Canadians Fighting the. Great War, vol. 1, 1914–1916 (Toronto: Viking Canada, 2007), 340, and Library and Archives Canada (LAC), RG 24, vol. 1501, H.Q. 683-1-28, J.A. Gunn to [official military historian Archer Fortescue] Duguid, 3 Oct. 1939. Chapter 7: Assembling the 4th Division, April–August 1916 1 Lieutenant-Colonel Edmund (“Tiny”) Ironside—twenty-six years old, multilingual, and six foot four— would be Watson’s general staff officer 1 (GSO 1). One biographer considered him “supremely selfconfident, forceful, and opinionated … [and] typical of his generation in being an open-air soldier who intensely disliked the confines of desk work.” He later rose to be Chief of the Imperial General Staff (CIGS) and a field marshal. 2 Brigadier-General Frederick O.W. Loomis, 2nd Brigade, had returned from the front. 3 Both men were selected to be brigadiers under Watson. Guy Lord Brooke would serve as leader of the 12th Brigade until September 1916; Edward Hilliam would lead the 10th. 4 This was either Beauchamp J.C. Doran (17th Brigade) or his brother, Walter R.B. Doran (8th Brigade). 5 Sir John French, Viscount French of Ypres, was the former commander of the BEF and currently commander-in-chief of the British Home Forces; General Douglas Haig had replaced Sir John French as head of the BEF in December of 1915. 6 Its members were under the regulation size of five foot three. 7 Brigadier-General Edward “Ned” Baird and Lieutenant-General Sir David Henderson, directorgeneral of military aeronautics. 8 The 87th (Canadian Grenadier Guards) started off with the 12th Brigade, but was reassigned to the 11th in June of 1916. 9 Lieutenant-Colonel Henri Alexandre Panet. At this time, Panet was in the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. 10 The Battle of Jutland was the defining sea engagement of the war. Over the course of 31 May and 1 June 1916, the British Grand Fleet and the German High Seas fleet fought in the North Sea off the mouth of the Skagerrak, the strait that separates Denmark’s Jutland peninsula and Norway. The Germans lost a battle cruiser, an older-type capital ship, four light cruisers, and five torpedo boats; the British lost three battle cruisers, three armoured cruisers, and eight destroyers. 11 Vic Williams was commanding officer of the 8th Brigade. He was taken prisoner. 12 The Hampshire hit a German mine in the North Sea on 5 June 1916, while carrying a diplomatic mission to Russia after the Battle of Jutland. Among the lost were War Secretary Earl Kitchener and his staff.

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13 Lieutenant-Colonel A.H. Bell, 31st Battalion. 14 Lieutenant-Colonel J.P. Rexford, 87th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards). 15 The Royal Highlanders of Canada; they were part of the 12th Brigade, and were disbanded in April 1917. 16 These typed notes have been lost. 17 Sir Sydney Greville was Lord Brooke’s uncle, and comptroller and treasurer to Edward, Prince of Wales. 18 Alida Brittain was a harpist and composer. 19 British Prime Minister Harold Asquith, and his wife Margot. 20 Sir Roger Casement was a British diplomat, human rights pioneer, and Irish nationalist. After retiring from consular service in 1913, he became active in Irish republicanism and other separatist movements. During the Great War, he sought German military aid for the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland. He was arrested, convicted, and executed for high treason. 21 Lieutenant-Colonel J.P. Rexford commanded the 87th Battalion from 25 April–22 July 1916. See also diary entry for 8 June 1916. 22 Sir George Foster was Canada’s trade minister; Albert Grey, 4th Earl Grey, was a former Canadian governor general. 23 The Battle of the Somme lasted from 1 July to 25 November 1916, involved roughly three million men, and saw about one million wounded or killed. Watson and the Canadian 4th Division would join the battle when they were deployed to France that October. 24 Lieutenant-Colonel Victor Odlum, 7th Battalion (1st British Columbia). 25 Lord Robert Cecil was the undersecretary for foreign affairs and minister of blockade; he went to be an architect of the League of Nations, and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1937. 26 The Canadian Corps had over a hundred thousand men by the fall of 1916, having grown significantly from the first contingent that set sail in the fall of 1914; barely thirteen thousand of them were French Canadian. There were a number of reasons why French Canadians were not signing up to fight: first, Quebec was highly industrialized, with well-paying jobs in the munitions and textile plants. Also, neither Britain nor France had much emotional appeal to a people abandoned by the old world a hundred and fifty years earlier. Interest was low enough that Quebec was the only province in which Ottawa spent money for recruiting. 27 This is possibly Field Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood, born 1838, former commandant at Aldershot. 28 In the margins, Watson wrote: “Sir Horace Dorrien stated that I was the best selection in his estimation in the whole Canadian Corps for a Divisional command.” Chapter 8: The Somme, August 1916–December 1916 1 Library and Archives Canada (LAC), RG 9, vol. 4859, 4th Division General Staff, War Diary, Aug. 1916. 2 G.W.L. Nicholson, Canadian Expeditionary Force: 1914–1919 (Ottawa: Queen’s Printer, 1964), 188–89. 3 Privates James Wilson on 9 July 1916, John William Roberts on 30 July 1916, and Come Laliberté on 4 August 1916. 4 Watson misremembered; Weaster was actually with the 50th. 5 General Lambton was a grandson of the Earl of Durham, a former governor general of British North America and author of the Durham Report of 1839, which led to the union of Lower and Upper Canada. 6 Major C.B. Worsnop, 102nd Battalion; later, he would briefly head the 75th Battalion. 7 On the night of 27 August 1916, three Romanian armies moved through the Carpathian Mountains against the Habsburg Empire, launching the Battle of Transylvania. 8 An action at the tail end of Russia’s Brusilov Offensive (4 June–20 September 1916). 9 Lieutenant-Colonel James H. MacBrien, AQMG. 10 On 11 September 1916, the bridge being built across the Saint Lawrence River between Quebec City and Lévis collapsed while workers were raising the central span into position, killing thirteen

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workers. Despite initial suspicions about German sabotage, it soon became clear that a construction error was at fault. 11 It’s possible that part of the “continual harassing of the enemy” on the Somme was preparatory work to exploiting any breach that might be made. For more on this idea, see Robin Prior and Trevor Wilson, The Somme (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 2005). 12 LAC, MG 30 E 300, vol. 18, Odlum Papers, 11th Infantry Brigade, raid 1916. 13 A German home-made mortar, which looked like a piece of stove pipe on a wooden base. Rum jars are filled with all kinds of metal bits, and then fitted with a timed fuse. 14 Dubuc would become acting commanding officer of the 22nd on 25 September 1916, replacing Gaudet, and officially take command on 24 October 1916. 15 Somme fighting in summer 1916 took place at Albert (1–13 July), Ovillers (1–16 July), Contalmaison (2–10 July), and at Pozières (23 July–3 September). 16 The fighting on the Somme had cost the three-division, sixty-five thousand-strong Canadian Corps some twenty thousand casualties. 17 No. 3 Canadian General Hospital (McGill) was in the old Jesuit College in Boulogne; Major (later Lieutenant-Colonel) Dr John McCrae, author of “In Flanders Fields,” was also on staff there. 18 Brigadier-General Victor Odlum (11th Brigade) had been editor-in-chief of the Vancouver World before the war. 19 They did not. The 4th Division would be tasked with attacking Regina Trench later in the month. 20 Gary Sheffield and John Bourne, eds., Douglas Haig War Diaries and Letters 1914–1918 (London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 2005), 239. 21 LAC, MG 30, E 300, vol. 19. 22 Wilfrid Miles, Military Operations in France and Belgium, 1916, vol. 2: 2nd July 1916 to the End of the Battle of the Somme. [London: Macmillan, 1938; Nashville, Tenn.: Battery Press]. Facsimile reprint as History of the Great War series, vol. 19, 457. Citations refer to the Battery Press edition. 23 Hubert Gough, The Fifth Army (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1931), 154. 24 At the end of volume two of Watson’s diary, he had another entry for this date: “Refer to the wonderful sight outside Albert (also the statue) along the sides of road to [Pozières] hundreds of thousands of men, tens of thousands of horses, tanks, shacks, lean tos, millions of rounds artillery and engineers’ dumps, state of ground, pitted hands, arms, man without head.” 25 Brutinel was the commanding officer of the Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade, otherwise known as Brutinel’s Brigade. He was later promoted to general. 26 G.W.L. Nicholson, The Gunners of Canada: The History of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. Vol. I, 1534–1919 (Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1967), 270. 27 At the end of volume two of Watson’s diary, he had another entry for this date: “(Our Successful Attack) Explain an attack. The full preparations, cutting the wiring, filling dumps, getting all know the scheme, zero time, artillery preparation, patrols on wire, marking assembly trenches or jumpingoff points, flares to be carried, contact with aeroplanes, terrible barrage, stationing on object and creeping hundred yards three minutes and smoking a cigarette. Then in on them, while barrage jumps to 150 yards in rear. Preparedness against counterattack, water, food, ammunition carrying parties. Dwell on importance of Stokes gun. Bombing down and up enemy trenches. Fearful P.B. bombs. Burn twenty-four hours. Few prisoners.” 28 At the end of Watson’s diary, he had another entry for this date: “Incident of direct hit on a tank just past Pozières. Went up in flames, oil, ammunition. [illegible], and crew burnt to cinders.” 29 Watson wrote another entry in the back of volume 3 for this date: “Duke of Connaught to visit and lunch in dugout. Shells whistling over and his only remark ‘another message from uncle’” [Kaiser Wilhelm II was his uncle].

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30 At the end of Watson’s diary another entry for this date reads: “Trip to Regina Trench. Going over it on the Bosche lines. Terrible state of trenches. Unburied bodies, Parties out under Red Cross flag. Bosches looking at me from other side of block …” 31 Possibly Withdrawal Orders. 32 Another note at the end of the diary: “Remarkable story. Brigadier-General Price 55th Brigade 18th Division beside us. His battalion CO went with patrol to German lines, ground a good dugout and used them as a forward dump. Five hundred rounds per man and bombs too. Also, placed out there and arranged to occupy it as battalion forward HQ. When attack was on so that instead of being, and walking behind he would see the men actually coming towards him.” 33 At the back of the third volume of the diary, Watson wrote: “Incident of men driving G.S. Wagon with four horses opposite Sugar Refinery [Factory], big crump hit beside them. Covered them with dirt, but horses and men walked on quite unconcernedly. One of our aeroplanes brought down pilot shot, observers fixed in gear with machine turning about and brought it down safely.” 34 LAC, RG9, Vol. 4859, 4th Division General Staff, War Diary, Operation on the 10th/11th November. 35 At the end of Watson’s diary for volume 3, he had another entry for this date: “Our patrols took in a Bosche S.B. that had come too close to our lines. The general did not know what to do, and then said he would send him back with an escort to his own lines, but Bosche violently exclaimed ‘Nein Nein’ and would not go. He at first was protesting about having been taken prisoner by our men but with above result.” 36 Notes at the end of volume 3 of the diary had an entry for 12 November: “An elderly maiden lady was visiting one of the men in the hospital and fussing around. To the man’s great discomfort asked ‘What’s your name?’ The Tommy glared up and replied ‘Up in B[Illegible].[?] ’ And she said quite surly, ‘Oh! Russian I see.’” 37 Sam Hughes had been behaving erratically for most of 1916, and had lost much support from his party—and Prime Minister Borden in particular. On 9 November, Hughes received a letter from Borden demanding his resignation. 38 Watson wrote for this date in the back of volume 3 of the diary: “In counterattack against our lines today. Boches coming at us, suddenly threw down their rifles and up with their hands and came to us as prisoners.” 39 At the back of volume 3 of the diary, Watson had another entry for this date: “Trial by F.G.C.M. of [Lieutenant Francis] Sr. Leader of 72nd Battalion. Refusing to obey an order. Sentence.” 40 [Another case] Private John Maurice Higgins of the 87th Battalion went absent without leave (AWOL) during the fighting at Courcellete in September and was found sixteen days later by French police. It was his third AWOL. He was found guilty and was executed on 7 December 1916 by firing squad. 41 Gibbs wrote The Battles of the Somme (London: William Heinemann, 1917). 42 The Countess is likely Maria Van den Bossche, widow of Compte Arthur du Passage, a sculptor and artist born in Fohen-le-Grand. Chapter 9: Preparations for Vimy, December 1916–March 1917 1 LAC, vol. 4859, 4th Division General Staff, War Diary, 4 Dec. 1916. 2 Ian F.W. Beckett and Steven J. Corvi, eds., Haig’s Generals (London: Pen and Sword, 2006), 56. 3 Watson Papers, Diary, 1 April 1917. 4 LAC, RG 9, vol. 4901, 10th Brigade, War Diaries, 17 Jan. 1917. 5 Ibid.; LAC, RG 9, vol. 4859, 4th Division General Staff, War Diary, Jan. 1917. 6 Bruay was situated near the western end of the vast coalfield stretching east, through Flanders, into central Belgium. 7 Watson might have meant 175 and 176, as per letters received in the previous chapter. 8 Only the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) remined intact, and it joined the 12th Brigade.

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9 On 12 December, German Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg called on the Allies to enter peace negotiations, but did so without divulging German war aims—probably as a way to justify unlimited U-boat war. As expected, the Allies said no to the proposal. 10 Colonel Birkett was Dr. Henry Birkett, dean of medicine at McGill; he was actually at No. 3 Canadian General Hospital, not No. 4. 11 Captain H.W. (Harry) Blaylock, Canadian Army Medical Corps, was deputy and later chief commissioner of the Canadian Red Cross during the Great War and supervised its heroic operations in France. 12 The ridge is now the site of Notre Dame de Lorette, also known as Ablain St.-Nazaire French Military Cemetery, the largest French military cemetery in France. 13 Brutinel led the Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade, also known as Brutinel’s Brigade. It was the first fully motorized unit of the CEF. Brigadier-General Edward Nairne led the Lahore Divisional Artillery, which had been fighting in France since 1915. When the Indian infantry withdrew from the Western Front on Boxing Day, 1915, its artillery remained, and the unit would stay with the 4th Division until its own arrived in the summer of 1917. 14 A camouflet is an artificial cavern created by an explosion. If the explosion reaches the surface, then the result is called a crater. 15 Alfred Harmsworth, Lord Northcliffe, was the publisher of the Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror in England. 16 Sir Malcolm Donald Murray was Connaught’s former ADC, and an officer in the Seaforth Highlanders. 17 At the end of volume 3 of Watson’s diary, he had another entry for this date: “Wonderful panorama we had of the attack over Montreal Crater by 73rd Battalion.” 18 The United States would declare war on Germany on 2 April 1917. 19 John Warden was commander of the 102nd Battalion, R.H. Webb was commander of the 47th Battalion. Lt-Colonel Thomas Craik Irving served in the Canadian Engineers. 20 Lieutenant-Colonel Sam Sharpe, MP for Ontario North, raised and commanded the 116th (Ontario County) Battalion. He and Watson had had acrimonious relations when Watson was at the Quebec Chronicle. In the early days of the CEF they had been, as Desmond Morton wrote, “at each other’s throats over conflicting military ambitions.” See Morton, A Peculiar Kind of Politics: Canada’s Overseas Ministry in the First World War (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1982), 41. 21 Tim Cook writes extensively on this topic in “A Proper Slaughter: The March 1917 Gas Raid at Vimy Ridge,” Canadian Military History 8, no. 2 (Spring 1999), 7-23. 22 Tim Cook, No Place to Run: The Canadian Corps and Gas Warfare in the First World War (Vancouver: UBC Press, 1999), 97. 23 J.B. Beswick, Cinquante quatre: Being a Short History of the 54th Canadian Infantry Battalion by One of Them (England: privately printed, 1919), 13. 24 Watson often refers to Lieutenant colonels as just colonels. 25 E.L.M. Burns, General Mud: Memoirs of Two World Wars (Toronto: Clarke, Irwin, 1970), 40. 26 Joseph Hayes, The Eighty-fifth in France and Flanders; Being a History of the Justly Famous 85th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) in the Various Theaters of War, together with a Nominal Roll and Synopsis of Service of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men who Served with the Battalion in France (Halifax: Royal Print and Litho, 1920), 44. 27 LAC, RG 9, vol. 4859, 4th Division Intelligence Summary No. 63, March 1917. 28 Ibid. 29 Alexander McKee, Vimy Ridge (London: Souvenir Press, 1966), 41. 30 Cook, “A Proper Slaughter,” 17. 31 Alfred Dieterich. “The German 79th Reserve Infantry Division in the Battle of Vimy Ridge, April 1917,” Canadian Military History 15, no. 1 (Winter 2006), 72.

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32 LAC, RG 9, vol. 4942, 54th Battalion, War Diary, 2 March 1917. 33 Geoffrey Jackson, The British Empire on the Western Front (Vancouver: UBC Press, 2019), 86. Chapter 10: Taking Vimy, March–April 1917 1 Vanier would later become a diplomat, and served as governor general from 1959 to 1967. 2 Lieutenant-Colonel James “Buster” Brown, logistics staff officer, CEF. 3 The British launched an offensive in December 1916 under the command of Sir Frederick Stanley Maude. They recaptured Kut on 24 February and continued up the Tigris. They met major Ottoman forces at the Diyala River on the outskirts of Baghdad on 9 March—the Ottoman forces were in disarray, however, and the British captured Baghdad on 11 March without a major engagement. A week later, General Maude issued the Proclamation of Baghdad, which included the line, “Our armies do not come into your cities and lands as conquerors or enemies, but as liberators.” 4 German forces in February and March across the Western Front withdrew to the new Hindenburg Line (Siegfriedstellung, or Siegfried Line)—a series of strong defensive positions that the Germans built in the winter of 1916–17 around suitable geographical features, and were littered with concrete pillboxes, bunkers, and tunnels. 5 The United States entered the war largely unprepared. Its army was smaller than Portugal’s; it had no tanks, no fully equipped divisions, no experienced commanders, and no modern training system, and just fifty-five planes. Americans initially thought of only financial and naval contributions. 6 Victor W. Wheeler, The 50th Battalion in No Man’s Land (Ottawa: CEF Books, 2000), 95. 7 Notes from the end of the diary, vol. 3: “The Big Attack 9th April: Started 5:30 a.m. after six days very heavy preliminary bombardment. We had two divisions artillery and five brigades. Also, ten batteries of Heavies and over one hundred machine guns. In twenty-four hours, they expended over four thousand rounds of 18 pounder ammunition. Aeroplane; our contact machine was shot down early in the day and the big balloon went adrift owing to high wind and got up to great height, going towards Bosche lines. The two men jumped about three hundred feet up and came down by parachute safely near [illegible] Saint-Nazaire. We got a big dugout, filled for accommodation of hundreds of men and stocked heavily with stores of all kinds. MacDonnell got one hundred prisoners out of this place and killed forty-five.” 8 At the end of volume 3, Watson had another entry for this date: “My visit to Hill 145 and the terrible state of ground all overland no trenches. Our dead in line out in No Man’s Land. Great observation of all area to East and West.” 9 At the end of Watson’s diary, also for this date: “At 5 o’clock this a.m. 10th Brigade assaulted and captured ‘Pimple’ in a blinding snowstorm.” 10 At the end of Watson’s diary, also for this date: “We pushed forward and captured Givenchy. Bosches are in retreat. We are relieved by 5th British Division.” 11 At the end of Watson’s diary, another entry for this date: “Our trip to Pimple. Terrible fight there. Got a wounded Bosche. Five days without food. Saw them burying our dead at top of [Hill] 145. Highest point on famous Vimy Ridge. Bosche officers run away first and men in panic afterwards.” 12 Private Carter was executed by firing squad on 20 April. 13 At the end of Watson’s diary, another entry for this date: “Private Carter 73rd Battalion shot for desertion. Second offence. Battalion broken up. One officer and eighteen other ranks kept back for execution at Coupigny.” 14 It is unclear what “do” means, but could be day of operation.

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Chapter 11: Scarpe and Lens, May–July 1917 1 For example, the 87th received fifty-seven ORs from the 22nd Canadian Reserve Battalion on 26 April, and officers and men from the 60th Battalion, a first-line unit only recently broken up, on 30 April. Library and Archives Canada (LAC), RG 9 III-D-3, vol. 4944, 87th Battalion, War Diary, April 1917. 2 Cyril Falls, Military Operations: France and Belgium 1917, vol. I (London: Imperial War Museum, 1993), 423. 3 LAC, RG 9, vol. 4217, folder 1, file 2, First Army, Summary of Operations, 3 May 1917. 4 G.W.L. Nicholson, Canadian Expeditionary Force: 1914–1919 (Ottawa: Queens Printer, 1964), 280. 5 Watson Papers, Diary, 4 Feb. 1917. 6 Lieutenant-General Richard Turner was commanding Canadian forces in Britain at this time, and Major-General Garnet Hughes (the son of former minister Sam Hughes) was commander of the Canadian 5th Division in England. 7 At the end of volume 4 of Watson’s diary, another entry for this date reads: “When Hilliam and I were going through trenches saw one of our men asleep in a barrel just over the fire step. Very comfortable.” 8 The Canadian-born Major-General Sir Philip Twinning was adjutant of the First Army. 9 At the end of Watson’s diary, another entry for this date: “General borrowing a gas helmet from a man, then later finding a man without one, gave him his (the one he borrowed) and told man to put it on. To his horror it contained a pair of dirty socks and an old towel.” 10 The National Order of the Legion of Honour is the highest French order of merit for military and civil work. 11 Also known as hardtack or soda crackers—made from flour, water, and sometimes salt. They were inexpensive and long-lasting, and commonly used during long sea voyages. 12 This was the first entry in the fourth volume of his diaries. 13 Sir Albert Edward Kemp, a Toronto manufacturer, served in Robert Borden’s cabinet during the war. He would succeed Sam Hughes as minister of militia and defence in 1917; and in 1917 he went to London as minister of overseas military forces of Canada, a portfolio that he retained until demobilization. 14 Allenby had been the architect of the British offensive at Arras in April 1917. The offensive started well, but Allenby came under fire for ordering too many isolated attacks. In June 1917, General Haig transferred him to command of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in Palestine. 15 The Whizzbangs were an entertainment group made up of soldiers of the Canadian 5th Division. 16 On 15 June, both Arthur Currie and Richard Turner were promoted to lieutenant-general. Currie would officially be the new Canadian Corps commander. Brigadier-General Archibald “Batty Mac” MacDonnell, a tough permanent cavalry officer, would take over the 1st Division, replacing Currie. 17 This is the Belgian award mentioned earlier. 18 Thain Wendell MacDowell was one of four Canadians who won a Victoria Cross on Vimy Ridge. As the London Gazette reported on 8 June 1917, “By his initiative and courage this officer, with the assistance of two runners, was enabled, in the face of great difficulties, to capture two machine guns, besides two officers and seventy-five men. Although wounded in the hand, he continued for five days to hold the position gained, in spite of heavy shell fire, until eventually relieved by his battalion. By his bravery and prompt action he undoubtedly succeeded in rounding up a very strong enemy machine post.” Chapter 12: Lens, July–August 1917 1 Library and Archives Canada (LAC), RG 9, vol. 4014, folder 25, file 2, 1st Division, General scheme of Operations, 11 July 1917; Don Farr, The Silent General: Horne of the First Army (West Midlands: Helion, 2006), 171.

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2 By the summer of 1917, German forces had pulled back to the Hindenburg Line and were implementing defence in depth. In 1917, around Hill 70 and Lens at least, the Germans could execute a flexible area defence so that, when the enemy attacked their lines, they would counterattack. As historian Robert Foley wrote: “The doctrine recognized, however, that this would not always be possible. Sometimes the local forces would not be sufficient, and thus a more deliberate counterattack would be needed. This might involve forces from outside the local area, including heavy artillery reinforcements from higher commands.” For more on the German defences around Hill 70 and Lens, see Robert Foley, “The Other Side of the Hill,” in Douglas Delaney and Serge Marc Durflinger, eds., Capturing Hill 70: Canada’s Forgotten Battle of the First World War (Vancouver: UBC Press, 2016), chap. 7. 3 Ibid. 4 LAC, RG 9, vol. 3850, folder 61, file 1, Canadian Corps scheme of Operations, 26 July 1917. 5 Geoffrey Jackson, “Anything but Lovely: The Canadian Corps at Lens in the Summer of 1917,” Canadian Military History 17, no. 1 (Winter 2008), 11. 6 Farr, The Silent General, 171. 7 American Expeditionary Forces, General Staff, G-2, Histories of Two Hundred and Fifty-one Divisions of the German Army Which Participated in the War (1914–1918) (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1920), 200. 8 Geoffrey Jackson, “What Was the Point? Raiding in the Summer of 1917,” Canadian Military History 19, no. 2 (Autumn 2010), 33. 9 Ibid., 34. 10 LAC, RG 9, vol. 4945, file 455, 87th Battalion, War Diary, 1 Aug. 1917. 11 Jackson, “What Was the Point?”, 37. 12 LAC, MG 30 E 488, William C. Morgan Papers, Diary, 24 July 1917. 13 Foley, “The Other Side of the Hill,” in Capturing Hill 70, ed. Delaney and Durflinger, 190. 14 This was the start of the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele, which dragged on until 10 November. The Canadian Corps would become involved during the last push to take Passchendaele. 15 Pattison’s citation read, “For conspicuous gallantry during the attack on Hill 145, Vimy Ridge, on the 10th of April 1917. When the advance of our troops was held up by an enemy machine gun causing severe casualties, with utter disregard of his own safety he sprang forward jumping from shellhole to shellhole until within thirty yards of the enemy gun, from here in face of point-blank fire, he hurled a bomb killing or wounding some of the crew, then rushing forward overcoming and bayonetting the five enemy remaining with the gun. His valour and initiative allowed further advance of our troops to their objective, saving the situation and undoubtedly saving the lives of many.” He would be killed on 3 June 1917, in an action near Lens. 16 Dr. Henry Marshall Tory of the Khaki University. Watson would describe the university in more detail further this particular volume (vol. 4) of his diary. 17 Sir Edward Morrison, “Vimy and Hill 70,” Toronto Star Weekly, 24 April 1928. 18 LAC, MG 30 E 100, vol. 52, Arthur Currie Papers, Diary, 18 Aug. 1917. 19 This may or may not be W.W. Burland, DSO. 20 LAC, RG 24, vol. 1820, file GAQ 5-7, 19 Aug. 1917 21 LAC, RG 41, vol. 11, 46th Battalion, In Flanders Fields transcripts, Hart interview. 22 LAC, RG 9, vol. 4933, 25th Battalion, War Diary, 22 Aug. 1917. 23 Ibid. 24 Donald Fraser, The Journal of Private Fraser, ed. Reginald Roy (Victoria, B.C.: Sono Nis Press, 1985), 305.

361

Notes

25 LAC, RG 9, vol. 3850, folder 62, file 2, 2nd Division, Narratives of Operations, 15–22 Aug. and 9 Sept. 1917. 26 Various authors, Canada in the Great War: An Authentic Account of the Military History of Canada from the Earliest Days to the Close of the War of Nations in six volumes, vol. 4, The Turn of the Tide (Toronto: United Publishers of Canada, 1920), 201. 27 Ibid., 212. 28 Corporal Filip Konowal, who had taught bayonet-fighting in the Russian army, received the sixth and final Victoria Cross for the Hill 70/Lens operation. He attacked a machine-gun position in Lens, shooting three Germans and bayoneting another four, and thereby because of his actions captured the German machine gun. The next day he knocked out another machine-gun nest. He was wounded during his actions and was carried from the front line on 23 August. Konowal survived the war. See Arthur Bishop, Our Bravest and Our Best: The Stories of Canada’s Victoria Cross Winners (Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 1995), 59. 29 LAC, RG 9, vol. 4902, file 308, 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade, Summary of Operations, 17/18–25/26 Aug. 1917, c. Sept 1917. 30 LAC, RG 41, vol. 10, 44th Battalion, D.M. Marshall interview. 31 LAC, RG 9, vol. 3907, folder 27, file 14, Operation Order No. 25 by C.R.A. 4th Canadian Division, 19 Aug. 1917. Bite and Hold was a tactic where the attacker would seize a small portion of territory (“bite”) and then “hold” on to it. The attacker then would use this limited gain in territory to “bite” out again. 32 Corporal Myers, who was in the 4th’s diversionary raid on 15 August, indicated that the troops knew the fighting was tough: “We worked around ruins between Aconite and Amalgam [Trenches] and drove the enemy out of them. Fire was coming very heavy from houses east of Aconite trench. I had three men casualties and on account of this heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, saw that it was impossible to go any further.” LAC, RG 9, vol. 4944, 87th Battalion, War Diary, 15 Aug. 1917. 33 LAC, RG 9, vol. 3851, folder 63, file 9, 4th Canadian Division, Operation Order No. 52, 19 Aug. 1917. 34 Ibid. 35 LAC, RG 41, vol. 10, 44th Battalion, Ed Garrison interview. 36 LAC, RG 9, vol. 3850, folder 62, file 4, Messages and Signals, 20 Aug. 1917. 37 G.W.L. Nicholson, Canadian Expeditionary Force: 1914–1919 (Ottawa: Queen’s Printer, 1964), 297. Chapter 13: Passchendaele, September–October 1917 1 Gary Sheffield, The Chief: Douglas Haig and the British Army (London: Aurum, 2011), 247. 2 Okill Learmonth, VC, was a major in Watson’s old 2nd Battalion. He grew up in Quebec City and attended Watson’s church, Chalmers Presbyterian, on Rue Ste-Ursule. He won a Victoria Cross for his service at Hill 70 on 18 August 1917: under intense barrage fire and mortally wounded, he stood on the parapet of the trench, bombing the enemy, and on several occasions he actually caught several bombs thrown at him and threw them back. When unable to carry on the fight, he still refused to be evacuated and continued giving instructions and invaluable advice, finally handing over all his duties before he was moved to hospital, where he died the next day. 3 In the Battle of Menin Ridge (20–25 September 1917), part of Third Ypres, eleven British divisions would attack five divisions of the German Fourth. The offensive cost the British over twenty thousand casualties and was deemed a success. 4 D.J. Goodspeed, The Road Past Vimy: The Canadian Corps 1914–1918 (Toronto: Macmillan, 1969), 115. 5 Mark Osborne Humphries, ed., The Selected Papers of Sir Arthur Currie: Diaries, Letters, and Report to the Ministry, 1917–1919 (Waterloo, Ont.: LCMSDS Press of Wilfrid Laurier University, 2007), 52. 6 Tim Cook, Shock Troops: Canadians Fighting the Great War, vol. 2, 1917­–1918 (Toronto: Penguin, 2008), 2, 319.

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7 General Staff [British], The Principles of Command in the Defensive Battle in Position Warfare. Extract “B” from a German Document (SS 749) (London: War Office, 1 Sept. 1917), consulted in the Military History Research Centre at the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa. 8 Ibid. 9 Library and Archives Canada (LAC), RG 9, vol. 4939, 46th Canadian Infantry Battalion, War Diary, Oct. 1917. 1 0 LAC, RG 9, vol. 4207, folder 9, file 7, 4th Canadian Division, 1 Nov. 1917. 11 G.W.L. Nicholson, Canadian Expeditionary Force: 1914–1919 (Ottawa: Queen’s Printer, 1964), 323. Chapter 14: Rebuilding, November 1917–January 1918 1 C.B. Lindsey; The Story of the Fourth Canadian Division, 1916–1919 (Aldershot, U.K.: Gale and Polden, 1919), 9. 2 Patrick Brennan, “Major-General David Watson: A Critical Appraisal of Canadian Generalship in the Great War,” in Great Wartime Commands: Historical Perspectives on Canadian Army Leadership, ed. Andrew B. Godefroy (Kingston, Ont: Canadian Defence Academy Press, 2010), 127. 3 Ibid. 4 A medium-size boat to carry domestic mail, passengers, and freight. 5 Gordon was with the Dominion Textile Co., and served on the Imperial Munitions Board and with the British War Mission in Washington, DC. 6 Major Sir William Orpen, RA (1878–1931), was an Irish artist who worked mainly in London. As part of the War Artists Scheme run by the Department of Information, he spent much of the war on the Western Front, and painted many military subjects. Orpen donated his war paintings to the British nation; most of those works are now in the Imperial War Museums. Chapter 15: Shake, Rattle, and Roll, February–May 1918 1 News about the British Army no. 4 (7 Jan. 1918), Bundesarchiv-Militararchiv, Freiburg. 2 The air arm of the British army until it merged with the Royal Naval Air Service to form the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918. 3 Lieutenant-Colonel K.R. Marshall, adjutant and quartermaster general, 4th Division. 4 British Prime Minister David Lloyd George had lost confidence in Haig and was blatantly trying to undermine him. The false rumours Watson heard about his resignation may have been the result of this campaign. See Gary Sheffield, The Chief: Douglas Haig and the British Army (London: Aurum, 2011), 262–5. 5 The numbered letters from his family are sometimes not numbered consistently, and Watson mentions letters with earlier numbers received later in the war. 6 The Battle of Cambrai (20 November–7 December 1917) was unique for its use of massed tanks. 7 From notes at the back of volume 4 (see also note on 27 March): “General MacDonnell and the man ‘You are from the YMCA’ and General Hunter Weston ‘Gangway, make way for your Corps Commander. I’m your CC and A.’” 8 The Lyceum Club of London was founded in 1903 to provide a welcoming and intellectually stimulating environment for educated women. 9 The Germans broke down their formations into different categories and sent first their best-trained and -supplied troops to the “assault divisions,” leaving mostly older soldiers for later. The lineholding formations tended to be made up of older soldiers. not suited for attack. Thus German losses during the Spring Offensive fell disproportionately upon their best fighting men. 10 Holger H. Herwig, The First World War: Germany and Austria-Hungary 1914–1918 (London: Edward Arnold, 1997), 401.

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11 Library and Archives Canada (LAC), RG 9, C-1, folder 120, file 10–16, Interim Report on the Operations of the Canadian Corps during the year 1918. 12 Tim Cook, At the Sharp End: Canadians Fighting the Great War, vol. 1: 1914–1916 (Toronto: Viking Canada, 2007), 396. 13 From notes at the back of the diary (volume 4): “We had loaned some tunnellers to 1st Division. General MacDonnell went around to see them and addressed them. Green patch working with Red Patch [division colours] and he would be a father to them just as General Watson looked after them, and as he was going away suddenly said: ‘Of course you know who I am,’ and one chap replied: ‘Oh yes, you are that YMCA feller.’” 14 Notes at back of diary: “Write up a description of the enormous caves we occupied at Aux Ritz, the shelling of the road crossing there, gas.” 15 Notes at back of diary: “Single Bosche plane coming over and shooting down in flames four of our big balloons. Crews coming down in parachutes. Very plucky indeed.” 16 British general Roger Massey, general officer commanding, heavy artillery (HA), 4th Division. 17 Notes at the end of diary: “Sound Ranging Device: six stations over two divisions’ front converging back to main HQ Observation Posts well up in front. Microphones twenty-five hundred to three thousand yards back. Press button which starts instruments at HQ in five seconds, photo is taken and developed. Then photo shows the six lines with break in each, showing where instrument kicked at sound, and then worked out with lines from stations and where lines cross is position of gun that fired. Also able to locate burst of our guns on their long-range guns. Spot flashing [flash spotting] devices on same principle with different stations. All centered at HQ where every enemy battery is registered and is treated as a customer in a ledger with all details.” 18 Andrew McNaughton trained as an engineer before the war. During the First World War he was a key figure in developing the Canadian Crops counter-battery operation, using every means available: sound ranging, air observation, and flash spotting. He would go on to command the Canadian army in the Second World War and became defence minister. 19 In 1916 Germany declared war on Portugal. At this point, Portugal did have two divisions serving on the Western Front. 20 For such morale boosters, makeshift stages were erected along the frontlines. Troops might watch one of their own channel a popular music-hall song, act out a humorous and topical skit, or—a favourite—do a female impersonation. 21 From notes at the back of the diary: “Eighteen raids in one month. Then explain Chinese raid, the 18 pounders rolling and then heavies and 4.5s [type of artillery shell] coming down with gas on front lines, that are heavily manned.” 22 Pentland worked at the Quebec Chronicle 23 Total equal to about $180,000 in 2020 value. The Quebec Bank integrated into the Royal Bank of Canada on January 1st 1918. 24 The Third Battle of Aisne (27 May–6 June 1918) was one of many advances in Germany’s massive Spring Offensive. Chapter 16: Bring in the Tanks and Planes, June–July 1918 1 Library and Archives Canada [LAC], RG 9, vol. 4860, 4th Division, War Diary, 10 June 1918. The Lewis guns often jammed, and their crews could not repair them in the heat of battle, a problem that shaped infantry training. 2 Ibid., July 1918, Appendix A. 3 Mark Osborne Humphries, “The Myth of the Learning Curve: Tactics and Training in the 12th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1916–1918,” Canadian Military History 14, no. 4 (Autumn 2005), 25. 4 LAC, RG 9, vol. 4909, file 331, 12th Canadian Brigade Tactical Scheme No. 3.

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Notes

5 Watson still had the option to use horses, but relied on cars consistently from this point. 6 This was the beginning of the Germans’ Operation Gneisenau; the French had been warned of this attack, and their defence in depth reduced the impact of the artillery bombardment on 9 June. 7 From notes at the back of volume 5 the diary: “Incident of reality of acting. Our second lovely going on stage without orders, getting fits and then commencing to cry. So women-like.” 8 Private Fowles was court-martialed for desertion and found guilty. On his third offence of desertion, he was executed by firing squad on 19 June 1918. 9 The Spanish flu pandemic took the lives of more than fifty million people around the world at the end of the First World War. See Mark Osborne Humphries, The Last Plague: Spanish Influenza and the Politics of Public Health in Canada (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2013). 10 In the back of the diary: “Tell about the sound ranging and flash spotting machine. The six stations one thousand yards apart. The six micrometers fifteen hundred yards behind the observers, the wires (so fine and delicate) the photos in five seconds after button pushed and the cross wires locating exact position of gun. Also for registering our own shells, more wonderful still.” 11 A Cook’s tour is a rapid or cursory survey; the term originated with the tours run by the Thomas Cook company (started in the 1840s), which were well-run but known for rushing people through famous sites to fit as many into a day as possible. 12 A former Liberal leader of the opposition in Ontario, Rowell presided over the Privy Council and served as vice-chair of the cabinet’s War Committee. 13 Birks was supervisor, YMCA Overseas Forces, and helped to set up the non-landed University of Vimy Ridge, which was connected to Canada’s Khaki University in England. See YMCA of Montreal fonds, Concordia University, Montreal. Chapter 17: The Hundred Days, August–November 1918 1 Shane B. Schreiber, Shock Army of the British Empire: The Canadian Corps in the Last 100 Days of the Great War (1997; St. Catharines, Ont: Vanwell, 2004), 98; Field Marshal Haig, quoted in Gary Sheffield, The Chief: Douglas Haig and the British Army (London: Aurum, 2012), 294. 2 Rawlinson, quoted in Sheffield, The Chief, 294. 3 Ferdinand Foch was a French General. He was made Supreme General (Generalissime) over all Allied Armies in the spring of 1918. General Eugene Debeny was commander of the First French Army and fought alongside British forces during the Last Hundred Days. 4 Ian Beckett, Timothy Bowman, and Mark Connelly, The British Army and the First World War (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2017), 363. 5 Ian M. Brown, “‘Not Glamorous, but Effective’: The Canadian Corps and the Set-piece Attack, 1917–1918,” Journal of Military History 58, no. 3 (1994), 431. 6 Brian Hall, Communications and British Operations on the Western Front, 1914–1918. Cambridge Military Histories (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2017), 254. 7 The Green Line was the German front line, the reserve and gun lines were the Red Line, and the Blue Dotted Lines were the rear of the German lines. 8 Dean Chappelle, “The Canadian Attack at Amiens, 8–11 August 1918,” Canadian Military History 2, no. 2 (1993), 89. 9 Watson Papers, Diary, 4 Aug. 1918. 10 Jim Beach, Haig’s Intelligence: GHQ and the German Army, 1916–1918 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2015), 305. 11 LAC, RG 9, vol. 4812, Canadian Corps General Staff, War Diary, Intelligence on German Divisions Engaged, Sept. 1918. For one account of German weakness (in the 27th Division), see American Expeditionary Forces, General Staff, G-2, Histories of Two Hundred and Fifty-one Divisions of the

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German Army Which Participated in the War (1914–1918) (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1920), 372. 12 Nick Lloyd, Hundred Days: The Campaign That Ended World War I (New York: Basic Books, 2014), 38. 13 John Alexander Swettenham, McNaughton, vol. 1, 1887–1939 (Toronto: Ryerson Press, 1968), 143. 14 British Brigadier-General Norman Webber was brigadier-general, General Staff, Canadian Corps. 15 British General Louis Lipsett had commanded the Canadian 3rd Division but in September 1918 was transferred to command the British 4th Division. On 14 October he was killed while scouting a line— the last British general to be killed during the First World War. 16 Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, John Preston Papers, 1918 20030140–005, Diary, 11 Aug. 1918. 17 Imperial War Museum (IWM, London) 12468 Lord Horne Papers, Report on the First Army Operations: August 26–November 11, 1918. 18 Shane Schreiber, Shock Army of the British Empire: The Canadian Corps in the Last 100 Days of the Great War (1997; St. Catharines, ON: Vanwell, 2004), 98. 19 Ibid., 76. The Canadian 4th had still not arrived from Amiens, and until it did the British 4th was fighting in the Canadian Corps. 20 A substantial minority of those returning to the ranks consisted of veterans who had been lightly wounded in the attack on Amiens; the rest came straight from training camps in England. Many conscripts began to reach the Canadian Corps only after the DQ Line attack. 21 Tim Cook, “Bloody Victory: The Canadian Corps in the Hundred Days Campaign,” in 1918 Year of Victory: The End of the Great War and the Shaping of History, ed. Ashley Ekins (Auckland, NZ: Exsile, 2010), 174. 22 These are coordinates on a map. On 25 September 1918, Watson will again add coordinates to the entry. 23 Watson’s numbering of letters to the wife seems inaccurate here as the last time he mentioned the number it was 65. He possibly meant to write “120.” 24 LAC, RG 9, vol. 4860, 4th Canadian Division Narrative of Operation: Battle of Canal du Nord— September 27th to October 1st 1918. 25 Peter Hart, 1918: A Very British Victory (London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 2008), 439. 26 Bulgaria had collapsed under direct assault from a major Allied offensive; Tsar Ferdinand I abdicated on 3 October 1918 in favour of his son, who became Boris III. 27 Notes in back of volume 5 of the diary: “Bosche officer, [illegible] to General Odlum. Staff Captain dealing with him. ADC to Kaiser, a prisoner complaining of treatment, he knew Haig, everything stolen, buttons off, and made Currie a stretcher for six hours.” 28 General Alexander Godley commanded II ANZAC Corps, who were designated XXII Corps after heavy losses at Third Ypres. 29 A bar on a medal denotes that the recipient has been awarded that decoration before. 30 Notes in the back of the diary for this date: “Our burial officer Dickie, a terrible German hater, who always buried them face down, so that at Judgment Day, they would be facing their future destination—Hell.” 31 Notes in the back of the diary for this date: “Story of man and girl in aeroplane, saying he would jump out which he did. She flew down just like all the other chickens do.” 32 Notes in the back of the diary for this date: “About 2nd Battle of Ypres, news coming in about gas and rout, then second message that somebody was holding and then the third message that the Canadians were holding the line.” 33 Notes in the back of volume 5 of the diary for this date: “Meeting Prince of Wales near Bailleul, and showed me the big Pumpkin”; “Alice Gauthier 2 August 18. ‘Vive la France’” 34 Notes in the back of volume 5 of the diary for this date: “Incident of presentation of flag by mayor of [illegible], after four years of bondage. Poor people all around, little bouquet of flowers, sparkle of

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determination in all faces [and] cafes. Also young man in the cellars of Denain for years who would not give himself up to the Bosches. Faith all that time in ultimate rescue.” 35 F.W. Bewsher, The History of the 51st (Highland) Division (Edinburgh: William Blackwood and Sons, 1921), 401. 36 LAC, RG 9, vol. 4903, file 312, 10th Brigade. War Diary, 28 Oct. 1918. 37 Notes in the back of the diary for this date: “Extraordinary situation at Aulnoye. Our posts 100 to 150 yards from Bosche lines and in-between, where fire is thick, are civilians, women and children, hanging out clothes, digging up vegetables and even throwing some to the Bosches in their bunk holes and trenches.” 38 The Armistice of Mudros, concluded on 30 October 1918, ended the hostilities, at noon the next day, in the Middle Eastern theatre between the Ottoman Empire and the Allies. On 31 October, Hungary ended its personal (monarchical) union with Austria, officially dissolving the monarchy. At the last Italian offensive, the Austro-Hungarian army took to the field without any food and munition supply and fought without any political support for a de facto non-existent empire. At the end of the decisive joint offensive at Vittorio Veneto by the Italians, British, and French, a disintegrated Austria-Hungary signed the Armistice of Villa Giusti on 3 November 1918. 39 In 1916, planning had begun for how best to demobilize. The decision at that time was to demobilize as soon as the Armistice was signed. Original estimates had been that it would take eighteen months to bring the overseas forces home. In practice, some two-thirds returned home within five months, and almost all were home within a year, despite a shortage of shipping and the professed inability of Canadian railways to transport more than twenty-five thousand soldiers a month—intense government pressure allowed that figure to increase to some forty-five thousand a month. 40 Notes in the back of the diary for this date: “Peasant women killing a Bosche with her ‘Sabot.’ Her daughter dragged away a week before.” Chapter 18: The Aftermath, November–December 1918 1 Notes in the back of volume 5 of the diary for this date: “Incident of all our returning prisoners coming into our lines and in all description of uniforms, blankets, sandbags and are Italians, Belgians, French, and British.” 2 Brigadier-General Frank S. Meighen resumed command of the 87th in October 1918, and returned to Canada first. 3 The Spanish flu reached Quebec in September 1918. 4 Notes in back of diary: “Visit to Brussels and to Mr. Franke. His experience at the meeting of delegates at Spa [Belgium, former German HQ, site of Armistice Commission]. Request of Bosche reply by senior French officer for [Maréchal] Foch.” 5 Notes in the back of the diary for this date: “The educational policy and our efforts to create, instruct and the betterment of the future of our men.” 6 Notes in the back of the diary for this date: “Incident told us how at [illegible] the Bosches threw some of their wounded out of second-storey window, as they were going to die anyway.” 7 The 10th Brigade war diaries do not mention an incident. 8 Notes in the back of the diary for this date: “Cow hitched up to a hearse at a funeral.” 9 Adolf Max served as mayor of Brussels from 1909 until his death in 1939. 10 Charles Fitzpatrick was the fifth chief justice of Canada. He also acted as chief counsel for Louis Riel in 1885. 11 Notes in the back of the diary for this date: “The Big Ball, Historic hall paintings, tapestries, [illegible]. Rush for tickets, shaking hands with the announcer, two thousand guests. Ushering in New Year’s Last Post. Lights out, then silenced at 12 sharp. Lights on the big clock seven feet high. Twelve booms of big gong. Doors thrown open. Pipers playing through hall. Everyone joins in procession,

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and then ‘Auld Lang Syne.’ Prince of Wales, Teck, Army and Corps Commanders, All Belgian High notables, Diplomatic corps.” Chapter 19: Waiting, January–March 1919 1 This is the first date in the sixth and final volume of Watson’s diaries. 2 Canadians had among the highest incidences of venereal disease in the BEF, at upwards of a 28.7 percent infection rate. 3 British nurse Edith Louisa Cavell helped some two hundred Allied soldiers escape from Germanoccupied Belgium, for which she was arrested. She was accused of treason, found guilty by a court martial, and sentenced to death. Despite international pressure for mercy, she was shot by a German firing squad. Her execution generated worldwide condemnation and extensive press coverage. Mount Edith Cavell (3,363 m) in Jasper National Park, Alta., was named for her; the mountain was featured on a Canadian $1 postage stamp in 1930. 4 Sir Wilfrid Laurier was Canada’s first francophone prime minister (1896–1911). As Leader of the Opposition during the First World War, he opposed conscription. Watson’s information was slightly off, as Laurier had died on Monday, 17 February 1919. 5 The English-born Princess Marie de Croÿ was a war nurse, who was tried along with her colleague, Edith Cavell. De Croÿ was sentenced to ten years’ hard labour, and released at war’s end. 6 General Julian Byng had headed the Canadian Corps from June 1916 to June 1917 and then the British Third Army. As Baron Byng of Vimy, he served as governor general of Canada from 1921 to 1926. 7 Notes from the end of the diary: “Incident at 102nd Dance where I was shut in LW Petit Cabbinet de Boitsfort.” 8 Arthur Sifton, Sir George Foster, and Charles Doherty were all members of Sir Robert Borden’s Unionist cabinet; the four were the Canadian delegates to the Paris Peace Conference, which convened in January 1919. Chapter 20: Homeward Bound, April–July 1919 1 Notes at end of diary: “Flying over to England in a Handley Paige. 3½ hours, 20 minutes over Channel, five of us on board, map [illegible] propeller. Piece of paper, even rain, fifteen-hundred revolution, two engines, eight tons in all. Came back on 8th in a D.H. [de Havilland] 4, two-seater 1½ tons, 120 miles per hour, eight thousand feet up and wrote letter, went to sleep. Thirteen minutes to cross Channel, 1 hour 55 minutes to Brussels, 250 miles over Dunkirk, Ostend (saw Vindictive) shelled and [illegible] areas, Bruges, Ghent and Brussels. Left at 12:45 attended Mac’s funeral at 3 o’clock in La Hulpe.” 2 Notes at the end of the diary: “Visit to [Désiré Joseph] Cardinal Mercier. His resolutions in dealing with the Bosches. Signed photo. Respects to his old friend [Louis-Nazaire] Cardinal Bégin [archbishop of Quebec 1898–1925].” 3 Notes at the back of the diary: “Experience in aeroplane blizzard, snow and sleet bumpy, three times tried to cross channel and eventually crashed over [illegible], my miraculous escape and machine completely destroyed. Twenty-five hundred feet up and engine trouble. The awful feeling of coming death. Seven or eight seconds cool and collected.” 4 Jim Craig had been daughter Marjorie’s fiancé; it is unclear if Marjorie and Jim had made up after the earlier news she had broken off the engagement. 5 RMS Aquitania (1914–50) was the third in the Cunard Line’s grand trio of express liners, preceded by the Mauretania and the Lusitania (which was sunk by the Germans on 7 May 1915). 6 Notes from the end of the diary: “Second experience in an aeroplane getting lost in fog bank over Saint-Omer and wandering around for twenty minutes trying to get located. The awful feeling of helplessness and petrol running out. Too bad to cross Channel. Three planes lost the day before. My pilot crashed just as we came to aerodrome at Nivelles.”

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7 Probably one of the Airco DH models. 8 Notes from the back of volume 6 of the diary: “American asking Scotchman how long it took to build those girders and bridge over ‘that stream’ (the Firth of Forth). How many papers would it take to cover a WAAC? ‘One M. no O. and as many seven’. As you please. The little red-headed baby ‘Sure mam, you haven’t got red hair and has his father? Oh! I don’t know he did [illegible].’ Brotherhood of citizenship shall soon take the place of the Brotherhood of Service.” 9 Brigadier-General John George Stewart-Murray, 8th Duke of Atholl, was [the King’s) Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. 10 The Derby, Britain’s most prestigious and lucrative horse race, takes place each year at Epsom, Surrey. In 1919, Fred Templeman won, riding Grand Parade. 11 Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant Arthur Whitten Brown became the first people to fly the Atlantic, travelling on a modified Vickers Vimy from St. John’s, Newfoundland, to Clifden, County Galway, landing at 8.40 a.m. on 15 June. 12 At the event, Winston Churchill, secretary of state for air and war, presented the pilots, on behalf of newspaper owner Lord Northcliffe, their £10,000 prize for being the first to fly across the Atlantic. 13 Cape Race is a point of land located at the southeastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. 14 Cape Ray is a small fishing community on the southwest coast of Newfoundland; Watson also noted it on his voyage out to England in his diary entry of 4 October 1914. 15 The Bird Rock is a small island that is part of the Magdalen Islands, Quebec.

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Index

1st Australian Division, 233, 235, 238, 288

6th Brigade, 102, 105, 107, 217, 218

1st Battalion (Ontario), 21, 39, 44, 56, 57, 58, 61

6th German Army, 54, 210, 256

1st British Army: Battle of Amiens and, 281;

8th Regiment (Royal Rifles), Watson joins, 2

Battle of Festubert and, 54; at Scarpe and

10th Battalion, 313, 314, 321

Lens, 197, 198, 209, 222; to take Mont Dury,

10th Brigade: Hayter replaces Hilliam as

305

commander of, 8, 237, 238, 240; Hilliam

1st Canadian Division, 21, 60, 63, 77, 193, 197, 297

replaces Hughes as commander of, 160,

1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, described, 21

169; Hughes assumes command of, 123, 124,

1st French Army, 281

126; leadership issues within, 135, 154–55,

2nd Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment), 2–3,

157, 160, 161, 162, 168, 237; at Mont Dury and

21, 27, 29, 35, 40. See also Armentières; Plug

Bourlon Wood, 291, 292, 298; Ross replaces

Street; Salisbury Plain; Second Ypres

Hayter as commander of, 305–6; at Scarpe

2nd British Army: at Passchendaele, 230; at Saint-Éloi Craters, 95, 102; at the Somme, 138 2nd Canadian Division: described, 71, 77; at

and Lens, 199, 203, 218, 222; at the Somme, 139, 141, 143; at Vimy, 190, 191, 192 11th Brigade: at Hundred Days offensives, 298,

Lens, 210, 216, 217; at Passchendaele, 235; at

307; at Mont Dury, 291; at Scarpe and Lens,

Saint-Éloi Craters, 95, 102

204, 213, 214; at the Somme, 139, 147; at

2nd German Army, 282 3rd Battalion (Toronto), 21, 30, 56, 58, 62, 67, 70 3rd British Army, 11, 144, 159, 189, 197, 204, 241, 275 3rd British Division, 102 3rd Canadian Division: at Passchendaele, 233;

Vimy, 190 12th Brigade: at Canal du Nord and Bourlon Wood, 297; at Mont Dury, 291; replaces 10th, at Valenciennes, 307; at Scarpe and Lens, 207; at the Somme, 131; training prior to Hundred Days offensives, 269; at Vimy, 191

at the Somme, 131, 143; training prior to

17th Brigade (BEF), described, 40

Hundred Days offensives, 269; Watson

18th British Division, 147

offered command of, 118, 119

19th British Division, 131, 135, 138

4th Battalion (Central Ontario), 21, 42, 43, 73, 350n23 4th British Army, 144, 145, 247, 281, 290 4th British Division, 262, 290, 291, 292, 293, 295 4th Canadian Division, 125, 130; described, 7,

22nd/22e Battalion (French-Canadian), 77, 78, 79, 81, 82 24th Battalion (Victoria Rifles), 77, 80, 85, 97, 105, 111 25th Battalion (Nova Scotia Rifles): described,

38; creation and organization of, 4–5, 160,

71, 77; Hilliam and, 119, 160, 351n7; leadership

346n30; enters Canadian Corps (December

issues within, 81, 82; in Lens, 217; offensive

1916), 157; Watson accepts position of GOC,

operation planned, 87, 90, 91, 92; at the

104. See also Bramshott Camp; The Hundred

Somme, 147

Days; Passchendaele; Scarpe and Lens; the

26th Battalion (New Brunswick), 77, 81, 82, 87, 101

Somme; Vimy

44th Battalion: approaching Vimy, 167; at final

5th Brigade: described, 71, 77; Watson takes

battle, 306; at Passchendaele, 234; at

command of, 4, 69, 71. See also Saint-Éloi

Scarpe and Lens, 198, 219, 220, 221; at the

Craters

Somme, 148; training prior to Hundred Days

5th British Army, 144, 149

offensives, 272

Index

46th Battalion: approaching Vimy, 174; at

Armentières (4 February–31 March 1915):

Passchendaele, 233; at Scarpe and Lens,

casualties, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44; en route to,

198, 206–7, 219; at the Somme, 138, 154; at

37–39; Private Cardew killed (Watson’s

Vimy, 187

batman), 41; taking of Neuve-Chapelle, 43;

47th Battalion: approaching Vimy, 166, 170;

training in, 44–45

at Battle of Amiens, 286; at Mont Dury,

Armentières, Battle of (1914), 38

292; at Scarpe and Lens, 197, 219; at the

Armstrong, General Charles, 268

Somme, 138; training prior to Hundred Days

Arras region, France, 290. See also The Hundred

offensives, 259, 263, 274; at Vimy, 184, 187 51st British Division, 257, 305 85th Battalion: carries gas to front line at Hill 45 offensive, 175–76; at Mont Dury, 297; at Passchendaele, 239; waiting to demobilize, 322

Days Arthur, Prince, Duke of Connaught, 22, 149, 168, 181, 182, 188, 195, 214 Artois, France: 4th Division joins Canadian Corps in, 160; Second Battle of, 54. See also Festubert; Vimy

87th Battalion, 313; at Cambrai, 302; at Lens,

Assan, General, 132, 201

210, 221; at the Somme, 138, 150; training

Assen (newspaper), 176

at Bramshott, 123, 124; at training prior to

Astre, Fred, 251, 256

Hundred Days offensives, 260

Athlone, Alexander Cambridge, Lieutenant-

102nd Battalion, 150, 184, 204, 214, 216

Colonel 1st Earl, 68, 317, 350n10 Australia: 1st Australian Division, 233, 235, 238,

Abell, Captain T.S.H., 43

288; Frank’s Force and, 131; at Hundred Days

Ackerman, Lieutenant, 61

offensives, 282. See also Walker, General

Adriatic RMS/TTS, 333 Aitken, Max Baron of Beaverbrook. See Beaverbrook, Max Aitken, Baron Albert I, King of the Belgians, 312, 323, 325

Harold Austria, Armistice signed with, 307, 308, 365n38 Automobile Machine Gun Brigade (Brutinel’s Brigade), 165, 356n13

Alderson, General Edwin: 25th Battalion and, 82; Byng replaces as Corps commander,

Bailleul, France: casualties in, 97; Watson

138, 159; lack of literature on, 5; opinion of

buys “Desolation of Ypres” painting in, 187;

Turner, 77, 112; relationship with Watson, 4,

Watson has portrait made in, 135, 136, 137,

14, 27, 42, 44, 49, 59, 69, 79, 82, 88, 120, 127;

138, 139, 164

Ross rifle issues and, 78; suggests Watson

Baird, Sir W. D., 117

command a division, 98–99

Baker, Colonel W. F., 81, 263, 273

Alexander, Major R. O., 102, 124

Ballantyne, Colonel Charles, 274, 275

Allen, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Montagu, 83, 308,

Barker, Captain, 228

312, 328, 329, 334

Barnard, Lieutenant, 327, 328

Allenby, General, 204, 358n14

Barnes, Major-General Reginald, 278

Allied Powers. See France; Great Britain; Italy;

Bassett, Lieutenant, 124

Russia; United States

Bates, Major, 102

Almond, Colonel John M., 93, 99, 192

Bauld, Major D. S., 101

Aloof Trench, 218, 219

Bayern, Field Marshal Rupprecht von, 256

Amazon, HMS, 68

Beauchamp, Major-General, 121, 124

Amiens, 285–89, 290. See also The Hundred Days

Beaverbrook, Max Aitken, Baron: influence of,

Anderson, Major-General Thomas, 262

14; offers Watson command of 3rd Division,

Anderson, General Warren Hastings, 181, 182,

4, 118, 119; offers Watson position of GOC,

188, 276, 301

104, 112; relationship with Watson, 63, 71, 92,

Arabic, SS, sinking of, 70

93, 112, 114, 116, 156, 185; suggests changes

Arfer, Nat, 268, 272, 305

to brigades, 79

372

Index

Beckett, Lieutenant-Colonel Sam, 10, 141, 171, 175, 177, 178, 179, 181 Belgium: Poperinge, 52–54; Vlamertinghe,

(Guy) Greville, 6th Earl of Warwick Brooke, Colonel, 79 Brooke, Major Alan, 209

47, 49, 50, 51; waiting for demobilization in,

Brown, Captain, 22, 24, 25

319–26; Wavre-Jodoigne, 319; Ypres, 47; Yser

Brown, Craig, 15

Canal, 51, 52. See also Passchendaele; Plug

Brown, Colonel George McLaren, 118, 246, 266,

Street; Saint-Éloi Craters; Second Ypres Bell, Lieutenant-Colonel A. H., 100–101, 118–19, 254

298, 320, 330 Brown, Lieutenant-Colonel James Sutherland “Buster,” 182, 226

Below, General Otto von, 256

Brown, Major, 82, 235

Bennett, Richard Bedford, 67, 350n8

Brown, Sir A. Shirley, 320

Bergeyck, Marie de Brouchoven, Comtesse de,

Brutinel, Lieutenant-Colonel Raymond, 145, 165,

50

356n13

Bird, General Sir Wilkinson Dent, 113

Brutinel’s Brigade, 165, 356n13

Birdwood, General William Riddell, Baron, 233,

Bulgaria, accepts peace terms, 298

273, 308 Birkenhead, Frederick Edwin Smith, Earl of, 14, 63, 72, 93, 117

Bull, Lieutenant, 91 Bull, Sir William, 183 Bullock, Sergeant, 86

Birkett, Colonel Henry, 164, 225

Burke, Captain Edmund, 166

Birks, Colonel Gerald W., 276

Burland, Colonel, 66, 216

Blackburner, Colonel, 172

Burstall, Major-General Henry Edward, 4, 164,

Blaylock, Colonel H. W., 78, 114, 164, 187, 208, 229, 242, 333 Blue Dotted Line, 282. See also The Hundred Days

171, 198, 212, 238, 287, 350n13 Business before Pleasure (play), 334 Bustard Camp. See Salisbury Plain Byng, Field Marshal Sir Julian: 10th Brigade

Borden, Colonel Allison H., 173, 174, 176, 183, 200

matters and, 160, 161, 166, 168; becomes

Borden, Sir Robert Laird: elected Prime

Corps commander, 159; on Canadian war

Minister, 244; relationship with Watson,

effort, 166; as commander of Britain’s Third

179, 273, 312; talks with Watson about

Army, 11, 203–4; complains about artillery

senatorship, 332; Watson writes

failures, 185; Currie replaces as Corps

commending 85th Battalion, 239; Watson

commander, 198; as leader of Canadian

writes regarding 25th Battalion, 82

Corps, 9, 159; literature on, 5; Lord Brooke

Borfer, Major, 134, 143, 212

as Canadian Representative and, 136, 137;

Bourlon Wood (27 September–2 October 1918),

recommends MacBrien to command 12th

297–99. See also The Hundred Days

Brigade, 138; relationship with Watson,

Bowen, Captain, 57

10, 133, 147, 159, 160, 161, 164, 165, 204; at

Boyer, Captain Guy, 120, 121, 128, 141, 188

Scarpe and Lens, 198, 199, 200, 201; Somme

Braithwaite, Colonel, 266

offensives and, 143, 145, 146, 160; at Vimy,

Bramshott Camp, preparations in, 113–16,

163, 166, 167, 174, 176, 183, 184, 186, 187, 188

119–22, 124, 127, 128–29, 130 Brelege, Major, 96, 101

Calder, James, 273, 274

Brennan, Patrick, 5, 237

Cambrai (3–16 October 1918), 290, 299–302. See

Bridges, General Tom, 136 British Expeditionary Force (BEF), 1, 38, 40, 45, 77. See also individual formations and units

also Hundred Days Cameron, Major-General, 246 Campbell, David, 5

Brittain, Harry, 121, 240

Canada, SS, 22, 336

British II Corps, 131, 144, 147, 148, 282

Canadian Corps: 4th Division enters, 157;

Brooke, Brigadier-General, Earl. See Leopold

described, 6–7, 77; French Canadian

373

Index

involvement in, 127, 353n26. See also

Collum, Major, 215, 216

individual officers and battles

Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB), 92, 145

Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), 1, 2–3, 21. See also individual formations units

conditions, poor: due to administrative error, in Givenchy, 60; due to weather, 25–31, 32,

Canal du Nord (27 September–2 October 1918),

83–84, 85, 105–6, 145, 146, 152; lack of billets

290, 291, 293–94, 297–99. See also The

in Lobe, 55; at Passchendaele, 230–31, 232;

Hundred Days

at the Somme, 146; unsanitary, at Larkhill, 30

Capper, General Sir John, 188

Connaught, RMS, 130

Cardew, Private Harry R. T., 28, 29, 37, 39, 41

Conneau, General Louis, 247

Carlson, General, 99

Cook, Tim, 6, 78, 102

Carr, Major, 80

Craig, Sir James, 315, 321, 330, 332

Carrel, Frank, 54, 57, 273, 276

Croft, Colonel Henry Page, 168–69

Carrick, Colonel, 59

Croix de Guerre, 245

Carson, General John Wallace: background and

Croÿ, Marie, princesse de, 324, 326

influence of, 14; command of 4th Division

Cullin, Sir Robert, 227

and, 112, 113; informs Watson of CB award,

Currie, General Sir Arthur: approaching

92; offers Gaudet position at War Office,

Valenciennes, 303; approach to taking

88; offers Watson leave to Canada, 60;

Lens, 209, 359n2; attack on Hindenburg

relationship with Alderson, 120; relationship

Line and, 290; Bourlon Wood offensive

with Watson, 54, 59, 69, 116, 122, 126, 129,

and, 297; Byng’s replacement as Corps

241; Rexford’s removal and, 122, 123–24;

commander and, 171; congratulates Watson

Watson’s choice of brigadiers and, 114–15

on Passchendaele success, 234; as Corps

Carter, Private, 192

commander, 13, 198, 205; Corps politics and,

Carter-Campbell, Major-General G.T.C., 265, 304

15; declines position for Port of Vancouver,

Carvell, Lieutenant G. C., 65

222; demobilization efforts, 320, 323, 325;

Casement, Sir Roger, 122, 353n20

German Spring Offensive and, 253, 254,

Cassandra, TSS, 22, 335

257, 258, 259, 261, 262, 263, 265; Hilliam’s

Cavell, Edith, 322, 366n3

replacement and, 8, 237, 240, 241; Hundred

Central Powers. See Austria; German Army

Days offensives and, 277, 282, 283, 284, 286,

Chadwick, Colonel, 189

287; leadership style, 1; literature on, 5; at

Chapman, Brigadier-General A. J., 263

Mont Dury, 294, 295; at Passchendaele, 228,

Chesser, John William, 332

229, 230; rebuilding, after Passchendaele,

Chisholm, Colonel, 162, 172

243, 249; relationship with Watson, 8, 11, 15,

chlorine gas. See poison gas

157, 165, 207, 251, 282; at Scarpe and Lens,

Christmas: 1914, Salisbury Plain, 32; 1915, in the

205, 211, 212–13, 216, 218, 222; Watson’s

trenches, 89–90; 1916, at the Somme and

support for, 11, 13, 15, 198, 204

Vimy, 151, 157, 163, 170; 1917, training north

Cushing, Major Harvey, 263

of Vimy Ridge, 244, 245; 1918, in Belgium,

Custer, Colonel, 260

315, 316 “Christmas Truce,” 60

Daily Telegraph (Quebec), 57–58

Chrysler, Captain G. G., 57

Dale, J. A., 324

Churchill, Winston, 96, 117, 128

Dalzieil, Henry, 93

Clark, Lieutenant-Colonel John Arthur, 126, 137,

Daniels, Josephus, 330

214, 262, 272, 294

Davidson, Lieutenant-Colonel Peers, 137, 163

Clark, Major John, 67

Davies, General, 258

Clifford, Captain, 59, 60

Davies, Lieutenant-Colonel R. D., 167, 169, 173,

Clifford, Brigadier-General Henry F. H., 101, 104 Cochrane, Frank, 92, 93

374

179, 199, 229, 239, 302, 314 Davis, Major, 87

Index

Dawson, Lieutenant-General H. J., 226, 233, 260, 274

Egan, P. J., 106 Elbery, Mr. (mayor of Bruay), 254

Debeney, General, 281

Elder, Lance-Corporal, 172

Deckert, Mr. (lecturer), 88, 90, 93, 97, 100

Elder, Colonel James, 141, 225

Delacroix, Léon, 321

Ellison, General, 115

Delaney, Doug, 5

Embury, General John, 312, 322

demobilization and repatriation (January–March

Empress of Britain, RMS/TTS, 333

1919): Currie’s efforts in, 320, 323, 325; delays in, 323, 326, 334, 335; preparations

Essars (1–9 June 1915), 58–59. See also Second Ypres

for, 315, 321, 328, 330–31, 332, 335, 365n39;

Evans, Captain, 336

Watson advocates going back by unit, 308;

Evans, David Watson (Watson’s grandson), 17

Watson journeys home aboard Minnedosa,

Evans, Mary Browning “Brownie” (Watson’s

TTS, 335–37 Denain, France, 303, 304–5

daughter), 17, 32, 82, 86, 116. See also under Watson, General Sir David

De Salis, Lieutenant-Colonel C. F., 113 “Desolation of Ypres” (painting), 176, 187

Falbe, Colonel de, 39, 40

Deverell, General Cyril, 265

Farmar, General George, 319

Devlin, Lieutenant Harry, 137

Farmer, General, 201

Devonport. See Salisbury Plain

Ferguson, Lieutenant, 100

Devonshire, Captain, 170

Fergusson, Lieutenant-General Sir Charles, 70,

Devonshire, Victor Cavendish, Duke of, 148 diaries, described, 1–2, 5–6, 15–17, 21, 347n63

161, 274, 350n16 Festubert (15–31 May 1915): casualties, 55,

Dick, Captain Quintin (né Hume), 211

56, 57, 58; poor conditions in Lobe, 55;

discipline. See misconduct

unsuccessful attack in, 56–57. See also

Distinguished Service Order (DSO), 156 Doble, A. R., 120 Doble, Hal, 120, 242, 287 Dodds, Colonel William, 101, 122, 222

Essars; Givenchy; Second Ypres Feversham, Anne Dorothy Slingsby, Countess of, 127 Fifth British Army, 144, 149; Battle of Amiens

Doherty, Charles, 326

and, 281; Battle of Festubert and, 54; at

Douglas, William, 276

Scarpe and Lens, 197, 198, 209, 222; to take

Doyle, Captain, 168 Drocourt-Quéant Line, 290. See also The Hundred Days Drum, Colonel Lorne, 233, 239 Drummond, Lady Julia, 321

Mont Dury, 305 First French Army, 281 Fitzpatrick, Charles, Sir, 316 Flanders. See Passchendaele; Saint-Éloi Craters; Second Ypres

Drury, Chip, 85, 86, 87, 101

Fleming, Lieutenant Sir Arthur, 101

Dubuc, Lieutenant-Colonel A. E., 140, 182

Flers-Courcelette, Battle of (15–22 September

Duclos, Lieutenant, 82

1916), 138

Durand-Ruel, Paul, 321

Fletcher, Officer Raymond, 52

Dury Canadian Memorial, 291

Fletcher, Russell, 51, 92

Duxee, Sergeant, 42

Florizel, SS, 24 Foch, General Ferdinand, 281, 363n3

Eaton, Major, 215

Foley, Robert, 210

Eclipse, HMS, 25

Folkestone, England, 71–72, 96, 211, 241, 296, 320

Edward VIII, King (Duke of Windsor), 55, 84, 302,

Foster, Captain, 126

305, 309, 316, 317 Edwards, Lieutenant-Colonel, 137, 156, 176, 203, 241, 253, 294

Foster, Sir George, 123, 326 Foster, Major-General Gilbert, 98, 123, 181, 202 Fotheringham, Colonel J. T., 98

375

Index

Fourth British Army, 144, 145, 247, 281, 290 Fowles, Private, 272

Givenchy (10–18 June 1915): casualties, 61, 62; preparation, 60; unsuccessful advance in,

France: Christmas in the trenches, 89–90;

61–62

Easter in Estaires, 48; en route to, 37–39.

Glory, HMS, 24

See also individual battles

Godley, General Alexander, 315, 317

Francis, Lieutenant-Colonel M. J., 234, 242

Goodman, Sergeant, 70

Francis, Major-General Sir, 168

Gordon, Major, 201

Franconia, RMS, 24

Gordon, Mr. (reverend), 29, 113, 115, 126, 142, 182

Franks, Major-General George, 131, 134, 136

Gordon, Sir Charles, 241

Franks’ Force, 131, 136, 139

Gore-Browne, Major, 176

French, Major-General, 245

Gough, General Hubert, 144, 146, 149, 156, 238,

French, John Denton Pinkstone, Earl of Ypres, 116, 123, 352n5

331 Graham, Lieutenant G. H., 57

Frost, Captain R. W., 124, 141, 156

Grange, General, 247 Grant, Charlie, 126, 165

Gardner, Captain, 170, 294

Grant, J. A., 88

Gardner, Colonel, 298

Grasby, C. H., 176, 228

Garneau, General, 80

Great Britain: British Expeditionary Force, 1, 38,

Garneau, Sir George, 156

40, 45, 77, 149; British II Corps, 131, 144, 147,

Garneau, Colonel Gérard, 216

148; Folkestone, 71–72, 96, 211, 241, 296, 320.

Garneau, Lieutenant Leonard, 156, 166, 170, 211,

See also Bramshott Camp; Salisbury Plain;

242, 252–53

and individual formations and units

Gaudet, Lieutenant-Colonel Frédéric-Mondelet, 78, 82, 83, 86, 88, 99, 116

Green Crassier (22–28 August 1917), 218–22. See also Scarpe and Lens

Gavin (journalist), 276

Green Line, 282, 297. See also The Hundred Days

Gavin, Major, 255, 266

Greer, Captain G. G., 26, 29

George V, King of England, 27, 37, 84, 95, 123, 330

Greville, Sir Sydney, 121

German Army: accepts peace terms, 301,

Greville-Gavin, Major, 59, 173, 181, 201, 232, 251,

308; burying Allied soldiers’ bodies, 192;

274

interactions with Allied soldiers, 84, 89,

Grey, Albert Henry George Grey, Earl, 123, 173

97, 153, 207, 355n35; offering ceasefire

Griesbach, Officer W. A., 78

following gas attack, 178, 181, 194; postcards

Griffith, Lieutenant, 172

from prisoners of, 73; requests Armistice,

Griffiths, Captain, 90

300; “scorched-earth” policy of, 302; signs

Grosvenor, Major, 304, 323, 327

Armistice, 323, 335

Grundy, Fred, 323, 324, 330

German Spring Offensive (21 March–31 May 2018): overview, 256–57, 361n9; casualties, 261; “dummy” raid and gas attack (27 April),

Gunn, Lieutenant-Colonel J. A., 83, 100, 106, 176, 227, 352n15 Gzowskiy, Captain, 163

264; gas attack (5 April), 260; German advances (24–28 March), 258; Germans

Haftner, General, 65

attack near Rheims and at Locre, 268;

Haig, Field Marshal Sir Douglas: approves

Germans capture Bailleul and Nouvelle-

Battle of Amiens, 281; Byng’s replacement

Église, 262; Germans take Mont Kemmel

as Corps commander and, 171; commends

and Dranouter, 264; news of pending

4th Division after raids at Vimy, 173;

German attack, 266; preparations for,

commutes sentence for desertion, 163;

258–59; raid (17 April), 262; raids (9 April),

congratulated after Scarpe and Lens,

261; raids (21 April), 263

203; feels Germans are weakening, at the

Gibbs, Phillip, 157, 267

376

Somme, 143; Hindenburg Line and, 290;

Index

inspection of 11th Brigade, near Liévin,

10th Brigade commander, 8, 237, 238, 240;

254; kept military diary, 16; at Lens, 222;

requests transfer to British brigade, 238,

at Mont Dury, 292; at Passchendaele, 225,

239; at Scarpe and Lens, 202, 211, 220;

232; reservations about Bourlon Wood,

takes over 10th Brigade, 160, 169; takes over

297; rumored to have resigned, 253, 361n4;

25th Battalion, 82, 351n7; transfers to 44th

strategy in attacking Hill 70, 209

Imperial Brigade, 240; at Vimy, 171, 173, 177,

Hall, Major, 155 Hall, Captain H. F., 140, 148, 149, 155, 169, 201, 226 Hall, Lieutenant H. F., 59, 116

193; wounded at the Somme, 140 Hindenburg Line, 290, 296. See also The Hundred Days

Hamilton, Captain Claude, 67, 90, 302, 309

Hobs, Sir Herbert, 67

Hamilton, Lorne, 255

Holland, General Sir Arthur, 266

Hamilton-Gordon, General Sir Alexander, 134,

Homer-Dixon, Lieutenant-Colonel T. F., 92

139 Harbottle, Lieutenant-Colonel Colin, 160, 283 Hardwicke, Charles Yorke, 8th Earl of, 121 Harmon, General A.E.W., 283 Harper, General George, 40, 60, 315, 316, 317, 320, 324

Hoograaf, 4th Division headquarters in, 131, 132 Hore-Ruthven, Major-General Walter Patrick, 330 Horne, General Sir Henry: Corps’s attack on Lens and, 209, 210, 222; as First Army commander, 197, 200; German Spring

Harridge, General, 146

Offensive and, 262; relationship with

Harrington, Major, 263

Watson, 165, 214, 229, 311; reservations

Harrington, General Charles H., 91, 106, 140

about Bourlon Wood, 297; training prior to

Harris, Stephen, 1, 6 Harshow, Colonel, 86 Hartwood, Major, 212

Hundred Days offensives, 271 Houghton, Tom, 30, 39, 43, 44, 59, 69, 70, 71, 86, 97

Harvey, Colonel V. V., 201

Howard, Colonel, 33

Haurd, Pearcy, 99

Howard, Lieutenant Francis, 137

Hayter, General Ross: approaching Valenciennes,

Howard, Major-General Sir Francis, 115, 124,

303; Hundred Days offensives and, 286, 302, 303; on Plug Street, 66, 68; relationship with Watson, 252, 254, 258, 260, 270, 272, 297, 302; replaces Hilliam as 10th Brigade commander, 241, 242, 243; takes staff position at Corps headquarters, 304, 305 health. See illness

163, 168, 194 Howard, Rosalind Frances, Countess of Carlisle, 330 Hughes, Colonel Garnet, 4, 54, 71, 78, 133, 143, 198, 314 Hughes, Major-General John, 205 Hughes, Samuel, Sir: assembles 4th Canadian

Hearst, William Howard, 140

Division, 4; assembles first CEF contingent,

Henderson, Sir David, 117, 334

2–3; Lord Brooke’s position of Canadian

Hill, Brigadier-General Frederick W., 57, 99

Representative and, 135, 136; offers Watson

Hill, Major-General John, 265, 274, 278

position of GOC, 104; on Plug Street, 64;

Hill, Roland, 165, 214

preference for militia amateurs over

Hill 70 (10 July–14 August 1917), 209–15, 216. See

professional officers, 13–14; relationship

also Scarpe and Lens Hill 145, 175–79, 186–89. See also Vimy Hilliam, Lieutenant-Colonel Edward: awarded CMG, 203; charges against Winsby, 182,

with Watson, 7, 13, 14–15, 23, 65, 69, 104, 125, 134; resignation, 153–54, 355n37; Ross rifle and, 77–78 Hughes, Brigadier-General William St. Pierre,

183, 184; operation with 25th Battalion and,

348n3; assumes command of 10th Brigade,

87, 88, 90, 91; at Passchendaele, 232, 234;

123, 124, 126; issues with 10th Brigade,

relationship with Watson, 7–8, 89, 114, 160,

135, 155, 160, 161, 162, 163, 166, 167, 168, 169;

213, 237, 238, 239; replaced by Hayter as

relationship with Watson, 155, 160, 161, 169,

377

Index

193, 201; replaced by Hilliam as 10th Brigade

and, 122; at Scarpe and Lens, 201, 214; at

commander, 160, 168; at the Somme, 148,

the Somme, 137, 141, 146, 150; suffers from

154, 156, 157

rheumatism, 229; use of poison gas at Vimy

Hugill (officer), 96, 97, 98 Hull, Major-General Charles, 301, 302

and, 175; at Vimy, 174, 183; on weakness of 10th Brigade, 166

Humphries, Mark Osborne, 5, 269

Irvine, Austin, 228, 229, 239, 295

The Hundred Days (August–November

Irving (journalist), 152

1918), 279; overview, 281–83; 4th Division

Irving, Lieutenant-Colonel T. J., 172, 234

takes Mont Houy, 305; Amiens defense

Italy, joins Allied Powers, 56

line captured, 284; Aniche, Abscon and Escaudain captured, 303; Austria signs

Jackson, Major, 314

Armistice, 307, 308, 365n38; Bourlon Wood

Jacob, General Claud, 146, 147, 148, 151, 153

Captured, 297–98; brigades prepare to

Jakes, Major, 67

move (5 August), 283; Cambrai captured,

James, Lieutenant, 91

300; Canal du Nord found impassable,

Jenkins, Major, 164, 181, 227

294; casualties, 285, 287, 289, 297, 306;

Joffre, General Joseph, 54

civilians liberated, 303; Drocourt-Quéant

Johnson, Lieutenant, 150

Line, overview, 290, 364n20; Drocourt-

Jong, Colonel de, 246, 247

Quéant Line captured, 292; Fouquescourt

journalism: Watson’s career in, 2; Watson’s

captured, 285; German counterattacks, 286;

relationship with correspondents, 121, 171,

Germany requests armistice; accept peace

240, 267, 276, 294, 305, 308

terms, 300, 301, 308; Hindenburg Line, 296; hostilities officially cease, 309; Mont

Kaiserschlacht. See German Spring Offensive

Dury, 291–92, 293; Parvillers and Damary

Kedge, Captain, 171

captured, 287; preparations, 283–84;

Keegan, Major, H. L., 263, 264

Raillencourt and Sailly captured, 298;

Kemball, Lieutenant-Colonel A.H.G., 10, 175, 177,

Valenciennes captured, 306–7

178, 181

Hunter, General Sir Archibald, 115, 123, 129, 317

Kemp, Sir Albert Edward, 203, 257, 358n13

Hunter-Weston, General Aylmer, 275, 277

Kenmare, Valentine Edward Charles Browne,

Hymans, Paul, 316, 321

6th Earl of, 93, 112, 351n12 Ker, Colonel, 102

illness: dental matters, 98; dysentery, 290; influenza epidemic, 272, 282; nerves/anxiety, 62, 81, 238; spinal meningitis, 32; unsanitary

Ketchen, General Douglas, 86, 351n10 King, General William, 242, 243, 256, 308, 329, 330, 332

conditions at Larkhill, 30; venereal trouble,

Kingston, Herby, 106

321

Kirkcaldie, Lieutenant-Colonel James, 172, 298,

inefficiency: citations for, 56, 169. See also misconduct

300, 304, 314, 319, 329 Kirkpatrick, Lieutenant-Colonel G. H., 294, 312

Inksetter, Lieutenant-Colonel George A., 134, 140, 145, 234

Kirschen, Sadi, 322 Kitchener, (Horatio Herbert) Field Marshal Earl,

insubordination. See misconduct Ironside, (Edmund) Field Marshal 1st Baron, 352n1; commands machine-gun school at Camiers, 245; Corps politics and, 4,

27, 37, 59, 349n15 Knight Companion of the Order of the Bath (KCB), 245 Knowles, Private, 82

118; Loomis’s opinion of, 115; Lord Brooke as Canadian Representative and, 136; at

Laird, Ronny, 216

Passchendaele, 231, 232; relationship with

Lakonia, SS, 23

Watson, 8–9, 156, 346n30; Rexford’s removal

Lalondot, Colonel, 246, 247, 248

378

Index

Lamb, Colonel Harry, 44, 59 Lambton, Major-General Sir William, 134, 135 Landry, Brigadier-General J. P., 4, 71 Langlois, Godfrey, 243

164, 176 Louise Margaret, Princess, Duchess of Connaught, 168 Lusitania, RMS, sinking of, 54, 349n8

Langstaff, J. Miles, 181 Larkhill, Salisbury Plain, 30, 33

MacBrien, Major-General James H.: Byng

Laurentic, SS, 22, 23, 24

recommends as 12th Brigade commander,

Lauric, Lieutenant, 59, 61

138; German Spring Offensive and, 262,

Laurier, Sir Wilfrid, 323, 366n4

265; Hundred Days offensives and, 269,

Law, Andrew Bonar, 14, 63, 68, 349n1

278, 284, 286, 288; at Passchendaele, 235;

Lawrence, General Sir Herbert, 254

receives bars to DSO, 300, 364n29; refuses

Lawson, Lieutenant, 87

position on Turner’s staff, 163; training

Leader, Lieutenant Francis, 156, 163

prior to German Spring Offensive, 252, 255;

Learmonth, Major Okill, 226, 360n2

wounded at Bourlon Wood, 298; wounded at

Le Cain, Lieutenant-Colonel George, 82, 351n7(chap. 5) Leckie, General Robert, 173 Lee-Enfield rifle, issues with, 82, 119, 120 Legion of Honour, 202 Le Havre, Watson arrives in, 130 Leopold (Guy) Greville, 6th Earl of Warwick:

the Pimple, 191 MacDonell, Brigadier-General Archibald Cameron “Archie,” 111, 112, 140, 205, 241, 246, 258, 362n13 MacDougall, Lieutenant-Colonel James Charles, 14, 105, 113, 120 MacDowell, Thain Wendell, 206, 358n18

87th Battalion and, 117, 119; as Canadian

Machin, Colonel, 140

Representative in France, 135, 136, 167,

MacKenzie, Frederick, 96, 176, 177

193; relationship with Watson, 136, 137; on

Macklin (journalist), 276

Rexford’s suitability, 122; takes over 12th

MacLaren, General Charles, 206, 238

Brigade, 113, 114; wounded near Mt. Kemmel,

MacPhail, Major Alexander “Sandy,” 68

137

MacRae, General Alexander, 276

Lessard, Brigadier-General François-Louis, 115

Magee (officer), 254, 289, 297, 300

Le Transloy, attack on, 144

Magrand (journalist), 276

Lills, Major, 166

Mahon, General Sir Bryan, 122

Lindsay, Major Charlie, 216, 275, 292, 300, 329,

Malcolm, Colonel, 267

331 Lipsett, General Louis, 4, 64, 118, 201, 205, 215, 284, 295, 302

The Man from Toronto (play), 312 Marchant, Stanley, 51 Maréchal, General, 288

Littenière, Colonel André de, 247

Markham, Admiral Sir Albert, 162, 169, 240, 257

Lloyd George, David Lloyd George, Earl, 127

Marshall, Captain, 220, 242

Locke (officer), 182, 202

Marshall, General, 246

Logan, Captain, 316

Marshall, Lieutenant-Colonel K. R., 252, 253,

Long, Captain Sir Walter, 167, 168, 183, 211, 256, 320, 330 Loomis, General Frederick O. W., 7, 8, 114, 115, 164, 295 Loomis, John, 156 Loos, Battle of (25 September–8 October 1915), 77, 79–81, 82

267, 277, 300, 309, 314, 316, 328 Martin, William, 271 Marwitz, General Georg von der, 256, 282 Mary (Princess May of Teck), Queen (wife of George V), 27, 123 Massie, General, 260 Matherson, General Torquhil, 264

Lorne Ross, Colonel, 171, 172

Maunvesell, Lieutenant-Colonel G. S., 97

Loste, Captain, 177

Mauretania, RMS/TTS, 333

Loti, Mr. (painter), 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 162,

Max, Adolphe, 313, 326

379

Index

Maxse, General Ivor, 146, 150, 151, 154, 198, 266, 270

22, 156, 163, 192, 201, 272, 314. See also inefficiency

Maxwell, Colonel, 170

Moir, Captain, 48

Maxwell, Lady of Calderwood, 211

Molson, Captain, 202

McAvity, Lieutenant-Colonel J. L., 82, 87, 88,

Monash, General John, 231, 232, 278, 289

98, 106

Montagu, Sir Allan, 83

McAvity, Major T. M., 87, 88, 100, 169

Montague, Major, 83, 276

McBain, Colonel, 54, 255

Mont Dury (29 August–26 September 1918),

McCarthy, Colonel, 84

291–97, 293. See also The Hundred Days

Mccaughay, Norman, 169

Montezuma, SS, 23

McCausland, Colonel, 182

Mont Houy, 305

McCloud, Lieutenant-Colonel H. F., 34

Mont Kemmel, 81, 92, 101, 137, 138, 264

McCurdy, F. B., 167

Montreal, SS, 23

McDonald, Colonel Archie, 59, 106–7, 111

Moore, Captain William MacLeod “Mac”: at

McGee, Colonel, 188

Amiens, 287; death of, 327, 328, 331; goes

McGreer, Major, 193, 262

to England on duty, 265; at Mont Dury, 294;

McKechnie, Sir James, 334

near Valenciennes, 304; rebuilding, after

McKenzie, Colonel Archibald E. G., 106, 140

Passchendaele, 244, 249; relationship with

McLean, Lieutenant, 221 McNaughton, Lieutenant-Colonel A.G.L., 209, 260, 265, 282, 362n18

Watson, 123, 256; as Watson’s ADCG, 243 morale: of 75th Battalion, at Vimy, 182; baseball, 54, 56, 65, 214, 215, 266–67, 271; boxing

McQueen, Colonel J. D., 172, 227

tournaments, 321, 322, 323, 325, 326;

McRae, Colonel A. D., 126, 149

Christmas dinner and concert (1914), 32;

McRobbie, Colonel Fred, 202

concert party, 226, 245, 263, 271, 275, 295,

McWilliam, Major Leo, 34, 124, 184

306, 309, 319, 362n20; divisional sports,

Meighen, Arthur, 273

83, 205, 271; en route to Salisbury Plain,

Meighen, Brigadier-General Frank S., 117, 124,

24; evening music by divisional band, 133,

272, 273, 312

134; football, 249, 324, 326; inaugural field

Mercer, Major-General H. F., 187

sports, Belgium, 49; men’s recreation

Mercer, Brigadier-General Malcolm, 348n8;

room, Salisbury Plain, 28; minstrel shows

in Armentières, 38, 42, 43; death of, 118; in

arranged, 91; New Year’s Eve Ball (1918),

Givenchy, 60, 61; on Plug Street, 64, 66, 68;

313, 314, 316–17, 319; staff ride to Orton, 254;

in Poperinge, 53, 56; regarding letter from

Watson’s thoughts of home, 29, 32, 34, 37, 41,

Carson, 69; Watson informs of unsanitary

54, 70, 71, 241, 252, 259

conditions at Larkhill, 30; Watson’s

Morden, Colonel Grant, 25, 121, 149, 211, 257, 320

concerns about spinal meningitis and, 32;

Moreland, Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas, 193,

Watson’s opinion of, 57, 73, 350n22

265

Merode, Renée de, Countess, 316, 320

Morgan, Lance Corporal Jason Charles, 29

Mesnil-Bouche, divisional school in, 160, 162

Morning Chronicle, 2

Messrs (journalist), 152

Morris, Colonel, 79

Mewburn, General Sydney, 15, 274, 275, 302

Morrison, Major-General Sir Edward W. B.,

Military Museums, Calgary, 17

351n7(chap. 6); becomes Canadian Corps

Miltary Cross (MC), 156

artillery commander, 164; in Givenchy, 60; in

Minnedosa SS, 334, 335

Lens, 216; relationship with Watson, 101, 144,

misconduct: 25th Battalion and, 81, 82; alcohol

205, 212, 253; at Saint-Éloi, 100, 102, 106; at

use and sale, 22, 57, 81, 103, 165; cowardice,

the Somme, 150

88; insubordination, 31, 65, 313; interference,

Morrison, Major F. S., 86

59, 60; unauthorized absence/desertion,

Morton, Desmond, 5, 6, 15

380

Index

Murphy, Colonel George: at Bramshott Camp, 112, 113, 115, 116, 117, 124, 126; at Saint-Éloi, 100; Watson discusses Irish Division members’ leave, 129

182; Watson recommends for CMG, 156 O’Donahoe, Lieutenant-Colonel J.V.P., 200, 253, 254, 260 Oliver, Dudley, 151, 211, 312, 320

Murphy, Colonel Tom, 246

Olympic, RMS/TTS, 333

Murray, Colonel, 65

O’Meara, Jack, 146, 157

Murray, Major, 120, 134, 136, 141, 143, 149, 156,

Order of Leopold, 206

169, 170, 173 Murray, Sir Malcolm, 168

Order of St. Michael and St George (CMG), 156; Watson receives, 203 Ormond, General Daniel, 294

Nairne, Brigadier-General Edward, 165, 174, 185, 188, 207, 356n13

Orpen, Major Sir William, 248, 361n6 Osborne, 28, 54, 124, 128, 162

nerves, men suffering from, 62, 81, 238

Oveclay, Colonel, 88

Neuve-Chapelle, France, 43, 45, 183

Owen, Sergeant, 132

Neuve Église, Salisbury Plain, 35 Newfoundland, troops from, 24

Page, Major, 161

Newton Pippin grenade, 84, 351n9

Paige, Lieutenant-Colonel L. F., 184

New York Times, 176

Panet, Brigadier-General Henri: approaching

Nicolls, 11, 142, 147, 157, 191, 204

Valenciennes, 303, 305; at Bourlon Wood,

Nielson, Lieutenant, 52, 57

299; at Bramshott Camp, 117, 118, 119, 129,

Noreworthy, Captain, 186

130; German Spring Offensive and, 243, 253,

Normandy, Watson arrives in, 130

255, 258, 263; at Hundred Days offensives,

Norris, Tobias, 271

283, 284, 291; at Passchendaele, 228,

Northcliffe, Alfred Harmsworth, Viscount, 166

229; promoted to brigadier-general, 164;

Norton-Griffiths, Sir Jack, 334

rebuilding after Passchendaele, 244, 246; at Scarpe and Lens, 202, 216; at the Somme,

O’Connor, Captain Henry. See Willis-O’Connor, Captain Henry Odlum, Brigadier-General Victor: assumes command of 11th Brigade, 124; awarded

132, 133, 141, 142, 143, 157; training prior to Hundred Days offensives, 275, 276, 278; at Vimy, 188, 192; Watson recommends for CMG, 156

CMG, 203; at Bramshott Camp, 128, 129;

Parkinson, Major R. F., 241, 242

Cambrai operations and, 301; concerns

Parson, Major, 93, 99

over use of gas at Vimy, 175, 178; Corps

Pas-de-Calais (1 September–12 October),

politics and/loans money to Currie, 15; demobilization efforts, 325; German Spring

225–30 Passchendaele (September–October 1917):

Offensive and, 257, 258, 260, 262, 263, 265;

attack (26 October), 233; attack (30 October),

at Hundred Days offensives, 283, 284,

234–35; casualties, 226, 232, 233, 235;

303; injured in car accident, 314; interview

conditions in, 230–31, 232; Corps moves to

regarding Currie and Hilliam, 203; at Mont

Ypres (13 October), 229, 230–31; German

Dury, 294, 295; receives bars to DSO, 300,

bombings; Irving killed, 234; preparations

364n29; regarding Byng’s leadership, 183;

and inspections, 228; raid (6 September), 226

relationship with Watson, 183, 185, 192, 193,

Patterson, Captain, 226

198, 214, 241, 313, 314; at Scarpe and Lens,

Pattison, Captain, 137

200, 205, 216, 223; at the Somme, 133, 141,

Pattison, Private, 213, 359n15

143, 145, 148, 152, 153; takes leave (February

Pedley, Captain, 249

1918), 252; training prior to Hundred Days

Penhale, Lieutenant-Colonel John, 48

offensives, 278; at Vimy, 165, 177, 191; Watson

Penney, Arthur, 276

addresses poor morale of 75th Battalion,

Pentland, Charles Andrew, 265

381

Index

Perley, Sir George, 72, 123, 155, 156, 168, 211, 222, 350n20

women killed, 243; German raids (2 January), 245; inspections, 243; orders to

Perry, Lieutenant-Colonel K. M., 273, 301, 329, 330, 333, 334

advance southward, 243–44; preparations for raid, 246; training and demonstrations,

Peters, Colonel, 194, 239, 242, 268, 272, 289, 300, 304

246–48 Red Line, 282, 291, 297, 307. See also The

Phillips, Percival, 267

Hundred Days

Pigot, Colonel, 259, 270

Redmond, Captain, 168, 172, 184, 200, 225

Plug Street (22 June–26 August 1915):

Regina Trench: attempts at, 143, 144, 147, 148,

casualties, 65, 69, 70; preparation and training, 64, 67, 69; social outings on leave, 63, 67–68; in the trenches, 66, 70 Plumer, General Sir Herbert, 16, 95, 103, 134, 139, 140, 230, 232, 234

150, 355n30; gained, 152–53, 154. See also the Somme Reid, Captain, 170 Reid, Colonel, 33, 119, 169 Renaud, Lieutenant Ernest James, 116

Poincaré, Raymond, 309

Reninghelst camp, 105, 131

poison gas: first use of by England, France, 56;

Rennie, General Robert R., 105

first use of by Germany, 47; near-accident

Reserve Army, 144, 149

with, 174; training for use of, 69, 170, 194; use

Rexford, Lieutenant-Colonel J. P., 119, 122,

at Vimy Ridge, 175–76, 177, 178, 183, 194 politics, within Canadian Corps, 4, 13–15, 118–19, 136

123–24 Richardson, Captain George Taylor, 57, 66, 96, 129

Poole, Gerry, 165

Roberts, Frederick Sleigh, Earl, 27, 29

Poperinge (27 April–12 May 1915), 52–54. See also

Robertson, Major, 140

Second Ypres

Robertson, General James Campbell, 323

de Prée, Colonel H. D., 72, 79, 80, 88, 90

Robertson, General Sir William, 204

Preston, Captain John, 285

Robillard (journalist), 276

Price, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir William “Billy,” 22,

Rocquigny, attack on, 144

126, 143, 168, 187, 189, 192, 201 Prince Alexander of Teck. See Athlone,

Rogers, Colonel Charles, 30, 31, 44, 45, 49, 52, 56, 214

Alexander Cambridge, Lieutenant-Colonel

Rogers, Robert, 182, 186

1st Earl

Rogers, Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Maynard,

Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, 29, 65

83 Romania, joins Allied Force, 135 Rose, Sir Charles, 67

Quebec Athlete Association Company, 2

Rosenthal, Brigadier-General Charles, 134, 141

Quebec Bridge disaster, 138, 353n10

Ross, Sir Charles, Bt., 27, 67

Quebec Chronicle, 2

Ross, Brigadier-General J. M., 304, 305, 316, 334 Ross rifle, 77–78, 93, 348n7

Radcliffe, Major-General Percy de B., 145, 181, 192, 226

Rowell, Newton, 273 Roy, Major A.G.O., 81

Ralston, Lieutenant-Colonel J. L., 294, 324

Roy, Philippe, 248, 289

Ralston, Major George Harrah, 64, 218

Royal Edward, HMT, 24, 69

Rawlinson, Lieutenant-General Sir Henry, 60,

Royal George, HMS, 24

144, 281–82, 283, 284, 289 Reading, Rufus Daniel Isaacs, Marquess of, 122 rebuilding (November 1917–January 1918):

“rum jars,” 139, 354n13 Russia: fleet victory by (1915), 70; takes 15,000 prisoners (1916), 136

2nd Division consolidated beyond Passchendaele, 239; German bombings;

382

Saint-Éloi Craters (February–April 1916):

Index

overview, 95, 102–3; casualties, 100, 101, 102,

Seely Brigade, 80, 351n6

103, 104, 105, 107, 111; German attacks prior

Servaes, Albert, 324

to, 96–97, 99, 100–101; Germans take, 105–7,

Sharpe, Colonel Sam, 172–73, 356n20

111; return to Ypres Salient, 100

Shatford, Major Alan P., 84, 89–90, 91, 201, 227,

Salaberry, Captain J. R. de, 23, 28, 38 Salisbury Plain (September 1914–January 1915),

311 Shaughnessy, Sir Thomas, 63, 146, 349n2

35; Christmas in, 32; en route to, 21–25;

Shearfield, Colonel, 149

training in, 25–35; training programs, 31–32;

Sheffield, Gary, 281

weather conditions in, 25–31, 32

Shillington, Lieutenant-Colonel A. T., 330, 333,

Sallaumines Hills, 222 Sap trenches, 68, 183, 184, 350n11 Scarpe and Lens (May–August 1917): casualties,

334 Shorncliffe: changeover at, 71–72; Watson offered command of, 118–19

200, 203, 204, 205, 207; diversion attacks,

Sicilian, SS, 23

198–99; German counterattack (4 June), 203;

Sifton, Arthur, 326

German flamethrower attack; counterattack

Simms (journalist), 152

(11 May), 200; machine-gun emplacement

Sims, Colonel F. Manley, 141, 147, 149, 152, 179, 185

captured, 205; northern Avion captured,

Sinclair, Captain, 170, 182, 183, 207

207; operation against electric station, 203;

Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul (convent), 50, 65,

planning for operations, 199–200, 202, 203, 206; raid (9 June), 204; raid (10 May), 199 —Lens (July–August 1917), 215; advance

80 Sixth German Army, 54, 210, 256 Smart, Colonel R. W., 277

eastward (29 July), 213; advance into

Smith, F., 276

(15 August), 216–17; Allies’ approach to

Smith, Frederick Edwin. See Birkenhead,

taking, 209–10; Aloof Trench captured, 221;

Frederick Edwin Smith

Canadians attack in No Man’s Land, 217–18;

Smith, Major-General Bishop John Taylor, 227

Canadians gain foothold in, 219; casualties,

Smith-Dorrien, General Sir Horace, 49, 53, 54,

212, 216, 221, 222; conference regarding

129, 349n3

German strategies, 214; German defensive

Snell, Colonel H., 123, 126, 241

positions in, 218; Germans continue to hold,

the Somme (August–December 1916): 4th

222–23; Germans lead surprise attack,

Division and, 9, 131, 353n23; 4th Division

217–18; Green Crassier, challenges in taking,

takes over from 3rd, 143, 144; advance

219–21, 360n32; Green Crassier captured,

nearer to front, 142–43; casualties, 133, 137,

221; inspections, 211, 214; raid (9 August),

139–40, 141, 146, 147, 148, 151; failed offensive

214; raid (22 July), 212

by 1st and 3rd Division, 143; German

Scotian, SS, 336

prisoners taken, 153, 155; Grand Canal

Scott, Jimmie, 176, 191, 200

Trench gained, 154; Inksetter killed, 145;

Scott, Major Frederick George, 53, 146, 154

men found on German wires, 137; offensives

Scrimger, Francis, 66

postponed due to weather, 145, 146, 148–49,

Sears, Captain, 156

151; raids, described, 138; raids, results of,

Second British Army: at Passchendaele, 230; at

139; Regina Trench, attempts at, 143, 144,

Saint-Éloi Craters, 95, 102; at the Somme,

147, 148, 150, 355n30; Regina Trench, gained,

138

152–53, 154; Watson leaves for, 140; Zeppelin

Second German Army, 282 Second Ypres (April–May 1915): 2nd Battalion

attack on ammunitions dump, 151 Southam, William James, 276

and, 3; billeting in Poperinge, 52–54;

Sparling, Colonel, 202, 260

billeting in Winnezeele, 49; casualties, 47,

Spencer (officer), 8, 115

50, 51, 52; German advance in Vlamertinghe,

Spring Offensive. See German Spring Offensive

51. See also Festubert, Battle of; Givenchy

Stafford (officer), 262

383

Index

Steele, General, 72, 96, 113, 203

—prior to The Hundred Days (June–July 1918):

Stephens, General Reginald, 193

overview, 269–70; Canadian Corps takes over

Stewart, Captain, 169

from XVII Corps, 275; Canadian Corps to move

Stewart, Charles, 271, 272?

out, 278; casualties, 277, 278; cylinder gas

Stopford, Francis, 334

projected, 277; inspections, 274; practicing

St. Paul, SS, 104

with smoke and bombs, 270; raid (22 July),

St-Sauveur, Major, 202

277; raid (27 July), 278; successful attack

Stuff Trench, 147

(29 June), 273; tank demonstration and ride

Surifs, Colonel, 145

exercise, 273. See also Bramshott Camp

Suss, Colonel B. A., 148

Travis, Colonel, 162

Suss, Harry, 148

Tremblay, Colonel, 182

Swift, Major A. E., 32, 59, 60, 70, 89, 98, 151

Tunisian, SS, 22, 23

Sykes, Colonel, 174

Turkey, Armistice signed with, 307

Sykes, General Frederick, 265

Turner, Captain A. G., 42, 57, 60 Turner, Brigadier-General Richard: 25th

Talbot, Colonel, 148

Battalion offensive and, 87, 88; Burstall

Thacker, Brigadier-General Herbert, 186, 202

replaces as 2nd Division commander, 164;

Thiepval Ridge, 144

Byng’s replacement as Corps commander

Third Battle of Ypres. See Passchendaele

and, 171; on changes to brigades, 79;

Third British Army, 11, 144, 159, 189, 197, 204,

commands 2nd Division, 77; issues with

241, 275

25th Battalion and, 82; literature on, 5; on

Thompson, Major, 254, 267

methods of 6th Brigade, 105; recommended

Thomson, Colonel, 167

for removal, 112; relationship with Watson,

Thomson, Cecil, 183

57, 69, 87, 88, 89, 156, 164, 184, 198; on Saint-

Thwaites, Major-General William, 202, 203, 258

Éloi operations, 100, 103, 106; at the Somme,

Tidworth Camp, Salisbury Plain, 34

139, 140, 145; sympathetic to Hughes,

Times (of London), 245

169; takes over English Command, 156;

Topping, Colonel, 83

wounded at the Somme, 145; wounded in leg

Toronto Star, 176

(November 1915), 85

training: 4th Canadian divisional school, 160, 162, 166, 167, 171, 214; aeronautics and

Tyran, Major, 154 Tyrolia, SS, 22

intelligence, 247; aeroplanes and infantry demonstration, 137, 138; artillery, infantry organization and attack, 246, 247; for attack on Vimy Ridge, 186; liaison work, 247–48; musketry course programme, 31–32;

United States: declares war on Germany, 171; enters the war, 189, 256, 357n5; troops seen moving into Crépy, 271 urban warfare, lack of training for, 217, 220

for Passchendaele, lack of time for, 230; for poison gas use, 69, 170, 194, 248; rifle

Vacheron, Mr. (château owner), 315, 316, 320

grenade firing demonstration, 84; Stokes

Valenciennes (17–28 October 1918), 302–5. See

gun demonstration, 98; tanks and infantry, 278; in urban warfare, lack of, 217, 220 —prior to German Spring Offensive (1

also The Hundred Days the Van Doos (Quebec’s 22nd/22e Battalion), 77, 78

February–18 March 1918): German

Vanet, Major, 170

bombardment (4 March), 255; German

Vanier, Major George P., 128, 182

shelling in Hersin, 253; inspections and

Verret, Major Hector, 27, 28, 56, 57, 167–68, 187,

preparation, 253–54; raid (14 February),

238, 243

252. See also German Spring Offensive; The

Versailles, Treaty of, 336

Hundred Days

The Very Idea (play), 331

384

Index

Villers, Sir Francis, 321, 324

box, 188; Mary sends Christmas boxes, 243,

Vimy (March–April 1917): artillery failures,

316; photo from Mary, 257; sends German

182, 184, 185; casualties, 166, 177, 178, 184,

helmets home, 50; sends heather home to

185–86, 187, 188, 227; gas attack, failure of,

Mary, 26; sends photos home, 29, 30–31, 41,

177, 178, 181, 183, 194; Germans fall back,

88; sends piece of shell home, 97; thoughts

184, 185, 357n4; Germans raid bombing

of home, 29, 32, 34, 37, 41, 54, 70, 71, 241,

post, 166; Germans shell Zouave Valley,

252, 259

186; inspections and preparation, 160–63,

—leadership: against attending parade without

167; raid (4 February), 167, 169, 170; raid (13

division present, 329; capabilities as leader,

February), 171, 172, 173; raid (16 March),

4, 6–9; charges against Winsby and, 182,

182, 183, 184; raid (19 February), 174; taking

183, 184; Col. Borden’s silver band and, 174,

of Hill 145 and Pimple, 10–11; training and

183, 185; Cooke’s removal, 165; decision-

preparation (March 1917), 186

making, 9–12; discipline enforcement, 56,

—Hill 145 and the Pimple: described, 186–87;

57, 65, 192, 205, 272, 274, 314; on gas attack

attack on Hill 145, 189–90, 357n7; attack on

at Vimy, 9–10, 177, 178, 194; issues with 10th

Pimple, 190, 191; German defenses, 189–90;

Brigade, 135, 154–55, 157, 160, 161, 162, 168,

preparation and rehearsals, 188–89; raid (31

237; issues with 25th Battalion and, 81, 82;

March), 187

issues within 11th Brigade and, 185; refuses

Vincent, Captain, 186

leave, 60, 65; reproves Vanet, 170; Rexford’s

Vivelle, General Robert, 173

removal, 122, 123, 124; on Ross rifle, 82, 93;

Vlamertinghe, Belgium, 47, 49, 50, 51

talks regarding discipline and performance, 132, 214, 255, 314

Walker, Captain, 162, 166, 172, 176, 182, 253, 268, 274

—observations: on Armistice Day, 309; of artist Wiertz, 323; on death of Irving at

Walker, General Harold, 232, 234, 242

Passchendaele, 234; destruction and

Wallace, Sergeant, 31, 324, 334

devastation, 56, 57, 102, 140, 150, 151, 191,

Ward, Colonel, 67, 189

228, 248, 301, 354n24; encounter with

Warden, Lieutenant-Colonel John, 141, 172, 199,

civilians, 100, 365n37; Germans burying

227

Allied soldiers’ bodies, 192; grapevines at

Ware, Captain, 73

the Rheims, 248; on humanity of German

Watson, Janet (neé Grant; Watson’s mother), 2

officer, 194; of Jesuit monastery ruins, 142;

Watson, John, 93

on leaving 2nd Battalion, 71; mines near

Watson, General Sir David, 35, 130, 195; diaries

Marles, 242; on Moore’s accidental death,

of, 1–2, 5–6, 15–17, 21, 203, 261, 269, 347n63;

327, 328; of prisoners taken at Amiens

distributes Christmas gifts to children

defense line, 284; on signing execution

(Locre, 1915), 89; escapes plane crash, 329;

papers for desertion offense, 192; of skull in

health issues, 135, 141, 164, 168, 172, 213,

Shelby Lane, 134; on state of German wiring,

238–39, 240, 246–47, 255, 290, 324; helps

97; on taking the Pimple, 187; Virgin Mary

wounded German, 192; portraits made of, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 164, 248, 249, 361n6 —family life: bad news from home, 34, 71, 294,

statue toppling over, 140, 354n24 —opinions: on Aitken’s career propositions, 118– 19; Corps being led by Canadian officer, 204;

328; correspondence with Mary, 348n2; gifts

disapproves of Hilliam’s unauthorized leave,

for Mary and girls, 69, 80, 82, 86, 89, 121, 132,

213; on federal election results, 243, 244;

161, 164, 176, 229, 240, 243, 256, 272, 309,

on lack of French Canadians enlisting, 127,

334; gifts from Mary, 30, 33, 69, 88, 149, 188,

353n26; on leave of Irish Division members,

202, 243, 245, 257; has lace collars made

129; losing men to Shorncliffe, 120; poor

for daughters, 50, 59, 65, 82; Mary and girls

conditions due to bad generalship, 55, 60

visit (May 1916), 116–21; Mary sends birthday

—principle biographical events: early life and

385

Index

career, 2; accepts position of GOC for 4th

Westerman, William, 6

Division, 104; awarded CB, 92; awarded

Western Front. See individual battles

CMG, 203, 211; awarded Croix de Guerre,

Weston, General, 317

245; awarded KCB, 245; awarded Order of

Weston, Major, 101

Leopold, 206, 238; elected Honorary Member

Wheeler, Victor, 190

of Canada Masonic Lodge, 264; joins 8th

Whick, Sir Theo, 155

Regiment, 2; joins Canadian Expeditionary

Whigham, General Sir Robert, 113

Force, 2–3, 21; offered command of Montreal

White, Colonel Basil, 183

District, 275, 302; offered command of

White, Sergeant Major W. O., 69

Shorncliffe, 118–19; promoted to brigadier-

Whitelock, Major, 331

general, 1, 4, 69, 71; receives Legion of

White Star gas. See poison gas

Honour and grade of Commander, 202;

Widd, Captain, 144, 169

return journey home, 335–37

Wiertz, Antoine, 323

—professional relationships: Bell’s letter of complaint, 118–19; Cardew’s death, impact of, 41; with correspondents and journalists,

Wigram, Major Clive, 127 Williams, Colonel V.A.S., 31, 67, 69, 70, 78, 88, 118, 212

121, 171, 240, 267, 276, 294, 305, 308; political

Williams, Major-General, 331

astuteness, 13–15, 21–22, 66–68, 98–99,

Williams, Sergeant James, 155

104; support for Currie, 11, 13, 15, 198, 204;

Willis-O’Connor, Captain Henry (“O’Connor”): as

thoughts on Mercer, 57, 73. See also under

ADC to Currie, 70; in Armentières, 40, 41, 48;

individual officers

in Festubert, 57; on Plug Street, 65; at Vimy,

—regard for soldiers: addresses poor morale at Vimy, 182; gives recognition and credit, 99,

161, 163; waiting for repatriation, 319, 333; wounded in Givenchy, 61

137, 150, 156, 226, 239, 272, 288; health and

Wilson, Colonel, 25, 296

wellbeing, 30, 32, 55, 98, 315; on loss of men,

Wilson, General Erastus William, 274, 275

3–4, 51, 140

Wilson, Captain Frank, 325

Watson, Marjorie Grant (Watson’s daughter), 16, 41, 50, 120, 312, 315, 321. See also under Watson, General Sir David Watson, Mary Ann (née Browning; Watson’s wife), 2, 54, 96, 114, 116, 126, 199, 245, 257, 294. See also under Watson, General Sir David Watson, Mary Browning “Brownie” (Watson’s daughter). See Evans, Mary Browning Watson, Mildred Jean “Billie” (Watson’s daughter), 116, 272, 316, 326. See also under

Wilson, Sir Henry, 146 Winnington-Ingram, Arthur, Bishop of London, 44 Winsby, Lieutenant-Colonel W. N., 161, 182, 183, 184 Wood, General, 56, 57, 79, 85, 91 Woods, J. H. Bert, 276 Woodson, W. H., 28 Worsnop, Lieutenant-Colonel C. B., 192 Wright, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel W. D., 151

Watson, General Sir David Watson, William (Watson’s father), 2

Ypres, Second Battle of. See Second Ypres

Wavre-Jodoigne, Belgium, 319. See also

Ypres, Third Battle of. See Passchendaele

demobilization and repatriation Weaster, Major, 133

Ypres Salient. See Passchendaele; Second Ypres Yser Canal, Belgium, 51, 52

weather. See conditions, poor Webb, Lieutenant-Colonel Percy C., 321 Webb, R. H., 172, 242, 260, 263 Webber, Brigadier-General Norman, 271, 284, 304 Wells, Major Fred M., 168, 181 Wemyss, Admiral Rosslyn, 22

386

Zeppelins, 95, 97, 351n2