The First World War
War Diary of The Royal Canadian Regiment

Transcription by Captain Michael O'Leary, The RCR.

NOVEMBER 1915

1-11-15

The following officers proceeded with Royal Canadian Regiment to France.-

Less detail already mentioned on 31-10-15, which proceeded in advance.
Orders received this a.m. for embarkation of the Regiment from FOLKESTONE PIER at 5.25 p.m. exactly.
Regiment arrived BOULOGNE same evening and marched to OSTROHOVE LARGE REST CAMP (under canvas).
One man over strength, waiting man embarked contrary to orders.
Weather:- Very wet.

2-11-15

ALEXANDRE ALBERT, Soldat de 2e classe 1er Regt. Terr d'Infanterie. Classe 1891 - Matricule No. 4390 affecte a ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT B.E.F.
Taken on strength as Interpreter this date.
Weather:- Very wet.

3-11-15

Regiment entrained at PONT de BRIQUES, BOULOGNE at 10.00 a.m.
Transport, train & M.G. section joined the Battalion, having entrained at HARVE 2.11.15 at 8.20 p.m.
13 Horses were condemned and exchanged at SOUTHAMPTON.
1 Horse condemned and exchanged at HARVE.
Battalion intact arrived and detrained at BAILLEUL at 3.00 p.m.
Immediately went into billets, 4 companies, Transport & (Regimental Hdqrs, Officers & Staff) & occupied separate billets (6).
No. 477067 Pte BENNINGER, W.H., "D" Coy admitted to Hospital.

4-11-15

Lieut. G.C. de DOMBASLE joined the Battalion & taken on the strength accordingly.

5-11-15

NIL.

6-11-15

Battalion inspected by Lieut. General E.A.H. ALDERSON, C.B., Comdg. CORPS TROOPS at 11.00 a.m.

7-11-15

NIL

8-11-15

Received orders for Battalion to move to ALDERSHOT HUTS with Headquarters at WESTHOFF FARM, on 10th Nov 1915.

9-11-15

NIL

10-11-15

Battalion moved from billets at BAILLEAU at 11.45 a.m. to ALDERSHOT HUTS with regimental headquarters at WESTHOFF.
One Draft Horse died from pneumonia at BAILLEUL on the night of 9th inst.

11-11-15

"A" Company left ALDERSHOT HUTS for trenches for instruction under 2nd CAN. INF. Bde. at 3.30 p.m. Dispositions Two platoons to 8th Battn & two to 10th Battn, holding right and left sectors respectively. Locality Right Sector Trenches 128 to 131 and left sector 132 to 134.

Machine Gunners and eight signallers accompanied this party.
9 & 10 Platoons "C" left ALDERSHOT HUTS for instruction in trenches under 3rd. Can. Inf. Bde. 1 Horse reported missing during the night.

12-11-15

9 & 10 Platoons "C" were relieved by Nos. 11 & 12 Platoons "C" in the trenches. Same procedure as on 11th inst. 

Weather wet, communication trenches in a very bad condition.

13-11-15

"A" Coy. was relieved by "B" Coy. and Nos. 11 & 12 Platoons of "C" Coy. by Nos. 13 & 14 Platoons "D" Coy. 

Dispositions Platoon Nos. 5 & 6 of "B" Coy. were attached to 5th Battn. on the right sector under Capt. MacCulloch and Platoons 7 & 8 under Capt. Holloway to the 7th Battn. holding left sector.
Machine Gunners & 8 signallers accompanied this party.

Nos. 13 & 14 Platoons "D" Coy. left Aldershot Huts for instruction in trenches under 3rd. can. Inf. bde.

Weather extremely wet and communication trenches very bad.
Morale of men excellent. Night passed off quietly on both sectors.

14-11-15

Nos. 13 & 14 Platoons were relieved in the trenches by Nos. 15 & 16. 

One man reported missing from "C" Coy. on relief from trenches, also one man accidentally wounded in "B" Coy. Night comparatively quiet except for sudden bursts of Machine Gun & Rifle fire at intervals through the night.

Enemy seemed uneasy making extensive use of flares.
"X" No. 477333 Pte F. Gould

15-11-15

"B" Coy. & Nos. 15 & 16 Platoons "D" completed their training and were relieved. This completes regimental training in the trenches.
"X" The man reported missing on the 14th inst. has returned.
Weather clear & frosty.

Situation normal, slight increase of artillery fire on both sides.
Night passed off quietly. Morale of troops excellent.
"X" No. 477229 Pte T. Davy

16-11-15

NIL.

17-11-15

NIL.

18-11-15

Owing to shortage of Officers in the 10th CAN. BATTN. at present in trenches four R.C.R. Officers were lent to them for duty in the trenches for a period of 5 days commencing this evening. The four Officers being Lieut. V. HODSON, Lieut. J.M. PAULINE, Lieut. R.B. PENNIMAN and Lieut. F.R.L. de SALIS.

19-11-15

ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT completed its period of training with 2nd & 3rd CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADES on the evening of 18th inst. 

R.C.R. moved into CORPS RESERVE this date at LA CLYTTE in relief of the units of the 1st. CANADIAN CAVALRY BRIGADE now at LA CLYTTE

R.C.R. marched to new billets at 9.00 a.m. via BAILLEUL and LOCRE.

20-11-15

300 men on working parties by day.

21-11-15

300 men on working parties by day.

22-11-15

300 men on working parties by day and 60 by night.

23-11-15

360 men on working parties by day. The four Officers returned from 10th CAN. BATTN.

24-11-15

380 men on working party by day. 

One man wounded slightly by shell splinters at N.15.C.5.5 - No. 477397 Pte R.D. HENDRY "D" Coy.

Working party of 1 Officer and 60 men, 1 Officer, 2 N.C.O.s. and 20 men by night.

Lieut R.B. PENNIMAN "A" Coy. to Hospital. 

Weather, mild, hazy, very wet underfoot owing to breaking up of frost of last few days.

25-11-15

300 men on working party by day & 120 men by night. 

1 Officer, 1 N.C.O. and 20 men special working party, left camp for a few days

Weather raw, rain & hail at night.

26-11-15

300 men on working party by day and 120 by night.

27-11-15

300 men on working party by day.
Very frosty and cold night.

28-11-15

300 men on working party by day and 120 by night, of latter party following casualties:-

Killed:- No. 477155 Sergeant J. CARROLL "D" Coy (CVWM)

Wounded:- Pte A.W. Richardson "D" Coy.

Weather frosty, very cold. Hazy.

29-11-15

300 men on working party by day & 120 by night. Night very wet.

30-11-15

300 men on working party by day and 120 by night. Night very wet.