The First World War
War Diary of The Royal Canadian Regiment

Transcription by Captain Michael O'Leary, The RCR.

JANUARY 1918

 

1-1-1918. - LENS SECTOR.

Heavy Bombardment on 4TH Canadian Divisional Front at 6.30 p.m. Enemy raided but did not enter our Lines. At 7.30 p.m. another bombardment began on the 8TH Brigade Front on our left where the enemy attacked. In both cases, Storming parties wore White Suits.

2 O.R's transferred to England.

2-1-1918. - LENS SECTOR.

G.O.C. called during the afternoon. Front quiet.

1 O.R. wounded in action.
8 O.R's transferred to labour pool.
4 O.R. invalided to England.

3-1-1918. - LENS SECTOR.

Advance Party P.P.C.L.I. came up to take over the Line. The Commanding Officer went around to the Posts at night.

1 O.R. wounded in action.
5 O.R's committed to Military Prison.

(Appendix 1.)

4-1-1918. - LENS SECTOR.

Advance Parties went to LIEVIN at 2.00 p.m. to take over billets from 49TH Canadian Infantry Battalion. Guides for incoming P.P.C.L.I. were sent up to RED MILL detraining point. Relief was completed by P.P.C.L.I. at 7.40 p.m. Battalion completed move to LIEVIN at 9.00 p.m. 100 men on Working Party with Canadian Engineers.

1 O.R. rejoined from C.C.S.

5-1-1918. - LIEVIN.

Thirty one Other Ranks supplied for Brigade Duties. Drums came up from Transport Lines. 300 Other ranks on working parties at night.

One man reported killed., two wounded.

6-1-1918. - LIEVIN.

Working Parties the same as last night.

Lieut. H.F. HICKS granted leave to England.

7-1-1918. - LIEVIN.

Working Parties same as last night.

Lieut. T.S. ALLEN returned from leave to England.
1 O.R. to C.C.S.

8-1-1918. - LIEVIN.

Working Parties same as last night.

1 O.R. killed in action.
2 O.R's to C.C.S.

9-1-1918. - LIEVIN.

Working Parties same as last night.

1 Other Ranks committed to Military Prison.

10-1-1918. - LIEVIN.

Advance parties sent up at 2.00 p.m. to take over Line from P.P.C.L.I. Battalion marched off at 4.55 p.m. and proceeded to the Line in the same Sector as night of December 29/30th 1917. "A" and "B" Companies in Front Line. "C" and "D" Companies in Support. 50TH Battalion on our right. 42ND Btn on out left. Relief complete at 7.40 p.m. Two patrols out during evening. 36 men Tunnelling.

1 O.R. to C.C.S.
1 O.R. from C.C.S.

(Appendix 2.)

11-1-1918. - LIEVIN.

Front quiet. Two patrols in evening. Wiring Front Line posts and improving trenches.

Lieut. MILLETT returned from English leave.
2 O.R's to C.C.S.

12-1-1918. - LIEVIN.

Same as previous date.

1 O.R. to C.C.S.
1 O.R. from C.C.S.
Major A.E. WILLOUGHBY awarded the Military Cross.

13-1-1918. - LIEVIN.

Same as previous date.

1 O.R. admitted to Hospital whilst on leave in England.
C.S.M. WYATT awarded DCM.

14-1-1918. - LIEVIN.

Snow melting and ground thawing so that trenches are beginning to fall in.

15-1-1918. - LIEVIN.

Trenches very muddy. Front quiet.

16-1-1918. - LIEVIN.

Advance parties of 1 Officer and four Other Ranks sent out to SOUCHEZ to take over Hutments. Relieved by P.P.C.L.I. Left Front Company greatly delayed by mud in Communication Trench. Relief completed by 10.10 p.m. Battalion transported from LIEVIN to SOUCHEZ by Light Railway. Last Company arrived about 12.30 a.m. Commanding Officer rejoined Battalion from leave.

(Appendix 3.)

17-1-1918. - LIEVIN.

"C" and "D" Companies paid in afternoon. "B" Company attended 4TH Divisional Baths, CARENCY.

(Appendix 4.)

18-1-1918. - LIEVIN.

"A", "B" and H.Q. Companies paid. "A", "C" and "D" Companies paraded for Baths in the afternoon.

Lieut. CROSBY and Lieut. du DOMAINE arrived as reinforcements.

19-1-1918. - LIEVIN.

Advance parties of 1 Officer and five Other Ranks per Company proceeded to BOIS DES ALLEUX to take over Hutments. Battalion marched off from SOUCHEZ at 1.00 p.m. arrived at BOIS DES ALLEUX at 2.45 p.m.

(Appendix 5.)

20-1-1918. - SOUCHEZ.

Day spent in cleaning up. Officers played a Battalion Team at Indoor Baseball; being beaten by a score of 4 to 1. The Christmas Dinner was held at 6.00 p.m. An excellent Dinner was provided. The band in three Sections furnished Music. All Ranks greatly enjoyed their Dinner.

(Appendix 6.)

21-1-1918. - LE PENDU.

Rainy day. No Parades. The G.O.C. 7TH Canadian Infantry Brigade called during the afternoon.

Lieut. BALLANTYNE to England on leave.

22-1-1918. - LE PENDU.

Rainy in morning until 8.30 a.m. when weather cleared up beautifully. Parades from 9.00 a.m. until 12.00 noon.

23-1-1918. - LE PENDU.

Route March from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon. Staff Parade at 2.30 p.m. N.CV.O's were well turned out.

18 O.R's returned from Command.
2 O.R's to C.C.S.
4 O.R's from C.C.S.

24-1-1918. - LE PENDU.

Parades from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon. Companies have until today been under Company Commander's own arrangements. Today Specialist Training was started. Officers played H.Q. at Indoor Base Ball. The officers won the game by score of 14 to 1.

25-1-1918. - LE PENDU.

Warm spring like day. Parades from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon. and 2.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. Two baseball games played during the afternoon.

Lieut. H.F. HICKS from English leave.

26-1-1918. - LE PENDU.

Companies started Working Parties today, parading as follows 1 Company to 7.30 a.m. others following at one hours intervals. Each Company before going to Wire at BETHONVAL FARM had an hour at the Baths at MONT ST. ELOY. Clean clothing was issued.

14 O.R's arrived as reinforcements from FERFAY.
1 O.R. transferred to Base.

27-1-1918. - LE PENDU.

Church Parades. Church of England at 10.30 a.m. and Roman Catholic at VILLERS AU BOIS at 11.00 a.m. Four Base Ball Games were played during the afternoon.

28-1-1918. - LE PENDU.

Companies on Wiring Work at BETHONVAL FARM and CARENCY from 8.00 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. The band gave a Concert during the afternoon. The Commanding Officer and Second in Command attended a Conference at Brigade Headquarters at noon. Bright Moonlight night with Hostile Bombing in the vicinity of the Camp.

2 O.R's to C.C.S.

(Appendix 7.)

29-1-1918. - LE PENDU.

Parades from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon. and 2.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. Companies at Specialist Training, Musketry and extended order Drill. Two baseball games during the afternoon. The Commanding Officer and 2nd in Command and Company Commanders attended a demonstration at FERFAY.

2 O.R's to C.C.S.

30-1-1918. - LE PENDU.

Companies on Wiring all day at BETHONVAL FARM CARENCY Line. Band and Drums and Runners on parade from 9.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. Band Concert in the afternoon. The Commanding Officer had a conference of Company Commanders at 10.00 a.m.

31-1-1918. - LE PENDU.

The G.O.C. inspected the Battalion (informally) in the morning. He said he had never seen cleaner Field Kitchens and expressed himself as well pleased with the Transport.

2 O.R's to C.C.S.
6 O.R's reinforcements.

(signed)
C.R.E. Willets.
Lieut. Colonel.
Commanding the Royal Canadian Regiment.

Appendix 1. - R.C.R. O.O. 83 dated 3.1.18. R.C.R. will be relieved by P.P.C.L.I. on night 4th/5th January, 1918.

Appendix 2. - R.C.R. O.O. 84 dated 8.1.18. R.C.R. will relieve P.P.C.L.I. in the line tomorrow night 10th/11th January, 1918.

Appendix 3. - R.C.R. O.O. 85 dated 15.1.18. R.C.R. will be relieved in the line by the P.P.C.L.I. on night 16th/17th January, 1918.

Appendix 4. - Royal Canadian Regiment Defence scheme right sub sector.

Appendix 5. - R.C.R. O.O. 85 dated 15.1.18. R.C.R. will be relieved in the line by the P.P.C.L.I. on night 16th/17th January, 1918. [SEE APPENDIX 3.]

Appendix 6. & 7. - R.C.R. Syllabus of training from January 28th to February 2nd, 1918.

Appendix 8. - R.C.R. O.O. 86 dated 18-1-18. Relief of R.C.R. by 102ND Can. Batt. On 18-1-18.

Appendix 9. - Letter from Major Gen. 3RD Can div. Dated 17-1-18.