The First World War
War Diary of The Royal Canadian Regiment

Transcription by Captain Michael O'Leary, The RCR.

JUNE 1918

1-6-18. - BOURECQ.

The Battalion embussed at 7.0 a.m. For the BOMY area, where a defensive position was taken up along the line ERNY-ST-JULIEN to PETIGNY. The 8th Brigade attacked at 3.00 p.m. The operations proved interesting and instructive to all ranks.

1 O.R. from C.C.S.
Lieut. WALLAR from C.C.R.C.

(Appendix 1.)

2-6-18. - BOURECQ.

The Battalion marched to the 7th Brigade Church Parade at 10.30 a.m. ST HILIARE. Bishop FALLOW of ONTARIO addressed the Brigade. 110 men marched to NORRENT FONTES at 9.30 a.m. For testing and exchange of Small Box Respirators. The Regimental Baseball team played the P.P.C.L.I. team at 2.30 p.m. The Regimental Football Team were beaten by a score of 3 - 2.

2 O.Rs. transferred to base.

3-6-18. - BOURECQ.

The battalion em-bussed at 7.30 a.m. For the BOMY Training Grounds to take part in the Brigade attack against a sector held by the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade. The Battalion returned to Billets at 8.10 p.m.

7 O.Rs. transferred to Royal Canadian Dragoons.
1 O.R. transferred to Inf. Works Battalion.

(Appendix 2.)

4-6-18. - BOURECQ.

Fine and warm. "A" Company bathed in the morning. Employed men paraded under the Regimental Sergeant Major for one and a half hours in the morning. Remainder of Battalion paraded for battalion Drill at LESPRESSES.

5-6-18. - BOURECQ.

Fine and Warm, rather windy. The Commanding Officer gave a lecture to all Officers and N.C.O's on Outposts in the afternoon in the Village School Room. The Battalion paraded in the evening at 7.00 p.m. and proceeded to LESPRESSES etc. for Day and Night Outpost Work, returning at 12.00 m.n.

(Appendix 3.)

6-6-18. - BOURECQ.

Fine and Warm. Battalion paraded in the morning for Battalion Drill. All employed personnel and Lewis Gunners proceeded to RANGES at FERFAY in the afternoon. Discussion between Commanding Officer and Company Commanders on previous night's work. Band concert in Village Square in the afternoon.

7-6-18. - BOURECQ.

Day fine and Warm. "A" Company proceeded to baths in the morning. "A" Co. Ranges at FERFAY in morning. "C" CO. Ranges at FERFAY in afternoon. "D" CO. went to RANGES at T.28.central. Employed men attended Ranges at T.28.central in the afternoon. Sergeant LITTLE from C.C.R.C. gave a demonstration on the German Light Machine Gun to all Lewis Gunners and the greater part of Company Officers in the morning and afternoon.

The Band gave a concert in the Village Square in the evening. Leave opened up again to England and 1 O.R. proceeded this date.

1 O.R. to duty from 7th T.M. Bty.

8-6-18. - BOURECQ.

Fine and very warm. Companies paraded at 8.00 a.m. and proceeded to Training Ground LIERES for Company Dumbell Competition. One Platoon per Company had to be selected. The fllowing were selected No.s 3, 5, 11 and 15 Platoons. The remainder of "B" Company bathed in afternoon. Regimental Baseball Team played 52nd Cdn. Inf. Bn. and won by 22 - 1. Band and Drums attended and played selections during the game.

Captain C.G.B. THOMPSON awarded the Military Cross.
Capt. H.B. POSTON and Lieut. C.C. SMITH joined as reinforcements.
2 O.R's to C.C.S.
2 O.R's proceeded to England for commissions.

9-6-18. - BOURECQ.

Fine and Warm. The Battalion paraded at 11.00 a.m. and proceeded to Brigade Parade ground at ST. HILAIRE for Divine Service. The band and Drums attended. After the Service the Divisional Commander presented Medal Ribbons to the Brigade. The recipients from The Royal Canadian Regiment were:- Sergt BRESNAN, Belgian Croix de Guerre. Lance Corporal McCALL, Cpl. McARTHUR, Pte HAGAN and Cpl. T.A. BENNETT the MIlitary Medal.

2 O.R's to England on Leave.

10-6-18. - BOURE - BOURECQ.

CQ.

Fine and Warm. The battalion proceeded to the BOMY AREA for Divisional Manoeuvres, parading for Embussing at 8.15 a.m. Area was reached about 10.0 a.m. Rained fairly hard at intervals during the morning but cleared up towards noon. Wind very cold all day. Battalion arrived back at Billets at 7.10 p.m. The Divisional Commander held a conference of all Commanding officers and Company Commanders after the operations.

Captain A. MacDONALD arrived as reinforcement.

(Appendix 4.)

11-6-18. - BOURECQ.

Fine and Warm. One Platoon from each company proceeded to LIERES for final Competition for Dumbell Badge. No. 11 Platoon succeeded in winning this honour, and will wear these badges for twelve months or until there is another competition. 400 O.R's proceeded to Baths at HAM EN ARTOIS in morning. "B", "C" and "D" Companies were paid in the afternoon. Regimental Outdoor Ball team played 42nd Cdn. Inf. Bn. in the afternoon and after a very fast and exciting gams won by 4 - 3 in the 11th innings.

12-6-18. - BOURECQ.

Fine and warm. All Companies at Ranges in FERFAY and T.28.central. O.C. 7Th Tank battalion gave a lecture at Y.M.C.A. Hut, LIERES. at 5.30 p.m. We were allotted 90 seats. "A" CO. and H.Q. Company were paid this afternoon. The Regimental Football Team played the 7th Brigade Team in the evening. The game resulted in a draw 1-1.

4 O.R's C.A.M.C. returned to 8th F.A.

13-6-18. - BOURECQ.

Fine day and warm. Companies had one hour Physical Training and Bayonet Fighting in the morning. Battalion paraded at 2.15 p.m. and proceeded by Bus to BOMY area where they took part in manoeuvres in co-operation with Tanks. Band played selections for about an hour while troops were waiting to embus. Battalion returned to Billets at about 8.00 p.m. The Regimental Outdoor Baseball team played the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade team at about 6.00 p.m. and after a hard game won by 6 - 3.

14-6-18. - BOURECQ.

Fine and warm. Companies on Ranges all day. Demonstration of Light German Machine Gun by Sgt LITTLE, C.C.R.C. to all Lewis Gunners morning and afternoon. Signallers carried out a Divisional Signal Scheme all day. Regimental Football team played Brigade headquarters in the evening and lost 1 - 2. Band played selections during the game.

1 O.R. rejoined from Mil. Prison.

(Appendix 5.)

15-6-18. - BOURECQ.

Fine and warm. Brigade Field Day. The Battalion attended Brigade Sports all day. Sports were held at ST. HILIARE on Brigade parade ground. The following Bands attended, R.C.R., 49th Bn., P.P.C.L.I. and 42nd. Pipers also attended and gave selections and dances. Although the Bn. had numerous entries for almost all the events we did not succeed in pulling off many prizes. The only prizes that were won by the Bn. were:- Pillow Fight, 1st., Medley Race, 2nd. and 3rd., Sack Race, 2nd. The 49th Bn. won the majority of the flat races having some splendid runners and sprinters entered. The most interesting item of the sports was the Outdoor baseball game between R.C.R. And P.P.C.L.I. For the Brigade Championship. The game started about 5.00 p.m. and the Regimental line up was as follows:- Catcher - Pte SUGG, Pitcher - Lieut. ALLENBACK, 1st. Base - Capt. FREEZE, 2nd. Base - Pte MURPHY, 3rd. Base - Pte READING, Short stop - Pte MATHIESON, Centre Field - Pte FOWLER, Right Field - Lieut. MILLER, Left Field - Pte HARLEY. The 1st and 2nd innings the P.P.C.L.I. scored 2 and the Regimental team scored 1. The 4th inning saw another added to the Patricia's score and the Regimental team was unable to score. 5th inning P.P.C.L.I. added still another but the Regimental team failed to contribute further. 6th inning no score for either side. 7th inning brought one run to each side, at this time the score was 5 - 2 against the R.C.R. 8th inning no score. 9th and last inning P.P.C.L.I. did not succeed in adding to their score and the Regimental Team went to amid scenes of great enthusiasm. At this time the game looked very critical although everyone still backed the home team. FOWLER was first to bat and made a safe hit, next man was Lieut. MILLER who struck a two base hit thereby putting FOWLER on third and he on 2nd. Lieut. ALLENBACK was next up and hit safe thereby scoring FOWLER. MURPHY and READING both hit safe bringing home Lieuts. MILLER and ALLENBACK. MATHIESON was then caught making one man out and the score stood at 5 - 5. SUGG hit to 2nd but was put out at first and scoring MURPHY. READING scored and HARLEY was struck out thus winning game for us at 7 - 5.

Lieut. H.V. BONNER joined from C.C.R.C.

16-6-18. - BOURECQ.

Showery up to 11.00 a.m. then turned out fine and warm. Battalion paraded at 11.15 a.m. at sports ground, D.A.C. for divine service. R.C. held their service in parish church BOURECQ at 10.00 a.m. Band in evening.

17-6-18. - BOURECQ.

Fine and warm. Battalion paraded at 7.15 a.m. and proceeded to BOMY area for 3rd Cdn. Divisional manoeuvres. The usual procedure carried out and Battalion returned to Billets at about 8.10 p.m.

18-6-18. - BOURECQ.

Fine and warm. Companies carried out training, P.T., B.F., Musketry, Judging Distances, and Grenade work all morning, and lectures on previous days manoeuvres between Company Commanders and N.C.Os. Band gave selections in the evening. Ball Team beat 58th Battalion in Divisional semi-final 7 - 0.

19-6-18. - BOURECQ.

Fine and warm (showery). Battalion paraded in morning for battalion Drill. The band went to PERMIS for Corps Sports and returned at 8.0 p.m. Companies bathes 100 in afternoon.

20-6-18. - BOURECQ.

vFine in morning. "A" and "B" Companies together with Lewis Gunners proceeded to Ranges in morning. Remainder of Companies carried out ordinary training in morning. Showery in afternoon. Rain postponed Band concert in evening.

21-6-18. - BOURECQ.

Fine and warm. Companies carried out ordinary training in morning. Sgt. LITTLE gave a demonstration on German Light Machine Gun to all Lewis Gunners during morning. All company and battalion Scouts paraded under Scout Officer in the morning for special training. H.Q. Company bathed in afternoon. Signallers attended a Divisional Tactical Scheme in the LINGHEM area in morning and returned to Billets at 1.30 p.m. Regimental Baseball Team played the 7th Canadian Engineer battalion Team and after a rather erratic game lost by 11 - 10. This puts the battalion out of the running for the Divisional Championship although we have won the Brigade Championship. The is the second game the Team has lost since the opening of the season.

2 O.Rs. to England for commission.

22-6-18. - BOURECQ.

Fine and warm. Companies carried out usual raining in the morning. Transport Section and part of H.Q. Company bathed in afternoon. Band gave a concert on Village square in evening from 6.00 to 7.30 p.m.

2 O.Rs. to C.C.S.

23-6-18. - BOURECQ.

Fine and warm. Battalion paraded at 10.00 a.m. and proceeded to LINGHEM to Divisional Sports. We only had two entries in these sports. Battalion returned to Billets about 5.00 p.m. after an enjoyable day. Nothing further to report.

1 O.R. trans. to Canadian Base.

24-6-18. - BOURECQ.

12.20 a.m. Brigade Major rang up Adjutant and warned battalion to be ready to move to new Sector south of ARRAS to relieve 2nd Canadian Division. Advance parties of 5 Officers and 21 O.Rs. left BOURECQ for NEUVILLE VITASSE this morning by bus at 8.00 a.m. to take over new area. All previous schedules cancelled and battalion is standing by ready to move off at 1 hours notice.

6 O.Rs. to England for commission.

25-6-18. - BOURECQ.

Fine and warm day. Battalion paraded at 1,45 p.m. and marched to AIRE where they entrained and proceeded to AUBIGNY, ariving at about 10.15 p.m. The battalion detrained and marched to LATTRE ST. QUENTIN which was reached about 12.00 midnight. There were plenty of good sound Billets here. There were many bases of "three day fever."

Lieut. R.W. CHURCHILL invalided to England.
1 O.R. to England for commission.

26-6-18. - LANTRE ST. QUENTIN.

Fine and warm day. Battalion rested all day at LATTRE ST. QUENTIN.

27-6-18. - LANTRE ST. QUENTIN.

Fine and warm day. Battalion paraded at 7.45 a.m. and marched to WAILY huts camp, and took over from 20th Canadian Infantry Battalion, stayed over all night and awaited orders to relieve battalion (29th Vancouver) in Line. Advance parties reported back in afternoon. Scattered hostile shelling in vicinity of Camp.

28-6-18. - WAILLY.

Fine and warm day. Number of cases of three day fever now exceeds 100. Transport moved back to MONCHIET. All sick cases were sent by ambulance to BEAUMETZ. Battalion paraded at 8.45 p.m. and proceeded to line. We relieved the 29th (Vancouver) Battalion in Right sub-sector. Relief completed at 2.27 a.m. Situation quiet.

29-6-18. - NEUVILLE VITASSE SECTOR.

Relief completed at 2.27 this a.m. Delayed owing to Lewis Gun Limbers going astray. Line in good condition, no dugouts in front line but plenty of good funk holes. Enemy very quiet.

30-6-18. - NEUVILLE VITASSE SECTOR.

Day very bright and warm. Artillery activity below normal. Nothing further to report.

(signed)
C.R.E. WILLETTS
Major
Commanding The Royal Canadian Regiment.

Appendix 1. - Instructions issued in connection with 8TH C.I.B. tactical scheme dated 1.6.18.

Appendix 2. - R.C.R. 6/692 DATED 2.6.18. Defence manoeuvre in BOMY AREA tomorrow R.C.R. will parade tomorrow in BOURECQ.

Appendix 3. - R.C.R. O.O. 1002 dated 5.6.18. Instructions to advance guard re enemy patrol in GUARBECQUE and BERWUETTE.

Appendix 4. - Instructions in connection with 3RD Divisional tactical scheme dated 10.6.18.

Appendix 5. - F.M.R. 77/26 dated 12.6.18. Instructions for scheme for exercise of H.Q. of units and signal personnel to be held Friday 14th June, 1918.

Appendix 6. - Instructions in connection with 3RD Divisional tactical scheme on 17.6.18.

Appendix 7. - 3RD Cdn. Divisional sports programme.

Appendix 7a. - 5/188 dated 23.6.18. R.C.R. will move today or tomorrow to sector of line south of ARRAS to relieve 2ND Cdn. Division.

Appendix 8. - 7TH C.I.B. less transport is moving by rail to the AVES-LE COMTE - HABERCQ area 25th instant.

Appendix 9. - 7TH C.I.B. administrative arrangements to accompany operation order 152. of 24.6.18.

Appendix 10. - R.C.R. 5/936 dated 24.6.18. R.C.R. will move to brigade reserve at WAILLY HUT 27th instrant.

Appendix 11. - R.C.R. O.O. 107 dated 28.7.18. R.C.R. will relieve a battalion of 8TH C.I.B. in front line NEUVILLE VITASSE section on night 28th/29th June, 1918.