The First World War
War Diary of The Royal Canadian Regiment

Transcription by Captain Michael O'Leary, The RCR.

DECEMBER 1918

1-12-1918 - MONS.

C. of E. Church Parade in Church at PLACE DE PARC. Major SHETFORD, Senior Chaplain of 4TH. Cdn. Div. Preached. R.C. Church Parade in Cathedral. Football game in afternoon. HQ. Vs. "C" Company. Score 6 - 0 in favour of Headquarters.

15 O.R's to C.C.S.
6 O.R's proceeded on leave to U.K.

2-12-1918 - MONS.

Commanding Officer proceeded on leave.
Capt. H.T. COCK, M.C., takes over command of Regiment.

Usual program of training.

6 O.R's to F.A. and 1 O.R. from C.C.S.

3-12-1918 - MONS.

1 O.R. to F.A.
2 O.R's to C.C.S.
1 O.R. from C.C.S.
1 O.R. from leave.
1 O.R. from C.C.R.C.

4-12-1918 - MONS.

Lectures. Commanding Officer visited Company at NIVELLES.

Lieut. A.E. McPHIE return from Course.
2 O.R's to F.A. and 2 O.R's to C.C.S.

5-12-1918 - MONS.

Battalion bathed. Football match in afternoon against 85TH Battalion. Score. Draw. 2 - 2.

1 O.R. from F.A.

6-12-1918 - MONS.

Orders received that Battalion will move tomorrow to FAYT LEZ SENEFFE. Order cancelled in evening. Warm & Cloudy.

3 O.R's to F.A.
2 O.R's to C.C.S.
45 O.R's proceeded on leave to U.K.

7-12-1918 - MONS.

Brigade Route March in morning. Marched past Brig. Gen. CLARK, D.S.O.

3 O.R's returned from leave.

8-12-1918 - MONS.

Church parades as usual in morning. In afternoon Regimental football team played 4TH. Cdn. Div. Sub-staff team. Score 2 - 1 in our favour.

2 O.R's from leave.
1 O.R. from command.

9-12-1918 - MONS.

Training under Coy. arrangements. 3RD Canadian Division held a Ball in BRUSSELS in evening.

2 O.R's from leave.

10-12-1918 - MONS.

Preparing for move tomorrow.

10 O.R's proceeded on leave to U.K.

11-12-1918 - MONS.

Battalion marched from MONS at 07.10 hours, proceeded to FAYTE-LEZ-SENEFFE. The 7TH Brigade marched past the G.O.C. Division and Brigadier about a mile out from MONS. The G.O.C. expressed himself as pleased with the marching of the Battalion. The march was long but the march discipline was good throughout, and no men fell out. Good billets were obtained in FAYTE-LEZ-SENEFFE.

2 O.R's to F.A.

12-12-1918 - FAYTE-LEZ-SENEFFE.

Battalion moved from FAYTE-LEZ-SENEFFE at 08.20 hours via SENEFFE to NIVELLES. Day rainy and cold. Arrived in NIVELLES at 12.00 noon. Here "A" Coy. which had been on detachment in NIVELLES for three weeks rejoined the Battalion. "B", "C" and "D" Coys. obtained billets in Hospital just outside NIVELLES.

1 O.R. from F.A.
2 O.R's to F.A.

13-12-1918 - NIVELLES.

Day spent in NIVELLES.

4 O.R's to F.A.
4 O.R's proceed on leave and 2 O.R's return from leave.

14-12-1918 - NIVELLES.

Commanding Officer gave a lecture to whole Battalion in Barracks at 09.00 hours.

12 O.R's return from leave.
2 O.R's to F.A.

15-12-1918 - NIVELLES.

Battalion (less "A" Coy which remained to Guard German War Material) left NIVELLES at 07.00 hours and proceeded by march to OHAIN area via OPHAIN-BRAINE L'ALLEUD and MOMUMENT la HAIE. Arrived in billets in BOURGEOIS sous RIXENSART about 15.00 hours.

Lieut. E.R. NORMAN from C.C.R.C.
Lieut. D.A. PORTER retd. from leave.
24 O.R's proceed on leave.
2 O.R's from leave.
4 O.R's to F.A and 1 O.R. to C.C.S.

16-12-1918 - BOURGEOIS.

Day spent in cleaning up and getting settled in new area.

3 O.R's returned from leave, and 1 O.R. to F.A.

17-12-1918 - BOURGEOIS.

Parades by Companies.

Lieut. W.G. WURTELE, M.C., from course.
2 O.R's to F.A.

18-12-1918 - BOURGEOIS.

Training as usual. Cold and squally.

2 O.R's from leave.
19 O.R's to C.C.S.
1 O.R. to F.A.
137 Other ranks from C.C.R.C.

19-12-1918 - BOURGEOIS.

1 Officer and 30 O.R's proceeded via MONT St. JEAN to BRUSSELS for 36 hours leave.

Usual training carried out.

1 O.R. returned from U.K. leave.

20-12-1918 - BOURGEOIS.

Cold and cloudy. Parades by Companys.

Lieut. Col. G.W. MacLEOD, DSO, returned from leave.

21-12-1918 - BOURGEOIS.

Burgomaster of BRUSSELS gave a fete for Allied Officers. One Officer of the Regiment attended.

18 O.R's returned from leave.
3 O.R's to F.A.

22-12-1918 - BOURGEOIS.

3 Officers and 83 Other Ranks went to BRUSSELS for 36 hours leave.
Capt. C.G.B. THOMPSON, MC & Lieut. M. ISBESTER, MC, proceed on 14 days leave to U.K.
3 O.R's returned from leave.

23-12-1918 - BOURGEOIS.

Training as usual.

3 O.R's to F.A.
1 O.R. C.C.R.C. to Unit.
30 O.R's proceed on leave to U.K.

24-12-1918 - BOURGEOIS.

Snow storm in evening.

Lieut. H.C. BARKER, M.C., proceeds on leave.
Lieut. R.M. MILLET, M.C., and Lieut. C.C. DAVIES return from C.C.R.C.
4 O.R's to C.C.S.
88 O.R's from C.C.R.C.

25-12-1918 - BOURGEOIS.

Open air Church service at 10.30, Major KILPATRICK preached. After service sports were held by companies. Dinner at 17.00 hours.

11 O.R's proceed on leave.
1 O.R. from C.C.R.C.

26-12-1918 - BOURGEOIS.

Warned for move on 28th. Prior to demobilization.

Lieut. W.H. DEO granted 14 days leave and 2 O.R's also.

27-12-1918 - BOURGEOIS.

Baths for Battalion.

14 O.R's returned off leave, and 3 O.R's to F.A.

28-12-1918 - BOURGEOIS.

Moved from BOURGEOIS to ALSEMBURG by road. Rain.

Lieut. J. KELTIE returned from leave.
Lieut. M.F. GREGG, V.C., M.C., and Lieut. A.T.E. CROSBY proceed on leave.
6 O.R's returned from leave.

(Appendix 3.)

29-12-1918 - ALSEMBURG.

Moved from ALSEMBURG to GOYCK by road. Rain.

Hon. Capt. A.E. ANDREW and Lieut. H.V. BONNER to F.A.
4 O.R's from leave.
3 O.R's evac. To C.C.S. and 2 O.R's to F.A.

(Appendix 4.)

30-12-1918 - GOYCK.

Moved from GORCK to LIERDE-STE-MARIE by road.

One other rank returned from Command. C.C.R.C.

(Appendix 5.)

31-12-1918 - LIERDE-STE-MARIE.

A days rest from march to compile demobilization return. Saw the year out without ceremony or celebration. Billets poor. Weather rainy. 35 O.R's proceeded on leave to U.K.

5 O.R's to F.A.

Appendix 1. - R.C.R. O.O. 108 dated ?. R.C.R. will move by route march tomorrow to FAYTE-VEZ-SENEFFE.

Appendix 2. - R.C.R. O.O. 108/1 dated ?. R.C.R. will move tomorrow to NIVELIES.

Appendix 3. - R.C.R. O.O. 109 dated 27.12.18. R.C.R. will move tomorrow Dec. 28th, to ALORMERBERG as first phase of march to 5th Army area.

Appendix 4. - R.C.R. O.O. 110 dated 28.12.18. R.C.R. will move tomorrow Dec. 29th to GOYCK.

Appendix 5. - R.C.R. O.O. 111 dated 29.12.18. R.C.R. will move tomorrow December 30th to LIEDER-STE.-MARIE.