Researching The Royal Canadian Regiment
During the early years of the reign of His Majesty King George V, the official badge (in the eyes of the Militia Department) for The RCR was that ensigned with the King's cypher. The Regiment, however, continue to wear "VRI" badges and to pursue official permission to wear the cypher of Queen Victoria, which was granted in 1919.
No. 329
Canadian Corps.
18th August, 1916.
CANADIAN CORPS.
SUMMARY OF INTELLIGENCE.
THIS SUMMARY IS OF SUCH A CONFIDENTIAL CHARACTER THAT IT MUST NOT BE TAKEN NEARER THE FRONT THAN BATTALION HEADQUARTERS AND ITS CONTENTS ARE NOT TO BE COMMUNICATED TO ANYONE OUTSIDE HIS MAJESTY'S SERVICE.
PART I.
Information from our own Front.
GENERAL INFORMATION.
Raid. Yesterday afternoon and evening a bombardment of the "LOOP" Trenches, J.19.a., was carried out by our artillery including Heavies and trench mortars, and observers report great damage done.
Patrols, sent out after dark to investigate this damage, reported large enemy working parties engaged in repairing damaged trenches. Artillery was advised and these parties were subsequently shelled.
At about 2.45 a .m. to-day, our artillery placed a barrage on trenches in rear of LOOP and maintained same for about 20 minutes. At same hour Sergt. Pope and three other ranks of Royal Canadian Regiment placed an ammonal tube under enemy's wire about 20 yards South of sap or at J.19.c.O.31/2. At 3.a.m. the tube was fired successfully and a raiding party from the R.C.R., 16 strong, under Lt. Bole, attempted to rush enemy's trench through gaps in the wire. Enemy, however, was found standing to and raiding party was immediately caught by enemy's machine gun fire and bombs, killing one and wounding nearly all the remainder. In spite of this heavy fire, however, our party succeeded in throwing about 20 Mills bombs amongst the enemy whose trench is reported thickly held. One member of the party succeeded in reaching the enemy's parapet where he found three lines of trip wire. From there, he threw as many bombs as possible into the enemy's trench and retired wounded in several places. About this time Lieut. Churchill and the supporting party proceeded to the assistance of the raiding party but, in view of the situation were ordered not to attempt an advance on enemy's trench. The wounded were then cleared from the field of action, after trench mortars opened up a barrage on enemy's front trenches, as pre-arranged, to cover the retirement of the whole party. This barrage was most satisfactory and undoubtedly did considerable damage both to the enemy's trenches and personnel. Under cover of this barrage, Lieut. Bole, assisted by Lieuts. Churchill and Munn removed all casualties. A block in Sap "K" was then constructed by the three officers and a Lewis gun placed in same to meet any counter-attack that might be attempted by the enemy.
Previous to the operation, two of enemy's patrols were seen in No Man's Land in the vicinity of Sap "K", which gives further indication that the enemy was very much on the alert.
The total damage done to the enemy's trenches and personnel would appear to be considerable.
