S.O. 9^th Div of Drifters

D “Northesk” II No 2022

Dardenelles

Dec 27^th 1918

Staff Paymr (V)

H.M.S. “Europa”

Sir,

Enclosed are receipt notes for Victualling Stores supplied to me for vessels in my division, each note duly signed by the Skipper.

Signatures for the 200 lbs soap and 60 lbs tobacco have been sent direct to H.M.S. “Caesar” as you instructed.

With regard to Victualling Stores I regret to have to report two items missing:- 1 bag of sugar 100 lbs for ”Ebenezer” N0 2294, and 1 jar vinegar for “Northern Scot” No 2425.

The stores were delivered onboard at 7 pm at night by a sardine boat & the darkness & delay in detaining the boat prevented each vessels’ gear being checked. The stores were stowed away as received (all mixed) in the hold & checked on passage next morning.

Possibly there were left on the deck of the “Europa” as it was dark when the boat was loaded, or may have been dropped. Would you please have enquiries made as the loss is considerable to the crew.

Furthermore, there appears to be considerable quantities of tins bad, & so far we have undone 6 tins of Rabbit (all bad) 3 Corned Beef & 1 Marmalade.  The tins being considerably swollen.  These are from stores supplied to “Northesk II” No 2022.

Request whether these should be retained and returned to “Europa”.

Slips for slops are being sent under separate cover as instructed.

Among Victualling Stores received is one tin of tea too many marked “2022”.

The quantity ordered by “Northesk II” No 2022 was 70 lbs but only 20 lbs is marked on the supply note; in addition to the 20 lbs (2 tins) there is another tin; shall we retain this & have it charged to us & possibly it may account for the missing sugar (in the total number of cases, bags etc).

R.H. Palmer

Lieut. R.N.V.R.

Letter to Rev. R.M. Laporte Payne 22 Dec 1918

Chez Madame Ogjiati

16me Emile Souvestre

Brest (Finistere)

Dec 22 1918

Dear Vicar,

I should like to add my best wishes to the many that you will receive at this season of the year.  May your Christmas be very happy and the New Year also.  I wonder how your sons are, and whether they will be able to be with you this Christmas-time.

How grand it is to know that the fighting is over at last.  It was a wonderful day here “le jour de l’Armistice”.

You will see that we are still in Brest, but I think we may not be staying here much longer for my husband had been definitely called to Brazil by his old “chief”; the length of our stay her just depends on whether he is granted a “sursis” or not, by the French Government.  He may have to stay until he is demobilised with the rest of the Army, in that case we should certainly not leave here before April.

Going to Brazil will not be quite strange, although we are not returning to the town Rio Grande.  This time it will be to Porto Alegre – the capital of the State of Rio Grande do Sol, and a far prettier town.

Of course it is a long way to go, but I think I prefer it should be now, while Maurice is little, to later on when he will be going to school.  He is growing very fast, but is none the less “solid”, there is not much of the “baby” left now.

He remembers you quite well and when we speak of you, among other things he remembers that you “played bricks” with him “on the sofa at home”!  “Home” for him is still “Rossroe”.  He can say pretty well anything he wants to, in French now, and understands quite as well – he will be able to try Portuguese next!

 I hope that we shall spend a few weeks in London before going to Brazil, but I do not know if that will be possible.  I should very much have liked my husband to have met you though!

I will close now as it is almost post time.

With very kind regards to Mrs Laporte Payne and many thanks to you for all your thought and goodness,

Believe me

Yours very sincerely

E. Gladys Ireton

9.12.18

Dear Lillie and Anna,

Oui! Car amors!!  When you refer to Wednesday afternoon at 4.15 entrance Junior Army & Navy, Regent Street, Tea – the subject…. Terribly glad to hear from you – thought you were in Spa or Amsterdam or Murmansk – or Dublin.  Guess who is in U.K?  Guess right!  You’ve guessed correctly and he’s just dying to see “two teas”.  He is in Sealand at present and when he returns in a week’s time – a fortnight or month – J*** receive an important order to join a glee party – one of them of which one can be certain to entertain ** be the ** order of 4 teas please!

Until 4.15 Wednesday – Junior Army & Navy Regent Street – ** and *** N* the two of ye – Yours sincerely S.J. King

With cover addressed to Miss Lillie Dillon, No 1 M.T. Depot, Grove Park.  Postmarked London 7.15 P.M. 9 DEC 18

RELEASED PRISONER OF WAR POST CARD

To J. Smith, 100 Arcadian Gdns, Wood Green, London N22 England.

Postmarked ARMY POST OFFICE M 9 7 DE 18.

Prisoner of War Reception Camp at No 1 Camp Canterbury.

I have been released and expect to be home shortly.

I am quite well

Signature only. A. Smith

Date Dec 6^th 18

Y.M.C.A

WITH THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

DEC 6^TH 18

Dear Father

Just a few lines to let you know I am getting home by degrees I am now at Boulogne expect to cross the Channel to-morrow.  No doubt we shall have to spend a few days at a base or debot (depot) before being sent home but I am looking forward to seeing you all very soon now.

Glad to say I am A.1. & hope you are all in the best of health.

Please excuse more news.

With much love

From your

Devoted

Son

Addressee Mr. T Smith, 100 Arcadian Gardens, Wood Green, London N.22 England.

Passed by Censor No 1061. on envelope

9^th. Canadian Artillery Brigade

G.34/1

December 6^th 1918

All Batteries

H.Q.

9^th Brigade CFA will march on 7^th inst from present billets to Area HOUDENG-AMERIES

Starting point will be starting of road and canal One mile N.W. of N in NIMY (VALENCIENNES Sheet), and Brigade will march via CASTEAU-THIEUSIES to new area.

Batteries will march in the following order, and head of column will pass starting point at 1000 hours ;-

Brigade H.Q.

45^th Battery CFA

36^th Battery CFA

31^st Battery CFA

33^rd Battery CFA

Your attention is called to “Notes taken at 3^rd. Cdn. Div. H.Q. December 6^th”.  Kit and equipment will be carried as laid down in that memo.

Distances and points in march discipline as laid down in Fourth Army No G.S. 128, sent you today are to be strictly observed.

In passing any guards which may turn out, Officers only will salute, no “Eyes Right” or ”Eyes Left” being given.

Two Gunners may ride on limbers and wagon body respectively and a breaks man on G.S. wagons.

B.C.s will carefully inspect their batteries before moving off to see that equipment is properly carried.

G.P.18601 A

WAR OFFICE

The undersigned…Miss Dillon L.C.

(description)……. Driver WL MT ASC. No 1 RES DEPOT GROVE PARK

being employed on Active Service, is hereby authorised by the Secretary of State for War to drive a motor car, lorry or bicycle, when on Government duty.

1. Maude

Secretary of the War Office

1. Dillon

Signature of Holder

Available from 1-12-18 to 31-12-18

On reverse

Randall 2^nd Lt

1. i/c Transport Section.

For O.C. Transport & Workshop Coy.

HONOURS & AWARDS. For month of NOVEMBER 1918

MILITARY CROSS

Unit                             Regtl No.           Rank & Name                          Action for which recommended

33^rd Battery CFA                                Lieut E. PHILPOTT                        For bravery and determination under heavy enemy shell fire on September 2^nd. 1918 in the Operations S.E. of ARRAS.

On above date this officer was acting as F.O.O. and was in charge of a party of Signallers who were to lay a line to the first objective. The party came under very heavy shell fire soon after our barrage started and Lieut. Philpott was wounded in the back.  He refused to go back and after having the wound dressed, he pushed forward.

He was again wounded this time seriously and had to be taken to a dressing station, but not before he had established communication with Brigade H.Q. and an O.P.

33^rd Battery CFA                                   Lieut. L. McGILLIVRAY            For courage, resource and devotion to duty in the Offensive S.E. of AMIENS during the period August 8^th – 12^th 1918.

This officer was in charge of a party of 30 N.C.O.s and men detailed by the 9^th Brigade C.F.A. to man guns which might be captured in the advance East of AMIENS.  He went forward with the first wave of Infantry, and with his party, who were all armed with rifles, assisting in capturing 3 -15c.m. howitzers.  These he immediately put into action against the enemy.

36^th Battery CFA                           Lieut.  F.J. LONGWORTH                  For conspicuous gallantry in the AMIENS Offensive during the period August 8^th to August 15^th in the supply of ammunition to the guns when in charge of the 36^th Battery wagon lines.

HONOURS & AWARDS. For month of NOVEMBER 1918

Unit                                  Regtl No.              Rank & Name                        Action for which recommended

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL

36th. Battery CFA            314172        Gnr.   C.B. CLIMO He went over the top with the F.O.O. during the attack on the DROCOURT-QUEANT Switch Line.  On September 2^nd 1918, when the F.O.O. was wounded and the telephone smashed he secured a German telephone and carried on.

BAR TO MILITARY MEDAL

31^st. Battery CFA           308638        Bdr.  O. REED   (M.M)             On October 18^th 1918, on the SENSEE CANAL vicinity of WASNES-AU-BAC, he assisted in putting out a fire amongst the ammunition in a gun pit, by means of mud and his great coat at great personal danger.

MILITARY MEDAL

31^st. Battery CFA     91576          Sgt.  F.J. BROOK                        On September 29^th 1918 at BOURLON, while acting S.M. in charge of the wagon lines, he rallied the Drivers, replaced casualties and extricated the wounded in a severe bombing raid.

31^st. Battery CFA      29916           Sgt. R. KEWLEY         On September 27^th 1918, at QUARY WOOD, he replaced the casualties to his gun team, attended the wounded and rallied his men under very heavy and continuous shell fire from 15cm Hows.

HONOURS & AWARDS. For month of NOVEMBER 1918

Unit                            Regtl No.              Rank & Name                          Action for which recommended

MILITARY MEDAL

31^st. Battery CFA        91667           SGT F. CULLIMORE On night 28^th/29^th September at BOURLON.  During a heavy bombing raid on the horse lines, assisted the wounded, replaced casualties in gun and wagon teams, which was the means of enabling the Batty to advance its guns that night for an attack.

31^st. Battery CFA    308628         Cpl.  WJ McKEEN         On September 27^th 1918 at INCHY, when in charge of pack animals taking ammunition to Battery position, a heavy enemy bombardment opened up.  He guided his men and kept the Battery well supplied with ammunition.

36^th Battery CFA      301147         Cpl G. WYLD                  On night September 27^th:28^th 1918 near BOURLON, while in charge of Sub-section returning from Gun position they were heavily shelled.  Although wounded, he rendered First Aid ***** (text missing) and got them away from the shelled*** (text missing)

45^th. Battery CFA     304515         Bdr. H. NEWLOVE          At BOURLON while in charge of a Sub-section, the gun positions were heavily shelled, and his neighbouring detachment became casualties.  He cleared the wounded, and personally laid, loaded and fired his own gun.

HONOURS & AWARDS. For month of NOVEMBER 1918

Unit                           Regtl No.              Rank & Name                          Action for which recommended

MILITARY MEDAL

36^th Battery CFA      337814         A/Bdr.  G. SHRU

36^th Battery CFA      301306         Bdr. M. McLEAN

36^th Battery CFA      301318         A/Bdr. J.R. McDOUGALL At ST. OLLE on the night October 7^th 1918 while placing guns in position they were subjected to a heavy concentrated shoot which caused many casualties.  Only one gun team was left and all guns had to be moved between intervals and while ammunition was exploding, they assisted the wounded and consistently endeavoured to salve equipment.  By their perseverance they managed to get all the guns except one, in action for the next operation.

31^st Battery CFA       308632        Dvr.  F. MATHIEU

31^st. Battery CFA      308653        Dvr.  D. THEBERGE         For conspicuous dash and gallantry at INCHY on September 27^th 1918.  While the Battery was advancing to take up a position a heavy barrage was laid on the route followed.  Several casualties to gun teams occurred.  They took in their own gun and volunteered to assist the other gun teams.  They took in the two remaining guns and the Battery was able to assist in the Barrage the following morning.

.

45^th Battery CFA      348535       A/Bdr. W. McDOWELL   At INCHY, on September 27^th 1918, he acted as No I.  During the advance through the heavy barraged Village, it was essential that all guns be taken with all possible speed.  He selected his route with unerring judgement and guided the vehicles through the terrific shelling.

HONOURS & AWARDS. For month of NOVEMBER 1918

Unit                           Regtl No.              Rank & Name                          Action for which recommended

MILITARY MEDAL

45^th Battery CFA      1250596      Gnr. A. WOOD                 On the morning of 29^th September he went forward with the F.O.O. but owing to the intense Artillery and machine gun fire it was impossible to keep up telephone communication.  He went forward and ascertained the situation from the Infantry and returned with valuable information.  He afterwards laid lines to Infantry and Brigade O.P. which he patrolled for a period of 24 consecutive hours, under heavy artillery fire.

33^rd Battery CFA      348986        Gunner. W. BALDWIN   On the morning of October 2^nd. 1918 near ST. OLLE, he went forward with the F.O.O. who established an O.P.  Almost as soon as the telephone line was laid it was blown out by shell fire.  All the breaks were found to be where the line crossed a sunken road, which was the place heavily shelled.  He worked continuously all day mending breaks and putting in new line under heavy shell fire.

45^th Battery CFA     348465                Sgt.  W.H. GLEED From February to September 1918, this N.C.O. acted as Battery Sergt-Major at the guns.  During the operations throughout this period, he showed exceptional energy and devotion to duty.  His coolness and good judgment under heavy shell fire has been most commendable.

31^st. Battery CFA       424674                 Sgt. B. HOWARTH

(Croix de Guerre)                                  On October 18^th 1918 on the SENSEE CANAL, vicinity of WASNES-AU-BAC, he assisted in putting out a fire amongst the ammunition in a gun pit, by means of mud and   his great coat, at great personal danger.

APPENDIX                                         WAR DIARY                    NOVEMBER 1918

9^th. CANADIAN ARTILLERY BRIGADE

STRENGTH DECREASE

Cause                                                       Officers                                   Other Ranks

Killed in action                                            1

Wounded                                                                                                           3

Transferred to CARD                                  1

Hospital over 7 days                                                                                       31

Transferred                                                                                                       2

Posted out                                                     2

_______                                              _____

Total                       4                                                 36

STRENGTH INCREASE

Officers                           Other Ranks

Reinforcements                                                2                                  9 (CCRC)

2 (CCBD)

Transferred                                                                                          1

Posted                                                             4 (from T.M)              57 (from T.Ms)

_____                          ___

Total                                                                 6                                 69

Officers                       Other Ranks

EFFECTIVE STRENGTH November 1^st       33                                        748

Decrease                                                            4                                          36

____                               _______

Total                                                               29                                     712

Reinforcements                                                 6                                       69

____                               _____

35                                    781

EFFECTIVE STRENGTH November 30^th   35                                      781

ADDENDA TO WAR DIARY

Regarding Operations of 45^th Battery C.F.A while detached from 9^th Brigade C.F.A. and attached to the 1^st C.M.R. Battalion and 5^th H.L.I. Battalion of the 52^nd Division.  From 6.11.18 to 9.11.18

Place       Date    Hour                                              Summary of Events and Information

6-11-18                        In the morning of 6-11-18 the 45^th Battery was in action at Q.23.d.40.30. (sheet 44) and under orders of C.O. 1^st C.M.R. Battalion.

At 09.00 hours a forward section occupied a position at W.5.b.20.80. and registered upon the following points:- FORT MAZY R.14.d.20.30.  Lone house R.20.b.45.70.  Three twins R.20.d.25.80.  Railway track R.21.c.20.40.

On night of 7-11-18 battery came under orders of 5^th H.L.I. Battalion of the 52^nd Division, who had relieved the 1^st C.M.Rs. Battalion in the line. Battery fired 250 rounds upon registered targets in R.14. R.20. and R.21.

8-11-18                        At 11.00 hours 8-11-18 H.L.I. occupied FORT MAZY and surrounding area which had been evacuated by the enemy.

9-11-18                        At 06.30 Battery moved forward to THULIN  where it rejoined 9^th Brigade C.F.A. at 11.45 hours.