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At 5 a.m. on the 2nd an intense barrage opened up and at 6.15 a.m. the Battalion was ordered forward. Several casualties were incurred on the way up by the Bosche shelling. On getting near our jumping-off positions it was seen that the 12th Brigade had only been partially successful and Col. Carey went forward at once to ascertain the situation. on finding the true state of affairs, namely, that the Bosche was putting up a strong resistance, especially on the left, and that the 12th Brigade had not captured all their allotted objectives, but were temporarily held up and had suffered heavy casualties, he immediately stopped the companies from further advancing until the 12th Brigade had finished their job or he received orders to assist them. The 75th, however, on our left, sent word over by Major McDiarmaid, who was acting as liaison officer, that they were going to jump off, and the C.O. sent word up to "A" and "B" Companies, our two leading companies, to do likewise. This they did, and captured the sunken road a few hundred yards ahead at the point of the bayonet. The attack, however, was held up on the left, and until this was cleared up no further advance could be made. As the morning progressed it was seen that our attack would not further materialize that day and that a fresh attack would have to be prepared. We therefore remained just south of Dury in the trenches recently captured. The Battalion had suffered fairly heavily in casualties, among the officers being Lieuts. Kemp, Wallace and Findlay killed and Major Nicholson, O.C. "B" Company, Capt. Jack, O.C. "A" Company, and Lieuts. Adams, Donnelly, Chambers, Leader, Landry, Dignam, Uhthoff, Croden and Thomas wounded.

Our total casualties for this action were:

The remainder of the day was spent in the same position, the 12th Brigade withdrawing their men and the 11th Brigade taking over the whole of the newly-captured front line. At midnight orders were received for a new attack next morning, but these were later cancelled and at daybreak on the 3rd it was seen that the enemy had retired. Immediately the Battalion moved forward to keep in touch with the Bosche. During this movement some French civilians were released, who had been prisoners since 1914. It was found that the Bosche had taken up a defensive line on the eastern side of the Canal du Nord and so we were compelled to establish our line on the western bank, as all bridges over the canal had been destroyed. Headquarters were established in a chateau known as Osvillers Farm, which had been a Bosche Red Cross hospital and from which the Red Cross flag was still flying.

During the next three days several daring reconnaissance's were made of the canal bank and new posts pushed out. While reconnoitering the canal bank our Brigadier, General V. W. Odlum, who was with Col. Carey, was wounded, but not badly. The result of these reconnaissance's established the fact that the Bosche was holding the canal bank strongly and that it would cost too many casualties to attack him there at that time. On the night of the 5th of September we were relieved by the 3rd Division and moved back to our old dugouts at Neuville Vitasse.

We remained here, enjoying fine autumn weather, until the 25th of September, training and reorganizing, a big batch of reinforcements having been received. On the 16th the Corps Commander inspected the brigade and distributed decorations. About this time details of a new attack were given out. This one was to comprise the capture of Bourlon Wood and the pushing on to and capture of Cambrai.

On the night of the 25^th a move forward was made to the concentration area around Bullecourt, where the Battalion was scattered over the old battlefield in shell holes, dugouts, etc. The Battalion moved forward to their assembly area in the old Hindenburg line just west of Inchy en Artois, arriving there at 1 a.m. on a very wet and slippery night.

The 11th Brigade had been given the task of capturing Bourlon Wood after the 10th Brigade had got across the canal, and at zero hour, 5.20 a m. on the 27th of September, commenced to move forward, the 102^nd Battalion leading, followed by the 87th, 54th and 75th Battalions.

The task of this Battalion was to get around the north side of Bourlon Wood and capture the northern and eastern portion of the wood. This brigade was the right unit of the 1st Army in this attack, which was to be on a very large scale, most of the 3rd Army, under General Sir Julian Byng, being engaged. Bourlon Wood was on high, commanding ground and it was vital that this ground should be in our hands before the 3rd Army commenced their attack. Accordingly it was arranged that the 54th Battalion on capturing the eastern side of the wood was to send up a star rocket to signify that this high ground was taken.

The Canal du Nord was crossed without casualties and the Battalion jumped off without delay, and after stiff fighting managed to establish themselves on the eastern side of the wood, sending up the signal that the wood was captured. There it was in a precarious position with both flanks in the air, as the units on the right and left had not managed to get up. A serious counter attack was made on the right flank but was successfully repulsed, as were several others. Later in the day the C.O. after a personal reconnaissance, extended his front down to the right to Fontaine, which was taken by us, in the fighting capturing a German regimental commander and forty other ranks, who confirmed the fact of the Bosche counter attack and stated that he had put in five hundred men against us. This day was one of great memories in the history of the Battalion, both the taking of Bourlon Wood and the repulse of this counter attack being remarkable performances. They were bought with many casualties, however, the officers being Lieuts. Eaton, Lee, Preston, Cronin and R. F. Price killed, and Lieuts. Tobias, Rochester and Seaman wounded. Of these Lieut. Rochester later succumbed to his wounds.

Our total casualties in this attack were:

On the morning of the 28th the 3rd Division passed through our line the way to Cambrai, the Battalion reassembling west of Bourlon Wood and getting part of a night's rest in old cellars, etc. At 6:30 on the morning of the 29^th we moved forward again north of Bourlon village to an assembly position preparatory to putting in a new attack north of Cambrai. Here we waited all day expecting to attack at any time, but it was decided late in the day not to attack until the following morning, and at 4:30 the next morning we moved forward to our jumping-off place, having very considerable difficulty in finding same owing to the darkness and poor guides. At 6 a.m. on the 30^th of Spetember, zero hour, our attack was launched, with the 75^th leading and our Battalion following. The enemy was, however, resisting very strongly, and no headway could be gained. He put down a very heavy barrage on our positions and his shelling was the worst ever experienced by this Battalion. As it was evident he was in considerable force and meant to fight, and as our flanks were not able to get forward, it was decided not to press the attack. Both the 75^th and ourselves suffered very heavy casualties. Among our casualties were Major McDiarmid and Capt. MacQuarrie killed, and Lieut.-Col. Carey. Capt. Foster and our M.O., Capt. Day, and Lieuts. Fitzpatrick, P. Price and major wounded. Of these, Capt. Foster later died of wounds. It is impossible to pass over this incident without referring to the great and terrible loss which the death of Capt. Foster, our Adjutant, was to the Battalion.

From the time of mobilization in Canada to the day he was wounded he was one of the principal figures of the Battalion, first as Quarter-master, where he easily outshone every other quartermaster in the division, and later as Adjutant. He was thoroughly reliable and hard-working, and it is no exaggeration to say that Capt. Foster, was in large measure, responsible for the good work and general efficiency of the Battalion. Poor old Foster, how we wish you were here with us now!

The same, to a considerable extent, applies to Major McDiarmid and Capt. McQuarrie. The former, one of the original 67^th officers, had always done good work for the Battalion and it was largely owing to him that the Battalion obtained its high reputation for the working parties in the line and sports out of the line. Capt. McQuarrie was the most popular officer with all ranks. Twice previously wounded while fighting the Bosche, his whole object was to get back to the old Battalion and do his bit, and his personal influence was at all times evident when he was with the Battalion. Always cheerful and merry, he set a high standard to those under him.

Our total casualties were:

Headquarters of the Battalion remained all day in an open trench just west of the Cambrai-Douai road, where our gallant Colonel was to be seen with his wound bandaged up, sticking it out, but looking very ill and by his conduct setting a very fine example to all. Later in the day he moved over to a wooden shanty which we shared as headquarters with the 102^nd Battalion. During the afternoon of the 30^th the Brigadier came round with the details of a fresh attack on the morrow, in which the 102^nd was to play a leading part, and we were to be in reserve. We at once took over the line running along the railway cut, Lieut. Seaman being in command of our forward troops, and hold it until the following morning, when the attack started under cover of darkness at 5 o'clock. This went very well for a time. Later, however, the Hun began pouring in reinforcements and put up a big resistance. After much stubborn fighting, which lasted all day and in which the whole 11th Brigade became involved, a definite line was established well ahead, just south of Cuvillers. During this day Col. Carey had command of all the forward troops of the brigade. This line was handed over to the 2nd Division in the early hours of the morning of the 2nd of October, the Battalion moving back to near Bourlon village, and later in the day to Pronville, on the other side of the Canal du Nord, taking up its abode in the cellars of the ruined houses of that one-time village.

So ended the most strenuous few days in the history of the Battalion, starting with the move up for the Bourlon Wood "show" on the 26th of September and ending with the fighting on the 1st of October and arrival in billets on the 2nd of October. Everyone was fairly well tired out and the rough, cold cellars were almost like home again.

It should be mentioned that a big portion of the last few days' fighting was done with our flanks "up in the air," and owing to this it was impossible to get ahead, in many cases.

At this point it should be stated that great praise is due to the Transport and Quartermaster's sections of the Battalion. In spite of the very strenuous times, and by exceedingly hard work on their part, our rations were always delivered to us, wherever we were, on time. Men in the line often did not appreciate the tremendous difficulties which had to be overcome by the supply department before they received their rations. often moved daily, and sometimes twice a day, from one lot of quarters to another, which always means loading and unloading, often given an open field in which to bivouac in spite of the weather, at this time of the year wet and cold, the Transport and Quartermaster's departments always made good, and praise cannot be too high for their admirable work and uncomplaining cheerfulness and willingness to do anything in their power for the boys in the line. Of course our worthy Quartermaster and Transport officer sometimes lost their hair, but that is the way of ............... and was, under the circumstances, quite excusable. It is, however, hardly to be wondered at that these sections were so efficient with such people as Capt. L. M. Richardson, Lieuts. Cory and Thomas, B.Q.M.S. Telford and Q.M.S Gill, Sinclair, Hardy and Bowyer and Sergt. Lindsay on the job. About this time our R.S.M. W. J. Toms, left us, and C.S.M. A. E. Haines was appointed R.S.M. in his place.

A quiet few days were spent at Pronville, training, rest and absorption of reinforcements being the order of the day until the night of the 8th, when we moved away by bus (and what a ride!) back to the "Y" huts near Arras. There we were given to understand we were to spend at least 14 days in training, and arrangements were made accordingly. Owing, however, to the great success of the British arms, which were defeating the Bosche everywhere and compelling him to retreat on a large scale all along the line, it was found by the higher authorities that every division must be used to take advantage thereof and thus endeavor to bring the war to an end before winter set in. Accordingly we received our marching orders for the 14th and that day saw us take the train at Agnez les Duisans. This was a record train journey, as it took 12 hours to go a distance, as the crow flies, of about 12 or 15 miles. However, we arrived at our destination at about midnight, taking up our billets in the ruined old village of Rumaucourt, where the transport, which had gone by road, met us and provided us with blankets, bed rolls and a hot meal..

Later in the day on the 15th we moved forward and took over the front line along the Canal de la Sensee, facing north, relieving an Imperial battalion. As it was expected the Bosche would be retiring on this front we were given a long line to hold and were ordered to make attempts to cross the canal and find out what he intended to do. As, however, he held the line fairly strongly, and as there were no bridges across the canal, it was not possible for us without incurring heavy casualties, to get over. One man, Cpl. Langford of "D" Company, managed it, but had to return at dusk. However, on the night of the 17^th the Hun did withdraw and we immediately crossed over and followed him up in conjunction with the remainder of the division. At 8 o'clock the following morning Capt. Raphael, in charge of the leading companies, was in touch with him again at Palleul, and then the 102^nd took over the front. A series of alternative moves now took place, first the 102^nd Battalion and then ourselves being in front. In this way we advanced through Palleul, Auberchicourt, Abscon and Escaudain to the north of Denain. Most of these villages were full of French civilians who had been in the Hun's hands since 1914. Their joy at being liberated knew no bounds and the good people were a serious hindrance and nuisance to our troops, who were continually compelled to fight.

The night of the 19^th saw us just west of Haveluy, north of Denain. At 1 a.m. on a very wet night the Brigadier visited the Battalion headquarters and instructed the C.O. that the Battalion was to attack and take Haveluy at daybreak and push on the outskirts of Valenciennes. Accordingly we advanced and took Haveluy, but were held up all along the line just east of this place and Denain. As we were holding a very extended front and as the Bosche as evidently in the process of a big retreat, it was not considered advisable, in order to keep down casualties, to press him hard, so we remained where we were all day. During the night of the 20^th our patrols went out far ahead and found that the Bosche had again withdrawn, so that early the next morning the 87^th passed through us and continued the advance up to Valenciennes, we had the misfortune to lose a friend, the "Doc." Who went out wounded. Capt. Day had been with us for a long time and had endeared himself to all by his kindly consideration and treatment of all ranks. Here was a man who had come out to do his bit and had stuck to it in spite of some very tempting offers of more "cushy" jobs and promotions. All credit to him. Capt. Day had always a very fine section under him, the M.O.'s staff and stretcher-bearers being second to none in their self-sacrificing work.

This advance entailed a lot of hard work on our signallers under Lieut. Moore, and great praise is due to them for their labors. They laid practically the whole line from the Canal de le Sensee up to Bellaing, and in addition had to man sometimes three stations at once and also attend to repairs.

While here our C.O., Col. Carey, returned, having only partially recovered from his wound received on the 30^th of September. He could not keep away when there was anything on and it is believed that the biggest disappointment of his life was to miss our advance from the Canal de le Sensee up to Bellaing, the only thing he ever was out of while with the Battalion.

We remained at Bellaing for some days and while here we were honored by a visit from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who had a look around our billets and chatted with several of the men.

Major G.S.W. Nicholson, M.C., came back to us here after being wounded at Arras.

The whole western side of Valenciennes had been badly flooded by the Bosche and it was therefore impossible to advance further in this direction. It was decided to make a flanking movement on the town from the south and to this end we moved to Prouvy, near Denain, on the 31^st. An attack was commenced on the 1^st of November by the 10^th Brigade, which was very successful, and this Battalion was ordered to be ready to move forward and exploit the attack during the day. Accordingly at 3 p.m. we moved forward, having to take a very circuitous route owing to the inundations, and by 10 p.m. had taken over the front line from the 46^th Battalion just southeast of Valenciennes.

A big attack was planned for the following morning, to be made with the largest artillery concentration yet known on the western front. It was ascertained, however, that that there were some 3,000 civilians in the town of Marly, who, if this artillery barrage had been put on, would have suffered severely. At the last minute, therefore, Col. Carey got this cancelled and undertook to gain possession of the town by advancing independently by means of patrols.

During the night our men pushed forward and at 5.50 on the morning of the 2^nd of November the companies advanced and in spite of severe opposition reached the town of Marly. Considerable street fighting ensued, as enemy machine guns were encountered at all corners and from the southern end of Valenciennes, but this did not stop us from taking Marly, which was in our hands at 7.10 a.m. During the day a definite line was established about 1,000 yards east of the town. It was found to be correct that a large number of civilians were in the town, the figure of 3,000 being about right. During the night the Hun withdrew and at dawn a general advance was ordered. Our patrols soon came in contact with the enemy and some tough fighting ensued, during which we captured the village of Estruex. At 1 p.m. the 75^th leap-frogged through us. During this fighting Lieut. J.H. Orr, M.C., was severely wounded and died later at the C.C.S., and Lieuts. Burnham and Lyle were slightly and C.S.M. Hillerby badly wounded. This was the last scrap of the old Battalion, as the Armistice was signed on the 11^th of November.

Our total casualties for this fighting were:

During the whole period of our existence our Battalion cooks had, without any show or ostentation, done their bit in a thorough and efficient manner. First under Sergt. Morgan and later under Sergt. Aylward, they certainly played the game. Up at all hours of the day and night, they never failed to deliver the goods, and taking the whole of their work they were probably the hardest worked section in the Battalion.

Praise must also be given to the Orderly Room staff, who worked very hard at all hours and without whom the work of the Battalion would have stopped running.

We rested in Marly until the 6th of November, when we were relieved by the 5th Brigade and moved back to billets in Anzin. For the first time for over two years, during the period in France, every man had a bed and was really comfortable. To celebrate the signing of the Armistice the officers gave a dinner on the 13th, at which the chief figures of the corps, division and brigade were present.

News was received that the whole Canadian Corps was to take part in the march to the Rhine and form part of the Army of occupation. To carry this out we left Anzin on the 15th, stayed at Quievrain for the night, and arrived at La Bouverie on the 16th, where we remained for five days, moving off again to Barthelemy, near Mons, on the 20^th of November. While at La Bouverie all ranks of the Battalion were given a magnificent reception. As we were the first Allied troops to stay in the town since the war commenced it was a matter of unusual significance to the good inhabitants They could not do enough for us and on King Albert's birthday, the 17th, the Battalion attended a celebration service at the local church, the C.O. afterwards being presented with a public address of welcome by the mayor. On leaving here the children gave the colonel a beautiful bouquet of flowers, which was carried at the head of the Battalion.

On all our marches our little old battle flag, borne aloft by Pte. Coulter, was conspicuous at the head of the Battalion. This flag had been through every scrap of the Battalion since the days of Vimy Ridge marking the position of Battalion headquarters, and had often been shelled.

Now began one of the most trying periods of our time in Europe. The war was over, training had lost its "zip," and the problem was how best to pass the time away and relieve the monotony. All were anxious to get back to their homes in Canada, but it was realized that there had to be system in the thing and that everyone could not go back at once. Accordingly every endeavor was made to get educational classes going, with the idea of providing occupation and enabling men to rub up their knowledge of previous occupations and to teach new subjects to those desirous of learning. It was not found possible to start this work at Barthelemy owing to the poor accommodation, but once established at Jauche (which was reached on the 17th of December after staying on the way at La Louviere, Courcelles, Tongrinne and Thorambais les Beguinnes), the classes were put in fun operation, there being numerous rooms in the town well adapted for the purpose. Among other subjects were English literature, French, drawing, shorthand, motor mechanics, agriculture and civics. Capt A.E. Burnham, M.C., was appointed Battalion Educational Officer, and owing to his efforts it was a great success and relieved many a weary hour.

It should be mentioned here in passing that on our frequent moves both in November and now, it was most interesting to meet the repatriated French and Belgians. Directly after the Armistice the roads were lined with these people, having all kinds of vehicles containing their possessions some pulled by oxen, others partly by cows and partly by horses, and more still by human labor, old men and women even assisting.

While at Jauche Christmas Day came round. This was a remarkable day for us. Everyone sat down to a good dinner of turkey, plum pudding etc. After this was over dancing and concerts were indulged in to a late hour. Major Nicholson and Lieut. Graves were the means of the 11th Brigade getting their turkey, etc. They made two special trips down to Boulogne for the purpose and arrived back with the goods two days before Christmas.

During December both Captains F. D. Smith, M.C., and T. S. McLanders returned, having recovered from their wounds.