You won't believe this!

[182 CEF]

Well I mentioned last year that I had bought a WW1 German Battery Commanders Range Finders, the complete unit came with a leather box that contains a quick reckoning device that sits on top of the tri-pod in place of the "mule ears" the box also contains the original German range cards. I bought this from the family of Capt. Howard, 13th Battn CEF, who had brought it back. Painted on one of the Barrels is "Loaned to the 5th ?? CEF" and on the other Barrel (mule ear) is painted

"From the 13th Battn CEF" Now Capt Howard was the A/Adj of the 13th for a short time, July 1918 until Sept 9th 1918 when he went on leave. On Aug 8 1918, Cpl Good of the 13th Battn, along with 3 other men, went forward and Captured a Battery of 5.9 guns that were in action. Cpl Good "won" the VC for this action. Since Howard was with the Battn for such a short time, and the time includes the date of Aug 8, it is very possible that the Range Finders were captured along with the Battery of 5.9s when Cpl. Good won his VC.

Some time ago (about 7-9 years ago) the Family of Howard lent his diary to a reporter for a London (Ontario) newspaper. He wanted to print Howards thoughts of Nov 11th 1918, for an anaversy story. The family never got the diary back, so his Grandaughter is trying to track down this reporter, perhaps the Range Finders will be mentioned in it.

Dean Owen

Whitby Ontario

[pgis]

interesting story.please keep us informed of the outcome.

paul

[DCLI]

I bet the family are miffed by the loss of the diary. Lesson - don't lend original paperwork to starngers - make copies to be lent. If it was me I harras the editor of the paper daily until it was returned.

regards to all