75th Btn, Canadian Expeditionary Force

[wellsms]

Does anyone happen to have a copy of :

'The Dead of the 75th Battalion', by Colonel Donald J. Vance

I'm interested in 210085 Private Harold Edgar Bradleywho was killed on the 30th March 1918

I have his attestation papers and the war diary from the fabulous Canadian websites, and have census and school records, but am looking for anything else that's available for use in a project on the men on the Shipston on Stour War Memorial. As with all of these projects a picture is the holy grail

Thanks in advance

Mike

[Plan]

As with all of these projects a picture is the holy grail

Check the following link every few months, a photograph might get submited. It's surprising.

http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm...casualty=525669

Pascal

[Terry]

Hi Mike,

I have the book, and it is really just a brief summary of the battalion's war service followed by chapters on the fatal casualties.The chapters are divided by year (eg list of those killed in 1916 ), so generally there isn't much information on each individual.

Your man appears in the appropriate chapters, with simply the entry:

Pte. Bradley, Harold E. 210085 orig.unit 98th Bn KIA 30 March,1918 Roclincourt Cemetary . The 75th lost just two men on that day. Some 29 men originally with the 98th Bn died while serving with the 75th (25 in 1917; 4 in 1918).

Hope this helps,

Cheers,

Terry

[wellsms]

Pascal & Terry

Thanks for the replies and links / info.

Harold's attestation papers confirm he enlisted into the 98th, so that's a nice piece of info.

cheers

Mike

[chris.wight]

Mike, have a read of this thread, you may find further details courtesy the Brantford Public Library, link.

Incidentally, I notice that both the CWGC and CVWM have the incorrect Regimental number listed.

[Mike Cross]

Just a little side issue. Private Thomas Weatherhead (Scottish born) was number 210971 and also originally 98th;he was with the 75th when he was admitted to Gravesend Hospital - he was there on Sept 23rd 1918 when he wrote of the conditions the 75th had endured:-

It isn't the fire we fear,

It isn't the bullets that whine,

It isn't the business career,

Of a shell, or the burst of a mine,

It isn't the sniper who seek

To nip our young hopes in the bud,

No - it isn't the guns and it isn't the huns -

It's the Mud - Mud - Mud.

Not high art maybe, and not directly relevant to your research. But a good bit of earthy literature that is a good expression of how one man felt.

MC

[wellsms]

Chris,

An incredibly useful resource which has re-ignited my confusion over Harold Bradley's rank. The Shipston Town memorial says Sergeant Major, as does the digitised copy of the Brant County history.. here.... page 50 of the pdf document

However CWGC says Private, as does the Canadian Book of Remembrance.

Previously I'd assumed - for no good reason I admit - that the town war memorial was wrong, but now I'm begining to wonder!

many thanks again,

cheers

Mike

[chris.wight]

Mike, I think rank is often a problem on Memorials. It could be the rank the man had at time of death was temporary and the CWGC listed their substantive rank.

[Michael Johnson]

Just a little side issue. Private Thomas Weatherhead (Scottish born) was number 210971 and also originally 98th;he was with the 75th when he was admitted to Gravesend Hospital

The 98th Bn. is of some interest to me, as it was from my mother's home town of Welland.

Quite a number of the 98th transferred to the 58th Bn., and many of these were killed or wounded at Regina Trench. I have a BWM to one of them who was wounded.

[Geoffrey]

Hello Mike,

Perhaps this will help.

Brantford Expositor July 30, 1918

HAROLD EDGAR BRADLEY

Company Sergt.-Major Harold Edgar Bradley has been reported killed in action on the Western Front on March 30. Sergt.-Major Bradley enlisted October, 1915, having tried four times to get into the service, and having his persistence finally rewarded. He was employed here for three years by the William Davies Company. In going over to France he reverted to the rank of private and was promoted to lance-corporal on the field. He left Canada with the 75th Battalion.

Cheers,

Geoffrey in Brantford

[Geoffrey]

Hello Mike,

Not a great photograph as it comes from microfilm, but I hope it helps.

Cheers,

Geoffrey

[Guest Brianna]

I'm looking for information about the 75th Battalion (specifically 220039 Sgt. Joseph E. Hockenhull, who died at Vimy)

Are there any useful sites out there?

[Canadawwi]

Brianna,

You may enjoy reading the 75th Battalion war diaries:

75th Battalion War Diaries - NA Canada

In addition, I sent in Joseph Hockenhull's photo to the Canadian Virtual Memorial. (There was nothing else about him in the book other than the photo).

View the photo here:

J. Hockenhull - Canadian Virtual Memorial entry

[Guest Brianna]

Thanks!

[wellsms]

Geoffrey,

I've just been re-reading some of the threads I've started and realised that I'd missed your info and picture of Harold Bradley.

Apologies for taking so long to reply and say thanks, it is very much appreciated. The info is interesting as it sheds a bit more light on the following report of his brothers death, which includes info on Harold.

In early May 1915 the Stratford Herald ran the following item:Recently Mrs A. Bradley of Stratford Road Shipston received a notification from the War Office that one of her sons Rifleman A. Bradley of the Kings Royal Rifles was posted as missing and was believed to be killed. The War Office was communicated with and a reply was received to the effect that enquiries were being made through the American Embassy as to whether or not Pte Bradley was a prisoner in Germany. Sympathy is felt for Mrs Bradley, who is a widow, and has another son in Lord Kitchener`s army who is presently lying ill in hospital in the Isle of Wight. Mrs Bradley’s eldest son, who is a Sgt Major in the Princess Patricia`s Canadian contingent has recently been invalided home suffering from frostbite, but has recently rejoined. He had 15 years active service with Kings Royal Rifles in various parts of the world, going through the South African campaign and was severely wounded in the head in West Africa. Rifleman Bradley`s 19th birthday was on April 14th.

Once again many thanks for taking the time to reply

kind regards

Mike

[GrandsonMichael]

Hi Mike,

A bit beside the original question, but I couldn't help but notice the nonsense in the Stratford Herald.

It is Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and Mrs Bradley’s eldest son was Company Sergeant Major Joseph Henry Bradley with the P.P.C.L.I. He was wounded January 8, 1915 ( gunshot wound in the left cheek) and was struck off strength January 19, 1915. According to his attestation papers (not the original ones) he re-enlisted in January1916. He served with the Kings Royal Rifles for 12 years.

Cheers,

Michael

[Guest borisnatasha]

My great uncle was one of the 75th btn, CEF. He died March 1st 1917 in France. His name was

George Douglas Friend. I was wondering what the book you are talking about has to say about

him if you wouldn't mind doing a lookup for me.

Thank you very much for your help....

Karen

[Borden Battery]

Try these websites from the CEF Study Group's list of Recommended Great War websites. This is a sample of some 500 listed websites. Borden Battery

-----------------------------------------

Library and Archives Canada - Soldiers of the First World War (1914-1918)

Over 600,000 Canadians enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) during the First World War (1914-1918). The CEF database is an index to those personnel files, which are held by the National Archives. To date, over 800,000 images of Attestation papers have been scanned and are being made available on-line. This material can be downloaded at no charge. The file format is a standard JPEG file. From this basic information a researcher can obtain the necessary information to acquire the full military file of a Great War soldier, however, in this latter case there will be a research fee. The CEF Study Group maintains a list of recommended National Archives researchers. [NOTE: Attestation registers (RG 9 II B8 ) contained in volumes 1 to 654 and may only be consulted at the Library and Archives Canada – they are not yet scanned and on-line.][CEF Study Group - Updated July 2006]

http://www.collectionscanada.ca/archivianet/02010602_e.html

Library and Archives Canada - War Diaries of the First World War

This database contains the digitized War Diaries of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) units. From the start of the First World War, CEF units were required to maintain a daily account of their “Actions in the Field.” This log was called a War Diary. The War Diaries are not personal diaries, rather they are a historical record of a unit’s administration, operations and activities during the First World War.

[CEF Study Group - Updated July 2006]

http://www.collectionscanada.ca/archivianet/020152_e.html

Official History of the Canadian Army in the First World War Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1914-1919, Colonel G. W. L. Nicholson, C.D., Army Historical Section

This is the classic reference text [the Bible] for any student of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the Great War. The original textbook is very difficult to obtain, however, the document is now available in the Adobe .pdf format directly from the historical section of the Canadian Armed Forces website. This document can be “key-word” searched for specific military units, locations and dates.

DND website: http://www.forces.gc.ca/hr/dhh/downloads/O...ories/CEF_e.PDF

[Note: The pagination in the on-line document is different than the original document, therefore formal citations with page number references cannot be used. [Note – the CEF Study Group has re-transcribed this complete document as a true facsimile of the original documnent. Go to http://www.cefresearch.com/matrix/Nicholson/ and click on “Transcription” to access the correctly re-paginated document in either Word or Abobe pdf]

*Canadian Great War Project

This site is intended to be used to research Canadians who participated in the Great War 1914-1919. The content is primarily database driven to facilitate searches for information. The extensive site is, and will continue to be, a work in progress, and is becoming a collaborative effort among those interested in researching Canada and the Great War. The site is also developing a database of recommended books and websites. At present there are almost 70,000 records of individual soldiers in the database. Not all entries have full details, these are being built up, soldier by soldier. We are looking for volunteers to help complete these records, and add new soldiers, primarily based upon their attestation papers. [A Marc Leroux website][CEF Study Group - July 2006 - Updated]

http://www.canadiangreatwarproject.com

Regional and Regimental Affiliations of the Canadian Expeditionary Force

The following tables from www.canadiansoldiers.com present a clear outline of the many military units which formed the Canadian Corps during the Great War. Readers not familiar with the Canadian Corps and its sub-units are advised to visit this website first to familiarize themselves. [Also See Part 5][CEF Study Group - July 2006]

http://canadiansoldiers.com/cef/cefregions.htm

*The CEF Paper Trail - Brett Payne Website

An Unofficial Guide to the Official Canadian Army Service Records from the Great War

This project involves collating examples of each type of document found in a soldier's World War 1 Canadian Expeditionary Force Service Records. The guide is designed to show prospective researchers what they may expect in a soldiers' service records. It's important to be aware that you will only find a selection of these records in your particular CEF soldier's file. Brett Payne and other researchers with the CEF Study Group are seeking additional CEF documents. A very well done summary of representative documents and invaluable for any student of the Great War.

[Note: Some images will be slow to load under dial-up access.][CEF Study Group - July 2005]

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~b...rtrail.html#top

*The Matrix Project - Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group

The Matrix Project is a unique element of the CEF Study Group. Initially developed and hosted on an associated CEF member's website, the project is an integral part of the CEFSG. The Matrix is a web-based database of collective information provided by the CEFSG Members and provides information on all of the structure and components of the CEF during 1914 to 1919. The main CEF Matrix (the Army Corps and Army Troops) is supported by a number of "Utility Functions"for both the inexperienced and seasoned researcher. The Utility Functions are: Matrix Updates, Navigation Chart, Unit Summary Tables, Great War Maps, CEF Study Group Recommended Websites, Common Abbreviations, ORBAT Directory, and War Diary Links. The Matrix presents most of the information in a "loosely defined" Order of Battle [ORBAT] format. In addition, the Matrix Section has re-transcribed Official History of the Canadian Army in the First World War Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1914-1919, Colonel G. W. L. Nicholson, C.D. as a true facsimile of the original documnent. [CEF Study Group - Dec 2006 - Updated]

NOTE: A correctly paginated document at with maps and a GoogleEarth overlay is now available at http://cefresearch.com/matrix/Nicholson/ For detailed information on The Matrix please see : http://www.cefresearch.com/matrix/

[jhill]

My great uncle was one of the 75th btn, CEF. He died March 1st 1917 in France. His name was

George Douglas Friend. I was wondering what the book you are talking about has to say about

him if you wouldn't mind doing a lookup for me.

Thank you very much for your help....

Karen

This incident would seem to relate to the infamous gas raid attempted by the 75th and 54th battalions on the Vimy front. There is an account in the March, 1917 folder of the War Diary of the 75th battalion. In brief, a raid was attempted on the German lines after the release of a gas cloud. In the event, the winds were unfavourable, and the raid failed with considerable casualties. Unfortunately, the units War Diaries do not usually mention casualties by name.

[GrandsonMichael]

Hi Karen,

Welcome to this forum.

The book doesn’t say much I’m afraid. Pte. Friend, George D, number 219848, Original Bn. 80th, Date of Death 1 Mar 1917, Commemorated Vimy Memorial.

His original overseas unit was the 80th Canadian Infantry Battalion. Apparently he was transferred in an early stage to the 75th Battalion, 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division, see his attestation papers.

Jhill pointed you in the direction of the War Diary of the 75th Battalion. I happened to have transcribed the relevant entries of the 4th Division War Diary for this disastrous trench raid.

CAMBLAIN L’ABBE March 1917.

“ In accordance with pre-arranged programme, gas was discharged along the Divisional Front at 3.a.m. Owing to change of wind, the second discharge which should have taken place at 4.45 am had to be cancelled.

And:

4th Cdn.Div.

G.52-2

REPORT ON OPERATION WITH GAS ON NIGHT OF FEBRUARY 28th/MARCH 1st. *

OBJECTIVES.

The objectives of the operation were as follows:-

(1) To test the German defences of Hill 145, to see whether he was holding it in strength or not

(2) To reconnoitre the German position with a view to facilitating the actual assault in First Army 1009 G.

(3) To destroy his lines, dugouts and wire.

(4) To kill and capture Germans.

PLAN.

The plan was to install gas along the whole Divisional front, from LASALLE AVENUE S.21.d.8.5. to the left of the Divisional line overlooking SOUCHEZ VALLEY.

The gas was to be discharged as follows:-

A wave of White Star at Zero.

A wave of Red Star at Zero + 2 hours.

An Infantry Advance at Zero + 2 hrs & 40 mins.

The Infantry were to advance on a front of about 2,000 yards, with a strength of about 1 man every 2 yards formed in a wave, followed by strong patrols with demolition materials. The advance to be covered by an 18 pdr. Barrage of 1 gun every 35 yards. The pace of the barrage to be 4 rounds per gun per minute at first, slowing to 2 rounds per gun per minute.

The idea was roughly as follows:-

The White Star wave would incapacitate any Germans caught without masks. The remainder would have had their masks on for a long time, or would be caught by the 2nd Wave of Red Star, if they had taken their masks off.

A machine gun barrage of 70 guns, and heavy Artillery were to completely isolate the area to be raided.

The strength of the advance under the barrage, though weaker than for a regular assault was considered to be sufficient to overcome any opposition likely to remain, if the gas effects were not as great as was expected.

The whole operation was to be completed within 1½ hours, all troops returning to our lines.

The 18 pdr. Barrage was to remain out until all parties were back, in order not to give the fact of the retreat away.

RIGHT BRIGADE.

The attack will be treated in three stages:-

1st Stage – Ending at Zero + 2 hours & 15 minutes.

The operation order is attached, and preparations were carried out in accordance with this.

The wind at Zero hour was approximately W.N.W. and moving at about 5 miles per hour. The first discharge was liberated without difficulty.

The following was the action of the enemy:-

At 3.2 a.m. – several white flairs went up.

At 3.3 a.m. – Scattered rifle fire and a red rocket.

This was succeeded by increasing rifle fire and a great number of red rockets.

At 3.7 a.m. the first enemy shells fell. The barrage was weak.

Our artillery and machine guns opened at 3,15 a.m. and a decrease was noticed in the enemy’s rifle fire and machine gun fire.

By 3.30 a.m. all activity was much reduced and by 4 a.m. when our Heavies ceased, conditions seemed almost normal.

At 4.45 a.m. the wind was about N.W. Only a portion of the 2nd gas wave could be liberated, as the wind was bearing rapidly Northward.

The enemy’s activity was about the same as after the 1st discharge.

By 5.15 a.m. conditions were almost normal.

Our casualties during this stage were about 25 from the enemy’s artillery fire.

2nd Stage. – At about 5.15 a.m. it was still dark. Only an occasional flare was going up. The parties moved forward to the jumping off position in No Man’s Land.

At 5.26 a.m. the heads of our parties had passed our Front line.

A number of white flares went up, and some rifle fire started, steadily increasing.

At 5.27 a.m. 14 red rockets were sent up almost together, as well as many white flares.

By 5.30 a.m. rifle and machine gun fire had become general and the first enemy shells began to fall in front of the Artillery Barrage on the front line Trench and Support Trench.

Our men suffered from the rifle and machine gun fire, but were well in front of the Artillery Barrage.

Our barrage started at 5.40 a.m. according to time.

3rd Stage. – The enemy rifle and machine gun fire notably decreased in volume when our barrage came down but was still heavy and flares continued.

On the right and centre our parties reached the hostile front line where they had a stiff fight but failed to penetrate it.

On the left the parties passed over the hostile front line, killing the Germans in it, reaching their objectives, the craters beyond. They met with heavy opposition. Four dugouts were bombed and it was estimated that about 75 of the enemy were killed. These parties retired after completing their task, with 8 prisoners.

LEFT BDE.

The deployment of the Brigade began when the barrage came down, and was successfully carried out, despite the enemy’s fire, started by the discovery of the 11the Brigade moving forward. As the lines were very close together, the 7 minutes rest on the hostile front trench was sufficient for the Battalions to follow the barrage closely.

The attack formations and the narrative were as follows:-

NUMBERS DEPLOYED IN THE ATTACK.

72nd Battn. 15 Officers. 200 Other Ranks.

73rd Battn. 18 Officers. 460 Other Ranks.

(a) 72nd Battn. 1st WAVE.

NUMBERS. 100 Officers and other ranks and 4 Lewis Guns.

OBJECTIVE. Enemy F.L.T. from S.15.c.4½.2. to S.15.a.2.½.

PATROLS. Five Patrols employed each about 2 Officers and 40 other ranks.

OBJECTIVES.

NO. 1. PATROL Group of Craters S.15.c.9.9. co-operating with patrol from 75th Bn. on Right.

NO. 2. PATROL Crater at S.15.c.8.9.

NO. 3. PATROL To enter KAISER GANG C.T. at S.15.c.8.9½. and bomb up that trench as far as barrage allowed.

NO. 4. PATROL Crater at S.15.a.8.0.

NO. 5. PATROL To enter C.T. at S.15.c.3.9. and meet 73rd at about S.15.a.5½.1½.

(b ) 73rd Battn. 1st WAVE.

NUMBERS. 160 all ranks.

OBJECTIVE. Front line trench from S.15.a.2. ½. to S.9.c.2.2.

2nd WAVE.

NUMBERS. 100 all ranks.

OBJECTIVE. Support Line from S.15.a.6.1½. to S.15.a.5½.6½.

PATROLS. Four patrols each consisting of about 1 Officer and 35 to 40 other ranks.

OBJECTIVES.

No. 1. PATROL. To work up C.T. and join left Patrol, 72nd Bn. at Junction with KAISER GANG at S.15.a.8.2.

No. 2. PATROL To work down C.T. running S.E. from LOVE CRATER and meet No. 3 Patrol at S.15.a.5½.7.

No. 3. PATROL To work up KOCH GANG – To block KOCH GANG between Support and Reserve Lines and mop up Support Lines to the South, joining No. 2 Patrol at S.15.a.5½.7.

No. 4. PATROL To follow No. 3 Patrol up KOCH GANG and mop up Support

Line and get as close to SOUCHEZ GANG as barrage would permit.

2. GAS.

550 Cylinders were in position on the Bde. Front.

1st WAVE OF GAS. (WHITE STAR)

Was released at 3 a.m. (ZERO). Only about 2/3rd of it was let off.

WIND. Good just N. of West. ATMOSPHERE Damp but not raining.

2nd WAVE OF GAS (RED STAR)

Was not released owing to change of Wind to N. of N.W.

LACHRYMATORY SHELLS (4" STOKES)

Three mortars with total of 170 rounds of ammunition placed in position between HHLAN and GOBRON. Owing to faults in the Guns only 60 rounds were fired. Their zone of fire was between ERSATZ CRATER and LOVE CRATER.

3. STOKES MORTARS 3".

12 Mortars were employed in the preliminary bombardment at Zero plus 2 hours 40 minutes.

4. NARRATIVE.

72nd Battalion.

1st Wave and Patrols were in position at 5.45 a.m. in front of front line wire waiting for barrage to lift.

1st WAVE.Occupied enemy front line (Objective) with little opposition.

14 prisoners were captured and several dugouts bombed, one of which was known to be occup-ied. This was destroyed with a mobile charge.

In the mean time the Patrols crossed the Enemy’s front line and proceeded towards their objectives. All succeeded fairly well with the exception of No.1 Patrol, which became slightly disorganized and did not quite reach its objective.

No. 2 PATROL.

Reached its objective, the crater at S.15.c.8.9. Crater was unoccupied and was not fortified.

Wire in good condition and 10 feet deep was reported by this patrol just West of the crater.

No. 3 PATROL. Bombed up KAISER GANG TRENCH destroying one dugout with a mobile charge and bombing three others. It is not known whether any of them were occupied. This patrol was held up by M.G. fire and did not go as far as intended.

No. 4 PATROL. Reached their objective which was the Crater at S.15.a.6.0. but was met by heavy M.G. fire which forced them to take cover in shell holes from which our men retaliated.

No. 5 PATROL. Bombed along C.T. to S.15.c.3.8½. where they were held up by a group of 4 Machine Guns. This Patrol bombed 7 dugouts one of which is known to have been occupied. Known casualties inflicted on the enemy being 25, not including 14 prisoners.

These Patrols commenced withdrawal at 6.35 a.m. and were back in our lines at 6.55 a.m. They suffered most of their casualties during the withdrawal as the enemy followed them closely in very large numbers. 1st Wave commenced withdrawal when all patrols were back.

Whole withdrawal by 72nd Battn. was completed about 7.10 a.m.

73rd Battalion.

Owing to gas being in our F.L.T. between GRANBY and ERSATS C.T. and on account of our artillery barrage being short on the left, attacking troops were compelled to form up just in rear of our front line and in some places in the front line. All went forward when our barrage lifted. Several casualties occurred from enemy’s artillery fire whilst getting into the preparatory position.

1st WAVE. Forced its way into the enemy’s F.L.T. which was extremely heavily held N. of MONTREAL CRATER. North of this it was lightly held, and there was little opposition. Several M.G.’s were smashed and 4 dugouts bombed.

2nd WAVE. Went to enemy’s support line on right, and reached their objective except for about a dozen men on the extreme right.

This wave smashed M.G’s, and bombed 4 dugouts.

This trench East of MONTREAL CRATER was full of men, but on the right, near KAISER GANG, was lightly held, mainly by Machine Guns.

No.1 PATROL.

No.1 Patrol was the last to leave our trench on the way over and was heavily shelled. They crossed the enemy’s first line and towards their objective, which they apparently reached and bombed to within a few yards of the Eastern end. They also however came into machine gun fire from the enemy’s 3rd line and as far as can be learnt it was this which wounded Lieut. Griffiths who has since died.

No.2 PATROL.

No.2 Patrol came into heave shell fire as son as it emerged from our trench, but it got into the enemy’s trench which was heavily held. Officer in command of this Patrol was hit almost immediately. Patrol was unable to make progress owing to the strength of the enemy opposed to it.

No.3. PATROL.

No.3 Patrol went out from Sap B.4 and immediately met heavy rifle fire and machine gun fire and did not get in. The Officer in charge of the patrol with a few men reached the trench, got in, and has not been heard of since. This party did not suffer from shell fire, but principally from machine guns towards their left. They found the trench very heavily held.

No.4. PATROL.

Was to follow No.3 up KOCH GANG, but owing to casualties in the 1st Wave they took the place of part of 1st Wave in holding the enemy’s front line. The Officer 1/c/ this Patrol, Lieut. Hutchison, got back unwounded; after staying in the enemy’s front line until the time for withdrawal.

The partial failure of the operation and the consequent heavy casualties was due to the following causes:-

(1)The lack of effect caused by the 1st Gas discharge of White Star.

(2) The change of wind, which prevented the greater portion of the 2nd wave from being discharged.

(3) The discovery of the 11th Canadian Inf. Bde. advance before it got well clear of our own wire.

The results gained were valuable.

(1) The 12th Canadian Inf. Bde, 73rd and 72nd Battalions reached their objectives at most parts, and two large mine-shafts were blown up, together with some 20 dugouts. A large number of Germans were killed in hand to hand fighting, and 36 prisoners were taken.

It was ascertained that the German front line, and wire in both front lines and Support lines is in a very bad condition. That a large gap in the line exists between the right of the 261st Bn and the 11th Bavarians, which has no trenches as far back as the Sunken Road, roughly from S.15.b.1.1. to the Sunken Road at S.15.a.6.1.

This has been verified from prisoners’ statements.

(2) The 11th Canadian Inf. Bde., 54th and 75th Bns killed a large number of Germans in hand to hand fighting. The German front line is in very bad condition, but the METZ LINE from 21.b.8.4. to S.15.b.4.1. has been cleaned out and was strongly occupied, as were the several parallel lines defending HILL 145.

The men went very well, rallying more than once under their officers, under a very heavy fire from rifles and machine guns.

Unfortunately both the Commanding Officers of the 54th and 75th were killed in rallying their men.

All officers and men showed the highest moral.

Unsigned.

Cheers,

Michael

[Guest borisnatasha]

Thank you so much Borden Battery for all of the links you provided. Thank you JHill for your kind response. And thank you so much to Michael for the kind welcome and the very detailed account of the raid. I really appreciate everybody's help.

Karen (BorisNatasha)

[Borden Battery]

You are most welcome Karen (BorisNatasha) ... and hello GrandsonMicheal.

Borden Battery

[wellsms]

GrandsonMichael,

You are right to comment on the 'nonsense' in the Stratford Herald, but the error is mine not theirs...... I have mixed up two separate families

Joseph Henry Bradley is the eldest son of Amos and Mary Bradley of Stratford Road Shipston. Despite being wounded Joseph survived the war.

Harold Edgar Bradley is the 4th son of Frederick and Harriet Bradley of Husbandmans End, Shipston on Stour. He was killed on the 30th March 1918

It appears that both men had been CSMs and had reverted to lower ranks

The Brantford Expositor of the 30th July 1918 ran the following report:

HAROLD EDGAR BRADLEY Company Sergt.-Major Harold Edgar Bradley has been reported killed in action on the Western Front on March 30. Sergt.-Major Bradley enlisted October 1915, having tried four times to get into the service, and having his persistence finally rewarded. He was employed here for three years by the William Davies Company. In going over to France he reverted to the rank of private and was promoted to lance-corporal on the field. He left Canada with the 75th Battalion.

regards

Mike

[GrandsonMichael]

Hi Mike,

What a coincidence! I retract my criticism on the Stratford Herald.

Thanks for giving this information.

Cheers,

Michael

[Guest vickii]

Hi

I'm looking for information on Private Edwin Jackson (1883 - 1917)

He died in the Battle of Vimy Ridge and he was a soldier from the 75th Battalion.

Could someone help me find information on what the 75th Battalion did on April 9th 1917 apart from the War Diaries.

I did look up info in all the websites you provided for previous requests.

I am more interested in his family tree in England and in Canada, if anyone could help me with that!!

and if someone could get a picture of his tombstone or where he used to live: 407 Brock Ave Toronto Ontario Canada that would be a blessing!

Thank you