38th Battalion, CEF
Encyclopedia
Canadian Expeditionary Force
The Canadian Expeditionary Force was the designation of the field force created by Canada for service overseas in the First World War. Units of the C.E.F. were divided into field formation in France, where they were organized first into separate divisions and later joined together into a single...
. It was mobilized in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
and recruited in Ottawa, Brockville, Perth
Perth, Ontario
Perth is a town in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario, Canada . It is located on the Tay River, 83 km southwest of Ottawa, and is the seat of Lanark County.-History:...
, Prescott
Prescott, Ontario
Prescott is a town of approximately 4,180 people on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River in Leeds and Grenville United Counties, Ontario, Canada. The Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge, 5 km east of Prescott in Johnstown, connects it with Ogdensburg, New York...
and Alexandria. An initial draft of five officers and 251 other ranks was sent to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on June 24, 1915. The battalion embarked at Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
on August 1, 1915, aboard the Caledonian
Caledonian
Caledonian is a geographical term used to refer to places, species, or items in or from Scotland, or particularly the Scottish Highlands. It derives from Caledonia, the Roman name for the area of modern Scotland...
, disembarking in Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
on August 12, 1915. Its strength was 35 officers and 959 other ranks. The battalion embarked at Bermuda on May 30, 1916, aboard the Grampian
Grampian
Grampian was a local government region of Scotland from 1975 to 1996. It is now divided into the unitary council areas of:*Moray*Aberdeenshire*City of AberdeenThe region had five districts:*Aberdeen*Banff and Buchan...
, disembarking in England on June 9, 1916. Its strength was 35 officers and 1001 other ranks. The battalion arrived in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
on August 13, 1916, becoming part of the 4th Canadian Division
4th Canadian Division
The Canadian Corps - 4th Canadian Division – World War I:The 4th Canadian Division was formed in the Britain in April 1916 from several existing units and others scheduled to arrive shortly thereafter. Under the command of Major-General David Watson, the Division embarked for France in August of...
, 12th Canadian Infantry Brigade. It was later reinforced by the 7th Canadian Reserve Battalion. The battalion returned to England on May 6, 1919, arrived in Canada on June 13, 1919, was demobilized in Ottawa on June 15, 1919 and was disbanded by General Order 149 of September 15, 1920.
Organisation and colours
The battalion supported a brass bandBrass band
A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting entirely of brass instruments, most often with a percussion section. Ensembles that include brass and woodwind instruments can in certain traditions also be termed brass bands , but are usually more correctly termed military bands, concert...
, whose battalion air was the medley of Will ye no come back again, and Ye'll tak the high road. The battalion colours, donated by the Ottawa Home Guard, were presented by Sir Joseph Pope
Joseph Pope
Sir Joseph Pope, KCMG CVO ISO was a Canadian public servant. He was Private Secretary to Sir John A. Macdonald from 1882 to 1891 and Assistant Clerk to the Privy Council & Under Secretary of State for Canada from 1896 to 1926.He married Marie-Louise-Joséphine-Henriette Taschereau in...
on August 1, 1915 and deposited in Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
on July 12, 1916. They were returned to Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
and deposited temporarily in Chalmers Church in 1919. Later, they were transferred to the Ottawa Regiment. The 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion is perpetuated by The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa
The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa
The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces.-History:The 1st Volunteer Militia Rifle Company of Ottawa was formed on April 3, 1856. At that time, the bulk of Canada's militia existed as small, independent companies scattered throughout the provinces...
.
Battle honours
- Somme, 1916
- Ancre HeightsBattle of the Ancre HeightsThe Battle of the Ancre Heights was a prolonged battle of attrition in October 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. Lieutenant General Hubert Gough's Reserve Army had finally managed to break out of the positions it had occupied since the start of the Somme fighting and Gough intended to maintain...
- Ancre, 1916Battle of the AncreThe Battle of the Ancre was the final act of the 1916 Battle of the Somme. Launched on 13 November 1916 by the British Fifth Army of Lieutenant General Hubert Gough, the objective of the battle was as much political as military.-Prelude:The Allied commanders were due to meet at Chantilly on 15...
- Arras, 1917Battle of Arras (1917)The Battle of Arras was a British offensive during the First World War. From 9 April to 16 May 1917, British, Canadian, New Zealand, Newfoundland, and Australian troops attacked German trenches near the French city of Arras on the Western Front....
and 1918 - Vimy, 1917Battle of Vimy RidgeThe Battle of Vimy Ridge was a military engagement fought primarily as part of the Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the Canadian Corps, of four divisions, against three divisions of the German Sixth Army...
- Ypres, 1917
- Passchendaele
- Amiens
- Scarpe, 1918
- Drocourt-QuéantDrocourt-QuéantThe Drocourt-Quéant Line was a set of mutually supporting defensive lines constructed by Germany between the French cities of Drocourt and Quéant during World War I...
- Hindenburg Line
- Canal du NordBattle of the Canal du NordThe Battle of Canal du Nord was part of a general Allied offensive against German positions on the Western Front during the Hundred Days Offensive of World War I. The battle took place in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, along an incomplete portion of the Canal du Nord and on the outskirts...
- Valenciennes
- SambreBattle of the Sambre (1918)The Second Battle of the Sambre was part of the final European Allied offensives of World War I.-Background:...
- France and Flanders, 1916-18Western Front (World War I)Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
38th Ottawa Overseas Battalion
The 38th Battalion was authorised on December 28, 1914 under the command of Lieut. Col. R. Gordon Stewart (son of Ottawa politician Robert StewartRobert Stewart (Canadian politician)
Robert Stewart was a Canadian politician.He was born in Ottawa, Ontario, the son of William Stewart and Sarah Jane Donaldson, migrants from Northern Ireland...
), commanding officer of the 43rd Duke of Cornwall's Own Regiment, Ottawa, although recruiting had gone on since November. It was the first complete infantry unit to be raised in Ottawa; its crest bears the city's motto, "Advance". In January 1915, Col. Stewart was appointed Brigade Major of the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd division; Lieut. Col. C. M. Edwards (also an officer of the D. C. O. R.) was given command of the 38th.
Recruiting
In January 1915, arrangements were made to utilize the former Ottawa Ladies' College for battalion headquarters. On February 5 the 38th took charge of the building, and on February 8 the first daily orders were posted. The first company to be organized was A Company, under the command of Capt. R. F. Parkinson of the 43rd Regiment; its personnel was largely made up of the old 43rd.B Company was also recruited by the end of January under the command of Capt. A. C. Ross of the Governor-General
Governor-General
A Governor-General, is a vice-regal person of a monarch in an independent realm or a major colonial circonscription. Depending on the political arrangement of the territory, a Governor General can be a governor of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above "ordinary" governors.- Current uses...
's Foot Guards
Foot Guards
-British Army:The Foot Guards are the Regular Infantry regiments of the Household Division of the British Army. There have been six regiments of foot guards, five of which still exist. The Royal Guards Reserve Regiment was a reserve formation of the Household Brigade in existence from 1900-1901...
. C Company was mobilized in the outlying districts of eastern Ontario (headquartered at Smith's Falls) under the command of Capt. A. W. Gray. D Company was supplied entirely from the Officers' Training Corps of McGill University, with Capt. Gregor Barclay in command.
Training
Initial training was carried out in Ottawa; in April 1915 the Battalion was inspected at Lansdowne Park by HRH the Duke of Connaught, who was enthusiastic about the efficiency the Battalion had reached. The 38th left Ottawa for Barriefield Camp on May 25. Soon after its arrival, it was required to provide a complete company for a reinforcing draft to proceed overseas immediately. D Company was chosen, and sailed May 29, 1915 from Montreal on the NorthlandNorthland
Northland may refer to:Places:* Northland , an electoral district in New Zealand* Northland, Wellington, a suburb of Wellington, New Zealand...
. A replacement D Company was organized in eastern Ontario under the command of Capt. W. S. Wood.
A second reinforcing draft was ordered from the 38th; 5 officers and 250 other ranks were selected from A, B, and C Companies to complete this draft. Commanded by Capt. A. C. Ross, it included the following officers: Lieut. A. C. Fraser of A Company, Lieut. B. R. Bechel of B Company, Lieut F. Smyth of C Company and Lieut. A. B. Parker of D Company, and sailed from Montreal on the Missanable June 24, 1915. In July, tOn the night of July 31 they embarked on the Caledonian
Caledonian
Caledonian is a geographical term used to refer to places, species, or items in or from Scotland, or particularly the Scottish Highlands. It derives from Caledonia, the Roman name for the area of modern Scotland...
at Montreal. The transport proceeded down the Gulf of St. Lawrence but was ordered back to Quebec owing to the supposed presence of submarines off the Atlantic coast. The Battalion disembarked at Levis and two days later proceeded to Halifax by train. The ship sailed to Halifax without the troops and picked the 38th up there on August 7. They sailed on August 8 and landed in Bermuda on August 13, 1915.he 38th was ordered to complete its training and relieve the British battalion performing garrison duty in Bermuda. HRH the Duke of Connaught again inspected the Battalion, pointing out that the 38th would be the first regiment (other than regular troops) to occupy the Bermuda station—one of the most important military and naval bases of the empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
.
Before the battalion left Ottawa on July 31, 1915 the regimental colours were consecrated by the Battalion Chaplain, Capt. H. I. Horsey, and presented by HRH the Duke of Connaught. The original colour party
Color guard
In the military of the United States and other militaries, the color guard carries the National Color and other flags appropriate to its position in the chain of command. Typically these include a unit flag and a departmental flag...
was composed of Lieuts. Stronach and R. F. Greene and Company Sgt. Majors Carroll, Wilkinson and Vance. On the night of July 31 they embarked on the Caledonian
Caledonian
Caledonian is a geographical term used to refer to places, species, or items in or from Scotland, or particularly the Scottish Highlands. It derives from Caledonia, the Roman name for the area of modern Scotland...
at Montreal. The transport proceeded down the Gulf of St. Lawrence, but was ordered back to Quebec due to the suspected presence of submarines off the Atlantic coast. The battalion disembarked at Levis, and two days later proceeded to Halifax by train. The ship sailed on to Halifax and picked up the 38th August 7. They sailed on August 8, landing in Bermuda on August 13.
Officers
When the battalion left Canada, the officers were:- Commanding Officer: Lieut. Col. C. M. Edwards
- Second-in-Command: Major C. Ferguson
- Adjutant: Capt. E. R. McNeill
- A Company: Capts. R. F. Parkinson, T. B. Byrne, Lts. R. B. Greene, W. B. McGloughlin, R. S. Stronach, E. C. H. Moore, T. H. Warren
- B Company: Capts. J. A. C. Macpherson, T. W. MacDowell, Lts. A. Rieffenstein, J. G. Wallace, L. L. Richard, K. A. Greene
- C Company: Capts. R. W. Stewart, W. A. Morrison, Lts. H. C. Graves, T. H. Hill, J. R. Morris, J. E. Muckle
- D Company: Capts. W. S. Wood, A. A. Sears, Lts. P. H. Gardner, G. S. MacFarlane, W. J. Wilby, R. F. Zeigler
- Quartermaster: Capt. B. A. Oliver
- Paymaster: Capt. H. A. Folkins
- Chaplain: Capt. H. I. Horsey
- Medical Officer: Capt. J. H. Munro
- Machine Gun Officer: Lieut. G. G. Bell
- Signal Officer: Lieut. J. Glass
Garrison duty in Bermuda
The unit was welcomed by the Governor General of Bermuda, Lieut. General Sir George Bullock. Headquarters for D Company and half of C Company were located at Prospect Barracks, HamiltonHamilton, Bermuda
Hamilton is the capital of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is the territory's financial centre and a major port and tourist destination.-Geography:...
; A Company were at the Naval Station, Ireland Island
Ireland Island, Bermuda
Ireland Island is the northwesternmost island in the chain which comprises Bermuda. It forms a long finger of land pointing northeastwards from the main island, the last link in a chain which also includes Boaz Island and Somerset Island. It lies within Sandys Parish, and forms the northwestern...
and the other half of C Company were at St. Davids
St. David's Island, Bermuda
St. David's Island is one of the main islands of Bermuda. It is located in the far north of the territory, one of the two similarly sized islands that makeup the majority of St...
. Active training and garrison duties were immediately begun and with the assistance of Imperial Army Instructors, the battalion reached a high state of efficiency. On February 8, 1916 the 38th was inspected by His Excellency the Governor-General of Bermuda, who forwarded official reports to the British War Office and militia headquarters at Ottawa declaring the unit fit to take its place in the field alongside the finest regiments in the British Army.
The 163rd Regiment reached Bermuda on May 29, 1916 to relieve the 38th and the latter sailed for Davenport, England on May 31. They arrived on June 13, and proceeded to Camp Borden. On the following day the 38th was inspected by Major-General D. Watson, G. O. C. of the newly-formed 4th Canadian Division, who was so favourably impressed with the unit's standard of efficiency that he accepted it for his division. The 38th became a unit of the 12th Canadian Infantry Brigade at Bramshott Camp, commanded by Brig. General Lord Brooke. On July 1 the 38th (and the rest of the 4th Canadian Division) was inspected by His Majesty the King. Early in August, embarkation orders for the 4th Division were received; the 38th sailed from Southampton to Le Havre on August 13. Two days later they entrained for Poperinghe, Belgium, reaching there on August 17. That evening half the battalion (A and C Companies, commanded by Major Parkinson) was sent forward to support trenches east of Ypres; by morning, they had received their baptism of shell fire.
Into the line
The battalion took over the front line immediately east of Kemmel Hill (the southern end of the Ypres salient), where they remained until September 23, 1916. On that date, the 38th (and other units of the 4th Canadian Division) began its march south to join the remainder of the Canadian Corps in the Somme operations. A stop of one week was made near the village of Epileque for refitting and training. The battalion entrained at Saint-OmerSaint-Omer
Saint-Omer , a commune and sub-prefecture of the Pas-de-Calais department west-northwest of Lille on the railway to Calais. The town is named after Saint Audomar, who brought Christianity to the area....
, reaching Canaas on October 9 and bivouacking
Military camp
A military camp or bivouac is a semi-permanent facility for the lodging of an army. Camps are erected when a military force travels away from a major installation or fort during training or operations, and often have the form of large campsites. In the Roman era the military camp had highly...
on the west slope of Tara Hill. Until November 17, the 38th was occupied with work parties and periods in the front line.
Desire Trench
On November 17, the 38th took over a section of front line from the 11th Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers as part of the attack on Desire Trench and GrandcourtGrandcourt, Somme
Grandcourt is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:Grandcourt is situated on the D151 road, some northeast of Amiens, on the banks of the Ancre river.-Population:-External links:*...
. The 38th went "over the top" for the first time on November 18 and all objectives were gained. The battalion had about 500 casualties, including 5 officers killed and 11 wounded. The regiment was relieved on November 20, and what was left of it returned to Albert
Albert, Somme
Albert is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.It is located about halfway between Amiens and Bapaume.-History:Albert was founded as a Roman outpost called Encre, in about 54 BC...
. After several days of reorganization, the march to the Vimy Ridge front
Battle of Vimy Ridge
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a military engagement fought primarily as part of the Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the Canadian Corps, of four divisions, against three divisions of the German Sixth Army...
began. The first three weeks of December were spent billet
Billet
A billet is a term for living quarters to which a soldier is assigned to sleep. Historically, it referred to a private dwelling that was required to accept the soldier....
ed in Bruay-la-Buissière
Bruay-la-Buissière
Bruay-la-Buissière is a commune and seat of a canton in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:...
where reinforcements were received, bringing the unit up to strength. The commander of the Canadian Corps, General Sit Julian Byng, inspected the 38th on December 14. On Christmas night 1916 the 38th went into the line on Vimy Ridge at Souchez
Souchez
Souchez is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:Souchez lies north of Arras, at the junction of the D937, D57 and D58 roads. The small river Souchez, a tributary of the Deûle, flows through the town.-Population:-Places of interest:* The...
, relieving the 13th Royal Highlanders of Montreal. From then until the attack on April 9, the battalion remained on the front. Many patrol encounters took place in No Man's Land; on February 22 the 38th raided the enemy's front line with a party of 125, inflicting heavy casualties.
To Vimy
The 38th was relieved on March 28 and went into brigade support, returning to the line on the evening of April 4 ready for the "big show". When the attack began on April 9, the task assigned the battalion was an objective well over the crest of the ridge; before evening, all objectives had been gained. Casualties were about 400 including Lieut. Col. Edwards, who was wounded. Major R. F. Parkinson assumed command of the battalion during Col. Edwards' three-month absence. The 38th was relieved on April 13 and was withdrawn to Hersin-CoupignyHersin-Coupigny
Hersin-Coupigny is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:A farming town situated some west of Lens, at the junction of the D301 and the D65 roads.-Population:-Places of interest:...
for reorganization. They returned to the line on April 19, taking up a position east of Vimy Ridge near Lens
Lens, Pas-de-Calais
Lens is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France. It is one of France's large Picarde cities along with Lille, Valenciennes, Amiens, Roubaix, Tourcoing, Arras, and Douai.-Metropolitan area:...
. From June 26–28, the 38th captured the towns of La Coulotte and Avion
Avion, Pas-de-Calais
Avion is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:An ex-coalmining industrial town, with a little farming, situated just south of Lens at the junction of the N17, D40 and D55 roads.-Population:...
; meeting particularly stubborn resistance in Avion, the battalion's casualties during this three-day period were about 250.
They were relieved the night of July 1, and withdrawn for three weeks of reorganization and training. King George V
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
inspected the regiment on July 11; August and September were spent in the line at Avion, and on October 4 it was learned that instead of using the Canadian Corps to attack the Mericout-Sallauminee Ridge, they were to be sent back to the Ypres front to take part in the Passchendaele operations. By mid-October, the 38th was en route to Belgium. On their way a week was spent near Staple
Staple, Nord
-References:*...
; on the last day of their stay there the battalion was inspected by the Duke of Connaught, who had last seen the unit on Parliament Hill in Ottawa during summer 1915. From Staple the 38th moved to Ypres by motor lorries and went into the front line on October 28, attaching to the 12th Brigade on the morning of October 30. The 38th's objective was the outlying defences of the town of Passchendaele, and this had been gained by the end of the day. They were relieved the night of November 3, after suffering about 400 casualties.
On November 5, 1917, the 38th moved From Ypres to Lozinghem
Lozinghem
Lozinghem is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:Lozinghem is situated some west of Béthune and southwest of Lille, at the junction of the D188 and D183 roads.-Population:-Places of interest:...
for a month's rest and in December again went into the line at Avion. A busy winter was spent in this area, the battalion holding various sectors of the front from Oppy
Oppy, Pas-de-Calais
Oppy is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:Oppy is situated northeast of Arras, at the junction of the D33, D48 and D50 roads.-Population:-Places of interest:...
in the south to Loos
Loos-en-Gohelle
Loos-en-Gohelle is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:A former coal mining town, three miles northwest of the centre of Lens, at the junction of the D943 and the A21 autoroute. Its nearest neighbours are Lens to the south, Grenay to the...
in the north. The week beginning March 17, 1918 was marked by five separate German raids on the 38th Battalion front in one week. However, not one enemy soldier was able to penetrate the front line. The raiding parties numbered 50 to 200 men each time. When the German offensive began on March 21, 1918, the 38th were holding the line at Hill 70 and remained there for one week. On March 28 the battalion (along with the rest of the 4th Division) was rushed four miles south to relieve a British division which had been pushed back nearly two miles that day. They remained in this vicinity until the middle of May when the Canadian Corps was withdrawn into GHQ Reserve, where time was spent learning the new kind of warfare which the German offensive had made necessary. The 38th went back into the line just north of Arras
Second Battle of the Somme (1918)
During the First World War, the Second Battle of the Somme of 1918 was fought on the Western Front from the end of the summer, in the basin of the Somme River...
on July 19, remaining there until August 2.
The 38th assembled for an attack in the Gentelles
Gentelles
Gentelles is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:Gentelles is situated on the D168 road, some southeast of Amiens.-History:...
Woods (east of Amiens
Amiens
Amiens is a city and commune in northern France, north of Paris and south-west of Lille. It is the capital of the Somme department in Picardy...
) on the night of August 7, 1918. The first objective was Cayus Wood. This was held until the evening of August 9, when a further advance was made to Rosières
Rosières-en-Santerre
Rosières-en-Santerre is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:The commune is situated some southeast of Amiens, at the junction of the D28 and D329 roadsnext to the Mcdonalds-Population:-Places of interest:...
. On the morning of August 11, a strong line had been consolidated in the vicinity of Chilli. The Germans launched a counterattack, which was repulsed. The fighting continued until the night of August 13 when the 38th was relieved after playing a prominent role in the advance of 22,000 yards by the Canadian Corps, resulting in the capture of 167 guns, 1,000 machine guns and 10,000 prisoners. Casualties were very heavy.
On August 30 the battalion took part in action east of Feuchy
Feuchy
Feuchy is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:A farming and light industrial village situated east of Arras, at the junction of the D37 and D258 roads, in the valley of the Scarpe river....
, and on September 1 relieved the 8th Canadian Battalion at Ostrich Trench. The Germans counterattacked and were repulsed; that night, the regiment assembled for an attack the following day on the Canal du Nord
Canal du Nord
The Canal du Nord is a long canal in northern France. The canal connects the Canal latéral à l'Oise at Pont-l'Évêque to the Sensée Canal at Arleux. The French government, in partnership with coal-mining companies in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais departments, developed the canal to help French coal...
. By the late afternoon of September 2, the battalion reached the summit of Drury Hill. In the evening the Germans made a determined counterattack, but the 38th held on and by the midafternoon of September 3 the position was consolidated. Here the 38th broke the Drocourt-Quéant Line, capturing 325 prisoners, 4 trench mortars and 40 machine guns. The battalion's casualties were 3 officers and 57 other ranks killed, 7 officers and 176 other ranks wounded and 57 missing, for a total of 300.
The 38th entrained at Arras on September 25, reaching their assembly position for the attack on Cambrai
Cambrai
Cambrai is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.Cambrai is the seat of an archdiocese whose jurisdiction was immense during the Middle Ages. The territory of the Bishopric of Cambrai, roughly coinciding with the shire of Brabant, included...
the following day. The battalion was tasked with capturing the railway near Bourlon
Bourlon
Bourlon is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:A farming village located 22 miles southeast of Arras on the D16 road, just yards from the A26 autoroute.-Population:...
, and the attack began on the morning of September 27. The battalion crossed the Canal at Inchy
Inchy
Inchy is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.-Heraldry:-References:*...
; at the outset the it captured 25 machine guns and 150 prisoners, but by noon there was stiff opposition. Before the day was over the 38th had captured a battery of 5.9 guns, a battery of 77-mm guns, 28 machine guns, 2 anti-tank guns and 200 prisoners. The battalion continued on September 28 to capture positions in Marcoing Trench. At this time Lieut. Col. Gardner, who was in command of the battalion, was killed. The task of the 38th now was to cross the Douai-Cambrai Road; on September 29 the battalion moved forward and that day nearly all the officers and NCOs
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
of the battalion were killed or wounded. The losses may be appreciated by the fact that on September 26 the 38th went into the line 570 strong and came out on September 30 with 96. The battalion was relieved on the morning of September 30, after having gained its objective on the Douai-Cambrai Road.
After the Battalion had been reinforced and reorganized, it returned to action on October 22. Plans for the attack on Valenciennes
Valenciennes
Valenciennes is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.It lies on the Scheldt river. Although the city and region had seen a steady decline between 1975 and 1990, it has since rebounded...
were completed by October 31, and on the morning of November 1 the 38th went into action for the last time. Although other units also took part in the operation, platoons of the 38th were the first to enter the city. By November 3 Valenciennes was secure; on November 5 the battalion was relieved and billeted in Anzin
Anzin
Anzin is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.It lies on the Scheldt, 1-½ miles northwest of Valenciennes, of which it is a suburb.-History:...
, and it was here that the regiment received notice of the Armistice on November 11.
Summary
About 4,500 men passed through the battalion; casualties were approximately 700 killed and 2,000 wounded. Close to 300 decorations were awarded to members of the 38th Battalion, including two Victoria CrossVictoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
es. "Red" Nunney
Claude Joseph Patrick Nunney
Private Claude Joseph Patrick Nunney VC DCM MM was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
was the only soldier in the Canadian Army to win the V.C., D.C.M., M.M. and the Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre 1914-1918 (France)
The Croix de guerre 1914–1918 is a French military decoration.-Creation:Soon after the outbreak of World War I, French military officials felt that a new military award had to be created...
; Nunney's brother was also awarded the V.C.
Commanding Officers of the 38th were:
- Lieut. Col. R. Gorden Stewart
- Lieut. Col. C. M. Edwards
- Major R. F. Parkinson
- Lieut. Col. S. J. Gardner
- Lieut. Col. A. D. Cameron
The battalion returned to Halifax on June 13, 1919, and to Ottawa on June 15.
The number 13 played a part in the history of the 38th. Some "13s" were:
- Landed in Bermuda August 13, 1915
- Landed in England June 13, 1916
- Landed in France August 13, 1916
- Relieved from Vimy April 13, 1917
- Relieved from Amiens August 13, 1918
- Landed at Halifax June 13, 1919
The train to Ottawa contained 13 cars.
Victoria Crosses
- Maj. Thain Wendell MacDowellThain Wendell MacDowellThain Wendell MacDowell, VC , DSO , was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
(Vimy Ridge) - Pvt. Claude Joseph Patrick Nunney (Drocourt-Quéant)