World War, 1914-1918 -- Canada; World War, 1914-1918 -- Nova Scotia
A succession of moves forward was then made. The Batteries kept close
behind the infantry in their pursuit of the Hun. On the 14th a halt was
made, and the Batteries transferred to another section of the Front.
They took up a position in the village of Sudemont, which was a very
“hot” place, being almost constantly under shell fire. A number of
casualties occurred when we were in this position, notably Corpl. John
McSween, who lost a leg, and Sergeant Philpott and others. On the 17th
the Battery started for the Battle of Cambrai, arriving in that sector
on the evening of the 18th. The nights of the 19th and 20th were used in
bringing up ammunition to a position in the little town of Inchy, where
a battery position had been selected. The ammunition could only be drawn
up under the greatest difficulties, for the roads were under heavy shell
fire. Some very gallant deeds were done by the drivers and those in
charge of them. For one particularly gallant exploit Corpl. A. Morrison
received the D.C.M.
[Illustration:
CAPT. CHAS. D. SHRIEVE, M.C.]
The morning of the 21st was beautiful and the battle was wonderfully
successful. Before ten o’clock thousands of yards of enemy territory had
been penetrated and Bourlon Wood captured. The enemy field artillery
recovered and shelled us vigorously, and we suffered several casualties.
The battle continued for several days, with constant gain of territory
for us. On the night of the 28th, while Lieutenant Livingstone was
unloading ammunition, his drivers and the gunners were subjected to
heavy shell fire and we had many regrettable casualties; among the
drivers, Frank Hughes, of Charlottetown, and Driver George McDonald, of
Sydney. George was one of the most wonderful guides in France, and his
loss was a severe one. The next few days saw several moves of positions,
and on the 5th of October the 36th Battery was in a position at
Raillencourt. On the evening of October 7th orders were issued for the
Battery to move up to a position in the rear of St. Olle. The six guns
with ammunition and ammunition wagons arrived at the position and were
starting to unlimber when a volley of German shells landed directly in
them. The casualties were terrific, over 50 per cent. of those present
being killed or wounded together with twenty horses. The whole thing
occupied only a few minutes, but it saddened a great many hearts. Lieut.
Chas. Shrieve was shot through the chest and died instantly. Captain
Craig was severely wounded through the hip. Lieutenant Livingstone was
wounded in two places and his ankle broken. Twenty-eight N.C.O.’s and
men were killed or wounded. Among the killed was the very popular
Bombardier John Drysdale. The blow was a demoralizing one, but the
undaunted courage of the remaining members of the 36th was equal to the
task. Within three hours the guns had been transferred to new positions,
and lines of fire laid out, and the Battery ready for action.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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