_THE 6th CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLES._
The 6th Canadian Mounted Rifles was recruited from the different
Maritime Provinces Militia Cavalry Regiments—“A” Squadron from the 8th
P.L.F. (headquarters Sackville, N.B.), and 36th P.E.I. Light Horse
(headquarters Charlottetown, P.E.I.); “B” Squadron from the 28th N.B.
Dragoon Guards (headquarters St. John, N.B.), and “C” Squadron from the
14th King’s Canadian Hussars (headquarters Canning, Nova Scotia).
The establishment of officers and warrant officers consisted of the
following:
O.C., Lieut.-Col. R. H. Ryan, South African, Russian-Japanese,
American-Mexican Wars; 2nd I.C., Lieut.-Col. A. E. Ings, Militia Long
Service Medal; Capt. and Adj., Capt. B. W. Roscoe (later Capt. J. W.
Long); Q.M., Major R. A. March; O.M., Major Colin Macintosh; Chaplain,
Capt. G. A. Kuhring; M.O., Capt. F. A. R. Gow; Sig. Off., Capt. H. R.
Emmerson; Asst. Adj., Lieut. E. M. Arnold; Vet. Off., Lieut. J. S. Roy;
R.S.M., L. W. Long.
_“A” Squadron_—O.C., Major A. J. Markham; 2nd I.C., Capt. B. W. Roscoe;
Lieut. A. T. Ganong, Lieut. G. N. D. Otty, Lieut. G. R. Barnes, Lieut.
W. D. Atkinson, Sqd. Sgt.-Major N. Dawes.
_“B” Squadron_—Major C. H. McLean; 2nd I.C., Capt. M. A. Scovil; Lieut.
E. J. Mooney, Lieut. E. A. Thomas, Lieut. H. S. Everitt, Lieut. Geo.
Morrisey, Sqd. Sgt.-Major J. M. Lamb.
_“C” Squadron_—Major T. A. Lydiard; 2nd I.C., Capt. J. C. Gray; Lieut.
H. H. Pineo, Lieut. J. P. Knowlton, Lieut. W. J. Brown, Lieut. H. L.
Bowness, Lieut. B. M. Beckwith, Sqd. Sgt.-Major George Gill.
Colonel Ryan and many of the officers and other ranks had volunteered at
the outbreak of the war but owing to the expected necessity for the
employment of mounted troops in the Maritime Provinces (the 14th K.C.H.
having actually received orders for mobilization) their services were
not accepted. It was also intimated to Colonel Ryan, who was at
Valcartier, when the First Division was mobilized, that in the event of
the Maritime Province Cavalry not being mobilized as Militia Units for
home service he would be permitted to raise a Cavalry Regiment from
these Units and would be given command thereof, owing to his previous
service and experience in the field.
Accordingly Colonel Ryan returned to Nova Scotia and in December, 1915,
received orders to recruit the Regiment.
AT AMHERST, N.S.
The Regiment was mobilized at Amherst, N.S., mobilization dating from
March 17, 1915.
The period during which the Regiment was quartered at Amherst was spent
in perfecting the organization, taking on recruits and training the
latter, owing to restrictions being largely confined to setting-up
exercises, arm drill and route marching with inspections by various
Generals.
While at Amherst a draft of two hundred volunteers was sent as
reinforcements to the Infantry Regiments in England to make up for the
losses sustained by the Canadians in the Second Battle of Ypres. These
were replaced by new recruits.
AT VALCARTIER CAMP.
In May, 1915, the Regiment was moved to Valcartier, being brigaded with
the 4th and 5th C.M.R.’s, under command of Colonel (later
Brigadier-General) C. A. Smart.
Training at Valcartier was intensive and performed on foot, as horses
had not been received, the Cavalry formation being however retained.
Here the Unit received instruction in musketry and rather prided
themselves in their ability in this line.
While at Valcartier and also when at Amherst they were asked if they
would volunteer to serve as dismounted troops, and the answer was always
that “we will serve in any way we are needed.”
IN ENGLAND.
The 6th C.M.R. left Valcartier early in July for England, embarking at
Quebec on the slow South American cold storage boat _Herschel_.
Naturally the accommodations were not of the best, as there were six
hundred men and four hundred horses on a boat without practically any
passenger accommodation. Their eleven days’ voyage ended at Devonport,
where they got a great reception. At Exeter they were met at the station
by the good ladies of that town and given bags of food and fruit, and
had their water bottles filled with hot coffee and tea. Many times since
has this been spoken of in grateful words by the men, who were hungry
and cold from the long train journey. On arrival at Camp in Dibgate they
found themselves once more camping in the sand. As active service in
Egypt had been spoken of, the Unit thought the authorities must be
trying to accustom it to its future surroundings.
While at Dibgate the Unit received a draft of officers and men from the
8th C.M.R., under command of Lieut. T. D. Johnstone (later Capt. in
Command of “B” Co., 5th C.M.R., wounded): second in command, Lieut. H.
N. Bate (transferred to R.C.D.’s, when Regiment was broken up). Many of
the men who had been sick, owing to the strenuous training, had been
transferred to hospital, and when convalescent were sent to the Cavalry
Reserve Depot. These had been replaced by the draft of men from the 8th.
IN FRANCE—PLOEGSTEERTE—MESSINES.
The Regiment proceeded to France on October 24, 1915, the Brigade being
attached to General Seely’s Cavalry Division, operating as Corps Troops
in the areas of Ploegsteerte and Messines.
The following officers and warrant officers went to France with the
Regiment and saw service at Ploegsteerte and Messines during the fall
and early winter months of 1915.
O.C., Lieut.-Colonel Shaw (later O.C. 1st C.M.R., killed in action June
2, 1916).
2nd I.C., Lieut.-Colonel Ings: Adjt., Capt. J. W. Long: Q.M., Major R.
A. March (later to 4th C.M.R. Battalion); P.M., Major C. McIntosh (later
to Can. Artillery); M.O., Capt. F. A. R. Gow (later to Can. Artillery);
Sig. Officer, Capt. H. R. Emmerson (later Major 219th Infantry
Battalion); Vet. Officer, Lieut. J. A. Roy (later to Fort Garry Horse).
_“A” Squadron_-Major A. J. Markham (later to Fort Garry Horse), Capt. B.
W. Roscoe, Lieuts. A. T. Ganong, G. N. D. Otty, G. R. Barnes, T. D.
Johnstone; Sqd. Sgt.-Major N. Dawes.
_“B” Squadron_—Major C. H. McLean, Capt. M. A. Scovil, Lieuts. E. J.
Mooney, E. A. Thomas, H. S. Everett, George Morrisey; Sqd. Sgt.-Major J.
M. Lamb (all later to 4th C.M.R. Regt.).
_“C” Squadron_—Major T. A. Lydiard (later to R.C. Dragoons), Capt. J. C.
Gray, Lieuts. H. H. Pineo, J. P. Knowlton, B. M. Beckwith, H. N. Bate;
Sqd. Sgt.-Major Geo. Gill, D.C.M., later R.S.M. 5th C.M.R.
Lieut.-Colonel Ryan transferred to the Artillery, in which he served
with distinction to the end of the war being decorated for conspicuous
gallantry in the field.
REORGANIZED AS INFANTRY.
The Division was withdrawn from the trenches in December, 1915, and
orders were subsequently received that the 1st and 2nd C.M.R. Brigade
should be reorganized into the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade, consisting
of 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Battalions of Mounted Rifles. The junior
Regiments in each Brigade, namely the 3rd and 6th C.M.R., were split up
between the two senior Regiments, thus forming four Infantry Regiments.
The ostensible reason for this was the necessity of relieving infantry
in trenches and the unsuitability of the cavalry formation for that
purpose. The change in formation necessitated the transfer to England of
officers of senior rank.
The command of the reorganized Brigade was assumed by Brig.-Gen. V. A.
S. Williams on January 1, 1916, and training in infantry drill and
tactics was gone at in dead earnest by all ranks.
This training continued both in the line and out and the Brigade
occupied the Ploegsteerte area until March, 1916, when it was moved to
the Ypres Sector as part of the newly-formed 3rd Division, commanded by
General Mercer, and took over the Hooge-Hill 60 Sector.
The disposal of the various Squadrons of the 6th C.M.R. was as follows:
“A” and “C” Squadrons were formed into “D” Company of the 5th C.M.R.
Battalion, the company officers and warrant officers being:
Captain B. W. Roscoe (later Major, D.S.O., 2nd I.C. 5th C.M.R.
Battalion, wounded June 3, 1916, at Sanctuary Wood); 2nd I.C., Captain
H. H. Pineo (later killed in action at Mt. Sorrell, Ypres Sector, July,
1916); Lieuts. A. T. Ganong, G. N. D. Otty, G. R. Barnes; Lieut. J. P.
Knowlton (later to record office at Rouen, and received promotion there
to Captain); C.S.M. George Gill (later R.S.M. 5th C.M.R. Battalion); “B”
Squadron was formed into “D” Company of the 4th C.M.R. Battalion, the
company officers and warrant officers being: Major C. H. McLean (later
2nd I.C. 4th C.M.R. Battalion); Capt. M. A. Scovil; Lieut. George
Morrisey.
SANCTUARY WOOD.
The first serious engagement in which the Brigade was concerned was the
Battle of Sanctuary Wood, which began June 2, 1916.
The disposition of the Brigade was: 1st and 4th C.M.R., front line and
close support; 5th C.M.R., Battalion H.Q. and three Companies in support
at Maple Copse; one Company in reserve at Zillebeke Bund; 2nd C.M.R. in
Brigade reserve near Poperinghe.
The morning of June 2nd was clear with good visibility. About 8 a.m. the
Hun started a heavy bombardment, which grew in intensity, and
information was received that an attack was in progress on the sector
held by the 7th and 8th Brigades. The bombardment continued unabatingly,
and about twelve o’clock mines were seen to be blown. The whole of the
area held by the two Brigades was being systematically and furiously
shelled, and communication with the forward area was impossible.
About 2 p.m. Captain Roscoe received orders to reinforce with his
Company, the remainder of the Battalion at Maple Copse. There was no
route specified, the officer conveying the order remarking that he hoped
they would get through.
The only other officer with the Company at this time was Lieut. G. N. D.
Otty, but it developed that the N.C.O.’s had the requisite requirements
of leadership and judgment. The Company, led by Captain Roscoe, advanced
to the support of the remainder of the Battalion, and in full view of
the enemy, through an extremely heavy barrage of fire, reached Maple
Copse with few casualties, reporting to Lieut.-Colonel G. H. Baker, then
commanding the Battalion.
Orders were then received to connect up with the 7th Brigade on the
left, to dig in and hold the Copse to the last. Then it was that the
N.C.O.’s showed those qualities of leadership and judgment, which later
were to be recognized in a substantial manner.
C.S.M. George Gill, with twenty men was ordered to occupy and hold a
strong point whose garrison had been killed. This he did with great
bravery, showing much skill in defending the position. Sgts. George
Chase, H. McGarry and T. W. Martin led detachments through the Copse and
dug in on the edge next the enemy. Lieutenant Otty was absolutely
fearless in assisting in the disposition of the Company, refusing to
avail himself of anything that looked like shelter. He remarked to the
Company Commander that if he was to be killed that would happen and that
his men were his first consideration. Unfortunately he was hit and
killed within a short time after arrival at the Copse.
The enemy made several ineffectual attempts to break through the line,
and at each repulse his artillery fire became more severe. There was
absolutely no shelter from his fire, and the Copse was like an inferno.
The Company held the position, and were reinforced the next morning by
the 2nd C.M.R.’s. After this things quieted down and the remnants of the
Company marched out that night.
At the roll-call on relief only one officer (Lieutenant Barnes) and
twenty men answered their names, the remainder of the Company which went
into action 130 strong, having been either killed or wounded.
Captain Roscoe had been wounded on the morning of June 3rd, after the
2nd C.M.R.’s had arrived, and the command of the Company was taken over
by Lieutenant Barnes, who was the Battalion Bombing Officer, and with
his bombers had been active in the defence of the position. Lieutenant
Barnes made several very daring patrols, practically between the posts
of the enemy, who had attempted to push down hill in the long grass. It
was through his efforts that the Unit was able to concentrate its rifle
fire on the dangerous places and dislodge several machine guns.
Lieutenant Barnes afterward got the M.C. for his work on this occasion.
The Battalion, reduced to some 300 all ranks, moved into rest billets,
and the losses were filled by a large draft of officers and other ranks
from England.
In the reorganization of the Battalion Major D. C. Draper (later
Brigadier-General Commanding the Brigade) became O.C. (Lieut.-Colonel
Baker having been killed in the engagement); Captain Roscoe was promoted
to be second in command, awarded the D.S.O. for his work on the occasion
and mentioned in despatches. The command of “D” Company was taken over
by Lieut. H. H. Pineo (later promoted Captain), with Lieutenant Barnes,
2nd I.C.
Sergt. Harold McGarry was promoted to C.S.M. in place of George Gill,
who was awarded the D.C.M. and promoted to be Regtl. Sgt.-Major for his
meritorious services and bravery evinced during the battle. Sergt. Geo.
Chase, who was severely wounded, was awarded the Military Medal and
slated for a commission.
The 4th C.M.R. Battalion also lost heavily in the battle, and “D”
Company of that unit thereafter practically lost its identify as a
Maritime Province Company, owing to the casualties suffered.
The command of the Brigade was taken over by Brig.-General J. H.
Elmsley, D.S.O. (afterward Major-General), replacing General Williams,
taken prisoner in the battle, while the command of the Division devolved
upon Major-General Lipsett, D.S.O. (later killed in action), the
Divisional Commander, General Mercer having been killed during the
action.
The Brigade, and incidentally the Company, under the new command had
another very strenuous period of training, and after an initiation trip
for the new men the whole Company moved up again to take their place in
the line. While in training they had the benefit of the advice of a
C.S.M. from the Welsh Guards, which was a great help, especially to the
N.C.O.’s. This training showed later on the Somme.
THE BLUFF—MOUNT SORELL LINE.
On the first trip in after the June fight, the Unit took over the line
on Mount Sorell. The first night in, the Hun started his regular trench
mortar strafe. One of the first of these landed on the signallers’
dugout, next company headquarters, and buried the men on duty there.
Captain Pineo and Lieutenant Barnes, together with some of the men,
started in to dig them out. At that time they could still hear the men
groaning. Almost immediately afterward the Hun threw over another trench
mortar. The men saw it coming by the trail of sparks, and all scattered
up and down the trench. Captain Pineo was struck and instantly killed.
The work of rescuing the men who had been buried need not have been
performed by him. It was his anxiety for his men that cost him his life.
Lieutenant Barnes at once took over the command of the Company. Word was
here received that the Hun had dug some mines under the trench occupied
by the Company, and to be on the lookout. During the night a party who
were digging out in front uncovered a mine sap and on pulling up some
planks from the roof saw a man with a lighted candle passing under the
lines. Explosives were immediately obtained and the sap blown. This
evidently put the “wind up” the Hun for he blew the remaining mines,
some of which were hardly clear of his wire.
AT THE SOMME.
Shortly after this the Unit left for the Somme, arriving in Albert on
September 1st, after a long, hard march, and severe training. They moved
up in support and were selected as one of the two Companies to be first
over the top. In this engagement, owing to previous officer casualties,
the sergeants had to lead Platoons. The attack on September 15th between
Moquet Farm and Courcellette was the first occasion in which the Tanks
were used. The Unit had wonderful success on this day, losing very few
men in the attack. Afterward, out of one hundred and twenty, forty were
killed and sixty wounded, holding the trench. Lieutenant Barnes was
awarded the bar to the M.C. and his majority for his work on this
occasion. No one could speak too highly of the way in which he led his
men, and it was largely due to his dash that the attack was so
successful. Mention should be made here of Sergeant Lowther, who was
left behind with a party of ten men to garrison the trench until
relieved by incoming troops. He lost a leg and several of the men were
killed and wounded before the relief was accomplished. Sergeant Lowther
was awarded the M.M. Sergt.-Major McGarry, who had been recommended for
a commission, was killed in this action.
The Unit’s next attack was on October 2nd when “D” Company was in
support. The objective was Regina Trench, strongly held by two divisions
of German Marines, who had just been brought from Ostend to try and stop
the Canadians. This was one of the stiffest hand-to-hand fights the
Company ever had, and naturally the casualties were very heavy. Several
times the Company managed to bomb several hundred yards of trench clear,
but each time the Hun would come back with reinforcements. At daybreak,
with bombs and ammunition completely exhausted, the few survivors were
forced to withdraw to the jumping-off trench. Every officer engaged was
either killed or wounded. Sergt.-Major Holmes, who led the Company on
this occasion, after the officers were knocked out, was awarded the M.M.
Captain Beckwith, who had been detailed as O.C. of the 8th L.T.M.
Battery, and had joined the Company for this occasion was wounded in the
face. His leadership and energy were of great assistance, and it was
largely due to him and his battery who were carrying ammunition that the
Company was able to hold on as long as it did.
The remainder of the time at the Somme was spent in relieving and
holding front-line positions. The Battalion was complimented by the Army
Commander for its fine work while at the Somme, a personal visit being
paid by him to Battalion Headquarters for that purpose.
In addition to the decorations mentioned as being won here, many of the
officers of the Battalion were cited for bravery and gallantry in the
field. Sergeant T. W. Martin was awarded the M.M. and slated for a
commission for a daring reconnaissance of the enemy line under artillery
fire.
ON THE VIMY FRONT.
The Unit’s next move was to the Vimy front, where it was soon apparent
that preparations were being made for a terrific onslaught on the Hun.
Some time was spent here in assisting in the work of preparation, after
which the Unit was withdrawn with the rest of the Brigade for a period
of intensive training in attack over a taped layout of the enemy
trenches. The Unit was then moved up to its part of the line, being in
close support to the 4th C.M.R. Battalion.
The Battle of Vimy Ridge will live in history as the great achievement
of the war, owing to the position being considered impregnable and the
fact that it was captured with inconsequential losses, mainly due to a
well considered plan of attack, absolute co-operation between all
branches of the service and thoroughness of preparation.
The Company carried on with the usual steadiness during the engagement
and rendered valuable assistance, its losses being negligible.
ON THE DOUAI PLAIN.
For some time after the capture of Vimy Ridge it was found impossible to
bring up the artillery within range, as the Hun had retired to a line on
the outskirts of Lens and Douai. The Company, with the rest of the
Battalion, pushed over the Ridge and were in position as a sacrifice
Battalion to fight to the last man, in the event of a counter attack
being launched to retake the Ridge. Trenches were constructed, deepened
and strengthened, but the expected did not happen, and finally the guns
were able to get up within range, from which time ordinary trench
routine was resumed.
During a tour in the trenches on this front a raid was attempted by the
Hun on the Company front. It was unsuccessful, the enemy being repulsed
with heavy loss.
Lieutenant Holmes was awarded the M.C. for his work on this occasion,
displaying great coolness and gallantry in holding off single-handed,
until reinforced, a party of Huns.
The Battalion at this time was under the command of Major Roscoe,
D.S.O., who the day following the attempted raid received a message from
the Divisional Commander complimenting the Battalion on their steadiness
during the attack. A few days after the Brigade was withdrawn from this
sector.
The Company, which up until now had been practically all Maritime
Province men, under the new reinforcement scheme drew their men from
Quebec, and for a while the Company was made up almost entirely of
French-Canadians. After Passchendaele, during which the Company gave its
usual assistance to the Battalion, the wounded men began to come back as
well as some of the N.C.O.’s who had been granted commissions, and once
again it became a Maritime Province Company. It was at Passchendaele
that Capt. L. C. Eaton was killed, just before going over the top.
In the winter of 1917 the Unit moved back to their old front at Vimy. In
March, 1918, the Battalion put on a raid of 250 men. Lieutenants Gillis
and Young of the old “D” Company took part in this, and were both
awarded the M.C. for their work. Gillis in particular had done some very
fine work during the second attack on the Somme. He had come back from
hospital with an unhealed wound in his arm, and although it was too late
for him to secure a rifle and the necessary equipment, he took a
pick-axe handle and joined his Company in going over the top. He brought
back the prisoners, sixty in all, taken on that occasion.
After a pleasant spring spent in reinforcing different parts of the
line, in August the Unit once again took the road south for Amiens. The
work done by the Company during this attack was spectacular. One of
their accomplishments was the capture of a 5.9 Battery in action at
point-blank range. One of the old 6th men was awarded the D.C.M. for his
work on this occasion and Lieutenant Barnstead was awarded the Croix de
Guerre for his leadership.
Lieutenant Smith was very seriously wounded during the next scrap in
front of Arras, called the Second Battle of Arras. He had been a
stretcher-bearer-Sergeant with the old Company and was awarded a
commission in the spring of 1917. He was given the M. C. for his work at
Arras in the taking of Monchy. He afterwards died of wounds in London.
His work all the time he had been with the Battalion had been
exceptional and the award of his M.C. was very popular.
The next fight was for Cambrai, which as far as this Company was
concerned consisted of a hunt for Huns through the ruins, collecting
souvenirs by the way. The Company had a brush with the Bosche on the
other side of the town, but they were merely scouts left behind and
pulled out as soon as fired upon. The Company was sitting down having
dinner when the English troops came through. As there had been no
barrage they did not know that the town had been taken. From here the
Company went to Valenciennes and then on to Mons. Lieutenant Gillis was
wounded at Valenciennes and invalided to England.
[Illustration:
CAPT. L. C. EATON.]
[Illustration:
CAPT. H. H. PINEO.]
[Illustration:
LIEUT. G. N. D. OTTY.]
[Illustration:
LIEUT. GEO. MORRISEY.]
The following other ranks of the 6th C.M.R. Regiment, who went to “D”
Company of the 5th. obtained commissions with the Battalion for
gallantry and devotion to duty on the field: J. W. Lewis, M.C. (later
Capt. 8th Bgd. Light Trench Mortars); L. C. Eaton (later Capt. O. C. “D”
Company, killed at Passchendaele); A. C. Wiswell, wounded June 2, 1916
(later Div. Bombing Officer, Bramshott); W. O. Barnstead, Croix de
Guerre; C. G. Dunham, M.C., wounded June 2, 1916; H. A. Smith, M.C.,
died of wounds received at Monchy, Aug. 28, 1918; L. J. Young, M.C.,
wounded June 2, 1916, and at Monchy, Aug. 28, 1918; A. E. Gillis, M.C.,
wounded three times; A. H. Weldon, wounded June 2. 1916; T. W. Martin,
M.M., wounded Aug. 9th at Vimy; W. J. Holmes, M.C., M.M., wounded at
Lens, 1916; F. I. Andrews, M.M., wounded June 2, 1916, and November,
1918; Gordon Campbell, wounded twice; C. W. McArthur, M.M., wounded
twice; A. H. Whidden, wounded June, 1916; A. Desbrisay, wounded June,
1916, died since returning home.
Cadets undergoing training when Armistice was signed: Duncan Chisholm,
Campbell McLellan, Wm. H. Graham, M.M., J. A. Cameron, D.C.M., Walter
Anderson, D.C.M.
The following were gazetted to other Regiments: A. Rogers, N. Rogers, D.
B. Holman, Stuart Roy, B. Elliott, Geo. Morrison.
“B” Squadron and Headquarters, 6th C.M.R.’s, went to the 4th C.M.R.
Battalion and formed „ D „ Company of that Battalion under the command
of Major C. H. McLean, D.S.O (later 2nd i/c 4th C.M.R.’s); Capt. M. A.
Scovil, 2nd i/c (seriously wounded and taken prisoner June 2, 1916).
Lieut. H. S. Everett, bombing officer 4th C.M.R., was wounded at
Sanctuary Wood, May, 1916. Lieut. E. A. Thomas was killed in action at
Sanctuary Wood. Lieut. Geo. Morrisey, Intelligence Officer of 4th
C.M.R., was killed in action June 2nd, 1916, while attempting to save a
comrade’s life.
The following N.C.O.’s received commissions from the 4th for gallantry
and devotion in the field: C. W. Hicks, wounded June 2, 1916 (afterwards
bombing officer, 34th Reserve, Seaford). J. H. Craigie, gazetted to the
Imperial Infantry; N. McKenzie, commission with the 85th N.S.
Highlanders; J. O. Spinney, commission with the 52nd Battalion; H. B.
Fenis, Lieutenant R.A.F.; J. J. Rowland, 4th C.M.R.; J. H. Harris, Depot
Battalion, St John; W. C. Wetmore, 236th Battalion.