_THE 36th BATTERY, C.F.A._
BY MAJOR D. A. MACKINNON, D.S.O.
[Illustration:
MAJ. D. A. MACKINNON D. S. O.]
The 36th Battery was formed in Sydney in September, 1915, Major Walter
Crowe being the organizer and leading spirit in it. The rush of
applications for positions in the Battery was so great that over one
hundred had to be turned away. Major Crowe selected his men with great
care; and the subsequent achievements of the Battery is evidence that
his judgment was good. To Major Crowe must be given a great deal of
credit for the splendid record which the Battery achieved Overseas. He
remained with it as its Commanding Officer and supervised nearly all its
early training, took it Overseas in March, 1916, but on account of being
very much over age could not accompany the Battery to France; so the
command was given to Major D. A. MacKinnon, of Charlottetown, P.E.I.
The Battery arrived in France on July 14th, 1916, and was almost
immediately placed in action on the Ypres Salient, which was a very
“hot” spot. They were in action only twenty-four hours when they
received quite a heavy shelling from the enemy. They remained in this
position for about a month, firing day and night, and their quick
response to all calls from the infantry was remarked upon. The next move
was to Kemmel, which was a nice quiet spot, and the boys enjoyed
themselves very much while in that vicinity. Early in October the march
for the Somme commenced. It occupied a week; and about the 12th of
October the Battery went into action about one thousand yards in the
rear of Courcellette. They received considerable shelling but returned
one hundred rounds for every one they got. After the Battle of Regina
Trench they moved forward in front of Martinpuich, with the expectation
of another great battle which never materialized. While in this position
they were constantly shelled, the discomforts were terrible, mud and
rain preventing any kind of decent accommodation; but the gunners were
better off than the drivers at the wagon lines; there the mud was two
feet deep, and the trials and sufferings almost unendurable. Nearly all
the ammunition had to be carried to the guns by packing it on horses’
and mules’ backs, taking it up over trails, inasmuch as the roads were
death traps, on account of enemy fire. Notwithstanding this the Battery
kept up its reputation for activity, having fired on several occasions
well over one thousand rounds in a few hours. They were highly
complimented for their splendid concealment and for the brave way in
which they carried on under very discouraging difficulties. On the 20th
of November the Division pulled out of the Somme, greatly to the relief
of all.
A week’s tramp to the Ecuri Front commenced, the first two days being
teeming rain and bitter cold. It was during this march that Sergt. Sam
Wilson, one of the most popular men in the Battery, contracted pneumonia
and died in a few days, mourned by all. During the following months the
Battery stayed in position doing garrison duty, but in February they
were forced to leave and made three shifts of positions in three days.
The bitter cold, it being the coldest winter in forty years, and the
shortage of fodder for the horses, coupled with the hard work which so
much moving entailed, caused the death of a great many horses and mules.
The hardships of the drivers were also particularly severe, shelter was
at a premium, and the winter of 1916 and 1917 will ever remain as a very
disagreeable memory.
Early in March preparations commenced for the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the
drivers being constantly employed at night hauling vast quantities of
ammunition to forward points. The month was very rainy with high winds,
and all night the men would be exposed to the rain and winds and return
at daybreak tired and exhausted, cold and wet to the skin. The
sufferings which they experienced that winter, and the grim
determination with which they carried through their duties will never be
forgotten. On the 25th of March the 36th was changed to a six-gun
Battery, absorbing one-half of the 29th Battery. It was a splendid
consolidation, the newcomers proving very excellent gunners and drivers,
and brave men. About the 1st of April, 1917, the Battery moved forward
to a little hollow near the Arras road, facing Vimy Ridge. Rude pits had
to be constructed for the guns, and these they soon fashioned into a
home for the Battery. The Batteries were as thick as flies in this
hollow, and we had neighbors on all sides of us. The 2nd of April saw
everybody registering on targets in the enemy lines, and one had almost
to crawl about to prevent being hit by our own guns. As the enemy had
observation of this position they very quickly began to use it, shelling
the area with gas and high explosives. It was a most uncomfortable
position, and had the battle been delayed a few days longer and the
enemy been given a chance to get more heavy artillery, there is no doubt
that they would have given us a bad time.
The Battle of Vimy Ridge started at 5 o’clock, April 9th. It was the
biggest battle we had ever been engaged in, and every one was quite
interested to see how it would pan out. It was a great success, and we
quickly got orders to move our position forward so as to be able to
range on the retreating enemy. This was accomplished very speedily. The
battle practically ended on April 10th, and no further move was made
forward. On the 14th we took our guns down into the village of Vimy
being, we believed, one of the first Batteries to enter that much
shelled village. We were lucky in getting in and lucky in getting our
teams out, as the roads were shelled most terrifically. It was three
weeks after that before we could bring a wagon of any description down
the roads to the Battery. All ammunition and supplies had to be brought
on pack horses and mules along trails leading over the ridges, but by
the exercise of great care they managed to keep up our ammunition
supplies and prevent casualties.
The first two weeks which followed in our position were memorable for
the amount of gas which the enemy hurled at us. We wore our masks
practically all night. Thanks to a sufficient gas drill and gas
protection our casualties were slight. With the energy and resource
which characterized our boys they set to work and built a position which
was the envy of all. It was so constructed that it was impossible to
detect it by aeroplane or other observation. Speaking tubes connected
all the gun-pits with the command post, and each pit had a tunnel
leading into the other; so that if one was severely bombarded, an escape
could be made through the other. The walls of the pits were nicely
decorated with captured German material, and the appearance was such as
to strike an inspecting officer most favorably. The greatest attention
was paid to strengthening each defence, as the shelling was intense both
by day and night. It was lucky that all these precautions were taken;
for on the 24th of June, just as the Battery had completed firing a
trial barrage, the enemy opened up with four batteries of heavy
artillery. The bombardment was terrific, and almost all varieties of
shell were used, including armor-piercing shell, which went down ten
feet in the ground and then exploded. It was marvelous that there was
anything left of the Battery, the whole position was covered with shell
holes. One of the shells passed through the shelter in which Corpl. John
McVicar, of Sydney, was with his gun detachment. The shock instantly
killed Corporal McVicar and dazed some of the others. At the same time
others had become casualties. The day will be long remembered as one
which inflicted great sorrow on the remaining members of the Battery.
While we were in this position Corporal Jack and Gunner Wheatley were
also wounded, and there were several regrettable casualties among the
drivers at the wagon lines.
[Illustration:
CAPT. F. H. TINGLEY, M.C.]
Early in July the Battery moved to a forward position near Vimy and,
while there, was subjected to another terrific bombardment in which they
had nearly one thousand rounds of ammunition destroyed. Several of the
officers had close calls, and those who are alive will never forget the
experience. About the 31st of July the Battery moved to Hill 70, and
took up a position behind the double crassier. They constructed a good
position in a very short time. The place was alive with Canadian Field
Batteries, and it did not take the Hun long to discover the fact. Nearly
all the Batteries were silent; that is, they were not to do any firing
until a battle commenced, but the 36th and a few others were selected to
do all the firing, including the heavy task of demolishing the wire in
the German trenches, so that our infantry could get through. This the
Battery did to the entire satisfaction of the infantry, although it was
at quite a heavy cost to themselves, as they were constantly shelled day
and night, and the position was a most trying one. The battle, which
took place about the 14th of August, was one of the bloodiest of the
whole war. The Hill was the key to Lens, and the Hun determined to
retake it at all costs. In one day there were fourteen counter attacks
made by the Hun, and on every occasion the field artillery responded,
instantly killing many thousands of Germans. The work of the 36th
throughout this engagement was commented on and needs no mention here.
In one day they brought up from the ammunition dump and fired over five
thousand rounds of ammunition. For two weeks the gunners had practically
no rest, while the drivers that could be spared from the wagon lines
came up and assisted in getting ammunition ready. So active had the
Battery become that the Hun determined to destroy it and made several
attempts but without success. However on the night of the 24th of
August, while the Battery was firing an S.O.S., in response to a call
from the infantry, they were subjected to a very intense shelling with a
new gas, afterwards known as mustard gas. This gas is very much of the
nature of sulphuric acid, and the burns made by it are very similar. In
a short time several men were struck by the shells, some wounded and
some killed; others going to the assistance of their suffering comrades
got the gas on their hands and were terribly burned. It was an awful
night, and some very gallant deeds were done. The returns next day
showed three killed, three officers and twenty-five others gassed. Some
of the men who were gassed on that occasion never recovered from it. The
effects will be with them as long as they live. It was a very bad night
for the Canadian Artillery. Other Batteries suffered, some even more
severely, but they received unstinted praise for the gallant way they
stuck to their guns. Besides the above, the Battery suffered a great
many other casualties while in the Hill 70 Sector. In addition to
Lieutenants Teed and Fleet being gassed, Lieutenant Longworth was
severely wounded. On the night of the 29th of August we were relieved by
a British Battery, but the relief could not be completed in quiet, the
Hun shelling the position very severely with gas.
We were all pleased to leave that vicinity, and our next position was on
the Vimy Front, which was nice and quiet; and everybody had a very
pleasant time until the 10th of October, when the Canadian Corps marched
to Passchendaele, a trek that was undertaken with anything but light
hearts, for its reputation as a death trap was known to all. On the 21st
of October we took over from an English Battery, who were in a very bad
way, having been practically shot to pieces. Everything was in very bad
shape, only two guns being in action; but with great courage the boys
set to work and very soon had the best position in the Salient. They
protected their guns and themselves by the use of sand bags; and in that
way saved many valuable lives. Conditions were such as to be almost
impossible of description. The mud was up to one’s knees, and the place
seemed to be nothing but shell holes filled with water. The enemy had
perfect observation on us from the village of Passchendaele. On the 24th
of October we registered our guns on its church, and the battle started
on the 26th. During the progress of the battle we were severely shelled,
Gunner Ira Stewart, of Charlottetown, being instantly killed. All the
gunners carried on very heroically notwithstanding the shelling, and the
day ended with a great victory for the Canadians.
A few days later we had moved forward to a position in front of Kansas
Cross, and in a short time had prepared a very fine position considering
the materials at hand. The artillery programme was a very extensive one,
firing starting at 5 o’clock in the morning and continuing at intervals
several times through the day and night. The daily expenditure of the
Battery ran well over one thousand rounds, and this had to be
transported by pack mules a distance of eight miles from the ammunition
dump. While on their way to the guns they were subjected to scattered
shelling and to bombing by overhead planes. At night they got no rest
either at the guns, or the wagon lines, heavy bombing planes circling
over the area and dropping their contents indiscriminately. The
casualties of the Canadians in these terrible battles are well known,
their sufferings are beyond description. No words of mine can adequately
portray the courage, fortitude, cheerfulness and devotion to duty
exemplified by the officers and men of the 36th Battery in the terrible
battles which culminated in the capture of Passchendaele Ridge. Among
the officers it would be unfair to particularize, for all did their part
nobly; but I believe that I could speak of Lieut. Andrew Livingstone’s
three weeks’ experience as a forward officer as being the most awful of
the lot. Words could not picture the things he saw and what he went
through. To Lieut. Chas. Shrieve, of Digby, I always gave the greatest
credit for the resourcefulness he displayed in building the positions.
For his gallant conduct he was awarded the Military Cross. Lieutenant
Teed had previously received the same decoration for similar conduct at
Hill 70.
On the 14th of November the most awful experience the Battery ever had
was encountered. The night before the enemy had attempted a counter
attack but the signal from the infantry had met with such instant
response from the field artillery that his ranks were practically
decimated. In retaliation he turned every gun he could command on the
Batteries of field artillery in front of Kansas Cross. There were
probably twenty English and Canadian Batteries within an area of three
hundred yards; and on these at 1.30 in the afternoon was placed a
bombardment that for intensity has probably never been excelled. Guns
and ammunition were blown up at every volley, one entire Battery being
wiped out, with all its personnel. The 36th received their share of the
shelling, their dugouts being blown up and the gunners and officers
buried beneath them. They had, however, suffered very few casualties
considering the terrible ordeal passed through; but those who were
placed at the guns on that day will never forget the experience.
On the 21st of November they moved out of Passchendaele, the Hun
shelling the position just as they were leaving, and the succeeding
Battery being practically annihilated within a few days. A period of
recuperation ensued, which did much to recover the morale of the
Battery. In January they moved down into the Vimy Front, suffering the
ordinary run of casualties, but without any very serious troubles. On
the 21st of March, 1918, the Hun put on his famous offensive, and it was
feared that he would attempt to take Vimy Ridge. As there was very
little chance of getting the guns out if he broke through our infantry
lines, it was decided to move the Batteries from the plain to the top of
the Ridge, where they were put for defensive purposes. The 36th Battery
was selected as a sacrifice Battery and were left in their position in
front of Vimy. Their task was to harass the enemy as much as possible,
their daily expenditure of ammunition running from a thousand to two
thousand rounds. This activity of one Battery did not escape the alert
attention of the Hun; and on the 28th of March, when he made his famous
attack on Arras, a little to the south of Vimy, he took on the 36th
Battery in great style. In three hours it was estimated by observers on
the Ridge that over two thousand-rounds were fired into the Battery.
Guns and dugouts were blown up and a tremendous lot of damage done. Some
brave deeds were carried out by members of the Battery, and among the
decorations received for this affair were Military Medals by Sergeant
Cashen, of Sydney, and Signaller MacKenzie and Bombardier Peter Laforte.
All the members of the Battery acted most heroically. That night orders
were given to retire the Battery from this untenable position, and in
the new one they carried on with much more comfort.
About the 1st of May the Battery went into training for open warfare,
and remained in training until July when they went into the line for a
few weeks. On the 28th of July they were drawn from the line, and on the
first of August started on the famous march to Amiens. The greatest
secrecy was maintained regarding the destination of the Canadians, and
it was not until the night of the 4th of August that we knew our
destination. The nights of the 5th, 6th and 7th were utilized in
bringing up thousands of rounds of ammunition and getting ready for the
big battle which started on the 8th. The Battle of Amiens was the
hand-writing on the wall, so General Ludendorff has told us. On that day
the 36th Battery occupied six positions, giving the most splendid aid to
our glorious infantry. At half past four in the afternoon a German
aeroplane swooped down on the Battery and killed several horses, wounded
some of the men and Lieutenant Manning. The casualties would have been
greater but for the bravery and coolness of the machine gunners, who
poured a constant volley into the Hun and actually killed him, his plane
crashing in a few minutes.
The Battle of Amiens continued for several days with constant advances.
On the night of the 13th we were ordered to place three thousand rounds
of ammunition in an advanced position for another Battery. Sergt. J. W.
Boutillier was given charge of the unloading. While waiting for the
arrival of the ammunition his party was subjected to heavy shell fire.
Sergeant Boutillier and Sergeant Swift were killed and several others
were wounded. Sergeant Boutillier was one of the most outstanding men in
the entire Battery and his loss was very keenly felt. For his bravery on
this occasion Corpl. A. J. McGillivary was awarded the Croix de Guerre.
[Illustration:
LIEUT. D. L. TEED, M.C.]
On the 19th of August the Battery started on its march for the Battle of
Arras, arriving at Arras on the night of the 23rd of August and going
into position that same night. The night of the 24th was utilized in
bringing up ammunition. On the 25th they rested. On the morning of the
26th the famous Battle of Arras opened. It was a day full of stirring
incidents, the 36th Battery suffered severe casualties. The following
days were very busy, the Battery constantly moving into new positions,
shelling the enemy, and being shelled in return. On the morning of
September 1st orders were received to cut wire on the Hindenburg line,
and to expend upwards of four thousand rounds for that purpose. The
position which the 36th Battery occupied was a very exposed one, and
under observation by balloons and other means. The Battery had about
completed one task when the enemy started to shell us very severely. At
first the rounds fell short. Lieutenant Teed was at the telephone, and
thinking that I did not receive the orders at the guns ran down to shout
an order to No. 2 gun in charge of Sergeant McKay. Just as he got there
an enemy shell landed, instantly killing Sergeant McKay, Gunner John
Cornfoot and Lieutenant Teed. These were three of our very best, and the
blow was one of the saddest in the 36th Battery’s whole experience.
Lieut. Lionel Teed was from St. John, and had been with the Battery from
its commencement. He was a brave officer, an extremely clever one, and
loved by all. Sergeant McKay and Jack Cornfoot were also very popular.
The wire cutting was completed. Notwithstanding the shelling the brave
boys of the 36th carried on as though nothing had happened. The battle
which took place the next day broke the Hindenburg line, the strongest
trench fortification ever utilized in warfare.
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.
The Hill 70 gas episode and the shelling received the night of October
the 7th were two of the worst experiences that any Battery had ever been
called upon to endure, but the brave boys of the 36th met both with
unflinching courage and proved themselves worthy of all the encomiums
which had been bestowed upon them. For gallant work on this occasion
several members of the Battery were decorated. On the 10th of October
Cambrai was captured, the 36th Battery doing its share to make the
battle a success.
[Illustration:
LT. F. J. LONGWORTH, M.C.]
From Cambrai they moved northward again, occupying various positions
with various degrees of fortune until November 1st, when the march
towards Mons commenced. This was one long succession of triumphs,
culminating in the capture of the celebrated city on the morning of the
11th of November. On the afternoon of the 10th we were in position at
Je-Mappes, about one thousand yards from Mons. At 3.30 in the afternoon
orders were received to fire on the railway at Mons, and while engaged
in doing that several enemy shells were fired into the Battery, one of
which instantly killed Lieut. Fred Longworth, of Charlottetown, and
wounded Sergeant Dickson and several others. Sergeant Dickson received
thirty-two wounds but managed to pull through. On the morning of the
11th at 6.30 word was received that the Armistice was signed, and a
March-Past was ordered to take place in the City of Mons. There was
great rejoicing at the good news, inasmuch as the suffering of the last
three months was beginning to tell on the remaining members of the “Old
Guard.”
I cannot close this account of the doings of the 36th Battery without
making reference to the wonderful qualities which the officers, N.C.O.’s
and men displayed. It was easy to command a Battery like the 36th. They
were everything that could be desired. Loyal, brave and good-humored,
with the greatest devotion to duty, they cannot be too highly praised by
me. Every man was a hero and every man deserved decorations many times
over. I feel that it is but fitting that I should here mention the fact,
when speaking about decorations, that the 36th Battery received a very
large share of them, including one D.S.O., two Croix de Guerre, eight
Military Crosses, one bar for Military Cross, ten D.C.M.’s and twenty
Military Medals.
On November 21, 1918, Major D. A. MacKinnon, who commanded the 36th
Battery from its arrival in France on July 14, 1916, and who took part
with the Battery in all its battles, was granted sick leave to Canada.
The loss of so many brave officers and brave men had been a severe shock
to him, and his nerves became greatly unstrung. It was with sincere
regret that he parted with the boys after nearly three years of
strenuous fighting. The Battery, after a short stay in Belgium, was
transferred to England, demobilizing in March, 1919. On the 36th
Battery’s return to Sydney, N.S., they were tendered a most notable
reception.
LIST OF OFFICERS WHO SERVED WITH THE 36th BATTERY IN FRANCE, WITH
DECORATIONS RECEIVED.
Major D. A. MacKinnon, Distinguished Service Order and
Charlottetown, P.E.I. Croix de Guerre.
Capt. F. H. Tingley (killed), Moncton Military Cross.
Capt. A. L. Anderson, Toronto Military Cross and Bar.
Lieut. D. L. Teed (killed), St. Military Cross.
John, N.B.
Lieut. C. D. Shrieve (killed), Military Cross.
Digby, N.S.
Lieut. R. Fleet, Montreal Military Cross.
Lieut. F. J. Longworth (killed), Military Cross.
Charlottetown
Lieut. J. W. L. Harris, Moncton, Military Cross.
N.B.
Lieut. A. B. Manning, Toronto Military Cross.
Lieut. A. Livingstone, Sydney, N.S. Military Cross.
Lieut. I. Alexander, Fredericton, Military Cross.
N.B.
Lieut. J. O’Grady, Winnipeg