The 116th Battalion in France

by E. P. S. Allen

Back Row:—Lt. E. B. Elliott; Lt. G. W. Morgan; Lt. C. R. Hillis (killed in action); Lt. A. L. MacDonald; Lt. H. K. Wood; Lt. F. A. MacGrotty (killed in action); Lt. W. E. Shier; Lt. G. E. Haygarth; Lt. W. A. Orr; Lt. J. B. Quarry; Lt. H. E. Patterson.

Third Row:—Lt. R. W. Soper (killed in action); Lt. J. A. Hughes; Lt. J. A. Proctor (accidentally killed); Lt. W. J. Preston (killed in action); Lt. J. A. Gibson (killed in action); Lt. R. W. Biggar (killed in action); Lt. A. H. Dixon; Lt. J. A. Huggins; Lt. H. R. Williams; Lt. G. M. Leslie; Lt. T. A. Irwin; Lt. A. K. Wilson; Lt. T. H. Broad (killed in action).

Second Row:—Capt. Armstrong, C.A.M.C.; Capt. D. Ritchie, O.C. (A Co’y); Actg. Major E. P. S. Allen, O.C. (B Co’y); Major G. R. Pearkes, M. C. (2nd in Command); Lt.-Col. S. S. Sharpe, O.C. (accidentally killed); Capt. A. F. Hind (Adjutant); Capt. H. E. Ruwald, O.C. (C Co’y); Capt. A. W. Baird, O.C. (D Co’y) (killed in action); Capt. N. E. Fairhead (Quartermaster).

Front Row:—Lt. W. A. Dunlop; Lt. L. V. Sutton; Lt. J. H. Hughes, M.C. (Transport Officer); Lt. K. L. Wallace; Lt. H. E. Gee.

After a march by easy stages from the Amiens sector we finally reached “Y” huts on the 25th of August; old familiar rest homes of the Nissen variety on the Arras-St. Pol Road. The reports from all parts of the line were most satisfactory, but we had not been allowed to while away the summer in training for nothing, and on the morning of the 26th we were again on the march in “battle order.”

It was soon realized that something serious was on in front, our hearts being gladdened by the sight of six hundred or more Bosch prisoners, who were passed en route for the rear.

About midday, after marching through the picturesque old city of Arras, we halted on the outskirts of the city and made ourselves comfortable in cellars and ruined houses.

Along the line of march we had been busy among ourselves with conjectures as to what our next job was to be, and from information secured from walking wounded and others, we learned that the 8th Brigade C.M.R., after several days of fighting, had attacked and captured the village of Monchy Le Preu, a particularly fine piece of work, for Monchy was a hard nut to crack owing to its geographical situation on the high ground, situated about three miles east of Arras and just north of the Arras-Cambrai Road.

At 7 p.m. we moved forward again and at 11.30 p.m. reached and occupied shell holes just west of Monchy, very fortunately shown on the map as Orange Hill. On our arrival here orders were received from the 9th Brigade to co-operate with other units of the Brigade and attack at 4.55 a.m. A conference of Company Commanders was hastily called when the plan of attack was discussed and instructions quickly detailed, and at 12.10 midnight, companies had moved off by platoons to take up assembly positions in the jumping-off trench held by the Royal Canadian Regiment. It was a pitch dark night with no opportunity for looking over the ground, and very little time to explain to the men the objective and plan of attack. It was here that the results of summer training and night manoeuvres justified the many hours spent, all companies being in position by 4 a.m., thus giving all hands a breathing spell and an opportunity to explain details of the attack.

The Brigade objectives were Boiry-Notre-Dame, Artillery Hill, and the two woods known as Bois du Sart and Bois du Vert. The 58th Battalion objective was the Bois du Sart, and the 52nd Battalion the Bois du Vert. The 116th Battalion was to pass through these units and capture Boiry and Artillery Hill, the 43rd Battalion to follow in reserve. “A” Company (Capt. Preston) was to follow in close support to the 52nd Battalion, and on their clearing the wood was to follow through and make a turning movement north on Boiry Village. “D” Company (Capt. Wilson), followed by “C” Company (Capt. Sutton), were to work along the sunken road between the two woods and on their being cleared were to push on and capture Boiry and Artillery Hill, “B” Company (Major Pratt) to follow in close support of “C” and “D” Companies.