25th April 1917: Diary

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 Wed., Apr 25, 1917   S18 D8.2.

6 AM	Weather fine – Bright.  Situation quiet. Wind North.
10 AM	Companies engaged on General trench repair work.  No Hostile shelling.
2 PM	Relief with 52nd Battalion commenced and companies moving back in accordance with instructions contained in Battalion Operation Order No. 47.
5 PM	The Battalion marched into VILLERS AU BOIS reaching billets at 4.30 P.M.
6 PM	Headquarter established in Suburban Huts – South East of Villers au Bois – Companies also billeted in huts this area.

24th April 1917: Diary

Tue., Apr 24, 1917   S18 D 8.2.

6 AM	Weather fine – bright.  Situation quiet. Wind North.
10 AM	Marked aeroplane activity on both sides. Hostile artillery occasionally/shelling old Crater line. Operation Order No. 47 by Major W. W. Foster. D.S.O. Act/O.C. 2nd C.M.R.Battalion issued. EXTRACT In accordance with instructions issued by 8th C.I.B. the 2nd C.M.R.Battalion will move from GOODMAN TUNNEL to VILLERS AU BOIS on 25th April,1917., on relief by 52nd Battalion. Companies will leave GOODMAN TUNNEL at following times:- HEADQUARTERS    2.00 P.M. “A” COMPANY 2.00 P.M. “C” COMPANY 2.20 P.M. “B” COMPANY 2.10 P.M. “D” COMPANY 2.30 P.M. Conditions being normal, companies will halt at BERTHOVAL FARM, from which point they will proceed as a Battalion.
8 PM	Situation quiet – Wind still North.

23rd April 1917: Diary

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 Mon., Apr 23, 1917     S18 D 8.2.

6 AM	Weather fine – cold.  Situation quiet. Wind North.
2 PM	Working parties engaged all morning improving position and cleaning out dug-outs etc.
4 PM	Slight hostile artillery activity during afternoon – No casualties. Salvage parties at work.
8 PM	Situation Normal.

22nd April 1917: Diary

Sun., Apr 22, 1917   S29 C 2.6.

6 AM	Weather – Fine.  Wind North.
1 PM	Situation quiet.
8 PM	The Battalion moved forward to relieve the 1st C.M.R. Battalion in VIMY: Dispositions as follows Battalion Headquarters S 18 D.8.2. “B” Company T 21 B.2.2. to T 20.A.3.6. (New Trench) “C” Company T 19 B.8.5. Railway embankment. “D” Company S 18 D Railway embankment. “A” Company (2 Platoons) T. 13 A (New Trenches) “A” Company (2 Platoons) T 19 B.2.3. to T 19 A 2.3.

21st April 1917: Diary

Sat., Apr 21, 1917   S29 C 2.6.

6 AM	Bright and few showers – Wind North. Hostile artillery active during morning shelling back of Vimy Ridge.
1 PM	Situation quiet
8 PM	“A” Company 2nd C.M.R., relieved 1 Company of the 1st C.M.R.Battalion in VIMY.

20th April 1917: Diary

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Fri., Apr 20, 1917   S29 C 2.6.

6 AM	Weather – Fair and cloudy. Wind North. Burial parties and salvage parties working continuously throughout the day
2 PM	Weather bright.  Marked aeroplance activity on both sides during the afternoon.
6 PM	Hostile artillery shelling intermittently back of Vimy Ridge to old Crater line – no casualties
10 PM	Situation Normal.

19th April 1917: Diary

Thu., Apr 19, 1917   VILLERS AU BOIS FRANCE

6 AM	Raining steadily – Wind NORTH.
5 PM	Throughout day all companies were employed salvaging equipment, ammunition etc., and also establishing Brigade Dumps.  Burial parties at work. The strength of the Battalion in the trenches is 17 Officers and 394 Other Ranks

Officers on Duty

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LIST OF OFFICERS ON DUTY IN TRENCHES – TOUR APRIL 18TH/24TH	MAJOR W. W. FOSTER 2nd In Command (Acting O.C.) MAJOR L. W. MILLER – ADJUTANT. CAPTN A. C. ARMSTRONG – M.O. LIEUT C. F. DOUGLAS – BOMBING OFFICER
“A” COMPANY LIEUT. J. FOORD LIEUT. J. McKENZIE LIEUT. J. RICHARDSON	“B” COMPANY LIEUT. D. U. CAMERON LIEUT. C. J. LEWIS LIEUT. J. K. POTTER
“C” COMPANY MAJOR T. GODFREY LIEUT J. W. WILSON LIEUT. C. H. HANNA	“D” COMPANY MAJOR S. B. VAN KLEECK MAJOR H. T. NATION MAJOR W. SHORTREED LIEUT. J. H. JACKSON

18th April 1917: Diary

Wed., Apr 18, 1917   VILLERS AU BOIS FRANCE

6 AM	Weather fine – cloudy.
10 AM	All personnel preparing for departure to trenches and afternoon devoted to cleaning billets and adjacent grounds.
8 PM	The Battalion left VILLERS AU BOIS for trenches – relieving 5th C.M.R. Battalion.  Relief completed without casualties.Headquarters Forward established at SPANDAUS HAUS – Map Location S 29 C 2.6 Sheet 36  C . Disposition of Companies as follows:- “A” COMPANY on VIMY ROAD. “B” COMPANY in PRINZ ARNOLF GRABEN “C” COMPANY in LA FOLIE WOODZ “D” COMPANY in LA FOLIE WOOD. The Battalion is now in reserve.  Weather – Raining and trenches very muddy.

13th April 1917: Diary

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Fri., Apr 13, 1917 VILLERS AU BOIS FRANCE

The Battalion reached VILLERS AU BOIS about 1.00 A.M. and took over Huts and billets previously mentioned.  Headquarters were again established in Farm House – Billet No. 6. Rue Carencey. Villers au Bois.