Behind the Wire 1916

| January 20, 2018

16th Battalion C.E.F. Prisoners of War (Part 2) …the enemy opened a heavy bombing attack against the left flank. Sergeant Slessor was wounded and captured – he died three days afterwards. His post was overwhelmed. Only after hard fighting was this onslaught stopped and the block retaken. (Urquhart, The Sixteenth, page 183) See also Behind […]

Gallantry on the Somme: The 16th at Regina Trench

| October 4, 2016

The 16th Battalion C.E.F. (The Canadian Scottish) Regina Trench Awards The Victoria Cross for Valour 28930 Private (Piper) James Cleland Richardson Died of wounds August 9, 1916. Buried at Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont, Somme, France. For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when, prior to attack, he obtained permission from his Commanding Officer to […]

Men Among Its Brambles

| January 27, 2013

The CEF, Barbed Wire and the Victoria Cross The Great War poet, soldier and recipient of the Military Cross, Wilfred Owen wrote, “Watching we hear the mad gusts tugging on the wire”. The phrase reminds me that during the war’s silence, eerie unto itself, the men within the trenches were conscious of every sound, every […]