Vimy; 9 April 1917

[Michael OLeary]

As we remember the attack on Vimy Ridge, the Regiment's own War Diary provides a synopsis of actions that day:

War Diary of The RCR - APRIL 1917

9.4.17. - QUARRIES LINE.

See Appendix No. 3. Lieuts. THOMPSON, BLOTT, CHURCHILL, BOLE, BECK, and ROOKS were Killed in Action. Lieuts. BARKER, DAVIES, Captain MUNN, Lieuts. GRAY, ROBINSON and LEWIS were Wounded in Action. The following numbers of Other Ranks were casualties. Killed in Action 50, Wounded in Action 159, Missing 65. It is presumed that the majority of missing will be found in Field Ambulance or will return from Other Units. Lieut. FOSTER wounded, at duty.

Appendix 2. - Summary of operations of R.C.R. during the ninth of April, 1917.

9th April - 9.20 a.m.

Reported that Hun counter-attack was repulsed and that they were massing for another counter-attack on our right. The Artillery were ordered to quicken the barrage. A platoon of the 49th Bn. E.R. was sent forward to reinforce "B" Co. (right Co.) They left our Bn. Headquarters 10 a.m. Major WILLOUGHBY went out on a reconnaissance to ascertain where exactly our right is resting, both at the final objective and at FAMINE and FEATHER trenches. He left Headquarters at about 9.45 a.m., he also had orders to look out for the enemy massing for a counter-attack. The enemy did a certain amount of erratic Artillery shooting for the rest of the day. There were no indications of a counter-attack. Most of our casualties suffered when we got to LA FOLIE WOOD principally through snipers.

We dug in and consolidated right away. "B" Co. lost all its Officers and on that account did not get on so quickly with the digging.

[Michael OLeary]

One of the officers of the Regiment recorded the following notes:

An RCR Officer's Diary 1914-1918 - APRIL 1917

The task allotted to the regiment was the capture of two objectives, the first a line of trenches about 800 yards forward, the second the Ecole Commune, the chateau and western edge of La Folie Wood some 400 yards further on. The frontage was approximately 250 yards with 4th Cdn Mtd Rifles on the right and P.P.C.L.I. on the left. Assisting were four guns of 7th Cdn M.G. Co., two guns 7th Cdn Trench Mortar Battery (Stokes guns), a party of 7th Field Co. Cdn Engineers with the Brigade wiring party, and two platoons of 49th Cdn Battn (Edmonton Regt) which acted as "moppers up".

The battalion went into action [with] 16 company officers and 632 other ranks. Thirteen officers and 290 other ranks became casualties.

His fill description of the day's achievements can be read at the link.