FROM THE ST. LAWRENCE TO THE YSER

Lieuts. Klotz, Strathy and Curry at Amesbury.

FROM THE ST. LAWRENCE
TO THE YSER

WITH THE 1st CANADIAN BRIGADE

BY

FREDERIC C. CURRY

LATE CAPTAIN 2ND EASTERN ONTARIO REGIMENT

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS

McCLELLAND, GOODCHILD & STEWART,

PUBLISHERS ... Toronto.
Printed in Great Britain.

To
LIEUT.-GENERAL SIR SAM HUGHES,
K.C.B., M.P., MINISTER OF MILITIA,
TO WHOSE EFFORTS
THE EFFICIENCY OF THE CANADIAN CONTINGENTS
IS LARGELY DUE.

PREFACE

In presenting this little work to the public the writer wishes to thank those of his fellow-officers and others who brought to his notice incidents that did not come under his personal observation.

Valuable assistance has been gained from the official accounts of Sir Max Aitken, and from the historical writings of Mr. John Buchan with regard to the parts played by other brigades and divisions with which we were co-operating.

In spite of these attempts to broaden its outlook, the book stands in the main a personal account of the actions of the 1st Brigade, Canadian Infantry.

As such, however, the writer hopes it will be accepted, and not as a detailed history of the events chronicled, though every attempt has been made to check the accuracy of the facts stated.

One fictitious character has been introduced, that of Begbie Lyte, in order to make the tale impersonal.

In all other cases the true names of persons mentioned, or initials, have been used.

To Dr. Shipley, Master of Christ's College, Cambridge, the writer owes much for his kindly criticisms and encouragement in this work.

F.C. Curry.

October, 1916.

CONTENTS

• ANTE-BELLUM
• PETEWAWA
• MOBILISATION
• VAL CARTIER
• THE CONVOY
• IN ENGLAND
• INTERIM
• YPRES, 1915
• WITH THE DRAFT
• THE BREAKING IN
• RESERVE BILLETS
• BAILLEUL
• THE TREK SOUTH
• FESTUBERT, 1915
• CARPE DIEM
• GIVENCHY, 1915
• NORTHWARD AGAIN
• NIGHTS OF GLADNESS!
• IN FRONT OF MESSINES
• MINE WARFARE
• MYTHS, FAIRIES, ETC.
• THE WINTER MONTHS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Lieuts. Klotz, Strathy and Curry at Amesbury

Sailing down the St. Lawrence, near Bic

Church Parade

Eastern Ontario Regiment, near Stonehenge

Manœuvres on Salisbury Plain

Field Kitchen in Reserve Billets

Amateur Theatricals Back of the Line

The Distillery at Givenchy