March 1917

In my last post I explained that the 123rd Pioneer Battalion was readying themselves for deployment to France. Jack, who had been part of the 180th Battalion, had transfered over to the 123rd in February of 1917. By the beginning of March, the battalion was still in training for deployment.

Part of their camp at Witley was still under quarantine for vermin and then measles. In addition to their day to day duties as soldiers, the men of the 123rd enjoyed some of the comforts of home. The battalion diary states that on March 3rd, the officers played a game of baseball. According to Tim Cook's book, "At the Sharp End", organizations such as the YMCA and the Salvation Army established huts near Army Camps to care for soldier's needs.

From what I was told by my father, Jack was mad for baseball. In fact, it, along with football (soccer) and cricket were the most popular sports played by the BEF and CEF. From "At the Sharp End,"

"The Canadian baseball matches within or between battalions and then against other armies' teams, especially the Americans' once they joined the war, attracted enormous crowds."

On March 6th, the Battalion recieved orders to leave for France on the 8th. This was eventually delayed 24 hours. On March 10th, Jack, along with the rest of the 123rd Pioneer Battalion boarded the transport ship "Invicta." They disembarked in Boulogne-sur-Mer that evening and the battalion marched to the Camp St. Marten for the night. Upon arrival in France, the strength of the battalion was 43 officers and 857 other ranks.

The 123rd Pioneer Battalion had been stationed in Haillicourt for a few days before they received word that they would be replacing the 3rd Pioneer Battalion. In the War diaries it states there much confusion over these orders. The main problem with moving to replace the 3rd Pioneer Division seemed to be that there were not enough billets for all the men. Tents were hastily put up. On March 17, the battalion moved to Bois des Alleux to relieve the 3rd Pioneers. Being only 3 miles behind the front lines, the guns were clearly heard. The next morning A, C, and D (I believe this was my great-grandfather's company) companies were detailed to begin where the 3rd Pioneers left off.

Jack's war had begun.



D Company was given the job of maintaining a road near the towns of Mont St. Eley and La Targette (which was destroyed.) A portion of this road came under enemy fire and two causalities were recorded. They were Pte. Carpenter (sent to hospital) and Pte. Bain (returned to work.)

For the next few weeks D Company worked on that road and came under more shell fire. On March 24, the 123rd's camp was shelled by German planes. By the end of the month the road was within 100 yards of completion.