Arthur Douglas Crease Letters, Diaries and Scrapbooks
Letters from Arthur Douglas Crease of Victoria to his brother Lindley Crease and his mother Sarah Crease; instructions for the offensive of July 26, 1917; a regimental notebook, diaries and scrapbook. Learn more.
*All transcriptions are provided by volunteers, and the accuracy of the transcriptions is not guaranteed. Please be sure to verify the information by viewing the image record, or visiting the BC Archives in person.
BC Archives MS-0055; BC Archives MS-2879
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attack with the help of artillery this trench was one probably dug by the Boche when they were turned out of Courcellette by the 22nd - It was very narrow rather shallow & not continuous - no funk holes even - The shelling was heavy - much gallantry was shown by the Bn - Reynolds got a D.S.O for his work in command of D. Co. killing 2 Boche officers with his own hand & Tordiffe an M. C for outpost work
28 Sept. Shelling not so severe. Enemy retreated 4 kilo & everyone went out in front clearing battlefield & collecting souvenirs - At dawn Saw several Boche trying to come in surrender mown down by their own artillery & M.G. Troops of our Divn. advanced in fours almost to Le Sars - After being relieved, as we thought, sent back into the trenches for a long & weary wait - the trenches being packed with troops Returned to Sunken Valley at midnight. Very tired & thirsty but received a splendid welcome back. (Major Latta said "Here comes Crease D.S.O") Found that I had been reported killed & my kit sent down accordingly.
BC Archives, MS-2879 Box 83 File 1 / CREASE FAMILY / "Diary of the War", diary and scrapbook of Arthur Douglas Crease, 1915 - 1919.