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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Talking of Vimy Ridge
1917
Very strenuous day in Orderly Room & [illegible]. 1 shell dropped in [illegible]. USA declared war.
Apr 7. Sat. Reparations for attack going on well.
8. Easter Sunday. A glorious bright fresh sunny day - Memorable in many ways. Officers talking to their men - last instructions, last details - next of kin re - all the final preparations - a wonderful sight amongst the columns of the big breech pres. [illegible] flaying - Bns all round us - The place thick with soldiers - Sunset light on the [illegible] - tents dyed dark red with much stain - groups of helmeted men round bonfires - singing "The long long trail". High spirits & good comradistry. (Lt Brown formerly Scout NCO rejoined us here & was killed next day - a very good chap). At 9 pm. they all march off. Major Latta stays behind with me & his adjt.
Apl 9. Monday - at 5 a.m. (4 am our time) Major Latta & I got up & watched the battle panorama from the high ground.
BC Archives, MS-2879
Box 83, File 1
CREASE FAMILY
"Diary of the War", diary and scrapbook of Arthur Douglas Crease. 1915-1919.