In Flanders Fields – My Grandfather’s War Part 6 – November 8 to 11 1918 – The Armistice and Liberation of Mons

By Joe Corrigan

In this 6th and final entry in the series entitled “My Grandfather’s War” we look back on the final days of the Canadian Corps’ involvement in the fighting leading up to the liberation of the Belgian city of Mons. The Corps had been in almost continuous action over the “100 Days Campaign” facing stiff resistance from the retreating German army. As the 8th of November 1918 dawned, events were occurring at a rapid pace with the end of the war in sight.

The Liberation of Mons, Belgium – November 8 - 11, 1918
On the heels of their passage of the Grand Honnelle, November 5 – 7, 1918, the Canadians continued their drive eastward towards Mons. On November 8th the 3rd Canadian Division cleared the villages of Thivencelle and St. Aybert of German troops. In the evening these troops crossed the Canal de Conde in the dark and gained a foothold on the northern bank. In the south of the Canadian Corps front the 2nd Division took the village of Dour. November 9th saw the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry regiment reach the suburb of Jemappes after an advance of more than 8 kilometers. By nightfall that day, the 2nd Division had reached a line near the village of Bougnies which was only 6.5 kms south of Mons. At the same time, the 3rd Division had reached the Frameries – Mons road. In Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm II, the head of state and the armed forces, abdicated and went into exile in the Netherlands. A new government was installed and it immediately sought to negotiate an armistice with the allies. By 11:00 pm on the night of November 10th, the 2nd Division had occupied the village of Hyon to the south west of Mons. Units of the Canadian Corps then began to enter the city of Mons clearing eastward while other troops crossed the Canal de la Derivation and moved north west of the city.    

The Final Advance: Cambrai to Mons 12 October - 11 November 1918

The Armistice – November 11, 1918
At 6:30 am on November 11th, the Canadian Corps headquarters was notified that the armistice would take effect at 11:00 am that day. None-the-less, the pursuit continued reaching a line eight kilometers north-east of Mons by the time hostilities ceased.
The You Tube Channel “Simple History” has a detailed account of the events leading up to and after the armistice which is available at the following link:
The WW1 Armistice: https://youtu.be/vr4JU7C8yDE

For more background on this period in time check out The Great War YouTube episode links below:
November 11, 1918: https://youtu.be/xa1ALtQqrVs

The Death of George Price – 10:58 am November 11, 1918
Pvt. George Lawrence Price was born in Nova Scotia on December 15, 1892. By the time he was conscripted into the army on October 15, 1917 he was living in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan. He was serving with “A” company of the 28th Battalion (Northwest) of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces on November 11, 1918. Starting at 4:00 am, Price’s battalion advanced from Frameries (south of Mons) to the village of Havre securing bridges over the Canal du Centre. The 28th Battalion made a rapid advance encountering only light resistance until they reached a position along the canal facing the community of Ville-sur-Haine. At this point, Price and a buddy, Art Goodmurphy, noticed some suspicious activity on the other bank of the canal. It appeared to them that the Germans were preparing firing positions in houses on the far side of the canal. Price and Goodmurphy, on their own initiative, organized a 5-man patrol to cross the bridge and investigate. They discovered that the Germans were setting up machine guns along a brick wall overlooking the canal. The Germans opened fire on the patrol but the Canadians were able to duck behind a house and avoid being hit. Aware that they were being outflanked, the Germans started to retreat. A Belgian family in one of the houses warned the Canadians to be careful as they followed the retreating Germans. It was at this point that Price was shot by a sniper as he stepped out of the house. He was dragged into a building and treated by a Belgian nurse who happened to be on the scene but died a minute later at 10:58 am. Price was the last Canadian and British Empire soldier to die in combat during the Great War and one of almost 3,000 soldiers killed on the last day of the war.

Nahlah Ayed of the CBC travelled to Mons Belgium to see the monument that was unveiled on the 100th anniversary of the armistice to honour George Price and the millions of others killed in the Great War. Here’s a link to her news item containing more details on the life, death and memorials to George Price: https://youtu.be/usvyq46ZVHM

Troops resting

Allied troops and airplane

Anti-aircraft crew

Female ambulance driver

Nurses voting for the first time

Photos courtesy of the Vimy Foundation's Armistice 18 100th anniversary commemoration display at Victoria Hall in Cobourg

Epilogue

Pvt. Charles O'Connor

The “In Flanders Fields” blog started in April of 2015 and, as a 100th anniversary retrospective, traced the history of Canada’s involvement in the Great War from the time of the 2nd Battle of Ypres, the Canadian Expeditionary Force’s baptism of fire, to November 11th, 1918. Over that time I’ve learned a lot about the contribution that our nation made during the course of that conflict. Over the years this series has profiled the growth and development of the Canadian Corps and highlighted its leadership and some of the more notable battles it was involved in including Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, Amiens and the 100 Days. It has profiled notable individuals including Princess Patricia, John McCrae, Arthur Currie, Francis Pegahmagabow and Talbot Papineau. As an avid student of history, it has helped me explore areas of interest to a level I wouldn’t have reached without the discipline of producing timely articles on major Canadian wartime events. As the timeline progressed to the time of the centennial of my grandfather’s participation in the Great War, this series of blogs also became a journey of personal discovery into his life and circumstances. My grandfather’s post-war experiences saw him hospitalized and uncommunicative in the 1930’s. Although he lived into the 1970’s, neither his three children nor his seventeen grandchildren alive at the time of his death have strong memories of him. It is the price he and we paid for his 14 months as a member of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces.
Having obtained copies of his service records from the National Archives, I was able to research his activities and location from May 1st to November 11th, 1918, As a result, I was able to connect with my grandfather, Charles O’Connor, in a way I could never do before. Tracing his progress from basic training at Camp Borden, his voyage to England, his time at Camp Witley in Surrey England and then to the front lines in northern France and Belgium, gave me insights into what he was experiencing and what was happening in the world at that time. Interestingly, his service documents show he was paid a total of $280.00 for his fourteen months (May 1918 to July 1919) in the army.  

On Remembrance Day 2018, for the first time in my life, I could look back with certainty knowing that he was in Belgium near Mons as the fighting came to an end. It was a personal revelation and one I have been able to share with my five siblings and sixteen cousins who were all alive at the time of my grandfather’s passing but who never had a chance to know him either. For that opportunity I am most grateful.   


Joe Corrigan was the Museum Manager at Lang Pioneer Village from February of 2003 until his retirement in May of 2018. He has been a lifelong student of history. His specific areas of interest are Canadian and world political, military and sports history with a particular focus on biographical works. 

In Flanders Fields – My Grandfather’s War Part 5 – November 1 to 7 1918 – The Pursuit to Mons

By Joe Corrigan

As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the armistice to end World War 1, we look back on the final days of the Canadian Corp’s involvement in the fighting leading up to the liberation of the Belgian city of Mons. The Corps had been in almost continuous action over the “100 Days Campaign” and, despite retreating, the Germans remained a formidable enemy. This is a brief summary of the individual battles Canadian's engaged in over those final days:

Battle of Valenciennes and the Capture of Moot Houy – November 1-2, 1918

The action began with the Germans holding the City of Valenciennes and a stronghold in the town of Marly, slightly to the south. The Canadian Corps advanced on these two positions inflicting 800 fatal casualties and capturing 1,800 troops for the loss of 80 killed and 300 wounded. Among those killed was Sergeant Hugh Cairns of the 46th Battalion (South Saskatchewan Regiment) of the Canadian 4th Division. For his actions in the assault on Marly, Cairns received the Victoria Cross, the last one awarded to a Canadian soldier during the war. His citation read as follows:

“For most conspicuous bravery before Valenciennes on 1st November, 1918 when a machine gun opened fire on his platoon. Without a moment’s hesitation Serjt. Cairns seized a Lewis gun (light machine gun) and single handed, in the face of direct fire, rushed the post, killed the crew of five, and captured the gun. Later, when the line was held up by machine gun fire, he again rushed forward, killing 12 enemy and capturing 18 and two guns.
Subsequently, when the advance was held up by machine guns and field guns, although wounded, he led a small party to outflank them, killing many, forcing about 50 to surrender and capturing all the guns.

After consolidation he went with a battle patrol to exploit Marly and forced 60 enemy to surrender. Whilst disarming the party he was severely wounded. Nevertheless, he opened fire and inflicted heavy losses. Finally he was rushed by about 20 enemy and collapsed from weakness and loss of blood.

Throughout the operation he showed the highest degree of valour, and his leadership greatly contributed to the success of the attack. He died on 2nd November from his wounds.”

(London Gazette, No. 31155, 31 January 1919)

The following day fighting continued. By nightfall the 4th Division had advanced to the Village of St. Saulve, about 1.5 kilometers east of Valenciennes while the 3rd Division had managed to pull even with them despite facing stiff German opposition. By the end of the day’s fighting on November 3rd, 1918, 4th Division patrols had penetrated to the Estreux-Onnaing road about 5 kilometers to the east of Valenciennes. By now, news came of the fact that Germany’s ally Austria had signed an armistice and was out of the war. Coming closely on the heels of a similar announcements about the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria it meant that Germany was now alone. The end of the war was clearly in sight. It was now no longer a matter of if but when. The situation in Germany was coming to a climax as well with the navy in mutiny and signs of revolution among the populous.  

Map of the final advance- Cambrai to Mons

Battle of the Sambre – November 4, 1918
The battle began with the 4th Division’s artillery barrage in preparation for an attack on the German position east of the Aunelle River. To the north, the 3rd Division’s assault on the mining town of Vicq met with strong opposition. Canadian troops gained a foothold but were driven back by intense German machine gun and artillery fire.

Passage of the Grande Honnelle – November 5-7, 1918
Heavy fighting continued on November 5th culminating in the 4th Division taking the village of Quarouble. Other units were halted by strong German defenses situated in a large mining slag heap west of the Aunelle River. The 3rd Division was finally able to secure the town of Vicq. The 4th Division gained control of the Petit and Grande Honnelle River along its entire front on the 6th. In the north, the village of Crespin was taken along with crossings at the Aunelle and Honnelle Rivers. November 7th saw the 3rd Division occupy the villages of La Croix and Hensies north of the main road. At the southern end of the Canadian Corps section of the front line, the 2nd Division advanced 5 kilometers to take the village of Elouges.  

Photos courtesy of the Vimy Foundation's Armistice 18 100th anniversary commemoration display at Victoria Hall in Cobourg

Pvt. Charles O'Connor

Charles O’Connor was serving at this time with the 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada) which was in the battle order of the Canadian Corps’ 1st Division. Lacking specific information about where the 1st Division was engaged during this period, one can only assume that they were in reserve playing a supporting role as the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Divisions took the lead in these assaults. Our next installment will cover the period from November 8th to 11th and the final battle outside of the Belgium city of mons.  
  
For more background on this period in time check out The Great War YouTube episode links below:
November 1, 1918:  https://youtu.be/aPMkcNAeMhQ
November 8, 1918:  https://youtu.be/RyKzKPurZqQ

For an understanding of the events leading up to and immediately after the armistice on November 11th, check out this You Tube link from the Simple History series:
https://youtu.be/vr4JU7C8yDE 

Joe Corrigan was the Museum Manager at Lang Pioneer Village from February of 2003 until his retirement in May of 2018. He has been a lifelong student of history. His specific areas of interest are Canadian and world political, military and sports history with a particular focus on biographical works. 

In Flanders Fields – My Grandfather’s War Part 4 – October 21, to November 7, 1918 – The Pursuit to Mons

By Joe Corrigan

Pvt. Charles O'Connor

My grandfather, Charles O’Connor, reported to the 15th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force as a replacement on October 21, 1918. He would have travelled through the battle scared landscape of northern France on his way to join his battalion at the front to the east of the French city of Cambrai. The experience would certainly have been a sobering one coming from the relative safety of England.

I remember hearing a radio commercial back in the 1980’s that stated “If you know where you’re going you know what to wear”. It strikes me that, by 1918, combat soldiers had a pretty clear understanding of where they were going and what to wear. Charles would have arrived fully equipped for infantry combat with a Brodie helmet, Lee Enfield rifle, gas mask and all the other items that four years of war had dictated Canadian and other British Empire soldiers needed to fight and survive in one of the cruelest environments imaginable. Historian Dan Snow ably illustrates the extent of this equipment in his short 2014 video entitled “WW1 Uncut – A Soldier’s Kit” which can be viewed at the following YouTube link: https://youtu.be/DjqdgGb739w

What happened between the taking of Cambrai by the Canadian Corps on October 9th and the armistice on November 11th, 1918 was something I could find very little information on in the past. In marking the centennial of the war, more details of these final days have become available. During Charles O’Connor’s time in France and Belgium, the Canadian Corps was involved to a greater or lesser extend in five battles with retreating German forces. These battles were:

·         Battle of the Selle (River) – October 17-25, 1918

·         Battle of Valenciennes and the Capture of Moot Houy – November 1-2, 1918

·         Battle of the Sambre – November 4, 1918

·         Passage of the Grande Honnelle – November 5-7, 1918

·         Capture of Mons – November 10-11, 1918

General Currie and the Canadian Corps would drive the German army back a total of seventy kilometres during the final thirty-two days of the war. The goal of liberating Mons had historic significance. Mons was the location where the British Expeditionary Force had first joined battle with the Germans on August 23, 1914. The small professional British Army, labelled “a contemptable little army” by Kaiser Wilhelm, had been forced to retreat following that confrontation. Mons was the place where the first British soldier had fallen in the Great War and it would also be the place where the last Canadian soldier (and possibly the last soldier on the Western Front) would fall as well.

The Battle of the Selle:

Following the battle of Cambrai, British forces advanced 3.2 kilometers liberating the towns of Naves and Thun-Saint-Martin after which German resistance began to stiffen. On October 11th, 1918, the 4th British Army moved into the vicinity of Le Cateau, a town that is situated on the Selle River. The Germans took up a defensive position on the east side of the river. The advancing British troops were faced with the challenge, not only of crossing the river, but assaulting the railway embankment and the ridge immediately adjacent to the east bank. It was determined that a night assault would be the best way to begin the attack. The river was fairly swallow at this time and planks would be used to support the infantry attack to be followed up with pontoon bridges to allow the horse drawn artillery to support the advance. After a six day halt to make preparations, an artillery barrage opened up and the troops advanced at 5:20 a.m. on October 17th. Infantry and tanks supported by a creeping barrage advanced along a 16 kilometer front south of Le Cateau. Despite stiff resistance and uncut barbed wire, the attack advanced and, by nightfall, Le Cateau was in allied hands. Over the next two days the 4th Army drove the Germans back another 8 kilometers advancing towards the Canal de la Sambre.

The Canadian Corps was attached at this point to the British 3rd Army occupying the front line to the north of the 4th Army attacks. These formations launched a surprise night attack on October 20th in conjunction with the British 1st Army situated further to the north. The 3rd Army was able to secure the high ground east of the Selle. Following a two-day pause in the fighting to bring up supporting heavy artillery, the 1st, 3rd, and 4th British Armies renewed a combined offensive on the 23rd and 24th of October. They forced the Germans to withdraw at a controlled pace. The Germans attempted a counter attack at the Canal de la Derivation on the 24th but were repulsed and subsequently driven back by the Belgian Army. After which the battle came to a close.      

On October 21st, 1918, Charles O’Connor and the 15th Battalion, which was part of the 1st Brigade in the 1st Canadian Division, was located in the Foret De Vicoigne just west of the road between St. Armand and Anzin in France pictured above.

The next stage of the advance would be the Battle of Valenciennes and the Capture of Moot Houy which took place from on November 1-2, 1918 and will be covered in our next installment. For more background on this period in time check out The Great War YouTube episode links below:

October 18, 1918:  https://youtu.be/P67nRzCJcTc

October 25, 1918:  https://youtu.be/tTV3OmcBtgw



Joe Corrigan was the Museum Manager at Lang Pioneer Village from February of 2003 until his retirement in May of 2018. He has been a lifelong student of history. His specific areas of interest are Canadian and world political, military and sports history with a particular focus on biographical works.