Wednesday, March 3, 1915
In billets, Bac St. Maur
The Battalion War Diarist wrote for this day: “Senior officers Canadians assembled at Corps where they were briefly addressed by the G.O.C. Corps whose chief remark was ‘Gentlemen you are about to face a cunning, cruel, and unscrupulous enemy. If you make a mistake, you will not get the chance to make a second one.’ Battn. afterwards addressed by Lt.-Gen. Alderson, commanding the Canadian Divn. Just before dusk battalion left billets to proceed to the front line near the Rue Petillon (Fleurbaix Sector) opposite Fromelles where it took over the sub-sector held by a squadron of the Northumberland Hussars (Yeomanry), and the 1st Battn. Grenadier Guards, who were commanded by Lt.-Col. Fisher-Rowe, 2nd in command Major Trotter. Relief completed in less than two hours. Guards handed over 3 cows for use of Bn. H.Q.” [1]
THIS DAY IN RMR HISTORY: “The Guards, being veteran soldiers, had made themselves as comfortable as circumstances permitted, among their assets being three cows. These they presented to Lieut.-Col. Meighen and the officers of 14th Battalion H.Q.” [2]
It was normal procedure for a unit leaving the trenches to turn over to the relieving unit the trench equipment, and other necessary supplies, but this was undoubtedly the first time, and probably the last, that the 14th Bn. took over some “cows.”
“From this date, March 3, 1915, the First Canadian Division was now responsible for a large section of front near Fleurbaix, France, as part of the 4th British Army Corps.” [3]
[1] War Diary, 14th Canadian Battalion, The Royal Montreal Regiment, March 3, 1915. Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e044/e001089700.jpg
[2] R.C. Featherstonhaugh, The Royal Montreal Regiment 14th Battalion C.E.F. 1914-1925, Montreal, The Gazette, Printing Co., Ltd., 1927, pg. 30.
[3] https://legionmagazine.com/en/2011/03/on-this-date- march/