The 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles - ElectricCanadian.com

66 4ra CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLESsector became less and less and by this time the linethad become practically stationary. The trenches wereimproved and further consolidated. A few minor operations helped to straighten the zig-zag front and apartfrom artillery duels and night bombing, nothing of significance happened. For the Canadian Corps, interest inthe Vimy area was almost at an end. On July 29th theDivisional Commander, Major-General Lipsett, circulated a memorandum:The Third Canadian Division has just been withdrawn for training,after being in the line and continuously engaged since 16th March.All objectives were captured exactly as ordered in the attack onVimy Ridge on 9th April, in subsequent operations the villages of PetitVimy, Vimy, La Chaudiere. Avion and German trenches were occupiedand an advance of approximately four and one-half miles was made.must thank all ranks for the interest and keenness shown in studying thesituations and making thorough preparations as well as the admirableway in which the plans were carried out.The Battalion went to Canada Camp at Bois de la Haie1917 and on the 25th marched to Auchel along the old Romanroad, an ancient chaussee which went as straight as aruler north-west from Arras. They passed throughGauchin -Legal, Ranchicourt, Houdain and Divion toAuchel and were again near Burbure, in the same areain which they trained for the Vimy show. Auchel wasa small tow T n about four miles south of Lillers andtwice as far west of Bethune on the fringe of the miningdistrict of Lens. Lieutenant G. Clark was sent aheadas billeting officer and his successful efforts in billetingthe Battalion on this particular occasion will be recalled by those officers whose depression at the endof the day was relieved by a convivial evening withtwo Staff Officers. The circumstances were as follows;when the Battalion left Bois de la Haie it was an intensely hot August morning with threatening blackclouds rolling up and before billets were reached athunderstorm broke. Rain came in torrents and drenchedthe men to their skins, playing havoc with the smartnesswhich had marked their appearance earlier in the day.In the midst of the storm the Divisional Commandersuddenly appeared and not allowing his sympathy toovercome his sense of dutv detailed two of his StaffI