The 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles - ElectricCanadian.com

88 4TH CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLESSecond Divisions on November 6th took Passchendaeleand its famous ridge.^n October the 31st the Battalion moved to Tay Camp.The men left California Trench at 8.30 a.m. and marchedto the Transport Lines where they picked up their packswhich had been left before going into the line. Theymarched back into Ypres and entrained at 11.45 a.m. forAbeele on the Belgian border, half-way between Poperingheand Steenvoorde. The Transport marched backby Ypres, Poperinghe and Hillehoek. Tay Camp, thedestination, was just north of Hillehoek and as nearPoperinghe as Abeele but for some reason they detrainedat the latter and marched back. The Camp was pitchedin the same fields where the 4th C. M. R. had practisedfor the Somme in the previous year. The Battalion wentinto tents which were anything but comforting shelteraircraft waswhen night bombing was so popular; enemyparticularly active around Poperinghe and the strictestcare was exercised to avoid identification at night. Nolights were allowed to be exposed which, in tents, meantthat darkness prevailed after night fall. For troops inrest after such recent experiences, the nights were drearyand uninteresting except for sleep which, with only canvasfor protection, was anything but tranquil.After three days at Tay Camp they were shiftedtoShrine Camp, a mile or so west. Reinforcements beganto arrive and fresh kit was issued; leather and fur jerkinswere distributed in preparation for the winter. Thesewind-breaking, ill-fitting jackets of goat-skin, were warmbut not smart. Most of them had been already campaigning on other backs. While at Shrine Camp Major-General Lipsett and Brigadier-General Elmsley visitedthe Camp; the Divisional Commander addressing theBattalion complimented them on their behaviour onOctober 26th. He said in part:General Elmsley, Colonel Patterson, Officers, N. C. O. S and menof the 4th C. M. R. Battalion; I wish to thank you very much for thework you have done. Previous to our attack two Divisions had triedwithout success to take the position which we secured. This is thefirst time, as far as I know, that any particular body of troops havebeen specially mentioned by the Commander-in-Chief.