The 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles - ElectricCanadian.com

"DURING THE LAST GERMAN OFFENSIVE 107probably the most fateful day in the history of the 4thC. M. R., a church service was held and 500 men attended.Captain Holman of the 1st C. M. R., recalled in the mostvivid language, the story of the "originals"who werereduced in a few hours from 700 to 70 men. The Bandplayed"Abide with Me" while the men stood to attention. A few were present who had been at Sanctuaryit was a mostWood and for this handful, especially,impressive ceremony.Everyone was very pleased to find in Battalion orders June 8,on the 8th, that Lieutenant A. Clarke had been awardedthe Military Cross, and Sgt. F. Lyons, Sgt. W. Olderand Pte. S. T. Foster, the Distinguished Conduct Medal.During this time an international enemy made itsappearance. At first it was a great mystery and evento the Medical profession it was known as P.U.O. (PyrexiaUnknown Origin). It was also expressed as Spanish "Flu" and originally supposed to be another Germanatrocity introduced through Spain but, fortunately, theenemy also had it. It developed into the well-knownInfluenza, and was most serious for all the Armies.Their man-strength was reduced enormously. In theBattalion, at the first indication of the epidemic, seventymen went sick. Manoeuvres and sports had to becancelled on account of the depleted ranks.The Second Canadian Division had been in the lineunder the VI Corps, Third Army, Neuville Vitasse Sector,south of Arras, since March 28th. The Third Divisionwas ordered to relieve it. Consequently training wassuspended on June 25th and the Battalion moved south. June 25,They went by train from Aire to Savy where theydetrained and marched to Manin, a little village nearAvesnes-le Comte, behind Arras. The Battalion passedthrough this district on the march from the Somme toVimy. It had two chateaux, reminders of the Royalistregime, where the whole Battalion was able to billeteither in them or in their surrounding buildings. On the29th they marched to Bretencourt, settling in Nissenhuts for the night, and w r ent into the support trenchesof the Mercatel sector on the night of the 30th, relieving