The 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles - ElectricCanadian.com

FRANCE AND THE TRENCHES 11ment moved on November 22nd to Bulford Camp, andthe Transport to English Farm, half a mile away. Onthe following day, Seely s Force relieved the 2nd Brigadeof the First Canadian Division in the trenches at Hill 63,near Ploegsteert. This relief marked the first time theRegiment had assumed responsibility for the defence of apart of the British line in Flanders. The men spent fourdays in the front line and four in Divisional Reserve. TheUnit moved back on December 9th to Corps Reserve,immediately east of the much-used town of Bailleul,where it remained until the end of the month.With thistour the Regiment began to experience itsfirst serious casualties. On December 1st, while in theforward area a shell burst over "A"squadron billetskilling Private W. I. Fulford and wounding five men.L.-Corporal H. B. Hodge died of wounds and was buriedat St. Omer. He had been acting as Chaplain to theRegiment and was one of fourteen clergymen who servedin the ranks of the 4th C. M. R. The Regiment had justtaken over the front line when Private R. J. Craig waskilled by a bomb while on duty in a listening-post in aforward sap.On December 3rd a patrol discovered a Germanworking party on the Wulverghem-Messines Road beyondthe low ground in the rather wide No-Man s-Land onthis sector. The next day it was discovered that a barrierhad been erected across the road. The weather was unfavourable, it had been raining for several days, visibilitywas poor and the artillery was unsuccessful in an attemptto remove it. Consequently General Seely came intothe lines and asked for volunteers to raid the barrier.The raiding party was to get prisoners for identificationpurposes, if possible; find out the reasons for such abarrier; make a reconnaissance and return within anhour. Lieutenant G. W. Rutter, a Sergeant, a Corporaland ten men of "CSquadron volunteered. The partystarted about 10.00 p.m. and were supported by anotherparty located in front of the trench and also by one inthe trenches under Captain Donald MacKay. The raidwas to take place behind the screen of an artillery bom-