The 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles - ElectricCanadian.com

46 4TH CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLES1916Dec. 23,Wherever new trenches were required or old ones repairedit was not uncommon to unearth bits of blue tunics, redtrousers or other evidence of sacrifices made in theprevious year by French troops. The Battalion had oneunpleasant tour during the month. It relieved the 2ndC. M. R. in the front line on the 17th and had the misfortune to lose on the same day, Lieutenant LeonardDunsford who had joined but a few days before. Towardthe end of the same tour a minor operation was carriedout by the Brigade. The 1st C. M. R. on the left of theBattalion were ordered to carry out a raid to procureidentifications of the opposing troops. The 4th C. M. R.were to make a demonstration and fake attack, with theobject of creating a diversion and to cover the retirementof the 1st C. M. R. The Battalion distracted the enemyso successfully, especially by the preparatory bombardment with trench-mortars, that a heavy retaliation wasconcentrated on them, destroying their assembly trenchcasualties that their fakeand inflicting so manyattack was abandoned. The 1st C. M. R. carried outtheir raid without a casualty before the enemy realizedwhat was taking place. Their commanding officer telegraphed his gratitude for the whole-hearted supportgiven by the Battalion. The Brigade allotted five extra"leaves" to the Battalion in recognition of its unselfishpart in the operation.They returned to rest billets in Etrun on the 23rd goinginto Divisional Reserve. Here they spent their secondChristmas; few being still with the Battalion who cameto France with it. The men were fortunate to be out ofthe line and able to have a good Christmas dinner. Theextra rations and comforts were largely due to the kindness and generosity of Lieut.-Colonel H. C. Cox, HonoraryColonel of the 9th Mississauga Horse, who, every Christmas sent to Lieut.-Colonel Gordon 100 to be spent incomforts for the men. The officers had a particularlygay time. Captain H. Franks abandoned his dignifiedoffice of adjutant and became the centre of amusementduring and after the dinner.The Battalion was back inthe trenches for the New