Fri., Jun 1, 1917
Battalion occupying front line T.30.A.4.2 to T.23.D.8.4. Sheet 36c S.W.
Quiet during day. Working parties out at night. Buried a number of bodies in Alberta Road, south of Arleaux Loop. Bodies badly decomposed and no identification possible. Wiring party at work on entire front completed one row of wire across front. Party also working on trenches T.30 A. Relief by the 16th Battalion commenced at 10.00 pm.
Sat., Jun 2, 1917
Battalion relieved at 1.10 am, and by 1.30 am, Headquarters moved back to Divl. Support. Battalion in shelters in Divisional Support by 6.00 am,at A.9A 3.1. Relief here completed by the 16th Battalion, 2nd C.I.B., at noon and the Battalion moved back to Divisional Reserve west of Aux Ritz corners. The balance of the day employed cleaning up and packing, preparatory to move to Corps Rest.
Sun., Jun 3, 1917
Battalion moved back to COUPIGNY HUTS,marching off at 10.40 am, and arriving at the Rest Area at 4.30 pm. Fine day for march. The men are billetted in seven huts,the transport in tents, the horse lines are in the open. Company Commanders and Headquarters Officers are billeted in Town, other Officers being in huts near the men’s lines. Battalion Hdqtrs at Q.11,C,33, Sheet 36 B. – Lieut-Col Rogers acting Brigadier.
Mon., Jun 4, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Training as laid down in syllabus carried out.
Tue., Jun 5, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Reorganization reported complete today. A reinforcement of 4 Officers and50 other ranks, and 14 rejoined from hospital arrived.
Wed., Jun 6, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Training carried out as laid down in syllabus. Working party at work on Bombing Pit.
Part of the Battalion at the Baths in HERSIN.
Thu., Jun 7, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Training carried out throughout the day. Units going to Baths in HERSIN. Nine O.R. rejoined from 4th M.G.C.
Fri., Jun 8, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Training carried out as laid down. Lieut. F.B. Doran proceeded to join R.F.C. today.
Sat., Jun 9, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Training carried out in morning. Instructions received that until further notice all Training is to be done in the mornings. Work commenced this afternoon on the preparation of ranges at Q.24. A 4.6, Sheet 36 B. Work being carried out by 20th and 21st Battalions.
Sun., Jun 10, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Church Parade this morning at 10.00 am. At 1.30 pm, the 20th Battalion Horse Show was held. It went off most successfully.
Mon., Jun 11, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Rained most of day. Instruction carried on in the huts, and a general cleaning up of the same carried on. Most of the O.R’s, who have not received anti-typhoid innoculation for 12 months were given it today. All men given preliminary Musketry Instruction.
Tue., Jun 12, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Very little training carried out today owing to innoculations of yesterday. Party at work as usual at ranges. Brigade Horse Show held in afternoon. This Battalion won 5 Firsts, and 4 Seconds, out of 11 entries. Draft of 50 O.R. received from England, and 30 O.R. rejoined from hospital.
Wed., Jun 13, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
During morning Battalion carried out training as laid down in syllabus. Seventy five men went to Gas School at MAISNIL BOUCHE and had exchanges and fitting of Box Respirators done. Working party all day employed on ranges, building the same. Some further innoculations carried out.
Thu., Jun 14, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
2nd Div. Horse Show held today. No training carried out, other than physical drill. 20th Bn Transport Turnout won second place, and will go on to Corps Show. Party firing on 30 yds service ranges. Lieut-Col. Rogers returned to Battalion from Brigade today.
Fri., Jun 15, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Work finished on ranges, and put into use up to 400 yds. Men who have fired on short range proceeded to long range today. 20th and 21st Bns are using the short and long ranges on alternate days.
Sat., Jun 16, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Training carried out as shown in syllabus. Firing on short ranges being carried on by No 2 Coy. Work party supplied to prepare sports grounds for Brigade Sports. Lieut-Col. Rogers proceeded to England on Duty.
Sun., Jun 17, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Work party supplied to prepare Sports Grounds for Brigade Sports. Church Parade at 9.00am today. Reinforcements 27.
Mon., Jun 18, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
No training other than physical drill. Battalion paraded to the Brigade Sports. This Unit won 130 lbs boxing, tug-of-war, and horse back wrestling, besides several seconds. The Assn. Football game was tied with the 18th Battalion, score 1 all. Very successful day.
Tue., Jun 19, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Training carried out as usual. Men firing on the long ranges. Work party supplied for work on Sports Grounds, for Divl Sports. Corps Horse Show today. 20th Battalion Transport Turnout won 5th Place, easily heading all 2nd Div. entries.
Wed., Jun 20, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Work party supplied as usual for work on sports field. Firing on short range continued. Training carried out as shown on syllabus. Fine and hot. 18th and 20th Battalion football teams played off tonight for Brigade Champions. Score- 0-0. 20 minutes overtime played.
Thu., Jun 21, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Usual work party supplied for work on sports field. Training carried out as usual. Firing on long range. Showery. Brigadier drew for football team to represent Bde in Divl. Sports, and lot fell to 18th Battalion. The understanding is that the Bde tie is to be settled after the Divisional Sports.
Fri., Jun 22, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Training carried out as usual. Firing on short range. We supplied two working parties for duty at sports field.
Sat., Jun 23, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
No training other than physical drill at 7.00 am. During balance of the day the Battalion attended the 2nd Divisional Sports. This Battalion won events as follows:-
Wrestling on horseback - First.
Tug-of-war - Second.
Boxing. 130 lbs. - Second.
The sports were most successful. The 18th Battalion won the final Association Football.
We have yet to play off our tie with them.
Sun., Jun 24, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Divine Service at 9.30 am. Kit inspection at 1.15 to 5.15 pm. All ranks on parade.
Mon., Jun 25, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Training carried out all morning. In afternoon the Battalion was inspected by the C.O. All ranks being on parade.
Tue., Jun 26, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Battalion inspected by O.C. in morning in Heavy Marching Order, and again in afternoon. Class of N.C.Os undergoing instruction in wiring by instructor sent from C.E.
Draft of 53 O.R. received today.
Wed., Jun 27, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Battalion fell in at 8.15 am for Inspection by G.O.C., 2nd Cdn Division.
G.O.C. arrived at 9.00am and completed his inspection at 11.00 am.
During afternoon No 4 Coy fired on the ranges. A tactical exercise without troops was carried out for all Officers in afternoon by Gen. Rennie., G.O.C., 4th C.I.B., and Lt. Col. Webber., G.S.O.I., 2nd Cdn. Div. It proved most instructive.
Thu., Jun 28, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Training carried out during morning,but rain during afternoon interfered. Men employed on repairs to clothing,and sewing on new shoulder patches.
Fri., Jun 29, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
During morning training carried on, Headquarters detail firing on the ranges.
In the afternoon all Officers and 35 N.C.O’s attended a Lecture by Lieut-Col. TWISS, Intelligence Officer, 1st Army., on the German Army. It proved most instructive.
Sat., Jun 30, 1917 COUPIGNY HUTS, FRANCE
Training carried out during morning. C.O. away on a Court Martial.
Raining part of morning and afternoon.
[Note transcriber: War Diary for this month signed by Acting Lt. Col. H.V. Rorke, Commanding 20th Canadian Bn.]
Appendices
A. Operation Order No. 94, for Ist.June,Relief of 4th.C.I.B. in Divisional Support Area
by 2nd.C.I.B. during daylight 2nd.June.
Operation Order No. 95,for 2nd.June—4th.C.I.B. to be relieved by Ist.C.I.B. in Re-serve Area on Sunday 3rd.June. – Instructions Re O.O.No.95—MARCH DISCIPLINE.
Appendix A.
8
20th Cdn. Bn. OPERATION ORDER. No 94.
SECRET. COPY NO. . . .
Ref. 51 B N.W. 1/20,000 1st June. 1917.
INFORMATION 1. The 4th C.I.B. will be relieved in The Divisional
SupportArea by the 2nd C.I.B. during daylight, 2nd June.
INFORMATION 2. The 20th Cdn. Bn. will move to Reserve Area on
relief.
DISTRIBUTION 3. One guide per company and one for Headquarters will report at Bn Hdqrs (A9A 30.15) from Bn Transport
Lines by 10 A.M. on 2nd June.
After reporting relief to Bn Hdqrs. companies will move independently under direction of guide to Reserve Area where Q.M. will make allotment of quarters. In moving back a distance of 200 yds is to be main-
tained between companies.
SANITATION 4. Trenches, dugouts and shelters are to be handed
over in a clean and sanitary condition and certificates taken and turned in to Bn Orderly Room with relief.
C.J. Ingles
Major.
Issued at 9.00 p.m. A/Adjutant. 20th Cdn. Bn.
9
20TH CANADIAN BATTALION OPERATION ORDER NO.95
SECRET REF: SHEET 36 B 1/40,000 COPY NO. .9. .
2nd June, 1917.
INFORMATION 1. The 4th C.I.B. will be relieved by the 1st C.I.B. in Reserve Area on Sunday 3rd June, 1917.
INTENTION 2. On completion of relief the 20th Cdn. Battalion will march to billets in COUPIGNY Huts, BARLIN Training Area.
INTENTION 3. Order of march as under, 500 yards being maintained between Companies:
Headquarters Coy. (Including Band)
No.1 Company
No.2 ”
No.3 ”
No.4 ”
First Line Transport.
ROUTE: 4. BERTHENVAL FARM – MONT ST. ELOY VILLERS AU BOIS – GRAND SERVINS – COUPIGNY HUTS (R.11.c.3-3.)
TIME 5 The leading Company will march off at 10-40 a.m.
REPORTS 6. Reports will be sent head of Headquarters Company.
C.J. Ingles
Issued at 5.00 p.m.
M.
Major, A/Adjutant, 20th Cdn. Bn.
10
INSTRUCTIONS RE OPERATION ORDER NO.95
SECRET. COPY NO. . . . 2nd June. 1917.
MARCH DISCIPLINE 1. Strict march discipline will be maintained throughout the move, proper compliments being paid.
Halts of ten minutes in each hour will be made, the Coys, taking the time from the leading Company and closing to 300 yards distance before halting. Units are not to block cross-roads when halted; nor are they to halt in villages. On the recommencement to move, the units in rear will again open up to 500 yards distance.
LUNCH 2.
A halt of one hour will be made about noon for lunch,
when Companies will close up to ten paces distance, and field kitchens
will be moved up to their Coys.
The following allotment of Hdqrs. Company to field kitchens is made:
No.1 Coy. : Band and Scouts.
No.2 Coy. : Communication Section.
No.3 Coy. : Transport Section.
No.4 Coy. : Police, Pioneers, Q.M.Stores,
Specialist N.C.O’s & C.A.M.C.
Haversack lunches will be carried.
SANITATION 3.
The area vacated by units is to be left in a clean and sanitary condition and ready for inspection at 10 a.m., June 3rd.
C.J. Ingles
Major,
A/Adjutant., 20th Cdn. Bn.
Issued at 5 p.m.
The 20th Battalion website is brought to you by Robert H. Johnston and City500Media.com
City 500 Media offers Logo Design, Website Design and Search Engine Optimization in Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville and Southern Ontario.




February 22nd, 2012
Dmitry
Posted in 

