TRANSCRIPT

The Battalion Goes Overseas

The 52nd arrived in southern England in December 1915 and went to Bramshott Camp for further training. Not until February 1916 did they embark for the continent landing in Le Harve and moving by rail to Poperinghe, Belgium. Here they were brigaded with the 43rd, 58th and 60th Battalions to form the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade and the 3rd Canadian Division. On 1 March subunits began "inoculation" into trench warfare, before moving into the line for the first time.
In June the Battalion participated in the battle of Mount Sorrel, where the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Hay was reported lost and presumed dead, his body was never found. This was followed in September by the Somme and the attack on Regina Trench. February 1917 saw the 52nd training and preparing for the Vimy Ridge offensive. The Battalion played an active role conducting large scale trench raids in the lead up to the attack on 9 April. These efforts left the unit drained and when the attack went forward, the 52nd played a supporting role as the 9th Brigade reserve. Later in October the 52nd played a role at Passchendaele, during the attack on the Bellvue Spur. Here Captain C.P.J. O'Kelly won the Victoria Cross leading A Company. He and his men captured six pillboxes, 100 prisoners, a number of machine guns and repelled repeated enemy counter attacks. August 1918 the Battalion fought in the Battle of Amiens, most notably around Damery. This was followed a few days later by the attack on the Drocourt-Quéant Line and the crossing of the Canal du Nord. The unit then pushed past Cambrai seizing the Marcoing Line. In November the men from New Ontario participated in the assault on Valenciennes and the outskirts of Mons.
David Ratz