Ancre, 1916

Canadian troops returning from the trenches. November, 1916. Battle of the Somme.
Credit: Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada; (MIKAN no. 3521804)

First World War

Date

13 - 18 November 1916

Geographical parameters

The Bapaume road to La Boisselle: thence road to Aveluy - Martinsart - Englebelmer - Mailly-Maillet - Colincamps - Hébuterne - Puisieux-au-Mont

Context

A battle honour incorporating the tactical incident “Capture of Beaumont Hamel”, formally entitled “Battle of the Ancre, 1916” and itself being part of the “Operations on the Somme (1 July - 18 November 1916)”.^{Footnote 1}

Description

A heavy howitzer on the Somme. November, 1916. A gunner is writing ‘I am the Hun's Father Christmas’ on the mounting of a BL 9.2 inch heavy howitzer. November, 1916. Battle of the Somme.
Credit: Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada; MIKAN no. 3395221

The Battle of the Somme had been underway for four months, since 1 July, and both sides had grown weary as the autumn weather steadily deteriorated. British troops in front of Bapaume were gaining ground and so a defensive attack was made along the Ancre River in order to pin the German troops here in place and prevent their reinforcing the Bapaume sector. The ground was treacherous with the innumerable shell holes in the chalk filling with rainwater. The assaulting Allied troops managed, at last, to capture the ruined village of Beaumont-Hamel, the Newfoundland Regiment's original objective of 1 July. The 4th Canadian Division, undertaking its first operations in the field, was the sole Canadian formation engaged in these battles, capturing the important objectives of Regina and Desire Trenches, the former being a Canadian Corps objective from September.

The cessation of the operation on 18 November brought the five month long Battle of the Somme to its conclusion.

Awarded to:

Currently serving units

• The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada
  Awards to the 73rd Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Royal Highlanders of Canada (GO 110/29)
• The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own)
  Awards to the 102nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The North British Columbia Regiment (GO 123/29)
• The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa
  Awards to the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29) and The Ottawa Highlanders (GO 110/29)
• The Canadian Grenadier Guards
  Awards to the 87th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Canadian Grenadier Guards (GO 110/29)
• The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)
  Awards to the 67th Canadian (Pioneer) Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29) and The Canadian Scottish Regiment (GO 110/29)
• The King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC)
  Awards to the 50th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Calgary Regiment (GO 110/29)
• The Royal New Brunswick Regiment
  Award to The Carleton Light Infantry (GO 110/29)
• The Royal Westminster Regiment
  Awards to the 47th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Westminster Regiment (GO 110/29)
• The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
  Award to the 44th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29)
• The Saskatchewan Dragoons
  Awards to the 46th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The King's Own Rifles of Canada (GO 110/29)
• The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
  Awards to the 72nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 5/31) and The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada (GO 5/31)
• The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's Own)
  Awards to the 75th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Toronto Scottish Regiment (GO 110/29)

Units on the Supplementary Order of Battle

• 24th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
  Awards to the 54th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Kootenay Regiment (GO 110/29)
• The Winnipeg Grenadiers
  Awards to the 78th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Winnipeg Grenadiers (GO 110/29)