Pozières
First World War
Date
23 July – 3 September 1916
Geographical parameters
Road Bazentin-le-Petit – Contalmaison – Fricourt – Bécourt – Albert (exclusive); thence the river Ancre
Context
A battle honour incorporating the tactical incident “Fighting for Mouquet Farm”, formally entitled the “Battle of Pozières Ridge” and itself being part of “The Battles of the Somme, 1916”Footnote 1
Description
This Honour was awarded to forces of the British Empire for actions in attacks on Pozières Ridge between 23 July and 3 September 1916. The Canadian Cavalry Brigade (Brigadier-General J.E.B. Seely), as part of the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division (an Imperial formation), was involved in supporting roles for the repeated attacks on the ridge though July and August 1916. The Canadian Corps (Lieutenant-General Sir J.H.G. Byng) was only involved in the final phases of the battle as it relieved some of the exhausted Australian units to the east of the destroyed village of Pozières. The 1st (Brigadier-General G.B. Hughes) and 3rd Brigades (Brigadier-General G.S. Tuxford) of the 1st Canadian Division (Major-General A.W. Currie) were the first Canadian formations to take up positions on the Somme. The 3rd Brigade was put under temporary command of the Australians during their final attack towards Mouquet Farm. This attack on 3 September 1916 was only partly successful, taking 300 yards of ground, but failed to take the German strong point at Mouquet Farm.
Soldiers walking through the ruins of the village of Pozières once stood. October, 1916
Credit: Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada (MIKAN no. 3403790)
Sir Julian Byng, commanding officer of the Canadian Corps, June 1916-June 1917. Location unknown. May, 1917.
Credit: Canada. Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada (MIKAN no.3213526)
Brigadier-General Garnet Hughes (1st Canadian Infantry Brigade) the son of Sam Hughes, the Minister of Militia and Defence. Later in 1916, Brigadier-General G. Hughes receives a promotion to command the 5th Canadian Division, an administrative posting. Photograph taken July, 1916. Location unknown.
Credit: Canada. Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-000356 (MIKAN no. 3216967)
Gen. Sir Sam Hughes (left fore) visiting the Front, talking with Brig.-Gen. Seely (middle fore). Aug. 1916. Location unknown.
Credit: Canada. Department of National Defence/PA-000599Library and Archives Canada/PA-000599; (MIKAN no. 3221015)
Brigadier-General George Stuart Tuxford, 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade. December, 1918
Credit: Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada (MIKAN no. 3221915)
General Currie, Commander of the Canadian troops in France, and A.D.C. Location unknown. June, 1917.
Credit: Canada. Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-001370 (MIKAN no. 3191901)
Awarded to:
Currently serving unit
- 48th Highlanders of Canada
Awards to the 15th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The 48th Regiment (Highlanders) (GO 110/29) - 56th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
Awards to the 4th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Dufferin Rifles of Canada (GO 110/29). - The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada
Awards to the 13th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Royal Highlanders of Canada (GO 110/29) - The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)
Awards to the 16th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Canadian Scottish Regiment (GO 110/29) - The Fort Garry Horse
Award to The Fort Garry Horse (GO 5/31) - Governor General's Foot Guards
Awards to the 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29) and The Governor General's Foot Guards (GO 71/30 and GO 32/32) - Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
Award to Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) (GO 88/31) - The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
Awards to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29) and The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada (GO 110/29) - The Royal Canadian Dragoons
Award to The Royal Canadian Dragoons (GO 5/31) - The Royal Canadian Regiment
Awards to the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (GO 110/29) - The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment)
Awards to the 4th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (GO 110/29) - The Royal Montreal Regiment
Awards to the 14th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Royal Montreal Regiment (GO 110/29) - The Royal Regiment of Canada
Awards to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29) and The Toronto Regiment (GO 110/29)
Units on the Supplementary Order of Battle
- 50th Field Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales' Rangers), RCA
Awards to the 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29) and The Peterborough Rangers (GO 110/29)
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