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.

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)