Thiepval

First World War

Shrapnel bursting over reserve trench in Canadian lines during the Battles of the Somme, 1916. September, 1916
Credit: W.I. Castle / Library and Archives Canada / PA-000733; Photographer: Castle, William Ivor, 1877-1947 (MIKAN no. 3521762)

Date

26 - 29 September 1916

Geographical parameters

The Bapaume road to Martinpuich (exclusive) – Contalmaison – Bécourt – Albert (exclusive); thence road to Martinsart – Englebelmer – Auchenvillers – Serre

Context

A battle honour formally entitled the “Battle of Thiepval Ridge” and itself being part of “The Battles of the Somme, 1916”^{Footnote 1}.

Description

The Honour “Thiepval” was awarded for an attack to take Thiepval Ridge between the villages of Thiepval and Courcelette at the end of September 1916. It was planned as a two-Corps attack, the British 2nd Corps attacking on the left and the Canadian Corps (Lieutenant-General Sir J.H.G. Byng) on the right. Launched on 26 September, the Canadian attack was conducted by the 1st Division (Major-General A.W. Currie) and the 6th Brigade (Brigadier-General H.D.B. Ketchen) of the 2nd Division (Major-General R.E.W. Turner, VC) on its right. The Canadians were to break the German defences along the ridge taking the German positions of Zollern Graben, Hessian Trench and Regina Trench. Following three days of harassing artillery fire on the German positions, a large 800 gun barrage on 26 April signalled the beginning of the attack. Even with the artillery preparation, German machine gun positions had survived the bombardment and caused heavy casualties in the Canadian ranks. Heavy fighting continued for sections of both Zollern and Hessian Trenches for the next few days. On the 28th the 4th (Brigadier-General R. Rennie) and 5th (Brigadier-General A.H. Macdonell) Brigades of the 2nd Division relieved the 1st Division to continue the attack in the same area. On the same day, on the left of the 2nd Division, the 3rd Division (Major-General L.J. Lipsett) made an attack with the British 11th Division against Hessian Trench. By the 29th of September, Canadian and British troops occupied both Zollern and Hessian Trenches. However, the ultimate objective of Regina Trench, which protected the highest part of the ridge, was not taken. Attempts to secure Regina Trench would continue to be the objective for the following weeks.

Awarded to:

Currently Serving Units

• 48th Highlanders of Canada
  Awards to the 15th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The 48th Regiment (Highlanders) (GO 110/29)
• The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's)
  Awards to the 19th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's) (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 British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own)
  Awards to the 7th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 71/30), the 29th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29), the 1st British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) (GO 110/29) and The Vancouver Regiment (GO 71/30)
• The Calgary Highlanders
  Awards to the 10th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29) and The Calgary Highlanders (GO 110/29)
• The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)
  Awards to the 16th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29), the 3rd Pioneer Battalion (48th Canadians), CEF (GO 110/29) and The Canadian Scottish Regiment (GO 110/29)
• The Essex and Kent Scottish
  Awards to the 18th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Essex Scottish (GO 110/29)
• The North Saskatchewan Regiment
  Awards to the 5th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Saskatoon Light Infantry (GO 110/29)
• The Nova Scotia Highlanders
  Awards to the 25th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29) and The Colchester and Hants Regiment (GO 110/29)
• The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment
  Awards to the 21st Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29) and The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment (GO 110/29)
• The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (RCAC)
  Awards to the 20th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Queen's Rangers, 1st American Regiment (GO 110/29)
• Royal 22e Régiment
  Award to the Royal 22e Régiment (GO 110/29)
• The Royal Canadian Hussars (Montreal)
  Awards to the 1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade, CEF (GO 110/29) and the 1st Motor Machine Gun Brigade (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 New Brunswick Regiment
  Awards to the 26th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Saint John Fusiliers (GO 110/29)
• The Royal Regina Rifles
  Awards to the 28th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Regina Rifle Regiment (GO 110/29)
• The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
  Awards to the 8th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29), the 10th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29), the 27th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 123/29), The Winnipeg Rifles (GO 110/29) and The Winnipeg Light Infantry (GO 110/29)
• The South Alberta Light Horse
  Awards to the 31st Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The South Alberta Regiment (GO 110/29)

Units on the Supplementary Order of Battle

• The Victoria Rifles of Canada
  Awards to the 24th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The Victoria Rifles of Canada (GO 110/29)

Disbanded Units

• The Manitoba Regiment
  Award to The Manitoba Regiment (GO 123/29)
• The North Alberta Regiment
  Awards to the 31st Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (GO 110/29) and The North Alberta Regiment (GO 110/29)