As Highlanders, we are very familiar with the brave and determined stand by the 15th Infantry Battalion, C.E.F. (The 48th Highlanders of Canada) at St. Julien, Belgium on April 24, 1915. The 15th Battalion, entrenched at the apex of the Canadian Line in the St. Julien sector, faced and withstood the first German chlorine gas attack of the war. Only 150 men were able to answer roll call in the immediate aftermath of the attack. For its bravery and collective heroism in response to that attack, The Regiment was awarded its St. Julien battle honour.
That summary, however, doesn’t do justice to the true horror experienced by the men of the 15th Battalion that day. The war diary entry for April 27, 1915 provides a stark indication of the terrible battle conditions endured by our predecessor Highlanders during that fateful gas attack:
In Trenches _ _ _ April 27/15 _ _ _ Enemy shelled village and trenches
W1EJ2E _ _ _ 0730 _ _ _ Battalion relieved from trenches and marched to Transport
Total casualties for April 22nd – 23rd + 24th/15
Killed _ _ _ 1 Officer _ _ _ 16 Other Ranks
Wounded _ _ _ 5 Officers _ _ _ 19 Other Ranks
Missing _ _ _ 11 Officers _ _ _ 639 Other Ranks
Total _ _ _ 17 Officers _ _ _ 674 Other Ranks
Warm and Fine
[signed] W.R. Marshall
A/ LCol
Some sobering numbers indeed. The numbers make it much easier to understand why the men who were there were not inclined to talk about it. Think of them and commemorate them when you next see a presentation of our St. Julien battle honour (click for more info).
Dileas gu brath