Vimy Ridge - April 1917

The battle for Vimy Ridge was the first time all four Divisions of the Canadian Corps fought together. Both the French and British had previously tried and failed to capture Vimy Ridge at a terrible cost.

Vimy RidgeAfter a winter of careful preparation, the entire Canadian Corp under General Arthur Currie, began the attack early on Easter Monday, April 9th, 1917. The 2nd Canadian Machine Gun Company was with the 2nd Brigade, 1st Cdn Division that attacked the south-east flank of Vimy ridge, shown on the map in yellow. The 2nd C.M.G.C moved up with the 5th and 10th Battalions to provide covering fire and light artillery barrages.

According to the rather sparse entries in the War Diaries for the 2nd C.M.G.C., on the morning of April 9th, 1917:

“All artillery and M.Guns opened fire punctually at 5:30am and the infantry commenced their advance.”

The machine guns crews provided covering fire for the 2nd Brigade Infantry Battalions. There objectives were achieved by 1pm, although the War Diaries went on to mention:

“Casualties of 2nd Brigade severe, but the operation was a complete success.”

For April 9th, 1917, Thomas Walker was “mentioned in dispatches” in the London Gazette, issue #30107 p.5425. This was the day the Canadian Corps successfully stormed and captured Vimy Ridge.

London Gazette

   
London Gazette London Gazette
London Gazette 30107 p.5419 London Gazette 30107 p.5425