• Graphic material

• Source of title proper: Title based on contents of the fonds

The fonds consists of a photograph album containing 114 images taken of the officers and men of the No.2 Heavy Seige Battery and their camp at Brighton Road, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, while training for overseas duty between August and October 1915. The photographer is unknown. It is possible that the photographs were taken by J.H. McKay, a member of the Battery who was later killed in France. Each photograph originally had a number assigned to it by the owner which seems to indicate that they are part of a larger collection of an avid, well organised photographer. There are also some technical notations re. shooting.

The 2d Canadian Heavy Siege Battery was established in June of 1915 in response to efforts by Lt.-Col. Arthur G. Peake and other Prince Edward Island militia officers. It was to be a four gun unit with 6 inch howitzers and, after basic training in Charlottetown, was to proceed overseas with an authorized strength of 220. The majority of recruited men came from Prince Edward Island, with a few from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Great Britain and the United States. Before leaving for overseas a draft of regulars from the Royal Garrison Artillery were attached to the unit. From June until late fall the battery was stationed in tents on the Armoury grounds, Brighton Road, Charlottetown and introduced to army discipline and routine. On 26 November the Unit left Charlottetown on the Hochelaga for Pictou, N. S. and then travelled by train to Halifax where the men boarded the S. S. Lapland. Upon arrival at Plymouth Sound on December 5, they transferred to Roffey Camp at Horsham, Sussex for four months of training, followed by firing practice at Lydd. On 31 May 1916, the Battery crossed the Channel into France to join battle at the Somme, Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, and Passchendaele, moving on through Belgium and into Germany in late 1918. The Battery began its trek home from Mehlem, Germany, 4 February 1919, arriving in Halifax on 9 May 1919.

• Canada. Army. Canadian Heavy Siege Battery, 2nd. - Photographs
• Canada. Army - Drill and tactics - Photographs

• Unknown (Creator)