“Gravenstafel” is a Battle Honour awarded to the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), and is perpetuated by the Governor General’s Foot Guards.
The Battle of Gravenstafel RidgeThis engagement was a specific phase of the Second Battle of Ypres.
• Context: The battle honour recognizes the Battalion’s actions in late April 1915, immediately following the gas attacks at St. Julien. The Regimental historical dates list marks April 25, 1915, as the specific date for Gravenstafel.
• The Action: By this stage of the Ypres battle, the Battalion had been heavily engaged and was forced to reduce its organization to two companies due to casualties. Between April 26 and 28, the unit moved seven times, providing digging parties to construct new defensive lines and covering troops to protect those digging.
• Casualties: The fighting during the Ypres campaign (including Gravenstafel and St. Julien) was devastating. Following these engagements, the 2nd Battalion listed 6 officers and 68 other ranks killed, 4 officers and 158 other ranks wounded, and 5 officers and 302 other ranks missing.
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