“St. Julien” is a Battle Honour awarded to the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), and perpetuated by the Governor General’s Foot Guards.
The Battle of St. JulienThe battle took place during the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915. Key details include:
• The Attack: On April 24, 1915, the Germans launched a major assault on the town of St. Julien, preceded by a heavy artillery bombardment and the release of chlorine gas.
• The Defence: Unlike the French colonial troops who had broken under a gas attack two days prior, the Canadians at St. Julien did not break. Lacking proper gas masks, the soldiers were advised by an officer to hold urine-soaked cloths to their faces to counteract the chlorine, allowing them to stay and fight.
• 2nd Battalion Action: The Battalion beat back repeated attacks, particularly around a position known as Doxsee’s House. However, with their right flank crumbling, the Battalion was in danger of being cut off. The Commanding Officer, LCol Watson, eventually received orders to withdraw to the GHQ line.
• Casualties: The cost of the battle was extremely high. Following the engagement, the 2nd Battalion listed 6 officers and 68 other ranks killed, with hundreds more wounded or missing.
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