Château de la Haie
Headquarters of the 4th Canadian Division from March 1917, including through the Battle of Vimy Ridge: a role independently documented outside this diary. Recurs at least seven times through the year: Bethune passes on intelligence from "H.A. group H.Q." here in April; Robertson visits to see Cockerell in May and Johnston in September; has tea with "La Scott" and separately goes looking for "the King" (missing him) in July; and, on November 23, finds the place strikes him as "an old home," recalling his own 1916 billet nearby. Its grandest appearance is June 25, 1917, hosting the Army Horse Show this site already covers elsewhere: Tom Longboat's cross-country win and all. Located near Carency, on the lane between Gouy-Servins and Villers-au-Bois, close to Villers Station Cemetery. The original building burned down in the 1950s and was later replaced: the wartime château itself no longer stands, though the site is identifiable.
View on the map →Mentioned in the diary · 7 entries
1917
- 13 April 1917… t. + we went out for a ride. – Too much traffic and the roads are too bad to have a decent ride. Met Bethune over by Chateau La Haie – He had it from H.A. group H.Q. that the Boshe was backing out of LENS. Gen. Currie also …
- 28 May 1917… A.M. Goodness knows I need it. – Soft as putty from the waist up. – A bit of padding would help that. Walked over to Chateau la Haie this aft. to see Cockerell. – Had tea with Underhill & Bressey at Bgde. – Didn't go over …
- 25 June 1917Cool. Showers at night ARMY HORSE SHOW Went over to Chateau la Haie about noon. – Saw a couple of events, met Conover & we stuck together for the rest of the …
- 7 July 1917… Nothing Particular. – A little letter-writing done. – Dunc Dewar & McCuaig were visitors to the yard. – Went over to Chateau La Haie & had tea with La Scott. – Saw the 116th lick the 43rd & that's all. – Just killed a skee …
- 11 July 1917Cool. Broke up the day by going over to Chateau La Haie to see the King & then missed him but it's his own fault as he didn't turn up on time. – …
- 24 September 1917… re getting on so sallied forth to see. – Called at Gouy, saw Davison, Butler + Walker. – Went down Butler's shaft. – Chat. La Haie to see Johnston. – Called at 4th Div. I. – Saw E. Cockerell and Chambers. – Out to Ablain …
- 23 November 1917Fine. Lots of Xmas mail going home. Rode over to Ch. la Haie this aft. – Came back via Villers and looked round the old place. – Somehow or other Vill …