The 15th Battalion had crossed The Rhine over the Neue Brucke (New Bridge) at Cologne in pouring rain on December 12, 1918 and took up outpost lines in the area around the picturesque town of Engelskirchen with Battalion HQ in the town at Schloss (castle) Ehreshoven. Their stay was brief – 16 December 1918 to 7 January 1919 and relatively uneventful. The home Regiment’s Colours arrived from Canada and were paraded by the battalion. They enjoyed a peaceful, white Christmas with many festivities, including a memorable Officer’s Mess Dinner in the Schloss. New Years Day the battalion paraded through the town and the next day leave to Colgne was authorized for all ranks.
On January 4th, the unit was informed that in three days it would be relieved in the bridgehead by the British 41st Division and the long journey home would begin.
![Sir Arthur Currie with Divisional and Brigade General
Officers. Location unknown. Nov 1918.](https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/client/w_250,q_lossy,ret_wait/https://15thbattalioncef.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/50a..jpg)
LAC
![Sketch by Lt JE Banton depicting troops grumbling on
march to the Rhine Germany Dec 1918](https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/client/w_250,q_lossy,ret_wait/https://15thbattalioncef.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/50c.-scaled.jpg)
Banton collection Regimental museum.
![1st Division crosses the Rhine into Germany
1918 as occupation force. 15th Battalion Pipes and; Drums at right.](https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/client/w_250,q_lossy,ret_wait/https://15thbattalioncef.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/50e..png)
Regimental Museum
![German postcard of Cologne sent by Lt J. D’Esterre upon
entering occupation zone in Germany. 13 Dec
1918.](https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/client/w_250,q_lossy,ret_wait/https://15thbattalioncef.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/50f.-scaled.jpg)
D’Esterre Collection
![Front of Duty or Leave Ration Book with sample ration stamps for period 19-30 Dec 1918 issued to 192737 Pte William Hawkins.](https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/client/w_250,q_lossy,ret_wait/https://15thbattalioncef.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/50g.jpg)
Regimental Museum
![Front of Duty or Leave Ration Book with sample ration stamps for period 19-30 Dec 1918 issued to 192737 Pte William Hawkins.](https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/client/w_250,q_lossy,ret_wait/https://15thbattalioncef.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/50g..jpg)
Regimental Museum
![British Occupation Force issued stamp pass allowing
German citizens to cross outpost lines.](https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/client/w_250,q_lossy,ret_wait/https://15thbattalioncef.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/50h..jpg)
Regimental Museum
![Sketch by Lt Banton depicting border guard post in
occupation Germany.](https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/client/w_250,q_lossy,ret_wait/https://15thbattalioncef.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/50i.-scaled.jpg)
Banton collection Regimental museum.
![Sketch by Lt Banton depicting German civilian reaction to
kilted occupation soldiers.](https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/client/w_250,q_lossy,ret_wait/https://15thbattalioncef.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/50j.-scaled.jpg)
Banton collection Regimental museum.
![Postcard of the baroness’ home Schloss Ehreshoven, Bn HQ
Engelskirchen Germany 1919.](https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/client/w_250,q_lossy,ret_wait/https://15thbattalioncef.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/50l..jpg)
Tooze album and D’Esterre Collection.