1916

In England 1916

January-February 1916

• From Whitely Camp the Battalion moves onto Bramshott for 2 more weeks of training.
  
  
• On February 20, 1916 the Battalion sails from Southampton, England to Le Havre, France and spends the night in tents at No. 1 Rest Camp during a snow storm. The next day the Battalion moves by train to Belgium.

In Belgium 1916

February 1916

• On February 23, 1916 the 52nd Battalion joins the 9th Brigade
  in Belgium under the command of MajGen M. S. Mercer, 3rd Canadian Division. Other battalions in the Brigade include the 43rd, 58th and 60th Battalions.

March 1916

• On March 1, 1916 the Battalion takes up billets at Locre, being attached to the 7th Brigade in the Ypres Sector for trench warefare instruction. 
  
  
• Over the next seven days, the Bn HQ, A, B, C, and D Coys take turns in the trenches being attached at various times to the 42nd Bn, 49th Bn, RCR, and PPCLI. The first time in the trenches the troops of the 52nd Battalion experience light rifle and machine gun fire. On one occasion, while returning to billets, A and B Coys experience their first taste of shelling on the road at Kemmel Barrier and Kemmel Shelters.
  
  
• On March 10, 1916 the Battalion takes it's first rotation at the front as a unit by moving into M and N trenches in the Kemmal area to relieve the 24th Battalion.
  
  
• On March 11, 1916 the Battalion suffers its first combat fatality when Pte Joe Sebastin is killed while on patrol.
  
  
• The Battalion completes its first rotation in the line on March 16, 1916.  
  
  
• On March 23, 1916 the Battalion is inspected by Sir Douglas Haig.
  
  
• During the end of March, the Battalion is tasked with numerous Brigade duties. A number of individuals are also sent on various courses including; machine gun school, Lewis machine gun school, snipers' school, trench mortar course, and NCO course.

April 1916

• On April 1, 1916 the Battalion moves back into the trenches at Shrapnal Corner in relief of the 60th Battalion.
  
  
• On April 4, 1916 the Battalion suffers its first officer combat fatality when Lt Thomas Hatton, the Battalion's signals officer, is killed possibly inspecting the trenches from No-Mans-Land.
  
  
• On April 5, 1916 the Battalion is in turn relieved by the 60th Battalion and returns to billets at Railway Dugouts and Maple Copse.
  
  
• On April 9, 1916 the Battalion goes back into the line in relief of the 60th Battalion.
  
  
• On April 10, 1916 the Battalion received an additional 200 helmets, bringing the Battalion's numbers up to 400 total. 
  
  
• On April 13, 1916 the Battalion is relieved by the 4th CMR.   
  
  
• From April 14 to April 27 the Battalion is in various reserve camps. Large work parties are sent on various tasks and numerous troops are again sent on various training courses.
  
  
• On April 28, 1916 the Battalion relieves 60th Battalion in the Left Hooge Sub Sector.