The 1st Canadian Division embarked for France during February 1915. Once in France they spent time in reserve billets near Hazebrouck. The soldiers spent their first weeks in France well behind the lines, receiving orientation to the French landscape, learning more about trench warfare, hauling supplies, loading trucks, before finally getting word that they were headed to the front.

The trip to the front was exhausting and confusing. First there was a long truck ride at night bumping along rough roads. The soldiers disembarked well behind the lines and entered a communications trench. A terrible stench assaulted their noses - a mixture of mud, sulphur, fire and decaying corpses. They sent much of the night slogging through trenches, turning this way and that. Mud clumped on their boots making every step heavier and heavier. The fifty pounds of equipment on their backs made marching even more difficult. The sergeants continually warned them to stay silent. If the enemy hears them moving up they will open up with artillery and mortar fire.

The march through the trenches became a seemingly endless series of twists and turns until the memory of the marching became a blur. Eventually the soldiers were told to stop but by this time they were totally disoriented. Everyone was too exhausted to do more than drop packs and slump against trench wall. This was their new home: mud filed trenches with walls and shelters made of old metal sheeting, wood, sandbags. Welcome to the Front line!

Between March 1st and March 3rd, 1915, the Canadian Division relieved the 7th British Division in the Fleurbaix sector, taking over 6,400 yards of the front line trenches on the left flank of the British First Army. This was the Canadians' first time in actual front line trenches.