When did the Germans begin using chlorine gas on the Western Front ?
Some of the first fighting in the village involved a hasty stop , which included the stand of Lance Corporal Frederick Fisher of the 13th Battalion CEF 's machine - gun detachment ; who twice went out with a handful of men and a Colt Machine - gun and prevented advancing German troops from passing through St. Julien , into the rear of the Canadian front line ; Fisher was killed the next day using the same tactics .