On arrival in England they formed part of the newly created 11th Brigade of the 4th Canadian Division and saw their first action in the trenches in Belgium in August 1916.

Within the month, the 75th Battalion was at the Somme and fought with great distinction in the battles at the Regina and Desire Trenches.

On the night of February 28 – 1 March 1917, the 75th, along with the 72nd, the 73rd, and the 54th Battalions were chosen to conduct a multi-battalion sized raid on German positions at Hill 145 at Vimy Ridge in preparation for the larger assault 5 weeks later.

German shells began a steady fire on the Canadian lines, some hitting canisters of Chlorine gas that had been brought forward but not deployed.

Elements of the 75th attacked in the first wave at 0530 hrs in front of the Tottenham Trench on a particularly stubborn German sniping position.

Medical Officer Captain Bellenden Hutcheson was awarded the medal for his actions on 2 September 1918 at the Drocourt-Quéant Line.