The battle took place during the final phase of the Great War, from 28 October to 2 November 1918 and saw the Canadian Corps re-capture the northern French city of Valenciennes and surrounding areas from the German Army.

Valenciennes had been captured by Germany's invading army in the Schlieffen Plan Offensive on 26 August 1914 and remained in German hands, well behind the lines (at least 30 kilometres) for the entire war.

[2] In September and October, the last of the German Army's major organized defensive networks in northern France, the Hindenburg Line, had been overwhelmed with the Allied breaking through, and the fighting had transitioned from trench war to more open, improvised manoeuvre warfare.

The 51st's assault commenced on 28 October and met strong resistance, which saw them meet only partial success, taking the southern, ascending slopes, but not the heights.

[6] The following morning, 2 November, the 54th (Kootenay) Battalion of the 11th Brigade had geared up and advanced on Marly, only to discover the Germans had abandoned their defences during the night.

[8] Sergeant Hugh Cairns, of the 46th Battalion was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery during the fighting in the approach to the Blue Line in the south of the city.

After having captured 60 prisoners in Marly, he was rushed by a group of about 20 enemy troops and was severely wounded, and died at a nearby medical post the following day[9] Sergeant Cairns is buried just west of the city at Auberchicourt British Cemetery .