1775: Benedict Arnold arrived before Quebec with only 700 of his original troop of 1100 men, after a hard trip from New England via the Kennebec and Chaudière Rivers. He crossed the St. Lawrence to the Plains of Abraham but was repulsed at St Louis Gate.

1776: American revolutionary, Captain John Paul Jones in Alfred with the brig Providence captured the British transport Mellish, carrying winter uniforms. These were later used by Washington's troops

1916: Nineteen year-old Private Cunningham of the East Yorkshire Regiment was a member of bomb section (armed with large quantities of grenades) during a trench attack. Every other member of his section was killed or wounded, but Cunningham patiently collected all their grenades, and continued the attack alone, successfully clearing the trench of defenders. He received the Victoria Cross.

Elsewhere on the front, a New Zealand officer, Lieutenant Colonel Freyberg, commanding the Hood Battalion of the Royal Naval Division, led his battalion in a successful attack that captured a trench network. He then rallied his men and pushed on to take a second objective, but was himself wounded twice. However, he remained in command, and held off enemy counter-attacks successfully for 24 hours. Then, reinforced, he launched yet another attack, taking a heavily fortified village and 500 prisoners. He received a further two wounds, but only allowed himself to be evacuated after properly handing over command. He received the Victoria Cross, and earned fame in the Second World War as a General for his efforts to hold Crete.

1939: German aircraft dropped bombs on British soil for the first time, raiding the Shetland Islands. Damage was confined to a deserted crofter's cottage and a rabbit. The bombers missed naval vessels and anchored flying boats. The Germans claimed hits on a cruiser and two aircraft. "This is only the beginning," said their spokesman

1941: HMS Ark Royal, so often claimed by Goebbels to have been sunk, was finally hit by torpedoes from U-81 off Gibraltar. Efforts to save her proved fruitless, and she eventually sank on 14 November.

1942: The heavy cruiser USS San Francisco took part in First Battle of Guadalcanal. She was Admiral's Callaghan flagship. She damaged Japanese battlecruiser Hiei but was badly damaged too - she took 45 shells (15 of them were 14 inch shells).

Admiral Callaghan and Captain Cassin Young were killed. Half of the ships guns were destroyed and most of her compartments were flooded. Maps, radio and compasses were also destroyed. Lieutenant - Commander Bruce McCandless took command and managed to retreat from battle.

The heavy cruiser USS Portland was hit by a “Long Lance” torpedo. The explosion caused rudder damage. USS Portland was able only to circulate, but survived this battle and even managed to do some damage to the Hiei.

1965: Warrant Officer Wheatley won the first of four Australian Victoria Crosses during the Vietnam War. A member of the Australian Army Training Team supporting the ARVN, he insisted on staying behind to defend a wounded comrade when their position at Tra Bong was overwhelmed. He was killed conducting a lone defence against heavy odds.

1978: A Sea Harrier made its first successful deck landing on HMS Hermes.