Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) 2, Order of Battle, the numbered battalions

The Canadian Expeditionary Force

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3395564)

Front line trench, September 1916.

The numbered battalions

1st Canadian Infantry Brigade

1st Canadian Infantry Battalion, 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, 3rd Canadian Infantry Battalion, 4th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 1st Trench Mortar Battery.

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3405877)

1st Battalion, 1st Infantry Brigade, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), 1914.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

1st Battalion (Western Ontario) cap badge. Authorized 10 August 1914, disbanded 15 September 1920. Cloth shoulder titles were also produced for a number of the battalions of the 1st Contingent after their arrival in England.

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(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

1st Battalion (Western Ontario) collar dog.

1st Provisional Battalion (As of August 1914).  The 1st Battalion CEF was a composite Battalion formed in August 1914 at Camp Valcartier Quebec under the authority of Privy Council Order 2067 of 5 August 1914. The 1st Battalion was comprised of volunteers, mainly from the militia regiments of Military District No. 1 (Western Ontario). The 1st Hussars (66) and 24th Grey’s Horse (39) all cavalry but volunteering to fight as infantry, and the following infantry regiments: the 7th Regiment (Fusiliers) (146), 21st Essex Fusiliers (229), 22nd Oxford Rifles (69), 23rd Northern Pioneers (152), 24th Kent Regiment (98), 25th Elgin Regt. (97), 25th Middlesex Light Inf. (26),27th Lambton Regt. (136), 28th Perth Regt. (146), 29th Waterloo Regt. (118), 30th Wellington Rifles (61),32nd Bruce Regt (72), 33rd Huron Regt .(68), and the 77th Wentworth Regt. (78). The Battalion sailed with the First Contingent on 3 October 1914 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel F.W. Hill D.S.O. (44th Lincoln & Welland Regiment), with a strength of 47 officers and 1106 other ranks.  The 1st Battalion sailed for France 8th February 1915 with an establishment of 30 officers and 996 other ranks a total of 1026 all ranks. The 1st Battalion served on the Western Front for the duration of the war, and was disbanded under General Order 149 of 15 September 1920.

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(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3194466)

Canadian Transports on the Atlantic, in a convoy carrying soldiers of the Canadian Expeditionary Force to Britain, 8 Oct 1914. This was the First Canadian Contingent to sail to England, with over 30,000 volunteers, an extraordinary achievement for Canada in such a short time.

A separate force of several hundred Newfoundlanders accompanied the First Canadian Contingent on the two week voyage to England. After arriving at Plymouth, they disembarked and boarded trains for Salisbury Plain to the south.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

2nd Battalion (Eastern  Ontario). Authorized 10 August 1914, disbanded 15 September 1920.

The 2nd Provisional Battalion was a composite battalion formed at Camp Valcartier Quebec in August 1914 under authority of Privy Council Order 2067 of 5 August 1914. The 2nd Provisional Battalion comprised of volunteers from the militia regiments of Military Districts No. 2 and No. 3 (Eastern Ontario). The 2nd Battalion was formed from the personnel of two Cavalry Regiments the 3rd P.O.W. Canadian Dragoons(25), 9th Mississauga Horse (161), these volunteering to fight as infantry and personnel from the GGFG, (131), 14th Regiment (PWOR) (76), 15th Regiment (ALI) (76), 15th (Prince Edward) Regt (41), 34th (Ontario) Regt. (133), 40th (Northumberland) Regt. (81), 41st Regiment (Brockville Rifles) (83), 42nd(Lanark & Renfrew) Regt. (128), 43rd Regiment (DCOR) (114), 45th (Victoria) Regt. (68), 45th (Durham)Regt. (50), 47th (Frontenac) Regt. (49), 49th (Hastings) Regt. (51), 51st Regiment (Soo Rifles) (126), 55th (Grenville) Regt. (39), 57th Regiment (Peterborough Rangers) (67) and the 59th (Storemont & Dundas) Regt. (15). The 2nd Infantry Battalion sailed with the First Contingent on 3 October 1914 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel D. Watson (8th Royal Rifles), with a strength of 45 officers and 1098 other ranks. In England the 2nd Battalion was assigned to the 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division sailing for France in early February 1915 with an establishment of 30 officers and 996 other ranks a total of 1026. Later earning the nickname ‘The Iron Second’. The 2nd Overseas Battalion served on the Western Front for the duration of the war being disbanded under General Order 149 of 15 September 1920.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3395519)

CEF soldiers of the 3rd Battalion having their midday meal in the open, May, 1918

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(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)‍

3rd Battalion (Toronto Regiment). Authorized 10 August 1914, disbanded 30 August 1920.

The 3rd Provisional Battalion CEF was a composite battalion formed at Camp Valcartier Quebec in August1914 under authority of Privy Council Order 2067 of 5 August 1914. The 3rd Battalion comprised of volunteers from three Toronto Militia Regiments, the Governor General’s Body Guard (42) the 2nd Regiment Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada (975), and the 10th Regiment (Royal Grenadiers) (401). The Battalion sailed with the First Contingent October 3rd 1914 under command of Lieutenant-Colonel R. Rennie (2nd Queen’s Own Rifles), with a strength of 43 officers and 1101 other ranks. In England the 3rd Battalion, nicknamed the ‘Dirty Third’, was assigned to the 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division sailing for France in early February 1915 with an establishment of 30 officers and 996 other ranks a total of 1026. The 3rd Canadian Infantry Battalion served on the Western Front for the duration of the war being disbanded under General Order 149 of 15 September 1920.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

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4th Battalion  (Central Ontario). Authorized 10 August 1914, disbanded 30 August 1920.

The 4th Battalion was a composite battalion formed in August 1914 at Camp Valcartier Quebec. This under authority of Privy Council Order 2067 of 5 August 1914. The 4th Battalion comprised of volunteers from militia regiments of Military District No. 2. (Central Ontario) The 4th Battalion was formed from the cavalry personnel of 25th Brant Dragoons (60), and the following infantry regiments: 12th Regt. (York Rangers) (273), 13th Royal Regiment (181), 19th (Lincoln) Regiment (74), 20th Regiment (Halton Rifles)(171), 35th Regiment (Simcoe Foresters) (124), 35th (Peel) Regt. (230), 37th Regiment (Haldimand Rifles)(76), 38th Regiment (Dufferin Rifles of Canada) (194), 39th Regiment (Norfolk Rifles) (30) and the 44th(Lincoln & Welland) Regiment (202). The Battalion sailed with the First Contingent on 3 October 1914 under command of Lieutenant-Colonel R.H. Labatt (13th Royal Regiment), with a strength of 42 officers and 1084 other ranks. In England the 4th Battalion, nicknamed the ‘Mad Fourth’, was assigned to the 1stInfantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division sailing for France in early February 1915 with an establishment of30 officers and 996 other ranks a total of 1026. The 4th Canadian Infantry Battalion served on the Western Front for the duration of the war being disbanded under General Order 149 of 15 September 1920.

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(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3404552)

Canadian trench mortar being loaded, 1st Army School, Clarques, Feb 1917.

1st Trench Mortar Battery

A letter from GHQ of 15 December 1915 authorized the formation of two trench mortar batteries for each of Canada’s Infantry Brigades. It appears that it was not until 1 March 1916 that a sufficient number of guns were available to be organized into the light mortar batteries for all nine infantry brigades of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd Divisions and later the three brigades of the 4th Division, these being organized in May 1916. War Diaries show that a number of batteries were formed almost immediately. Initially three light and three medium trench mortar batteries were organized but no divisional designations appear in the War Diaries until 8 January 1916 (the 35th TMB 1st Division). (All batteries were designated as ‘Trench Mortar Batteries’ until September 1916 when the designation ‘Light Trench Mortar Batteries’ was introduced.) The covers of the early War Diaries of the (light) trench mortar batteries show that ‘1st Div’ was penciled in sometime later. A close reading of the War Diaries show that not all of the Brigade commanding officers welcomed the light trench mortars, because they were firing from the front line trenches while range finding and apparently causing heavy retaliatory fire. This changed after training and new tactics were developed and the ability to destroy machine gun nests and target bomber units (hand grenades) saw their acceptance. The (light) trench mortar batteries were formed with infantrymen from Canada’s Infantry Battalions while the medium and heavy trench mortar batteries were formed from the Canadian Field Artillery the heavier mortars being fired from a greater range did not cause the same retaliatory damage to the front line trenches and appear to have been found more acceptable. The light and medium batteries appear to have operated separately as no coordination between the two is noted in the War Diaries.

Effective 1March 1916 the two sections in each battery were given a letter/number/letter designation. On 25 June 1916 the 3 inch Stokes Mortar (Actually 3.2 inches) became the standard mortar tube for the light trench mortars prior to this both 3.7 and 4 inch mortar tubes are listed as being used. The medium trench mortar batteries using 4.7 and 6 inch Mortars. (It is reported by the end of the war, 1,636 Stokes Mortars were in use by the British Empires forces). On the adoption of the Stokes Mortars in June the establishment of the light mortar brigades was increased to a new scale of eight Stokes mortars per brigade under theoverall command of a Captain with 60 ORs in four sections each under command of a lieutenant. At this time the batteries were designated as (Brigade numbered) Trench Mortar Batteries. In September 1916, another letter from GHQ authorized the two sections of each light battery be amalgamated and the batteries were designated as ‘Light Trench Mortar Batteries’.

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3218346)

2nd Infantry Brigade, Brigadier-General, later Major-General Frederick Oscar Warren Loomis, KCB, CMG, DSO and Bar, VD, General Officer Commanding 3rd Canadian Division 13 September 1918 to 11 April 1919.

2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade

5th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 7th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 8th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 10th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 2nd Trench Mortar Battery.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

5th Battalion (Western Cavalry). Authorized 10 August 1914, disbanded 15 September 1920.

The 5th Battalion sailed for England without regimental badges. After the arrival of the 1st Contingent in England in October 1914 General Alderson gave verbal authority that the battalions of the 1st Division could adopt battalion cap badges at unit expense. Designs for cap badges of all four battalions of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th, were submitted by the Brigadier General A.W. Currie to the Assistant Adjutant General on 25 October 1914 shortly after the arrival of the 1st Contingent in the United Kingdom. (The 6th Battalion was replaced in the 2nd Infantry Brigade by the 10th Battalion before they sailed for France in February 1915.) No sample badges are currently known for the 5th Battalion, presumably the patterns submitted being accepted. The 5th Battalion cap badges were worn with a red felt insert behind the voided centre. The central design of the badge is surrounded with a laurel wreath entwined with a ribbon bearing the titles of the units forming the 5th Battalion. These being the 12th Manitoba Dragoons, 15th Light Horse, 27th Light horse, 29th Light horse, 30th BC Horse, 31st BC Horse, and the 35th Central Alberta Horse, the badge also bears a ‘Corps of Guides’ of which 235 troopers had arrived at Camp Valcartier to join the 1st Contingent these being distributed amongst other units as there was no matching unit within the British Army establishment, with the exception of the Indian Army. A close examination of the regimental designations will show that a number of these are wrongly numbered.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

6th Battalion (Fort Garry Horse). Authorized on 10 August 1914, disbanded on 5 April 1918.

The FGH embarked for England on 29 September 1914. It formed the nucleus of the Remount Depot on 20 January 1915, and the remainder of the battalion's personnel were absorbed by the Canadian Cavalry Depot, CEF, on 6 March 1915 to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. The 6th Battalion was a composite battalion raised by the 34th Fort Garry Horse as an infantry battalion at Camp Valcartier Quebec in August 1914 under authority of Privy Council Order 2067 of August 5th 1914. The 6th Battalion was comprised of volunteers from cavalry regiments from Western Canada who volunteered to serve as infantry under command of Lieutenant-Colonel R.W. Paterson (34th Fort Garry Horse) assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade. The 6th Battalion was formed from personnel of the 18th Mounted Rifles (160), 20th Border Horse (123), 22nd Saskatchewan Light Horse (175), 23rd Alberta Rangers (with additional personnel from the 21st Alberta Hussars and 15th Light Horse) (78), 32nd Manitoba Horse (44) and the 34th Fort Garry Horse (234). The Battalion sailed with the First Contingent on 3 October 1914 with 40 officers and 1115 other ranks.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3403484)

Canadian troop carrying transports arriving at Devonport, England on 14 October 1914.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

7th Battalion (1st British Columbia). Authorized 10 August 1914, disbanded 30 August 1920.

The 7th Battalion was a composite battalion formed in August 1914 at Camp Valcartier Quebec under authority of Privy Council Order 2067 of August 5th 1914. The 7th Battalion comprised of volunteers from militia regiments of Military Area (later District) 11 (British Columbia) The volunteers coming from the 6thRegiment (DCOR) (353) the 11th Regiment (Irish Fusiliers of Canada) (355), the 88th Regiment (Victoria Fusiliers) (247), the 102nd Regiment (Rocky Mountain Rangers) (123), the 104th Regiment (Westminster Fusiliers) (153), plus a large detachment from the Kootenay’s of 310 all ranks. The Battalion sailed with the First Contingent October 3rd 1914 under command of Lieutenant-Colonel W. F. R. Hart McHarg (6th Duke of Connaught’s Own Rifles), with a strength of 47 officers and 1176 other ranks. In England the 7th Battalion, nicknamed the ‘1st British Columbia’, was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division sailing for France in early February 1915 with an establishment of 30 officers and 996 other ranks, for a total of 1026 all ranks. The 7th Battalion served in the 2nd Infantry Brigade 1st Canadian Division for the duration of the war being disbanded under General Order 149 September 15th 1920.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3522225)

Sir Robert Borden meeting officers of 8th Battalion near Ferfey, France, July, 1918.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

8th Battalion (90th Winnipeg Rifles). Authorized 10 August 1914, disbanded 15 September 1920.

The 8th Battalion was a composite battalion formed in August 1914 at Camp Valcartier Quebec under authority of Privy Council Order 2067 of August 5th 1914. The 8th Battalion comprised of volunteers from militia regiments of Military Area 10 (which at that time encompassed Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Northwest Ontario, Military District 13 (Saskatchewan) was not being established until 1917) The greatest number of volunteers for the 8th Battalion 776, were provided by the 90th Winnipeg Rifles. The remaining troops coming from the 95th (Lake Superior) Regiment (316), the 98th (Kenora) Regiment (80), and the 99th Regiment (Manitoba Rangers) (186). The Battalion sailed with the First Contingent October 3rd 1914with 45 officers and 1085 other ranks under command of Lieutenant-Colonel L.J. Lipsett (A British officers serving on the General Staff for Western Canada). In England the 8th Battalion, nicknamed the ‘Little Black Devils’, was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division sailing for France in early February 1915 with an establishment of 30 officers and 996 other ranks a total of 1026. By September 1915the 8th Battalion had suffered casualties of 23 officers and 864 other ranks. The 8th Battalion served in the2nd Infantry Brigade 1st Canadian Division for the duration of the war being disbanded under General Order 149 September 15th 1920.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3405992)

9th Canadian Battalion at Plymouth after church parade, October 1914.

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9th Battalion. Authorized 10 August 1914, disbanded 15 September 1917.

The 9th Infantry Battalion was raised at Camp Valcartier Quebec almost exclusively from the 101stEdmonton Fusiliers (1,247 All ranks) with just a small additional contingent of 77 all ranks from Ottawa, the battalion being authorized under General Order 142 of 5 July 1915. The 101st Regiment (Edmonton Fusiliers) later contributed to the 65th, 138th, 194th, and 202nd Battalions. The 9th Battalion sailed with the 1st Contingent on 3 October 1914 under command of Lieutenant-Colonel S.M. Rogers (Reserve Officers List), with a strength of 44 officers and 1101 other ranks. After the arrival of the 1st Contingent in England the proposed structure of the 1st Division was changed from four to three infantry Brigades, the 4thInfantry Brigade being deleted from the Order of Battle the four surplus battalions being designated as reserve and training battalions. Of the 17 Infantry Battalions forming the 1st Contingent the 6th Battalion became a Cavalry Depot while the 9th, 11th, 12th and 17th Battalions became training and reserve battalions for the three Infantry Brigades of the 1st Canadian Division. The 9th Battalion was assigned the reserve and training battalion for the 1st Infantry Brigade, the 11th Battalion for the 2nd Infantry Brigade, the 12th Battalion for the 14th Infantry Battalion and later the PPCLI, and the 17th Battalion for the 13th, 15th and 16th Highland Battalions. Effective 15 September 1915 the 9th Battalion was designated as the 1st Training Brigade serving in this capacity until 3 January 1917 when the 1st Training Brigade was disbanded. In January 1917 the 9th Battalion became the nucleus for the 9th Reserve Battalion, this one of two reserve battalions formed in January 1917 to supply reinforcements to the CEF battalions from Alberta serving on the Western Front. In September 1917 the 9th Reserve Battalion was absorbed by the 21stReserve Battalion this becoming the sole reinforcing battalion for the Alberta Regiment. Being fully depleted of all ranks the 9th Battalion was disbanded effective September 15th 1917 under General Order GO 82 of 1918.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3405997)

10th Battalion soldier, November 1917.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

10th Battalion (Canadians). Authorized 10 August 1914, disbanded 15 September 1920.

The 10th Battalion was a composite battalion formed in August 1914 at Camp Valcartier Quebec under authority of Privy Council Order 2067 of August 5th 1914. The 10th Battalion nicknamed ‘The Fighting 10th’, comprised of volunteers from militia regiments from Military District 12 (Alberta) and MD 10 (Manitoba) The 10th Battalion was formed from just two Militia Regiments, 846 personnel from the 103rd Regiment (Calgary Rifles) and 665 from the 105th Regiment (Winnipeg Light Infantry). The Battalion sailed with the First Contingent on 3 October 1914 with of 41 officers and 1065 other ranks under command of Lieutenant-Colonel R.L. Boyle (15th Light Horse). In England the 10th Battalion was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division sailing for France in early February 1915 with an establishment of 30 officers and 996 other ranks a total of 1026. The 10th Battalion served in the 2nd Infantry Brigade 1st Canadian Division for the duration of the war being disbanded under General Order 149 of 15 September 1920.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

11th Battalion. Authorized 10 August 1914, disbanded 12 October 1917.

The 11th Infantry Battalion was a composite battalion formed in August 1914 at Camp Valcartier Quebec under authority of Privy Council Order 2067 of August 5th 1914 authorized under General Order 142 of 1914. The 11th Battalion comprised of volunteers from militia regiments from Military Area 10 which at this time encompassed both Manitoba and Saskatchewan. (Military District 13, Saskatchewan was established in 1917) The 11th Battalion was formed from contingents of the following Militia Regiments.52nd Regiment (Prince Albert Volunteers) (150), 60th Rifles of Canada (294), 95th Regiment(Saskatchewan Rifles) (171), 100th Regiment (Winnipeg Grenadiers) (471), 105th Regiment (Saskatoon Fusiliers) (255), plus a small detachment of 21 personnel from Humboldt, Saskatchewan. The 11th Battalion sailed with the First Contingent October 3rd 1914 with 45 officers and 1119 other ranks under command of Lieutenant-Colonel R. Burritt (100th Winnipeg Grenadiers).

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3406004)

Farriers of the 12th Battalion at work on Salisbury Plain, c1914.

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12th Battalion. Authorized 10 August 1914, disbanded 30 August 1920.

The 12th Battalion was a composite battalion formed in August 1914 at Camp Valcartier Quebec under authority of Privy Council Order 2067 of August 5th 1914 authorized under General Order 142 of 1914.The 12th Battalion comprised of volunteers from militia regiments from both Quebec and the Maritime provinces. Cavalry volunteers were provided from the 29th New Brunswick Dragoons (17), and the 35th PEI Light horse (11), and the following infantry regiments: 4th Regiment (Chasseurs) (41), 8th Regiment(Royal Rifles) (368), 9th Regiment (Voltigeurs de Quebec) (29), 17th Regiment de Levis (7), 18th Regiment (Franc-Tireurs du Saguenay) (3), 53rd (Sherbrooke) Regiment (107), 54th Regiment (Carabiniers de Sherbrooke) (113), 61st Regiment de Montmagny (6), 62nd Regiment (St. John Fusiliers) (140), 64th (Chateauguay and Beauharnois) Regiment (23), 67th Regiment (Carleton Light Infantry) (30), 71st (York) Regiment (160), 73rd (Northumberland) Regiment. (76), 74th Regiment (The New Brunswick Rangers) (73),80th (Nicolet) Regiment (1), 82nd Regiment (Abgeweit Light Infantry) (31), 83rd (Joliette) Regiment (26),84th (St Hyacinth) Regiment (12), 85th Regiment (12), 89th (Temiscouta and Rimouski) Regiment (15),and the 92nd (Dorchester Regiment (9). The Battalion sailed with the First Contingent October 3rd 1914 with 45 officers and 1028 other ranks under command of Lieutenant-Colonel H.F. McLeod (71st York Regiment).

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3395252)

Trench Mortar in firing position, May 1917.  

2nd Trench Mortar Battery

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3522437)

3rd Infantry Brigade, Brigadier-General George Stuart Tuxford, CB, CMG, DSO and Bar, ED, and his staff, December 1918.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3397899)

Large German 21 cm Mörser 16 (21 cm Mrs 16) field gun captured by the 13th Battalion at the Battle of Amiens in August 1918.

3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade

13th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 14th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 15th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 16th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 3rd Trench Mortar Battery.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3522536)

Departure from Germany of 13th Battalion, Royal Highlanders, of Canada, entraining, January 1919.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

13th Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada). Authorized 1 September 1914, disbanded 15 September 1920.

The 13th Infantry Battalion was a composite battalion formed in August 1914 at Camp Valcartier Quebec under authority of Privy Council Order 2067 of 5 August 1914. The 13th Battalion comprised of volunteers almost entirely from the 5th Royal Highlanders (Black Watch of Canada) 966 all ranks with an additional 127 volunteers from the 78th Regiment (Pictou Highlanders) and 133 from the 93rd (Cumberland) Regiment. An interesting footnote the 13th Battalion (The Black Watch) and the 15thBattalion (48th Highlanders) were the only two battalions arriving at Camp Valcartier completely outfitted from their ‘home’ Militia regiments. A 5th Royal Highlanders regimental Order of 25 August 1914 stated that the diced Glengarry caps were to be exchanged for plain dark blue patterns, the diced pattern Glengarry caps being returned to the Regimental Depot for re-issue. The Battalion sailed with the First Contingent October 3rd 1914 with 45 officers and 1112 other ranks under command of Lieutenant-Colonel F.O.W. Loomis (5th Regiment Royal Highlanders). In England the 13th Battalion (Royal Highlanders) was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division sailing for France in early February 1915 with an establishment of 30 officers and 1002 other ranks a total of 1032. The 13th Battalion served in the 3rd Infantry Brigade 1st Canadian Division for the duration of the war being disbanded under General Order 149 on 15 September 1920.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3522540)

Presentation of Regimental of Colours to 14th Battalion, Royal Montreal Regiment, by Prince Arthur of Connaught. January, 1919.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3406026)

14th Battalion on the way to a rest camp after the battle on Hill 70, October 1917.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3194254)

Grenadier Guards in trenches together at Armentières, February 1915.

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14th Battalion (Royal Montréal Regiment). Authorized 1 September 1914, disbanded 30 August 1920.

The 14th Battalion was a composite battalion formed in August 1914 at Camp Valcartier Quebec under authority of Privy Council Order 2067 of August 5th 1914. On August 5th 1914 after being ordered to combine their forces the Montreal Garrison after a series of meetings involving the Grenadier Guards, the Victoria Rifles and the Carabiniers de Mont-Real were formed into an active service battalion. Sir Sam Hughes bestowing the title the ‘Royal Montreal Regiment’ on the battalion. The use of the word ‘Royal’ in the title was not legitimate as the warrant to use the prefix ‘Royal’ could only be granted by King George V.(Only one regiment was granted this distinction in the First World War, the Newfoundland Regiment, that was granted the title ‘Royal’ in February 1918). The designation the Royal Montreal Regiment was used to denote the 14thBattalion in the Army List. Under General Order 141 of September 1st 1923 ‘With reference to G.O.40 of1920, His majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve the continuance of the title “The Royal Montreal Regiment” by the 14th Canadian Infantry Battalion. The 14th Battalion was formed from volunteers from Montreal and Nova Scotia. The 14th battalion comprised of volunteers from 14th King’s Canadian Hussars (7), 1st Regiment (Grenadier Guards) (350),3rd Regiment (Victoria Rifles of Canada) (351), 63rd Regiment (Halifax Rifles) (26), 65th Regiment (Carabiniers Mont-Royal) (327), 65th Regiment (Princess Louise Fusiliers) (32), 69th (Annapolis)Regiment (35), 75th (Lunenburg) Regt. (28), 75th (Colchester & Hants) Regt. (96), and the 81st (Hants)Regt. (20). The Battalion sailed with the First Contingent October 3rd 1914 with 46 officers and 1097 other ranks under command of Lieutenant-Colonel F.S. Meighen (Canadian Grenadier Guards). In England the14th Battalion was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division sailing for France in early February 1915 with an establishment of 30 officers and 996 under command of Lieutenant-Colonel F.S. Meighen. By September 1915 battle casualties for the 14th Battalion were 19 Officers and 559 Other Ranks(Not including troops gassed). The 14th Battalion served in the 3rd Infantry Brigade 1st Canadian Division for the duration of the war being disbanded under General Order 149 September 15th 1920. In the 1917 reorganization of the Canadian Militia the 58th Westmount Rifles became the Depot Regiment for the 14th Battalion (Royal Montreal Regiment) In the 1920 post First World War reorganization of the Canadian Militia the 58th Westmount Rifles were disbanded and immediately reconstituted as the Royal Montreal Regiment.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3406038)

15th Canadian Infantry Battalion with their colours. (48th Highlanders of Canada]), January 1919.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

15th Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada). Authorized 1 September 1914, disbanded 30 August 1920.

The 15th Battalion was a composite battalion formed in August 1914 at Camp Valcartier Quebec under authority of Privy Council Order 2067 of August 5th 1914. The 15th Battalion comprised almost exclusively of volunteers from the 48th Highlanders. Mounted volunteers being provided by the 2ndDragoons (32), the 13th Scottish Light Dragoons (43) and the 25th Stanstead Dragoons (25), and the following infantry regiments: 31st (Grey) Regiment (83), the 48th Regiment (Highlanders) (836), and the 97th Regiment (Algonquin Rifles) (263). The Battalion sailed with the First Contingent October 3rd 1914 with 44 officers and 1109 other ranks under command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.A. Currie (48th Highlanders).

16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish). Authorized 1 September 1914, disbanded 30 August 1920.

The 16th Battalion was a composite battalion formed in August 1914 at Camp Valcartier Quebec under authority of Privy Council Order 2067 of August 5th 1914. Comprising of volunteers from four Canadian Militia Highland Regiments. The 50th Regiment (Gordon Highlanders) (262), the 72nd Regiment (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada) (542), The 79th Regiment (Cameron Highlanders of Canada) (263) and the 91st Regiment (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada) (154). The Battalion sailed with the First Contingent October 3rd 1914 with 47 officers and 1096 other ranks under command of Lieutenant-Colonel R.G. Edwards-Leckie (72nd Seaforth Highlanders).

In England the 16th Battalion was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division. The volunteers from the four Highlander Militia Regiments forming the 15th Battalion sailed for England in October 1914 wearing regimental pattern badges and their own regimental pattern kilts after their arrival the McKenzie pattern was adopted for the battalion and the regimental pattern kilts returned to the home depot of each regiment. The 16th Battalion sailed for France in early February 1915 with an establishment of 30 officers and 1002 other ranks, a total of 1032. Regimental pattern hat badges were approved for the 16th Battalion on 31 May 1915. The 15th Battalion served in the 3rd Infantry Brigade 1st Canadian Division for the duration of the war being disbanded under General Order 149 on 15 September 1920.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3406049)

The 17th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders), assembled in June 1915.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

17th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders). Authorized 19 September 1914, disbanded 21 May 1917.

The 17th Infantry Battalion was a composite battalion formed in August 1914 at Camp Valcartier Quebec under authority of Privy Council Order 2067 of August 5th 1914. The battalion was raised from units of Military Area 6 (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island). This one of two, the second being the (first) 18th Battalion, formed from surplus troops over and above those assigned to the first 16infantry battalions, these each being around 1031 + 20% for base details etc. On September 27th prior to the 1st Contingent sailing for England the Provisional 18th Battalion was disbanded and its 10 officers and 356 other ranks were absorbed into other units. The 17th Battalion which included a sizable group of volunteers from the 94th Victoria Regiment (Argyll Highlanders) sailed with the First Contingent October 3rd 1914 under command of Lieutenant-Colonel S.G. Robertson (78th Pictou Highlanders), with a strength of 44 officers and 624 other ranks. Effective September 1st 1915 command of the 17th Infantry Battalion(Training and reserve) was taken over by Lieutenant-Colonel D.D. Cameron, the Commanding Officer of the 78th Pictou Highlanders.

The 17th Battalion sailed with the First Contingent with 44 Officers and 624 OR’s after arrival in England the battalion was designated as a Training and Reserve battalion to provide reinforcements for the 13th, 15th and 16th Highland Battalions serving with the 1st Canadian Division on the Western Front serving in this role until April 1916. With the formation of the 2nd Division an additional three infantry battalions were designated as Reserve and Training battalions these being the 23rd, 30th and 32nd Infantry Battalions. These three battalions were the first of the 2nd Division’s to reach England, this in February 1915, and were almost immediately sent to France to make up for the losses suffered by the 1st Division at the 2nd Battle of Ypres. As additional battalions over and above those assigned to the 2nd Canadian Division arrived from Canada they were designated as Training and Reserve Depots.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3395283)

Horse drawn trench mortar, Aug 1917.

3rd Trench Mortar Battery

1st Brigade Canadian Engineers

1st Battalion Canadian Engineers, 2nd Battalion Canadian Engineers, 3rd Battalion Canadian Engineers.

  (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3667193)

1st Divisional Signal Company

 (DND Photo)

CEF Vickers Machine Gun crew with gas masks.

1st Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps

1st Motor Machine Gun Brigade, 2nd Motor Machine Gun Brigade

  (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3520946)

1st Divisional Train, Canadian Army Service Corps. The unit is shown here with transport wagons in July 1916.

Organized at Valcartier in August 1914 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W.A. Simson. Arrived in England 14 October 1914. Strength: 7 officers, 60 other ranks. Arrived in France 12 February 1915. 1st Canadian Division. Returned to England 29 March 1919. Disbanded by General Order 193 of 1 November 1920

1st Divisional Employment Company.  Authorized in June 1917 under the command of Major J. R. Vicars. This unit arrived in France 10 June 1917. The Company ceased to exist an 6 February 1919 and its personnel returned to their original units

The employment companies came under the direct command of Canadian Corps or Divisional Headquarters. Personnel were lent to other units (e.g. mobile veterinary, town majors, divisional trains and ammunition columns) for short periods or were employed at headquarters. Company personnel performed a wide variety of duties (traffic control, salvage operations, water police, road building),formed burial and salvage parties, worked in sanitary sections, divisional baths, Church Army and YMCA huts, ammunition dumps and were employed at headquarters as orderlies, batmen, grooms, clerks, cooks, waiters, guards and picquets. One company had a concert party and a band.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3395892)

Busy scene at an advanced dressing station during attack on Cambrai. Advance East of Arras. October, 1918.

1st, 2nd, 3rd Field Ambulances

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3522074)

2nd Canadian Division: Major-General H.E. Burstall, shown here with his staff in December 1917.

  (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3522463)

5th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. The Brigade's officers are shown here in January 1919.

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 5th Brigade Canadian Field Artillery

           17th, 18th, 20th Field Batteries

           23rd Howitzer Battery

  (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3522193)

6th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. The Commanding Officer and his staff are shown here at their Headquarters in July 1918.

           15th, 16th, 25th Field Batteries

           22nd Howitzer Battery

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3261914)

Lt. Col. W.H. Harrison, officers, N.C.O.'s and men, headquarters, No. 1 Section, divisional ammunition column and No. 3 section, ammunition park detail, Second Canadian Division, on parade at Officer's Square, Fredericton, 1915.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

65th Overseas Depot Battery (Woodstock, New Brunswick). Authorized under Order in Council P.C.2067/2068 of 6August 1914. Organized under G.O. 69 of 15 July  1916 under command of Captain J.H. Evans. The battery remained in Canada as a Canadian Field Artillery reinforcing Depot for New Brunswick being demobilized at Petawawa in October 1918 with the personnel being absorbed into the 1st and 2ndTank Battalions and additional volunteers for the Siberian Expeditionary Force. The 66th Depot Battery was disbanded under G.O. 191 of 1 November 1920.

2nd Divisional Ammunition Column

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

67th Overseas Depot Battery

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

71st Overseas Depot Battery (St Catharines). Authorized under Order in Council P.C.2067/2068 of 6 August 1914. Organized under G.O. 69 of 15 July 1916 under command of Major H.B. Burgoyne. The 71st Depot Battery provided a draft which arrived in England on 23 July 1916. It was absorbed into the CFA Reserve at Shorncliffe. The 71st Overseas Depot Battery was disbanded under G.O. 191 of 1 November 1920.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

73rd Overseas Depot Battery (Kingston) 343801 - 344800. Authorized under Order in Council P.C.2067/2068 of 6 August 1914. Organized under G.O. 69 of 15 July 1916 under command of Major E.C. Barrett. The 73rd Overseas Depot Battery provided a draft to the Reserve Artillery Brigade at Shorncliffe in England this arriving November 5th 1916. The 73rd Overseas Depot Battery was disbanded under G.O. 191 of 1 November 1920.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

74th Overseas Depot Battery (Belleville). Authorized under Order in Council P.C. 2067/2068 of 6 August 1914. Organized under G.O. 69 of 15 July 1916 under command of (Acting Captain) Lieutenant F. Grierson. The 74th Overseas Depot Battery provided a draft to the Reserve Artillery Brigade at Shorncliffe in England this arriving March 1917. The 74th Depot Battery was disbanded under G.O. 191 of 1 November 1920.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

78th Overseas Depot Battery (Lethbridge). Authorized under Order in Council P.C. 2067/2068 on 6 August 1914 organized on 22 January 1916 under G.O. 69 of15 July 1916 under command of Lieutenant W.J. Nelson. The battery served as an artillery reinforcing depotfor batteries serving overseas from MD. 13. It was redesignated as No. 13 Artillery Depot on 21 September 1918 and disbanded on September 1920 under G.O. 191 of 1 November 1920.

(Photo Courtesy of John Stephens, Curator, The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum) 

4th Infantry Brigade, Brigadier-General, later Major-General Robert Rennie, CB CMG, DSO, MVO, VD.

4th Infantry Brigade

18th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 19th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 20th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 21st Canadian Infantry Battalion, 4th Trench Mortar Battery.

  (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3406059)

Surviving original members of the 18th Battalion, 4th Brigade, taken in Germany. 50% of these men have been wounded. 1919.

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(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

18th Battalion (Western Ontario). Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 15 September 1920.

The 18th Canadian Infantry Battalion began recruiting in South-Western Ontario October 1st 1914 with mobilization headquarters at Windsor, Ontario, being authorized under General Order 35 of 15 March 1915. The battalion was recruited by the 21st Essex Fusiliers and sailed for England on 18 April 1915 with36 officers and 1081 OR's under command of Lieutenant-Colonel E.S. Wigle (21st Essex Fusiliers),assigned along with the 19th, 20th and 21st Ontario battalions to the 4th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Division. In England the 4th Infantry Brigade was billeted in huts at West Sandling before sailing for France on 15 September 1915. The 18th Battalion served in the 4th Infantry Brigade for the duration of the war being disbanded under General Order 149 on 15 September 1920.

The 1917 Reorganization of the CEF

Effective 20 March 1917 Canada’s military forces were completely reorganized with the CEF becoming a temporary unit of the Active Militia. After a bitter debate in Parliament conscription was introduced and anew territorial regimental system was instituted for recruiting and reinforcing the Canadian Corps in France. The new system consisted of twelve Provincial regiments in Canada, the Western Ontario Regt., the1st Central Ontario Regt., the 2nd Central Ontario Regt., the Eastern Ontario Regt., the 1st Quebec Regt., the 2nd Quebec Regt., The Nova Scotia Regt., the New Brunswick Regt., the Manitoba Regt., the Saskatchewan Regt., the Alberta Regt. and the British Columbia Regt. These ‘home’ regiments in turn supported Reserve Battalions in England which provided reinforcements to the units serving with the Canadian Corps on the Western Front. (The huge permanent military camps at Valcartier, Petawawa, Borden and Camp Hughes (Manitoba) had also been made temporary military districts under General Order 72 of 1916.) Each of these territorial regiments having a number of battalions at the Front, one or two reserve training battalions in England, a Garrison Battalion in each military district in Canada and up to three Depot Battalions With the exception of the Nova Scotia Depot Battalion created under General Order 77 of July 1918, all other seventeen District Depot Battalions were authorized on 15 April 1918 under General Order 57 of 1918 and disbanded under General Order 213 of November 1920.In England as of 1 January 1917 there were 57 Reinforcing Battalions. Effective 15 January 1917 the various infantry training and reserve battalions and remnants of the depleted Overseas Battalions were amalgamated to form 26 new Reserve Battalions. In January 1918 a further consolidation took place the number being reduced to 20 and finally in August 1918 a further consolidation to 15 Reserve Battalions.

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  (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3522425)

19th Canadian Infantry Battalion passing the Corps Commander on Bonn Bridge, December 1918.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

19th Battalion (Central  Ontario). Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 15 September 1920.

The 19th Canadian Infantry Battalion was authorized to be recruited at Hamilton and mobilized at Toronto 19 October 1914 under General Order 35 of 15 March 1915. The battalion was raised by the 91stHighlanders this regiment having previously provided 154 volunteers to the 15th Battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier in August 1914. The 91st Highlanders later raised the 173rd Battalion. The 19th Battalion sailed for England on 13 May 1915 with 41 officers and 1073 other ranks under command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.I. MacLaren (91st Canadian Highlanders), assigned to the 4th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division. The four Infantry Brigades of the 2nd Canadian Division sailed for France over a four night period between 13 and 15 September 1915 serving in the 4th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Division for the duration of the First World War. The 19th Battalion was disbanded under General Order 149 on 15 September 1920.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3406065)

20th Battalion Scout Section, with sniper rifles.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

20th Battalion (Central  Ontario). Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 30 August 1920.

The 20th Canadian Infantry Battalion began recruiting in in Central and Northern Ontario October 19th 1914 with mobilization Headquarters at Toronto being authorized under General Order 35 of 15 March 1915. The 20th Battalion was recruited by a number of Militia Regiments in the Toronto area including the12th York Rangers, 20th Halton Rifles and the 35th Peel Regiment. The battalion sailed for England on 15 May 1915 with 35 officers and 1100 OR's under command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.A.W. Allan (12th York Rangers), assigned to the 4th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division. The 20th Battalion served in the 4th Infantry Brigade 2nd Canadian Division for the duration of the war being disbanded under General Order 149 on 15 September 1920.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3667136)

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

1st Battalion (Eastern Ontario). Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 30 August 1920.

The 21st Canadian Infantry Battalion was authorized to be recruited in Eastern Ontario with mobilization headquarters at Kingston effective October 21st 1914 under General Order 35 of 15 March 1915. The 21st Battalion was formed by the 14th Princess of Wales Own Rifles, 15th Argyll Light Infantry, the 15th Prince Edward Regiment, the 42nd Lanark and Renfrew Regiment, the 49th Hastings Rifles and the 59th Storemont and Glengarry Regiment these regiments previously having contributed volunteers to the 2nd Battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier in August 1914. The 21st Infantry Battalion sailed for England on 4 May 1915 with 42 officers and 1057 other ranks under command of Lieutenant-Colonel W. St. P. Hughes (14th Princess of Wales Own Rifles), assigned to the 4th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division. The 21st Battalion served in the 4th Infantry Brigade 2nd Canadian Division for the duration of the war being disbanded under General Order 149 on 15 September 1920.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3522764)

'Z.C. Trench Mortar Battery' France 'Suicide Club' after the battle of Lens. Lieutenant J.A. McGibbon and B.E. Scott, MC, 1917.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo,  MIKAN No. 3395590)

Canadian Mortar bombs, Sep 1917.

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4th Trench Mortar Battery

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3220560)

5th Infantry Brigade, Brigadier-General John Munro  Ross, CMG, DSO and bar, March 1919.

5th Canadian Infantry Brigade

22nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, 23rd Canadian Infantry Battalion, 25th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 26th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 5th Trench Mortar Battery.

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3520967)

A Sentry, 22nd Infantry Battalion (French Canadian), July, 1916.

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3520957)

22nd Infantry Battalion (French Canadian) in the trenches, July 1916.

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3395472)

22nd Infantry Battalion (French Canadian) soldier with the drinking water supply, July 1916.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

22nd Battalion (French Canadian). Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 15 September 1920.

The 22nd Canadian Infantry Battalion was authorized to be recruited in Quebec as a French speaking battalion with mobilization headquarters at St. Jean (St John) October 21st 1914 under General Order 35 of 15 March 1915. The battalion had difficulty finding enough volunteers to raise an entirely Francophone battalion and this was only achieved by withdrawing French speaking volunteers from other battalions. The22nd Infantry Battalion sailed for England on 20 May 1915 with 36 officers and 1097 other ranks under command of Lieutenant-Colonel F.M. Gaudet (RCA). The 22nd Battalion served in the 5th Infantry Brigade 2nd Canadian Division for the duration of the war being disbanded under General Order 149 on 15 September 1920.

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3261907)

23rd Battalion, Quebec, 10 Feb 1915.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

23rd Battalion. Authorized 21 Oct 1914, disbanded 15 September 1920.

The 23rd Infantry Battalion began recruiting in Montreal and Quebec City October 21st 1914 with headquarters at Montreal as a French speaking reinforcing and training battalion for the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade being authorized under General Order 35 of 1915. However the Francophone speakers were withdrawn from the battalion and reassigned to the 22nd Battalion to bring this up to strength prior to them sailing for England on 20 May 1915. The Francophone speakers being replaced with volunteers from Western Canada, 200 from Victoria BC, 200 from the 103rd Calgary Rifles in Alberta and a further 100 from Winnipeg. The 23rd, 30th and 32nd were assigned as reinforcing and training battalions for the 2nd Canadian Division sailed for England ahead of the main body of the 2nd Division proceeding to England in February 1915. The 23rd Battalion sailed on 23 February 1915 with 35 Officers and 942 OR's under command of Lieutenant-Colonel F.W. Fisher (3rd Victoria Rifles).  On 29 April 1915, the unit was re-organized as the 23rd Reserve Battalion. By May of 1915 of the 2.884 all ranks of the 23rd, 30th and 32nd Battalions 2337 had been sent to France as reinforcements to replace the 1st Division’s losses in the Second Battle of Ypres. On 11 May 1917, the battalion was redesignated the 23rd Canadian Reserve Battalion (199th Duchess of Connaught's Own Irish Canadian Rangers). The battalion was disbanded by general order on 15 September 1920.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3522370)

Officers of the 24th Battalion, November 1918.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

24th Battalion (Victoria Rifles). Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 15 September 1920.

The 24th Canadian Infantry Battalion began recruiting October 22nd 1914 with headquarters at Montreal being raised by the 3rd Victoria Rifles of Canada being under General Order 35 of 15 March 1915. The 24th Battalion. The regiment had previously contributed 351 volunteers to the 14th Battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier in August 1914 and later raised the 60th and 244th Battalions. The 24th Battalion sailed for England on 11 May 1915 with 42 officers and 1082 OR's under command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.A. Gunn (3rd Victoria Rifles). The battalion served in the 5th Infantry Brigade 2nd Canadian Division for the duration of the war being disbanded under General Order 149 on 20 September 1920.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3522093)

The Officer Commanding the 25th Battalion visiting the front line, February 1918.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

25th Battalion (Nova Scotia Rifles). Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 15 September 1920.

The 25th Canadian Infantry Battalion was authorized to be recruited in Nova Scotia with mobilization headquarters at Halifax October 22nd 1914 under General Order 35 of 1915. The 25th Battalion was raised by the 63rd Halifax Rifles, 75th Colchester and Hants Rifles and the 81st ‘Hants’ Regiment these regiments previously having contributed volunteers to the 14th Battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier in August 1914. The 63rd Halifax Rifles later contributing to the 105th Battalion. The 25th Battalion sailed for England on 20 May 1915 with 42 officers and 1081 other ranks under command of Lieutenant-Colonel G.A. LeClain (CO 18th Infantry Brigade, 69th, 75th and 82nd Regiments). The 25th Battalion served in the5th Infantry Brigade 2nd Canadian Division for the duration of the war being disbanded under General Order 149 of 15 September 1920.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3259628)

Transport "Caledonia" leaving Saint John, New Brunswick, with 26th Battalion and Ammunition Column, CEF.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3261920)

Embarkation of 26th Battalion and Ammunition Column, CEF, Saint John, New Brunswick, 13 June 1915.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3261910)

The officers and members of the 26th Battalion Second Canadian Expeditionary Force, Saint John, New Brunswick, June 1915.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

26th Battalion (New Brunswick). Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 30 August 1920.

The 26th Canadian Infantry Battalion began recruiting in the Province of New Brunswick November 2nd1914 at that time part of in Military Area No.6 which encompassed the three Maritime Provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. (New Brunswick did not becoming Military DistrictNo.7 until 1917.) The 26th Battalion with headquarters at Saint John was authorized under General Order35 of 15 March 1915. The 26th Battalion was raised from the 62nd St. John Fusiliers the regiment previously having contributed 140 volunteers to the 12th Battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier in August 1914 the regiment later raised the 115th Battalion. The 26th Battalion sailed for England on13 June 1915 with 42 officers and 1108 OR's under command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.L. McAvity (62nd St. John Fusiliers). The 26th Infantry Battalion served in the 5th Infantry Brigade 2nd Canadian Division for the duration of the war being disbanded under General Order 149 on 15 September 1920.

From January 1917 reinforcements for the 26th Battalion were provided by the 13th Reserve Battalion. This was formed by the amalgamation of the 115th, 132nd and 140th Battalions under command of Lieutenant-Colonel G.W. Fowler to supply reinforcements to the 26th Battalion serving on the Western Front, and the 104th Battalion this in England assigned as a component of the 15th Infantry Brigade, 5th Canadian Divisions. During the period of its operations the 13th Reserve Battalion absorbed the 165th Battalion. Also in February 1918 the 104th Infantry Battalion from the 5th Division when this was declared moribund and the battalions released for reinforcements. At this time the 13th Reserve Battalion was assigned the reinforcing battalion for the New Brunswick Regiment, authorized under General Order 57 of 15 May 1918, reinforcing the 26th and 44th Battalions, this originally from Manitoba but reassigned for reinforcing purposes, both serving with the Canadian Corps on the Western Front. The New Brunswick Regiment was disbanded under General Order 213 of 15 November 1920.

5th Trench Mortar Battery

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3404771)

6th Infantry Brigade, Brigadier-General Huntley Douglas Brodie Ketchen, CB, CMG, shown here with Major Jukes in May 1917.

6th Canadian Infantry Brigade

27th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 28th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 29th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 31st Canadian Infantry Battalion, 6th Trench Mortar Battery.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3397851)

German Great War 21cm Morser, captured by the 27th Battalion at Vimy Ridge, August 1917.

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 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3521974)

27th Battalion, rifle Inspection in a village where Gas alert is nearly always on, July 1917.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

27th Battalion (City of Winnipeg). Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 15 September 1920.

The 27th (City of Winnipeg) Infantry Battalion, nicknamed the Winnipeg Bulldogs, began recruiting October 21st 1914 with mobilization headquarters at Winnipeg being authorized under General Order 35 of 15 March 1915. The battalion was raised by the 99th Manitoba Rangers and sailed for England on 17 May 1915 with 33 officers and 1039 OR's under command of Lieutenant-Colonel I.R. Snider (99th Manitoba Rangers) where it was assigned to the 6th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division serving for the duration of the war being disbanded under General Order 149 on  15 September 1920. The 27th Battalion was immediately reconstituted as a regiment of the Canadian Militia under the designation the Manitoba Regiment authorized under General Order 29 of 15 March 1920. The regiment being disbanded in the 1936 reorganization of the Canadian Militia.

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3521074)

28th Battalion establishing a Signaling Headquarters in order and get into communication with Allied aircraft, April 1917.

28th Battalion (Northwest). Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 30 August 1920.

The 28th (Northwest) Canadian Infantry Battalion began recruiting in Military Area No. 10, as a composite battalion to be recruited in both Saskatchewan and at Port Arthur/Fort William (now Thunder Bay), October 19th 1914 with mobilization headquarters at Winnipeg under General Order 35 of 15 March 1915. The Northern Ontario component was raised by the 96th Lake Superior Regiment with the additional volunteers from Rainy River and Kenora and militia regiments The Saskatchewan component was raised from Regina, Brandon, Portage la Prairie, and Winnipeg. Being mobilized by the 60th Rifles of Canada and the 95th Saskatchewan Rifles these regiments previously having contributed 294 and 171 volunteers respectively to the 11th Battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier in August 1914 and later raising the 45th, 68th, 128th, 152nd and 195th Battalions. The 28th Battalion sailed for England in May 1915 with 36 officers and 1078 OR's under command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.F.L. Embury (95th Rifles). The 28th Battalion was assigned to the 6th Brigade, 2nd Division serving for the duration of the First World War.

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3396681)

Reading the morning paper in the 29th Battalion trenches, July 1916.

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3233066)

29th Infantry Battalion advancing over "No Man's Land" through the German barbed wire and heavy fire during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, April 1917.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

29th Battalion (Vancouver). Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 30 August 1920.

The 29th Infantry Battalion (nicknamed Tobin’s Tigers) was authorized to be recruited and mobilized at Vancouver October 24th 1914 under General Order 35 of 15 March 1915. The 29th Battalion was recruited by the 11th Irish Fusiliers, this regiment having provided 355 volunteers to the 7th Battalion on its formation at Valcartier Camp in August 1914, the 5th Duke of Connaught‘s Own Rifles and the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, providing 12 officers and 305 other ranks. The 29th Battalion sailed for England on20 May 1915 with a strength of 37 officers and 1090 other ranks under command of Lieutenant-Colonel H.S. Tobin (72nd Seaforth Highlanders) being assigned to the 5th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division where it served for the duration of the First World War. The 29th Battalion was disbanded under General Order 149 on 15 September 1920.

30th Battalion (Vancouver). Authorized 27 Oct 1914, disbanded 1 September 1917.

The 30th Canadian Infantry Battalion began recruiting in British Columbia with mobilization headquarters at Victoria on 27 October 1914 being authorized under General Order 142 of 15 July 1915. The battalion was raised by the 68th Regiment (Earl Grey’s Own Rifles) this regiment later raising the 102nd Battalion. The 30th Battalion sailed for England on 23 February 1915 with a strength of 35 officers and 980 OR's under command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.A. Hall (88th Victoria Fusiliers). The 23rd, 30th and 32nd Battalions had originally been assigned as the reinforcing and training battalions for the 2nd Division in a role similar to that played by the 9th, 11th, 12th and 17th in the 1st Division, however by May of 1915 within weeks of their arrival 2337 of the 2884 all ranks of the 23rd, 30th and 32nd Battalions had been sent to France as reinforcements to replace the 1st Division’s losses in the Second Battle of Ypres. After its ranks were replenished the 30th Infantry Battalion served as a reserve and training battalion for CEF battalions from British Columbia serving with the Canadian Corps on the Western Front. During this period of its operations absorbed the 62nd and 88th Battalions on their arrival from Canada.

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3522699)

Presentation of Colours to 31st Battalion. Namur Cathedral Square. April 1919.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

31st Battalion (Alberta). Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 30 August 1920.

The 31st Canadian Infantry Battalion, (nicknamed Bell’s Bulldogs), began recruiting in Alberta on 15 November 1914 with mobilization headquarters at Calgary being authorized under General Order 35 of 15 March 1915. The 31st Battalion was recruited by the 21st Alberta Hussars and the 23rd Alberta Rangers these regiments previously having jointly contributed 78 volunteers to the 5th Battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier in August 1914, later recruiting the 113th, 151st, 175th and 187th Battalions. The 31st Battalion sailed for England on 17 May 1915 with 36 officers and 1033 OR's under command of Lieutenant-Colonel A.H. Bell (L.S.H. (R.C.) assigned to the 5th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division where it served for the duration of the war. The 31st Battalion was disbanded under General Order 149 of 15 September 1920.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

32nd Battalion. Authorized 3 November 1914, disbanded 1 September 1917.

The 32nd Canadian Infantry Battalion began recruiting in Western Manitoba and Saskatchewan with mobilization headquarters at Winnipeg October 27th 1914 the battalion was raised by the by the 12th Manitoba Dragoons being authorized under General Order 142 of July 5th 1915. The regiment had previously contributed 201 volunteers to the 5th Battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier in August 1914. The 32nd Battalion sailed for England on 23 February 1915 with 35 officers and 962 OR's under command of Lieutenant-Colonel H.J. Cowan (R.C.R). The 23rd 30th and 32nd Battalions were allotted as reinforcing and training units for the three infantry brigades of the 2nd Division in a role similar to that played by the 9th, 11th, 12th and 17th Battalions in the 1st Division. The 23rd, 30th and 32nd Battalions preceded the rest of the 2nd Division sailing for England in February 1915 but by May of 1915 the desperate need of trained reinforcements to replace the Canadian losses suffered by the 1st Division in the Second Battle of Ypres saw 2337 of the 2.884 all ranks of the three battalion sent to France as reinforcements. A replenished 32nd Infantry Battalion served as a reserve and training battalion for CEF Battalions raised in Saskatchewan serving on the Western Front. During the period of its operations the32nd Battalion absorbed the 68th, 94th Infantry Battalions on their arrival from Canada. In January 1917 the 32nd Battalion merged with the other Saskatchewan Battalions in England to form the 15th Reserve Battalion.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

33rd Battalion. Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 17 July 1917.

The 33rd Canadian Infantry Battalion was authorized to be recruited by the 33rd Huron Regiment and 7th Fusiliers with mobilization headquarters at London, Ontario in February 1915 being authorized under General Order 142 of 5 July 1915. The 7th Regiment (Fusiliers) having previously contributed 146 volunteers to the 1st Battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier in 1914 the 33rd Huron Regiment 38. Prior to sailing for England on 17 March 1916 the 33rd Battalion provided two reinforcing drafts to the CEF the first of five officers and 250 other ranks embarking June 17th 1915, a second of four officers and 247other ranks on 17 August 1915. Both of these drafts became reinforcements for the 1st Battalion. The 33rd Battalion sailed for England with 40 officers and 946 other ranks under command of Lieutenant-Colonel A. Wilson (33rd Huron Regiment). In August 1916 the 33rd Infantry Battalion was absorbed into the 35th Infantry Battalion, Training and Reserve. The 33rd Battalion was disbanded effective 17 July 1917 under General Order 82 of 1918.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

34th Battalion. Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 17 July 1917.

The 34th Canadian Infantry Battalion was authorized to be recruited in the area surrounding Guelph, Ontario with mobilization headquarters at Guelph recruiting began on 25 January 1915 the battalion being authorized under General Order 86 of 15 July 1915. The 34th Battalion was raised by the 29th Waterloo Regiment (The designation being changed to the Highland Light Infantry of Canada on 15 April 1915.) The 29th Waterloo Regiment having previously provided 118 volunteers to the 1st Battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier in August 1914 later raising the 111th Battalion. Prior to sailing for England on 23 October 1915 the 34th Battalion provided two reinforcing drafts to the CEF the first of five officers and 248 OR’s June 19th 1915, a second of five officers and 250 OR’s on 17 August 1915. The 34th Infantry Battalion sailed for England on 23 October under command of Lieutenant-Colonel A.J. Oliver with 41 Officers and 1128 OR’s. In July 1916 the battalion was absorbed by the 35th Infantry Battalion, training and reserve. On 27 November 1916 the 34th Battalion was reorganized at Bramshott Camp as the 34th ‘Boys’ Battalion; a holding and training unit for underage volunteers who were found to have lied about their age to join the CEF. On July 17th 1917 the unit was disbanded being reorganized as the Young Soldiers Battalion. Being fully depleted of all ranks the 34th Infantry Battalion was disbanded effective 17 July 1917 under General Order 82, 1918.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

35th Battalion. Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 8 December 1917.

The 35th Canadian Infantry Battalion CEF was authorized to be recruited at Toronto on 1 December 1914 the battalion being authorized under General Order 86 of July 1st 1915. Recruiting began at an unspecified date in April 1915. The 35th Battalion was raised by the 12th York Rangers this regiment previously having contributed 273 volunteers to the 4th Battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier in August 1914. The12th York Rangers also raised or provided volunteers to the 20th, 81st, 83rd, 127th and 220th Battalions. Prior to embarking for England October 15th 1915 the 35th Battalion provided two reinforcing drafts for the CEF. The first of five officers and 250 OR’s sailing on 5 June 1915, a second of five officers and 250 OR’s on 15 August 1915. The 35th Battalion sailed for England with 41 officers and 1115 OR’s command of Lieutenant-Colonel F.C. McCordick (19th Lincoln Regiment). Effective 15 September  1915 the 35th Battalion was designated as the 2nd Training Brigade serving in this capacity until 3 January 1917 when this the Training Brigades were disbanded and replaced with Reserve Battalions. During the period of operations the 2nd Training Brigade absorbed the 81st, 99th and 111th Infantry Battalions. The 35th Battalion was disbanded on 8 December 1917 under General Order 82 of 1 June 1918.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

36th Battalion. Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 15 September 1917.

The 36th Canadian Infantry Battalion was authorized to be recruited in the area surrounding Hamilton by the 37th Regiment (Haldimand Rifles) and the 38th Dufferin Rifles of Canada with mobilization headquarters at Hamilton the battalion began recruiting on 11 March 1915 being authorized under General Order 86 of 1 July 1915. The 37th Regiment (Haldimand Rifles) and the 38th Dufferin Rifles of Canada had previously contributed 76 and 194 volunteers respectively to the 4th Battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier in August 1914. The 36th Battalion sailed for England June 19th 1915 with 39 officers and 1004 OR’s ranks under command of Lieutenant-Colonel E.C. Ashton (R.C.A.). Effective 15 September 1915 the 36th Battalion was assigned to the 3rd Training Brigade serving until 4 January when the Training Brigades were disbanded and replaced with Reserve Battalions. The 3rd Training Brigade being designated the 3rd Reserve Battalion. During the period of its operations the 3rd Training Brigade absorbed the 75th and 139th Battalions. The 35th Battalion was disbanded 8 December 1917 under General Order 82 of 1 June 1918.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

37th Battalion. Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 21 May 1917.

The 37th Canadian Infantry Battalion was authorized to be recruited in two widely spaced areas one by the 51st Soo Rifles from the district surrounding Sault Ste. Marie in Northern Ontario the other by the 20thHalton Rifles and 35th Peel Regiment in Central Ontario. The 51st Soo Rifles previously having contributed 126 volunteers to the 2nd Battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier in August 1914. The battalion began organizing on 4 January 1915 with mobilization headquarters at Camp Niagara in southwest Ontario being authorized under General Order 86 of July 1st 1915. Prior to embarking for England November 27th 1915 the 37th Battalion provided two reinforcing drafts the first of five officers and 250 OR’s this sailing June 10th 1915, a second of five officers and 251 OR’s August 18th 1915. The 37th Battalion sailed for England with 40 officers and 1104 other ranks under command of Lieutenant-Colonel C.F. Bick (34th Ontario Regiment). In July 1916 the 37th Battalion was absorbed by the 39th Infantry Battalion training and reserve. Being fully depleted of all ranks the battalion was disbanded effective 1 June 1917 under General Order 63 of 1917.

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6th Trench Mortar Battery

2nd Brigade Canadian Engineers

4th Battalion Canadian Engineers, 5th Battalion Canadian Engineers, 6th Battalion Canadian Engineers.

2nd Divisional Signal Company

2nd Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps

2nd Divisional Train, Canadian Army Service Corps. Organized at Saint John in 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel A. E. Massie. Authorization published in General Order 36 of 15 March 1915. Left Halifax 18 April 1915 aboard GRAMPIAN. Arrived in England 28 April 1915. Strength: 26 officers, 464 other ranks. Arrived in France 13 September 1915. 2nd Canadian Division.

2nd Divisional Employment Company. Organized at Bruay, France in June 1917 under the command of Major D. Sharpe. This Company ceased to exist on 6 February 1919.

4th, 5th, 6th Field Ambulances

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3218378)

3rd Canadian Division: Major-General Louis James Lipsett, General Officer Commanding 3rd Canadian Division, 16 June 1916 to 12 September 1918, shown here at Camblaind l'Abbe, in May 1918.

9th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery

           31st, 33rd, 45th Field Batteries

           36th Howitzer Battery

10th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery

           38th, 39th, 40th Field Batteries

           35th Howitzer Battery

(Library and Archives Canada Photo,  MIKAN No. 3395517)

 9.2-inch BL Howitzer, with Canadians, Apr 1918.

3rd Divisional Ammunition Column

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3405119)

7th Infantry Brigade, Brigadier-General Hugh Marshall Dyer, CB, CMG, DSO and Bar, shown here with Brigadier-General W.A. Griesbach, c1919.

7th Canadian Infantry Brigade

The Royal Canadian Regiment, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, 42nd Battalion, 49th Battalion, 7th Trench Mortar Battery.

Royal Canadian Regiment. Authorized 21 December 1883, still in service.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Authorized 10 August 1914, still in service.

  (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 2894451)

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

42nd Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada), The Black Watch. Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 15 September 1920.

The battalion began recruiting on 8 February 1915 at Montreal sailing for England with 40 officers and 978 OR's June 10th 1915, this prior to its date of authorization, this under General Order 86 of July 1st 1915.The battalion sailed for France October 9th 1915 where on the formation of the 3rd Division at the end of1915 was assigned to the 7th Brigade with which it was to serve for the duration of the First World War. The 42nd Canadian Infantry Battalion was the second of three CEF battalions raised by the 5th Royal Highlanders of Canada (The Black Watch), the three battalions, the 13th, 42nd and 73rd, considered themselves as overseas battalions of the 5th Royal Highlanders of Canada and all served with the Canadian Corps on the Western Front. The original battalion number assigned to the battalion was the 44th but this was changed at the request of Lieutenant-Colonel Cantlie to the 42nd. Battalion (The 5th Royal Highlanders of Canada since 1905 having been allied with the Imperial Black Watch, formerly the 42nd Foot).

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

49th Battalion (Edmonton Regiment).  Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 15 September 1920.

The 49th Canadian Infantry Battalion was recruited and mobilized at Edmonton on 4 January 1915 being authorized under General Order 86 of July 1st 1915. The 49th Battalion sailed for England June 4th 1915with 36 officers and 996 OR's under command of Lieutenant-Colonel W.A. Griesbach (19th Alberta Dragoons). In December 1915 the 49th Battalion was assigned to the 7th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division serving on the Western Front for the duration of the First World War.

7th Trench Mortar Battery

  (Toronto Public Library Archives Photo Accession No. OHQ-PICTURES-S-R-628)

8th Infantry Brigade, Brigadier-General James Harold Elmsley, CB, GMB, DSO, with Lieutenant Governor Lionel Clarke and Reginald S. Timmis, attending the opening of Provincial Parliament, Toronto, Ontario in 1920.

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