Canadian Expeditionary Force (23) Canadian School of Musketry

Canadian School of Musketry

Canadian School of Musketry

The Canadian Musketry School was established in November 1916 at Mytchett Camp located between the two great Infantry Camps of Witley and Bramshott. This was set up to train Musketry Instructors for the Reserve and Training Battalions of the CEF troops in England. The Canadian Musketry School was one ofa number of specialized establishments staffed by experienced sergeants who had previously been wounded in the field. The school at Camp Mytchett was used to train Musketry Instructors for the revolver, Hotchkiss and Lewis Gun in addition to the rifle. Musketry Instructors were identified by arm badges consisting of a crown over crossed rifles. The 1912 General Orders describe these as drab or gold on red but gilding metal badges were worn during the First World War. Badges were only worn by the staff at the school and were not worn by the ‘students’. From its opening in November 1916 until it closed at the end of the war the tiny school staff of the Canadian Musketry School trained 2,142 Officers and 4,657 other ranks as qualified instructors.