Canadian Expeditionary Force (2A) 1st Canadian Division

Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1st Canadian Division

The 1st Canadian Division was a formation of the Canadian Expeditionary Force formed during the First World War. The total war establishment of the division was 17,873 all ranks, with 4,943 horses. During its service in the First World War, the division fought at Ypres, Festubert, the Somme, Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele and Amiens among other notable battles on the Western Front.

1st Canadian Division Order of Battle

1st Brigade Canadian Field Artillery

1st Field Battery

3rd Field Battery

4th Field Battery

2nd Howitzer Battery

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2nd Brigade Canadian Field Artillery

5th Field Battery

6th Field Battery

7th Field Battery

48th Howitzer Battery

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1st Division Ammunition Column

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1st Brigade Canadian Engineers

1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions

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1st Divisional Signal Company

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1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Battalions, 1st Trench Mortar Battery

2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, 5th, 7th, 8th, 10th Battalions, 2nd Trench Mortar Battery

3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th Battalions, 3rd Trench Mortar Battery

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1st Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps

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1st Divisional Train, Canadian Army Service Corps

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Nos. 1, 2, and 3 Field Ambulances

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1st Division Employment Company

CEF

The First Contingent of the Canadian Expeditionary Force was raised in August 1914, shortly after the outbreak of The Great War, concentrated at Valcartier Camp in Quebec, and set off for England in the largest trans-Atlantic convoy to date two months later. Training and reorganization commenced upon arrival in the United Kingdom in October 1914, and it was not until 26 January 1915 that the division was officially organized, under the command of Lieutenant-General Edwin Alderson, a British Army officer. Several units under command of the First Contingent were excluded from the divisional organization, including the 17th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders), 18th Battalion, and several companies of Newfoundland soldiers (later formed into the Newfoundland Regiment and assigned to the 29th Division).

The division consisted originally of a cavalry squadron, cyclist company, four infantry brigades, three artillery brigades (equivalent in terms of numbers to the regiments used in the Second World War and after) armed with 18-pounders, and divisional engineers, with supporting troops of the Canadian Army Service Corps and Canadian Army Medical Corps. The strength of the division was placed at 17,873 all ranks, with 4,943 horses. The 4th Brigade was broken up in January 1915, with one battalion (the 10th) going to the 2nd Brigade, and the other three battalions being used to form the Canadian Training Depot, ultimately being re-designated as "Reserve" Battalions. The 10th Battalion replaced the 6th Battalion (Fort Garrys), which left the 2nd Brigade to become a cavalry unit, later serving in the Canadian Cavalry Brigade.

Pioneer units were added later in the war, including the 1st Canadian Pioneer Battalion from Mar 1916 to Feb 1917, when they became the 9th Canadian Railway Battalion. The 107th Canadian Pioneer Battalion also came under command between Mar 1917 and May 1918, before being absorbed by the 1st Canadian Engineer Brigade.

Lieutenant-General Alderson was selected and appointed in October 1914 to command the new Canadian Division, as it was known at that time, making him the highest ranking divisional commander in the British Army. He was selected — to the relief of many — in lieu of Sir Sam Hughes, who was promoted at this time by the prime minister to the rank of Major-General. It had been Hughes's wish to command the Canadians in action. Alderson, who had commanded Canadian units before, won out over three prospective Canadian appointees, who, while serving with the British Army, were still considered too inexperienced. Alderson, meanwhile, had first seen action against the Boers in 1881, and thereafter fought in Egypt, the Sudan (he served with a Camel Corps in the Nile Expedition of 1884-1885) and Mashonaland. He also served throughout the South African War of 1899-1902, in which he had Canadian mounted troops under his command.

Training in the winter of 1914 was rigorous, and conditions on Salisbury Plain were harsh due to cold and rain. Alderson rejected "shoddy" kit that was supplied from Canada including the Ross Rifle which had been adopted due to the slow rate of supply of the Lee–Enfield and which was seen as an example of Canadian nationalism.[1] A royal inspection of the division early in 1915 foretold a move to France.

Early in 1915, it was evident that the Canadians would soon be going to France. The Division paraded in drill order for an inspection by His Majesty King George V; thereafter, units boarded troop ships at Avonmouth and during mid-February the entire Division crossed the rough Channel to St. Nazaire. After a brief period in reserve near Hazebrouck, the Canadians relieved the 7th British Division in the Fleurbaix sector near Armentières on 1–3 March. General Alderson then became responsible for 6,400 yards of front line on the left flank of the First Army (General Sir Douglas Haig).

The division moved to the Ypres Salient in April, and faced its first real test during the defence of St. Julien beginning on 22 April. The Canadians withstood German attack—aided, for the first time on the Western Front, by the use of poison gas—and finally retired to secondary positions on 26 April, where they held on until 4 May. The Second Battle of Ypres, as the overall action came to be known, cost the infantry brigades some 5,506 men.

Two weeks later, the division was in action again at Festubert. Aiding in a diversionary offensive by the British armies, the Canadians suffered 2,204 casualties for gains of only 600 yards. Another futile attack was launched at Givenchy-en-Gohelle in June 1915, after which the division moved to Ploegsteert.

The Canadians began a long period of static warfare which would last them throughout the winter. In September, the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division meant that a national corps headquarters could take to the field to command the division. Major-General Arthur Currie took command of the division in September. Active operations resumed again in the spring of 1916, participating in the Battle of Mount Sorrel, and then restoring the situation at Sanctuary Wood.

The legendary Battle of the Somme opened on 1 July 1916, the costliest day in the history of the British Army, with over 19,000 British soldiers killed and 38,000 wounded. The Canadian part in the great battle, which was to last through to November, did not begin until September at Battle of Pozières and lasted through to October. It was on the Somme that the red patch was first worn as an identifying device—two inches by three inches and worn on both sleeves, this rectangle identified the wearer as belonging to the 1st Division. The insignia was also painted on steel trench helmets, and adorned with geometric shapes of different colours to further identify the soldier's specific battery, brigade, battalion or other subunit.

The division began to prepare for the historic assault on Vimy Ridge, and took the time-honoured position of right of the line on 9 April 1917 when the corps took the ridge. Other gains were made in the days following the successful assault on the ridge, and the division participated in the monumental battle of Hill 70 in August 1917. The Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) followed in mid-October, and fighting continued into November. The division served under Major-General Archibald Cameron Macdonell beginning in May; his command persisted until Armistice Day.

Massive German offensives came in the spring of 1918, but the Canadian Corps—now considered crack assault troops—were held in reserve for the inevitable counter-offensives. "Canada's Hundred Days"—the last 100 days of the war—were marked by several Canadian successes, at Amiens, Arras (which included the Drocourt-Quéant Line), Canal du Nord and the Pursuit to Mons. The Armistice of 11 November 1918 finally brought the Great War to an end.

After the cessation of hostilities on 11 November 1918, the 1st Division was selected to form part of the occupation forces on the right bank of the Rhine, and General MacDonnell took the salute on 13 December when his veterans crossed the bridge at Cologne with fixed bayonets. During April 1919 the troops embarked and returned to Canada for demobilization. The total casualties of the infantry battalions were 52,559, of which 15,055 (nearly the original strength of the entire Division) were fatal. Twenty-four soldiers of the division were awarded the Victoria Cross. (The Old Red Patch, Department of National Defence, 2012)

Badges and Data bank for the numbered Battalions of the 1st Canadian Division

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.

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

1997.28.341.

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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(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

1997.28.336.

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.

(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.

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3404772)

1st Infantry Brigade, Brigadier-General W.A. Griesbach, CB, CMG, DSO and Bar, shown here with Lieutenant-General, later Field Marshall Sir Julian Byng, GCB, GCMG, in May 1917.

York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

1997.28.340.

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 (Stormont & 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

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

1997.28.339.‍

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.

(Private Collection Photo)

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(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

1997.28.347.

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.

(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.

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

1992.5.56.

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Bella Doherty Photo)

1997.28.624.

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.

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum, Author Photo)

1997.28.324.

6th Battalion, (Fort Garrys)

The 6th Battalion became a Training and Reserve battalion. The 6th Battalion, (Fort Garrys) CEF was authorized on 10 August 1914, and embarked for Britainon 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 battalion was disbanded on 5 April 1918. The battalion recruited in Portage la Prairie, Roblin, Pipestone and Winnipeg, Manitoba, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan and Pincher Creek, Alberta and was mobilized at Camp Valcartier, Quebec. The 6th Battalion was commanded by LCol J.G. Rattray and by Lt.-Col R.W. Paterson.  The battalion was awarded the battle honour "THE GREAT WAR 1914-15."  The 6th Battalion, CEF is perpetuated by the12th Manitoba Dragoons, currently on the Supplementary Order of Battle.

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

1997.28.326.

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 6th Regiment (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.

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

8th Battalion (90th Winnipeg Rifles)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, 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.

9th Battalion. Authorized 10 August 1914, disbanded 15 September 1917. The 9th Battalion became a Training and Reserve battalion.

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

10th Battalion soldier, November 1917.

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Bella Doherty Photo

1997.28.328. 1997.28.622.

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.

The 11th Battalion became a Training and Reserve battalion.

The 12th Battalion became a Training and Reserve battalion, 

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.

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

Front line trench, September 1916.

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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.

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

1997.28.308.

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 15th Battalion (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.

The 13th Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada) of the Canadian Expeditionary Force was an active service battalion during the First World War.  The battalion was formed from volunteers from the Royal Highland Regiment of Canada (The Black Watch), a militia regiment based in Montreal, as well as men from other militia regiments. Sent to England as part of the First Contingent in September, 1914, the 13th Battalion became part of the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Canadian Division. The 3rd Brigade consisted of the 13th Battalion (the Royal Highlanders of Canada), the 14th Battalion (the Royal Montreal Regiment), the 15th Battalion (the 48th Highlanders of Canada) and the 16th Battalion (the Canadian Scottish).The battalion's first commander was Lieutenant Colonel (later Major-General) Frederick Loomis.

The 1st Canadian Division served on the Western Front from April, 1915 until the armistice in November, 1918. Its baptism of fire occurred at the Second Battle of Ypres in April, 1915, when the German Army used chlorine gas for the first time in war. Neighbouring French divisions fled in terror from the new weapon, but the Canadians held the line at tremendous cost.The 1st Canadian Division fought in every major engagement involving the Canadian Corps, including the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915, the Somme in 1916, Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele in 1917, and the Pursuit to Mons in 1918.Three members of the 13th Battalion were awarded the Victoria Cross. The first, Frederick Fisher, awarded for his action on 23 April 1915 at St. Julien during the Second Battle of Ypres. Two other members, Herman James Good and John Bernard Croak, were awarded their crosses for action on 8 August 1918 at Hangard Wood, near Amiens in France. Croak's award was posthumous.After the armistice, the 13th Battalion returned to Canada and was disbanded in April, 1919. On December 1, 1920, the 13th Battalion was perpetuated by the 1st Battalion of the newly reorganised The Royal Highlanders of Canada.A wooden cross memorial originally erected at Vimy Ridge but later erected at the Canadian War Museum is dedicated to the 13th Canadian Battalion the Royal Highlanders of Canada killed in action Vimy Ridge April 1917.

(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.

(Private Collection Photo)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection)

1997.28.312.

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 14th Battalion 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.

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Bella Doherty Photo)

1997.28.311.

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 2nd Dragoons (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).

(Private collection Photo)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection)

1997.28.320.

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.

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

1997.28.551.

‍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

After their 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

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4th Canadian Infantry Brigade

The brigade was dispersed in January 1915.

9th Battalion, CEF. August 1914 – January 1915. To the Canadian Training Depot.

10th Battalion (Canadians), CEF. August 1914 – January 1915. To the 2nd Canadian Brigade.

11th Battalion, CEF. August 1914 – January 1915. To the Canadian Training Depot.

12th Battalion, CEF. August 1914 – January 1915. To the Canadian Training Depot.

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