Canadian Expeditionary Force (2B) 2nd Canadian Division

2nd Canadian Division CEF

The formation of the 2nd Canadian Division began in May 1915 in Britain, following the arrival of a large contingent of soldiers from Canada. The 2nd Division remained in Great Britain only a short time before embarking for the Western Front in September 1915. It joined the 1st Canadian Division to form the Canadian Corps. The division was under the command of Major General R.E.W. Turner, and its members spent a long and bitterly cold winter in a Belgian section of the front between Ploegsteert Wood and St. Eloi, south of Ypres. The 2nd Canadian Division served on the Western Front until the Armistice of 11 November 1918.

2nd Canadian Division Order of Battle

5th Brigade Canadian Field Artillery

17th Field Battery

18th Field Battery

20th Field Battery

23rd Howitzer Battery

‍

6th Brigade Canadian Field Artillery

15th Field Battery

16th Field Battery

25th Field Battery

22nd Howitzer Battery

‍

2nd Division Ammunition Column

‍

2nd Brigade Canadian Engineers

4th, 5th, and 6th Battalions

‍

2nd Division Signal Company

‍

4th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st Battalions, 4th Trench Mortar Battery

5th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 22nd, 24rd, 25th, 26th Battalions, 5th Trench Mortar Battery

6th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 27th, 28th, 29th, 31st Battalions, 6th Trench Mortar Battery

‍

2nd Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps

‍

2nd Divisional Train, Canadian Army Service Corps

‍

Nos. 4, 5, and 6 Field Ambulances

‍

2nd Division Employment Company

‍

Badges and Data bank for the numbered Battalions of the 2nd Canadian Division

4th Infantry Brigade

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

(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.

  (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.

‍

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

1997.28.620.

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

1997.28.385.

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 a new 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., the 1st 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.

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

2nd Quebec Regiment, 1st Depot Battalion.

‍

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

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

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

1997.28.346.

The Lincoln and Welland Regiment

The Lincoln and Welland Regiment originated in St. Catharines, Ontario on 18 March 1863 as The 19th Battalion Volunteer Militia (Infantry), Canada. It was redesignated as the 19th "Lincoln Battalion of Infantry" on 28 September 1866; as the 19th St. Catharines Battalion of Infantry on 1 October 1897; as the 19th St. Catharines Regiment on 8 May 1900; as the 19th "Lincoln" Regiment on 2 November 1912; and, following the Great War, as The Lincoln Regiment on 1 May 1920. On 15 December 1936, it was amalgamated with The Lincoln and Welland Regiment and redesignated The Lincoln and Welland Regiment. During the Second World War it was redesignated as the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The Lincoln and Welland Regiment on 7 November 1940, returning to its pre-war designation as The Lincoln and Welland Regiment on 15 February 1946

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

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

1997.28.346.

19th Battalion (Central  Ontario). Lincoln Regiment. 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.

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

1997.28.316.

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 the 12th 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.

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

1997.28.314.

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

1997.28.314.

20th Battalion (XX First Central  Ontario Regiment) version.

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

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

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

1997.28.313. 1997.28.593.

21st 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 21 October 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 Stormont 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.

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

1997.28.495.

14th Princess of Wales Own Rifles.

The regiment was created on January 16, 1863 as the 14th battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles of Canada from the amalgamation of Kingston’s seven independent rifle companies. Shortly after the wedding of the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) to Princess Alexandra of Denmark, the regiment asked for and was given permission to become The Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment.During the Fenian Raids of 1864 and 1866, when Irish extremists attempted to bring Britain to her knees by attacking Canada, the regiment was called to active duty, both to Niagara and later to Cornwall. The band mace presented to the regiment by its officers “IN REMEMBERANCE OF CORNWALL” is in the regimental museum.

(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.

‍

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.

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

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

1997.28.310.

22nd Battalion (French Canadian), (R22eR). 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.

The 23rd Battalion became a Training and Reserve Battalion.

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

23rd Battalion, Quebec, 10 Feb 1915.

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

Officers of the 24th Battalion, November 1918.

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

1997.28.306. 1997.28.591.

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.

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

1997.28.333.

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

1997.28.333.

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, 22 October 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.

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

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

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

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

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

1997.28.317.

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.

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

1997.28.309. 1997.28.631.

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.

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

1997.28.319.

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.

The 30th Battalion became a Training and Reserve Battalion.

‍

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

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

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

1997.28.325.

‍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.

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

1997.28.307.

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.

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

1997.28.332.

‍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.

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

1997.28.330.

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.

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

1997.28.331.

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. The 12th 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.

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

1997.28.345.

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.

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

1997.28.358.

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 20th Halton 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.

‍

6th Trench Mortar Battery

‍

‍