Canadian Expeditionary Force (2D) 4th Canadian Division

4th Canadian Division

The 4th Canadian Division was formed in Britain in April 1916 from several existing units and others scheduled to arrive shortly thereafter. Under the command of Major-general David Watson, the Division embarked for France in August of that year where they served both in the Western Front in France and in Flanders until Armistice Day. The 4th Canadian Division was a part of the Canadian Corps in the Battle of Vimy Ridge, which attacked and defeated the Germans, driving them from the ridge. As a result, the Canadians became known as masters of offensive warfare and an elite fighting force.

In the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917, the 4th Canadian Division was given the job of capturing Hill 145, the highest and most important feature of Vimy Ridge. However, when they attempted to capture the hill, they were hampered by fire from the "Pimple", which was the other prominent height at Vimy Ridge. To capture Hill 145, forces which were supposed to attack the Pimple were redeployed and captured Hill 145.

4th Canadian Division Order of Battle

3rd Brigade Canadian Field Artillery

10th Field Battery

11th Field Battery

12th Field Battery

9th Howitzer Battery

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4th Brigade Canadian Field Artillery

13th Field Battery

19th Field Battery

27th Field Battery

21st Howitzer Battery

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

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

1997.28.551.

4th Divisional Ammunition Column

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4th Brigade Canadian Engineers

10th, 11th, and 12th Battalions

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4th Division Signal Company

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10th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 44th, 46th 47th, 50th Battalions, 10th Trench Mortar Battery

11th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 54th, 75th, 87th, 102nd Battalions, 11th Trench Mortar Battery

12th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 38th, 72nd, 78th, 85th, Battalions, 12th Trench Mortar Battery

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4th Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps

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4th Divisional Train, Canadian Army Service Corps

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Nos. 11, 12, and 13 Field Ambulances

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3395796)

Bringing in a wounded soldier under the Red Cross Flag. September, 1916.

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8th, 9th, 10th Field Ambulances

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4th Division Employment Company

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3522037)

4th Canadian Division: Major-General Sir David Watson, KCB, CMG. He is shown here on the far right with  Prince Arthur of Connaught, General Currie and General Odlum to his left, watching a practice attack in October, 1917.

Badges and Data bank for the numbered Battalions of the 4th Canadian Division

‍10th Canadian Infantry Brigade

44th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 46th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 47th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 50th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 10th Trench Mortar Battery.

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

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

1997.28.374. 1997.28.567.

44th Battalion (Manitoba). Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 15 September 1920.

The 44th Canadian Infantry Battalion was authorized to be recruited and mobilized at Winnipeg on 1 February 1915 under General Order 86 of July 1st 1915. Prior to sailing for England October 23rd 1915 the 44th Battalion had provided two reinforcing drafts to the CEF the first of five officers and 250 other ranks sailing June 1st 1915, a second of five officers and 249 other ranks September 9th 1915. The 44th Overseas Battalion embarked for England with 36 officers and 1076 other ranks under command of Lieutenant-Colonel E.R. Wayland (95th Lake Superior Regiment) where it was assigned to the 10th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division. The 44th Battalion embarked for France in August 1916 where it served for the duration of the First World War. In August 1918 however the 44th Canadian Infantry Battalion was redesignated as the 44th (New Brunswick) Battalion henceforth being reinforced by the 13th Reserve Battalion. The 44th New Brunswick Battalion was disbanded under General Order 149 on 15 September 1920.

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

1997.28.360.

46th Battalion (South Saskatchewan). Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 30 August 1920.

The 46th Canadian Infantry Battalion later nicknamed the ‘Suicide Battalion’, began recruiting on 2 February 1915 in southern Saskatchewan with mobilization headquarters at Moose Jaw the battalion being authorized under General Order 86 of 1 July 1915. The battalion was raised by the 60th Rifles and the95th Saskatchewan Rifles these regiments previously contributing 294 and 171 volunteers respectively to the 11th Battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier in August 1914 and later raising the 68th, 128th,152nd and 195th Battalions. The 46th Battalion provided two reinforcing drafts the first of five officers and250 OR’s this sailing July 5th 1915 and a second of five officers and 250 OR’s September 9th 1915. The46th Battalion embarked for England on 23 October 1915 with 36 officers and 1115 OR’s under commandof Lieutenant-Colonel H. Snell (60th Rifles) In December 1915 the 46th Battalion was assigned to the 10th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division. This sailed for France in August 1916 where it served on the Western Front for the duration of the First World War.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3520001)

47th Battalion soldiers in the trenches, August 1917.

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

1997.28.386.

47th Battalion (British Columbia). Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 30 August 1920.

The 47th Canadian Infantry Battalion was authorized to be recruited in British Columbia with mobilization headquarters at New Westminster on 2 February 1915 under General Order 86 of 1 July 1915. The battalion was recruited by the 104th Westminster Fusiliers of Canada, this regiment previously having provided 153 volunteers to the 7th Battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier in August 1914. The regiment also later raised the 131st Battalion. Prior to the 47th Battalion sailing for England November13th 1915 it had provided three reinforcing drafts for the CEF. The first of five officers and 250 other ranks sailed June 17th 1915, a second of four officers and 244 other ranks June 24th 1915, a third of five officers and 249 other ranks October 1st 1915. The 47th Battalion sailed for England under command of Lieutenant-Colonel W.N. Winsby (5th B.C. Garrison Artillery) with 36 officers and 1114 other rank. (This number included a large group of seven officers and 361 other ranks from the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.) After its arrival the 47th Overseas Battalion was assigned to the 10th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division sailing for France in August 1916. Due to its small population base by 1918 British Columbia was unable to maintain enough reinforcements for its battalions serving in the Canadian Corps in the field and in February 1918 the 47th Battalion was redesignated the 47th (Western Ontario) Battalion becoming a component of the Western Ontario Regiment continuing to serve in the 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division. The 47th Canadian Infantry Battalion was disbanded under General Order 149 15 September 1920.

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

1997.28.364.

50th Battalion (Calgary).  Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 30 August 1920.

The 50th Canadian Infantry Battalion began recruiting with headquarters at Calgary December 15th 1914the battalion being authorized under General Order 86 of July 1st 1915. The battalion was raised by the 103rd Calgary Rifles this regiment having previously contributed 846 volunteers to the 10th Battalion on itsformation at Camp Valcartier in August 1914. The regiment later raised the 55th, 82nd, 89th and 137th Battalions. Before sailing for England the 50th Battalion provided two reinforcing drafts for the CEF the first of five officers and 251 OR’s embarking June 14th 1915, a second of five officers and 250 OR’s on 11 September 1915. The 50th Battalion had a pipe band with 12 pipers and eight drummers (no special badges are currently noted.) The 50th Battalion sailed for England on 27 October 1915 with 41 officers and 1036 OR’s under command of Lieutenant-Colonel E.G. Mason (103rd Calgary Rifles). In December 1915 the 50th Battalion was assigned to the 10th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division serving on the Western Front for the duration of the First World War.

10th Trench Mortar Battery

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3522273)

11th Infantry Brigade, Brigadier-General, later Major-General Victor Wentworth Odlum, CB, CMG, DSO and Bar, VD, LLD. He is shown here giving instructions to a machine-gunner on the advance to Arras, with a Renault tank behind him, September 1918.

11th Canadian Infantry Brigade

54th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 75th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 87th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 102nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, 11th Trench Mortar Battery.

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

1997.28.384.

54th Battalion (Kootenay), later (Central  Ontario). Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 30 August 1920.

The 54th Infantry Battalion, nicknamed ‘Kemball’s Kootenay Kougars’ was raised effective 1 May 1915 by the 107th East Kootenay Regiment being recruited in the Southern British Columbia interior with headquarters at Nelson, the battalion mobilizing at Vernon under General Order 86 of 1 July 1915. A large detachment from both the East and West Kootenay’s had provided 310 volunteers to the 7th Battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier in August 1914. Before embarking for England November 22nd 1916 the 54th Battalion provided two reinforcing drafts to the CEF the first of five officers and 250 other ranks embarking July 21st 1915, a second of five officers and 250 other ranks October 23rd 1915. The 54th Battalion sailed for England with 42 officers and 1099 other ranks under command of Lieutenant-Colonel A.G.H. Kemball (Honorary Rank) (K.I.A. on 1 March 1917). The 54th Battalion was assigned to the 11thInfantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division. Due to the small population base from which the battalion was recruited in August 1917 the 54th Battalion was redesignated the 54th ‘Central Ontario’ Battalion becoming a component of the 2nd Central Ontario Regiment being henceforth reinforced from Ontario, but continuing to serve in the 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division. The 54th Canadian Infantry Battalion was disbanded under General Order 149 of 15 September 1920.

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

1997.28.366

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

1997.28.569.

75th Battalion (Mississauga). Authorized 10 July 1915, disbanded 15 September 1920.

The 75th Canadian Infantry Battalion was authorized to be recruited at Toronto, Hamilton and London, Ontario with mobilization headquarters at Toronto under General Order 103a of 15 August 1915. The battalion was raised by the 9th Mississauga Horse this regiment previously having contributed 161 volunteers to the 2nd Battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier in August 1914. The regiment later provided volunteers to 124th Battalion and raised the 170th Battalion. Prior to sailing for England on1April 1916 the 75th Battalion provided a reinforcing draft to the CEF of five officers and 250 other ranks this embarking October 1st 1915. The 75th Battalion sailed for England with 36 officers and 1114 other ranks under command of Lieutenant-Colonel S.G. Beckett (9th Mississauga Horse) (K.I.A. on 1 March 1917). The 75th Canadian Infantry Battalion was assigned to the 11th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division serving 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. 3194254)

Grenadier Guards in trenches together at Armentières, France, Feb 1915.

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

87th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards). Authorized 15 August 1915. Disbanded 15 September 1920.

The 87th Canadian Infantry Battalion was authorized to be recruited in the Gaspe, Eastern Townships, Pembrooke and Dundas Counties, and the mining districts of Quebec and Northern Ontario with mobilization headquarters at Montreal September 10th 1915 under General Order 103a of 15 August 1915. The battalion was raised by the 1st Regiment, Canadian Grenadier Guards, this regiment having previously contributed 350 volunteers to the 14th Battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier on its formation in August 1914. The 87th Battalion sailed for England on 25 April 1916 with 36 officers and 1026 OR’s under command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.P. Rexford (Canadian Grenadier Guards), assigned to the 11th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division. The 87th Battalion served with the Canadian Corps on the Western Front for the duration of the First World War being disbanded under General Order 149 of 15 September 1920.

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

1997.28.153

102nd Battalion (North British Columbians). Authorized on 22 December 1915, disbanded on 30 August 1917.

The 102nd North British Columbians began recruiting November 3rd 1915 in British Columbia with mobilization headquarters at Comox-Atlin authorized under General Order 151 of December 22nd 1915,the men being attested at Victoria. Although named the Northern British Columbians the battalion apparently had little connection to this region most of the attested volunteers having postal addresses in Vancouver and Victoria. The 102nd Battalion was perpetuated by the North British Columbia Regiment formerly 68th Regiment (Earl Grey‘s Own Rifles) this militia regiment headquartered at Prince Rupert The battalion embarked for England June 20th 1916 with 37 officers and 968 OR’s under command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.W. Warden (6th Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own Rifles). The 102nd Battalion was assigned to the 11th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division, this sailing for France in August 1916. In August 1917 the Battalion was redesignated the 102nd (Central Ontario) Battalion CEF.

11th Trench Mortar Battery

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12th Canadian Infantry Brigade

38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 72nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, 78th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 85th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 12th Trench Mortar Battery.

 (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3404516)

12th Infantry Brigade, Brigadier-General, later Major-General James Howden MacBrien, KCB, CMG, DSO and Bar, CStJ, Chief of General Staff. He is shown here with General Currie at a practice attack near the front in September 1917.

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

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

1997.28.629. 1997.28.355.

38th Battalion (Ottawa). Authorized 7 November 1914, disbanded 30 August 1920.

The 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion was authorized to recruited in the area surrounding Ottawa with mobilization headquarters at Ottawa December 24th 1914 the battalion being authorized under General Order 86 of July 1st 1915. The 38th Battalion was recruited by the 42nd Lanark and Renfrew Regiment, the43rd Duke of Cornwall’s Own Rifles and the 59th Storemont and Glengarry Regiment and at McGill University. and these regiments previously having provided 128 volunteers to the 2nd Battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier in August 1914. The 38th Battalion provided two reinforcing drafts to England for the CEF the first of six officers and 250 OR’s of the No.1 University Company, this raised at McGill University for the PPCLI sailing for England on 29 May 1915. A second draft of five officers and251 OR’s sailed for England June 24th 1915. However the 38th Battalion did not immediately proceed to England but sailed for the Island of Bermuda June 24th 1915 under command of Lieutenant-Colonel C. M. Edwards D.S.O. (43rd Duke of Cornwall‘s Rifles) to relieve the Royal Canadian Regiment serving as garrison troops at the request of the British Government. The RCR then proceeded to England where they were assigned to the 7th Infantry Brigade 3rd Canadian Division. The 38th Battalion remained in Bermuda on Garrison duty for almost a year before returning to Canada prior to sailing for England on 30 May 1916 with 35 Officers and 1001 OR’s. The 38th Battalion was assigned to the 12th Infantry Brigade, 4thCanadian Division serving in this capacity for the duration of the War.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3522677)

72nd Battalion colours, April 1919.

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

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

1997.28.257.

72nd Battalion (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada).  Authorized 10 July 1915, disbanded 30 August 1912.

The 72nd Canadian Infantry Battalion (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada) was authorized to be raised and mobilized at Vancouver September 10th 1915 under General Order 103a of August 15th 1915. The battalion was raised by the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. This was one of the few CEF battalions raised from the Canadian Militia able to retain its parent regimental number. The 72nd Seaforth Highlanders had previously provided 722 volunteers to the 15th Battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier in August 1914. The regiment also provided drafts to the 2nd Mounted Rifles and later raised the 231st Battalion. The 72nd Battalion sailed for England on 24 April 1916 with a strength of 34 officers and 1094 OR’s under command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.A. Clark (72nd Seaforth Highlanders), where it was assigned to the 12th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division serving on the Western Front for the duration of the First World War. The battalion was disbanded under General Order 149 of 15 September 1920. CUIDICH'N RIGH - help the king.

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

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

1997.28.371.

78th Battalion (Winnipeg Grenadiers). Authorized on 10 July 1915, disbanded on 15 September 1920.

The 78th Canadian Infantry Battalion was authorized to be recruited and mobilized at Winnipeg on July 1915 under General Order 103a of August 15th 1915. The battalion was raised by the 100th Regiment Winnipeg Grenadiers this regiment previously having provided 471 volunteers to the 11th battalion on its formation at Camp Valcartier in August 1914 and later raised the 100th Battalion. Prior to sailing for England on 24 April 1916 the 78th Battalion provided a reinforcing draft of five officers and 250 OR’s sailing on 25 September 1915. The 78th Battalion sailed for England with 37 officers and 1097 OR’s under command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. Kirkcaldy (99th Manitoba Rangers). The battalion was assigned the fourth battalion of the 12th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division sailing for France 12 Oct 1916. The 78th Canadian Infantry Battalion was disbanded under General Order 149 of 15 September 1920.

85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders). Authorized on 10 July 1915, disbanded on 15 September 1920.

Organized in September 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel A. H. Borden. Authorization published in General Order 103a of 15 August 1915. Mobilized at Halifax. Recruited in Nova Scotia. Embarked from Halifax 13 October 1916 aboard Olympic. Disembarked England 19 October 1916. Strength: 34 officers, 1001 other ranks. Arrived in France on 11 February 1917. 4th Canadian Division, 12th Canadian Infantry Brigade. Reinforced by 17th Canadian Reserve Battalion. Returned to England 29 April 1919. Disembarked in Canada 7 June 1919. Demobilized 8 June 1919. Disbanded by General Order 149 of 15 September 1920.

12th Trench Mortar Battery

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(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3521892)

Large group of German soldiers surrendering to Canadians, April 1917.