Canadian Expeditionary Forces (29) Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force
Canadian Expeditionary Forces (Siberia)
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3194493)
Personnel of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force with truck, Jan-May 1919.
On 12 July 1918, the Chief of the General Staff was directed to form a Brigade Headquarters for service as part of an Anglo-American Expeditionary Force to be sent to Russia in support of the Czechoslovakian forces fighting with the white Russian forces against the Bolshevik red army. The Canadian Force was to join up at Vladivostok and take command of a British component which had already been dispatched from Hong Kong. An advance party of 680 All ranks sailed from Vancouver October 11th 1918 under command of Major-General J.H. Emsley. The organization of Corps C.E.F., was authorized under General Order 128 of November 1918 Field Artillery CEF, Canadian Engineers CEF, 259th Battalion, Canadian Rifles CEF, 260th Battalion Canadian Rifles CEF, Canadian Machine Gun Corps CEF, Canadian Army Service Corps CEF, Canadian Army Medical Corps, Canadian Ordnance Corps CEF, Canadian Army Pay Corps CEF, Canadian Army Dental Corps CEF, Canadian Army Veterinary Corps CEF, and Canadian Army Postal Corps CEF. The actual units were Headquarters Canadian Expeditionary Forces (Siberia) Headquarters 16th Infantry Brigade, a Base headquarters, ‘B’ Squadron R.N.W.M.P. (Cavalry), 85th Battery C.F.A., 16th Field Company C.E., 6th Signal Company, 259th and 260th Infantry Battalions, 20th Machine Gun Company, No. 1 Company Divisional Train, No. 16 Field Ambulance, No. 11 Stationary Hospital, No. 9 Ordnance Detachment. 1100 troops were serving in Siberia and a further 2700 at sea when changes in the political situation in Russia saw a decision being made to withdraw the CEFS, however the ships at sea were not recalled and it was not until April 1919 that the first troops left for Canada the last leaving June 5th 1919. None of the troops having seen any action in Siberia.
Under General Order 128 of 1918 an expeditionary force was authorized for service in Siberia. The G.O. detailing the various units to comprise the force the preamble reading ‘His Excellency the Governor in Council has been pleased to authorize for dispatch for duty in Siberia of the following and other Corps or Details and Detachments thereof, and such other personnel as the circumstances require for Headquarters, Base, Record, Remount and other like duties:’ Commissioner Perry was ordered to recruit a cavalry squadron to assist the CSEF six Officers and 181 other ranks embarked for Russia as ‘B’ Squadron RNWMP serving until returning to Canada in May 1919.
North Russia Expeditionary Force
The 16th Brigade Canadian Field Artillery was formed in England for service in North Russia under command of Lieutenant-Colonel C.H.L. Sharman and comprised of two batteries the 67th and the 68th with 18 officers and 478 other ranks in addition a Headquarters at Archangel with 5 officers and 11 other ranks, another at Murmansk with 18 Officers and 74 other ranks. As an all volunteer brigade its two batteries should not to be mistaken for the reinforcing batteries raised in Canada that were disbanded on arrival in England. 67th Battery CFA (North Russia Expeditionary Force)(2nd) 67th Battery CFA (North Russia Expeditionary Force) An all volunteer battery raised in England for service in the 16th Brigade CFA of the Malamute Force for service in North Russia under command of Major F.F. Arnoldi. The 67th Battery sailed from Scotland September 21st 1918 arriving at Archangel on 10 October 1918 where it served with distinction until returning to England in June 1919. Being raised from volunteers already overseas there is no regimental numbers block is listed for this battery.
In 1918 in addition to artillery brigades, a request was made from the Imperial authorities for a party of troops specialized in Arctic conditions to support an allied force in Northern Russia. This purpose of the allied force was to train and support white Russian forces fighting the Bolsheviks and to protect stores which had been sent to Murmansk and Archangel. 18 officers and 74 non-commissioned officers arrived in October 1918 as a Special Mobile Company with six sledges and 18 dogs, this unit, Siren Force, was unofficially named the Canadian Malamutes.
Canadian Expeditionary Forces (Siberia) Order of Battle
Headquarters Canadian Expeditionary Forces (Siberia)
Headquarters 16th Infantry Brigade
Royal North West Mounted Police Squadron. In May 1918, a force of 738 mounted police were sent overseas to form "A" Squadron, and a further 186 were deployed to Siberia to support the British forces engaged in the civil war. In October 1918 ‘A’ Squadron RNWMP was attached to the Canadian Light Horse serving with the CLH until the conclusion of hostilities on 11 November 1918. The RNWMP were not authorized by General Order but created under authority of the Order in Council P.C. 2067 of 6 August 1914.
‘B’ Squadron Royal North West Mounted Police (Cavalry)
85th Battery Canadian Field Artillery
16th Field Company Canadian Engineers
6th Signal Company
259th Battalion (Canadian Rifles), Siberia. Authorized on 1 November 1918, disbanded on 6 November 1920.
Organized in September 1918 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel A. E. Swift. Authorization published in CEF Routine Order 1087 of 20 September 1918 and in General Order 128 of 1 November 1918. Mobilized at Victoria. Recruited in London, Toronto, Kingston, Montreal and Quebec City. Included conscripts. Embarked from Victoria 26 December 1918 aboard Protesilaus and Teesta. Disembarked Vladivostok 15 and 12 January 1919. Strength: 33 officers, 1038 other ranks. Returned to Canada in May 1919.
260th Battalion (Canadian Rifles), Siberia. Authorized on 1 November 1918, disbanded on 15 November 1920.
Organized in September 1918 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel F. C. Jamieson. Authorization published in CEF Routine Order 1084 of 20 September 1918 and in General Order 128 of 1 November 1918.Mobilized at Victoria. Recruited in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. Included conscripts. Embarked from Victoria 26 December 1918 aboard PROTESILAUS. Disembarked Vladivostok 15 January 1919. Strength: 984 other ranks. Returned to Canada in May 1919.
20th Machine Gun Company
No. 1 Company Divisional Train
15th Canadian Field Ambulance
The 15th Canadian Field Ambulance was authorized under General Order 63 of June 15th 1917 and was organized at Vancouver under General Order 128 of 1918 for service with the Siberian Expeditionary Force. The unit never reached Russia being recalled with the bulk of the force whilst still at sea. Both No. 15 and No. 16 Canadian Field Ambulances were disbanded November 15th 1920 under General Order 211of November 15th 1920. The Siberian Expeditionary Force under General Order 215 of November 15th 1920.
16th Canadian Field Ambulance
The 16th Canadian Field Ambulance was authorized under General Order 63 of June 15th 1917 and was organized at Vancouver under General Order 128 of 1918 for service with the Siberian Expeditionary Force at Vladivostock. Of the proposed 3800 man force 680 sailed on October 11th 1918 followed by a further400 these numbers including No. 16 Canadian Field Ambulance and No. 11 Stationary Hospital; but the remaining 2200 were recalled whilst still at sea. The advance party remained in Russia until April 21st and except for a handful who served with the British Forces all had sailed for Canada and demobilization by June 5th 1919. Both No. 15 and No. 16 Canadian Field Ambulances were disbanded November 15th 1920 under General Order 211 of November 15th 1920. The Siberian Expeditionary Force under General Order215 of November 15th 1920.
No. 11 Stationary Hospital
No. 11 Stationary Hospital was organized at Vancouver British Columbia on October 9th 1918 for service with the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force at Vladivostock being authorized under General Order 128of November 1st 1918. The unit commenced operations with a 575 bed facility including annexes at Vladivostock on October 26th 1918 and served until June 5th 1919. No Nursing Sisters served in Russia. No.11 Stationary Hospital was disbanded November 15th 1920 under General Order 215 of 1920.
No. 9 Ordnance Detachment.
