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1st Battalion “Western Ontario”
Canadian Expeditionary Force |
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Recruitment: |
Recruited in south-western Ontario,
initially composed of recruits from militia regiments from
Militia District No 1. Mobilized at Valcartier Quebec.
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Higher Formations: |
1st Brigade, 1 Division
Canadian Corps from 1914 until 1918. |
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Commanded by: |
Lt. Col. F.W. Hill D.S.O.
September 22, 1914-January 17, 1916.
Lt. Col. F.A. Creighton January 24, 1916-June 16, 1916.
Lt. Col. G.C. Hodson D.S.O. June 27, 1916-August 17, 1917
Lt. Col. A.W. Sparling D.S.O. August 17, 1917-
Demobilization |
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Battle Honours: |
Ypres 1915, Ypres 1917, Gravenstafel, St.
Julien, Festubert, 1915, Mount Sorrel, Somme 1916, Pozieres,
Flers-Courcelette, Ancre Heights, Arras 1917-1918, Vimy
1917, Arleux, Scarpe 1917, 1918, Hill 70, Passchendaele,
Amiens, Drocourt –Queant, Hindenburg Line, Canal du Nord,
Pursuit to Mons , France and Flanders 1915-1918. |
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Notes: |
Lt. Frederick William
Campbell was awarded the Victoria Cross for most conspicuous
bravery on 15th June, 1915, during the action at Givenchy.
The 1st Battalion served with the Canadian Division and
later the Canadian Corps through all the major campaigns of
the First World War.
Battalion disbanded 1920. |
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Insignia |
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Cap badge: |
Babin E1 and E1A; darkened brass and
bright brass, slider fastener and lugs. Maker marks Gaunt,
Hicks and Tiptaft. Officers’ badge is made with silver
overlay. Note the different scrolling on the E1A variety.
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Collars: |
Blackened brass
or brass finish. The design is the numeral 1 surmounted by
ONT with CANADA underneath. Varieties exist with WESTERN
over 1 over Ontario, and Western over 1 over ONT. |
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