208th Irish Overseas Battalion CEF

[Pylon1357]

While cleaning out and trimming dowm my photos on the laptop, I came across this interesting photo of 3rd Pl of the 208th Irish Overseas Bn taken in 1917.

I have also added two close up photos of two members, showing the collar badges worn at the time.

What I find interesting is the fact that the 208th Bn collars are harps as the Irish Regiment wore in the day. Where as there has been talk of the 208th collars being mini versions of the Cap insignia. (Personally I have never seen a pair of these collars, however I must assume they exist)

[Bill A]

Nice image Cliff. Your photo and analysis gives us something else to look for. I suspect that they used the 110th Irish Regiment collars?

[Peter Brydon]

I suppose today we cant say the camera never lies, but it certainly was true before the coming of computers.

I have found from photographic evidence that pipers of the Liverpool Irish post WW2 wore Kings Liverpool collars,something that I would not have been aware of if it had not been for looking carefully at a photo of the Irish`s concert band with a single piper right in the corner of the picture.

What a great tool we have to be able " blow up " segments of photos to look at insignia in detail.

P.B.

[bgpipes]

Cliff, The 208th Bn collars that I have are miniature versions of the cap badge,they are all of the pickled finish variety,also have a pair of "208" strap numerals. The collars in your photo look like holdovers from the pre-1914 style.

[Faugh-A-Ballagh]

That's interesting!
Very like the RIC / RUC collars. I think there was a thread on something very similar recently which had a few people stumped.
Nice photo by the way Cliff.

John

[irishhorse]

I've seen a few photos of the 208th CEF wearing the 110th Irish Regiment collars. But they are not always facing pairs, sometimes two left collars are worn sometimes two right !. Not sure why ?.

[Bill A]

Hi irishhorse, The collar issue is one of availability. I think they wore what they were given. And it seems that left and right collars were packed in boxes by side. That would mean a quartermaster may simply open the box and fish out two collars for each soldier, irrespective of the side.

[Pylon1357]

Originally Posted by Bill A

Nice image Cliff. Your photo and analysis gives us something else to look for. I suspect that they used the 110th Irish Regiment collars?

Hello Bill, the collars in this photo certainly appear to be the same worn by the 110th Irish, Irish Regiment, up until 1932.

bgpipes, I would love to see the collars you have. There was a reference book on WWI insignia I saw that showed the collars being minis of the cap insignia, but I have never actually seen a pair.

A quick Lineage of the Irish Regiment of Canada...

The Regiment was formed in Toronto on 15 October 1915 as a Militia Regiment, designated the 110th Irish Regiment. The Regiment recruited the 180th and 208th Battalions CEF.

The 180th Sportsman Battalion CEF, was authorized by General Order 69 dated July 15 1916, and mobilized at Toronto Ontario, 21 January 1916. The Battalion sailed for England 13 November 1916, where it was absorbed into the 3rd Reserve Battalion and used to reinforce units already in the field. Being fully depleted of all ranks, 31 Officers and 833 Other Ranks; the 180th was disbanded effective June 1st 1917 under General Order 63 of 1917. After WW1 the 180th was perpetuated by the Irish Regiment of Canada.
The Regimental colours were laid up in York Memorial Presbyterian Church on November 13, 1955 after having been deposited in the Toronto City Chambers in 1917.

The 208th Irish Overseas Battalion was authorized by General Order 69, dated July 15 1916 and mobilized in the Toronto area of Ontario 17 March 1916. The Battalion sailed for overseas duties on March 21, 1917.As with the case of the 180th Battalion, it was broken up in the United Kingdom with its personnel, 27 Officers and 686 Other Ranks, used as reinforcements for the Canadian Corps, through the 2nd and 8th Reserve Battalions. It was disbanded September 15, 1920, but reconstituted as 2nd (reserve) Battalion Irish Regiment of Canada. The Regimental Colours were laid up in Trinity Anglican Church 79 Victoria St. Aurora, Ontario on December 18 1920, after having been deposited in Ste. Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast and later in the 110th Irish Regiment’s Battalion Orderly Room.

Effective May 1st, 1920 the 110th Irish Regiment was re-designated the Irish Regiment.

September 1st 1932, the Name was changed to include ‘Canada’ hence the regimental title Irish Regiment of Canada.

15 December 1936, the Irish Regiment of Canada absorbed “Headquarters” and “A” Companies of the 1st Canadian Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC, to form the Irish Regiment of Canada (MG). Along with elements of the Toronto Scottish Regiment, the Irish Regiment of Canada (MG), made up the 1 Brigade Canadian Machine Gun Company

On June 8 1940, the Regiment mobilized the 1st Battalion, The Irish Regiment of Canada (MG) into the Canadian Active Service Force (CASF). The 2nd Battalion The Irish Regiment of Canada (MG) was authorized for service in the Reserve Army.

On August 12 1940, the Irish Regiment of Canada (MG) reverted to an infantry role and dropped the designation (MG).

Effective January 31, 1946, upon returning to Canada, the 1st Battalion The Irish Regiment of Canada CASF demobilized and embodied in the Reserve Army. At this time, the 2nd Battalion The Irish Regiment of Canada was disbanded.


The 2nd Battalion, Irish Regiment of Canada was reformed in Sudbury Ontario on March 15, 1965, when the 58th Field Regiment, RCA converted to infantry with the 173rd Battery forming “A” Company, 174th Battery forming “B” Company, and 175th Battery forming
“C” Company.

The 1st Battalion, Irish Regiment of Canada was reduced to nil strength and placed on Supplementary Order of Battle effective March 31, 1965. The Regimental colours were laid to rest in the York Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1695 Keele St. Toronto, Ontario Canada, on March 14 1965.