: The 116th Battalion in France by Allen E P S - World War 1914-1918 Campaigns France; World War 1914-1918 Regimental histories Canada; Canada. Canadian Army. Battalion 116th History

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PAGE INTRODUCTION 7

HONOR ROLL 94

INTRODUCTION

There were very few, if any, Canadian Militia Regiments that succeeded in keeping their identity in France throughout the Great War. The reasons for this were--Firstly, the recruiting system, by means of which men were gathered into the Battalions of the Expeditionary Force, through the different Militia Regiments; the majority of the overseas Battalions being formed by drafts from three, four, five and sometimes more different Regiments. Secondly, the method of reinforcement, which distributed officers and men to Battalions in France disregarding any other principle except that these officers and men were from the same Province as the Battalion to which they were going. And even this did not hold good at all times.

The fact remains, however, that the 116th Battalion was recruited and fostered in the County of Ontario and led to France and in France by an officer of the 34th Regiment. In consequence, a few details concerning the military history of that County and the parent regiment may be of interest to those members of the 116th who joined the Battalion from other parts of the Province and through other regiments.

The County of Ontario can justly claim credit to have been one of the first counties in the Province to recognize and fulfil its militia obligations, the first company of militia in the County being formed at Oshawa and known as The Oshawa Rifle Company.

Lieut. Colonel Bick, the Commanding Officer of the 34th Regiment, has in his possession a bugle with the following inscription:

"Presented by the Ladies of Oshawa to the Oshawa Rifle Company on their return home from the Front, June 1866."

The 34th Ontario County Regiment was organized in accordance with the general orders of September 14th, 1866, and was composed of ten companies and H.Q. as follows:--

Battalion and Staff H.Q. Whitby No. 1 Company Whitby 2 " Brooklin 3 " Oshawa 4 " Greenwood 5 " Port Perry 6 " Uxbridge 7 " Beaverton 8 " Pickering 9 " Columbus 10 " Cannington

Sometime afterwards the Battalion was reduced to seven companies, those at Greenwood, Port Perry and Columbus being eliminated.

In 1905 one more Company was added with Headquarters at Brechin and the distribution at the present time is as follows:--

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