The 102nd Battalion, CEF, (initially the 102nd Battalion (Northern British Columbia), then after August, 1917, the 102nd Battalion (Central Ontario), CEF) was an
infantry
Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...
battalion
A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of up to one thousand soldiers. A battalion is commanded by a lieutenant colonel and subdivided into several Company (military unit), companies, each typically commanded by a Major (rank), ...
of the
Great War
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
Canadian Expeditionary Force
The Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF; French: ''Corps expéditionnaire canadien'') was the expeditionary warfare, expeditionary field force of Canada during the First World War. It was formed on August 15, 1914, following United Kingdom declarat ...
.
History
The 102nd Battalion was authorized on 22 December 1915 and embarked for Britain on 18 June 1916. It disembarked in France on 12 August 1916, where it fought as part of the 11th Infantry Brigade,
4th Canadian Division
The 4th Canadian Division is a formation of the Canadian Army. It is currently responsible for Canadian Army operations in the Canadian province of Ontario and is headquartered at Denison Armoury in Toronto. The division was first created as ...
in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The battalion disbanded on 30 August 1920.
[Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.]
The 102nd Battalion recruited in Northern British Columbia and was mobilized at
Comox, on
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is an island in the northeastern Pacific Ocean and part of the Canadian province of British Columbia. The island is in length, in width at its widest point, and in total area, while are of land. The island is the largest ...
.
[Meek, John F. ''Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War.'' Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971. ]
During the attack on Vimy Ridge, the 102nd lost most of its officers and for a time was led by one of the company sergeant-majors. The battalion achieved its objectives for the day but lost 314 killed or wounded.
The 102nd Battalion had four Officers Commanding:
*Lt.-Col. John Weightman Warden, DSO, 18 June 1916 – 11 January 1918
*Lt.-Col. F. Lister, CMG, DSO, MC, 11 January 1918 – 27 September 1918
*Lt.-Col. E.J.W. Ryan, DSO, 28 September 1918 – 19 November 1918
*Lt.-Col. F. Lister, CMG, DSO, MC, 19 November 1918-Demobilization
One member of the 102nd Battalion, Lt.
Graham Thomson Lyall was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 27 September 1918 North of Cambrai, France, during the Battle of the Canal Du Nord.
Battle honours
The 102nd Battalion was awarded the following battle honours:
*, 1 July–18 November 1916
*
Ancre Heights, 1 October–11 November 1916
*
Ancre, 1916
*
*
Vimy, 1917, 9–14 April 1917
*, 15–25 August 1917
*, 31 July–10 November 1917
*
Passchendaele, 12 October 1917 or 26 October–10 November 1917
*, 8–11 August 1918
*
Scarpe, 1918, 26–30 August 1918
*
Drocourt-Quéant
*, 12 September–9 October 1918
*
Canal du Nord
The Canal du Nord (, literally ''Canal of the North'') is a long canal in northern France. The canal connects the Canal latéral à l'Oise in Pont-l'Évêque to the Sensée Canal in Arleux. The French government, in partnership with coal-min ...
, 27 September–2 October 1918
*
*
Perpetuation
The 102nd Battalion, CEF is perpetuated by
The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own)
The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) is a Primary Reserve armoured reconnaissance (recce) regiment of the Canadian Army; the regiment is subordinate to 39 Canadian Brigade Group of the 3rd Canadian Division. Established in 1883 ...
.
See also
*
References
Sources
* Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914–1919 by Col. G.W.L. Nicholson, CD, Queen's Printer, Ottawa, Ontario, 1962
102 102 may refer to:
*102 (number), the number
* AD 102, a year in the 2nd century AD
* 102 BC, a year in the 2nd century BC
* 102 (ambulance service), an emergency medical transport service in Uttar Pradesh, India
* 102 (Clyde) Field Squadron, Royal E ...
Military units and formations of Ontario
Military units and formations of British Columbia
British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own)
Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment)
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