The 177th (Simcoe Foresters) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the

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 ...

raised during the First World War by the 35th Simcoe Foresters. Based in

Barrie, Ontario Barrie is a city in Central Ontario, Canada, about north of Toronto. The city is within Simcoe County and located along the shores of Kempenfelt Bay. Although it is physically in the county, Barrie is politically independent. The city is par ...

and later at

Camp Borden Canadian Forces Base Borden (also CFB Borden, French: Base des Forces canadiennes Borden or BFC Borden), formerly RCAF Station Camp Borden, is a large Canadian Forces base located in Ontario. The historic birthplace of the Royal Canadian Air Forc ...

, the unit began recruiting during the winter of 1915/16 in

Simcoe County Simcoe County is a county and census division located in the central region of Ontario, Canada. The county is located north of the Greater Toronto Area, and forms the north western edge of the Golden Horseshoe. The county seat is located in Mi ...

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

. The

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), ...

arrived at Camp Borden on 3 July 1916 where it trained until sailing to England in May 1917. The battalion was absorbed into the 3rd Reserve Battalion on May 14, 1917. The 177th (Simcoe Foresters) Battalion, CEF had one Officer Commanding: Lieut-Col. J. B. McPhee, and is perpetuated by

The Grey and Simcoe Foresters The Grey and Simcoe Foresters is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. Within the Canadian Army, it is part of the 4th Canadian Division's (formerly known as Land Force Central Area) 31 Canadian Brigade Group. Due to the r ...

References

*Meek, John F. "Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War." Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971. *Chajkowsky, William E. "The History of Camp Borden, 1916-1918, Land of Sand, Sin and Sorrow." Vineland: Station Press, 1983. *Fisher, Major J.R. and Captain E.J. Fuller. "The Grey and Simcoe Foresters, A Concise Regimental History." Barrie: The Grey and Simcoe Foresters, 2008 *Frost, Honourable Leslie. "Fighting Men" Toronto: Clarke, Irwin, 1967 *Rutherford, Brigadier Tom, ed. "An Unofficial History of The Grey and Simcoe Foresters Regiment 1866 to 1973." Owen Sound: The Grey and Simcoe Foresters, 1973 *Telford, Major Murray M. "Scarlet to Green, the colours, uniforms and insignia of The Grey and Simcoe Foresters." Erin: The Boston Mills Press, 1987 {{DEFAULTSORT:177th Battalion (Simcoe Foresters), Cef Battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force Organizations based in Barrie