The 228th (Northern Fusiliers) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the

Canadian Expeditionary Force The Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) was the expeditionary field force of Canada during the First World War. It was formed following Britain’s declaration of war on Germany on 15 August 1914, with an initial strength of one infantry division ...

during the First World War. Based in

North Bay, Ontario North Bay is a city in Northeastern Ontario, Canada. It is the seat of Nipissing District, and takes its name from its position on the shore of Lake Nipissing. North Bay developed as a railroad centre, and its airport was an important military ...

, the unit began recruiting in early 1916 in Nipissing and Sudbury. After sailing to England in December 1916, the battalion became the 6th Battalion,

Canadian Railway Troops The Corps of Canadian Railway Troops were part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) during World War I. Although Canadian railway units had been arriving in France since August 1915, it was not until March 1917 that the units were placed under ...

, on 8 March 1917. The 228th Battalion had one officer commanding: Lieutenant-Colonel Archie Earchman. The battalion established the Toronto 228th Battalion hockey team, captained by

Howard McNamara Howard Dennis McNamara (November 22, 1891 – September 24, 1940) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He played professionally from 1908 to 1920, including two seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, including the 1916 Stanley Cup cham ...

, which played in the 1916–17 NHA season. The squad, playing in their khaki military uniforms, proved very popular, and was third in league standings with a 6–4 record when they dropped out of the league upon being ordered overseas. A scandal arose when hockey stars

Eddie Oatman Edward Cole Oatman (June 10, 1889 – November 5, 1973) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was among the elite goal scorers of his era. Among his 32 years (1907–39) playing professional ice hockey, Oatman was named an all-star fo ...

and

Gordon Meeking Gordon Sydney "Gord" Meeking (August 26, 1890 – December 21, 1965) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Ottawa Senators, Toronto 228th Battalion, Victoria Aristocrats and Regina Capitals. His brother Harry Meeking was also a ...

were discharged, both subsequently claiming they had been paid bonuses and promised commissions to play hockey for the 228th. The perpetuation of the battalion was assigned in 1920 to the 2nd Battalion of the Algonquin Rifles, a regiment that, after several redesignations, is now called

The Algonquin Regiment (Northern Pioneers) The Algonquin Regiment (Northern Pioneers) is a primary reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army comprising two companies. A Company is located in North Bay, Ontario, and B Company is located in Timmins, Ontario. The regiment fall ...

References

* Meek, John F. ''Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War.'' Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971. Battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force {{WWI-stub Algonquin Regiment (Northern Pioneers)