The 40th Battalion, 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
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 ...
during the
Great War.
History
The 40th Battalion was authorized on 1 January 1915 and embarked for Britain on 18 October 1915. The battalion provided reinforcements to the
Canadian Corps
The Canadian Corps was a World War I corps formed from the Canadian Expeditionary Force in September 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. The corps was expanded by the addition of the 3rd Canadian Division in December 19 ...
in the field until 4 January 1917, when its personnel were absorbed by the 26th Reserve Battalion, CEF. The battalion was disbanded on 17 July 1917.
The 40th Battalion recruited in Nova Scotia and was mobilized at
Aldershot, Nova Scotia.
[Meek, John F. ''Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War.'' Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971. ]
The 40th battalion had one Officer Commanding, Lt-Col. A.G. Vincent from 18 October 1915 to 4 January 1917.
The 40th Battalion was awarded the battle honour THE GREAT WAR 1915-17.
Perpetuation
The 40th Battalion, CEF, is perpetuated by
The Halifax Rifles (RCAC).
[Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.]
See also
*
List of infantry battalions in the Canadian Expeditionary Force
References
{{reflist
Sources
*Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914-1919 by Col. G.W.L. Nicholson, CD, Queen's Printer, Ottawa, Ontario, 1962
Military units and formations of Nova Scotia
040