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World War 1 Remembered - 196th (Western Universities) Canadian Overseas Infantry Battalion - 1916 Q4
October 13, 2016
Last Updated on: January 5, 2017
1916 – October to December
The 196th Battalion was the only Canadian infantry battalion in the Canadian Expeditionary Force raised by universities and largely composed of university staff and students. The universities involved were from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. The University of Alberta’s President, Henry Marshall Tory, played a significant part in the initial planning and recruiting for the battalion, particularly the U of A’s contribution to it.
World War 1 Remembered - 49th Canadian Overseas Infantry Battalion - 1916 Q4
October 13, 2016
Last Updated on: January 4, 2017
1916 – October to December
During the final quarter of 1916 the 49th Battalion continued to fight in the final stages of the Battle of the Somme. Most significant was the battalion’s part in the Battle of the Ancre Heights (Regina Trench system) followed by its move to the Vimy Ridge sector.
World War 1 Remembered - XI Canadian Field Ambulance (Western Universities) - 1916 Q3
July 27, 2016
Last Updated on: October 13, 2016
1916 – July to September
Trench warfare resulted in many casualties, mostly from enemy action but also from illness and injury. There was a system in place to handle these casualties starting with each forward unit’s regimental aid post (R.A.P.) operated by the unit’s Medical Officer (MO). From there, as necessary, casualties would be moved back through a series of stations where they were further assessed and treated. These included advanced dressing stations (A.D.S.), casualty clearing stations (C.C.S.) and main dressing stations (M.D.S.). The handling of casualties from the R.A.P. back to the M.D.S. was the job of the Field Ambulance units, part of the Canadian Army Medical Corps (C.A.M.C.).
World War 1 Remembered - 49th Canadian Overseas Infantry Battalion - 1916 Q3
April 25, 2016
Last Updated on: October 13, 2016
1916 – July to September
During the summer of 1916 the 49th Battalion continued to fight in the Ypres sector of the front lines. In September the 3rd Canadian Division moved to the Flers-Courcelette sector in France and became part of the Battle of the Somme, a costly battle intended to relieve pressure on the French defenders of Verdun.
World War 2 Remembered - Edmonton Regiment - 1941 Q1
January 21, 2016
Last Updated on: July 27, 2016
1941 – January to March
While British, Australian and New Zealand forces battled the Italians and Germans in North Africa, the threat of an invasion of the British Isles still existed at the beginning of 1941. The Edmonton Regiment, in England for a year now, continued to train for their part in repelling the invasion should it come.
World War 1 Remembered - 49th Canadian Overseas Infantry Battalion - 1915 Q4
October 13, 2015
Last Updated on: July 27, 2016
1915 – October to December
Fourteen months after the start of the First World War, on October 9, 1915, the main body of the 49th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), with 30 officers and 890 other ranks, departed from Folkestone, England and arrived at Boulogne, France. Three days later they were 20 km behind the Ypres, Belgian, front lines.
World War 1 Remembered - 49th Canadian Overseas Infantry Battalion - 1916 Q2
April 25, 2016
Last Updated on: July 27, 2016
1916 – April to June
During the second quarter of 1916 the 49th Battalion fought in the Salient (bulge in the line) to the east of Ypres, Belgium. Together, with The Royal Canadian Regiment, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, and the 42nd Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada) from Montreal, they formed the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade (CIB). Here they were under great pressure from the Germans who wanted to clear the salient and advance through Ypres.
World War 1 Remembered - 49th Canadian Overseas Infantry Battalion - 1915 Q3
July 9, 2015
Last Updated on: July 27, 2016
1915 – July to September
In the third quarter of 1915 the 49th Battalion was now in England and had begun further training in preparation for deployment to the front lines. There were still some doubts, however, that the battalion would stay intact and be deployed as a front line unit.
World War 1 Remembered - 49th Canadian Overseas Infantry Battalion - 1915 Q1
January 12, 2015
Last Updated on: July 27, 2016
1915 – January to March
Having just gone overseas with the 19th Alberta Dragoons Special Service Squadron in October 1914, Lieut. Colonel William (Billy) Griesbach arrived back in Edmonton on the morning of December 26 with orders from Ottawa to recruit and train a new battalion of infantry.
World War 1 Remembered - 49th Canadian Overseas Infantry Battalion - 1915 Q2
April 11, 2015
Last Updated on: July 27, 2016
1915 – April to June
The Second Battle of Ypres raged from April 22 to May 25, 1915 and elements of the first Canadian contingent to go overseas were involved. Edmonton area’s 19th Alberta Dragoons Special Service Squadron (19AD) was there when, on April 22, the Allies came under chlorine gas attack.
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