1st Canadian Division
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| 1st Canadian Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1914-1919 |
| Country | Canada |
| Allegiance | Allies |
| Branch | Canadian Expeditionary Force |
| Type | Infantry |
| Battles/wars | Second Battle of Ypres Battle of the Somme Battle of Vimy Ridge Battle of Passchendaele |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
n/a |
| Notable commanders |
Sir Arthur Currie |
Four separate formations have been raised in the history of the Canadian Army with the title 1st Canadian Division. This article refers to the division raised in the First World War. For divisions raised afterwards, see 1st Canadian Infantry Division.
Formed in August of 1914, the 1st Canadian Division was a formation of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The division was initially made up from Provisional Battalions that were named after their Province of origin but these Provisional titles were dropped before the Division arrived in Britain on October 14, 1914.
After being stationed at Salisbury Plain in England, the 1st Canadian Division embarked for France during February of 1915 where its members served under Major-General Arthur Currie in both France and Flanders until Armistice Day.
[edit] Infantry Units
1st Canadian Brigade:
- 1st (Western Ontario) Battalion Canadian Infantry. August 1914 - November 11, 1918;
- 2nd (Eastern Ontario) Battalion Canadian Infantry. August 1914 - November 11, 1918;
- 3rd (Toronto Regiment) Battalion Canadian Infantry. August 1914 - November 11, 1918;
- 4th (Central Ontario) Battalion Canadian Infantry. August 1914 - November 11, 1918.
2nd Canadian Brigade:
- 5th (Western Cavalry) Battalion Canadian Infantry. August 1914 - November 11, 1918;
- 6th (Fort Garry Horse) Battalion Canadian Infantry. August 1914 - December 1914 (Became a Reserve Cavalry Regiment);
- 7th (1st British Columbia Regiment) Battalion Canadian Infantry. August 1914 - November 11, 1918;
- 8th (Canadian Rifles) Battalion Canadian Infantry. August 1914 - November 11, 1918;
- 10th Battalion Canadian Infantry. January 1915 - November 11, 1918.
3rd Canadian Brigade:
- 13th (Royal Highlanders) Battalion Canadian Infantry. August 1914 - November 11, 1918.
- 14th (Royal Montreal Regt) Battalion Canadian Infantry. August 1914 - November 11, 1918.
- 15th (48th Highlanders) Battalion Canadian Infantry. August 1914 - November 11, 1918.
- 16th (Canadian Scottish) Battalion Canadian Infantry. August 1914 - November 11, 1918.
4th Canadian Brigade:
- The Brigade was dispersed in January of 1915.
- 9th Battalion Canadian Infantry. August 1914 - January 1915. To the Canadian Training Depot.
- 10th (103rd Calgary Rifles) Battalion Canadian Infantry. August 1914 - January 1915. To the 2nd Canadian Brigade.
- 11th Battalion Canadian Infantry. August 1914 - January 1915. To the Canadian Training Depot.
- 12th Battalion Canadian Infantry. August 1914 - January 1915. To the Canadian Training Depot.
Pioneers:
- 1st Canadian Pioneer Battalion. March 1916 - February 1917. Became the 9th Canadian Railway Battalion.
- 107th Canadian Pioneer Battalion. March 1917 - May 1918. Absorbed by the 1st Canadian Engineer Brigade.
Attached Troops:
- 17th (Nova Scotia Highlanders) Battalion Canadian Infantry. August 1914 - January 1915. To the Canadian Training Depot.
- 18th Battalion Canadian Infantry. August 1914 - Sep 1914. Disbanded.
- Newfoundland Companies. October 1914 - December 1914. Left the Division and was made up to Battalion strength. The Newfoundland Regiment then joined the British 29th Division in September of 1915.
[edit] Battles and Engagements on the Western Front:
1915:
- Battle of Gravenstafel - April 22-23
- Battle of St. Julien - April 24-May 4 (see also War Memorial Saint Julien)
- Battle of Festubert - May 15-25
- Second Action of Givenchy - June 15-16
1916:
- Battle of Mount Sorrel - June 2-13
- Battle of Flers - Courcelette - September 15-22
- Battle of Thiepval - September 26-28
- Battle of Le Transloy - October 1-18
- Battle of the Ancre Heights - October 1-November 11
1917:
- Battle of Vimy Ridge - April 9-14
- Battle of Arleux - April 28-29
- Third Battle of the Scarpe - May 3-4 (including the capture of Fresnoy)
- Second Battle of Passchendaele - October 26 –November 10
1918:
- Battle of Amiens - August 8-11
- Actions round Damery - August 15-17
- Battle of the Scarpe - August 26-30
- Battle of Drocourt-Quéant - September 2-3
- Battle of the Canal Du Nord - September 27-October 1
- Battle of Cambrai - October 8-9
