The 91st Battalion (Elgin), CEF, was an infantry battalion of the Great War Canadian Expeditionary Force.
| 91st "Overseas" Battalion, CEF | |
|---|---|
.svg) | |
| Active | 1915–1916 |
| Disbanded | 21 May 1917 |
| Country | Canada |
| Branch | Canadian Expeditionary Force |
| Type | Infantry |
| Mobilization headquarters | St. Thomas, Ontario |
| Motto(s) | Duty first |
| Battle honours | The Great War, 1916 |
| Commanders | |
| Officer commanding | LCol W.J. Green |
History
editThe 91st Battalion was authorized on 22 December 1915 and embarked for Britain on 29 June 1916, where its personnel were absorbed by the 12th, 35th, 36th, 37th, 38th and 39th Reserve Battalions on 15 July 1916 to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. The battalion disbanded on 21 May 1917.[1]
The 91st Battalion recruited in Elgin County and was mobilized at St. Thomas, Ontario.[2]
The 91st Battalion was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel W.J. Green from 28 June 1916 to 15 July 1916.[2] The 91st Battalion was awarded the battle honour The Great War, 1916.[2]
The battalion was presented a stand of colours (king's colour and regimental colour) in Pinafore Park, St. Thomas, on 24 May 1916. The colours were inherited by the perpetuating unit (the Elgin Regiment) and were laid up in Trinity Anglican Church in St. Thomas in 1935. When the church was deconsecrated in 2020, the colours were removed for relocation, but they deteriorated rapidly and could not be laid up again. The colours were burned, and on 5 November 2023, the ashes were interred in W.J. Green's grave in the St. Thomas Cemetery.[3][4][5]
Perpetuation
editThe 91st Battalion (Elgin), CEF is perpetuated by 31 Combat Engineer Regiment (The Elgin's).[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.
- ^ a b c Meek, John F. Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War. Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971. ISBN 0906158109
- ^ "Canadian Army Reserve to inter colours". cknxnewstoday.ca. 2023-10-21. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
- ^ "Community spotlight: Regimental colours interred in historic fashion at St. Thomas Cemetery". 94.1 St.ThomasToday.ca. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ "91st Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force Colours - National Inventory of Canadian Military Memorials (NICMM) - Memorials - Remembrance - Veterans Affairs Canada". www.veterans.gc.ca. 2019-02-20. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
- ^ Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.
Sources
edit- Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914–1919 by Col. G. W. L. Nicholson, CD, Queen's Printer, Ottawa, Ontario, 1962
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