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8th Battalion (90th Winnipeg Rifles), CEF

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The distinguishing patch of the 8th Battalion (90th Winnipeg Rifles), CEF.

The 8th Battalion (90th Winnipeg Rifles), CEF, was an infantry battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the Great War. The battalion was authorized on 10 August 1914 and embarked for Great Britain on 1 October 1914. It disembarked in France on 13 February 1915, where it fought as part of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The battalion was disbanded on 15 September 1920.[1]

The 8th Battalion recruited in Brandon and Winnipeg, Manitoba and Kenora and Port Arthur, Ontario and was mobilized at Valcartier, Quebec.[2]

The 8th Battalion had six Officers Commanding:

  • Lt.-Col. L.J. Lipsett, CMG, 22 September 1914 – 13 September 1915
  • Lt.-Col. H.H. Matthews, DSO, 28 September 1915 – 18 June 1916
  • Lt.-Col. K.C. Bedson, 14 July 1916 – 3 August 1916
  • Lt.-Col. J.M. Prower, DSO, 3 August 1916 – 20 April 1918
  • Lt.-Col. T.H. Raddall, DSO, 20 April 1918 – 9 August 1918
  • Lt.-Col. A.L. Saunders, DSO, MC, 13 August 1918 – Demobilization[3]

Three members of the 8th Battalion were awarded the Victoria Cross. Company Sergeant-Major Frederick William Hall was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on the night of 24 April 1915 during the Second Battle of Ypres. He was one of the three Great War Victoria Cross recipients who lived in the 700 block of Pine Street in Winnipeg, the others being Leo Clarke and Robert Shankland. In 1925, Pine Street was renamed Valour Road. Cpl. Alexander Picton Brereton and Cpl. Frederick George Coppins were both awarded the Victoria Cross for their actions on 9 August 1918 during the Battle of Amiens.[4]

The 8th Battalion was awarded the following battle honours:

The 8th Battalion (90th Winnipeg Rifles), CEF, is perpetuated by The Royal Winnipeg Rifles.[6]

References

  1. ^ Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.
  2. ^ Meek, John F. Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War. Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971. ISBN 0906158109
  3. ^ Meek, John F. Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War. Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971. ISBN 0906158109
  4. ^ Meek, John F. Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War. Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971. ISBN 0906158109
  5. ^ Meek, John F. Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War. Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971. ISBN 0906158109
  6. ^ Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.

Sources

  • Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914–1919 by Col. G.W.L. Nicholson, CD, Queen's Printer, Ottawa, Ontario, 1962
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