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2nd Canadian DivisionThe 2nd Canadian Division refers to two organizations raised during the 20th Century. The first formation so designated was a fully manned and equipped combat division which formed the initial contribution of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. A second iteration was raised for the Second World War, and served in combat from Jul 1944 to May 1945 as part of II Canadian Corps. This article refers to the First World War division. Order of Battle
Divisional UnitsUnits of the Royal Field Artillery, British Army, served under the 2nd Canadian Division until January 1916 when they were assigned to the 55th (British) Division. Divisional Artillery (1915)The following units of the Royal Field Artillery, British Army, served under the 2nd Canadian Division until January 1916: 1st West Lancashire Brigade
2nd West Lancashire Brigade
3rd West Lancashire Brigade
4th West Lancashire (Howitzer) Brigade
Divisional Artillery
(1916-1918)
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4th Canadian Machine Gun Company |
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5th Canadian Machine Gun Company |
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6th Canadian Machine Gun Company |
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14th Canadian Machine Gun Company |
In early 1918, infantry machine gun companies were consolidated into Machine Gun Battalions, one per division. At first the battalion had three companies, and in May 1918 this increased to four, with a total complement of 96 Vickers Guns. The 2nd Canadian Machine Gun Battalion was formed for this division.
The following is a list of the Militia Regiments in Canada that provided soldiers for the numbered infantry battalions.
| 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade | 18th Battalion (Western Ontario) |
21st Regiment (Essex
Fusiliers) 24th Kent Regiment 25th Regiment |
| 19th Battalion (Central Ontario) | 91st Regiment (Canadian Highlanders) | |
| 20th Battalion (Central Ontario) |
12th Regiment (York
Rangers) 20th Regiment (Halton Rifles) 23rd Regiment (Northern Fusiliers) 31st Regiment (Grey Regiment) 34th Regiment (Ontario Regiment) 35th Regiment (Simcoe Foresters) 36th Regiment (Peel Regiment) 37th Regiment (Dufferin Rifles) 39th Regiment (Haldimand Rifles) 44th Regiment (Lincoln and Welland) 77th Regiment (Wentworth) 97th Regiment (Algonquin Rifles) |
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| 21st Battalion (Eastern Ontario) |
14th Regiment (The
Princess Of Wales' Own Rifles) 15th Regiment (Argyll Light Infantry) 16th Prince Edward Regiment 42nd Lanark and Renfrew Regiment 49th Regiment (Hastings Rifles) 59th Stormont and Glengarry Regiment |
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| 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade | 22nd Battalion (Canadien-Francais) | None |
| 24th Battalion (Victoria Rifles of Canada) | 3rd Regiment (Victoria Rifles of Canada) | |
| 25th Battalion (Nova Scotia Rifles) |
68th Regiment 76th Colchester and Hants Regiment |
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| 26th Battalion (New Brunswick) | 62nd Regiment (St. John Fusiliers) | |
| 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade | 27th Battalion (City of Winnipeg) | 99th Manitoba Rangers |
| 28th Battalion (Northwest) |
60th Rifles of Canada 95th Saskatchewan Rifles |
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| 29th Battalion (Vancouver) | 6th Regiment (The Duke of Connaught's Own Rifles) | |
| 31st Battalion (Alberta) | various Alberta units |
Major General Sam Steele had enjoyed a long career with the North West Mounted Police and seen action in the Red River Expedition in 1870, the North-West Rebellion of 1885, and the Boer War. At the start of the First World War, he was rejected for military service due to his age, but a compromise was later made allowing him to command the division in England. He was replaced by Major General Turner in Aug 1915.
Insignia
Beginning in mid-1916, the Division adopted a system of coloured Battle Patches which were worn on both sleeves of the Service Dress jacket as well as the greatcoat. A rectangle 2 inches tall by 3 inches wide in dark blue was adopted to distinguish the 2nd Division from other formations of the Canadian Corps. Coloured geometric shapes used in combination with the divisional patch distinguished individual formations, units and sub-units within the division. The markings were also seen painted on steel helmets, vehicles and used as road signs. The diagram below is a representative list only.
