$60.00 CAD
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Nice photo postcard of the military brass band made up of soldiers in the 4th (Central Ontario) Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.) posing outdoors, likely in the U.K.
Identified by ‘4’ on drum.
Unused. Small horizontal 'gash' on back, slight effect on front.
(Red text is an electronic watermark that is not physically part of the photo for sale)
The 4th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force was raised at Valcartier on 2 September 1914. Consisting of recruits from the 2nd Military District, which encompassed Aurora, Brampton, Brantford, Hamilton and Niagara Falls, the battalion's first commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel W.S. Buell, although he was replaced by Lieutenant-Colonel R.H. Labatt after only a short period in command.
Within several weeks of its formation, the battalion embarked at Quebec on 3 October 1914 aboard the transport Tyrolia, bound for the United Kingdom. Upon arrival on 14 October 1914, the battalion's strength was 44 officers and 1,121 other ranks. A period of training in the United Kingdom followed before the battalion was transferred across the Channel to take up duty along the Western Front. After landing in France on 11 February 1915, the battalion was assigned to the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, which was part of the 1st Canadian Division. After being committed to the fighting, casualties mounted and the original members of the battalion were later reinforced by the 3rd Canadian Reserve Battalion.
Throughout its involvement in the fighting on the Western Front, the 4th Battalion took part in the following battles: Ypres (1915) Passchendaele (1917); Gravenstafel; St. Julien; Festubert (1915); Mount Sorrel; Somme (1916); Flers-Courcelette; Ancre Heights; Arras (1917); Vimy (1917); Arleux; Scarpe (1918); Hill 70; Passchendaele; Amiens; Drocourt-Quéant; Hindenburg Line; Canal du Nord; Pursuit to Mons.
WIKIPEDIA
