_THE 40th BATTALION._
The 40th Battalion was authorized January 1, 1915, under the command of
Lieut.-Col. W. H. Gibsone (R.C.R.). As the men were recruited,
detachments were formed at McNab’s Island, Halifax, Sydney, Glace Bay,
North Sydney, Truro, Amherst, New Glasgow, Yarmouth, Lunenburg,
Kentville and Digby.
The Battalion was finally mobilized at Aldershot Camp, N.S., on May 11,
1915. Lieut.-Colonel Gibsone proceeded direct to France to become A.A.G.
of the 3rd Canadian Division, which was then in process of formation. At
Aldershot Camp, N.S., the 40th was first inspected by the Duke of
Connaught and Brig.-General H. M. McLean, who commented on their
splendid showing. On June 21st, under the command of Lieut.-Col. A. G.
Vincent, the 40th Battalion moved to Valcartier Camp, Quebec. Before
leaving for Valcartier two drafts were despatched, one of twenty-five
men to the 25th Battalion, and another of 250 men and five officers to
England, as reinforcements.
At Valcartier strenuous work by all ranks drew special mention of the
40th by Major-General Sir Sam Hughes at a General Review of the Camp a
week before sailing. The Battalion was also inspected later at
Valcartier by the Duke of Connaught and also by Sir Robert Borden. A
week before sailing a third call was made for reinforcements, and again
five officers and 250 N.C.O.’s and men, all picked, were despatched to
England.
Notwithstanding this great drain, on October 18, 1915, the 40th sailed
from Quebec on the _S.S. Saxonia_, with a strength of 1,143 all ranks,
under the command of Lieut.-Col. A. G. Vincent and the following
officers:
Major C. A. Andrews, Second in Command.
Major J. C. Ditmars.
Capt. J. S. Legge, Adjutant.
Lieut. H. Fisher, Q.M.
Lieut. G. M. Sylvester, Assistant Adjutant.
Lieut. A. W. Cunningham, Sig. Officer.
Lieut. H. St. C. Jones, M.G. Officer.
Major Geo. Wood, Chaplain.
Capt. E. Douglas, Medical Officer.
Capt. G. H. Gillis, Paymaster.
Major A. G. Nutter, O.C. “A” Company.
Capt. W. E. Doane, Second in Command.
Lieut. Geo. Campbell.
Lieut. G. W. Anderson.
Lieut. P. W. Freeman.
Lieut. A. S. Allen.
Lieut. J. Harley.
Capt. C. R. Chisholm, O.C. “B” Company.
Capt. H. P. Bell, Second in Command.
Lieut. Mc.I. McLeod.
Lieut. J. D. McIntyre.
Lieut. W. W. Pickup.
Lieut. H. H. Heal.
Capt. A. M. Ross, O.C. “C” Company.
Capt. G. W. Dwyer, Second in Command.
Lieut. G. B. Murray.
Lieut. A. S. Churchill.
Lieut. C. E. Little.
Lieut. L. W. Ormand.
Lieut: D. H. MacKenzie.
Capt. W. Letcher, O.C. “D” Company.
Capt. E. R. Dennis, Second in Command.
Lieut. B. F. Davidson.
Lieut. F. P. H. Layton.
Lieut. R. Jago.
Lieut. L. W. W. Slacke.
Lieut. F. G. Robertson.
Lieut. A. Anderson.
On October 29, 1915, after an uneventful voyage the Battalion landed at
Plymouth and proceeded to Bramshott Camp, being the first Canadian
Infantry Battalion to enter that Camp, where they took over quarters
from the Royal Irish Rifles. At Bramshott the 40th joined part of the
then contemplated 9th Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Division, which was
under the command of General Lord Brooke.
Owing to the heavy demand for reinforcements, following the disastrous
action of June 2, 1916 (the Third Battle of Ypres), the Battalion was
moved to East Sandling to become the 40th Reserve Battalion, where
drafts were despatched to nearly every Unit in the Canadian Corps. After
many moves the 40th absorbed the remnants of the 64th, 104th, 106th and
112th Battalions, and finally returned to Bramshott to become the 26th
Reserve Battalion, and was finally absorbed by the 17th Reserve
Battalion.
[Illustration:
CAPT. E. E. DENNIS
(killed in action at Vimy Ridge. April 5, 1917).]
The 40th Battalion has the distinction that practically every officer
and man of the original Battalion saw service in France. Ten of the
officers were killed in action, viz.:
Capt. A. M. Ross.
Capt. W. E. Doane.
Capt. E. R. Dennis.
Lieut. G. H. Campbell.
Lieut. W. W. Pickup (Major).
Lieut. G. M. Sylvester.
Lieut. A. Allen (Capt.).
Lieut. F. P. H. Layton.
Lieut. H. Fisher.
Lieut. A. S. Churchill.
In addition, nineteen were, wounded. Twelve received the M.C., one the
D.F.C. Several were promoted and mentioned in despatches for valuable
service. It would be a long list to give the names of the N.C.O.’s and
men of the original 40th who gave their lives. Several were promoted to
commissioned rank in the Field and many others were decorated for valor.
Wherever they went they acquitted themselves in such a manner that
although never to cross the Channel as a Unit, the 40th always received
honorable mention in every fighting Unit in the Canadian Corps.