_246th BATTALION, C.E.F._
The 246th Battalion was authorized in August, 1916, as a Reserve Unit to
supply reinforcements to the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade. It was
organized at Camp Aldershot a short time before the Brigade embarked for
Overseas, and to it were transferred officers and other ranks who, from
various causes, were temporarily unfit for service at the Front. Each
Battalion of the Brigade was represented by one Company, “A” Company,
the 85th Battalion; “B” Company, 185th Battalion; “C” Company, 193rd
Battalion, and “D” Company, 219th Battalion.
The officers were:
Lieut.-Col. N. H. Parsons Officer Commanding.
Major G. B. Cutten Second in Command.
Major H. H. Bligh Company Commander.
Major H. D. Creighton Company Commander.
Major M. A. McKay Company Commander.
Major W. G. McRae Company Commander.
Capt. A. McKinnon
Capt. G. E. Roberts
Capt. J. Armitage Adjutant.
Capt. L. L. Titus Quartermaster.
Capt. A. C. Wilson Medical Officer.
Capt. C. W. Corey Chaplain.
Capt. F. Robertson Paymaster.
Lieut. R. V. Harris Asst. Adjutant.
Lieuts. F. J. McCharles, A. T. E. Crosby, E. S. H. Lane, H. F.
Lockhart, H. L. McInnes, A. W. Rogers, W. B. Ross, E. C. Shields, C.
E. Smith, H. R. Theakston, W. M. Bligh, C. E. Baker, G. D.
Blackadar, R. S. Edwards, N. Rogers, J. S. Roy.
A detachment of the 246th under the command of Major H. D. Creighton was
sent to Trenton to guard the Nova Scotia Steel Company’s plant at that
point, and was later relieved by a detachment from the Composite
Battalion.
During the autumn and winter months recruiting became very difficult,
and when the necessity for compulsory service became evident it was
decided to discontinue organization and send the Battalion Overseas in
drafts. The first draft, under the command of Lieuts C. E. Baker and W.
M. Bligh, embarked in March, 1917, and on June 1st a further draft of
230 men and the following officers were sent Overseas:
Lieut.-Col. N. H. Parsons; Major M. A. McKay; Capt. A. McKinnon, Capt.
L. L. Titus, Lieuts. A. T. E. Crosby, R. S. Edwards, E. S. H. Lane, H.
F. Lockhart, H. L. McInnes, A. W. Rogers, W. B. Ross, E. C. Shields, C.
E. Smith.
On arrival in England the draft proceeded to Bramshott, where one half
of the men were sent to the 185th Battalion, then training at Witley
with the 5th Division. The remainder together with the officers were
absorbed by the 17th Reserve Battalion.
The remainder of the strength left in Canada was transferred to Labor,
Forestry, Special Service and other Units, the majority eventually going
Overseas.