| The battalion served with the
1st Division, 1st Infantry Brigade from February 12, 1915 until
the Armistice.
Nicholson reports on the 4th Infantry
Battalion on the following pages (see the Matrix
Nicholson Transcriptions):
Ypres: 67,70, 80
Somme: 172, 184
Vimy Ridge: 256, 257
Hill 70: 291
Amiens: 401, 413
From
Library and Archives Canada:
The 4th Canadian
Infantry Battalion was organized at Valcartier under Camp
Order 241 of 2 September 1914 and was composed of recruits
from Military District 2 (Aurora, Brampton, Brantford,
Hamilton and Niagara Falls. The battalion was commanded by
Lieutenant-Colonel W.S. Buell who was replaced within days
by Lieutenant-Colonel R.H. Labatt.
The battalion embarked at Quebec on 23 September 1914 aboard
TYROLIA, disembarking in England on 14 October 1914. Its
strength was 44 officers and 1121 other ranks. The battalion
disembarked in France on 11 February 1915, becoming part of
the 1st Division, 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade. It was
later reinforced by the 3rd Canadian Reserve Battalion. The
battalion returned to England on 23 March 1919, disembarked
in Canada on 21 April 1919, was demobilized at Toronto on 23
April 1919, and was disbanded by General Order 149 of 15
September 1920.
The battalion published "The Dead Horse Corner
Gazette" between October 1915 and June 1916 (see copy
of June 1916 issue in file 4/PRD/6, RG24, vol. 12382). The
battalion had a brass band and a regimental air, "Nut
Brown Maiden". The battalion colours were paid for by
City of Brantford, and were transferred to the Dufferin
Rifles.
The 4th Canadian Infantry Battalion was perpetuated by the
Royal Hamilton Light Infantry and the Dufferin Rifles of
Canada, which from 1936 on were known as The Dufferin and
Haldimand Rifles of Canada).
Much more detail on the 4th Battalion was
derived from the regimental history and submitted
by Bill Smy (see references noted):
Authority for Formation Privy Council Order 2067, dated 6 August, 1914.
Recruited in Western Ontario.
Mobilized at Valcartier, P. Q.
Date Mobilization Commenced August, 1914.
Military District No. 5 (Quebec).
Embarked, Canada: S. S. Tyroliar at Quebec, 24 September, 1914. Sailed,
Gaspé 3
October, 1914.
Disembarked, England Arrived Plymouth 14 October, 1914. Disembarked 23 October, 1914.
Organized with:
Regiment (In England) First Central Ontario Regiment.
Brigade (In France) First.
Division (In France) First.
Left England for France 8 February, 1915.
Arrived France 12 February, 1915.
Left France for England 23 March, 1919.
Arrived England 23 March, 1919.
Left England for Canada on S. S. Olympic, 14 April, 1919.
Arrived Canada (Halifax), 21 April, 1919.
Military District No. 2 (Toronto).
Demobilized 23 April, 1919.
Disbanded By G. O. 149, dated 15 September, 1920.
Memory Perpetuated as 1st Battalion, The Dufferin Rifles of Canada.
Perpetuated by The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry.
Originally Composed of Drafts From:
 | 25th Brant Dragoons; |
| 12th Regiment (York Rangers); |
| 13th Royal Regiment; |
| 19th (Lincoln) Regiment; |
| 20th Regiment (Halton Rifles); |
| 35th Regiment (Simcoe Foresters); |
| 36th Peel Regiment; |
| 37th Regiment (Haldimand Rifles); |
| 38th Regiment (Dufferin Rifles of Canada); |
| 39th Regiment (Norfolk Rifles); |
| 44th Lincoln and Welland Regiment. |
|
