| Stewart reports that the battalion served in
France and Flanders with the 5th Infantry Brigade of the 2nd
Canadian Division.
Nicholson reports on the 1st Infantry
Battalion on the following pages (see the Matrix
Nicholson Transcriptions):
Formation 110: the delegation from Quebec asks for a French
Canadian Contingent
The Somme 170: moving through to capture Fabeck Graben
The Somme 182: Regina Trench on October 1, 1915
Amiens 412: capture of Méharicourt and the 2nd V.C. to Lt. Jean
Brillant
Other 2455, 385,
Hindenburg Line 430-432: the devastation at Chérisy
Cambrai 457: mopping up the outskirts of Cambrai
From
Library and Archives Canada:
The 22nd Canadian
Infantry Battalion was organized in October 1914 under the
command of Col. F.M. Gaudet, under the authorization published
in General Order 36 of 15 March 1915. The battalion was
mobilized at St-Jean, Québec and recruited throughout the
province of Québec.
The battalion embarked at Halifax on 20 May 1915 aboard
SAXONIA, disembarking in England on 29 May 1915. Its strength
was 36 officers and 1097 other ranks. The battalion arrived in
France on 15 September 1915, becoming part of the 2nd Canadian
Division, 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade. It was later
reinforced by the 10th Canadian Reserve Battalion. The
battalion returned to England on 8 April 1919, disembarked in
Canada on 16 May 1919, was demobilized on 18 May 1919, and was
disbanded by General Order 149 of 15 September 1920.
The battalion colours were deposited in Notre Dame Cathedral,
Montreal in 1919 and were handed over to the Royal 22nd
Regiment in 1921. The battalion supported a brass band. Its
air was "Sambre et Meuse".
The 22nd Canadian Infantry Battalion was perpetuated by Royal
22nd Regiment
The 22nd Battalion leaving for overseas service: Library and
Archives Canada
There are 98 Digital
Collections on the Library and Archives site for the 22nd
Infantry Battalion. Click on the 22nd
Sentry of July 1916 to gain access to that collection!
Provided
by Canal du Nord:
On the 10th Sept 1914, the Montreal newspaper "La
presse" announced that many prominent businessmen and
career soldiers were soliciting the Canadian government in the
aim of creating a French-Canadian battalion. This unit, of
Regimental size would be 2,000 strong. At that time,
it was mentioned that Sir Wilfred Laurier had already been
approached on the subject.
It was mentioned that Sir Alexander Gault only had to approach
the Minister of Militia and Defence (Sam Hughes) to propose the
creation of the PPCLI. Eleven days later (Sept 21st), a
delegation was sent to Ottawa to meet the Prime Minister.
At the same time, it was said that two other groups were in
Ottawa, with the same intentions. Both the Scots and
the Irish were in the game.
On Sept 23rd, Sir Wilfred Laurier sent a letter to the Prime
Minister urging the creation of a French-Canadian regiment.
Strongly making reference to the presence of Scottish
and Irish regiments within the British Forces. Another
delegation was dispatched to Ottawa on Sept 28th.
On Oct 7th, on the way to England, the Minister of
Militia and Defence was overheard saying the following to the
Prime minister: "We could possibly form four
French-Canadian battalions and have a brigade". At
this time, those that had put forward the idea had christened
the unit as the "Regiment Royal Canadien Français".
On the 15th of Oct, approval was granted by the government
for the formation of a French-Canadian regiment.
Five days earlier, Dr. Arthur Mignault had offered $50,000
to help finance the endeavour. On top of that, he even
offered to accompany the unit overseas.
At this point in time, the proposed name (Regiment Royal
Canadien Français) was abandoned. The unit was officially
recognized as the 22nd Batallion (Canadien-Français).
Commanding Officers
Col F. M. Gaudet, CMG 1914-1916
Lcol T. L. Tremblay CB, CMG, DSO, ED 1916-1918
Col A.E. Dubuc DSO, VO 1918
Lcol H. Desrosiers CMG, DSO, ED 1918-1919
Sergeant-majors
RSM H.J Jolicoeur 1914-1915
RSM D. Lecompte 1914-1916
RSM C. Greffard MC, VD 1916
RSM O. Gauthier DCM 1916-1917
RSM D. Belle-Isle 1917-1918
RSM E.C. Pelland DCM 1917-1918
RSM F. Raimbault 1918-1919
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