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emblem or field patch |
Canadian Expeditionary
Force Study Group
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| Component: |
55th Battalion |
| Location of War Diaries: |
 | Library and Archives Canada (WD Link) |
| CEFSG War Diary Transcription
(in progress = IP) |
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Background:
eastcoastlobster
posting to the Forum: March
24, 2006
A portion of the personnel
of the 55th Battalion was drawn from Prince Edward Island, the
majority being obtained from New Brunswick. At the organization
of the Battalion in the spring of 1915a number of P.E.I. men
already enrolled with the 40th Battalion was transferred to the
55th. When the 55th mobilized at Sussex, N.B., the P.E.I.
detachment from Charlottetown numbered 76 men.
The designation adopted was 55th (New Brunswick and Prince
Edward Island) Battalion, C.E.F.
Mobilization was ordered on 2nd May, 1916, and the Battalion was
moved from Sussex to Valcartier, Quebec on 15th June 1915, where
it remained until the end of October. On 30th October, 1915, the
55th Battalion embarked on S.S. "Corsican" at Quebec,
arriving at Devonport, England, on November 8th, proceeding
immediately to Bramshott and being used as a reinforcing unit
until absorbed by the 40th Battalion on 6th July, 1916.
The strength of the Battalion on leaving Canada was 42 Officers,
1099 Other Ranks, commanded by Lieut. Col. J.R. Kirkpatrick.
The 55th furnished drafts for the following units of the
Canadian Corps:-
1st Battalion: 18th Battalion: P.P.C.L.I.:
3rd Battalion: 21st Battalion: 42nd Battalion:
4th Battalion: 24th Battalion: 5th C.M.R.;
13th Battalion; 25th Battalion; 58th Battalion;
14th Battalion; 26th Battalion; 60th Battalion;
15th Battalion; R.C.R.; 87th Battalion;
2nd Pioneer Battalion
The remaining personnel were absorbed into the 40th Battalion
July 6th, 1916. The 40th Battalion was absorbed into the 26th
Reserve Battalion in England January 4th, 1917, and was
responsible for supplying reinforcements to the Royal Canadian
Regiment and the 25th Battalion in the field. The 26th Reserve
Battalion was absorbed into the 17th Reserve Battalion in
England October 9, 1917, which supplied reinforcements to the
R.C.R., 25th and 85th Battalions in France.
Other Ranks, originally of the 55th Battalion were present at
the following Battles to the number shown, while serving with
the C.E.F. Battalions named above:-
Mount Sorrel (2-13 June, 1916) - 680
Flers-Courcelette (15-22 September, 1916) - 443
Thiepval (26-28 September, 1916)- 256
Ancre Heights (1 October - 11 November, 1916)- 419
Vimy, 1917 (9-14 April, 1917) - 409
Arleux (28-29 April, 1917)- 143
Scarpe 1917 (3-4 May, 1917)- 151
Hill 70 (15-25 August, 1917)- 303
Ypres, 1917 (Passchendaele), (26 October - 10 November)- 317
Amiens (8-11 August, 1918)- 251
The 55th Battalion is perpetuated in the Canadian Militia by 1st
Battalion, The New Brunswick Rangers.
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Tuesday January 29, 2008 01:17:04 PM -0800
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