Library and Archives Canada
Summary (Milkan 3 Archives):
Machine
Gun Corps Historical Records:
The Canadian
Machine Gun Corps was organized in France on 16 April 1917
under Canadian Routine Order 558 of 22 February 1917. The
corps was to take entire charge of the machine guns of the
Canadian Corps and was composed of: (a) Machine Gun
Squadron, Canadian Cavalry Brigade; (b) machine gun
companies; (c) 1st Motor Machine Gun Brigade and motor
machine gun batteries; and (d) a depot was organized in
England on 4 January 1917 (under Canadian Routine Order 150
of same date). Brigade machine gun companies were detached
from their respective brigades on 8 September 1917 and
formed the companies of the different divisional machine gun
battalions.
Yukon
Machine Gun Battery:
The Yukon Motor
Machine Gun Battery was organized in August 1914 as Boyle's
Yukon Mounted Machine Gun Detachment and was composed of 50
men. The detachment was raised in Dawson and equipped by J.W.
Boyle of the Canadian Klondike Mining Company. Its
distinctive uniform included Stetsons, khaki-coloured
mackinaw coats, breeches, and long boots. The detachment was
originally commanded by Captain Knot, later by Captain H.F.V.
Meurling. It was mobilized at Victoria and was attached to
the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles.
The detachment embarked at Montreal on 12 June 1915. It was
attached to the Eaton Motor Machine Gun Battery on 26 July
1915 and its name was changed unofficially to Boyle's Yukon
Motor Machine Gun Battery in July 1915. It was redesignated
the Yukon Motor Machine Gun Battery on 16 June 1916. The
battery arrived in France on 16 August 1916 and was attached
to the 1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade. The Yukon
Motor Machine Gun Battery was absorbed by 2nd Canadian Motor
Machine Gun Brigade on 8 June 1918.
Borden's
Machine Gun Battery:
Borden's Motor
Machine Gun Battery was organized in December 1914 as
Borden's Armoured Battery under General Order 86 of 1 July
1915. The battery was commanded by Major E.J. Holland VC.
Initially designated as Borden's Machine Gun Battery, it was
later known as Borden's Motor Machine Gun Battery. The
battery was mobilized at Montreal and recruited in the
Porcupine and Cobalt districts amongst engineers, mechanics
and prospectors.
The battery embarked at Quebec on 17 May 1915 aboard
CARPATHIA, disembarking in England on 28 May 1915. Its
strength was 6 officers and 53 other ranks. The battery
arrived in France on 15 September 1915, becoming part of the
2nd Canadian Division. It was later reinforced by drafts
from the Eaton Motor Machine Gun Battery, the 46th
Battalion, the Fort Garry Horse, the 86th Battalion and the
Canadian Mounted Rifles. The battery was attached to 1st
Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade (CMMGB) on 12 July 1916,
was absorbed by the 1st CMMGB on 8 June 1918, and was
disbanded by General Order 209 of 15 November 1920.
1st
Canadian Machine Gun Brigade: (Brutinel's Brigade)
The 1st Canadian
Motor Machine Gun Brigade was organized in Ottawa in August
1914 as the Automobile Machine Gun Brigade No.1, under
General Orders 150 and 152 of 15 September 1914. The brigade
was commanded by Major R. Brutinel. It was mobilized at
Ottawa and Valcartier Camp, and drew on recruits from across
Canada, about half of whom were chauffeurs and mechanics.
The cars, trucks and guns used by the brigade were donated
by "prominent and patriotic citizens".
The brigade embarked at Quebec on 29 September 1914 aboard
CORINTHIAN, disembarking in England on 20 October 1914. Its
strength was 9 officers and 128 other ranks. The battalion
arrived in France on 17 June 1915 where it was attached to
the 1st Canadian Division and redesignated the 1st Canadian
Motor Machine Gun Brigade. On 8 June 1918 the brigade
absorbed Borden's Motor Machine Gun Battery as well as C and
D Batteries of 18th Canadian Machine Gun Company. The
brigade returned to Canada on 20 April 1919, was demobilized
on 22 April 1919, and was disbanded by General Order 209 of
15 November 1920.
The brigade colours were presented at Carlisle, Cumberland
on 29 March 1919 and were deposited in Christ Church
Cathedral, Ottawa, on 4 May 1919.
3rd
Canadian Machine Gun Company:
The 3rd Canadian
Machine Gun Company was organized in Meteren in February
1916 as the 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade Machine Gun
Company. It was commanded by Captain E.H. Houghton and was
composed of the machine gun sections of the 3rd Brigade's
infantry battalions. The company was redesignated as the 3rd
Canadian Machine Gun Company in July 1916. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd
and 13th Companies of the 1st Canadian Divisional Machine
Gun Battalion were organized on 27 March 1918 to form the
1st Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps.
7th
Canadian Machine Gun Company:
The 7th Canadian
Machine Gun Company was organized in Belgium in March 1916
as the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade Machine Gun Company. It
was commanded by Captain H.T. Cock and was composed of
machine gun sections of the 7th Brigade's infantry
battalions. The company was redesignated as 7th Canadian
Machine Gun Company in July 1916. The 7th, 8th, 9th and 15th
Canadian Machine Gun Companies were detached from their
respective infantry brigades in August 1917 and formed the
7th, 8th, 9th and 15th Companies of the 3rd Canadian
Divisional Machine Gun Battalion. This battalion was
reorganized on 19 March 1918 to form the 3rd Battalion,
Canadian Machine Gun Corps.
1st
Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps:
The 1st
Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps, (CMGC), was organised
at Cambrai l'Abbé on 27 March 1918 as a result of the
reorganisation of the 1st Canadian Divisional Machine Gun
Battalion, which was composed of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 13th
Canadian Machine Gun Companies.
The 1st Battalion, CMGC was authorised by War Office letter
of 22 February 1918 and was commanded by Lieutenant-colonel
S.W. Watson. The 1st Battalion, CMGC was disbanded by
General Order 209 of 15 November 1920. Its colours were
deposited in St James Cathedral, Toronto.
2nd
Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps:
The 2nd
Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps, (CMGC), was organised
in France on 21 March 1918 as a result of the reorganisation
of the 2nd Canadian Divisional Machine Gun Battalion, which
was composed of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 14th Canadian Machine
Gun Companies.
The 2nd Battalion CMGC was authorised by War Office letter
of 22 February 1918 and was commanded by Lieutenant-colonel
J.G. Weir. The 2nd Battalion, CMGC was demobilised at
Toronto in May 1919 and was disbanded by General Order 209
of 15 November 1920.
3rd
Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps:
The 3rd
Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps, (CMGC), was organised
in France on 19 March 1918 as a result of the reorganisation
of the 3rd Canadian Divisional Machine Gun Battalion which
was composed of the 7th, 8th, 9th and 15th Canadian Machine
Gun Companies.
The 3rd Battalion, CMGC was authorised by War Office letter
of 22 February 1918, and was commanded by Lieutenant-colonel
W.N. Moorhouse. The 3rd Battalion, CMGC disbanded by General
Order 209 of 15 November 1920.
