The Canadian Corps - 2nd Canadian Division – World War I

The formation of the 2nd Canadian Division began in May of 1915 in Britain following the arrival of a large contingent of soldiers from Canada. The Division remained in Great Britain only a short time before embarking for France in September of 1915. Under the command of Major-General R.E.W. Turner, its members spent a long and bitterly cold winter in a Belgian section of the front between Ploegsteert Wood and St. Eloi , south of Ypres. Infantry units as well as Artillery Units of the 2nd Canadian Division served in both France and Flanders until Armistice Day.

Infantry Units

4th Canadian Brigade: (Formed after the original 4th Brigade was dispersed)

• 18th (Western Ontario) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 1, 1914 - November 11, 1918;
• 19th (Central Ontario) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 19, 1914 - November 11, 1918;
• 20th (Central Ontario) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 1914 - November 11, 1918;
• 21st (Eastern Ontario) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 19, 1914 - November 11, 1918.

5th Canadian Brigade:

• 22nd (Canadien Francais) Battalion Canadian Infantry (see Royal 22e Régiment). October 21, 1914 - November 11, 1918;
• 24th (Victoria Rifles) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 22, 1914 - November 11, 1918;
• 25th (Nova Scotia) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 28, 1914 - November 11, 1918;
• 26th (New Brunswick) Battalion Canadian Infantry. November 2, 1914 - November 11, 1918.

6th Canadian Brigade

• 27th (City of Winnipeg) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 21, 1914 - November 11, 1918;
• 28th (North West) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 19, 1914 - November 11, 1918;
• 29th (Vancouver) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 24, 1914 - November 11, 1918;
• 31st (Alberta) Battalion Canadian Infantry. November 16, 1914 - November 11, 1918.

Pioneers:

• 2nd Canadian Pioneer Battalion. March 1916 - June 1917. To the 2nd Canadian Engineer Brigade.

Battles and Engagements on the Western Front:

1916:

• Actions of the St. Eloi Craters - March 27 - 16 Apr
• Battle of Mount Sorrel - June 2-13
• Battle of Flers - Courcelette - September 15-22
• Battle of Thiepval - September 26-28
• Battle of Le Transloy - October 1-18
• Battle of the Ancre Heights - October 1 - November 11

1917:

• Battle of Vimy Ridge - April 9-14
• Attack on La Coulotte - April 23
• Battle of Arleux - April 28-29
• Third Battle of the Scarpe - May 3-4
• Battle of Hill 70 - August 15-25
• Second Battle of Passchendaele - October 26 - November 10
• Battle of Cambrai - November 20 - December 3

1918:

• First Battle of Arras - March 28
• Battle of Amiens - August 8-11
• Actions round Damery - August 15-17
• Battle of the Scarpe - August 26-30
• The Pursuit to the Selle - October 9-12
• Passage of the Grande Honelle - November 5-7