147th (Grey) Battalion, CEF
Encyclopedia
The 147th Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force
during the First World War, raised by the 31st Grey Regiment. Based in Owen Sound, Ontario
, the unit began recruiting in late 1915 in Grey County. It departed to Camp Niagara 19 May 1916 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel G.F. MacFarland, where it trained until 4 July when it moved to the brand new Camp Borden. The 147th left Camp Borden on 5 October for embarkation overseas, sailing on the sister ship to RMS Titanic, RMS Olympic
, arriving at Liverpool, England on 20 November. After sailing to England in November 1916, the battalion was absorbed into the 8th Reserve Battalion on January 1, 1917. The 147th (Grey) Battalion, CEF had one Officer Commanding: Lieut-Col. G. F. McFarland.
The 147th received its Regimental colours on 22 August 1916 at Camp Borden, which were subsequently laid-up for safe keeping in St. Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, on 26 May 1917. They were reclaimed on 3 March 1919 and returned to Canada where they were deposited in the Owen Sound Public Library on 16 September. Eventually, they were incased in the Owen Sound Officers' Mess. In a rather unorthodox approach, a duplicate stand of 147th Colours was produced in 1948 by the Grey Council Council and deposited in the old County Courthouse by the Association on 13 April 1949.
Of note, the 147th's Private Thomas William Holmes
, VC
, of Owen Sound won the Victoria Cross
at the Battle of Passchendaele on 26 October 1917, while serving with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles. Tommy Holmes became Canada's youngest winner of the VC and the Owen Sound Armoury is named in his memory. Each year on Remembrance Day
, a firing party from The Grey and Simcoe Foresters
, which perpetuates the 147th, fires a volley over his grave at Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound. Of significance is that two other VC winners are also buried at Greenwood Cemetery, Air Marshal Billy Bishop
and Major David Vivian Currie
.
Canadian Expeditionary Force
The Canadian Expeditionary Force was the designation of the field force created by Canada for service overseas in the First World War. Units of the C.E.F. were divided into field formation in France, where they were organized first into separate divisions and later joined together into a single...
during the First World War, raised by the 31st Grey Regiment. Based in Owen Sound, Ontario
Owen Sound, Ontario
Owen Sound , the county seat of Grey County, is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada...
, the unit began recruiting in late 1915 in Grey County. It departed to Camp Niagara 19 May 1916 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel G.F. MacFarland, where it trained until 4 July when it moved to the brand new Camp Borden. The 147th left Camp Borden on 5 October for embarkation overseas, sailing on the sister ship to RMS Titanic, RMS Olympic
RMS Olympic
RMS Olympic was the lead ship of the Olympic-class ocean liners built for the White Star Line, which also included Titanic and Britannic...
, arriving at Liverpool, England on 20 November. After sailing to England in November 1916, the battalion was absorbed into the 8th Reserve Battalion on January 1, 1917. The 147th (Grey) Battalion, CEF had one Officer Commanding: Lieut-Col. G. F. McFarland.
The 147th received its Regimental colours on 22 August 1916 at Camp Borden, which were subsequently laid-up for safe keeping in St. Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, on 26 May 1917. They were reclaimed on 3 March 1919 and returned to Canada where they were deposited in the Owen Sound Public Library on 16 September. Eventually, they were incased in the Owen Sound Officers' Mess. In a rather unorthodox approach, a duplicate stand of 147th Colours was produced in 1948 by the Grey Council Council and deposited in the old County Courthouse by the Association on 13 April 1949.
Of note, the 147th's Private Thomas William Holmes
Thomas William Holmes
Thomas William Holmes VC was a soldier in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest military award for gallantry in the face of the enemy given to British and Commonwealth forces, during the First World War...
, VC
VC
VC may refer to:* Vehicle code, a motor vehicle traffic legal system* Vanadium carbide, an inorganic compound* Vancouver Canucks, a NHL hockey team* Vanier College* Vassar College...
, of Owen Sound won the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
at the Battle of Passchendaele on 26 October 1917, while serving with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles. Tommy Holmes became Canada's youngest winner of the VC and the Owen Sound Armoury is named in his memory. Each year on Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth...
, a firing party from The Grey and Simcoe Foresters
The Grey and Simcoe Foresters
The Grey and Simcoe Foresters is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. It is part of Land Force Central Area's 32 Canadian Brigade Group...
, which perpetuates the 147th, fires a volley over his grave at Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound. Of significance is that two other VC winners are also buried at Greenwood Cemetery, Air Marshal Billy Bishop
Billy Bishop
Air Marshal William Avery "Billy" Bishop VC, CB, DSO & Bar, MC, DFC, ED was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 72 victories, making him the top Canadian ace, and according to some sources, the top ace of the British Empire.-Early life:Bishop was born in Owen Sound,...
and Major David Vivian Currie
David Vivian Currie
David Vivian Currie, VC, CD , was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Biography:...
.