2nd Canadian Division

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2nd Canadian Division
Active 1915-1919
Country Canada
Allegiance Allies
Branch Canadian Expeditionary Force
Type Infantry
Battles/wars Battle of the Somme
Battle of Vimy Ridge
Battle of Passchendaele
Commanders
Current
commander
n/a


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.

[edit] 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 (later 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.

[edit] Battles and Engagements on the Western Front:

1916:

1917:

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