The Bruce in Khaki newspaper, was a production of the military Officers, N.C.O.s and men of the 160th Battalion, “It was printed at A. Lindsay’s Printing Office, Godalming, Surrey, where the Editor and his helpers were generously allowed full use of the office and equipment. …[and]… had entire charge of the editing, printing and distribution of the paper. The first copy was printed on October 12, 1917, and copies were printed weekly up to the sixth copy, after which, owing to the difficulty in securing paper and the War Office requiring to censor the contents, etc., it was almost impossible to get it printed; however a final copy, No. 7, was published as a New Year’s Edition, on the 1st of January, 1918.”
The spirit of the newspaper was reflected in the introductory volume: “We believe that the new venture – the publication of a battalion paper, will be an inspiration to our boys and of supreme interest to the folks in the old home land of Canada.” Bruce in Khaki included short stories, poems, camp news and news from home, inside-jokes and humorous tales, and information about 160th Battalion soldiers , including their activities in camp and their connections to home.
In 1934, at a well-attended Battalion Reunion, James Treve and Thomas Johnston released “Bruce in Khaki: A History of the Bruce Battalion and Complete Nominal Roll of all Men who were at any time on the strength of the Battalion.” The history includes details of organization and recruiting, training, departure for overseas, demobilization of 5th division, and badges. It also includes the results of many months of efforts to locate and re-connect with veterans. The resulting nominal roll lists details about all of the men the editors could gather information for, such as: regimental number, rank and name, 160th company or section , unit served with after leaving the 160th, and whether killed, wounded, gassed, or decorated.
We can only imagine the effort it too to track down veterans residing across the country. When the 160th Battalion was disbanded in 1918, soldiers were divided amongst other Battalions to serve as reinforcements for units already fighting in France. Most were transferred to the 4th Reserve Battalion in England, and later transferred to units in France, including the 1st, 18th, and 47th Battalions. At the end of the war, soldiers of the 160th ailed on 45 different ships, on 177 different voyages (Kraemer, Fall 2024)
Sources:
- Bruce in Khaki, Vol. 1, No. 1, BCM&CC A958.027.002
- Bruce in Khaki, Vol. 1, No. 2, BCM&CC A958.027.003
- Bruce in Khaki, Vol. 1, No. 3, BCM&CC A958.027.004
- Bruce in Khaki, Vol. 1, No. 4, BCM&CC A988.030.006
- Bruce in Khaki, Vol. 1, No. 5, BCM&CC A958.027.006
- Bruce in Khaki, Vol. 1, No. 6, BCM&CC A958.027.007
- Bruce in Khaki, Vol. 1, No. 7, BCM&CC A995.018 039
James, F. Treve and Thomas Johnston, eds. “Bruce in Khaki containing a History of the 160th Overseas Bruce Battalion and Complete Nominal Roll of all Men who were at any Time on the Strength of the Battalion.” Chesley: F. Treve James and Thomas Johnston, 1934. Print
Kraemer, Kent. “The 160th Dispatch” column. Marathon of History Magazine, Fall 2024. https://publuu.com/flip-book/70758/1562618/page/12
