During the First World War, troops marched to move throughout a battle to gain positional advantage. The Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre’s marching diorama at the entrance to the Bruce Remembers exhibit helps us imagine a 160th Battalion marching scene.
Bruce County’s 160th Battalion (of over 1,200 men recruited entirely from Bruce County between December 1915 and May 1916) engaged in at least two marches of significant note during their training:
- June 1916, a march from Chesley to Walkerton, Ontario which inspired community pride and provided a training opportunity and an occasion during which the Battalion received its colours.
- September 1917, a 100-mile training march in England, with the 5th Canadian Division, during which the 160th Battalion distinguished itself with all men completing the march.
Walkerton to Chesley, 26 km (16 miles)
In May 1916, after basic training in local communities, all 1,260 recruits gathered in Walkerton, Ontario to begin advanced training as a unit. 365 men were billeted in private houses; the remainder stayed in the skating rink, the school, and the Agricultural Exhibition Buildings.
The Colours
At that time, the Battalion had not yet received its colours. Historically, colours, carried as a flag, marked a rallying point for army regiments in the line of battle. Today, they are no longer carried in action, but are symbols of pride, honour and devotion to Canada and the King.
The 160th Battalion’s colours were donated by Chesley Mayor Matthew A. Halliday; Chesley was chosen as the location for the formal presentation of colours to the Battalion by Ontario Premier William Hearst (whose birthplace was Tara, Bruce County, Ontario)
The March
The Battalion began the route march across roads, fields and stream from Walkerton to Chesley on June 3, 1916. The Battalion treated the march as a military test, and the men were carrying packs, rifles, and musical instruments (carried by the 160th Battalion Band, most of whose members were formerly members of the Chesley Citizens Band). The community treated it as a community event, bringing residents together in a huge show of support for the Battalion.
The weather was sunny and cool in the morning and grew hotter throughout the day. The Battalion was led through fields to a spring, seemingly to accustom them to rough conditions; but upon arrival, they stopped for a refreshing break. There, they discovered not only spring water, but also pies, cakes, fresh milk, and pitchers of tea brought by the local community. After around 32 km of marching, the men arrived at Chesley, where many camped on the grounds of the local High School.
Two days later, the Battalion marched back to Walkerton where all of the students from the local schools lined both sides of the street to greet them, waving flags and cheering.
Camp Witley, England 170 km (106 mi) March
After training in England for close to a year, the 160th Battalion participated in a 170 km (106 mile) route march, as part of the 13th Brigade. On September 21, 1917, the 160th began the route on “full marching order.” Heavy or full marching order was described by soldier Andy Robinson as including “everything we possess nearly, and when you get it all on it weighs about 65 lbs.” (Andy Robinson letter to brother Ross, April 21, 1917, Bartley, page 101).
Captain Arthur McNally described “full marching order” in more detail in his letter to his mother published in the Walkerton Telescope, November 5, 1914: “The full marching order is a little cumbersome at first, but I have got used to it. It consists of a Sam Browne belt with two shoulder straps, carrying a sword, revolver and ammunition pouch. Slung over the right shoulder is the haversack containing shaving kit, towel, soap in one pocket and rations in the other, with a pocket on the outside for a Field Service Pocket book. Over the left shoulder is a water bottle, field glasses in case, a compass and a range-taking instrument also in a leather case. Then my heavy overcoat is rolled and slung across my back by a wide canvas strap that passes over the left shoulder. So far as the sword is concerned, I think that when we get to the firing line, we will leave them behind and carry a rifle or light carbine.”
At night, the battalion camped with little or no shelter. Bivouacs generally consisted of one rubber sheet and one blanket per man, carried in his pack.
“It was just Jake [meaning OK or fine] for our eight days march. We marched one hundred miles in that time, with heavy marching order. That is besides the running around on the day and a half holiday we had, and at nights, when we would go exploring and sightseeing.” (Bartley, page 113).
The men marched between 15 and 24.5 km (9.5 and 15.5 miles) per day, with one rest day at Dogmersfield Park when they were given time to explore their surroundings. Twice, after arriving in camp, they “were paraded for bathing to pond” or other water source (160th Battalion War Diary).
The approximate route of the 13th Brigade (including 160th Bruce Battalion) Route March: Witley Camp – Guildford – Yateley Common – Dogmersfield Park – Oakhanger Ponds – Cowdray Park – Petworth Park – Witley Camp.
Image courtesy of: 160th Bruce Battalion Facebook page October 6, 2017 post
For full Itinerary, with corresponding miles marched, see the 160th Battalion War Diaries (Image 51, also identified as September 1917, p. 8)
“During the march the men kept in high spirits throughout. Not one man fell out during the whole march and, with the exception of two men injured by car and two others sent to hospital for tonsillitis, every officer and man taken out returned with the Battalion to camp. The stretcher bearers did good work at each halt attending to the feet of the men in which were inspected at each noon and evening halt by the officers. The marching of the 160th Battalion received praise in all quarters.”The march was a serious test of endurance, and the Battalion proved its efficiency through its performance which became a source of both personal and Battalion pride.
The following poem about a three-night march provides an insider’s view of marching and camping with minimal shelter. It was printed in the October 26, 1917 “Bruce in Khaki” newsletter (initiated and published by members of the 160th Battalion). The poem was written by member(s) of the 134th Battalion which trained alongside the 160th at Witley Camp.
Five months after completing their 100-mile march, the 160th Battalion men were separated and transferred to various battalions to serve as reinforcements for units already fighting in France. Their training served them well.
Sources
Bartley, Allan. “Heroes in Waiting: The 160th Bruce Battalion in the Great War.” Port Elgin, Ontario: The Brucedale Press, 1996. Print.
Canada. War Diary of the 160th (Bruce) Canadian Infantry Battalion. RG9-III-D-3, Volume number: 4946. Library and Archives Canada. https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Home/Record?app=fonandcol&IdNumber=1883289&q=WAR%20DIARIES%20160TH%20BATTALION&ecopy=e001123709. Accessed January 9, 2024.
Canada. The Heritage Structure of the Canadian Forces. Chapter 5 – Colours. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/defence/caf/military-identity-system/heritage-manual/chapter-5.html. Accessed January 9, 2024.
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
