Overview

The 88th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a unit in the First World War. It consisted of 1,100 officers and men recruited from the 88th Regiment whom were deployed overseas in June 1916.[1]

History

The 88th Battalion, C.E.F., which is the overseas battalion of the 88th Regiment, Victoria Fusiliers, was authorized November 1, 1915.[2] Marching orders were received May 20, 1916 and received with cheers of enthusiasm from its members. When the war broke out, every officer of the corps volunteered for overseas service within one hour of the receipt of the momentous news. Of the N. C. O.’s and men, 95 percent followed suit.[3] The Battalion left Victoria Harbour of overseas on 23 May 1916. The send off was said to be “[…] one of the most inspiring that has been seen here since the beginning of the war.” [4][5]

 

[6]

Recruitment

As of September 5, 1915, the Victoria Fusiliers had become a significant recruitment unit and many of its men were transferred to other battalions.  It was reported in the Daily Colonist on the 5th September, 1915 that the Fusiliers supplied the following:
– 45 percent of the officers and men of the 30th Battalion, C.E.F., including commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonial Hall. 
– 50 percent of the men and 35 percent of the officers of the 48th Battalion
– 105 men and 3 officers of the 62nd Battalion. [7]

Tallest Officer of the British Empire

The Daily Colonists commented: “It is worthy to note that it had the distinction of sending overseas the tallest officer of the British Empire, in the person of Lieutenant Wilson, who is 6 ft 8 1/4, in height and who is with the 54^th Battalion as one of its signalling officers.[8]

Battles

The Fusiliers participated in the first and second battles of Ypres, Festubert, Langemarck, Hill 62, and the first battle at St. Eloi.[9]

Written by Geoffrey Hendrie and Nathan Waller

References

[1] Canada’s Manhood Rallying to the Call of the Empire, The Daily Colonist, April 23, 1916, Page 15
[2] Ibid.
[3] 88^th Regiment has Splendid Record, The Daily Colonist, September 5, 1915, Page 16.
[4] The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) Regimental Museum, Bay Street Armoury, Room 311
[5] Stirring Send Off Given Fusiliers, The Daily Colonist, May 24, 1916, Page 5.
[6] The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) Regimental Museum, Bay Street Armoury, Room 311
[7] 88^th Regiment has Splendid Record, The Daily Colonist, September 5, 1915, Page 16.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Canada’s Manhood Rallying to the Call of the Empire, The Daily Colonist, April 23, 1916, Page 15