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50th Battalion 1914-1915
3rd, 12th and 13th Regiments Canadian Mounted Rifles 1915-1916
Canadian Expeditionary Force

These Canadian Expeditionary Force data were compiled by AFHS member Lt. Col. W. van der Schee and were published by the AFHS in two volumes in 1994. These and other publications are available for purchase from the AFHS. For details, see our Publications webpage. AFHS does not have further information on the individuals listed in the Nominal Rolls, unless a name appears in one of our on-line resources such as the cemetery indexes. For additional information, you may view the online resources of the National Archives of Canada

 

 

Wynand (Wyn) van der Schee; Lt. Col. (retired)

 

March 13, 1942 to January 2, 2019

 

 

Born in South Holland in the Netherlands during the Second World War, Wyn’s parents (Arie and Neetje) immigrated with him to Southwestern Ontario in 1947. Wyn joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1959 as a Cadet at Collège Militaire Royale (St Jean, QC), and completed a BA (Military History) at the Royal Military College (Kingston, ON). He went on to serve with The Fort Garry Horse and then Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians). After retiring, he went on to command The King’s Own Calgary Regiment.

Update to 2023

The original web pages for the Nominal Rolls – WW1 were composed in html format for the original AFHS website. In 2021, this website was updated to the WordPress format. The Nominal Rolls, Returning Soldiers and other data table pages were moved into project development.

In January 2023, the Nominal Rolls and Returning Soldiers information was extracted from the archived website and converted into contemporary web pages, including the ability to sort and search the data, plus correlate the results with other data, such as the cemetery and the family studies data files.

50th Battalion 1914-1915
3rd, 12th and 13th Regiments Canadian Mounted Rifles 1915-1916
Canadian Expeditionary Force

At the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, the Minister of Militia, Sam Hughes, organized an overseas army, the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) completely separated from Canada’s existing military structure. The infantry Militia of the day was organized into 110 regiments, each with roots in its community, and with a structure suited for expansion upon mobilization. Instead of making use of this structure, Hughes called for drafts of volunteers to report to Valcartier Camp, near Québec City. These drafts were ultimately organized into numbered battalions with only minimal connection to their Militia and regional origins.

Thus Calgary’s first battalion, the 10th, was formed at Valcartier in September 1914 from the 846 men furnished by the 103rd Regiment (Calgary Rifles), the city’s Militia infantry regiment. They were joined by another 665 from the 106th Regiment (Winnipeg Light Infantry). A second battalion, the 31st, began recruiting in Calgary in November 1914, and then extended its efforts throughout the province of Alberta.

The 50th Infantry Battalion (Calgary Regiment) CEF, was organized hard on the heels of the 31st. It was authorized on December 15, 1914, and began recruiting in earnest in January 1915. Its organization would have been complete much earlier had it not been required to send two drafts of 255 men each to England in June and September of 1915 as reinforcements for the 10th Battalion. That Battalion had been in action since February of 1915, and had suffered losses of nearly 600 killed and wounded in only one battle, Second Ypres in mid-April 1915. The reinforcements would see no further service with the 50th.

The 50th Battalion sailed from Halifax on 27 October 1915, arriving in England on  November 4th. It was allocated to the 10th Brigade, 4th Canadian Division, and served in the trenches of France and Flanders from August 11, 1916 until the Armistice on November 11, 1918.

What follows is the nominal roll or “sailing list” of the 50th Battalion, including the rolls of the two reinforcement drafts. A sailing list was published for each unit proceeding overseas, and included information about every member, including regimental number, rank, and name as well as details about his next of kin, country of birth and date and place of enlistment. They contain a wealth of information for the genealogist. However, a certain measure of caution is advised, for the information was supplied by the individual, usually from memory, and recorded by a clerk who was writing what he heard, sometimes in chaotic conditions, and who may not have been familiar with the spelling of the name of every locality in Great Britain and Canada.

The errors that were obvious were corrected, but there are doubtless many others that remain undetected. It is left to the researcher to find them. One error that found but was unable to be corrected was a duplication of regimental numbers; either a clerk’s or a printer’s errors have resulted in five pairs of duplicates. The rolls were copied from the originals by means of a computerized optical character reader program, which did not read the documents with complete accuracy. Errors had to be detected by the time-honoured method of proof reading. It is hoped that most errors were found and corrected. The cover pages of the documents have been reproduced, rather than copied, with some minor alterations.

This is by no means a complete roll of all those who served in the 50th Battalion from the time it left Calgary until it returned in 1919. During its more than two years in battle, the Battalion incurred casualties continuously, and received replacements for them. It is estimated that another 3,000 men served in the Battalion in addition to the 1,076 and two reinforcing drafts listed here. The replacements were supplied by the infantry battalions subsequently raised in Calgary, and the rest of Alberta. There were 17 of them, and all were broken up in England to provide reinforcements for the four Alberta battalions in France and Flanders: the 10th, 31st, 49th (from Edmonton) and 50th. A complete roll of the 50th Battalion is planned, but it awaits the availability of Part II Orders, or personnel transactions, from the National Archives.

3rd, 12th and 13th Regiments, Canadian Mounted Rifles, Canadian Expeditionary Force

In October 1914, when the 1st Canadian Division had barely left Canada for service in the First World War, the Canadian offer to raise a second contingent of 20,000 men was accepted by the British War Office. Included in the second mobilization, whose numbers ultimately far exceeded the original offer, were 13 regiments of mounted rifles, the first four of which were accepted by the War Office for service in Egypt. But the Australian Light Horse were more readily available, and neither these four regiments, nor the other nine, ever served in the Middle East. The first six were converted and amalgamated to form four infantry battalions, while the others were broken up as reinforcements. It was an infantryman’s war, and there was little use for horsemen in the mud, craters and barbed wire of the Western Front.

3rd Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles (3 CMR) was authorized on 5 November 1914 to mobilize at Medicine Hat and to draw its recruits from Calgary, Edmonton and Medicine Hat. The Regiment actually began recruiting in mid-December 1914 and had obtained the majority of its men by the end of January 1915, although the last two recruits were attested on 7 and 8 June respectively at Sewell Camp, Manitoba enroute to the embarkation port of Montreal. The Regiment sailed for England on 12 June 1915 and arrived in England seven days later as part of 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Brigade, along with 1 CMR recruited in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and 2 CMR from Vernon and Victoria, British Columbia. The Brigade went to France as infantry on 22 September 22 1915 but mounted rifles regiments had an establishment that amounted to about 60% of the strength of infantry battalions, and were therefore a poor fit in the tactical situation. Consequently, on 1 January 1916, 3 CMR was disbanded and its men apportioned to 1 and 2 CMR to increase the strengths of those regiments to that of infantry battalions.

12th Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles (12 CMR) was authorized on December 1, 1914 to mobilize at Calgary and to recruit in that city and in Red Deer and district. By the end of January 1915, the Regiment had recruited 337 men, and it continued enlistments almost until sailing for England on 12 October 1915. The Regiment had already dispatched a reinforcing draft that sailed from Montreal on August 23, 1915 to replace casualties incurred by 1st Canadian Division since it first went into battle in April. All of 12 CMR’s soldiers were dispersed as reinforcements for other units by early February 1916.

13th Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles (13 CMR) was authorized on December 1, 1914 to mobilize at Pincher Creek and to recruit in the southwestern part of Alberta. Recruiting was slow among the farmers, ranchers and miners of the district, and dispatch of two 50-man reinforcement drafts in June and August 1915 further delayed completion of the establishment. The recruiting base was expanded to include Calgary and Medicine Hat, even though these two centres had just raised a regiment of mounted rifles each, and were mobilizing infantry battalions as well. By January 1916, the strength of about 600 needed for a regiment of mounted rifles had still not been achieved. But by that time the CMR regiments serving at the front had been converted to infantry battalions. It appears a decision was taken to continue recruiting to something approaching infantry battalion strength, and 13 CMR sailed on 29 June 1916 with a roster of 970 all ranks. The Regiment was disbanded and used to reinforce other Alberta units when it arrived in England.

One of the notable features of 13 CMR was the 42 men born in Japan in its ranks. By the early part of 1916, there was a shortage of volunteers for the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and the solutions included conscription and removal of impediments to enlisting what had earlier been considered undesirable nationalities. The appearance of not only Japanese, but also eastern Europeans born in countries on the Allied side, in the nominal rolls marked a decided change in recruiting policy. Many of the Japanese names found in the roster of 13 CMR can be found in to-day’s telephone directories of Calgary and southern Alberta.

Notes on the 50th Battalion

• Privates Bennett, Charles and Chant, Arthur Thomas are both listed with the regimental number 434921.
• Privates Bryne, Guy Mane L. and Mears, Bertie Francis are both listed with the regimental number 435241.
• Privates Carter, James Macdonald and Straley, William are both listed with the regimental number 435669.
• Privates Green, Thomas Bold and Packer, John are both listed with the regimental number 434444.
• Private Pettit, Charles Richard and Corporal Walley, Frank Dudley are both listed with the regimental number 434154.

Canadian Expeditionary Force 1st Hussars

A Canadian Militia cavalry regiment at London, Ontario, organized in 1872.

1st Regt

1st Regiment (Canadian Grenadier Guards). A Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Montreal, organized in 1860.

2nd Regt.

2nd Regiment (Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada). A Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Toronto, organized in 1860.

3rd Dragoon Guards

A British Regular Army cavalry regiment whose full title was 3rd (Prince of Wales’s) Dragoon Guards.

3rd Hussars

A British Regular Army cavalry regiment whose full title was 3rd (King’s Own) Hussars.

4th Hussars

A Canadian Militia cavalry regiment with headquarters at Prescott, Ontario and squadrons at Kingston, Napanee and Hainsville, organized in 1875.

4th Regt. C.A.

4th Prince Edward Island Regiment (Heavy Brigade) Canadian Artillery. A Canadian Militia artillery regiment at Charlottetown, organized in 1882.

5th Dragoon Guards

A British Regular Army cavalry regiment whose full title was 5th (Princess Charlotte of Wales’s) Dragoon Guards.

5th Dragoons

5th (The Princess Louise) Dragoon Guards. A Canadian Militia cavalry regiment at Ottawa, organized in 1872.

5th Regt.

5th Regiment (Royal Highlanders of Canada). A kilted Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Montreal, organized in 1862.

6th Regt.

6th Regiment (The Duke of Connaught’s Own Rifles). A Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Vancouver, organized in 1899.

7th Hussars

A British Regular Army cavalry regiment whose full title was 7th (Queen’s Own) Hussars.

9th Horse

9th Mississauga Horse. A Canadian Militia cavalry regiment with headquarters and three squadrons at Toronto and one squadron at Barrie, organized in 1901.

10th Regt.

10th Regiment (Royal Grenadiers). A Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Toronto, organized in 1862.

11th Hussars

A Canadian Militia cavalry regiment with headquarters at Richmond, Que´bec, organized in 1903; or, a British Regular Army cavalry regiment whose full title was 11th (Prince Albert’s Own) Hussars.

11th Regt.

11th Regiment (Irish Fusiliers of Canada). A Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Vancouver, organized in 1913.

12th Dragoons

12th Manitoba Dragoons. A Canadian Militia cavalry regiment with headquarters at Brandon and squadrons at Brandon, Virden, Minnedosa and Souris, organized in 1903.

13th Dragoons

13th Scottish Light Dragoons. A Canadian Militia cavalry regiment with headquarters at Waterloo, Que´bec and squadrons at Cowansville, Stanbridge East and Waterloo, organized as an infantry regiment in 1872 and converted to cavalry in 1904.

13th Regt.

13th Royal Regiment. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Hamilton, organized in 1862.

14th Horse

14th King’s Canadian Hussars. A Canadian Militia cavalry regiment, with headquarters at Middleton, Nova Scotia and squadrons at Canning, Kentville, Middleton and Windsor, organized in 1874.

15th Horse

15th Light Horse. A Canadian Militia cavalry regiment with headquarters at Calgary and squadrons at Crossfield, Elbow River and Calgary, organized in 1905.

16th Horse

16th Light Horse. A Canadian Militia cavalry regiment with headquarters at Regina and squadrons at Regina, Yorkton and Grenfell, organized in 1905.

17th Regt.

17th Regiment. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment in Le´vis County, Que´bec with headquarters at Le´vis and companies in other towns in the county, organized in 1902.

18th Hussars

A British Regular Army cavalry regiment whose full title was 18th (Queen Mary’s Own) Royal Hussars.

18th M.R. (Horse)

18th Mounted Rifles. A Canadian Militia cavalry regiment with headquarters at Portage la Prairie and squadrons at Portage la Prairie, Altamont and Morden, organized in 1907.

18th Regt.

18th Regiment. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment with headquarters at Chicoutimi and companies in other towns in the Lac St-Jean district, organized in 1900.

19th Dragoons

19th Alberta Dragoons. A Canadian Militia cavalry regiment with headquarters at Edmonton and squadrons at Edmonton and Vegreville, organized in 1908.

19th Regt.

19th Lincoln Regiment. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment at St Catherines, organized in 1863.

21st Hussars

21st Alberta Hussars. A Canadian Militia cavalry regiment, with headquarters at Medicine Hat and squadrons at Medicine Hat, Youngstown and Irvine, organized in 1908.

23rd Horse

23rd Alberta Rangers. A Canadian Militia cavalry regiment with headquarters at Pincher Creek and squadrons at Claresholm, Cardston, Magrath and Pincher Creek, organized in 1908.

23rd Regt.

23rd Regiment (The Northern Pioneers). A Canadian Militia infantry regiment with headquarters at Parry Sound and companies in other towns in Northern Ontario, organized in 1903.

24th Horse

24th Regiment (Grey’s Horse). A Canadian Militia cavalry regiment with headquarters at Ingersoll, Ontario and squadrons at Princeton, Ingersoll and Berlin, organized in 1908.

24th Regt.

24th Kent Regiment. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment in Kent County, Ontario with headquarters at Chatham and companies in other towns in the county, organized in 1901.

25th Regt.

25th Regiment. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment at St Thomas, Ontario organized in 1866.

27th Horse

27th Light Horse. A Canadian Militia cavalry regiment, with headquarters at Moose Jaw and squadrons at Maple Creek, Swift Current, and Pennant, organized in 1910.

27th Regt.

27th Lambton Regiment (St Clair Borderers). A Canadian Militia infantry regiment in Lambton County, Ontario with headquarters at Sarnia and companies in other towns in the county, organized in 1866.

29th Horse

29th Light Horse. A Canadian Militia cavalry regiment with headquarters at Saskatoon and squadrons at Saskatoon, Allan, Rosetown and Prince Albert, organized in 1911.

32nd Regt.

32nd Bruce Regiment. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment in Bruce County, Ontario with headquarters at Walkerton and companies in other towns in the county, organized in 1866.

35th Horse

35th Central Alberta Horse. A Canadian Militia cavalry regiment with headquarters at Red Deer and squadrons at Red Deer, Pine Lake and Wetaskiwin, organized in 1913.

35th Regt.

35th Regiment (Simcoe Foresters). A Canadian Militia infantry regiment in Simcoe County, Ontario with headquarters at Barrie and companies in other towns in the county, organized in 1866.

38th Regt.

38th Regiment (Dufferin Rifles of Canada). A Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Brantford, organized in 1866.

40th Regt.

40th Northumberland Regiment. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment in Northumberland County, Ontario with headquarters at Cobourg and companies in other towns in the county, organized in 1866.

42nd Regt.

42nd Lanark and Renfrew Regiment. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment in Lanark and Renfrew Counties, Ontario with headquarters at Perth and companies in other towns in the two counties, organized in 1866.

43rd Regt.

43rd Regiment (Ottawa and Carleton Rifles). A Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Ottawa, organized in 1881.

44th Regt.

44th Lincoln and Welland Regiment. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment in Lincoln and Welland Counties, Ontario with headquarters at Niagara Falls and companies in other towns in the two counties, organized in 1866.

48th Regt.

48th Regiment (Highlanders). A Canadian Militia kilted infantry regiment at Toronto, organized in 1891.

49th Regt.

49th Regiment (Hastings Rifles). A Canadian Militia infantry regiment in Hastings County, Ontario with headquarters at Belleville and companies in other towns in the county, organized in 1866.

52nd Regt.

52nd Regiment (Prince Albert Volunteers). A Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Prince Albert, organized in 1913.

53rd Regt.

53rd Sherbrooke Regiment. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Sherbrooke, Que´bec, organized in 1867.

63rd Regt.

63rd Regiment (Halifax Rifles). A Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Halifax, organized in 1860.

71st Regt.

71st York Regiment. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment in York County, New Brunswick with headquarters at Fredericton and companies in other towns in the county, organized in 1869.

73rd Regt.

73rd Northumberland Regiment. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment in Northumberland County, New Brunswick with headquarters at Chatham and companies in other towns in the county, organized in 1870.

77th Regt.

77th Wentworth Regiment. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment with headquarters at Dundas, Ontario and companies in other towns in Wentworth County, organized in 1872.

78th Regt.

78th Pictou Regiment (Highlanders). A kilted Canadian Militia infantry regiment in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, with headquarters at Pictou and companies in other towns in the county, organized in 1871.

79th Regt.

79th Cameron Highlanders of Canada. A kilted Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Winnipeg, organized in 1910.

82nd Regt.

82nd Regiment (Abegweit Light Infantry). A Canadian Militia infantry regiment in Prince Edward Island with headquarters at Charlottetown and companies in other towns in the province, organized in 1875.

87th Regt.

87th Que´bec Regiment. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment in Que´bec County, with headquarters and two companies at Ancienne Lorette and additional companies at St. Ambroise, Les Saules, Limoilou, Sillery, Les Eboulements and Baie St. Paul.

88th Regt.

88th Regiment (Victoria Fusiliers). A Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Victoria, organized in 1912.

90th Regt.

90th Regiment (Winnipeg Rifles). Winnipeg’s, and western Canada’s, oldest Canadian Militia infantry regiment, organized in 1883.

91st Regt.

91st Regiment (Canadian Highlanders). A kilted Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Hamilton, organized in 1903.

93rd Regt.

93rd Cumberland Regiment. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia with headquarters at Springhill and companies in other towns in the county, organized in 1871.

94th Regt.

94th Victoria Regiment (Argyll Highlanders). A Canadian Militia infantry regiment in Victoria County, Nova Scotia with headquarters at Baddeck and companies in other towns in the county, organized in 1871.

95th Regt.

95th Saskatchewan Rifles. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment with headquarters at Regina, organized in 1907.

96th Regt.

96th Lake Superior Regiment. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay), organized in 1905.

99th Regt.

99th Manitoba Rangers. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment with headquarters at Brandon and companies at Brandon and Portage la Prairie, organized in 1908.

100th Regt.

100th Winnipeg Grenadiers. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Winnipeg, organized in 1908.

101st Regt.

101st Regiment (Edmonton Fusiliers). A Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Edmonton, organized in 1908.

102nd Regt.

102nd Regiment (Rocky Mountain Rangers), A Canadian Militia infantry regiment with headquarters at Kamloops and companies in other towns in central British Columbia, organized in 1908.

103rd Regt.

103rd Regiment (Calgary Rifles). A Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Calgary, organized in 1910.

105th Regt.

105th Regiment (Saskatoon Fusiliers) A Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Saskatoon, organized in 1912.

107th Regt.

107th East Kootenay Regiment. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment in the East Kootenay district with headquarters at Fernie and companies at Fernie, Cranbrook, Creston and Nelson.

Actg. Sgt.

A corporal appointed to the rank of sergeant, on a paid but temporary basis, unlike a lance sergeant, who was not paid at the rank.

Adjutant

The commanding officer’s assistant and chief administrative officer in an infantry battalion or mounted regiment.

Belgian Army

Denotes service in the army of the Kingdom of the Belgians.

C.A.M.C.

Canadian Army Medical Corps.

C.A.S.C.

Canadian Army Service Corps.

C.A.V.C.

Canadian Army Veterinary Corps.

C.F.A.Canadian Field Artillery.

The Canadian Militia field artillery branch. In 1914, there was one battery of four guns, the 25th, in the province of Alberta, at Lethbridge.

C.G.A.

Canadian Garrison Artillery. The Canadian Militia garrison and siege artillery branch.

C.M.R.

Canadian Mounted Rifles. Independent squadrons of Canadian Mounted Rifles were organized at various times in western Canada after 1900. These were later combined to form regiments.

C.Q.M.S.

Company Quarter-Master Sergeant. The non-commissioned officer in an infantry company responsible for rations, quarters and supplies. Note that 13th C.M.R. was using some infantry ranks, such as this one, by the time of sailing. The reason may be that all of the C.M.R. regiments already serving overseas had been converted to infantry by August 1916.

C.S.M.

Company Sergeant-Major. The senior non-commissioned officer in an infantry company.

C.O.C.

Canadian Ordnance Corps.

C. of G.

Corps of Guides. The intelligence-gathering branch of the Canadian Militia, with detachments in each military district.

Canadian Militia

The part-time army in Canada. Denotes service in an unspecified regiment or corps.

Channel Islands Militia

The militia of Guernsey and Jersey.

Driver

A soldier assigned to drive the battalion’s wagons.

E.O.T.C.

British Army Officers’ Training Corps, possibly at Eton College.

Danish Navy

Denotes service in the navy of the Kingdom of Denmark.

F.Q.M.S.

Farrier Quarter-Master Sergeant The non-commissioned officer responsible for the veterinary stores in a mounted regiment.

Fr. Sgt.

Farrier Sergeant. The non-commissioned officer responsible for the health of the horses in a squadron.

Fr. Sgt-Maj.

Farrier Sergeant-Major. The non-commissioned officer responsible for the health of the horses in a mounted regiment.

French Army

Denotes service in the Army of the Republic of France.

G.G.B.G.

The Governor General’s Body Guard. A Canadian Militia cavalry regiment with headquarters and three squadrons at Toronto and one squadron at Aurora, organized in 1855.

G.G.F.G.

Governor General’s Foot Guards. A Canadian Militia infantry regiment at Ottawa, organized in 1872.

Greek Army

Denotes service in the army of the Kingdom of Greece.

Honorary Captain

A rank given to the regimental quartermaster, paymaster and chaplain. Being non-combatants, they were not deemed to be entitled to the same rank as line officers.

Imperial Forces

Denotes service in the British Regular Army.

Japanese Army

Denotes service in the army of the Japanese Empire.

L.-Corporal

Lance Corporal. A trooper or private appointed by the commanding officer to be an unpaid acting corporal.

L.-Sergeant

Lance Sergeant. A corporal appointed by the commanding officer to be an unpaid acting sergeant.

L.S.H.

Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians). A Canadian Permanent Force cavalry regiment stationed at Winnipeg, organized in 1885.

Montenegrin Army

Denotes service in the army of Montenegro, latterly part of Yugoslavia.

Nfld. Guards

Nothing is known of this unit.

N.Z. Defence Forces

Denotes service in the defence forces of New Zealand.

N.Z. Engineers

Denotes service in the New Zealand Engineers.

Norwegian Army

Denotes service in the army of the Kingdom of Norway.

O.T.C.

Officers’ Training Corps of the British Army.

O.R. Sgt.

Orderly Room Sergeant. The chief clerk in a regiment or battalion.

O.R. Sgt.

Orderly Room Sergeant. The chief clerk in the battalion.

O.T.C.

Officers’ Training Corps – British Army.

P.P.C.L.I., C.E.F.

Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. The first Canadian unit to see active service in the First World War. It was raised in 1914, chiefly from ex-British Army personnel living in Canada.

R.Q.M.S.

Regimental Quarter-Master Sergeant. The non-commissioned officer in a mounted regiment responsible for rations, quarters and supplies.

R.A.M.C.

Royal Army Medical Corps – British Army.

R.S.M.

Regimental Sergeant-Major. The senior non-commissioned officer in a mounted regiment or infantry battalion.

R.C.D.

The Royal Canadian Dragoons. A Canadian Permanent Force cavalry regiment stationed at Toronto, organized in 1883.

R.C.G.A.

Royal Canadian Garrison Artillery. The Canadian Permanent Force artillery branch responsible for manning fixed defences at port fortresses.

R.C.H.A.

Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. The Canadian Permanent Force field artillery regiment.

R.C.R.

The Royal Canadian Regiment. The only Canadian Permanent Force infantry regiment, organized in 1883, with headquarters at Halifax, and stations at London, Toronto, Fredericton, Halifax, Que´bec and Esquimalt.

R.F.A.

Royal Field Artillery – British Army.

R.G.A.

Royal Garrison Artillery – British Army.

R.N.W.M.P.

Denotes service in the Royal North West Mounted Police or its predecessor, the North West Mounted Police.

R.Q.M.S.

Regimental Quarter-Master Sergeant. The non-commissioned officer in the battalion responsible for rations, quarters and supplies.

R.S.M.

Regimental Sergeant-Major. The senior non-commissioned officer in the battalion.

Royal Navy

Denotes service in the British Royal Navy.

Sgt. Cook

Sergeant Cook. The chief cook in a regiment or battalion.

Sgt.-Maj.

Sergeant Major. In this context, the regimental sergeant major, the senior non-commissioned officer in a mounted regiment or infantry battalion.

S.S. Corporal

Shoeing Smith Corporal. The horse-shoer in a mounted squadron.

S.S.M.

Squadron Sergeant Major. The senior non-commissioned officer in a mounted squadron.

S.Q.M.S.

Squadron Quarter-Master Sergeant. The non-commissioned officer in a mounted squadron responsible for rations, quarters and supplies.

South Africa

Denotes service in the South African War 1899 – 1902 with one of the Canadian Contingents

Stretcher-Br.

Stretcher Bearer. This function was normally performed by musicians when the battalion was in action. The 50th had a band, but the musicians are not specifically identified in the nominal roll.

Swiss Army

Denotes service in the army of the Confederation of Switzerland.

TOS

Taken On Strength. Joined the regiment or battalion.

Territorials

The Territorial Force, the part-time army in Great Britain.

U.S. Army

Denotes service in the army of the United States of America.

U.S. Navy

Denotes service in the navy of the United States of America