163rd Battalion (French-Canadian), CEF

The 163rd (Canadien-Francais) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. Based in Montreal, Quebec, the unit began recruiting in late 1915 throughout the province of Quebec. In May 1916, the battalion sailed for the Imperial fortress of Bermuda, where it replaced the 38th Battalion (Ottawa), CEF and remained on garrison duty until late November of the same year.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6] After arriving in England, the battalion was absorbed into the 10th Reserve Battalion on January 8, 1917. The 163rd (Canadien-Francais) Battalion, CEF had one Officer Commanding: Lieut-Col. H. DesRosiers.

The journalist Olivar Asselin was a member of the battalion.

The battalion is perpetuated by Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke.

References[edit]

^ "THIRTY-EIGHTH BATTALION IN BERMUDA – 1932". 1915–1916. Retrieved 2022-07-07 – via YouTubeDate on the film is shown incorrectly as "1932"{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
^ "L. CORPL. SWEENEY". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke Parish, Bermuda. 1917-02-22. p. 1. By the last mail we received a post card from Lance Corporal J. F. Sweeney, stating that he was quite well. Corporal Sweeney, who was an ex-soldier previous to the outbreak of hostilities was for some time employed on the works at Prospect. During the time the 38th. Bn. C.E.F. were stationed here he enlisted in that regiment and is now with them at the front.
^ "RETURNING SOLDIERS". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke Parish, Bermuda. 1919-09-09. p. 1. Last Contingent of Veterans Arrived Home Yesterday.
Now that practically all our soldiers have returned, we have learned the secret of enthusiasm and the art of cheering.
When the_"Caraquet" came alongside yesterday, by far the greatest crowd that has ever assembled to meet returning soldiers (with the exception of the occasion of the home coming of the B.C.R.G.A.) was ready to do the honours.
Front St. was alive with people, the sheds were packed, and to add to the excitement, the road roller chose that particular time to pass by the numerous horses.
Sir Thomas greeted the heroes on behalf of the Colony, a compliment that is appreciated by all, but in addition to this official welcome, quite an unusual number of prominent military men and civilians were present to honour the occasion Sir Thomas Wadson spoke as follows:
Each one was addressed by name in order of military rank, and then followed, as under.
"We greet you right warmly on your return from the battle front where you have taken part in the greatest and most terrible war known to history, where you have aided each in his place in bringing about the complete victory won by Great Britain and her Allies, over an enemy who sought to dominate the world, and crush it under the heel of Prussian Militarism. Happily the designs of the enemy have been frustrated, happily the world is now again at peace and you are able to return, some with decorations on which we congratulate those who have received them, and we congratulate all of you on having thus done your duty faithfully in the cause of freedom and justice, and we cordially welcome you to your homes and kindred."
The returning soldiers were:—lieuts. C. Nelmes, RAF. Late attached to Somerset Light Inf. and F. Paterson. Sergt, Major Morgan and wife, Sergt. Mullin, Sergt Baker, Sergt. Churm, M.M. and wife, Sergt. Madeiros MM. and wife. Pets. J. A. Smith, G. Sullivan, R.C. Wilson, M.M., all of the B.V.R.C., Sergt. Sweeney, 58 Canada, Pte. Fox.
A full account will appear in our Thursday's issue.
^ "Private CYRIL MORTON Service Number: 410977". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 2022-07-19.
^ "ANOTHER BERMUDA HERO: PRIVATE MORTON KILLED IN ACTION". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. 1916-11-11. he sad news that Private Cyril Morton was killed in action was received here from the Canadian War Office on Thursday morning and cast a gloom over the whole community. Previous to his enlistment in the 38th Ottawa Battalion, C.RF., this year, he was employed in Mr. Norman Young's hardware store where he was a very ardent worker. He first joined the Signal Section of his regiment, but afterwards entered for training in the Machine Gun Section through which he passed successfully. The late Private Morton, who was nearly 19 years of age was the younger son of Mrs. Morton, of Devonshire. The bereaved mother and the many friends of the gallant young soldier have the heartfelt sympathy of the whole community.
^ Guttadauria, Marie (2016-04-25). "First World War: Artifact W1-11: Private JOSEPH LEROUX, 660756, Canadian Infantry CEF – First World War". Friends of the Canadian War Museum. Friends of the Canadian War Museum. Retrieved 2022-09-10. On March 31, 1916 at the age of 28, my great-uncle Joseph Leroux born in Bourget, Ontario, travelled to Montreal to enlist and become a First World War soldier in the CEF. He was assigned to the 163rd battalion, a mainly French speaking unit originally "Les Fusilliers de Sherbrooke, Montréal". He did his army training in Bermuda until November then sailed to England and disembarked in December 1916. He was sent to France on May 18, 1917 and was taken on strength of the 22nd battalion (a.k.a. the Van Doos). Unfortunately, a few weeks later on 7 July 1917, he was killed in action in the field. He is buried in the Van Loos British Commonwealth Cemetery, France.

Meek, John F. Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War. Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971.

[1] "THIRTY-EIGHTH BATTALION IN BERMUDA – 1932". 1915–1916. Retrieved 2022-07-07 – via YouTubeDate on the film is shown incorrectly as "1932"{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)

[2] "L. CORPL. SWEENEY". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke Parish, Bermuda. 1917-02-22. p. 1. By the last mail we received a post card from Lance Corporal J. F. Sweeney, stating that he was quite well. Corporal Sweeney, who was an ex-soldier previous to the outbreak of hostilities was for some time employed on the works at Prospect. During the time the 38th. Bn. C.E.F. were stationed here he enlisted in that regiment and is now with them at the front.

[3] "RETURNING SOLDIERS". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke Parish, Bermuda. 1919-09-09. p. 1. Last Contingent of Veterans Arrived Home Yesterday.
Now that practically all our soldiers have returned, we have learned the secret of enthusiasm and the art of cheering.
When the_"Caraquet" came alongside yesterday, by far the greatest crowd that has ever assembled to meet returning soldiers (with the exception of the occasion of the home coming of the B.C.R.G.A.) was ready to do the honours.
Front St. was alive with people, the sheds were packed, and to add to the excitement, the road roller chose that particular time to pass by the numerous horses.
Sir Thomas greeted the heroes on behalf of the Colony, a compliment that is appreciated by all, but in addition to this official welcome, quite an unusual number of prominent military men and civilians were present to honour the occasion Sir Thomas Wadson spoke as follows:
Each one was addressed by name in order of military rank, and then followed, as under.
"We greet you right warmly on your return from the battle front where you have taken part in the greatest and most terrible war known to history, where you have aided each in his place in bringing about the complete victory won by Great Britain and her Allies, over an enemy who sought to dominate the world, and crush it under the heel of Prussian Militarism. Happily the designs of the enemy have been frustrated, happily the world is now again at peace and you are able to return, some with decorations on which we congratulate those who have received them, and we congratulate all of you on having thus done your duty faithfully in the cause of freedom and justice, and we cordially welcome you to your homes and kindred."
The returning soldiers were:—lieuts. C. Nelmes, RAF. Late attached to Somerset Light Inf. and F. Paterson. Sergt, Major Morgan and wife, Sergt. Mullin, Sergt Baker, Sergt. Churm, M.M. and wife, Sergt. Madeiros MM. and wife. Pets. J. A. Smith, G. Sullivan, R.C. Wilson, M.M., all of the B.V.R.C., Sergt. Sweeney, 58 Canada, Pte. Fox.
A full account will appear in our Thursday's issue.

[4] "Private CYRIL MORTON Service Number: 410977". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 2022-07-19.

[5] "ANOTHER BERMUDA HERO: PRIVATE MORTON KILLED IN ACTION". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. 1916-11-11. he sad news that Private Cyril Morton was killed in action was received here from the Canadian War Office on Thursday morning and cast a gloom over the whole community. Previous to his enlistment in the 38th Ottawa Battalion, C.RF., this year, he was employed in Mr. Norman Young's hardware store where he was a very ardent worker. He first joined the Signal Section of his regiment, but afterwards entered for training in the Machine Gun Section through which he passed successfully. The late Private Morton, who was nearly 19 years of age was the younger son of Mrs. Morton, of Devonshire. The bereaved mother and the many friends of the gallant young soldier have the heartfelt sympathy of the whole community.

[6] Guttadauria, Marie (2016-04-25). "First World War: Artifact W1-11: Private JOSEPH LEROUX, 660756, Canadian Infantry CEF – First World War". Friends of the Canadian War Museum. Friends of the Canadian War Museum. Retrieved 2022-09-10. On March 31, 1916 at the age of 28, my great-uncle Joseph Leroux born in Bourget, Ontario, travelled to Montreal to enlist and become a First World War soldier in the CEF. He was assigned to the 163rd battalion, a mainly French speaking unit originally "Les Fusilliers de Sherbrooke, Montréal". He did his army training in Bermuda until November then sailed to England and disembarked in December 1916. He was sent to France on May 18, 1917 and was taken on strength of the 22nd battalion (a.k.a. the Van Doos). Unfortunately, a few weeks later on 7 July 1917, he was killed in action in the field. He is buried in the Van Loos British Commonwealth Cemetery, France.

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