29th Battalion, (Vancouver), CEF facts for kids

The 29th Battalion (Vancouver), CEF was a group of infantry soldiers from Canada. They were part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during World War I, also known as the Great War.

History of the 29th Battalion

This battalion was often called "Tobin's Tigers". They officially started on November 7, 1914. The soldiers left for Britain on May 20, 1915. They arrived in France on September 17, 1915.

The 29th Battalion fought in France and Flanders. They were part of the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade and the 2nd Canadian Division. They continued fighting until the war ended. The battalion was officially closed on August 30, 1920.

The special patch worn by the 29th Battalion (Vancouver), CEF.

The 29th Battalion found its soldiers in Vancouver and New Westminster, British Columbia. They were brought together in Vancouver.

Lieutenant-Colonel Tobin formed the battalion on October 24, 1914. Many of its soldiers came from two other groups. These were the Duke of Connaught's Own Rifles and the Irish Fusiliers of Canada. The battalion traveled to England on a ship called the SS Missanabie in May 1915.

The 29th Battalion had 37 officers and 1,104 other soldiers. They worked under the 6th Canadian Brigade and the 2nd Canadian Division.

Leaders of the Battalion

The 29th Battalion had eight different Commanding Officers during its time:

• Lt.-Col. H.S. Tobin, from May 20, 1915, to July 20, 1916
• Lt.-Col. J.S. Tait, from August 20, 1916, to September 10, 1916
• Lt.-Col. J.M. Ross, from September 10, 1916, to December 16, 1916
• Lt.-Col. J.S. Tait, from December 16, 1916, to January 22, 1917
• Lt.-Col. J.M. Ross, DSO, from January 22, 1917, to July 23, 1917
• Lt.-Col. W.S. Latta, DSO, from July 23, 1917, to August 16, 1918
• Maj. L.A. Wilmot, MC, from August 16, 1918, to September 5, 1918
• Lt.-Col. H.S. Tobin, DSO, from September 5, 1918, until the battalion was closed

A Heroic Soldier

One soldier from the 29th Battalion was very brave. His name was Robert Hill Hanna. He was awarded the Victoria Cross. This is a very high award for bravery. He earned it on August 21, 1917. This happened at Hill 70 near Lens, France.

Battle Honours

"Battle honours" are special awards. They show which important battles a military unit fought in. The 29th Battalion earned many of these honours:

• MOUNT SORREL
• SOMME, 1916, '18
• Flers-Courcelette
• Thiepval
• Ancre Heights
• ARRAS, 1917, '18
• Vimy, 1917
• Scarpe, 1917, '18
• HILL 70
• Ypres 1917
• Passchendaele
• AMIENS
• HINDENBURG LINE
• Drocourt-Quéant
• Canal du Nord
• Cambrai, 1918
• PURSUIT TO MONS
• FRANCE AND FLANDERS, 1915–18

Carrying on the Legacy

"Perpetuation" means that the history and traditions of an old military unit are carried on by a new one. The history of the 29th Battalion was continued by the 2nd Battalion, British Columbia Regiment. This happened in 1920.

Later, in 1936, the 29th's history became part of the Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment). This group was later placed on a special list in 1965.

On June 13, 2002, The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment) joined with The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own).

Today, the history of the 29th Battalion is carried on by The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own).