Okanagan Military Museum
02) Great War 1914 -1918
02) The Great War 1914 -1918
- Declaration
- Lt. Col. Bott's offer
- Mobilization of the 2nd CMRs
- Aid to Civil power
- Onto England
- Fighting as Infantry
- Lt. Col. "Whizzbang" Johnston
- Vimy Ridge
- Battle Honours
30th BCH on parade at start of World War I.
Vernon, BC, Canada
News that Great Britain had declared war on Germany and entered the European conflict early in August 1914 electrified the British Empire. In Canada, where much of the English speaking population had been born in Britain, the call to arms produced a flood of young men anxious "To Serve King and Country."
It is difficult today to understand their eagerness to get into the fray. We have the benefit of hindsight. The conflicts of the late 19th Century had been brief, colonial affairs and relatively bloodless. There was great pride in the British Empire and Canada's place within it. Men were eager to take part in the great adventure before it was over. Everyone, including the military authorities, were completely unprepared for the carnage that was to be unleashed in the form of death by attrition in the muddy trenches of France and Flanders.
Mobilization Camp at Vernon.
Responding to the call the Commanding Officer (CO) of the 30th BCH, Lt. Col. J.C.L. Bott pressed officials in Ottawa for orders to send the regiment overseas immediately. The early weeks of the war, however, demonstrated clearly that Infantry in trenches, and not Cavalry, would be the main tactical weapon in the age of heavy artillery and machine guns. Bott's request was refused and the regiment did not form a part of the first Canadian Division sent overseas, although a draft of men under Lt. Bell left the unit for Valcartier, Quebec, to join as independant soldiers.
Throughout the fall of 1914 the 30th BCH remained in the Okanagan, and the men became increasingly impatient. Some indeed transferred to mobilized Infantry units in the hope of seeing action sooner. The remainder concentrated at Camp Vernon where they trained hard, but waited.
Canadian Army Concentration Camp on Mission Hill.
On Nov. 5, 1914 Britain declared war on Turkey, arousing hopes that there might be a need for Cavalry in the Middle East. Shortly thereafter, military officials in Ottawa authorized the formation of the 2nd Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles, with Lt. Col. Bott as CO. It was one of four Cavalry units raised for the Second Division. The new regiment became popularily known as the 2nd CMRs and Okanagan men flocked to it.
The 2nd CMRs were an amalgamation of the volunteers from the 30th BCH and the Victoria Independant Squadron of Horse (VIS), another Militia unit formed shortly before the war on southern Vancouver Island.
Badge of the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles.
This was the bronze shoulder title worn by the 2nd CMRs.
Horse lines at the Vernon Armoury during summer camp.
The uniforms of the 30th BCH.
Squadrons of the 30th BC Horse leave Vernon.
Canadian National Railways Station, Vernon, BC, Canada
The former 30th BCH Cadet, Albert Harwood.
Probably Vernon, BC, Canada
Brothers in arms in the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles, (2nd CMRs).