Canadian Expeditionary Force

Canadian Expeditionary Force, the army raised by Canada for service abroad in WORLD WAR I. In August 1914 Canada offered and Britain accepted an expeditionary force whose strength was fixed at first at 25 000. The strength of the first contingent which sailed for England October 1914 was in fact over 31 000, many of this number British-born. The size of the mobilized force steadily increased. The 1st Canadian Division went to France early in 1915. A Canadian corps of 2 divisions was formed there later that year, and in 1916 it reached its full strength of 4 divisions. A 5th Division was formed in England, but because of anticipated difficulties in providing reinforcements, it was not sent to the theatre of operations except for its divisional artillery and certain special units.

Keywords

Military History

Apart from the Canadian Corps, the CEF included the Canadian Cavalry Brigade, also serving in France, the Canadian Railway Troops, which in addition to working on the Western Front provided a bridging unit for the Middle East, the Canadian Forestry Corps, which cut timber in Britain and France, and special units which operated in the Caspian area and in northern Russia and eastern Siberia.

The Canadian Expeditionary Force was maintained by voluntary enlistment until the MILITARY SERVICE ACT of August 1917 introduced conscription. In total 619 636 officers and men served in the CEF, of whom 142 588 were enlisted under the Military Service Act; 424 589 served overseas. The peak strength of the CEF at any one point was 388 038 all ranks in July 1918. Total fatal casualties from all causes 1914-20 were 59 544 all ranks. (This figure does not include Canadians who died with the RFC, RNAS, RAF or in other Allied forces.)

During the war Canadian authority over the Canadian Expeditionary Force was steadily strengthened. In the beginning the relationship to the British military authorities was vague. After the Canadian MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS MILITARY FORCES was set up in London in 1916, the force's national nature was fully established. Canadian training in England became entirely a Canadian responsibility.

In 1917, for the first time, a Canadian officer, Sir Arthur CURRIE, took command of the Canadian Corps. In 1918 it was formally recognized that while the direction of operations in the field remained the province of the British commander-in-chief, the internal organization and administration of the Canadian force were matters for Canadian authorities. By the end of the war the CEF, which in 1914 had been thought of as a colonial contingent serving under the British Army Act, had become in effect a Canadian national army.

Currie, Sir A.W.
General Sir A.W. Currie with "Muggins" of Red Cross Fame. Sir Arthur Currie insisted that Canadian troops fight together so they could take pride in battling together as Canadians (courtesy British Library).

Author C.P. STACEY Revised: NORMAN HILLMER

Links to Other Sites

Canada At War
This timeline depicts Canadian involvement in military conflicts from the first world war to present day operations. From Veterans Affairs Canada.

Provincial Archives of Alberta: Educational Resources Packages
Explore online digital reproductions of personal letters and diaries, photographs, maps, and many other treasured archival items that bring you face to face with Alberta's exciting and varied history. Check out the educational modules for more activities. From the website for the Provincial Archives of Alberta.

War and How We Told It
This article describes how Canadian perceptions of war changed during World War I. Includes references to various Canadian war novels. From the website thetyee.ca.

Library and Archives Canada: Military and Peacekeeping
Check out the online exhibits about the history of Canadian military and peacekeeping operations featured at the website for Library and Archives Canada. View paintings by Canada's great war artists, gripping photographs of war on the frontlines, war diaries and stories, multimedia, and much more.

Veterans Affairs Canada
The Veterans Affairs Canada website commemorates the service and sacrifice of Canada’s war veterans. Click on "Past Features" on left side of page for an extensive list of informative multimedia features about Canadian military history. This site also provides updates about programs for veterans and their families.

From Colony to Country: A Reader's Guide to Canadian Military History
A guide to reference sources concerning Canadian military history. From Library and Archives Canada.

For King and Empire: Canada's Soldiers in the Great War
This web site accompanies the “For King and Empire” video documentary series. Features detailed day-by-day accounts of military battles, profiles of individual soldiers and much more. From Breakthrough Films and History Television.

Sir Robert Laird Borden
This biography of Sir Robert Laird Borden includes interesting details about Canada's role in World War I and related issues. From the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online.

James Croak
This site features a digitized copy of the Attestation Paper which James Croak signed when he joined the Canadian military in World War I. Click on the link "Soldiers of the First World War - CEF" to view related documents in the archives. From Library and Archives Canada.