The 47th Battalion was authorized on 7 November 1914 and embarked for Britain on 13 November 1915. It disembarked in France on 11 August 1916, where it fought as part of the 10th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. By war's end the 47th had lost 899 men. One third of the fatalities, 271 men, were killed in the last 100 days of the war.[1] The battalion was disbanded on 30 August 1920.[2] The 47th Battalion recruited in New Westminster, Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia and was mobilized at New Westminster.[3]
The 47th Battalion had four officers commanding:
Lt-Col W.N. Winsby, 13 November 1915 – 24 April 1917
Lt.Col. M.J. Francis, 24 April 1917 – 14 December 1917
Lt.Col. R.H. Webb, MC, 14 December 1917 – 24 April 1918
Lt.Col. H.L. Keegan, DSO, 24 April 1918-demobilization[3]
Acting Corporal (later Sergeant) Filip Konowal, VC
One member of the 47th Battalion was awarded the Victoria Cross. Acting Corporal (later Sergeant) Filip Konowal was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the period 22–24 August 1917, at the Battle of Hill 70 in Lens, France.[3]
Later in the war the 47th was designated the 47th Western Ontario Battalion because there were more men from that area in the unit than any other part of the country.
Battle Honours
The 47th Battalion was awarded the following battle honours:
^Harley, Robert (2012). For King and Country: 150 Years of The Royal Westminster Regiment. New Westminster: Vivalogue. p. 60. ISBN978-0-9881142-4-1.
^ abCanadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.
^ abcdMeek, John F. Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War. Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971. ISBN0906158109
Sources
Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914-1919 by Col. G.W.L. Nicholson, CD, Queen's Printer, Ottawa, Ontario, 1962
August 23, 2023
47th, battalion, british, columbia, infantry, battalion, canadian, expeditionary, force, during, great, distinguishing, patch, contents, history, battle, honours, perpetuation, also, references, sourceshistory, editthe, 47th, battalion, authorized, november, 1. The 47th Battalion British Columbia CEF was an infantry battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the Great War The distinguishing patch of the 47th Battalion British Columbia CEF Contents 1 History 2 Battle Honours 3 Perpetuation 4 See also 5 References 6 SourcesHistory EditThe 47th Battalion was authorized on 7 November 1914 and embarked for Britain on 13 November 1915 It disembarked in France on 11 August 1916 where it fought as part of the 10th Infantry Brigade 4th Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war By war s end the 47th had lost 899 men One third of the fatalities 271 men were killed in the last 100 days of the war 1 The battalion was disbanded on 30 August 1920 2 The 47th Battalion recruited in New Westminster Vancouver and Victoria British Columbia and was mobilized at New Westminster 3 The 47th Battalion had four officers commanding Lt Col W N Winsby 13 November 1915 24 April 1917 Lt Col M J Francis 24 April 1917 14 December 1917 Lt Col R H Webb MC 14 December 1917 24 April 1918 Lt Col H L Keegan DSO 24 April 1918 demobilization 3 Acting Corporal later Sergeant Filip Konowal VCOne member of the 47th Battalion was awarded the Victoria Cross Acting Corporal later Sergeant Filip Konowal was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the period 22 24 August 1917 at the Battle of Hill 70 in Lens France 3 Later in the war the 47th was designated the 47th Western Ontario Battalion because there were more men from that area in the unit than any other part of the country Battle Honours EditThe 47th Battalion was awarded the following battle honours Mount Sorrel Somme 1916 Ancre Heights Ancre 1916 Arras 1917 18 Vimy 1917 Hill 70 Ypres 1917 Passchendaele Amiens Scarpe 1918 Drocourt Queant Hindenburg Line Canal du Nord Valenciennes France and Flanders 1916 18 3 Perpetuation EditThe 47th Battalion British Columbia CEF is perpetuated by The Royal Westminster Regiment 2 See also EditList of infantry battalions in the Canadian Expeditionary ForceReferences Edit Harley Robert 2012 For King and Country 150 Years of The Royal Westminster Regiment New Westminster Vivalogue p 60 ISBN 978 0 9881142 4 1 a b Canadian Forces Publication A DH 267 003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces Volume 3 Combat Arms Regiments a b c d Meek John F Over the Top The Canadian Infantry in the First World War Orangeville Ont The Author 1971 ISBN 0906158109Sources EditCanadian Expeditionary Force 1914 1919 by Col G W L Nicholson CD Queen s Printer Ottawa Ontario 1962 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 47th Battalion British Columbia CEF amp oldid 1135637666, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
