WW1 CEF - 147th ( Grey ) Battalion Canada Expeditionary Force Bronzed Shoulder Title

In excellent condition with two original lugs to the reverse and stamped Tiptaft (indicating made in Britain as this was a Birmingham based firm).

The 147th (Grey) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War, raised by the 31st Grey Regiment. Based in Owen Sound, Ontario, the unit began recruiting in late 1915 in Grey County. It departed to Camp Niagara 19 May 1916 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel G.F. MacFarland, where it trained until 4 July when it moved to the brand new Camp Borden. The 147th left Camp Borden on 5 October for embarkation overseas, sailing on the sister ship to RMS Titanic, RMS Olympic, arriving at Liverpool, England on 20 November. After sailing to England in November 1916, the battalion was absorbed into the 8th Reserve Battalion on 1 January 1917. The 147th (Grey) Battalion, CEF had one Officer Commanding: Lieut-Col. G. F. McFarland.

Of note, the 147th's Private Thomas William Holmes, VC, of Owen Sound won the Victoria Cross at the Battle of Passchendaele on 26 October 1917, while serving with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles. Tommy Holmes became Canada's youngest winner of the VC and the Owen Sound Armoury is named in his memory. Each year on Remembrance Day, a firing party from The Grey and Simcoe Foresters, which perpetuates the 147th, fires a volley over his grave at Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound.

A190.2

Code: 58886