Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group

The Saskatchewan Dragoon web site references the formation of the 5th Infantry Battalion: 

With the outbreak of the Great War in 1914, Lt. Col. Tuxford approached Col Steele and requested that a mounted contingent, under Tuxford's command, be sent overseas. Unfortunately for Tuxford, another cavalry regiment had already been chosen for this task. However, seizing the initiative, Tuxford made a request to form a dismounted contingent. Tuxford wrote:

". . . I, therefore, got Colonel Steele to wire in to Ottawa and ask for permission for the mounted units from the West to come down to Valcartier as dismounted troops, if they so desired . . . Upon application I was authorised to organize the two battalions."

"In the one battalion I placed the 12th, 16th, 27th, 29th, 30th, 31st, 35th (Light Horse) and Corps of Guides. This battalion became the 5th Canadian Infantry Battalion, and later on being asked to select a name for the battalion, I could think of no better than that of Western Cavalry, and as such they remained the 5th Battalion, Western Cavalry."

From Library and Archives Canada:

The 5th Canadian Infantry Battalion was organized at Valcartier under Camp Order 241 of 2 September 1914 and was composed of recruits from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The battalion was commanded successively by Lieutenant- Colonels G.S. Tuxford, and H.M. Dyer DSO.

The battalion embarked at Quebec on 26 September 1914 aboard LAPLAND, disembarking in England on 17 October 1914. Its strength was 44 officers and 1094 other ranks. The battalion disembarked in France on 13 February 1915, becoming part of the 1st Canadian Division, 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade. It was later reinforced by the 15th Canadian Reserve Battalion. The battalion returned to England on 24 March 1919, disembarked in Canada on 18 April 1919, demobilized on 24 April 1919, and was disbanded by General Order 149 of 15 September 1920.

The battalion produced two Christmas publications: "A Christmas Garland from the Front" (Dec 1915) and "Another Garland from the Front" (Dec 1916). The battalion had a brass band and a regimental air "Till the boys come home". The King's colour was transferred to the Saskatoon Light Infantry on November 1924, as was the "battle flag". The battalion's mascot was a goat named Sergeant Billy.

The 5th Canadian Infantry Battalion was perpetuated by The Saskatoon Light Infantry.

Nicholson's text has a number of references to the 5th Battalion on these pages (all of which is now available on the Nicholson Matrix):