Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group

The above note Contributors from the Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group (CEFSG) provided the following additional information and references.

Administrative Details for the 139th Northumberland Overseas Battalion

Authority for Formation; Privy Council Orders 2067/2068 d.6-8-14, Published in G.O. 151 d. 22-12-1916. 
Mobilization Authorized 19 Nov. 1915 
Original Officer Commanding: Lt-Col W. H. Floyd
Headquarters on mobilization: Coburg (Ontario)
Name Northumberland
Recruited in: Northumberland County (Ontario)
Reg No. Block: 814001 - 817000
Trained in Canada at: Coburg May 17, 1916 - May 29 1916,
Camp Barriefield (Kingston) May 29 1916 - 
Val Cartier Camp (Quebec City)
Strength on sailing (O. - O.R.): 21 496
Senior Officer on sailing: Lt-Col W.H. Floyd
Ship:Southland (Vaderland) 
Boarded:25/09/1916 
Sailed: 27/09/1916 
Sailed From: Halifax 
Arrived:Liverpool 
Arrived on: 06/10/1916
Stationed at: West Sandling Camp, Kent, England 
Absorbed by: 36th Battalion 6-10-16, 26 officers-495 other ranks Used as a reinforcing unit until absorbed by the 3rd Reserve Battalion 10-1-17. R.O 198 dated 10-1-17. 
Disbanded by: P.C.O 1366 d. 21-5-17, C.R.O. 1603 d. 4-6-17 
Battle Honours: "The Great War, 1916" (G.O. No. 123 of 1929)

From Library and Archives Canada:

Available information but off-line only.

139th Battalion at Cobourg Cobourg & District Images Project

139th Battalion at Valcartier Camp Cobourg & District Images Project

Extracts from COBOURG 1914-1919, A Magnificent Sacrifice by Percy L. Climo 

Pages 31 – 32  Big Drive for Army Reinforcements

The war in Europe was taking its toll of men killed and wounded. There was no end to the fighting and the need for fresh troops and new recruits was great. The Canadian Government decided to put on a big drive for men, without resorting to conscription, for augmenting the armed forces. Each part of the county was given a quota to meet. The County of Northumberland was to supply a large body of men under the name of the 139th Battalion, with a total strength of 1,153 officers and other ranks. Lieut-Co. W.H. Floyd of Cobourg, was appointed to be in command, and all the officers were to be involved in the recruitment. The start was made for this objective in late November of 1915, and the Battalion was to be centred in Cobourg. Early in November the Cobourg Armoury had been made ready to accommodate 250 men. Other recruits were to be billeted in private homes. It was a big request and a big undertaking in view of the fact that Cobourg and area had already sent out a large number of men. Recruiting for the 139th would continue throughout the winter and the spring months.” 

Pages 43 – 45  The 139th Northumberland Battalion

Throughout the Winter and Spring months the recruiting for the 139th Northumberland Battalion was progressing and by early May the unit was nearly up to full strength. Detachments were active in several places of the county. On Wednesday, May 17th, the whole Battalion was brought together at Cobourg. Early in the day the outside platoons from Hastings, Campbellford, Warkworth, Brighton and Colborne arrived in town. They were met at the depot by the Battalion Bands and escorted to the armoury. Some of the new arrivals were billeted at the Cedarmere Hotel, some at the Lakehurst summer hotel and the remainder placed in boarding houses. The whole day was given over to special events.

In the afternoon a garrison parade took place from the armoury to Victoria Park. Here a Battalion group photograph was taken. By mid-afternoon a procession was formed with the Fourth Draft of the Cobourg Heavy Battery joining in. All units proceeded to the Horseshow Park (Donegan Park) where various field sports were held. The afternoon was proclaimed as a half holiday by Mayor Duncan and the schools, stores, places of business closed allowing all and sundry to attend the day’s events. A vast crowd did attend.

In two of the large buildings at the park, a bountiful supper was spread upon huge tables. The officers and men of the 139th, the officers and men of the Cobourg Heavy Battery and the returned soldiers from overseas were right royally and loyally entertained b the ladies of Cobourg. It is estimated that nearly 1100 men sat down to supper.

The mammoth undertaking was spearheaded by the Women’s Patriotic Corps with assistance from all the church groups and women’s organizations in town. The ladies contributed gladly and willingly in every possible way. The left-overs from the lavish abundance sent in was distributed the next day to the soldiers stationed at the armoury and to needy people. Some rain fell but the event went ahead as planned.

Victoria Day, May 24th, 1916 was set aside for the review and inspection of the 139th Battalion. All the officers and 1000 men lined up at the armoury, paraded to Victoria Park, and performed drill exercises and military tactics. The inspecting officer complimented the officers and men for their fine appearance, efficiency and performance during the exercises. He then took the officers to another part of the park for some special instruction. Many visitors were in town and viewed the inspection along with local citizens.

Another important occasion for the 139th Battalion was the presentation of their colours. This spectacular ceremony took place on Sunday May 28th, 1916. Shortly after two o’clock p.m. the Battery and the Battalion lined up at the armoury and marched down King Street to Victoria Park lead by the Battalion Banks. A number of visitors from outside Cobourg, relatives of the soldiers, and Cobourg citizens attended the presentation as spectators.

At the south end of the park, the uniformed men maneuvered into a hollow square formation. The drums of the Battalion were ceremoniously stacked to form a pulpit inside the square. A special and impressive ceremony took place. All movements were exact and precise. The Reverend Captain H. B. Kenny read the ceremony of consecration. His Worship, Mayor E. A. Duncan, presented the Colours as a gift from the citizens of Cobourg. Lt. Col. W.H. Floyd, O.C. accepted the Colours on behalf of the Battalion. The bands played patriotic tunes including “We’ll Never Let the Old Flag Fall”, followed by “God Save the King”. After the ceremony all units formed in line of parade and marched back to the armoury in the Column of Four formation. 

The 139th Battalion Leaves Cobourg 

Early in the morning of May 29th, 1916, the 139th Battalion departed from Cobourg and proceeded to Barriefield Camp, then later to Valcartier Camp located outside of Quebec City. By seven o’clock many citizens lined the main streets of the town on the route of march to the G.T.R. [Grand Trunk Railway] station. The Fourth Draft of the Cobourg Heavy Battery headed the parade, starting from the armoury, as a guard of honor. The Battalion Brass Band, and the Bugle Bank played marching tunes. Each section of the Battalion, headed by their respective officers followed, marching in Column of Four. The procession moved down King Street and north on Division Street to the depot. Two special trains were in readiness to convey them to Kingston. Lieut. Col. W.H. Floyd, officers and men of “A” and “B” Companies left town on the first train at 7:30 o’clock. Major Snider and officers and men of the “C” and “D” Companies boarded the second train which left one half hour later at 8:00 a.m. Many citizens were on hand to wish the men of the Battalion Godspeed. 

Unfortunately the list of the men who originally signed up with the Northumberland 139th Battalion, under Lt. Col. W.H. Floyd, O.C. is not available. . . . .” 

“The departure of 1,100 plus men from Cobourg left a void, a breach that was most noticeable. The Cobourg World tells it this way: “The streets this week have had an odd appearance, without the sight of so many men in khaki, we miss the clarion call of the bugle, the military band, the martial music, the passing of the Battalion through the town. In many homes there is the vacant chair at the family table, familiar faces are missed by friends, and even those who did not have a relative with the 139th; the town seems empty.”

Not mentioned above was a recruiting effort by the 139th in Eastern Ontario, and West Quebec during the period Jan 15 - Apr 1 1916. In all 162 men were enlisted from Ottawa, Hull, and Labelle, Pontiac, and Wright Co.s in West Quebec another 10 men from the area would join the battalion at Coburg in April 1916.

At Barriefield the Northumberland battalion would join nine others including the 93rd, 109th and 130th Sometime before Aug 2,1916 the battalion moved again this time to Val Cartier Camp near Quebec City. The 139th battalion sailed from Halifax Sept 27, 1916 aboard Southland arriving at Liverpool Oct 6. On arrival the 139th was absorbed by the 36th Battalion which was in turn absorbed by the 3rd Res Battalion on Jan 10, 1917. the 139th was officially disbanded May 21, 1917. 

Original members of the Northumberland battalion would serve in every major engagement of the Canadian Corps from Vimy until the cessation of hostilities with individuals serving in more than 10 different front line units as well as the Canadian Railway Troops and the Canadian Forestry Corps. No fewer than 12 members of the 139th would receive awards for Gallantry.