32nd Reserve Battalion

The 32nd Reserve Battalion was formed from the 32nd Infantry Battalion and therefore information is provided in the following text to track this unit from conception.

32nd Canadian Infantry Battalion

The 32nd Canadian Infantry Battalion was authorized for formation under Privy Council Order 2831, dated November 7, 1914, and published in G.O. 36 dated March 15, 1915. Further research indicates that PCO 2831 is not published in G.O. 36 and G.O. 36 does not authorize the formation of the 32nd Battalion. The battalion was recruited in Saskatoon, Brandon, Moosmin, Portage La Prairie, Weyburn, Lyodminster and Moose Jaw areas with mobilization authorized November 7, 1914 at Winnipeg, Manitoba, Military District No.10. The 32nd was issued number block 81001-83000. 

The battalion left Canada for England on February 23, 1915 from Halifax aboard the S.S. Vaterland with a compliment of 35 officers and 962 other ranks, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel H.J. Cowan. They arrived at Avonmouth March 7, 1915 where they proceeded to Shorncliffe until May 24, 1915. During the stay at Shorncliffe the battalion was re-designated the 32nd Reserve Battalion, May 2, 1915. 

32nd Reserve Battalion (May 2, 1915 to January 1, 1917) 

The battalion was allotted to the 4th Training Brigade April 29, 1916 and subsequently moved to Cheriton on May 24, 1915 to January 1, 1917. Three different officers commanded the battalion. 

Officers Commanding: 

	Lieutenant-Colonel H. J. Cowan December 29, 1914 to September 15, 1915
	Lieutenant-Colonel C. B. McPherson September 15, 1915 to August 2, 1916
	Lieutenant-Colonel F. J. Clarke August 2, 1916 to January 2, 1917

For almost two years the 32nd Reserve Battalion reinforced 3 battalions in France. They are listed as follows:

	Reinforced the 5th Battalion from July 19, 1915 to January 1, 1917
	Reinforced the 28th Battalion July 19, 1915 to January 1, 1917
	Reinforced the 52nd Battalion July 9, 1916 to January 1, 1917

No doubt the 32nd also reinforced units such as the Forestry Corps, Engineers, Machine Gun Corps, as well as small drafts to other battalions but those numbers will have to wait until the war diaries become available. 

The 32nd Reserve battalion would absorb 4 battalions as reinforcements. 

The 68th Battalion from Saskatchewan arrived in England on May 6, 1916 with a sailing strength of 34 officers and 1074 other ranks. The 68th was used as a reinforcing unit for two months before the remaining troops were absorbed into the 32nd on July 6, 1916. 

The 94th Battalion, which mobilized in Port Arthur, Ontario, arrived at East Sandling Camp July 6, 1916 after sailing with 36 officers and 1009 other ranks. On July 18, 1916 they were absorbed by two reserve battalions. Six officers and 262 other ranks were absorbed into the 17th Reserve Battalion and the remaining officers and 747 other ranks were absorbed into the 32nd Reserve Battalion. 

The 152nd Battalion which mobilized at Weyburn, Saskatchewan, sailed with 29 officers and 743 other ranks and arrived at Shorncliffe on October 13, 1916. Seven days later on October 21, 1916 they were absorbed by the 32nd Reserve Battalion. 
Regina’s 195th Battalion, sailed with 31 officers and 998 other ranks and was absorbed upon their arrival at East Sandling Camp on November 12, 1916. 

The 32nd Reserve Battalion received at least two drafts from battalions still forming in Canada. The S.S. Missanabie sailed from Montreal on September 4, 1915 and arrived at Plymouth on September 14, 1915. On board was the 2nd draft of the 46th Battalion from Moose Jaw consisting of 5 officers and 250 other ranks and the 2nd draft of the 53rd Battalion mobilizing at Winnipeg and consisting of 5 officers and 250 other ranks. 

The 32nd Reserve Battalion was absorbed by the 15th Reserve Battalion at Shorncliffe on January 4, 1917 under C.R.O. 198. The 32nd was disbanded by P.C.O. 2342 dated September 1, 1919, and published in C.R.O. 5452 dated April 8, 1919. 

The 32nd Battalion, C.E.F. was perpetuated by the 1st Regiment, 12th Manitoba Dragoons and later by the 12th Manitoba Dragoons which were disbanded in 1964. 

Love states the 32nd were disbanded prior to 1918. Trained the 68th, 94, 195, and was utilized for other than infantry reinforcements (pg.92). He is correct in the fact the 32nd was disbanded prior to 1918, although not officially until 1919. Love seems to have missed the absorption of the 152nd Battalion completely, instead showing them under the 15th Reserve Battalion. Understanding that Love is listing the Reserve structure in the 1918 configuration does not make it wrong, but perhaps somewhat confusing. The statement that they were “utilized for other than infantry reinforcement”; for now, I can only conclude is incorrect. My records indicate the 32nd reinforced 3 front line battalions’ in France. When the War Diaries and Daily Orders are available we will no doubt find other units reinforced as well, since reserve battalions reinforced every aspect of the Canadian Corps. 

Bibliography:

Appendix I, Officers Serving Overseas Units, Canada in the Great WarVol.VI, United Publishers of Canada Ltd, Toronto, 1921, pgs. 315-372 

Meek, John F. Over The Top, The Canadian Infantry in the First World War, John F. Meek, 1971 

Taboika, Victor, J., Military Antiques and Collectibles of the Great War, A Canadian Collection, Service Publications, Ottawa, 2007 

Love, David W. A Call to Arms; The Organization and Administration of Canada’s Military in World War One, Bunker to Bunker Books, Winnipeg and Calgary, 1999 

Duguid, Colonel A. Fortesque , D.S.O., Official History of the Great War 1914-1919, General Series, Vol.1, Aug.1914 –Sept. 1915, Appendices and Maps, J.O. Patenaude, I.S.O., Kings Printer, Ottawa, 1938 

Administrative Histories, C.E.F. Battalions 1-260, Canada, Department of National Defence, Directorate of History, reference number unknown. 

32nd Reserve Battalion, Daily Orders. 

Aubrey Wyndham Griffiths fonds, LAC.