THE YUKON BATTERY

All the pictures below are links to the full size scan.

Yukon Volunteers

If you decide to look a the full size version of this photo - BE WARNED - it is 207K. Walt is at the righthand end of the back row.
After the start of the First World War Walt joined the Canadian Army and it is only relatively recently that I have unearthed this photo of Yukon volunteers dated June 16th 1916, although he gave me a copy of the trapper photo when I was at junior school and he made me a model of a trapper's base and line cabins.

This group of four may well have had their picture taken at the same time as the volunteers - Walt is wearing the same hat, collar and tie; probably the only ones he had.

Sidney BC

As soon as I had my modem set up I started looking for information; but despite the number of web pages relating to the Canadian Army I could find no sign of the M. M. G. B.

Eventually I found Chris Johnson's excellent site STEEL CHARIOTS on armoured vehicles of the Canadian Forces and sent him an email listing the small amount of information which I had. Chris sent me a very informative reply, which clarifies why this postcard was sent by Walt to his father from Sidney, BC where there was an army camp (but not why he was a private in the Seaforth Highlanders).

Recently I recieved an email from a Canadian visitor to this site which gave me further information on the M.M.G.B.
He also sent a further message giving the following information:
On the CEF database, the name appears as Carlile. Look at this website. Type in the regimental number 1015540. You can look at his attestation papers which provide much information.

His attestation papers show he joined the 231st Battalion which was also known as the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. As was the case in the Great War with most battalions they were absorbed into Reserve Battalion. The 231st it was absorbed into the 1st Canadian Reserve Battalion. These reserve battalions provided replacements for the units doing the fighting in France and Flanders. It would only be speculation at this time but Walter may have been assigned to the Yukon MMGB because he was from the Yukon.

Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

	Yhe next photo in the sequence shows him as a corporal in the Yukon Battery with hat and lapel badges (one of which is pictured at the top of these pages). The puzzle about this photo is that it was taken in a studio in Hull, unfortunately the date is not on it.
By Christmas 1918 Walt was a Sergeant as the card from Germany shows.
	The inside page has been scanned at a higher dpi and the linked picture should be legible on most monitors, one or more of you may have a relative whose name is on the card. If any one would like a TIFF file please email me.

And for those who did not return

As this site is a development area I would be grateful if you would please email any comments or questions to me at e.jones@cae-coed.zetnet.co.uk .