LIEUT.-COL. R. B. SIMMONDS.
This Unit played a prominent part in the relief work following the great explosion of December 6, 1917, which devastated a large portion of the City of Halifax, caused the loss of some seventeen hundred lives and entailed untold suffering among so many families for months following. Lieut.-Col. R. B. Simmonds was in command of all military and naval relief parties engaged in rescue work in the devastated area, and later was placed in charge of a committee to procure relief for dependants of all men who were serving at home or Overseas. It was the duty of this committee to find food, clothing and shelter for the families of all soldiers who had suffered in the explosion. A large number of mechanics were placed under the direction of this committee and the work of relief practically completed by May 1, 1918. That the duties of this committee were all carried out it might be mentioned that it effected practically permanent repairs to over one hundred and sixty houses, besides looking after the needs of many suffering families, for which it was complimented by the Minister of Militia and received the thanks of the Halifax Relief Commission.
Notwithstanding that the Regiment was kept in Canada, it was, nevertheless, called upon to perform various and arduous duties at all times. That the Regiment also assisted in a very tangible way in winning the War is proved by the fact that the 66th Regiment, Princess Louise Fusiliers sent fifty-four officers and eight hundred and fifty men to swell the ranks of various Overseas Units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, a large number of whom are now sleeping their last sleep in the fields of Flanders, having upheld the honor of their Regiment and proved their belief in its motto, “Fideliter.”
CHAPTER XXXVI.
94th VICTORIA REGIMENT, ARGYLL HIGHLANDERS.
Much has been written of what was done by Canadian Units in France and Belgium, but little has been said of the Units compelled to remain on home service, which had to content themselves with performing garrison duties and supplying reinforcements to the army in the Field.
The 94th Victoria Regiment, Argyll Highlanders, with Headquarters at Baddeck, Cape Breton, was at the commencement of hostilities perhaps the most distinctively Highland Battalion in the forces of the Empire, inasmuch as the Gaelic language was the mother tongue of eighty per cent. of its personnel. As a rural Battalion it is recognized as having sent more officers and men Overseas than any other similar Unit in Eastern Canada. All its original members, excepting those over age or physically unfit, were transferred to C.E.F. Units; many of them paid the supreme sacrifice, and a number of them were decorated for distinguished service.
At 9.30 a.m., August 4, 1914, the Officer Commanding the Battalion, Lieut.-Col. J. D. McRae, received mobilization orders. The marching-out strength, including the Canso detachment, was 377 all ranks. The eight Companies were commanded by the officers, and proceeded to their different stations, on the dates named below:
| “A” Co., Capt. D. P. McRae, Whitney Pier, Sydney | 7th | Aug. |
| “B” Co., Capt. D. A. McRae; Marconi Towers, Glace Bay | 6th | „ |
| “C” Co., Capt. A. J. McNeil, North Sydney | 5th | „ |
| “D” Co., Capt. M. A. McLeod, Marconi Towers, Glace Bay | 6th | „ |
| “E” Co., Capt. M. D. McKeigan, Louisburg | 5th | „ |
| “F” Co., Capt. R. Y. McKenzie, Lloyd’s Cove, Sydney Mines | 7th | „ |
| “G” Co., Capt. J. G. Johnstone, Canso | 5th | „ |
| “H” Co., Capt. W. D. McKenzie, Sydney | 7th | „ |
| Regimental Staff to Headquarters, 33 Charlotte St., Sydney | 7th | „ |
| Regimental Staff. | |
|---|---|
| Lieut.-Col. J. D. McRae | Officer Commanding. |
| Major J. S. McLean | Second in Command. |
| Major A. D. McRae | Junior Major. |
| Capt. W. G. McRae | Adjutant. |
| Lieut. A. J. McInnis | Instructor of Musketry. |
| Lieut. G. M. McNeil | Signalling Officer. |
| Major M. A. J. McDonald | Quartermaster. |
| Major Dan McDonald | Medical Officer. |
| Capt. M. H. Morrison | Paymaster. |