In March, 1915, the Interment Station at Amherst was opened, and two and one-half Companies under command of Major G. R. Oulton, with Capt. J. N. McDonald, Lieuts. Davidson and Sproul, were sent there, and were replaced by one Company from each of the following Regiments:—78th Regiment—Capt. J. A. McKenzie, later transferred to 85th Battalion, C.E.F.; Capt. J. R. Maxwell, 106th Battalion, C.E.F. 81st Regiment—Capt. E. S. Doering; Lieut. J. H. Wallace, 64th Battalion, C.E.F., killed in action; Lieut. W. W. Slack, 40th Battalion, C.E.F. 93rd Regiment—Capt. J. A. McPherson, 106th Battalion, C.E.F.; Lieut. P. Boucher, 165th Battalion, C.E.F.
Lieut. E. W. Joy reported for duty to replace Lieut. C. S. Major, transferred to 40th Battalion, and assumed the duties of Fortress Intelligence Officer. Other officers on duty were Major F. S. Heffernan (93rd), Quartermaster; Lieut. Keith Rogers (C.S.C.), Signalling Officer; and Lieut. R. Innes (81st), Musketry Instructor, afterwards O.C. 106th Battalion.
Previous to July, 1916, each Company Commander had his own account with the District Paymaster and was responsible for all payments to his officers and men. When the Battalion was recognized as a Unit it was allowed a Paymaster. Capt. H. B. Verge received the appointment and retained it until transferred to the Nova Scotia Forestry Battalion in June, 1917, when Capt. W. S. Brignell took over his duties.
The Battalion suffered considerably in the explosion of December 6, 1917, losing six men killed and 87 per cent. of the N.C.O.’s and men injured. One officer and two N.C.O.’s died in hospital from injuries received. The more serious injuries were received by men on guard at Richmond Pier, North Ordnance and Dry Dock. All the men killed, excepting one, who was killed in the barrack room, were members of these Guards. A snowstorm with high wind which raged for thirty-six hours after the explosion made the barracks almost untenable, as windows and doors were gone and no fires could be laid until the chimneys were inspected. The morale of the men was good during this period. Many N.C.O.’s and men had their families living near the barracks, a large number of whom were killed and injured.
The first draft of one hundred men from the Composite Battalion was sent Overseas in January, 1916, under command of Lieuts. W. S. Brown and O. Thorne. A second draft of fifty-six men, under command of Lieut. W. R. Clark, sailed on June 26, 1916. A number of men were transferred to the R.C.R. Base Depot from time to time and were included in Overseas drafts sent by that Unit.
When the Military Service Act came in force in 1918, 125 men in the Composite Battalion, who came under its provisions, were sent Overseas. The remainder were transferred to the 6th Battalion, Canadian Garrison Regiment. All the senior officers were transferred to their Militia Units, with the exception of Major J. E. Morse, who was transferred to the 6th Battalion, C.G.R. The junior officers were transferred to the Depot Battalion, 1st Nova Scotia Regiment, excepting Lieut. W. H. Whidden and Lieut. I. C. Banks, who were taken on the strength of No. 6 District Depot and appointed respectively O.C. Casualty Company and Discharge Section.
The following officers were on duty when the Unit was disbanded:—Lieut.-Col. H. L. Chipman, Officer Commanding; Major G. R. Oulton, Second in Command; Major E. K. Eaton, R.C.R., Adjutant; Lieut. W. B. Arthur, Assistant Adjutant; Capt. W. W. Brignell, Paymaster; Major F. S. Heffernan, Quartermaster; Major D. G. Mossmain, O.C. “A” Company; Major F. Boulter, O.C. “B” Company; Major J. E. Morse, O.C. “C” Company; Capt. G. L. Whidden, O.C. “D” Company; Capt. S. L. McNiel, Lieut. W. L. Coleman, Lieut. R. J. Colwell, Lieut. H. C. Crosby, Lieut. C. McLellan, Lieut. J. R. Campbell, Lieut. W. E. Mitchell, Lieut. W. H. Whidden, Lieut. I. C. Banks.
Other officers who had served with the Battalion in 1916 and 1917 were as follows:—Lieut. C. A. Vaughan, later transferred to 106th and resigned; Capt. A. Stirling, 145th; Lieut. W. Ross, 38th Battalion; Lieut. S. Rogers, R.C.R.; Lieut. St. C. Stayner, unattached; Lieut. S. Bradford, R.F.C.; Lieut. H. F. Arthur, R.N.A.S.; Lieut. R. Asher, R.F.C.
The following officers of the R.C.R. also served: As Adjutant, Lieut. G. L. P. Grant Suttie, who replaced Capt. M. E. Roscoe, transferred to the 219th Battalion, being later relieved by Capt. V. W. S. Heron, who in turn was relieved by Major Eaton.