On October 29, 1915, after an uneventful voyage the Battalion landed at Plymouth and proceeded to Bramshott Camp, being the first Canadian Infantry Battalion to enter that Camp, where they took over quarters from the Royal Irish Rifles. At Bramshott the 40th joined part of the then contemplated 9th Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Division, which was under the command of General Lord Brooke.
Owing to the heavy demand for reinforcements, following the disastrous action of June 2, 1916 (the Third Battle of Ypres), the Battalion was moved to East Sandling to become the 40th Reserve Battalion, where drafts were despatched to nearly every Unit in the Canadian Corps. After many moves the 40th absorbed the remnants of the 64th, 104th, 106th and 112th Battalions, and finally returned to Bramshott to become the 26th Reserve Battalion, and was finally absorbed by the 17th Reserve Battalion.
CAPT. E. E. DENNIS
(killed in action at Vimy Ridge. April 5, 1917).
The 40th Battalion has the distinction that practically every officer and man of the original Battalion saw service in France. Ten of the officers were killed in action, viz.:
Capt. A. M. Ross.
Capt. W. E. Doane.
Capt. E. R. Dennis.
Lieut. G. H. Campbell.
Lieut. W. W. Pickup (Major).