Navigation Chart

Navigation Image

The main part of the Matrix is broken into two segments, the research links under the SITE INDEX and the helpful extras under the MATRIX UTILITIES. Each of the sub-components of these two main sections is described in the following charts. When you first come to the MATRIX you will be asked to ENTER into the main units, or alternatively you can select one of the other options in the HEADER LINKS. Please note that the HEADER LINKS change on each page, whereas the FOOTER LINKS are fixed so you can go to main pages such as the INDEX or SUMMARY TABLE, or alternatively send an e-mail to the Matrix or visit the CEFSG web site and forum.

Once you have chosen to enter into the Matrix you will be given the option to start your review with the "Army Corps" or the "Army Troops". The Corps is most clearly identified as the DIVISIONS of the battle-line forces, whereas the "Army Troops" are those in the three (3) echelons of support to the Divisional forces. Please note that not all units have been developed in detail at this time, as this is a "Work in Progress" and depends on the input from the individual CEFSG members.

If you have chosen to look at the "Army Corps", then you will be directed to the DIVISIONS (there were 4 Canadian Divisions in the CEF, as the 5th was broken up for reinforcements in the field), and from there you can go further down into the "Brigades" and "Battalions". In the alternative, if you chose to look at the "Army Troops" you will go further into the units that were not part of the Divisional structure but were in one of the three sub-sectors (Echelons), each of which had an essential role in the execution of the battle plan.

Moving into the DIVISIONS you will find that there were four main divisions (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Divisions) that are described in detail, as the 5th Canadian Division was still in formation at the end of the war. Late in the war the 259th and 260th Battalions were formed to create the Canadian Expeditionary Force (Siberia), and about 600 soldiers were sent to Northern Russia, mainly instructors and Artillery. We have included a final group noted as the REORGANIZED UNITS which includes the battalions formed in Canada that did not fight as a separate force, rather they were broken up to supply reinforcements, redesignated reserves, absorbed by other units or moved to other specific duties (i.e. forestry and railroads).

Each of the main DIVISIONS (only one is shown in the image) is then broken down into a series of sub-units such as the CANADIAN FIELD ARTILLERY (field and howitzer batteries); AMMUNITION COLUMNS; MACHINE GUN CORPS, and the main INFANTRY BATTALIONS. Each Division was also supported by a DIVISIONAL TRAIN C.A.S.C. and an EMPLOYMENT COMPANY. Each of the main DIVISIONS contained three INFANTRY BRIGADES, each of which contained four INFANTRY BATTALIONS and one TRENCH MORTAR BATTERY. The THIRD DIVISION was unique in that the 7th INFANTRY BRIGADE contained both named and numbered battalions and the 8th INFANTRY BRIGADE contained MOUNTED RIFLE BATTALIONS that were re-employed as Infantry Battalions.

As mentioned above, we also have a classification for the REORGANIZED UNITS, as they were not inserted directly into an INFANTRY BRIGADE but rather were used to supply reinforcements, either through direct REPLACEMENTS, ABSORPTION, RESERVE BATTALIONS or re-deployment into a special activity (FORESTRY, RAILROADS). We have found that a vast number of researchers are working on these REORGANIZED UNITS as they try to track their grandparents (Grand Relatives) as they moved from the initial Militia Units (pre Great War), into local BATTALIONS that were being raised across Canada. Unfortunately, few of these Battalions have detailed records or war diaries, so the process is difficult if possible at all.

The ARMY TROOPS hold the units that are not under Divisional Command and thus can be assigned to specific areas of action by General Headquarters. The Army Troops consists of 1st Echelon Troops (Artillery, Cavalry, Machine Gun, and Tank Corp); 2nd Echelon Troops (Engineers, Construction, Railways, Cyclists, Mechanical Transport, Signals) and 3rd Echelon Troops (Forestry, Medical, Dental, Employment, Veterinary). One can assume that 1st Echelon Troops are going to see more front line action than 2nd Echelon Troops, who in turn would see more action than 3rd Echelon Troops. All troops were however trained in basic military skills and could be called upon as needed to participate in a battle. References exist that even show cooks being called to defend a "last stand".

Although the Great War was the end of the era of the CAVALRY, it was still very active in the Great War. There are a number of distinct CAVALRY UNITS along with the support units of the HORSE ARTILLERY and FIELD AMBULANCE. One of the interesting aspects of the Cavalry was also the massive support network in VETERINARY services, a topic covered elsewhere in the Matrix. The CAVALRY section shows the R.N.W.M.P. (Royal North West Mounted Police) the predecessor to the R.C.M.P., a unit which saw action primarily with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Serbia & North Russia.

Anyone who has read or watched the stories of Canada in World War One will know of the importance of the ARTILLERY, both as a fixed force behind the main lines, pounding the German front lines and as a mobile force that move with individual DIVISIONS. Within the Matrix, the artillery is shown according to it's specific affiliation, so in the main section on ARTILLERY we are dealing with a number of BRIGADES C.F.A. (Canadian Field Artillery) and BRIGADES C.G.A. (Canadian Garrison Artillery). Each group was supported by an independent AMMUNITION COLUMN. The BRIGADES consisted of units of FIELD BATTERY, SIEGE BATTERY and HOWITZER BATTERY.

The "Matrix Project" web site contains a section called "Matrix Utilities" which are for the web site and not related to the military operations. In here you will find the MATRIX UPDATES which allows you to insert your e-mail so that you can be notified of any updates to specific pages on the site. Also included are the SUMMARY TABLES which lists the Army Corps Units with their regimental numbers, area of mobilization, war diary links, forum links and key notes as to their assignments. The Summary Tables have now also been broken apart to show similar information for the Army Troop Units.

In addition to these main utilities, the Matrix Utilities now contains a host of valuable information. This is an ever-changing part of the Matrix and it would be impossible to list here what is in the utilities at any one date. The best option is to Visit the Matrix Utilities to see first-hand what information is available. The utility index is also linked from the main tabs on the front page of the Matrix or as listed on the footer of every page.

A major project for 2006 was the transcription of the Nicholson Text, the authoritative text book on the Canadian Expeditionary Force in the Great War. The NICHOLSON UTILITY now contains that detailed TEXT along with all MAP and SKETCHES. This has been advanced to the stage that the Nicholson Maps are now available as Google Earth Overlays.

If you have any questions about the MATRIX or NAVIGATION, please make CONTACT.

Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group "The Matrix Project"

Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group
"The Matrix Project"