Hi
My great granfather, Edwin Eli Roberts, voluntered for this battalion in 1915- in Hamilton.
Did they serve in France? I have his war medal but not his victory medals
Any info on this battalion much appreciated.

Hello irelandfishing
12 February 2006

Here are the Attestation Papers of your Great Grandfather Edwin Eli Roberts (Regimental Number 141038). He was an older man [39+ years of age and a carpenter] at the time he joined up from Hamilton, Ontario.

http://data2.archives.ca/cef/gpc015/606758a.gif
http://data2.archives.ca/cef/gpc015/606758b.gif


Here is the source website where you can download the Attestation Papers [Enlistment Papers] of the soldiers who signed up for the Canadian Expeditionary Force for the Great War.
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Library and Archives Canada - Soldiers of the First World War (1914-1918)
Over 600,000 Canadians enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) during the First World War (1914-1918). The CEF database is an index to those personnel files, which are held by the National Archives. To date, over 800,000 images of Attestation papers have been scanned and are being made available on-line.
http://www.collectionscanada.ca/archivi ... 602_e.html
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I cannot find any details on the 76th Overseas Battalion and will assume, like many of the "recruitment battalions", it was broken up and the men were re-assigned to first Reserve Battalions and then front-line combat battalions. Some other members of the CEF Study Group are experts in the various battalions and should be able to add much more information to this.

Your next step should be to obtain copies of all of his personal files from the Canadian Archives. There are several reputable CEF researchers that the CEF Study Group and direct you to. These papers will provide specific details on the unit(s) he was incorporated into and any medical records.

Regards
Borden Battery

_________________
In memory of Pte. Richard Wm Mercer
Borden Motor Machine Gun Battery
1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

There is a book called the Historical Record of the 76th Overseas Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force which was published in 1916 before the battalion was broken up for drafts. There's one copy currently available on Abebooks, but personally I don't think that the price is justified considering that the book doesn't contain all that much information. A photocopied copy can be obtained from the Canadian Institute of Historical Microreproductions for about $30:

http://www.canadiana.org/cihm/

Thanks for help

I have now found his discharge papers- originals

I also have an For Honourable Service silver badge- were these awrded to all ex service men?

thanks

steve

Hi,
I know it's been over two years since you posted your question regarding 76th Bn, but I've only just joined the forum so that's my excuse.
The 76th was, I believe, eventually absorbed into the 12th Reserve Bn. It never went to France as a unit, but most of its men did, many of them serving as replacements in the 4th Bn, which was also raised in the same area.
Hope that's a help.
Regards,
CANZAC (Stewart)

_________________
Specialty is the pre-Vimy era of the CEF with particular interest in 4th Bn.

A little info on the 76th Battalion.
Authorized under G.O. 103 dated Aug. 15, 1915. Recruited in Barrie, Orillia, Collingwood, Hamilton, St. Catherines, Milton, Whitby, etc. Mobilization was authorized July 28, 1915 at Niagara, Ontario, Military District No. 2. Sailed on the S.S. Empress of Britain April 26, 1916, under the command of Lt. Col. J Ballantine with 36 officers and 1006 other ranks. Arrived Liverpool May, 5, 1916. Proceeded to West Sandling May 5. Used as a reinforcing unit until absorbed by the 36th Reserve Battalion July 6, 1916.

36th Battalion reinforced the 1st, 4th, 19th and 58th Battalions and absorbed at least ttwo drafts, one from the 71st and the other from 74th Battalions. Also absorbed the 33rd, and 91st Battalions. The 36th Reserve Battalion was absorbed into the 3rd Reserve Battalion Jan. 4, 1917.

Cheers
Mark