| 209th (Swift Current) Battalion, CEF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1916–1917 |
| Disbanded | 1917 |
| Country | Canada |
| Branch | Canadian Expeditionary Force |
| Type | Infantry |
| Commanders | |
| Officer commanding | Lieut-Col. W.O. Smyth |
The 209th Battalion, CEF, was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. Based in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, the unit began recruiting in early 1916 in that city and surrounding district. After sailing to England in November 1916, the battalion was absorbed into the 9th Reserve Battalion on January 4, 1917. The 209th Battalion, CEF, had one officer commanding: Lieutenant-Colonel W.O. Smyth. The battalion was disbanded on May 21, 1917. [1]
The Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) was the designation of the field force created by Canada for service overseas in the First World War. The force fielded several combat formations on the Western Front in France and Belgium, the largest of which was the Canadian Corps, consisting of four divisions. The Canadian Cavalry Brigade and the Canadian Independent Force, which were independent of the Canadian Corps, also fought on the Western Front. The CEF also had a large reserve and training organization in England, and a recruiting organization in Canada. In the later stages of the European war, particularly after their success at Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele, the Canadian Corps was regarded by friend and foe alike as one of the most effective Allied military formations on the Western Front. In August 1918, the CEF's Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force travelled to revolution-torn Russia. It reinforced an anti-Bolshevik garrison in Vladivostok during the winter of 1918–19. At this time, another force of Canadian soldiers were placed in Archangel, where they fought against Bolsheviks.
Swift Current is the fifth largest city in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It is situated along the Trans Canada Highway 170 kilometres (110 mi) west from Moose Jaw, and 218 kilometres (135 mi) east from Medicine Hat, Alberta. Swift Current grew 6.8% between 2011 and 2016, ending up at 16,604 residents. The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Swift Current No. 137.
Saskatchewan is a prairie and boreal province in western Canada, the only province without a natural border. It has an area of 651,900 square kilometres (251,700 sq mi), nearly 10 percent of which is fresh water, composed mostly of rivers, reservoirs, and the province's 100,000 lakes.
On January 15, 1930, the perpetuation of the 209th Battalion was assigned to the 1st Regiment (209th Battalion, CEF), 14th Canadian Light Horse. The 14th Canadian Light Horse, now named 14th Canadian Hussars, was placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle in 1968. [1]
In Canada, a regiment is placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle when the need for the regiment's existence is no longer relevant. When placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle, a regiment is considered "virtually disbanded", and is re-formed only when the Department of National Defence deems the unit is required again. The Supplementary Order of Battle was instituted as an alternative to outright disbandment during the army rationalizations of the 1960s. If a regiment is re-manned and moved from the Supplementary Order of Battle, it takes its old place in the order of precedence and its colours, traditions and battle honours remain as if there had been no interruption of service.
