This year our theme is honouring the men, boys and all family members of those who served in the First World War with the 162nd Battalion.

A year into the First World War the Prime Minister of Canada, Robert Borden, decided the Canadian Forces were to be doubled in size to half a million soldiers. This number was going to be difficult to garner since the total population of Canada at the time was approximately 8 million. The plan devised by the Minister of Militia, Sam Hughes, was to turn each electoral district into a battalion area. The thought process was that more people would be willing to enlist if they knew they would be going overseas with their friends and neighbours. The plan worked and on December 2, 1915 the 23rd Regiment in Parry Sound was authorized to raise the 162nd Battalion. The 162nd Battalion, CEF had one Officer Commanding & Lieutenant Colonel J.M. Arthurs, of Commanda, Ontario.

Numbers and insignia were randomly drawn for each battalion and Parry Sound drew 162 and the neighbouring Muskoka area drew 122. The badge for the 162nd is a pair of axes parked in a pine stump as they referred to themselves as the Timber Wolves from Parry Sound due to their lineage tracing back to the 23 Northern Pioneers. The 162nd Battalion had a black bear as a mascot.

Over 700 men from Callander to Novar and west to Parry Sound enlisted at a time when most municipalities had a population of less than 700 and most with only 300. Training took place on the Paget Farm field located opposite Kent's Trusses in Strong Township and marching exercises had the troops marching from Sundridge to Burk's Falls and Magnetawan. On August 11, 1916 the Battalion boarded the train in Sundridge and made its way to Niagara-on-the-Lake for advanced training. On October 31, 1916 the ranks in training sailed from Halifax on the Caronia. Once they arrived in Europe they were used as reinforcement for the Canadian Corps out in the field and transferred to other Battalions. We as Canadians today should be very proud of the contributions these men made to our freedom that is enjoyed today.

We all know that war involves more than the soldiers who fight the battles. Families are left behind to carry on while their loved one is off at war. We should also thank those who served at home, working to make bandages, socks, mittens to send to soldiers overseas. Thank you to the community members who helped those whose family members were serving overseas.

Many families were left without a father. These families still had to provide for their children with food, clothing and warmth. Many of these men did not return to their families and gave the ultimate sacrifice to their country.



We would like to express our gratitude and thanks to everyone who participated to make this day a success.