Thursday, November 1, 2018

Chapleau recruits for 'Men O' the North' the 227th Overseas Battalion in World War I a significant achievement for small isolated community

As we prepare to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I on November 11, Michael McMullen, my co-author of 'The Chapleau Boys Go To War' shares his research into the battalion commonly referred to as 'Men of the North' which had a significant Chapleau connection. It was officially the 227th Oveseas Battalion (Sudbury-Manitoulin-Algoma. Recruiting was underway in Chapleau by April 1916 after the commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel LeP. Jones had visited the community. The  story continues next week. Thanks for sharing it Michael. MJM. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

By Michael McMullen

The 227th Overseas Battalion (Sudbury-Manitoulin-Algoma) with the nickname “Men of the North” or “Men O’ the North” was one of many new battalions formed in 1915-1916 by the Canadian Army for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in World War 1. It was organized in March 1916 and based in Sault Ste. Marie. Its commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Hugh Lepailleur (LeP.) Jones, came from the Sault Ste. Marie-based 51st (Soo Rifles) Regiment. Many from Chapleau enlisted in the 227th Battalion.

With the formation of battalions across the country, an active program of recruitment began including recruitment posters and battalion officers visiting towns and villages. Politicians, community officials, newspapers, church leaders and others pressured men to enlist, promoting patriotism and the need to help the allied cause. In some instances, it could be argued that men were almost being shamed into enlisting.