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.

The first recruit in the 227th was Robert Walker of Sault Ste. Marie, who enlisted on March 14, 1916. He was 34 years of age and worked as a bookkeeper. Over the next 13 months approximately 1150 volunteered and completed the recruitment application to join the 227th. The standard recruitment form, titled Attestation Paper - Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force, was a two page document, which required the recruit to provide personal and background information and to submit to a physical examination. There were five sections requiring signatures.

Declaration to be made by man on attestation

The recruit declares that he has answered all questions truthfully and agrees to serve in the CEF. The signature of the recruit and the signature of a witness are then required.

Oath to be taken by man on attestation

The recruit pledges to be faithful and bear allegiance to King George the Fifth and successors. His signature and the signature of a witness are required.

Certificate of Magistrate

A magistrate or Justice of the Peace reviews the questions and answers with the recruit for complete understanding and confirms that the recruit has signed the Declaration and the Oath. The recruit and the magistrate sign this certificate.

Certificate of medical examination

A medical doctor determines if the recruit is “fit” or “unfit” to serve in the CEF and signs off on his evaluation. The recruit must be found to be “fit” to be accepted into the CEF.

Certificate of officer commanding unit

The correctness of the recruit’s attestation is confirmed by the signature of the commanding officer.

The majority of enlistments took place in Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury. Active recruitment took place at many other northern locations in the 227th regional area, including 

Webbwood, Blind River, Thessalon, Little Current, Massey, Gore Bay and Chapleau. However, in 1917, most enlistments were being carried out at a barracks in Hamilton where the 227th relocated activities for the winter of 1916-1917, and Parry Sound. The last enlistment for the 227th was Victor William Dunn, aged 18, a customs clerk from Parry Sound, who ironically enlisted in Hamilton on April 3, 1917.

Recruiting was underway in Chapleau in April 1916 after 227th commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel LeP. Jones had paid a visit to the community. Immediately after the visit, the Chapleau Citizens Recruiting Committee was formed. Members included: Rev. Father Romeo Gascon, Rev. P.R. Soanes, Rev. G.W. Lynd, T.J. Godfrey, V.T. Chapple, Dr. J.J. Sheahan, J.B. Dexter, P. Downey, A.R. Lauder, W. McLeod, R. Levie, J.H. Bickett, William McMullen, (Michael's grandfather), D.O. Payette, Ed Pearson, L. Barker of Biscotasing, Adelard Lafrance of Missanabie and Chapleau, Joe Depew of White River and Frank Pitts as secretary. Lieutenant William Lyness, former chief of police in Chapleau, who was living in North Bay, was transferred to the 227th in order that he could return to Chapleau to assist in the formation of a platoon.

William Lyness

The first recruit to sign up in Chapleau was James Harold Morris (grandfather of Michael Morris and great uncle of Michael McMullen), who completed his attestation form on April 19, 1916. He was 26 and a railroad conductor. By the end of July, 56 enlistments had been processed in Chapleau with another six to come later for a grand total of 62. It was quite an achievement for a small, isolated community of about 2,000 people, although some of the volunteers came from nearby communities such as Missanabie, Brunswick Post, Biscotasing and White River. The Chapleau platoon at this time included: Lieutenant W.A. Lyness, Sergeant Lorne Nicholson, Corporal Harry Morris, Acting Corporal Joe Fortier, Lance Corporal M.L. Hunt, Corporal W. Davis, and over 50 privates. The last recruit of the 227th to be processed in Chapleau was Charles Meroult, an 18-year old labourer, who enlisted on January 9, 1917.

For the completion of attestation forms in Chapleau, the witness for the Declaration and Oath was frequently Lieutenant William Lyness, for the Certificate of Magistrate, Thomas J. Godfrey, and for the Certificate of medical examination, Dr. J.J. Sheahan. Lieutenant-Colonel LeP. Jones as commander of the 227th signed the Certificate of the officer commanding unit.

After limited training and conditioning activities at Chapleau, members of the Chapleau platoon departed for Camp Borden in mid-August 1916 where the 227th was mobilizing for its war effort. The troops prepared, trained and drilled there and in Hamilton until early April 1917. In Snapshots Of Chapleau's Past, George Evans noted that on Saturday, August 12, 1916, the First Chapleau Platoon of the 227th Sudbury, Manitoulin, and Algoma Overseas Battalion, commonly called ”Men O’ The North,” paraded from the YMCA building on Lorne Street, down Birch Street, over the tracks, to the railway station. Vincent Crichton in Pioneering in Northern Ontario described the event as “a red letter day.” He added: “The Town Band led the way and the whole town turned out to support the ‘Men O’ The North’as they set out to do battle with ‘the Hun’ in fields of northeastern France. Six officers, fifty-three enlisted men, a bandsman and two buglers marched in full gear to the cheers of the patriotic people of Chapleau …”

Of the total number of 227th enlistments who made it to Camp Borden, some were subsequently deemed unfit for duty, which covered a variety of medically–related criteria and performance issues, some were severely injured or possibly killed during accidents, some died of illness/disease and some deserted. A Guide to Sources Relating to Units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force prepared by Library and Archives Canada indicates that the 227th had 28 officers and 783 other ranks when the battalion prepared to go overseas. They embarked from Halifax on April 10, 1917 on the HMT Carpathia and disembarked at Liverpool, England on April 22, 1917. The next day, April 23, 1917, the 227th was transferred to the 8th Reserve Battalion at Shorncliffe, England. The war had begun for the 'Men O' the North'.

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