The Timber Wolf Bn. & Ernest Phillips

The following is adapted from The Canadian Dream of an English Country Boy by James Robertshaw.

Ernest Phillips enlisted in the 107th Canadian Overseas Battalion in Winnipeg (serial number 718757) on March 6, 1916. His battalion was called the Timber Wolf Battalion, and it had a headcount of 2,500 men, NCOs, and Officers.

The battalion had a very high percentage of First Nations peoples, over 50% in fact – and most were from reservations in Manitoba. Some of them were forced to join the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) under threats of withholding food. Conscription enforced by the Military Services Act 1917 also caused many more to enlist.

For Ernest, going through the process of enlistment was a new experience; in fact, he had never had a medical examination before. After passing the exam, the battalion commander (Lieutenant Colonel Glen Campbell) signed Ernest’s papers. According to his service record, Ernest was born on July 15, 1896, had a small scar over his right eye, and was fit to serve despite poor eyesight.

Ernest Phillips’ attestation papers. (Credit: LAC, RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 7793 – 15)

The Timber Wolf Bn. was an engineering pioneer battalion. They were responsible for constructing communication and transportation systems, in addition to building and maintaining other infrastructure (e.g., ammunition and supply depots, troop facilities, etc.). Soldiers in the battalion also had basic arms training, but their main purpose was to build and service trenches. Timber Wolf men were very much treated like second class troops; most of them were conscripted, but Ernest volunteered.

Training started at Camp Hughes (just east of Brandon, MB) where the troops learned how to dig trenches and build infrastructure. Trenches were dug based on agreed upon designs and sometimes under simulated gun fire. Front-line trenches, communication trenches, service areas, latrines, supply areas, first aid stations . . . everything required for trench warfare was learned and practiced at the camp, and once training was complete, the soldiers embarked for England.

The battalion departed Canada on RMS Olympic on September 15, 1916, bound for Liverpool, England. After arriving on the September 25, 1916, they were sent by train to Witley Camp where they remained until February 25, 1917, before being sent to France. Camp Witley was one of two camps built for the Canadian Army by the Royal Engineers, the other being Bramshott Camp in Borden, England.

Witley Camp in 1917. (Credit: UVicLibraries via Wikimedia)

Ernest Robertshaw’s Citation & Service Record

Below is some information from Ernest’s service record. One can relate the timeline to the different battles experienced by the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Many soldiers were killed or wounded during these actions and several times Ernest had to train new recruits to do the work needed.

Enlisted:   March 6, 1916,  Winnipeg Manitoba 107th Overseas Battalion

First Citation:   August 31, 1918,  Military Medal, Battle of Amiens

Corps Order 1885:   Canadian Signals attached to the 101st Canadian Mounted Rifles

Second Citation:   November 9, 1918,  Military Medal, Liberation of Mons

Armistice Day:   In Mons 11th November 1918

Main photo:  NCOs of 107th Timber Wolf Battalion (1919) – Ernest Phillips (the author’s grandfather) is in the middle back row (his MM ribbon is on his tunic).  (Credit:  Unknown Source)

The book  gives a more detailed account of a wide variety of topics including pioneer life in Canada prior to 1914, life in the prairies, the 107th Timber Wolf Pioneer Battalion, training in the UK before the trenches, the CEF in World War I, Ernest being Seconded to 3rd Canadian Signals (front line), life in Bletchley Park (code breakers), etc. The full book is for sale on Amazon.ca and there is also a link to the book here: www.dday-wardiaries.co.uk