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107th Battalion (Winnipeg), CEF
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thumb|A soldier from the 107th Battalion in Camp Hughes next to a sign featuring the unit's mascot.
January 2023
The 107th Battalion (Winnipeg), CEF, also known as the "107th Timber Wolf Battalion," was initially an infantry battalion of the Great War Canadian Expeditionary Force before serving on the Western Front as a pioneer battalion. Known for its significant service by Indigenous Canadians,2025-06-23 The 107th Battalion (Timber Wolf) https://jemesouviens.org/en/107th-battalion-timber-wolf/ 2026-09-29 Je me souviens around 500 Indigenous Canadians (roughly half the unit) fought in the battalion.
History
The Canadian government discouraged the recruitment of Indigenous Canadians and other non-white ethnic communities during the Great War. However, Glenlyon Campbell, a Canadian politician, lobbied Prime Minister Robert Borden and the Minister of Militia and Defence, Sam Hughes, for permission to create a unit for Indigenous Canadians. He was granted authorization to create his unit, known as the "107th Battalion," on November 4, 1915. The unit trained at Camp Hughes, Manitoba, in camps.Cloutier Danelle 2015-11-13 Manitoba man defied racism with unit of aboriginal soldiers in First World War https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-man-defied-racism-with-unit-of-aboriginal-soldiers-in-first-world-war-1.3317932 2026-09-29 CBC News The unit quickly embarked for Britain on September 19, 1916. The 107th Battalion recruited in, and was mobilized at, Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was converted to Pioneers and served in France and Flanders as the 107th Pioneer Battalion. The battalion disbanded on September 15, 1920.Meek, John F. Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War. Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971. 0906158109
The 107th Battalion was commanded by Lt.-Col. G. Campbell, DSO, from September 18, 1916, to October 9, 1917, and Lt.-Col. H.G. Walkem from October 9, 1917, to May 28, 1918.
Mascot
Due to its significance to several of the Indigenous soldiers, the Timber Wolf was used as the battalion's mascot.107th (Timber Wolf) Pioneer Battalion The Canadian Military Engineers Association https://cmea-agmc.ca/en/107th-timber-wolf-pioneer-battalion 2026-09-29 cmea-agmc.ca
Battle honours
The 107th Battalion was awarded the following battle honours:
ARRAS, 1917+
Vimy, 1917, 9–14 April 1917+
Arleux
Scarpe, 1917,3–4 May 1917
HILL 70, 15–25 August 1917+
Ypres 1917, 31 July–10 November 1917
Passchendaele, 12 October 1917 or 26 October–10 November 1917+
Somme 1918
FRANCE AND FLANDERS, 1917-18
Perpetuation
The 107th Battalion (Winnipeg), CEF, is not perpetuated by the Canadian Army.Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.
See also
List of infantry battalions in the Canadian Expeditionary Force
References
Sources
Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914–1919 by Col. G.W.L. Nicholson, CD, Queen's Printer, Ottawa, Ontario, 1962
External links
The Canadian Encyclopedia - 107th Timber Wolf Battalion
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Category:Military units and formations of Manitoba
Category:Military units and formations established in 1915
Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1920