153rd (Wellington) Battalion, CEF

Canadian military unit during World War I January 2023 153rd "Overseas" Battalion, CEF 1915–1917 Canada Canadian Expeditionary Force Infantry Guelph Mobilization headquarters la Virtutis fortuna comes Fortune favours the brave The Great War, 1917 LCol R. T. Pritchard Officer commanding The 153rd (Wellington) Battalion, CEF, was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. Based in Guelph, Ontario, the unit began recruiting in late 1915 in Wellington County. On 6 October 1916 in Guelph, regimental colours were presented featuring the crest of Arthur Wellesley, 4th Duke of Wellington, and the battalion motto la Virtutis fortuna comes Fortune favours the brave.Butts Ed 2026-04-04 Presenting the colours in 'more British than Britain' Guelph during World War 1 https://www.guelphtoday.com/then-and-now/presenting-the-colours-in-more-british-than-britain-guelph-during-world-war-1-12048687 2026-04-06 GuelphToday.com en After sailing to England in April 1917, the battalion was absorbed into the 4th and 25th Reserve Battalions on May 7, 1917. The 153rd Battalion had one officer commanding: Lieutenant-Colonel R. T. Pritchard. He died near his hometown of Fergus in 1955 and is interred at Belsyde Cemetery. The perpetuation of the battalion was held by the Wellington Regiment, which was disbanded in 1936.Guide to sources relating to units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force: Infantry https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/lac-bac/documents/collection/research-help/military-history/first-world-war/sources-relating-units-canadian-expeditionary-force/infantry%20battalions.pdf 8 April 2026 www.canada.caGuide to Sources Relating to the Canadian Militia (Infantry. Cavalry, Armored) https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/lac-bac/documents/collection/research-help/military-history/canadian-militia/canadian-militia-infantry-cavalry-milice-canadienne-infanterie-cavalerie-en.pdf 8 April 2026 www.canada.ca In 1929, the 153rd Battalion was awarded the theatre of war honour "The Great War, 1917".Appendix to General Order No. 123 of 1929 The perpetuation was reassigned to the 26th Field Battery, RCA, which is no longer extant.2015-10-13 Official linages, Volume 3, Part 1, Annex 1B: Perpetuations https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/military-history/history-heritage/official-military-history-lineages/lineages/regiments-perpetuations.html 2026-04-08 www.canada.ca References Meek, John F. Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War. Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971. External links The men of the 153rd are listed here: 153rd (Wellington) Battalion C.E.F. 1915 - 1919 http://153rdwellington.com/153rd.html Category:Battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force Category:Military units and formations established in 1915 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1917