There were several things unique about our 87th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards) Canadian Expeditionary Force) from WW1. Not the least of which were that we were the only Guards Battalion fighting in the Canadian Corps, and that we had higher recruiting standards. But amongst other things, we were about the only CEF Bn., outside of the Permanent Force, Royal Canadian Regiment, or the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry, that was allowed to recruit “nationally;” i.e., most CEF units were only permitted to recruit regionally.
As it happened, Regimental recruiting teams could realistically only venture within reasonable commuting distance from RHQ in Montreal. Nevertheless, outside of Officers & NCO’s, of the first 700 volunteers only 40% came from Montreal, 23% came from the Eastern Townships, 4% from Ville de Quebec & 1% from Gaspe. But 28% came from various parts of Eastern & Northern Ontario. The Regiment specialized in sending recruiting parties, accompanied by the Regimental Corps of Drums, in full dress, to smaller rural communities that had not yet been effectively touched by other recruiters.
Based on the regional origins of the various CEF Battalions, who contributed men to the 87th, plus the known origins of the first 700 volunteers, we have been able to compile the following statists: Of the 4,169 men (i.e., excluding officers), who passed through the 87th in WW1, 1,542, less than 37% were recruited by / through Quebec, 1,680 / 40% came from Ontario, more than 471 / 11% came from the Maritimes, mostly New Brunswick, & 36, less than 1%, originated from Western Canada. However, about 440 / 11% were of unknown origin, or other locations such as Newfoundland & / or the USA (Newfoundland was then a separate colony, not becoming part of Canada until 1949).
The CEF Battalion’s which contributed most to the 87th, other than our own 758 first volunteers, were the 60th Bn. (Victoria Rifles of Canada) which contributed 729 men when amalgamated with us post Vimy (Hence the name 6087 Association for our original Veterans group); plus 383 men from the 77th. Bn. (Governor Generals Foot Guards) & 340 from the 132nd. (North Shore of New Brunswick) Battalion. In addition of course 152 from our own 245th Battalion (CGG).
So, you can see, in WW1, although our roots were firmly in Montreal, we were a remarkably diverse bunch of Canadians.
Left: 87th. Bn. recruiting poster. Right: A/Sgt Alex. McClintock DCM from Kentucky
Colour Sergeant John Dolbec, retraité.
We welcome John Dolbec who for so many years who wrote many news articles about unknown historical facts about our Regiment’s history, Dolbec’s Corner’! John is quite active on Facebook where he shares his wisdom and knowledge of our Regiment. Look him up and become his friend.
We thank him for now contributing to a new medium.
FR_CA 
EN_CA
One comment for “Dolbec’s Corner – Issue 3 –Demographics of our 87th. Bn. (CGG) CEF”
John dolbec
As an aside, the 87th. Bn. seems to have had more black Canadians in its ranks than most other CEF Infantry units, plus not a few indigenous peoples, as well. Blacks were, in fact, actively discouraged from joining the CEF, although eventually 1,300 did. Most (780) enlist in the all black 2nd. construction Bn.. But at least 4 black canadians were identified as fighting with the 87th. at Vimy, more than in any other unit that day.