259th Battalion, Canadian Rifles, CEF (Siberia)

The 259th Battalion, Canadian Rifles, CEF (Siberia), was an infantry battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force Siberia during the Great War. The 259th Battalion was authorized on 1 November 1918 and embarked for Russia on 22 and 26 December 1918. The unit disembarked at Vladivostok on 12 and 15 January 1919 where it served with the 16th Infantry Brigade as part of the Allied Forces in eastern Russia until 19 May 1919. The battalion disbanded on 6 November 1920.^[1][2]

The 259th Battalion recruited in London and Kingston, Ontario, and Montreal and Quebec City, Quebec and was mobilized at Victoria, British Columbia.^[3]

The 259th Battalion was commanded by Lt.-Col. A.E. Swift.^[4]

The 259th Battalion was awarded the battle honour SIBERIA 1918-19.^[5]

Since 25 June 1998, the 259th Battalion, Canadian Rifles, CEF (Siberia), has been perpetuated by the 12^e Régiment blindé du Canada.^[6][7]

References

1. Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.
2. http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/regiments/cef/259battalion.htm Accessed 28 July 2014.
3. Meek, John F. Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War. Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971. ISBN 0906158109
4. http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/regiments/cef/259battalion.htm Accessed 28 July 2014.
5. Meek, John F. Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War. Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971. ISBN 0906158109
6. Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.
7. http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/regiments/cef/259battalion.htm Accessed 28 July 2014.

Sources

Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914–1919 by Col. G.W.L. Nicholson, CD, Queen's Printer, Ottawa, Ontario, 1962