Photograph depicts two soldiers belonging to the Royal Canadian Engineers at Willows Camp. This pair were part of the Canada Siberian Expeditionary Force which was mobilized in Victoria in late 1918. The presence of the leather bandolier and riding breeches and boots let us know that these soldiers belonged to a mounted unit. These soldiers also have a 'SIGNAL' shoulder title, as they were part of the Signal Service, Canadian Engineers. If the dates written on the original negative box by the photographer are correct, these soldiers would not have seen service in Russia as the SS Protesilaus, the ship that carried the final group of Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force soldiers, left Victoria on December 26th, 1918.
Photograph depicts two portraits taken of soldiers at Willows Camp during the mobilization of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force (CSEF). These soldiers have battle patches on their left sleeves comprising a maroon coloured rectangle and a red circle above it. These battle patches represented the 259th Battalion which drew troops from the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. If notes on the original negative box are correct, this photograph was taken on 29 December 1918, meaning these soldiers belonged to a small group that did not take the voyage to Russia and remained in Victoria until demobilization.
Photograph depicts two portraits taken of soldiers at Willows Camp during the mobilization of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. The soldier on the left wears collars badges on his uniform from the 1st Depot Battalion, Nova Scotia Regiment, meaning he was likely drafted into the 260th Battalion. It is interesting to note the differences in uniform between the two portraits. The first soldier wears the Canadian pattern uniform which had a high stand-up collar and seven buttons. The soldier on the right has a five-button British pattern uniform which was adopted in Canada later on in the war as original supplies became scarce. Other defining features of this uniform are the fold down, open collar and presence of rifle patches around the shoulders. The second soldier also wears a Canadian Winter Forage Cap that was issued to troops going to Siberia. It had detachable flaps that folded down over the ears for warmth.
Photograph depicts two portraits of soldiers standing in front of the tents at Willows Camp during the mobilization of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. The soldiers in the second picture appear to be showing off their Ross Mark III Rifles.
Photograph depicts two portraits taken of soldiers at Willows Camp during the mobilization of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. It is interesting to note the differences in uniform between the two portraits. The first soldier has a 5-button British pattern uniform which were adopted in Canada later on in the world as supplies became scarce. Other defining features of this uniform are the fold down, open collar and presence of rifle patches around the shoulders. The second soldier wears the original Canadian pattern uniform which had a high stand-up collar and seven buttons.
Photograph depicts two portraits taken of soldiers at Willows Camp during the mobilization of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. Both wear British pattern uniforms which were popular late in the War when Canadian supplies were scarce. Distinct features of this style of Service Dress includes rifle patches around the shoulders, 5 large buttons on the jacket and a folded collar. The soldier in the second picture wears a cap badge and collar badges from the 1st Depot Battalion, Nova Scotia Regiment and was probably drafted from the Maritimes into the 260th Battalion.
Photograph depicts a francophone company from the 259th Battalion (Canadian Rifles), Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force at Inner Harbour near the Parliament buildings. The photographer has dated this photograph as October 31, 1918 which was the day 'D' company arrived in Victoria from Quebec City. However, the photographer has also labeled the original box with 'Montreal'. 'C' Company arrived in Victoria from Montreal on November 1, 1918. The Empress hotel can be seen in the background, as well as a free shuttle bus to the Strathcona Hotel. In the foreground, troops load their equipment into cars.
Photograph depicts the portrait of a soldier at Willows Camp. This picture was taken during the mobilization of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. He wears the Canadian M1913 Pattern Service Dress uniform.
Photograph depicts two pictures taken at Willows Camp during the mobilization of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. The first picture shows a lance-corporal and a private. Note how they wear different style uniforms; the first soldier has the Canadian M1913 pattern with a high, upright neck collar and seven jacket buttons. The second soldier wears a British pattern uniform. The jacket of this uniform differed from the Canadian version as it had buttons on the lower pockets, rifle patches on the shoulder, a folded collar and only 5 buttons along the closure. Note how this soldier has altered his collar by pinning it together in order for it to ressemble the Canadian version worn by his peer. The second picture is of two soldiers wearing camp clothing, or 'military undress'.
Photograph depicts the portrait of a soldier at Willows Camp. He is attached to the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force who trained there in the fall of 1918. He is a sergeant and also has 2 overseas chevrons near the cuff of his sleeve meaning he had returned to Canada after two years of service on the battlefront in Europe. Many soldiers who were sent back to Canada following an injury in Europe opted to volunteer for the Siberian Expeditionary Force rather than returning to Europe as it promised different conditions.
Photograph depicts two pictures taken at Willows Camp during the mobilization of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. In the first picture, a group of six soldiers pose together. In the second picture, a soldier originally attached to the 1st Divisional Cyclists Overseas (as per cap and collar badges) poses with his Ross MK III Rifle and Winter Forage Cap.
Photograph depicts two pictures taken at Willows Camp during the mobilization of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. Both soldiers in these portraits wear British pattern uniforms and a Winter Forage Cap.
Photograph depicts two pictures taken at Willows Camp during the mobilization of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. Both soldiers in these portraits wear British pattern uniforms.
Photograph depicts two portraits taken at Willows Camp during the mobilization of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. Both men wear British pattern uniforms which were commonly issued to troops mobilizing in Canada late in the war.
Photograph depicts two portraits taken at Willows Camp during the mobilization of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. In both pictures, the soldiers wear British pattern Service Dress uniforms and carry Ross Mk III Rifles.
Photograph depicts two portraits taken at Willows Camp during the mobilization of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. In both pictures, the soldiers wear British pattern Service Dress uniforms and hold Ross Mk III Rifles.
Photograph depicts two soldiers at Willows Camp. They were initially attached to the 1st Depot Battalion, Nova Scotia Regiment (as per cap badges) but were likely drafted into the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force who mobilized in Victoria in the autumn of 1918. In this photo, they wear their Service Dress jackets open, with shirts visible underneath. They also carry their dishes and mess tin.
Photograph depicts two soldiers posing with swagger sticks at Willows Camp during the mobilization of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. The second soldier wears cap and collar badges from the 2nd Depot Battalion, British Columbia Regiment and was likely drafted into the 260th Battalion.
Photograph depicts two soldiers at Willows Camp. They are part of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. In the first picture, a soldier shows off his Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle. In the second picture is a close-up portrait of a soldier weraing an Oliver 'snake clasp' belt.
Photograph depicts two portraits taken at Willows Camp during the mobilization of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. Both are carrying SMLE (Short Magazine Lee-Enfield) Rifles but the second soldier is wearing a Canadian seven-button other ranks greatcoat with Oliver belt, frog and scabbard over it.
Photograph depicts two photographs that may have accidentally been exposed on the same side of the glass plate. In one of these captures, two soldiers pose with Lee-Enfield rifles. In the other capture, a man poses for a portrait. He has a small picture of a woman pinned to his breast pocket.
Photograph depicts a soldier standing in front of his tent. He is part of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force who trained at Willows Camp in the fall and early winter of 1918. In this photo, the soldier carries a revolver on his belt and also holds a sabre.
Photograph depicts two pictures taken at Willows Camp during the mobilization of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. In the first picture, two soldiers wearing cap badges from 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment pose together. The first of the two is wearing webbing equipment and is holding a Lee-Enfield rifle. The second is wearing a double-breasted coat with battle patches of the 260th Battalion. In the second picture, a soldier, also wearing webbing equipment and battle patches on his sleeve, poses with his SMLE rifle in front of the camp tents.
Photograph depicts two pictures taken at Willows Camp during the mobilization of the Siberian Expeditionary Force. In the first exposure, a soldier from the 260th battalion poses for a picture. He is wearing full webbing equipment, a winter forage cap and a British pattern Service Dress jacket. He also carries a Lee-Enfield rifle. In the second picture, two soldiers simulate a bayonet fight with their SMLE rifles.
Photograph depicts two pictures taken at Willows Camp during the mobilization of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. Both soldiers wear British pattern uniforms which were issued to Canadians late in the war due to scarce supplies. The second soldier demonstrates an attacking position with his Lee-Enfield rifle. He was originally attached to the 1st Depot Battalion, Eastern Ontario Regiment (as per shoulder title) and was likely drafted into the 259th Battalion.
Photograph depicts two pictures taken at Willows Camp during the mobilization of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. The top picture features a recruit who was originally attached to the 8th Railway Troops, as per his cap badge design. While the glass plate negative has oxidized and degraded over time, the man's face is clear thanks to an application of varnish the original photographer applied (originally meant to smooth the appearance of the skin). The bottom picture is a group of military police. While difficult to see, most of the men are wearing brassards with the letters MP (Military Police) on their arms.
Photograph depicts two portraits of soldiers attached to the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force. The first soldier is holding a Ross MK III Rifle with attached bayonet. His bayonet frog and scabbard hang from his belt. He also wears a Winter Forage Cap. The second soldier is a sergeant who holds a cane and wears an ID disc around his wrist.
Photograph depicts soldiers from the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force at Willows Camp. The soldier in the first image wears insignia from the 1st Depot Battalion, Nova Scotia Regiment. Troops were recruited for the Siberian force from all over Canada.
Photograph depicts two soldiers from the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force at Willows Camp. Destined to serve in Russia, these soldiers were recruited among volunteers and conscripts from all over Canada. As supplies ran out near the end of the war, recruits were fitted with British pattern uniforms which differed from their Canadian counterparts by the presence of rifle patches around the shoulders, a folded collar, and five large jacket buttons instead of seven small ones.
