20th Battalion (Central Ontario), CEF


The 20th Battalion, CEF was a unit of the First World War Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Service history

The battalion was composed of volunteers from militia units in central Ontario. Much of the unit was drawn from the 12th Regiment, the York Rangers, with men coming from ten other militia regiments – of which four still exist. The unit fought in France and Flanders as part of the 4th Canadian Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division. Notable actions include the Somme, Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, Passchendaele, Amiens, the advance along the Scarpe, Canal du Nord, Canal de l'Escaut and the advance to Mons in the Last Hundred Days. The battalion was disbanded in 1920.

Casualties

4,310 officers and men served in the 20th Battalion during the war altogether. Of them, 843 were killed in action or died of wounds—often having been wounded earlier. Another 1,855 were wounded, often repeatedly. 91 died of disease or accidentally. Ottawa stopped counting the deaths to old injuries, mental trauma and exposure to gas as war deaths in 1922 while the nominal roll of the 20th attributed these to the war until 1928. Only 22 were ever taken prisoner—nine of them in one incident when a stretcher party went astray at Passchendaele. There was also one deserter who crossed to the German lines in 1916; his name and fate are not recorded.

Awards and honours

A total of 398 decorations and awards were made to soldiers of the 20th Battalion, including two awards of the Victoria Cross:
In addition, ten officers earned the Distinguished Service Order, while 45 officers received the Military Cross, and four a second award of the MC. Among the enlisted men, 24 received the Distinguished Conduct Medal and 231 awards of the Military Medal, including 14 receiving it twice.

Perpetuations

The perpetuation of the 20th Battalion was initially assigned in 1920 to 1st Battalion, The Peel Regiment. A year later in 1921, the perpetuation was reassigned to 1st Battalion, The West Toronto Regiment. The perpetuation has been handed down through the following units:

Battle honours