Hello from someone who's completely unfamilar with kilts

[Daveenb]

Hello my name is Dave and I joined the group because I am doing some historical research. I had done an online search for images of 16th. Battalion (Canadian Scottish) and some of the results had taken me to your page and a thread on CEF highland units. My interest comes from my Grandfather. I grew up believing that he was a Scottish man because as a child I had heard him talking about the Scottish around my Uncles dinner table. He also was an avid tea drinker. We are Yanks so of course everyone in the family drank coffee with the exception of my Grandfather. It all seemed perfectly logical to me at the time. About five years ago I had read the book The Gun's of August and it got me interested in the First World War (Yes I'm a bit of a history nerd). I had remembered that my Grandfather was a veteran of the war so I asked my mother about what she knew of his experiences in the war but she had only the most basic knowledge of his service and asked me if I could look into it for the family. I have to admit it's become a bit of a passion to me. At first finding information was a slow go but as I went on I was able to find more info. One bit would lead to another or collaborate something else I had found. I had originally thought he had played a small part in a large in war. What I found out was quite the opposite. He had been in a combat infantry unit and had passed though some the most brutal events the world had ever seen. To say it was quite humbling would be an understatement. Again I would like to thank you for allowing me to join your group. Deas Gu Cath

[The Wizard of BC]

The 16th Canadian Expeditionary Force is today known as the Canadian Scottish Regt. (Princess Mary's) They are still in existence and are located in Victoria, BC Canada.

Here is a link to the unit's website - http://www.canadianscottishregiment.ca/

This unit has a long and illustrious history. During the 2nd battle of Ypres, on the night of 22 April 1915, the Germans launched the first poison gas attack of the war on the western front. The object of their attack was the Ypres Salient, and they concentrated their initial attack on two French divisions, the 45th (Algerian) and 79th (Territorial). Attacking in the evening of the 21st, the two French divisions found themselves ill-prepared to cope with the chlorine gas and promptly broke, leaving a gap in the line four miles wide.
The 1st Canadian Division, which had been in France since February, was hastily pulled out of reserve and ordered to seal the line. In particular, a position known as Kitcheners' Wood was ordered reinforced, and two Canadian battalions were selected for the job - which in the event turned out to be a major counter-attack, and the first major offensive operation of Canadian troops in the war.
This is today celebrated each year with a Battle of Kitchener's Wood dinner.

I am honored to be their Regimental Kiltmaker.

[Daveenb]

Very honored to meet a member of the 16th. Lucky for my Grandfather (and myself ) he was not present at The Second Battle of The Ypres Salient. He had joined the Battalion in Ypres in June of 1916 right after the Battle for Mount Sorrel. I would like to visit the Regimental Museum in Victoria but it now appears that I will have to obtain a passport to go to Canada (who would of ever thought ). I live pretty close in Vancouver Washington so it would make for a nice week long visit. Do you know if there are any special hours or dates for the museums operations or just what is posted on their web page ? Deas Gu Cath

[Father Bill]

Welcome to the "Great Rabble"!

[Steve Ashton]

The Regiment meets each Wednesday evening in the winter for their drill night. The museum is open for drill nights.

[Terry Searl]

The 16th Canadian Expeditionary Force is today known as the Canadian Scottish Regt. (Princess Mary's) They are still in existence and are located in Victoria, BC Canada.

Here is a link to the unit's website - http://www.canadianscottishregiment.ca/

This unit has a long and illustrious history. During the 2nd battle of Ypres, on the night of 22 April 1915, the Germans launched the first poison gas attack of the war on the western front. The object of their attack was the Ypres Salient, and they concentrated their initial attack on two French divisions, the 45th (Algerian) and 79th (Territorial). Attacking in the evening of the 21st, the two French divisions found themselves ill-prepared to cope with the chlorine gas and promptly broke, leaving a gap in the line four miles wide.
The 1st Canadian Division, which had been in France since February, was hastily pulled out of reserve and ordered to seal the line. In particular, a position known as Kitcheners' Wood was ordered reinforced, and two Canadian battalions were selected for the job - which in the event turned out to be a major counter-attack, and the first major offensive operation of Canadian troops in the war.
This is today celebrated each year with a Battle of Kitchener's Wood dinner.

I am honored to be their Regimental Kiltmaker.

Thank-you for that Steve....I really do appreciate that they have given you such an honour

[Daveenb]

Thanks everyone for the welcome

[plaid preacher]

Welcome, Dave. Glad you have you aboard.

[Kiltedjohn]

Welcome from the other side of the Atlantic. I'm a Scotsman living in the English midlands.

[Taskr]

Welcome, Dave. I'm certain the Regiment would be very happy to hear from a descendant.
If you don't already have the link, you can find information on your Grandfather's service here http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discove...es/search.aspx

Guns of August - a thick but fascinating read.

Welcome to the rabble, and I hope you see to it some day that you wear the Cdn Scottish kilt with pride of remembrance.