Context
The 245th, Bn. was to be the second full infantry bn. in the CEF to bear the name Canadian Grenadier Guards in the CEF. After recruiting three different contingents for parts of other CEF bns. (The 14th, RMR, the 23rd. and 60th. VRC)., the Regiment was so successful at quickly raising its own unique bn. (the 87th.) that it was decided to try raise a second full CGG unit. So, special permission was obtained from the Governor General. himself a Grenadier, to use the subsidiary CGG title. The 245th. was authorized on June 15, 1916.with Capt. C.C. Ballantyne of the 13th. Scottish Light Dragoons was promoted to be the LCol. The unit quickly recruited a full slate of 30 officers (23 were Grenadiers). Major C.S. Stairs returned from the 87th. Bn. then overseas, to become 2 i/c. However, the era of raising full units solely by volunteerism was at an end. It should be pointed out that while the 87th. was unique in being allowed to recruit anywhere, the 245th were restricted to recruiting in Montreal only. Most of the 8tth. came form outside Montreal. Despite massive advertising as evidenced by these posters and offers of $250 in prizes, a goodly sum in 1916/17, the most that they were able to recruit was 509 all ranks, or a little less than half a full WW1 infantry unit. On April 27, 1917, Eventually, 292 departed oversea as a unit. As was normal for CEF units at this stage of the war, they were broken up in England and merged into the 23rd. Reserve Bn. Eventually they were dispersed as reinforcements to a variety of CEF. units in te Canadian Corps in the field. 152 eventually were posted to our own 87th. Bn., most on August 27, 1917. 50 were still on strength less than 15 months later on the date of the armistice. Most of the difference had become casualties in the interim. Although small in number, they were of a very high quality, as is typical of a Guards unit. This was the last draft of replacements the 87th. received from raised numbered CEF units. Henceforth, recruiting was done regionally, including by the last months of the war, by conscription.Name/Title
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