Name/Title
Canadian Grenadier Guards WW1 Recruiting Poster - TYPE 1 - 87th Battalion CEFDescription
There are 8 different rare or unique examples of original recruiting posters used by CGG during the First World War. Many with less than 20 original copies known to exist.
Type 1: The very first poster to be created, this 87th Bn Recruiting Poster was published by The Montreal Lithographing Co. Circa 1915 and designed for regional recruiting efforts. Titled ‘ Join the Canadian Grenadier Guards for overseas service under General Meighen’ and features 177107 Sgt John Charles Noon. (CSM WO2 Noon would go on to win an MM in 1916) – Less than 20 Copies known to exist. The Museum owns and displays one of the originals.
CSM John Charles Noon, MM (177107) was born in 1883, and originally from London England. Having joined CGG prior to WW1, Sjt. Noon enlisted as one of the original Battalion members of our 87th Canadian Infantry Battalion on 1 Oct. 1915 in Montreal.
As a Sergeant, he posed for one of three original recruiting posters for the 87th Battalion.
CSM / WO 2 Noon was a CGG decorated hero, having won a Military Medal for Bravery (MM) in December of 1916 along with 4 other Guardsmen: 177768 Pte. J. E. Blaney, 177917 Pte. J. D. Hunter, 177281 Pte. J. Leitch, 178295 Pte. A. W. Thompson
He survived the war, returned to Drummondville Quebec where he lived until his passing in 1953.
Type 2: Published at the same time as type 1 by The Montreal Lithographing Co. Circa 1915 it was designed for local Montreal recruiting efforts. Titled ‘Attention 87th Bn Canadian Grenadier Guards’. This poster features Pte James Boon 177079. He survived the war and represented CGG at The Vimy Memorial unveiling in 1936. Less than 10 Copies known to exist
Type 3: The very first poster in the 245th Bn Recruiting Poster series was published by The Montreal Lithographing Co. Circa Spring 1916 and designed for regional recruiting efforts. Titled Forward! To victory with the 245 Overseas Canadian Grenadier Guards Battalion and features Lt-Col Ballantyne name with battle scene.
Type 4: Titled ‘Help the Boys Keep them running’ – a late 1916 local Montreal Poster printed by Montreal Litho Company was blue & black German retreating scene with yellow boarder. Less than 5 Copies known to exist.
Type 5: 245th Bn Recruiting Poster published in 1916 by Montreal Publishing Co. Featuring Sgt William Hawkins, Bugle-Major of the 245th Bn and former Coldstream Guards Imperial Veteran. Titled ‘Canadian Grenadier 245th Guards Overseas Battalion’
A portrait layout navy-blue and gold bordered 245th Bn Poster with Navy Blue Headings and bold text font. 2 Recruiting Depots - Less than 20 Copies known to exist
Type 6: Similar to type 5 but printed as a no border 245th Bn Poster with Red Headings and no bold font. 3 Recruiting Depots listed - Less than 20 Copies known exist
Type 7: Based on type 5, An extremely rare vertical layout navy blue and gold bordered 245th Bn Poster with Red ‘Fall in the Guards’ beading & navy-blue text. 1 Recruiting Depot. - Only one copy known to exist
Type 8: Similar to type 7 - An extremely rare vertical layout navy blue and gold bordered 245th Bn Poster with Red ‘Fall in the Guards’ beading with Date "6 September 1916" and Pay Scale in black text. - Only one copy known to exist which is held by Princton University Archives in the USACreated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Create Date
December 25, 2021Updated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Update Date
May 24, 2022
