117th (Eastern Townships) Battalion, CEF

The 117th (Eastern Townships) Battalion, CEF was an infantry battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) during the First World War. Authorized on December 22, 1915, the battalion was raised in Military District No. 4, primarily drawing recruits from the Eastern Townships region of Quebec.

The 117th Battalion recruited throughout 1916, establishing recruiting depots in towns and cities across the Eastern Townships. The battalion sailed for Great Britain on August 15, 1916, aboard the Empress of Britain.

Upon arrival in England, the 117th Battalion was initially stationed at Shorncliffe Camp, where they underwent further training. On February 12, 1917, the battalion was absorbed into the 26th Reserve Battalion, CEF. This meant the 117th Battalion was broken up and its personnel were used as reinforcements for other Canadian units already serving on the Western Front, rather than serving as a distinct fighting unit.

The 117th (Eastern Townships) Battalion, CEF was officially disbanded on July 11, 1917.

While the 117th Battalion did not fight as a unit on the Western Front, its service number block was allocated to it. Those who served in the 117th Battalion before being transferred to other units contributed to the overall Canadian war effort through their individual service. The perpetuation of the battalion was assigned to the Sherbrooke Regiment.