145th Battalion (New Brunswick), CEF

The 145th Battalion (New Brunswick), CEF, was a Canadian infantry battalion raised in New Brunswick during the First World War for service with the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF).

Authorization and Recruitment:

The battalion was authorized on December 22, 1915, and began recruiting in New Brunswick. Its mobilization headquarters were located at Sussex, New Brunswick. Recruiting was focused on attracting men from across the province, aiming to fill the battalion's ranks with a diverse representation of New Brunswick's population.

Training and Preparation:

Following recruitment, the battalion underwent initial training in New Brunswick, focusing on basic soldiering skills, drill, and physical conditioning. After this initial phase, the battalion proceeded overseas.

Service Overseas:

The 145th Battalion embarked for Great Britain on September 25, 1916, aboard the SS Olympic. Upon arrival, the battalion was initially stationed for further training and acclimatization. Due to the restructuring of the CEF and the need for reinforcements at the front, the 145th Battalion was broken up for reinforcements.

Reinforcement Unit:

The men of the 145th Battalion were primarily used to reinforce existing Canadian units already engaged in active combat on the Western Front. This meant that the battalion itself did not serve as a distinct fighting unit in the trenches. Its personnel were distributed to various other battalions within the CEF, bolstering their ranks and replacing casualties.

Disbandment:

The 145th Battalion (New Brunswick), CEF, was officially disbanded on July 21, 1917.

Perpetuation:

The perpetuation of the 145th Battalion (New Brunswick), CEF, was assigned to the 5th Battalion, The Royal New Brunswick Regiment (Carleton and York). This ensures the battalion's history and sacrifices are remembered and honored by a contemporary Canadian Army unit.