Canadian Military History
Volume 22 | Issue 1 Article 4
4-17-2015 British Blood Calls British Blood The rB itish- Canadian Recruiting Mission of 1917-1918 Richard Holt
Recommended Citation Richard Holt (2015) "British Blood Calls British Blood The rB itish-Canadian Recruiting Mission of 1917-1918," Canadian Military History: Vol. 22: Iss. 1, Article 4. Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol22/iss1/4
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Canadian Military History by an authorized administrator of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact [email protected]. : British Blood Calls British Blood The British-Canadian Recruiting Mission of 1917-1918 Canadian War Museum 19750157-001 Canadian War
Published26 by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2015 1 Canadian Military History, Vol. 22 [2015], Iss. 1, Art. 4 British Blood Calls British Blood The British-Canadian Recruiting Mission of 1917-1918
Richard Holt
uring the First World War, a forfeited their citizenship.4 Foreign total of 593,079 men enlisted in Abstract: This article explores the armies, including the CEF, were D organization and activities of the the Canadian Expeditionary Force British-Canadian Recruiting Mission forbidden by US law to recruit (CEF), an astonishing number for which recruited more than 33,000 within the United States or to enter a small nation with only 1,526,133 British subjects living in the United the United States with the intention men of military age.1 Not all of these States for the Canadian Expeditionary of enticing men to leave in order to recruits lived in Canada; more than Force in 1917-1918. Recruiting enlist elsewhere.5 Both provisions operations and cooperation with the 57,000 were American residents. United States Army are discussed and were reinforced in August 1914 by While many of these men made their statistical summaries are presented President Wilson’s proclamation own way to Canada to join the CEF, showing the recruits’ origins, the emphasizing American neutrality.6 more than 33,000 were enlisted in the corps they were assigned to and the In Canada, CEF regulations and the United States by the British-Canadian effect on the reinforcement flow to Militia Act specified that recruits had select Canadian battalions in France. Recruiting Mission (BCRM). The The article concludes that the Mission to be British subjects thus excluding contribution to the manpower pool may have recruited a large number American citizens, although the by the BCRM was significant: more of men, but in the event was a failure British Army Act, provided that one than 18 percent of all those who because the vast majority of British soldier in 50 could be an alien.7 subjects living in the United States joined the CEF between June 1917 The BCRM originated in February ignored the call to arms. and September 1918 were recruited 1917 when Britain was facing a in the United States.2 Despite this shortage of military manpower. success, the BCRM has been largely born recruits living in Canada.3 In The problem was serious and Army ignored by most historians. The the event, the legion proved to be an Council went so far as to advise official history, written by G.W.L. ongoing diplomatic embarrassment Cabinet at the beginning of February Nicholson, for example, does not in part because of surreptitious that in the event of heavy fighting mention the mission, even in passing. attempts to recruit south of the on the Western Front, it would be This article will examine the origin, border and in part because of the impossible to maintain the existing organization and operation of what name. None of these units were strength of the British army in the was an unparalleled example of overly successful and in practice field.8 Not unnaturally, Britain looked international cooperation. enlisted men regardless of where for alternative sources of manpower, The BCRM was not the first they had been born. The 212th and particularly the large number of attempt to recruit men from the 237th, both unable to attract recruits, British immigrants living in the United States. In 1915, the eccentric were disbanded while the remaining United States. However, no effort minister of militia and defence, Sam three battalions were under-strength could be made to recruit these men Hughes, authorized the creation when they sailed to England. Their as America was a neutral country. of the 97th Battalion in Toronto. failure was largely attributable to But, the German resumption of Four additional battalions (211th, American and Canadian legislation unrestricted submarine warfare 212th, 213th and 237th) followed and regulations. Under American and the release of the Zimmerman in 1916. Known collectively as the law, citizens who joined the CEF telegram in February raised the “American Legion,” these five units were deemed to have expatriated possibility that America would join were intended to attract American- themselves or, in other words, the war on the side of the allies. A http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol22/iss1/4© Canadian Military History, Volume 22, Number 1, Winter 2013, pp.27-37. 27 2 : British Blood Calls British Blood The British-Canadian Recruiting Mission of 1917-1918 Photo courtesy Jonathan F. Vance courtesy Jonathan F. Photo
A marching contingent from the 48th Highlanders of Canada is greeted by large crowds in a US city, probably Chicago, circa 1917.
British officer, Brigadier-General Code to allow Allied nations to enlist Britons, Jews and Australians, to the W.A. White, and seven other officers residents who were not American Imperial Recruit Depot at Windsor, were sent to join the British War citizens or declarants and had been Nova Scotia.14 Mission in the United States, an born in the Allied nation concerned.11 From a modest start, the BCRM organization that coordinated the The amendment, which allowed expanded steadily. The headquarters purchase of munitions, weapons foreign armies to enter the United was located in New York City and for and equipment, to prepare for States and actively seek recruits, organizational purposes the country the possibility of recruiting in the was a remarkable act of generosity was divided into three divisions: United States should the opportunity and cooperation even though the the Eastern Division based in New arise.9 potential recruits were not eligible to York City, the Western Division in American neutrality ended serve in the American Expeditionary Chicago and the Pacific Division in on 6 April 1917 when the United Force (AEF).12 San Francisco. By November 1917, 27 States declared war on the German By 6 June 1917, the British recruiting depots had been established Empire. The mood of the country was Recruiting Mission, later renamed as well as mobile detachments that distinctly pro-Allied and after the the British-Canadian Recruiting visited urban centres in the Western British ambassador in Washington Mission (BCRM), started operations and Pacific Division. Canadians cleared the way, White lost no in New York.13 Developing the were part of every division, but the time in soliciting congressmen for infrastructure and assembling staff Western Division was staffed entirely permission to enlist recruits from took time and in the interim US Army by Canadians and commanded by a the 700,000 British subjects in the US recruiting offices assisted the BCRM militia officer, Lieutenant-Colonel who were neither American citizens by receiving applicants, conducting J.S. Dennis, a veteran of the Riel nor declarants.10 The results were medical exams, providing subsistence Rebellion and civil engineer with the
almost immediate and on 7 May 1917 and forwarding men to the nearest Department of Natural Resources Museum 19680184-002 Canadian War Congress amended the U.S. Penal CEF depot in Canada or, in the case of who later served in Russia as a staff
Published28 by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2015 3 Canadian Military History, Vol. 22 [2015], Iss. 1, Art. 4
officer with the Canadian Siberian Broadway musical was produced.17 was posted to the BCRM in the Expeditionary Force.15 In New Written by Ian Hay, author of the hopes of enlisting a sizable number England, the commanding officer of best-selling First Hundred Thousand, of French-Canadian immigrants in the 236th MacLean Highlanders not with lyrics by a Canadian musician, the New England states. The results only recruited for his own battalion Lieutenant Gitz Rice, Getting Together were disappointing and in August but also the BCRM in June-July 1917. opened in New York and then toured 1917, a Catholic priest, Captain The BCRM received help from Albany, Syracuse, Philadelphia and F.C.D. Doyon, the former padre of a variety of other sources. British Boston.18 the 22nd Battalion, reported that consuls were instructed to assist the Border crossing problems were many had already joined the AEF
Photo courtesy Jonathan F. Vance courtesy Jonathan F. Photo mission and 72 recruiting committees non-existent. In June 1917, the as translators and the remainder were formed by prominent Britons superintendent of immigration noted anticipated being drafted in the near and Canadians living in the United that “for months past our inspectors future. In summary, said Father States.16 Canadian bands and have, all along the Boundary, Doyon, a concerted effort to recruit marching contingents from the 5th admitted such men as applied for these men would be a waste of time.20 Royal Highlanders of Montreal, entry to enlist and were believed to BCRM recruiting in the United the 48th Highlanders of Toronto be suitable.”19 States encountered some obstacles. and the 236th Battalion, MacLean Special efforts were made to Most US Army recruiting stations Highlanders, of Fredericton toured recruit French Canadians and in June cooperated with the BCRM, but Boston, New York and Chicago in 1917 Major J.J.O.L. Daly-Gingras, who a few were reluctant to provide 1917 to whip up local enthusiasm had previously served with the 22nd assistance or tried to entice BCRM while the following year a patriotic Battalion in France and Flanders, recruits into the American Army.21
A British-Canadian recruiting mission in the US joins forces with the US Marine Corps. The signs on the side of the truck read, “US Marine Corps” (left) and “Britishers Enlist” (right). Canadian War Museum 19680184-002 Canadian War
http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol22/iss1/4 29 4 : British Blood Calls British Blood The British-Canadian Recruiting Mission of 1917-1918
Local draft boards were also loath to lose potential recruits for the AEF and in Boston, an Irish declarant who tried to join the CEF was instructed to remain in the United States or be charged with desertion from the AEF.22 In Buffalo, a BCRM recruit from the engineer depot at Brockville was jailed for draft evasion when he returned home on leave in uniform.23 But others were more cooperative and in Chicago, Judge Stelk ordered non-US citizens held in the Cook County Jail to be taken to the BCRM recruiting office for attestation and transport to Canada.24 BCRM recruits were documented and examined in the United States and then forwarded to a Canadian depot for attestation. But the men were not subject to military law until Canadian War Museum 19730004-070 Canadian War they were attested and there were no legal means of preventing them from deserting. In March 1918, about five percent of all BCRM recruits Map drawn by Mike Bechthold ©2013 Bechthold Mike by Map drawn
Published30 by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2015 5 Canadian Military History, Vol. 22 [2015], Iss. 1, Art. 4
vanished before they arrived at a masters.31 A handful of men from army. Perhaps the higher pay for depot in Canada while in August other enemy countries (Bulgaria and Canadian soldiers influenced their 1918 Military District 2 in Toronto Austria-Hungary) were also accepted. decision. The average age of the reported that more than nine percent Russian and Austro-Hungarian sample in Table 1 was 28.7 years had disappeared while in transit.25 Poles were not welcomed, at least in as opposed to the CEF average of Militia Headquarters responded the Western Division. “These men 26.3 years. About 75.6 percent of the by directing in April 1918 that [Polish applicants] are attracted, no BCRM recruits were bachelors while men would be attested by BCRM doubt, by Canadian pay,” wrote 79.6 percent of all CEF recruits were recruiting detachments.26 Since only Major-General Willoughby Gwatkin, unmarried. More than a third of the one of the three BCRM divisions was the chief of the general staff to the CEF claimed former service of one controlled by Canadians, it is unlikely Western Division in January 1918, kind or another compared to only that the revised procedure had much adding “I do not think we ought to 16.5 percent of those in Table 1.37 effect. divert them from the Polish army to The proportion of British ex-regular Judging by attestation papers, the CEF.”32 Men born in the United soldiers, however, was somewhat BCRM medical examinations were States were enlisted although most higher: 4.4 percent as opposed to carried out by Canadian Army were either too old or too young for the CEF with 3.1 percent. About 6.4 Medical Corps or Royal Army Medical the AEF or had parents who were percent of the BCRM recruits claimed Corps doctors or, on occasion, by British subjects. Those who were former service in the American forces. civilian physicians. The number of identified on arrival in Canada as The majority of BCRM recruits applicants who were medically unfit bona-fide American citizens were were mature men with no former is unknown although returns from discharged.33 service and their reasons for New York City for July 1917 show There were few Asians; the CEF volunteering are not obvious. Some that 32.8 percent were rejected.27 was not willing to accept Japanese may have felt the call to duty: men Those who had been passed as fit or Chinese recruits enlisted by the such as 45-year-old William Perkins were reassessed by medical boards on BCRM.34 However, the ban on Asian from Westford, Massachusetts. arrival in Canada. Results probably recruits was not absolute. At least Born in New Brunswick, Perkins varied by district, but in Military two American-born Nisei were attested in Montreal in February District 2, for example, four percent accepted, one from Korea (a Japanese 1918 together with his son who also of all arrivals were turned down by possession), eight from Japan proper lived in Westford and had been born medical boards.28 In all, it is estimated and one from British India.35 Blacks in New Brunswick. Both returned that about 63 percent of all BCRM were also accepted and at least 49 to Westford after the war.38 John applicants were fit for some form from the British West Indies are known Walker of Bridgeport, Connecticut of military service, a rate roughly to have enlisted. (See Table 1). may have been similarly motivated. comparable to the results of Canadian medical boards that assessed men Table 1: Sample of BCRM Enlistments36 eligible for conscription under the Military Service Act.29 Location of Birth Recruits Proportion (%) CEF Overall (%) The 1917 amendment to the British Isles 3,194 49.5 36.8 U.S. Penal Code stated clearly that Canada 2,384 36.9 51.4 the BCRM could only recruit British British Possessions 177 2.7 1.5 subjects who were non-declarants. Total of British subjects by birth 5,755 89.1 89.8 Initially the BCRM adhered to the law, United States 290 4.2 5.7 but this soon changed. In September Allied Nations 269 4.1 1917 Militia Headquarters notified Neutral Nations 145 2.2 BCRM that men who were not British Enemy Nations 48 0.7 subjects were welcome in the CEF providing they had been born in Total of Allied, Neutral and Enemy 462 7.2 4.5 allied or neutral countries and could Total 6,459 speak either French or English.30 Note: A total of 77 men born at sea, in non-existent countries (Armenia and Poland), American dependencies (Puerto Rico and Philippines), in Egypt or in Dutch or Danish colonies have been excluded from Table 1. Four months later, Ottawa decided to accept Syrians and Armenians from the Ottoman Empire, presumably The proportion of recruits born A former member of the British because both were Christian minority in the British Isles is surprising; these Special Reserve, he was rejected groups with no love for their Turkish men should have joined the British by the BCRM in New York City http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol22/iss1/4 31 6 : British Blood Calls British Blood The British-Canadian Recruiting Mission of 1917-1918
because of eyesight. Evidently a or 41.6 percent.41 (See determined man, he reapplied and Table 2). attested in Montreal 29 January The BCRM also 1918. In Toronto, US-born Theodore sought recruits in Engman, a musician or carpenter (he Canada to support the claimed both occupations at various Jewish Legion created times), from Minneapolis was a in September 1917 naturalized Canadian and joined the at the behest of the Canadian Railway Troops in May Jewish community in 1918.39 Like the Perkins, he returned Britain. The original to the US after the war and died at intention was to raise Hennepin, Minnesota in November five battalions of Royal 1958. Others appear to have enlisted Fusiliers (38th, 39th, for personal reasons. Shosho Rehana, 40th and 41st with the for example, an Assyrian Christian 42nd as a regimental from Mesopotamia (now Iraq) living depot) from British in Flint, was attested in London in Jews.42 However, it January 1918. Demobilized in 1919, soon became evident he returned to Flint where he worked that the pool of recruits for the Ford Motor Car Company. in Britain was too small Many years later, his son claimed to sustain the legion, he had enlisted on the off-chance and the War Office he would serve in the Middle East, decided to recruit in closer to his family and friends. The both Canada and the 43
son may have been correct; Rehana United States. Museum 19930051-001 Canadian War left Flint in the 1920s, returned to Iraq Responsibility for and worked as a mechanic at a Royal recruiting for the Jewish Air Force base.40 Legion in Canada was The proliferation of the BCRM assigned to BCRM recruiting detachments meant that headquarters in New men were enlisted in every state York City, an unusual arrangement under the Military Service Act of as well as the District of Columbia, approved by Militia Headquarters in Canada, and that he is in all respects Hawaii and the Philippine Islands. March 1918. To assist recruiting, the a suitable recruit for enlistment in Not all states were equally represented BCRM organized Jewish Recruiting the British Army.”45 There was some and a sample of 6,468 recruits shows Committees in Montreal, Toronto, ambivalence about ethnicity and that 37 states provided fewer than a and Winnipeg.44 Each committee religion and the BCRM instructed hundred men each. More than half was to “enquire into the antecedents local committees that Russian, came from Massachusetts, New York, and bona fides of the applicants Polish, and Rumanian Jews were Illinois and California. The most and furnish each applicant with a acceptable, but those from Armenia productive region was the eastern Certificate to the effect that he is not and Syria “ought to be classed as seaboard which provided 2,692 men within a class called out for service enemy aliens.”46 Recruits attracted by the Committees were processed Table 2: Sample of Residence Claimed by BCRM Recruits by CEF recruiting centres and then transported by the Department of Proportion of Sample Residence Claimed BCRM Division Recruits Militia and Defence to the Imperial (Table 1) (%) Recruit Depot at Windsor, Nova Massachusetts Eastern 966 14.9 Scotia.47 New York Eastern 945 14.6 However, there was no rush to the Illinois Western 817 12.6 colours, perhaps because Jews who California Pacific 661 10.2 were British subjects were eligible for Total 3,389 52.4 conscription under the MSA while many had already joined the CEF.48 Note: A total of 69 men in the sample were transients, did not provide an address or provided addresses outside of the United States: Canada (two), Mexico (two) and Cuba (one). Only the most productive states are shown. Canadian Jewry was also divided and
Published32 by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2015 7 Canadian Military History, Vol. 22 [2015],Table Iss. 1,3: Art. BCRM 4 Recruits Allocation by District 21 July 1917 - 4 August 191754 Zionist support for the legion may District Area Recruits Proportion (%) have inhibited recruiting, particularly in the Orthodox community. In Military District 1 South-Western Ontario 35 3.9 Winnipeg, Rabbi Herbert J. Samuel Military District 2 Central Ontario 464 52.3 of the Shaarey Zedek synagogue not Military District 3 Eastern Ontario 5 0.6 only recruited on behalf of the legion, Military District 4 Western Québec 69 7.8 but announced he would volunteer Military District 5 Eastern Québec 0 n/a 49 as well. However, in a confidential Military District 6 Nova Scotia 46 5.2 letter to Prime Minister Borden, he Military District 10 Manitoba and Saskatchewan 120 13.5 opposed the legion unless Jews born Military District 11 British Columbia 108 12.2 in enemy countries were included Military District 13 Alberta 0 n/a as well.50 By mid-July 1918 it was New Brunswick 41 4.6 apparent that recruits were few and far between and the Jewish Recruiting Total 888 Committees were disbanded.51 The Note: New Brunswick was later designated Military District 7. number of men enlisted in Canada 58 is uncertain and official figures were Table 4: Corps Allocation as of 18 August 1918 never compiled, although Vladimir Corps Total Proportion (%) Jabotinsky, a former officer of the Infantry 5,306 42.1 Jewish legion, estimated that about Artillery 332 2.6 300 Canadians were recruited, a Cavalry 290 2.3 figure confirmed by another veteran, Hyman Sokolov of Winnipeg.52 Engineers 2,071 16.4 Not all military districts in Service Corps 215 1.7 Canada benefited equally from Medical Corps 233 1.8 the BCRM. Military District 2 in Railway Troops 2,616 20.7 Toronto received the majority with Dental Corps 6 0.05 more than 12,600 recruits enlisted Officer Training 26 0.2 by 7 September 1918, more than a Garrison duty in Canada 1,475 11.7 third of all those recruited by the Base Hospital 48 0.38 BCRM.53 The reasons seem fairly Total 12,618 obvious. The Western Division HQ was located in Chicago which had direct rail connections to Toronto About 63.4 percent of all BCRM seven months to reach France, it is and the division covered a huge recruits who arrived in Toronto up to probable that about 17,000 men were area, from Pennsylvania to the Rocky 18 August 1918 were fit for combatant taken on strength before the Armistice Mountains. A detailed breakdown service.56 The rest were assigned of whom about 42.1 percent, or 7,100, of the allocation to each district has to duties commensurate with their were infantrymen, a total that would not been found, but partial returns medical category.57 (See Table 4). be consistent with Table 4. Had the illustrate the disparity (See Table 3). By October 1918, the BCRM had war continued into 1919, as was The issue of which corps the provided more than 33,000 men for the universally anticipated until well into recruits were assigned to caused some CEF, a very substantial contribution the summer of 1918, there is no doubt difficulties. Initially, BCRM recruiters to the national manpower pool. that the BCRM contingent would promised applicants they could choose But how many served in France, have made a much more substantial any branch of the CEF they wished especially with the infantry where contribution. (Table 5). and, not surprisingly, most opted to the need for reinforcements was the The BCRM was useful but relied avoid the infantry. It must have come greatest? Almost half of all BCRM on voluntarism and was therefore as a shock, therefore, that on arrival recruits were enlisted after March limited in its effectiveness since in Canada, most were assigned to 1918.59 Judging by those who served non-declarant British subjects living the infantry. Not all accepted their in the 20th Battalion, it took 28 weeks, in the United States who refused assignment and in Military District or seven months, for the average to volunteer for the CEF, AEF or 2 about two percent of all BCRM BCRM recruit to reach the front lines British Expeditionary Force (BEF) recruits refused to be attested and were after being attested in Toronto.60 could not be compelled to serve. returned to the US.55 Assuming that all BCRM recruits took Conversely, American citizens http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol22/iss1/4 33 8 : British Blood Calls British Blood The British-Canadian Recruiting Mission of 1917-1918
Table 5: BCRM Reinforcements – Select Battalions61 need to recruit volunteers in the United States and on 12 October 1918, Mar-May Unit Jun-Aug 1918 Sep-Nov 1918 Total Home Depot 63 1918 the BCRM closed its doors. The terms of the convention 2nd CMR 21 28 99 148 Toronto concerning Canada were simple 4th CMR 1 18 75 94 Toronto and straight-forward. All American 4th Battalion 14 24 118 156 Toronto citizens domiciled in Canada and all Winnipeg 16th Battalion 1* 5 26 32 Canadian citizens living in the United and Victoria States between the ages of 20 and 44 18th Battalion 9 30 8 47 London were liable to be conscripted in their 20th Battalion 89 50 121 260 Toronto country of residence unless they 72nd Battalion 26 51 79 156 Vancouver returned home.64 Both Americans and 85th Battalion 0 4 3 7 Halifax Canadians had a 60-day grace period PPCLI 28 10 0 38 Ottawa in which to make a decision. For those who wished to return home, Totals 189 220 529 938 both the Canadian and American * Other than Private Fraser who was posted to the 16th Battalion on 16 February 1918, all BCRM reinforcements arrived between March and November 1918. governments agreed to facilitate repatriation but the men were living in Britain or Canada could to local draft laws. The preliminary required to pay their own way. not be drafted by the BEF or CEF. To agreement was signed on 19 February Whether or not the reciprocal resolve this problem, Britain and the 1918, but the American Senate insisted convention had any effect on the United States concluded a reciprocal on amendments and it was not until manpower pool is impossible to convention that gave men a choice 30 July 1918 that the reciprocal determine although it appears that between returning home where they convention came into effect.62 With the CEF had the short end of the could be conscripted or remaining the introduction of conscription for stick. In the United States, the Provost in their country of residence subject those living abroad, there was no Marshal General estimated that about
Officers of the Maclean Highlanders pose for a photo with the chief of clan, General Hugh Fitzroy Maclean (seated centre). In New England, the commanding officer of the 236th MacLean Highlanders not only recruited for his own battalion but also the BCRM in June-July 1917. Canadian War Museum 19720209-023 Canadian War
Published34 by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2015 9 Canadian Military History, Vol. 22 [2015], Iss. 1, Art. 4
20,000 potential CEF recruits living chosen for this sample recruited from a vol.18 (Washington: Bureau of National broad area and operated for at least 18 Literature, nd), pp.7969-7973, “Neutrality in the United States chose to serve months thus eliminating local recruiting Proclamations by the President of the with the AEF rather than return trends. The depots concerned were the United States.” home. In Canada, 18,372 Americans Canadian Army Medical Corps depots in 7. Great Britain, War Office, Manual of Winnipeg, (Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Military Law (London: HMSO, 1914) with registered with consular officials after North-West Ontario), Victoria (British a reprint of the Army Act, p.471 quotes 30 July 1918 and were thus exempted Columbia and the Yukon Territories), Article 95(1) concerning the enlistment from the MSA. No record appears the Canadian Army Service Corps Depot of aliens, in Toronto (Ontario and Québec), C 8. F.W. Perry, The Commonwealth Armies: to exist of the number of Americans Battery Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Manpower and Organization in Two World in Canada who were drafted into (Ontario and Québec), the Canadian Wars (Manchester: Manchester University the CEF nor is there any record Engineer depot at St. John’s, Québec Press, 1988), pp.24-25. (Ontario, Québec and the Maritimes) and 9. Lyddon. British War Missions to the United of the number of Canadians who the Canadian Mounted Rifles Depot in States 1914-1918, pp.197-198. trekked north under the terms of the Hamilton (Ontario and western Québec). 10. A declarant was one who had formally convention.65 A total of 502 men or 5.5 percent were declared his intention to apply for American residents. With 406,147 recruits US citizenship. Lyddon. British War During its 17 months of signing up by 31 May 1917, it is estimated Missions to the United States. pp.197-198. operation, the BCRM succeeded in at least 22,338 were American residents; Lyddon claimed that White and seven finding 47,188 recruits – an average W.G. Lyddon, British War Missions to the other officers were sent to Canada in United States 1914-1918 (London: Oxford February 1917 and then to the United of 2,776 men every month. From a University Press, 1938), p.203 noted that States to prepare for the possibility of Canadian perspective, the results the BCRM enlisted 47,188 men, 33,335 recruiting in the America should the of whom joined the CEF and 6,643 Jews, opportunity arise. United States, Bureau were gratifying with more than 33,000 colored men and other nationalities, some of the Census. Historical Statistics of the recruits. From a British perspective, of whom are known to have joined the United States, Colonial Times to 1970: Part the results were less than satisfactory CEF. Lyddon’s figures were confirmed I (Washington: US Government Printing by the British Ambassador to Washington Office, 1975), p.116 Series C 181-194 shows with only 7,210 men joining the British in a statement on 18 November 1918, a total of 6,780,214 foreign-born males of or Australian armies. Admittedly Directorate of History and Heritage, whom 3,038,303 or 44.8 percent were there were also 6,643 black and National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa naturalized, 571,521 or 8.4 percent were [DHH] 74/672 (Edwin Pye Fonds) box declarants, 2,390,426 or 35.3 percent who Jewish recruits, but the meager 1 folder 2. The grand total of American were landed immigrants only and 779,964 results hardly justified the time, effort residents who enlisted was probably in or 11.5 percent who were of unknown and expense of running a large and excess of 57,000. citizenship; p.118 Series C 228-295 shows 3. For an overview of the American Legion the place of birth of all immigrants of elaborate recruiting structure in a battalions, see Ronald G. Haycock, both genders. A total of 1,402,927 were foreign country.66 Not surprisingly, “The American Legion in the Canadian British subjects by birth. Assuming that there was no equivalent to the BCRM Expeditionary Force, 1914-1917: A Study half were male and using Series C 181-194 in Failure,” Military Affairs 43, no.3 as a guide, it is estimated that 701,464 67 in the Second World War. Still, the (October 1979); Eric Smylie, Americans men of all ages were neither US citizens BCRM was significant. Not only Who Would Not Wait: The American Legion nor declarants. The figure is slightly of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (Ph.D understated since Series C 228-295 did not did the CEF acquire a large number thesis, University of North Texas, 2002). list persons born in New Zealand, British of men at a time when volunteers 4. Statutes at Large of the United States African possessions, British Arabia, were few and far between, but the of America: Volume XXXIV, Part 1 Straits Settlement (Malaya), Hong Kong (Washington: Government Printing or British possessions elsewhere. operation was an early example of Office, 1907), p.1228, An Act In reference 11. United States, Congress, U.S. Congressional the Allied cooperation that was so to the expatriation of citizens and their Serial Set Number 7252 vol. 1, House important in the Second World War. protection abroad approved 2 March 1907. Report no. 14 by the Committee on the Section 2 provided that “Any American Judiciary (Bill H.R. 2893) 16 April 1917, citizen shall be deemed to have to have Senate Report no. 21 by the Committee expatriated himself…when he has taken on the Judiciary (Bill S. 1802) 18 April Notes an oath of allegiance to any foreign state.” 1917; Statutes at Large of the United States 5. Statutes at Large of the United States of America: Vol XL.. pp.39-40, An Act of America: Volume XXXV, Part 1 to amend section ten of chapter two of the . 1 G.W.L. Nicholson, Canadian Expeditionary (Washington: Government Printing Criminal Code approved 7 May 1917. Force 1914-1919 (Ottawa: Queen’s Printer, Office, 1909), p.1088, An Act to codify, The act exempted the Allies from earlier 1962), p.546; Canada, Dominion Bureau revise and amend the penal laws of the legislation forbidding recruiting in the
Canadian War Museum 19720209-023 Canadian War of Statistics. Canada Year Book (Ottawa: United States approved 4 March 1909, United States. The amendments were King’s Printer, 1919), p.99 Section 10. Most historians such as Eric approved by the House of Representatives 2. In an effort to determine the proportion Smylie, Americans Who Would Not Wait, on 16 April and by the Senate on 18 April of American residents who enlisted p.51 claim that the Foreign Enlistment 1917. in the CEF, attestation papers were Act (1818) prevented foreign countries 12. Statutes at Large of the United States examined for all recruits who joined one from recruiting in the US. However, the of America Vol XL, pp.76-83, An Act of six major depots from 1915 to 31 May original legislation was first passed in to authorize the President to increase 1917. A total of 9,161 of these attestation 1794 and subsequently amended in 1818 temporarily the Military Establishment of papers included the recruit’s address. and 1874 before being incorporated in An the United States. The act was approved The British-Canadian Recruiting Mission Act to codify, revise and amend the penal laws by the President on 18 May 1917. Section started operations in June 1917 and the of the United States in 1909. 2 provided that, “Such draft as herein attestation papers of men who joined after 6. James D. Richardson, ed., Compilation provided shall be based upon liability May 1917 have not been included. Depots of Messages and Papers of the Presidents, to military service of all male citizens,
http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol22/iss1/4 35 10 : British Blood Calls British Blood The British-Canadian Recruiting Mission of 1917-1918
or male persons not alien enemies who 22. The National Archives, United Kingdom Syrians; LAC RG 9 III A1, vol.92, file 10- have declared their intention to become [TNA] FO 115/2440, HQ BCRM to British 12-31, OMFC Intelligence Department citizens, between the ages of twenty-one Ambassador Washington 31 May 1918, to Deputy Minister OMFC 15 January and thirty years.” Local Draft Board for Division 12 (Boston) 1918 noting the arrival of Armenians at 13. Lyddon, British War Missions to the United to BCRM Boston 20 May 1918 claimed Bramshott who had been promised they States, p.198 noted that White arrived in that the man in question had been drunk would be given the opportunity to fight New York at the end of May 1917; New when he enlisted, Eastern Division BCRM the Turks. York Times, 4 June 1917, p.6 reported to HQ BCRM 28 May 1918 noted that the 32. LAC RG 24, vol.6553 file HQ-808-1, CGS that the Mission would begin recruiting recruit had been advised by the draft to AG 25 January 1918, HQ Western on Wednesday, 6 June 1917; Library board to desert the CEF and his wife had Division to Militia HQ 22 January 1918 and Archives Canada [LAC] RG 24, brought in his uniform. offering to enlist about a hundred vol.4510 file 17-1-49, AG circular letter 10 23. TNA FO 115/2440, BCRM Buffalo to Poles in south Chicago, AG to HQ September 1917 announcing the change Eastern Division BCRM 29 May 1918. Western Division 26 January 1918 saying in nomenclature 24. Michael Willrich, City of Courts: “Enlistment Poles CEF not approved.” 14. LAC MG 27 II D9 (Albert Edward Kemp Socializing Justice in Progressive Era Chicago 33. LAC RG 24, vol.4313 file 341-59-R pt. 4, Fonds) vol. 76 file 127, A/AG to Minister (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1st Depot Battalion 1st Central Ontario of Militia and Defence 7 September 1917 2003), p.165. Regiment to HQ Military District 2 suggested the mission be renamed; LAC 25. DHH 74/672 (Edwin Pye Fonds), box 1, 6 September 1918 reporting that 54 RG 24, vol.4510 file 17-1-49, AG Circular folder 2, file British-Canadian Recruiting men had been discharged as American Letter 10 September 1917 notifying all Mission, “Synopsis of Recruits from the citizens. districts of the change; LAC RG 24, British-Canadian Recruiting Mission in 34. LAC RG 24, vol.1256 file 593-1-94, Militia vol.289 file 13-123-5, US Army General the United States forwarded to Canada HQ to BCRM HQ 4 April 1918 concerning Recruiting Service Circular Letters 1917 for the Canadian Expeditionary Force,” Japanese applicants; LAC RG 24, vol.4375 Number 69 of 31 May 1917 advised all 12 March 1918. HQ BCRM in New York file 34-7-61 pt. 1, HQ MD 2 to K.A. Wee of recruiting stations of the procedures reported that 16,959 recruits had been Leonia, New Jersey 27 April 1917 noting for handling BCRM recruits; Lyddon, forwarded by 2 March 1918 but districts that Chinese could not enlist in the CEF. British War Missions to the United States, reported that only 16,043 men had 35. LAC RG 150 acc 1992-93/166 box 2969 p.198; New York Times, 31 May 1917, p.5 actually arrived; LAC RG 24, vol.4313 file personnel file 2137823 Silas Ezra from with a brief outline; Boston Daily Globe. 4 341-59-R pt. 4, OC Toronto Mobilization India; box 1708 personnel file 3032176 Lee June 1917, p.1 quoting Brigadier-General Centre to District Record Officer 5 Young Chung from Korea; boxes 8652 and White and adding that BEF recruits September 1918 noted that 13,627 BCRM 7237 for two Nisei soldiers: John Sasaki would be forwarded to New York while recruits had been forwarded between 16 from Hawaii and Thomas Nash from CEF recruits would be sent to Canada; June 1917 and 10 August 1918, but only New York City; Records of Japanese- LAC RG 24, vol.23187 file “Imperial 12,510 had arrived in Toronto. born recruits are in Box 5004 (2007157 Depot Windsor Nova Scotia MD 6,” Part 26. LAC RG 9 II B3, vol.77, CEF Routine Frank Kasino), box 7228 (2768007 Samey II Orders from 2 February 1918 to 25 Order Number 475 of 23 April 1918. The Nagano), box 7303 (2139993 Charles April 1918 record recruits for the BEF, change meant that those who failed to Nezu), box 7339 (3236549 Masahito Jewish Legion (part of the BEF) and the report in Canada were deserters and Nishioka), box 7440 (2007981 Hatustaro Australian Imperial Force. could be prosecuted. Judging by the Okita), box 8084 (2557529 Joseph S. 15. LAC MG 27 II D9 (Albert Edward desertion rate of men sent to Military Ramsay), box 9494 (Suny Tanaka) and Kemp Fonds), vol.76 file 127, undated District 2 commented on above, it seems box 9804 (2768270 Takeji Tsuge) memorandum circa September 1917 the order had little effect. 36. Based on a sample of 6,530 BCRM Appendix 1; LAC RG 24, vol.4615 file 27. LAC MG 27 II D9 (Albert Edward Kemp attestation papers found on the data IG 1 pt.3, European War: Memorandum Fonds), vol.76, file 127, Statements of base, “Soldiers of the First World War,” No. 4 respecting Work of the Department of Recruits in New York City for week
Published36 by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2015 11 Canadian Military History, Vol. 22 [2015], Iss. 1, Art. 4
42. Martin Watts, The Jewish Legion and the First 57. LAC RG 9 II B3 vol. 77, CEF Routine while pp.2654-2657 contains the text of World War (Baskingstoke, Hampshire: Orders, Number 189 of 11 February 1918. the reciprocal convention between the Palgrave Macmillan, 2004), pp.115-117. 58. LAC RG 24, vol.4313 file 34-1-59R pt. 2, United States and Great Britain on behalf Watts cites ACI 1415 of 12 September 1917 summary of BCRM recruits 18 August of Canada. as the War Office authority for the Legion. 1918. 63. New York Times, 20 September 1918, p.12 I am grateful to Mr. Harold Pollins, former 59. DHH 74/672 (Edwin Pye Fonds), box 1, quoting an announcement by Brigadier- reader at Ruskin College for drawing my folder 2, file: “British-Canadian Recruiting General White. attention to this book; E.A. James, British Mission, “Synopsis of Recruits from the 64. The term “Canadian” was defined as Regiments 1914-1918 (London: Samson British-Canadian Recruiting Mission in one who had been born or naturalized Books, 1978), p.50. the United States forwarded to Canada in Canada or who had been resident in 43. Watts, The Jewish Legion and the First for the Canadian Expeditionary Force,” Canada prior to emigrating to the United World War, p.148. Watts notes that Jews 12 March 1918. States. Canadians living in Britain and who were American citizens could not 60. Taken from the nominal roll in Major Britons living in Canada were already be recruited; Elias Gilner, War and Hope: D.J. Corrigal, The History of the Twentieth liable to conscription in the country of A History of the Jewish Legion (New York: Canadian Battalion (Central Ontario residence. Herzl Press, 1969), pp.184-185. Regiment), Canadian Expeditionary Force, 65. Major-General E.H. Crowder, Second 44. LAC RG 24, vol.4490 file 48-21-3, DAG in the Great War 1914-1918 (Toronto: Stone Report of the Provost Marshal General to Organization to GOC MD 4 5 March 1918, & Cox Limited, 1935). the Secretary of War on the Operations of DAG Militia HQ to GOC MD 4 1 May 61. Taken from nominal rolls in Lieutenant- the Selective Service System to December 1918. This is the only known instance Colonel G. Chalmers Johnston, The 2nd 20, 1918 (Washington: Government where the BCRM coordinated recruiting Canadian Mounted Rifles (British Columbia Printing Office, 1919), pp.36-37. Based activities in Canada. Horse) in France and Flanders (Vernon: on registration cards forwarded to 45. Ibid., DAG Militia HQ to GOC MD 4 1 Vernon News Printing & Publishing Washington by local draft boards, the May 1918. Company, c.1931); Captain S.G. Bennett, Provost Marshal General estimated that 46. Ibid., BCRM to GOC MD 4 10 May 1918. The 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles 1914-1919 about 20,000 men eligible for the CEF 47. Ibid., AG to GOC MD 4 23 April 1918. (Toronto: Murray Printing Company joined the AEF; Report on the Operation of 48. Morton, When Your Number’s Up, p.279 Limited, 1926); Captain W.L. Gibson, the Military Service Act 1917, p.6. notes that 2,712 Jews served with the CEF. Records of the Fourth Canadian Infantry 66. Lyddon, British War Missions to the United However this does not include converts Battalion in the Great War 1914-1918 States. p.203. influenced by the Reverend Henry Singer (Toronto: The MacLean Publishing 67. “The Clayton Knight Committee recruited of the Toronto Jewish Mission. Company Limited, 1924); Lieutenant- aircrew in the United States for the RCAF 49. Arthur A. Chiel, The Jews in Manitoba: Colonel H.M. Urquhart, The History of from 1939 to February 1942. However, A Social History (Toronto: University of the 16th Battalion (The Canadian Scottish) the Committee was made up of civilians, Toronto Press, 1961), p.161. in the Great War 1914-1919 (Toronto: had no public recruiting offices and 50. Zachariah Kay, “A Note on Canada and The Macmillan Company of Canada operated at arms-length from the RCAF. the Formation of the Jewish Legion,” Limited, 1932); Corrigal, The History of The Committee had the tacit approval of Jewish Social Studies 29, no.3 (July 1967), the Twentieth Canadian Battalion; Bernard President Roosevelt but, Congress was pp.174-176. McEvoy and A.H. Finlay, History of not involved and the neutrality laws were 51. LAC RG 24, vol.4490 file 48-21-3, BCRM the 72nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, not amended. Recruits sent to Ottawa for to AG 16 July 1918 Seaforth Highlanders of Canada (Vancouver: processing were ostensibly applicants for 52. Vladimir Jabotinsky, The Story of the Jewish Cowan & Brookhouse, 1920); Lieutenant- jobs as civilian instructors for the British Legion (New York: Bernard Ackerman Colonel Joseph Hayes, The Eighty-fifth Commonwealth Air Training Plan, thus Incorporated, 1945), p.164; Gilner, War in France and Flanders (Halifax: Royal circumventing US law. The scheme and Hope, p.186; Hyman Sokolov, “The Print & Litho Limited, 1920); Ralph ended once America entered the war. Jewish Legion for Palestine,” contained in Hodder-Williams, Princess Patricia’s For further information, see: Rachel Lea Jewish Life and Times; A Collection of Essays Canadian Light Infantry 1914-1919: Vol Heide, “Allies in Complicity: The United (Winnipeg: Jewish Historical Society of II (London: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd., States, Canada, and the Clayton Knight Western Canada, January 1983), p.56. 1923), Richard Holt, Fighting 18th: Vol. Committee’s Clandestine Recruiting of Sokolov served with the 39th Battalion II (undergraduate thesis, University Americans for the Royal Canadian Air Royal Fusiliers, but gave no source for of Western Ontario, 2001). Names Force, 1940-1942” in Journal of the Canadian his estimate. in the nominal rolls were matched Historical Association 15, no.1 (2004), 53. LAC RG 24, vol.4313 file 341-1-59R with online attestation forms at www. pp.207-230 and F.J. Hatch, Aerodrome pts. 1 and 2, weekly statements of collectionscanada.gc.ca/archivianet to of Democracy: Canada and the British BCRM recruits in MD 2, 1 July 1917 identify BCRM reinforcements. Men Commonwealth Air Training Plan 1939-1945 to 7 September 1918; Lyddon, British were accepted as BCRM reinforcements (Ottawa: Directorate of History, 1983) War Missions to the United States 1914- if the attestation form was marked “BM,” pp.86-93. 1918, p.203 notes that 33,335 men were “RM” or “BCRM” or the individual was recruited for the CEF. medically examined in the United States. 54. LAC MG 27 II D9 (Albert Edward Kemp 62. Christian L.Wiktor, ed., Unperfected Richard Holt is a retired military officer Fonds), vol.76, file 127; BCRM returns Treaties of the United States of America: from St. Marys, Ontario. He received for the weeks ending 28 July 1917 and 4 1776-1976, vol.4 (Dobbs Ferry, New his doctorate from the University of August 1917. York: Oceana Publications Inc., 1979), Western Ontario in February 2012 and 55. LAC RG 24, vol.4312 file 34-1-59R pt. 1, pp.379 and 383 note that the initial the title of his thesis was “Filling the OC Toronto Mobilization Centre to AAG conventions concerning the United Ranks: Manpower in the Canadian & QMG MD 2 27 August 1917; LAC RG States, Canada and Great Britain were Expeditionary Force.” His current 24, vol.4313 file 341-1-59R pts 1 and 2, signed 19 February 1918 and p.383; interest is the enlistment by the CEF of weekly statements of BCRM recruits in Treaties, Conventions, International Acts, immigrants from non-English-speaking MD 2 1 July 1917 to 7 September 1918. Protocols and Agreements between the United countries while his long-term goal is to A total of 256 men or 2.1 percent of all States and Other Powers, 1910-1923: Vol investigate strategic troop lift during the BCRM recruits refused to be attested. III (Washington: Government Printing First World War and the integration and 56. Ibid., pts. 2, summary of BCRM recruits Office, 1923), pp.2650-2654 contains the coordination of rail and sea resources on 18 August 1918. text of the reciprocal convention between both sides of the Atlantic. the United States and Great Britain http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol22/iss1/4 37 12