Canadian Forestry Companies in World War 1 (Scotland Locations 1916 - 1919)
This website is indebted to the Library and Archives Canada for the following brief summary of The Canadian Forestry Corps operations in WW1 and below this from their list the Companies that operated in various locations in Scotland. Note that the name spellings are sometimes unusual and actual locations may have very local names. Hopefully this may raise interest in some localities and any old photographs and stories would be very welcome.
“Guide to Sources Relating to Units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force 1 Canadian Forestry Corps Introduction Authorized in October 1916 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander McDougall, the Canadian Forestry Corps was composed of companies, each of which came under one of the six district headquarters in Great Britain or one of the eight district headquarters in France. Companies in France were numbered below 100 and those in Britain were numbered 101 and up. The base depot was at Smith’s Lawn, Windsor Great Park. All newly arriving soldiers for the corps arrived at the depot before reinforcements for companies in France or the UK were selected. The average monthly turnover at the depot was 1,500 men. In total, the combined strength of the corps on 11 Nov 1918, including attached officers, foreign soldiers (including British, Portugese, Finns and prisoners of war) was 31,447.
The Canadian Forestry Corps in France came under the British Expeditionary Force Director of Works until March 1917 when a Directorate of Forestry was created. Forestry Battalions raised in Canada (224th, 230th, 238th, 242nd) were absorbed by the Canadian Forestry Corps depot upon their arrival in Great Britain. Districts in Great Britain were Nos. 51 (formerly No.1 at Inverness), 52 (formerly No.2, at Carlisle), 53 (formerly No.3, at Egham), 54 (formerly No.4, at Southampton), 55 (at Stirling) and 56 (at East Sheen). Districts in France were organized in groups (Central, Bordeaux, Jura).
Most companies were engaged in forestry operations (including the making of pitprops, sleepers, sawlogs and axe handles) but some cleared, drained, levelled and graded sites for aerodromes, both in England and in France.
Companies based in Scotland 1916-1919
No 6 Company - Background Information - Organized at Sunningdale in June and July 1916 under the command of Captain Herd. Originally No. 8 Detachment, 224th Battalion. At Broadshaw Camp, near Nairn, Scotland from July 1916 - April 1917. Company ordered to France in May 1917.
No. 106 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps - Background Information - Organized at Sunningdale in 1917 under the command of Captain G. D. Blakadar. Employed at Knockando, Scotland (Spey Valley) from November 1917 and at Phones Wood, Blacksboat, Scotland.
No. 107 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps - Background Information - Organized in December 1916 as No. 7 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps under the command of Major Burwash. Originated as a detachment from No. 6 Company, Broadshaw. Employed at Keppernack, near Nairn, Scotland. Redesignated as 107th Company, Canadian Forestry Corps on 7 August 1917.
No. 108 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps - Background Information - Organized in the fall of 1916 as No. 8 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps. Employed on the Mansfield estate, January-November 1917, and at Taymount, Logie Almond and Methven, Perthshire, Scotland.
No. 109 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps - Background Information - Organized as No. 9 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps in the fall of 1916. Most personnel from No. 5 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps. Employed on Duke of Portland’s estate, February-May 1917, later at Mauchline
No. 109 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps - Background Information - Organized at Sunningdale on 12 October 1917 as 127th Company, Canadian Forestry Corps. Re-numbered as 109th Company on 19 October 1917. Employed at Tulliallan Estate, Kincardine.
No. 110 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps - Background Information - Organized at Witley in the fall of 1916 as No. 10 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps. Employed at Glenmore, November 1916 - October 1917, and at Abernethy, Nethybridge from October 1917
No. 111 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps - Background Information - Organized in October 1917 as No. 11 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps commanded by Captain J. H. Johnston. Originally “F” Company, 238th Battalion. Employed at Castle Douglas, December 1916 - February 1918 and then at Longtown, near Gretna Green.
No. 117 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps - Background Information - Organized in January 1917 as No. 33 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps under the command by Lieutenant A. C. McDougall. Employed in Wales, February-November 1917 and at Dornoch, Sutherland from November 1917. Redesignated as No. 117 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps on 7 August 1917.
No. 120 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps - Background Information - Organized in May 1917 as No. 64 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps but renumbered as No. 63 Company shortly thereafter. Redesignated as No. 120 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps on 7 August 1917. Employed at Kinsteary from May 1917 to March 1918 and at Orton, Elgin from March 1918 to July 1919.
No. 121 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps - Background Information - Organized in July 1917 at Sunningdale as No. 64 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps commanded by Major M. C. Rousseau. Redesignated as No. 121 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps on 7 August 1917. At Loch Morlich, Aviemore from July 1917
No. 127 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps - Background Information - Organized in September 1917. Most of personnel from No. 111 Company. Employed at Jedburgh, Roxburgh.
No. 128 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps - Background Information - Organized at Sunningdale in October 1917. Employed at Tulliallan, Kincardine from November 1917
No. 129 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps - Background Information - Organized in November 1917. Employed at Dornoch, Sutherland from November 1917.
No. 130 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps - Background Information - Organized at Sunningdale in October 1917 under the command of Lieutenant J. Fee. Employed at Fetternear, Kemnay, Aberdeenshire.
No. 138 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps - Background Information - Organized at Sunningdale in July 1918 under the command of Captain Sidney Leary. Employed at Braemore, Ross-Shire, near Ullapool and, later, at Lochbroom.
No. 139 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps - Background Information - Organized in [February 1918] under the command of Captain Richards. Employed at Lanton Hill, Jedburgh from February 1918.”