138th “Overseas” Battalion, CEF, raised in Edmonton, Alberta, sweetheart brooch

 138th “Overseas” Battalion, CEF, raised in Edmonton, Alberta, sweetheart brooch, lovely example in gilded brass.

138th “Overseas” Battalion, CEF, raised in Edmonton, Alberta, sweetheart brooch

Unit history:  Authorized on 22 December 1915 as the “138th Overseas Battalion, CEF”,  with recruiting starting in Edmonton in late 1915.

 The unit sailed to England in August 1916  (embarkation date given as 22 August 1916).

Its sole commanding officer was Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Belcher.

 Like most CEF battalions raised in this wave, it never fought as a complete unit overseas. Its personnel were absorbed into the 128th Overseas Battalion, CEF on 8 December 1916  to reinforce the Canadian Corps in the field (other sources also list the 47th, 50th, 137th and 175th Battalions as recipients of its personnel).

 The battalion itself was formally disbanded on 30 August 1920.