WW1 CEF 170th Battalion (Mississauga Horse) gilt and enamel sweetheart brooch

A First World War gilt and enamel brooch back sweetheart of the 170th (Mississauga Horse) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF).

Raised in Toronto

The battalion was mobilised in Toronto in the winter of 1915-16, under General Order 69 of 15 July 1916.

It was raised by the 9th Mississauga Light Horse militia regiment, which explains the horse crest and "Mississauga Horse" title on the badge. The 9th had earlier sent 161 volunteers to the 2nd Battalion at Camp Valcartier in August 1914, and later raised the 75th Battalion.

Its service

• Commanding officer: Lieutenant-Colonel Le Grand Reed, its only CO
• Sailed for England in October 1916 (embarking 26 October)
• Broken up and absorbed into the 169th Battalion, CEF, on 8 December 1916
• Drafts went to France to reinforce the 75th and 58th Battalions
• Most of the rest later went to the 116th Battalion, which fought with the 9th Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division, in 1917-18

The battalion's lineage is carried on today by The Royal Regiment of Canada.

The badge

The badge carries a rearing horse and the Latin motto "In Malos Corno" ("a horn against the wicked"), cavalry imagery taken from the parent militia regiment.

Because the 170th was broken up for reinforcements, its men mostly saw action under other units' badges. A sweetheart from this short-lived Toronto battalion is a nice, specific find.