Location of Frontiersmen units in Canada 1914

The Legion of Frontiersmen was founded in London, on Christmas Eve 1904. Immediately following on 26 December 1904 a letter in British National newspapers suggested an organization to organize Imperial campaign veterans, adventurers, patriots and men with experience of in the world’s frontier regions. The Legion was to act as an irregular force of mounted rifles, scouts, guides, pioneers (military labourers and craftsmen with fighting ability) and especially intelligence gatherers. This new Legion of Frontiersmen was to react as a ready force until the regular Imperial forces could be deployed to the regions; or to immediately enlist if called upon.

At inception the LOF had the support of influential persons including support from Lord Lonsdale, The Earl of Onslow, Prince Louis of Battenberg of the Admiralty, Canada’s Sir Sam Steele, officials several of the Civil Forces, Municipal Police, Fire Brigades, etc. and such units as the Federated Malay State Volunteers, Newfoundland government, and the army of the Sultan of Jahore.

Regina Sakatchewan volunteers 1914

The Legion had three classes of membership. “A” class pledged to uniformed service in defence of the Empire including overseas service. “B” class pledged to uniformed service as scouts and guides in support of local/regional operations. “C” class non-uniformed membership pledged to support the aims and objectives of the L.O.F.

“The organization has about 100 squadrons and maritime branches in the United Kingdom, Mediterranean, Canada, British Columbia, Newfoundland, Brazil, Peru, West Indies, Solomon and Fiji Islands, Transvaal. Cape Colony, British East Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Manchuria, Tientsin, Shanghai, Hongkong, Philippines, Straits Settlements, Burma, Australia and is now helping to raise 12 squadrons and one maritime branch in New Zealand.” [also the Argentine, and Falkland Islands]. Auckland Star, 1912

At the “call to arms” in 1914 Canadian commands of the LOF had formed in Dawson City, Whitehorse, and Carmacks in the Yukon, Victoria region, Vancouver region, BC interior, Lac St. Anne, Edmonton region, Calgary region, Lethbridge, Moose Jaw region, Regina region, Saskatoon region, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa-Kingston region, Montreal, and various locations in the Dominion of Newfoundland.

7000 ON ACTIVE SERVICE BY 1915
Thousands More Followed
ENLIST IN VARIOUS MILITARY UNITS
Total Casualties WWI, 9000

Chief Executive Officer Reported:

Lieutenant-Colonel D.P. Driscoll DSO, commanding the 25th Royal (Frontiersmen) Fusiliers enroute to British East Africa, writes as the CEO of the Legion of Frontiersmen that “some 7000 men of the Legion are on active service”. He then states “nearly 50 per cent of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry are members of the Legion”. DAILY MALTA CHRONICLE, 1915.

Commemoration:

• “ The 9000 “ – The 1930s toast to LOF casualties.
• Stone Cenotaphs to LOF war dead

Hastings Lake, Alberta, Canada
National Park, New Zealand
Ashburton, New Zealand

• Wearing of 3rd Belgium Lancers’ pendant.

Edmonton LOF Enlistments by 1916:

A 1916 letter responding to the 218^th (“Irish Guards”) Battalion CEF stated to that time 1600 Legion of Frontiersmen of Edmonton Command had already enlisted for military service, etc.

Some Examples of Enlistments Follow

• OVERSEAS BEFORE CANADIAN ARMY

Regina Command, 50 men
Victoria Command [Elliot’s Horse], 80 men

• 3^rd BELGIUM LANCERS

Formed 5 Platoon, in action early, YSER Medal

• REMOUNT SERVICE

LOF arriving in England placed breaking horses

• METROPOLITAN POLICE MOUNTED RESERVE

LOF served City of London throughout WW1.

• 2^nd KING EDWARD’S HORSE

60 LOF were recruited from Remounts

• 25^th ROYAL (FRONTIERSMEN) FUSILIERS

British East Africa Campaign

• SAMOAN INVASION FORCE

LOF detail assigned at request of Fiji Governor

• EAST AFRICAN MOUNTED RIFLES

LOF form one of the six squadrons

• CAPE COMMAND, SOUTH AFRICA

Immediately 268 men ready within 48 hours

• NEWFOUNDLAND REGIMENT:

Over 150 Inf. Reg’t. RNVR or Home Defence

• OTAGO MOUNTED RIFLES, NEW ZEALAND

LOF squadron strength rode into camp to enlist

• PRINCESS PATRICIA’S CANADIAN LIGHT INFANTRY

Hundreds of LOF enlist and assist formation

• 4^th HUSSARS / 8^th CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLES, CEF

Kingston area Troop joined

• 19^th ALBERTA DRAGOONS

LOF gravitate to the area’s mounted unit

• 30^th FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT

Surplus LOF applicants to PPCLI enlist as Drivers

• 31^st (ALBERTA) BATTALION , CEF

LOF enlist. logical (news/names/situation)

• 43^rd DUKE OF CORNWALL’S OWN RIFLES

Surplus LOF applicants to PPCLI enlist as Rflm.

• 49^th (EDMONTON) BATTALION, CEF

Form ‘D’ Company under own Commandant

• 50^th GORDON HIGHLANDERS / 16^th BATTALION, CEF

Initially granted wearing their own LOF uniforms

• 210^th (FRONTIERSMEN) BATTALION, CEF

Formed at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

• EDMONTON BATTALION RESERVE MILITIA

LOF home guard as politically acceptable EBRM

• CANADIAN ARMY MEDICAL CORPS

Edmonton LOF active Ambulance trg, conducts Canada’s 1^st Nursing course to men. By 1916 at least 20 Edmonton LOF in Medical Corps.

• MANY OTHER REGULAR & IRREGULAR SERVICES

The above article has been contributed by Barry William Shandro M.Ed.