Category: 199th Battalion (Duchess of Connaught's Own Irish Rangers), Canadian Expeditionary Force, World War I

Categories: Canadian Expeditionary Force, World War I

The 199th Battalion was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force for the Great War. The battalion was founded by the Canadian armed forces to improve their recruitment success by having an all Irish regiment. They were also called the "Duchess of Connaught's Own Irish Rangers," as a tribute to their royal patron Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia, wife of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Governor-General of Canada at the time.

Based in Montreal, Quebec, the unit began recruiting during the winter of 1915/16. The Rangers sailed for Europe in December 1916 and made a triumphal tour of Ireland in January–February 1917. After which the battalion was absorbed into the 23rd Reserve Battalion, CEF on 11 May 1917.

The 199th (Duchess of Connaught's Own Irish Rangers) Battalion, CEF had two Commanding Officers: Lieut-Col. H. J. Trihey (26 Dec 1916 - 10 Jan 1917), who resigned in protest of breaking up the battalion for reinforcements; and Lieut-Col. J. V. O'Donahoe (10 Jan 1917 - 11 Apr 1917).

See: Wikipedia:199th Battalion Duchess of Connaught's Own Irish Rangers, CEF and Robin B. Burns. "The Montreal Irish and the Great War". Bishop’s University, Lennoxville, Quebec. CCHA Historical Studies, 52 (1985), 67-81

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