A Stopover In Vermilion Before Heading Off To War

In April 1916, Vermilion was just like every other community in Canada. It was dealing with the First World War.

From raising money for the war effort, to seeing young men from the community leave, Vermilion did what it could to help fight the war.

During that month, 300 men in khakis from Company D of the 151st Battalion arrived in Vermilion where they were staying in tents at the Exhibition Grounds. The unit arrived in mid-April 1916 where they were to remain for awhile as they trained.

The men were gathered from Lloydminster and Vegreville. Captain John Hughes was put in command of the troops.

The total area they covered with their tents and everything they needed for training was 30 acres. The land was described as level as a billiard table with a high board fence surrounding the grounds.

The main exhibition building was converted into a sleeping quarters for some of the men. There was also a dining hall and commissaire department. Throughout the area were individual tents. There were plans in place to provide bathing facilities for the soldiers.

The headquarters at the grounds was connected with the town by telephone. The entire training area was also connected to electricity. The provincial government also provided free use of the telephone.

With the headquarters was a guard room, a barber shop, reading room and more. A barber, electricians and telephone operators were all recruited from the men at the camp. Reverend H.A. Edwards from the local Anglican Church provided the reading tent and would also conduct services for the soldiers.

Throughout the month, the soldiers drilled and conducted manoeuvres. Many felt that the location was perfect for training due to its nice weather and level field.

Two weeks before the men arrived, the town provided the use of the exhibition grounds to the army for training. Due to the excellent grounds and the town’s location on the railroad there was talk of making Vermilion a nucleus for a new battalion of the 151st.

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