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Rallied To Call

When the First World War broke out in August 1914 the unit
offered its services for the defence of the Empire either at home
or aborad. A detachment proceeded to Valcartier a few days later
and became part of the 12th Battalion. Several of the 73rd (Northumber-
land) Regiment also volunteered with a unit recruited for the 2nd
Division for overseas service.

The unit, as such, did not participate in the war of 1914-1918
but many of its personnel, both officers and men, saw service over-
seas with other units - the 26th, 55th, 64th, 145th, and the 165th
Battalions.

When the Canadian Militia was organized in 1920 the battalion's
official name was changed to its present designation because an-
other regiment bore the name of Northumberland Regiment. The
allocation of the companies were then made. Battalion Headquar-
ters and "A" Company, Chatham; "B" Company, Newcastle; "C"
Company, Campbellton; "D" Company, Bathurst.

Lean Years

For two decades following the First World War, when public
sentiment was not in favor of continuing an armed force, the North
Shore (N.B.) Regiment suffered lean years with the other Canadian
Army Units. But the Battalion kept alive through the determination
of its officers and men, carrying on its training and summer camps,
even when sections were represented by only two men.

It was not until June 1, 1940, that the unit was revived. Lt-
Colonel J.A. Leger, of Newcastle, was then delegated to form the 1st
North Shore (N.B.) Regiment for active service. Within 17 days he
had recruited the unit to full strenght plus 100 men. Battalion
Headquarters was changed to Newcastle.

Before a month had passed the Regiment had started training at
Island Park, Woodstock. Soon it was moved to Sussex where it be-
came one of the battalions forming the 8th Brigade of the Third
Division.

Sailed Overseas

On July 18, 1941, at 6 o'clock in the morning, The North
Shore (N.B.) Regiment entrained for Halifax N.S. The transport alloted
to the unit was the 25,000 tons H.M.S. Duchess of York, and the sailing
in the convoy with her were the Empress of Canada, Strathmore, Strath-
naval and Orion. The battle of the Atlantic was at one of its critical
stages at that time. U-boats infested the seas and many ships had been
sent to the bottom.

Five days out from the port of embarkation the troops aboard
the ships were alerted due to the presence of a submarine in the
vicinity. Depth charges were dropped and the convoy changed its
course. Nothing more happened but the records of the incident bear the
remark: "The men of the North Shore Regiment behaved calmly throughout
the encounter."

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