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Changes in Organization

The Port Arthur Rifles formed the nucleus of the Provisional Battalion of Rifles in the District of Algoma authorized on 10 December 1886, under Ray who was promoted to Major to command the unit. At this time the District of Algoma encompassed the area from the north shore of Lake Huron to the Manitoba border. The new unit had four companies. It's Headquarters and No. 1 Company was located at Port Arthur, No. 2 Company at Fort William, No. 3 Company at Rat Portage and No 4 Company was divided into half companies at Gore Bay and Bruce Mines. The following April the unit was brought onto the permanent strength of the Active Militia and designated the 96th "District of Algoma" Battalion of Rifles. The two half companies were raised to full companies with No. 4 at Gore Bay and No. 5 at Bruce Mines. The headquarters of No. 5 Company, which had never really come into existence at Bruce Mines was moved to Little Current in September. It too failed to materialize and the company was relocated to Manitowaning on Manitoulin Island in October.
The unit grew again in May 1889 when the Sault Ste. Marie Half Company was enlarged and detached from the Sault Ste. Marie Half Battery (or demi-battery) of Mountain Artillery, to form No. 6 Company. At the same time the ineffectual company at Manitowaning was moved to Thessalon. In June 1892 the eastern boundary of Military District No. 10 was extended to the Nipigon River, dividing the unit between two areas. The companies at Gore Bay, Thessalon and the Sault consequently became Independent Companies.
David Ratz