TRANSCRIPT

Coming of the First World War

The task of the 96th when war came in 1914 was to provide a "vital points guard." Two days after German troops crossed into Belgium the unit mustered with a strength of 32 officers and 240 other ranks. Recruiting began immediately to bring the unit up to strength. Guards were posted to provide security for the huge concrete grain elevators, which stretched along the waterfronts of Port Arthur and Fort William, as well as the dry docks, bridges, dams and wireless stations. Six days later a detachment was sent to guard the Kakabeka Falls hydroelectric power plant, located 18 miles west of the two cities on the Kaministiquia River. The "Head of the Lakes Guard" as it was called, though ostensibly a separate body, was composed entirely of members of the 96th LSR and was in effect the Regiment mobilized for home defence. It remained on duty until the end of November 1916.
David Ratz