105th Battalion (Prince Edward Island Highlanders), CEF was a battalion of the First World War Canadian Expeditionary Force. It was recruited, through the 82nd Regiment Abegweit Light Infantry, first as a reinforcement company, and then a CEF battalion, from its headquarters in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. As initially, on 3 September 1915, the 82nd was only authorized to prepare an overseas reinforcement draft: The Infantry Reinforcement Company, Prince Edward Island, "to reinforce as soon as ready the battalions from the Maritime Provinces."
Formation: A Prince Edward Island battalion
In response to a very successful recruiting drive, it was requested, by the PEI Patriotic Society, to raise a battalion and authority was sought, with the 'Infantry Reinforcement Company' to be retained as its nucleus. "Understanding that the battalion should remain intact and be representation of the province throughout the war", mobilization of the battalion was authorized on 22 December 1915, and by 15 March 1916, recruiting was completed.
Of the 1,548 recruits who offered service, 260 were rejected. This left 1,153 all ranks, in companies who were trained and quartered in Charlottetown (Lt-Col Allan – 561), Summerside (Major T.H. Inman – 493), Georgetown (Capt U.L. Dawson – 115), and Souris (Capt W.E.F. Hardy – 115).
On 20 April 1916, the battalion received its CEF designation as the 105th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Prince Edward Island Highlanders) and on 13 June 1916, it moved to Camp Valcartier, Quebec. Finally on 13 July 1916, it was en route to England, sailing from Halifax embarked on the SS Empress of Britain on 15 July 1916.
Arriving at Liverpool on 25 July 1916, it proceeded to Shorncliffe Army Camp in Kent, where it was attached to the 1st Canadian Training Division. The strength of the 105th Battalion leaving Canada was 37 officers and 1,107 other ranks, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel A. Ernest Ings, with Lt-Col R.H. Campbell as Second-in-Command.
Amalgamation and disbandment
While recruited for assignment to the newly forming 5th Canadian Division, once in England, the battalion was not destined to see active service and was quickly designated as a reinforcing unit. Shuffled around England, while undergoing training, the 105th Battalion eventually sent out three reinforcement drafts to France, for earlier recruited and manpower short active battalions. In the fall of 1916, large drafts of Islanders made their way to active service in France: 140 other ranks to the 13th Battalion (RHC), 1st Cdn Division, on 28 November 1916; 60 other ranks to the 25th Battalion (NSR), 2nd Cdn Division, on 28 November 1916; and then 120 other ranks to the 14th Battalion (RMR), 1st Cdn Division, on 5 December 1916.
Having no political champion in Ottawa, with no support from HQ Militia District No.6 in Halifax, and thus no chance of active service, on 24 January 1917, the much reduced 105th Bn was amalgamated with the 104th Battalion, CEF. It having earlier come to England, from New Brunswick, and after a change of command, the CO of the 105th, Lt-Col Ings assumed command. The new 104th (NB) Battalion, was quickly absorbed into the 13th Canadian Reserve Battalion, CEF, it only having been organized on 20 January 1917 (as authorized in OMFC Canadian Routine Order 271 of 20 January 1917). When reinforced and again designated for service in France, the 104th (NB) Battalion was assigned to the 15 Brigade, 5th Canadian Division, on 13 February 1917. Remaining in England, seeing the 5th Division 'officially' disbanded in April 1918, the 104th was finally broken up and, its remaining Islanders, absorbed by the 13th Reserve Battalion.
After the July 1916 departure of 105th Battalion, to England, the 82nd Regiment Abegweit Light Infantry continued recruiting, across the island. Authorized to recruit two drafts of replacements, on an establishment of 109 each, one officer and 50 other ranks were enrolled at Charlottetown and an equal number volunteered in Summerside. When ready, this smaller reinforcement draft was sent directly to their now designated CEF parent – the 13th Reserve (NB) Battalion in England, sailing from Halifax embarked on the SS Olympic on 2 June 1917. Then, later, as an OMFC administrative and CEF staff exercise, on 12 October 1917, the 105th Battalion was removed from the order of battle.
The 105th Battalion (Prince Edward Island Highlanders), CEF is perpetuated by The Prince Edward Island Regiment (RCAC).