The 113th Battalion (Lethbridge Highlanders), CEF, was an infantry battalion of the Great War Canadian Expeditionary Force. The 113th Battalion was authorized on 22 December 1915 as part of a recruiting drive in which men from the same region could enlist and serve together.
The Battalion trained on the Lethbridge exhibition grounds in 1915.
Interestingly, the soldiers were not issued Highland kit, but the Battalion did raise 3 pipes and drums bands who were. Basic training in the CEF involved rifle training, bombing or hand grenade practice, route marches, rifle drill and many inspections. Inspections were very popular for the 113th as many wished to hear their three bands.
In late May 1916, the Battalion moved to Sarcee Camp outside Calgary for further training that lasted until September. During the time spent at Sarcee the Battalion used painted rocks to construct their Battalion Number on nearby Signal Hill in Calgary. This bold white stone is still visible today and preserved as a park. In early September 1916 orders came for the Battalion to entrain for the east and by September 19 the Battalion was on its way.
On September 26th 1916 the 113th embarked along with the 111th and 145th Battalions on the SS Tuscania, a transport ship. The trip across the Atlantic took ten days and upon arriving in England the Battalion was taken to a holding camp at Sandling near Shorncliffe. It was at Sandling that Lt. Colonel Pryce-Jones, the commanding officer, learned that the 113th would be broken up for replacements and would not see action as a unit after all. One can only imagine the disappointment of these men as they learned the fate of the 113th, their Battalion, after 10 months training together.
The 113th was transferred to the 17th Reserve Battalion CEF, the Nova Scotia Highlanders, affiliated with the Scottish Seaforth Highlanders. The 17th was at Bramshott Camp located South of London. On October 12, 1916 most of the old 113th proceeded to France arriving at a camp near Le Havre France. Almost immediately 300 men of the old 113th were assigned as replacements to one of the most famous Battalions in the CEF, the 16th Battalion, The Canadian Scottish. An idea of the casualties suffered by the 16th in the Somme fighting of the Fall of 1916 can be understood by this reinforcement. This would mean that roughly 30% of the 16th were new transfers from the 113th.
The battalion disbanded on 1 September 1917.94
The 113th Battalion recruited in, and was mobilized at, Lethbridge, Alberta.
The 113th Battalion was commanded by Lt.-Col. A.W. Pryce Jones from 6 to 8 October 1916.
The 113th Battalion was awarded the battle honour THE GREAT WAR 1916.
The 113th Battalion (Lethbridge Highlanders), CEF, is perpetuated by the South Alberta Light Horse.