Fort William, 25 Oct, 1915 94th Battalion to be recruited in NW Ontario under the command of Captain Arthur C. Machin, MPP for Kenora. Gazetted Lieutenant Colonel. The Canada Steel Foundry in Fort William is to be fixed up as a barracks for the 94th. J.O. Callahan. President of the company formally turned the building over to the military.

Kenora, 27 Oct, 1915 Capt. H.A.C Machin appointed to raise a new Overseas Battalion. Gazetted as a Lieut. Col.. He will be a popular and efficient officer.

Port Arthur, 25 Oct, 1915 94th Battalion to be recruited in NW Ontario under the command of Captain Arthur C. Machin, MPP for Kenora. Gazetted Lieutenant Colonel.

Fort William, 30 Oct, 1915 Recruiting office to be opened in Fort William. Fort William is to be Headquarters for the unit.

Fort William, 2 Nov, 1915 Harry Harkness, of Fort William, is the first man to enlist in the 94th.

Port Arthur, 2 Nov,1915 94th recruiting to start, 100 men surplus to 52nd Battalion needs offered to unit. 94th to be headquartered at the Port Arthur Armouries.

Fort William, 3 Nov, 1915 Recruits of the 94th are to be trained in the town they enlist in. Any town that has at least 25 recruits will billet them there and initial training will be carried out there. The Battalion will not be concentrated until it is ready to ship out.

Kenora, 3 Nov, 1915 The new battalion will be the 94th and 117 officers and men have been transferred to it from the 52nd Battalion which is over strength. The men who join the local Company will train here.

Kenora, 6 Nov, 1915 Active recruiting for the new battalion will begin next week, but Hilliard Dusang was the first man to enlist in Kenora, followed closely after by Reginald D. McDonell. A band is to be formed in the battalion using donated instruments.

Fort William, 10 Nov, 1915 Recruiting is progressing well in Fort William with Major Young in charge, assisted by Captain Dow and Lieut O. Gordon Colville. Recruiting is also doing well in Port Arthur, Fort Frances, Kenora and Dryden.

Kenora, 10 Nov, 1915 Men are enlisting in Port Arthur as fast as the Medical Officer can handle them. Lieuts. Dale, Thompson, and Elliot have been transferred from the 52nd. They will handle the new men joining the battalion.

Fort William, 12 Nov, 1915 100 men from Fort William have enlisted to date and drilling has begun in earnest. A new recruiting office has been opened in the John King Building on Victoria Ave.

Kenora, 13 Nov, 1915 Lieut. J. B. Thompson has opened the Kenora recruiting office. Over 100 men have enlisted in Fort William.

Kenora, 17 Nov, 9115 22 recruits have enlisted here during the past three days. Lieut. Thompson is confident that it wont be long until 100 men have enlisted. The first route march has been held.

Port Arthur, 17 Nov,1915 First Officers appointed, including Lt Col Machin and Capt Bowie as adjutant and 10 Lieutenants.

Port Arthur, 23 Jan, 1916 Recruiting party is in Schrieber.

Kenora, 20 Nov, 1915 31 men have enlisted in the past week along with 7 from Dryden.

Port Arthur, 20 Nov,1915 Battalion strength now 425. Pvt Scarret promoted to Sgt. Second in Command is Major C. N. Schnarr. of Kenora.

Fort William, 22 Nov, 1915 378 men have enlisted to date, broken down as follows; Fort William - 140, Port Arthur - 118, Rainy River - 50, Kenora - 40 and Fort Frances - 30. A Drum head church service is being held every Sunday by the battalion Chaplain, Canon Hedley, with 230 to 300 people in attendance.

Fort William, 23 Nov, 1915 400 men have enlisted, including 162 from Fort William. John Mylynky a Russian living in Port Arthur joined on the 22nd of November.

Kenora, 24 Nov, 1915 Maj. N. Schnarr has been appointed as Second in Command of the 94th.

Fort William, 2 Dec, 1915 Lt Col Machin says that there will be no drinking in the 94th and he was proceeding vigorously to weed out all drunks from the ranks.

Fort William, 4 Dec, 1915 A pay day was held for the battalion on December 3rd. It was announced that "B" Company would be stationed in Fort William.

Kenora, 4 Dec, 1915 The 94th is now up to half strength and enlistment in Kenora has been particularly satisfactory as a total of 46 men have enlisted here. Col Machin intends to set high standards for the battalion, "You can rest assured and quote me as saying so, that there will be no drunkenness in the 94th Battalion. I positively will not stand for it."

Port Arthur, 4 Dec,1915 500 uniforms received. Recruits issued items such as heavy underwear, shirts, boots, puttees, etc.

Fort William, 6 Dec, 1915 A concert was given by the troops of "B" company on December 4th and a Church Service on Sunday December 5th. A battalion hockey team is to be organized and 48 recruits have joined in Kenora. Battalion strength is now over 500. The Battalion has received it’s official stationary.

Kenora, 8 Dec, 1915 The 94th Battalion was on a 20 mile route march today, 10 miles out and 10 miles back. A lunch for the men was brought along in a wagon.

Fort William, 9 Dec, 1915 Col Machin says that 100 Indians will be coming from Lac Seul to enlist.

Fort William, 10 Dec, 1915 "A" Company stationed in Port Arthur was challenged to a basketball game by "B" Co. Subsistence allowances for men living out of barracks was increased to cents per day from 50 cents for single men and to 85 cents from 75 cents for married men. This is in lieu of the rations provided to men living in barracks.

Fort William, 11 Dec, 1915 A canteen has been opened in the Port Arthur Armouries. "B" Company was on a route march yesterday and the uniforms have been shipped from Winnipeg.

Port Arthur, 11 Dec,1915 Strength 550 men. Pvt F.C. Cornell promoted to Sgt. Wash boards and wash tubs issued.

Fort William, 15 Dec, 1915 The uniforms have arrived and will be issued as soon as the Quartermaster can make arrangements. W.J. Gutteridge, former Warrant Officer and Bandmaster of the 2nd Battalion of the West Indies Regiment has been appointed Bandmaster of the 94th. There are enough men to form a 30piece band.

Fort William, 16 Dec, 1915 Six men from Kakabeka Falls have enlisted. "The new 94th Song - The new song for the 94th Battalion arrived in the city yesterday and was sung around the local recruiting office last night. The words are printed below and it is sung to the tune of "Tramp, tramp, tramp the boys are marching". The song originated in Kenora and was brought to the city by Quartermaster Sergeant Chappel of "B" company. The song will be sung at the Orpheum Theatre on Saturday afternoon and evening.

Fort William, 17 Dec, 1915 Fort William recruiting office moved to 506 Victoria Ave.

Fort William, 18 Dec, 1915 NCOs are issued uniforms.

Fort William, 20 Dec, 1915 "B" Co. Is still not living in barracks. The new Fort William Customs building is to be used as a Drill Hall, this will continue until the Company’s Strength is large enough to move the men into the Steel Works.

Fort William, 21 Dec, 1915 Uniforms issued to all ranks.

Kenora, 22 Dec, 1915 The following men have been appointed to the 94th. Capt. W.J. Conway - Paymaster, Capt. J.D. Chisholm - Medical Officer and Lieuts G.C. Hay and E.H. McCutcheon. Uniforms have arrived and the men look very sharp.

Kenora, 25 Dec, 1915 Pvt. F.C. Cornell has been promoted to Sgt.

Fort William, 27 Dec, 1915 There are now over 500 men in the battalion.

Fort William, 29 Dec, 1915 First shipment of rifles received. There are enough to allow Squad sized units to drill with them.

Fort William, 3 Jan, 1916 "B" Co. Needs only 54 more men to make up 4 full sized platoons. Port Arthur, 3 Jan, 1916 Strength 600 men. Brass band is near full strength under Bandmaster Guttridge.

Port Arthur, 4 Jan, 1916 3 New officers appointed.

Kenora, 05 Jan, 1916 Local recruiting has taken a boost. The unit has suffered it’s first casualties. While parading at minus 20 degrees, an attack by old Jack Frost resulted in 3 noses and 3 pairs of ears frozen.

Fort Frances , 06 Jan, 1916       At Barwick, over 20 had enlisted in the 94th.

Fort William, 7 Jan, 1916 Lt Dickenson and Sgt Valentine returned from a recruiting trip to Sioux Lookout and Lac Seul. Nine men from Sioux Lookout enlisted, but none from Lac Seul. Lt Col Machin said that this was because an underground agency had poisoned the minds of the men there. Someone had preceded the party and spread tales of mistreatment and poor food.

Kenora, 08 Jan, 1916 Two young lads volunteered yesterday to serve in the 94th as a drummer and a bugler, both boys were 13 years old. A recruiting trip to Lac Seul did not result in any volunteers because the man’s minds had been poisoned by someone who said that they would be starved, beaten and placed in the front of the firing line so they would be killed first. Lt Col. Machin is justly indignant with this report.

Fort William, 10 Jan, 1916 The patriotic concert at the Royal Theatre had drawn a good crowd.

Fort William, 11 Jan, 1916 It was reported that one evening last week Lt Harry Neeland was inspecting the guard an he accused Pvt G; Morse of being "asleep on his watch". "Not guilty Sir," replied Morse, "My watch is in the Pawn Shop.". Exit the officer.

Fort William, 12 Jan, 1916 4 more men from Hymers have enlisted, making a total of 8 from that community. The battalion is still in the market for a live moose.

Kenora, 12 Jan, 1916 Many young men joining the 94th. 75 have joined here since recruiting started, and there are 8 Officers from Kenora, making a total of 83. Cold weather has curtailed route marches so more effort is being directed towards physical drill, the large billiard room in the basement of the Tourist Hotel has been acquired as a drill hall and it now daily presents a busy display of military activity. Capt. Thompson has not been favourably impressed with the men"s efforts in singing. Now, each day after parade, they break into the national Anthem followed by patriotic sons. If they keep improving, they will be recognized as the select choir of the 94th.

Port Arthur, 14 Jan, 1916 Strength 700 men.

Fort William, 17 Jan, 1916 Col Machin and 75 men attended Grace Methodist Church to unveil a memorial plaque to those church members who had gone to the front.

Fort William, 18 Jan, 1916 "B" Co had 8 new recruits and can put over 200 men on parade. The first allotment of blankets has been received.

Fort William, 19 Jan, 1916 Civilian Recruiting Committee formed in Fort William.

Fort Frances , 20 Jan, 1916       BIG CONCERT TONIGHT. 

A patriotic concert is being held at the town hall tonight under the auspices of the 94th and 141st Battalions to stimulate recruiting. Col H.A.C. Machin of the

 94thPort Arthur and Col McKenzie of the 141st will be the speakers. Other well know local people will assist the in the program and everybody will be

 welcome. No admission fee will be charged.

Fort William, 20 Jan, 1916 "B" Co marched to the Port Arthur Armouries for the ceremony. The march took 1 hour and 5 minutes.

Port Arthur, 20 Jan, 1916 Sunset retreat held.

Fort William, 22 Jan, 1916 The Fort William recruiting committee held it’s first meeting on Monday. 6 new recruits signed with "B" Co. Lt Collville and several officers from "A" Co. Are going to Winnipeg for bomb throwing training.

Port Arthur, 22 Jan, 1916 Strength 782 men

Recruiting team in Schreiber. New recruiting office opened Port Arthur on Arthur St .A Recruiting Association has been formed in the city. Unit is still 250 men short of authorized strength.

Fort William, 24 Jan, 1916 A large crowd attended a recruiting meeting at the Royal Theatre, with over 300 being turned away as it was full. Mayor Murphy, Col Machin and Reverend Father McCullough spoke.

Kenora, 26 Jan, 1916 Lawrence, a Bushman from Keewatin Lumber Co. Walked 65 miles to Kenora to enlist. Capt. Thompson and Lt. Bateman are decidedly pleased with the manner the men in the local unit are undertaking to work. Route marches are done with a will and good attention is being paid to physical exercises.Major Schnarr has sold his dental practice.

Fort Frances , 27 Jan, 1916       BARWICK A large number of or best young men have signed up for the 94th and 141st battalions, also the married men

Barwick is never left behind in a good thing.

Fort Frances , 27 Jan, 1916       PATRIOTIC MEETING LARGELY ATTENDED

Col D.C. McKenzie made a short address. He referred in highly eulogistic terms of Col. Machin and his sacrifice for freedom, democracy and liberty, not only for the British people, but for all nations.

Col. H.A.C. Machin of the 94th Battalion, Port Arthur , was accorded a good reception and his address, which was a splendid effort was frequently interrupted with applause. Col Machin is a most forceful and convincing speaker and as he has seen several years military service in South Africa during the Boer War where he rose from a Private to the rank of Captain

Fort Frances , 27 Jan, 1916       Sergt Wm Doherty of the 94th Batt and Miss Jessie M . Angus surprised many of their friends this week by quietly slipping

away to Emo where they were married. Sergt Doherty is now busy receiving the congratulations of his comrades in his successful siege of the young lady’s heart

and hand.

Fort William, 27 Jan, 1916 2 Special street cars filled with men of the 94th left the corner of May and Victoria at 200PM for the West end, where the Fort William detachment will take up it’s new quarters in the Steel Plant building.

Fort William, 29 Jan, 1916 A recruiting rally will be held in the Orpheum Theatre on Sunday, Feb 6th.

Fort William, 31 Jan, 1916 The men are getting used to their new quarters. Sgts L.P. Strong and J.A.W. Williams left for bomb throwing training in Winnipeg. More uniforms have arrived, the food is very good and the canteen is proving to be very popular.

Fort William, 1 Feb, 1916 City of Fort William gives $500.00 to the battalion.

Kenora, 2 Feb, 1916 Every effort will be made to have the 94th trained at Valcartier.

Kenora, 2 Feb, 1916 Patriotic Rallies are to be held at the Opera House, Kenora on Thursday, February 3rd, at 815 PM, and the I.O.O.F. Hall, Keewatin on Friday February 4th at 815PM. An evenings entertainment including Patriotic Songs, Speeches and Motion Pictures. Speakers will be Lieut. Col Machin, Major Schnarr and Capt. Conway. This will be the greatest event of it’s kind ever held in the District and is for the discussion of a subject vital to all. COME AND BRING YOUR FRIEND.

Fort Frances , 03 Feb, 1916      Shenston Mr Kenneth McKay of the 94th Battalion, Rainy River, spent Sunday with his parents.

Fort Frances , 03 Feb, 1916      10 Feb, 1916. The strength of the 94th Battalion according to a Fort William report is now 860. As 1127 men are required this

 means that 267 more men are needed. The unit asked from this district, 220, is now completed, which is a feather in the cap for Rainy River .

Fort Frances , 03 Feb, 1916      COL   MACHIN WANTS  94TH AT VALCARTIER 

According to an interview in the Fort William Times Journal with Lt Col Machin, Valcartier camp is the place for the 94th to train under canvas during the summer

 months .The Col stated that he was going to use every effort against placing the battalion in the solitude of Gresley Park . He is firmly of the opinion that men 

should be trained in Brigade work and general drilling and that this can only be done in company with other regiments. He thought that recruiting centres such as 

Fort William , Kenora, Port Arthur , Rainy River , Fort Frances - wherever it was, he did not care where - should not stand in the light of the best results by

bucking against a move being made and urging as the reason that they would lose revenue if the battalion was moved. Sooner than have that occur, he was in

 favour of the government ascertaining the amount the central city would be out of pocket and giving that city a cheque to cover such losses and moving the the

 regiment to a large training centre where there would be hundreds or thousands of other men. As far as Fort Frances is concerned, we have here now about 100

 men who are being trained by Lieut. Cauldwell, assisted by Lieut, Rooker, and if the esprit de corps of other companies who have gone forth from Fort Frances

 counts for anything, we feel sure that the 94th battalion will feel proud of the men from the Rainy River district.

Fort William, 3 Feb, 1916 5 members of the Fort William Post Office staff have joined the unit, making a total of 9 from that organization. The 94th’s hockey team has a good chance of taking the Senior Leagues championship.

Port Arthur, 3 Feb, 1916 Canon Hedler appointed Chaplin of the battalion with the rank of Captain.

Kenora, 5 Feb, 1916 Large crowds attended the patriotic meetings.

Kenora, 9 Feb, 1916 A new issue of clothing has arrived for the recruits. The new unit badges are in great demand by civilians as well as soldiers.

Fort Frances , 10 Feb, 1916      Barwick The concert and dance held in honour of the Barwick Boys of the 94th battalion from Rainy River was well attended.

When the call for recruits was given, Hector Bone responded, he being the only one.

Fort Frances , 10 Feb, 1916.     The strength of the 94th Battalion according to a Fort William report is now 860. As 1127 men are required this means that 267

more3 men are needed. The unit asked from this district, 220, is now completed, which is a feather in the cap for Rainy River.

Fort William, 14 Feb, 1916 "B" Co. Now has 237 men. Lt Harry Walker and Sgt Dennington leave to attend the School of Musketry in Winnipeg. The dinner menu for that night was roast beef, cabbage, mashed potatoes and sago and rice pudding.

Fort William, 15 Feb, 1916 "B" Co. Now has 239 men. An item of interest was found in yesterdays Battalion Orders. "No sharpened blade shall touch the upper lip." THIS IS A KROOL, KROOL WOILD. Snow trenches are being built to be used in trench warfare and bomb throwing training. All citizens should try to see these things. Collar badges have arrived and are being distributed. "Housewives" have been received and issued.

Fort William, 16 Feb, 1916 A club room for soldiers has been opened in the Hogarth Block on Syndicate Ave for the soldiers. A new recruit is Pvt. William T. Long who has served 5 years with the Royal Field Artillery and 3 years with the South African Constabulary. Captain Chisholm is the Medical Officer.

Fort William, 18 Feb, 1916 Battalion strength is now 902 men of which 248 are from Fort William, 283 from Port Arthur and the rest from the towns in the area. The complete allotment of uniforms has been received and all new recruits will be outfitted on enlistment. The bathing facilities in the Steel Plant are now complete with 6 single baths and 1 plunge tank.

Fort William, 19 Feb, 1916 Col. Ruttan and Dr. Magill are to address the next recruiting meeting. A breakdown on the make up of the battalion is as follows. When first set up the 94th received 125 men from the 52nd and 40 from the Pioneers of whom 60 were later discharged for medical reasons. When all transfers and deferred enlistments are taken into consideration, Fort William has provided 362 men.

Kenora, 19 Feb,1916 2 platoons of the local unit fought a sham battle Monday afternoon. One platoon defended the hill while the other attacked it. The attackers took the hill.

Fort William, 22 Feb, 1916 Times Journal reporters have visited the Steel Plant and they report that it is a picture of comfort and efficiency.

Kenora, 23 Feb, 1916 123 men have enlisted.

Fort William, 24 Feb, 1916 The 96th "Lake Superior" Regiment has presented the 94th’s Bugle band with a complete set of elegant instruments. The set was presented at a Mess Dinner held at the Prince Arthur Hotel and consisted of 1 Bass Drum, 8 Side Drums and 17 Bugles along with all the required side equipment. The band played a number of selections. Col. J.A. Little, Co of the 96th stated that he was proud of the support that his unit had given in support of the 94ths recruiting efforts.

Port Arthur, 24 Feb, 1916 Officers of 96th Regiment present 6 drums and 12 bugles to the battalion band.

Fort William, 25 Feb, 1916 A Smoker was held at the new Barracks in Fort William from 800 PM to midnight and was an great success. Another will be held.

Kenora, 26 Feb, 1916 Local unit has grown rapidly.

Fort William, 28 Feb, 1916 "Canada" shoulder flashes have been received. Signal Sgt Long is looking for Telegraphers. The battalion hockey team lost the league championship to the Fort William team. 70 percent of the men of the unit are married with families to support. An Honour Roll of men serving at the front was unveiled at Wesley Church.

Kenora, 1 Mar, 1916 Local unit continues to grow, now up to 140 officers and men.

Fort Frances , 02 Mar,1916      A and B companies of the 141st along with a detachment of the 94th paraded at midnight at the Canadian Northern station to

 meet and welcome home Lieut. James Angus of the 8th Battalion on leave home from the firing line in France .

Kenora, 4 Mar, 1916 Enlistments are averaging 10 per week, a pretty healthy showing.

Port Arthur, 7 Mar,1916 Battalion held a band concert, supper and dance at the armouries for the public.

Kenora, 8 Mar, 1916 There has been a slight drop off of enlistments, but a pretty good average is being maintained.

Fort Frances , 9 Mar. 1916       The 94th Battalion are preparing for a grand ball and concert to be held on Tuesday next, Mach 14. This battalion is one of the

according to newspapers from Ottawa to go overseas in the very near future and before they go, they will give this concert and ball as a farewell.

Fort Frances , 09 Mar, 1916     94th Battalion Nearly Full Strength  

A Port Arthur report says that it is the source of much gratification to the officers of the 94th Batt alion to know that the battalion is now nearly at full strength,

some 85 recruits being needed to fill up the ranks.  

Reverend Cannon Hedley has received word that he has been gazetted as Chaplain for the 94th Battalion and will leave with the battalion when it goes overseas.

Fort William, 10 Mar, 1916 A Smoking concert held at the "Steel Plant" barracks was a huge success with over 1200 people attending.

Kenora, 11 Mar, 1916 150 have enlisted here with the 94th. A large group photo of the local unit of the 94th has attracted a great deal of attention. It is 6 feet 3 inches in length and is so clear that the faces of all the men stand out clearly.

Fort William, 14 Mar, 1916 A Ladies night was held at the Fort William barracks and it was a huge success with over 1,000 guests over half of whom were ladies. A comedy play was performed as entertainment.

Kenora, 15 Mar, 1916 The 94th had a long route march yesterday, they tramped to Black Sturgeon and back. 130 men were in the line and they finished strong. The only complaint was the supply of tea fell short of the demand.

Kenora, 18 Mar, 1916 Local unit of the 94th in fine shape. Maj. Schnarr inspected the unit yesterday. He said that no orders had been received regarding the movement of the detachment to Port Arthur. Recruiting is still going strong.

Fort Frances , 19 Mar, 1916     The concert and dance held in the Opera House last Tuesday evening under the auspices of the 94th Battalion was one of the

seasons best. 

A pretty wedding took place in Fort William on Tuesday, March 7th when Lieut Rooker of the 94th detachment, now recruiting here was married to a popular

Fort William lady, Miss Gladys Boyce.

Fort William, 21 Mar, 1916 "B" Co had 301 men on parade. The establishment of a typical Canadian Overseas Battalion consists of:-

Headquarters Staff 92 Officers and Men

Machine Gun Section 35 Officers and Men

4 Companies each with 227 Officers and Men 908 Officers and Men

Base Detail Troops 100 Officers and Men

Band 20 Officers and Men

Total Strength 1155 Officers and Men

Fort William, 22 Mar, 1916 The 94th will have 13 mounted officers, 9 signalers on bicycles, 30 drivers, 27 vehicles and 50 horses. The recruiting team returned from Sioux Lookout, where they were warmly welcomed with 20 new recruits. The citizens of the town put on 2 dances and a banquet in their honour While they were there the boys met with a gentleman who, on the spur of the moment, penned the verse.

Kenora, 22 Mar, 1916 Enlistments have fallen off, but the unit strength is now 164.