World War 1, 1914-18
Regiment left Ottawa on 28 August, 1914, and embarked at Montreal in the MEGANTIC. The sailing was cancelled due to enemy action in the Atlantic and the Regiment disembarked at Levis, PQ. During the ensuing month, the Regiment constructed a basic camp and got on with some much needed training and organization. On 27 September, 1914, it sailed from Quebec on the ROYAL GEORGE, and on 18 October, was in camp on Salisbury Plain, England.
The British authorities found the Patricias to be well trained and capable of taking the field. In early November the Regiment moved to Winchester to join the 27th British Division as a unit of the 80th Brigade. Other units of the Brigade were all regular battalions of the British Army; 4th Battalion The Rifle Brigade; 3rd and 4th Battalions Kings Royal Rifle Corps; and 2nd Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry.
The 27th Division landed in France on 21 December, 1914. The Patricias were therefore the first and only Canadian Infantry Regiment in a theatre of war in 1914. (1st Canadian Medical corps was already there).
The Patricias served one year with 80th Brigade (named the "Stonewall Brigade" after its defence of the Ypres Salient in May, 1915). The historic battle of FREZENBERG was fought on 8 May, 1915 at Bellewaerde Lake. The enemy attacked behind clouds of poison gas, however the Regiment held the front even though they were fighting from ditches and shell holes and were under fire from three sides. The Regiment came out of action commanded by Lt H.W. Niven with 154 effectives. The anniversary of this famous battle is commemorated annually by the Regiment.
On 22 December, 1915, the Regiment became part of the newly formed 3rd Canadian Division as a unit of the 7th Brigade. Other units of the Brigade were: the 42nd Battalion (Black Watch); the 49th Battalion (The Edmonton Regiment); and the Royal Canadian Regiment. The Regiment fought in many actions throughout the rest of World War I and were part of the Canadian Corp which stormed Vimy Ridge on 9 April, 1917.
During the battles around Passchendaele on 30 October, 1917, Lieutenant Hugh McKenzie and Sergeant George Harry Mullin won the Victoria Cross for gallantry. The Regiment's third Victoria Cross was won at Parvillers in August, 1918 by Sergeant Robert Spall.
In November 1918, the Patricia's were involved in pursuing the Germans and on 11 November, 1918 No. 4 Company entered Mons and shortly thereafter the Armistice was declared.