The 220th (12th York Rangers) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War.
A newspaper report entitled "Active Campaign to Fill York Battalion / Energetic Measures to Secure Young Men Who Are Still Eligible" appeared in the Toronto World on 5 April 1916 discussed the recruiting efforts to date: "Practically every business and professional man in Newmarket yesterday pledged his hearty support to the work of raising recruits for the 220th York Overseas Battalion, and today an active campaign will be undertaken to raise the Newmarket end of it in record time.
Following the campaign put up by Lieut.-Col. Clarke, it was at one time feared that difficulty would be experienced in getting the men, but latest reports are reassuring.
Lieut.-Col. Brown is adopting the most energetic measures to secure men, and officers have been despatched to all centres.
"Recruiting had slowed according to another report appearing in the Toronto World on April 21: "At a meeting of the headquarters staff of the 220th York Rangers' Overseas Battalion held last night in St. Paul's Hall reports indicated that recruiting in the country districts is proceeding slowly.