The Battalion embarked at Halifax, NS on 31 March 1916, aboard RMS ADRIATIC, disembarking in Liverpool on 9 April 1916, with a strength of 36 officers and 1033 other ranks.

After extended training in England, and losing a replacement draft of 250 men to the 13th Bn, the Battalion arrived at Le Havre, France on 13 August 1916, on HMTS Copenhagen, becoming part of the new 4th Canadian Division.

[7][8] The Battalion's orientation to Belgium and Flanders began, doing rotating tours or brigade reserve duties, first in Ypres, in August 1916,[9] and through September, to the south, in Kemmel.

[11][12] In December 1916, it was to move to the Arras sector, finding itself at Vimy, first as 4th Division Reserve before engagements in January / February 1917, with tours in and out on four or five day rotations.

[21] Following the mine explosions at Gunner and Kennedy Craters, it assaulted onto the lower left slope of Hill 145, on the 9th,[22] achieving its assigned objectives, moving forward, it fought off a counterattack, on April 11.