Canada and the First World War

Canadian Corps, Summer 1916
Canadian Corps, Summer 1916
The 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade marches past Minister of Militia and Defence Sam Hughes and Major-General Arthur Currie in the summer of 1916. The Canadian Corps would eventually grow to 12 infantry brigades in its four divisions. The infantry formed the primary strike force within the Canadian Corps, supported by machine-guns, artillery, mortar, engineers, medical units, and logistical formations.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19920044-601

Military Structure

Canada's overseas forces were known as the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Its primary fighting formation in Europe was the Canadian Corps, a four-division land army that served with the British. Learn about the evolution of the overseas forces during the war.


The Overseas Ministry
The Canadian Expeditionary Force