Brave Battalion: The Remarkable Saga of the 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish) in the First World War

by Mark Zuehlke

An Excerpt From Brave Battalion. The company was completely bunched in front of the wire. Some men threw bombs toward the German trench while others tried to beat down the wooden stakes supporting the wire with their rifle buts and then trample it into the mud. The German grenades generally fell short as they were throwing uphill, but their rifle fire was "deadly accurate." Casualties mounted. Unless something were to be done quickly, Mackie realized that No. 4 Company would be wiped out. Suddenly Richardson turned to the sergeant. "Will I gie them wund?" he asked calmly. "Aye mon, gie 'em wind, " Mackie barked back. Coolly, the young smooth-faced solder marched back and forth in front of the wire, playing the pipes while a storm of fire swirled past him on either side. "The effect was instantaneous," reads his Victoria Cross commendation. "Inspired by his splendid example, the company rushed the wire with such fury and determination that the obstacle was overcome and the positions captured."

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Military Fiction, World War I, Canada, Military History

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

On January 1, 1981, Mark Zuehlke walked away from a journalism career to pursue magazine and book writing fulltime. He has never looked back. In 1992, Mark published his first book—Magazine Writing From the Boonies (co-authored with Louise Donnelly)—and now concentrates almost exclusively on writing of books.

Fascinated by Canada’s military heritage, Mark first set to writing about the role Canadians played in World War II after discussing the Battle of Ortona with several veterans in a Royal Canadian Legion following a Remembrance Day Ceremony in Kelowna, B.C. Discovering no book had been written on this pivotal battle, Mark decided to fill that gap. Ortona: Canada’s Epic World War II Battle was the result. The book’s success encouraged him to develop The Canadian Battle Series, which documents the Canadian World War II experience and has resulted in his being declared by Jack Granatstein as the nation’s leading popular military historian.

Mark is also an award winning mystery writer, whose popular Elias McCann series has garnered much critical praise. Set in storm-swept west coast Vancouver Island village of Tofino, the series follows the investigations of reluctant community coroner Elias McCann. Hands Like Clouds, the debut title in this series, won the Crime Writers of Canada’s Arthur Ellis Award for the 2000 Best First Novel and the third instalment, Sweep Lotus, was nominated for the 2004 Arthur Ellis Best Novel.

When not writing, this Victoria, British Columbia resident can often be found tinkering around the Fernwood heritage house he shares with partner and fellow writer Frances Backhouse. He enjoys hiking, backpacking, cycling, kayaking, travelling, and cooking.

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Focusing on the 16th battalion, this book shows how Canada prepared its men to fight in the Great War. Naturally, it took time for the men to acquire the skills it would take to fight in Belgium and France. Unfortunately, the Minister of Militia and Defence, Sam Hughes, burdened the men with some of his outmoded ideas. He wasn't sacked until 1915.

The battalion, made up of four Scots regiments, fought in many of the battles in Flanders, such as 2nd Ypres and Passenchendaele. They fought in France at the Somme although not in the opening weeks of the campaign. By the end of the war, the Canadian Corps, including the 16th battalion, had developed into a fighting force that could be counted on. Unfortunately, this resulted in high casualties before they finally made it home.

On this, the 100th anniversary of the Armistice that ended the Great War, it is good to remember these men who sacrificed so much.

[Bernie Charbonneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read numerous novels from this fine historian. From his early work in regards to the War of 1812 to his fantastic Canadian Battlefront series, Mr. Zuehlke never fails to deliver in-depth, well researched material. This volume is no exception. I will admit that it is not the most voluminous edition of the Great Way but in defence, this is the story of one particular battalion in a sea of men and women who were part of that history. In regards to this criteria, Mr. Zuehlke once again pushes the battle line back. If you follow Canadian military history then this is a must read.

[Trilby · Rating 3 out of 5]

An impressive piece of scholarship, this book tells the story of the Canadian Scottish in the Great War. It does not pretend to be a comprehensive view of the war, and it helps for the reader to have a general knowledge of the history of the war. I read it to get a more micro view of the war, and it did give that. But the numbers and names of army groups, ranks, and Flemish places went by in a blur for me. For each engagement, Zuehlke lists the numbers of casualties, and as the war wears on, the five- and six-figure numbers piling up become more than appalling.

What I really liked about the book is the quotes from various combatants that gave insight into what these soldiers were thinking and feeling about their war experiences. It amazes me that some were so gung-ho, even after experiencing the hell of trench warfare. Things I didn't know: these soldiers wore kilts (!) into battle and pipers were engaged, apparently quite successfully, to spur the troops onward into battle.

The maps were too small to see on my Kindle, so that was frustrating. The detailed stories from battle were fascinating, even if I did not fully understand the physical context. It seemed I was viewing these battles through "the fog of war"--not necessarily a bad thing.

The Canadian Scottish were justifiably proud of their performance during the war. However, after knowing the bigger picture of the war and the giant, stupid slaughter it was, I can't help having reservations about celebrating any aspect of it, even feats of bravery. As I was reading, the poem "Dulce et Decorum Est" by Wilfred Owen (killed a week before the war's end) kept running through my mind.
". . .If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,—
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori."

That, for me, sums up the waste and butchery of WWI, and no tales of valor can diminish the horror of it.

[Rick B.H. Ghost · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book as well as all of Mark`s books is an account of the famous 16th Battalion of a mongrel of Regiments from Hamilton, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Victoria. Book follows the Canadian Scottish, Royal Highlanders of Canada, Seaforth Highlanders of Canada and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and British troops through the DQ line where 7 Victoria Crosses were garnered in one day. Then their battle to Cambrai and the end of World War l. I believe every Canadian should read Mark Zuehlke books of World War l and ll they are historic. I have been able to follow all the Regiments of our family through his books. Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, Calgary Highlanders of Canada. Queens own, Kings Livervpool Regiment and the PPCLI.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember learning in school how the Battle of Vimy Ridge was a coming-of-age moment for the country of Canada in World War I. What I don't remember learning in school was how ill-prepared the Canadians were with supplies - arms, boots, uniforms. How did we send young men over there like that?! But, at least a few had bagpipes.

I enjoyed this book. The 16th Battalion did not operate by themselves, so the book covers a lot of the groups surrounding the 16th as well. The author quantifies the loss of life and casualties for various offensives, and the numbers are staggering. Good book.

[Dan A. Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Battalion

A good read about Canadian military involvement in World War I. A bit long in some descriptions, and dry at times, but a good overall treatment of a portion on the War history.

[Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book. For I read it his as an Audible book. Very well narrated and telling an inspiring story of ordinary men doing extraordinary deeds.

[Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2.

[Don Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all of Tim cooks books and this book about the 16th Battalion in WW1 was super. Whereas Tim Cook covers the larger story he mentions the 16th several times. Mark takes a focus on a single group and follows them through their battles and covers their glory and pain.
Another great read.