Postings and Attachments

Display the PDF document below to see a unit diary that records every soldier/officer attached out for duty, training, medical treatment and to detention.

Postings

The term “posting” that is commonly used today to formally record the move of a Canadian soldier or officer out of one unit to another was not used during WW 1.  The equivalent in the Canadian Expeditionary Force would be “Appointment”.  In researching records throughout this site such as Part 2 orders and in Library and Archives Canada files it is common to see the effective date a new Battalion Officer Commanding arrived to take over described in terms of “Appointed to Command” and his promotion described as “to be Lt-Col” and an effective date.  This form of entry will be found in Part 2 orders at unit, brigade, division and corps levels and most for Lieutenant-Colonels and above will also be found in entries within the London and Canadian Gazettes.  

Attachments

This term encompasses leaving the unit for a short period on a duty or task that is temporary or short term. It is normally an arrangement tasked from a higher formation or locally arranged by two Officers Commanding.  The individual remains on strength of his unit which administers his pay as well as all other personnel transactions.  There are many examples of this in the Postings and Attachments diary below that include soldiers going on training, the Pipe Band being attached out to perform on a brigade or divisional parade and a range of other duties. This is a unit diary that records every soldier/officer attached out for duty, training, medical treatment and to detention.