The Intelligencer March 6, 1916 (page 4)
“A Forestry Battalion. (224th Overseas Battalion). The requirements of the War Department, not only of England, but also of the Allies, for lumber, and the excessive rates of freights from this continent to the old land induced the war officials in England to ask the Canadian Government to organize a battalion of 1,500 men who have had experience in what is known in Canada as shantying, whose primary duty will be to cut down trees in, for the present, Scotland, to be used for war purposes.
This request has been complied with, and General Hughes, with his usual promptness, has undertaken the task and hopes within six or eight weeks to have this Canadian corps at work in the forests of Scotland. …
The General has placed the raising and organizing of this corps in the hands of men who have had experience and know the character of men required for the work. While their primary work will be to cut down the forest, they will be equipped for military duty, if required, so that if called into action they will be able to handle the rifle and bayonet as well and as effectively as the axe. …
Our fellow citizen, W.E. Schuster, Esq., President of the Schuster Lumber Company, Ltd., who has during his whole life been connected with the lumber business, has been added to the staff. … A recruiting office will be opened at once in Belleville, and we doubt not the ranks will soon be filled.”
First World War Belleville 