The Legion of Frontiersmen in World War I

The Legion of Frontiersmen was founded in London, on Christmas Eve 1904. Immediately following on 26 December 1904 a letter in British National newspapers suggested an organization to organize Imperial campaign veterans, adventurers, patriots and men with experience of in the world’s frontier regions. The Legion was to act as an irregular force of mounted rifles, scouts, guides, pioneers (military labourers and craftsmen with fighting ability) and especially intelligence gatherers. This new Legion of Frontiersmen was to react as a ready force until the regular Imperial forces could be deployed to the regions; or to immediately enlist if called upon. At inception the LOF had the support of influential persons including support from Lord Lonsdale, The Earl of Onslow, Prince Louis of Battenberg of the Admiralty, Canada’s Sir Sam Steele, officials several of the Civil Forces, Municipal Police, Fire Brigades, etc. and such units as the Federated Malay State Volunteers, Newfoundland government, and the army of the Sultan of Jahore. The Legion had three classes of membership. “A” class pledged to uniformed service in defence of the Empire including overseas service. “B” class pledged to uniformed service as scouts and guides in support of local/regional operations. “C” class non-uniformed membership pledged to support the aims and objectives of the L.O.F. “The organization has about 100 squadrons and maritime branches in the United Kingdom, Mediterranean, Canada, British Columbia, Newfoundland, Brazil, Peru, West Indies, Solomon and Fiji Islands, Transvaal. Cape Colony, British East Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Manchuria, Tientsin, Shanghai, Hongkong, Philippines, Straits Settlements, Burma, Australia and is now helping to raise 12 squadrons and one maritime branch in New Zealand.” [also the Argentine, and Falkland Islands]. Auckland Star, 1912. At the “call to arms” in 1914 Canadian commands of the LOF had formed in Dawson City, Whitehorse, and Carmacks in the Yukon, Victoria region, Vancouver region, BC interior, Lac St. Anne, Edmonton region, Calgary region, Lethbridge, Moose Jaw region, Regina region, Saskatoon region, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa-Kingston region, Montreal, and various locations in the Dominion of Newfoundland. 7000 ON ACTIVE SERVICE BY 1915Thousands More FollowedENLIST IN VARIOUS MILITARY UNITSTotal Casualties WWI, 9000