On 10 April 1885, the 40th Northumberland Battalion of Infantry mobilized a company for active service with The Midland Battalion where it served in the Alberta Column of the North West Field Force. On 24 July 1885, the company was removed from active service.[2]
Early 1900s
On 8 May 1900, the 40th Northumberland Battalion of Infantry was redesignated as the 40th Northumberland Regiment.[1][5]
Great War
On 7 November 1914, the 39th Battalion, CEF was authorized for service and on 17 June 1915, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. After its arrival in the UK, the battalion provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field. On 4 January 1917, the battalion's personnel were absorbed by the 6th Reserve Battalion, CEF.[2]
On 22 December 1915, the 139th (Northumberland) Battalion, CEF was authorized for service and on 27 September 1916, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. After its arrival in the UK, on 6 October 1916, the battalion's personnel were absorbed by the 36th Reserve Battalion, CEF to provide reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field. On 21 May 1917, the 139th Battalion, CEF was disbanded.[2]
Lieutenant Wallace Lloyd Algie was posthumously awarded the VC for actions on 11 October 1918, near Iwuy, France, while serving with the 20th Battalion CEF.
1920s-1930s
On 15 March 1920, as a result of the Otter Commission and the following post-war reorganization of the militia, the 40th Northumberland Regiment was redesignated as The Northumberland (Ontario) Regiment and was reorganized with two battalions (one of them a paper-only reserve battalion) to perpetuate the assigned war-raised battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.[1][6]
On 15 May 1924, the regiment was redesignated for the final time as The Northumberland Regiment.[1]