Canada, CEF. A Rare 1st British Columbia Depot Battalion Week End Pass Token

In die-stamped bronze gilt, oval-shaped, obverse illustrating the 1st British Columbia Depot Battalion insignia, inscribed "WEEK END PASS / 158 / SATURDAY NOON / 10 P.M SUNDAY / H St. J M / O.C. 1st DEPOT BATT.", the number "158" stamped, reverse maker marked "O.B. ALLAN", measuring 46.8 mm (w) x 72.7 mm (h), exhibiting spotting, better than very fine.

Footnote: This Week End Pass Token was issued by Lieutenant Colonel H. St. J. Montizambert, Commanding Officer of the Battalion. The 1st British Columbia Depot Battalion, British Columbia Regiment was organized under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Montizambert as a recruiting and training unit in Vancouver, British Columbia, the authorization published in the Canadian General Order 89 dated September 1, 1917. The battalion did not serve at the front; men were sent in drafts of 250-1,000 to Montreal, Quebec City, Halifax or Sydney, N.S. for transport to England. On arrival, they were taken on strength of the 1st Canadian Reserve Battalion at Seaford from which they were usually sent to one of the, 7th, 29th, or 72nd Battalions. Individual men might have transferred to any of a number of other units thereafter.