Interestingly, the 77th Battalion never actually landed in France as a complete, cohesive combat unit. After mobilizing and training in Ottawa, the battalion sailed for England in June 1916. However, unexpected and heavy casualties at the Battle of Mount Sorrel created an urgent need for frontline troops. As a result, shortly after arriving at Bramshott Camp in England, the 77th was broken up, and 1,154 of its men were sent to France to reinforce 14 different Canadian infantry battalions. While this was a bitter disappointment to the officers and men who had expected to fight together as a single corps, these soldiers went on to serve with great distinction in some of the fiercest battles of the war, suffering 899 total casualties.
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