Canada, Cef. A First War "Squad, Section, Platoon, And Company Drill Made Easy" Manual

Published as part of the "Gale & Polden's Military Series", entitled "Squad, Section, Platoon, and Company Drill Made Easy, for 4-Company Organization, in Accordance with Infantry Training, with Illustrations and Explanatory Notes", revised and brought up to date by an Adjutant, published by Gale & Polden Limited of London, Wellington Works of Aldershot and Nelson House of Portsmouth, the cost of the manual stated as "One and Sixpence (Net)." It is inscribed "Sales Polden Ltd. / W.J. Chandler / Capt. 217 Battn." on the front cover, named to "Will Chandler Capt / 217th Battn. C.E.F. / Broadview, Sask. / April 1916" on page i, and "CAPTAIN W.J. CHANDLER / 17TH BATTALION C.E.F." on the back cover, all the inscriptions in handwritten black ink. It contains a List of Other Publications in the Gale & Polden's Military Series, placed on the inside front and back covers. It begins with a List of Contents and is divided into three sections: 1. Squad Drill (The Training of Recruits, Squad Drill with Intervals, Squad Drill in Single Rank, Squad Drill in Two Ranks); 2. Organization and Definitions; 3. Section, Platoon and Company Drill (Section Drill, Platoon Drill, Company Drill, Signals and Whistle Blasts, Questions and Answers on Squad Drill). It contains 130 pages with 30 fold out plates with line drawings, printed in black ink, on a white paper stock, complemented by 4 pages printed in black ink, on a rose-coloured paper stock placed at the front and back of the manual, the cover in a red papered cloth, measuring 90 mm (w) x 118 mm (h) x 15 mm (d). It exhibits soiling and undulation from storage, however, the pages do not stick together, the manual still quite legible. Fine.

Footnote: William John Chandler was born on January 27, 1887 in London, England. He was a resident of Broadview, Saskatchewan when he signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (276253) with 'C' Company, 217th Infantry Battalion, on April 13, 1916 at Whitewood, Saskatchewan (west of Regina), at the age of 29, naming his next-of-kin as his father, William N. Chandler of Broadview, stating the he was not with an active militia and had not served as part of any military force, that he was not married, that his religion was Church of England (Anglican) and that his trade was that of Telegraph Operator. Both his mother and father were still alive, his Will documentation stating "My Private Will is in the hands of my father at Broadview, Sask.". He was insured by the Order of Railroad Telegraphers. However, it was soon discovered that earlier in his life that he had had previous military service with the 95th Saskatchewan Rifles. He was subsequently discharged as a Private, struck off strength on July 18, 1916 "for the purpose of receiving a commission" and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (1009253), signing his Officers' Declaration Paper on July 18th with the 217th Infantry Battalion at Camp Hughes, Manitoba. Lieutenant Chandler embarked Canada from Halifax, Nova Scotia aboard the S.S. Olympic on May 31, 1917, arriving in Liverpool, England on June 10th. Upon arrival, he entered the Segregation Camp at Bramshott and was taken on strength of the 19th Reserve Battalion that day. He reverted to the rank of Temporary Lieutenant on June 15th. Seven weeks after arriving in England, he was placed on command to the Officers Battalion at Seaford on July 28th, returning to the 19th Reserve Battalion on September 7th. Lieutenant Chandler proceeded overseas for service with the Canadian Labour Corps on September 14, 1917, was named Temporary Captain on December 2, 1917, then appointed Acting Captain on December 17, 1917. The Canadian Labour Corps was re-designated as the 1st Canadian Infantry Works Battalion on March 11, 1918. He was transferred to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Works Company on September 15, 1918, where he would serve for eight months before being posted to the Canadian General Base Depot on May 10, 1919. One week later, with hostilities having long ceased, Captain Chandler was transferred to the Canadian War Graves Detachment on May 18th. After two months service with the CWGD, he returned to England on July 21, 1919 and was posted to 'R' Wing at Witley for return to Canada, on August 2nd. He was struck off strength off the Overseas Military Forces of Canada on August 20, 1919, embarking Glasgow, Scotland aboard the S.S. Columbia on the 21st. Captain William John Chandler was struck off strength upon general demobilization, on September 7, 1919, credited with having served in Canada, England and France with the 217th Infantry Battalion, the 19th Reserve Battalion, the 1st Canadian Infantry Works Battalion, the Canadian Labour Corps, the 3rd Canadian Infantry Works Company, the Canadian General Base Depot, and the Candaian War Graves Detachment.