72nd Regiment, Seaforth Highlanders of Canada engaged in Aid to Civil Powers for the Coal Miners' Strike on Vancouver Island, Nanaimo,1913 - 1914. Caption: "88th V. Fusiliers" on photo. A platoon from the 88th Victoria Fusiliers marching in front of Connaught Barracks (Agricultural Hall). They are dressed in forage caps and service dress jackets. They are carrying Ross rifles at slope arms. In the background their is an unknown unit wearing white pith helmets. The 88th Regiment, The Victoria Fusiliers existed from September 1912 to September 1920 as the first militia infantry regiment formed in Victoria. The uniform of the 88th Regiment was to be scarlet tunics, with blue trousers with thin red stripe and busbies. In August 1913, a miner's strike caused disturbances in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, and other Vancouver Island areas; the Victoria Fusiliers was mobilized to keep the peace. During this period, Lieutenant-Colonel John Albert Hall commanded the 88th and later the Civil Aid Force. Fortunately, the presence of soldiers was enough to restore order. In Victoria, Lieutenant-Colonial H. J. Rous Cullen had command of the regiment at home. From this date forward, the 88th Regiment was to be on permanent protection duty. When the First World War broke out in 1914, the 88th was largely responsible for recruitment in Victoria during the war. The 88th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force was formed from the 88th Regiment and would see service overseas. After sailing to England in June 1916, the battalion was absorbed into the 30th Reserve Battalion on July 18, 1916. The Vancouver Island Coal Strike began on 16 Sept. 1912 when miners at Cumberland declared a "holiday" to protest the firing of Oscar Mottishaw. Canadian Collieries locked them out and hired Chinese and strike breakers. The issues were safety (gas explosions had killed hundreds) and union recognition. Other employers followed the pattern in resisting any union. By spring 1913, 3,500 miners from Vancouver Island were off work with the United Mine Workers of America providing leadership and strike pay. In the summer of 1912, the Vancouver and Nanaimo Coal Co., settled with its employees, but not before rioting, arsons and "shoot-outs" had broken out in all the coal towns. Peace was restored when the BC government sent in 1,000 militiamen. The withdrawal of strike pay in the summer of 1914 and the beginning of WW I ended the confrontation. By then the mines were running at almost pre-strike capacity using newly hired labour.