Cap Badge - 197th (Vikings of Canada) Battalion, CEF The 197th (Vikings of Canada) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the unit began recruiting during the winter of 1915/16 throughout Western Canada. After sailing to England in January 1917, the battalion was absorbed into the 11th Reserve Battalion on February 6, 1917.