Return of 231st Battalion, CEF from Sidney, BC. Photo # 4205. The troops are marching from Pier D of the CPR Terminal back to their quarters at Hastings Park after four months of training at Sidney Camp. The distance is about 7 km.The battalion is marching east along West Hastings Street in front of the David Spencer Store and the Molson's Bank (at the northeast corner of Seymour Street and West Hastings). The photo shows the Pipes and Drums and the Military (brass) Bands. The troops are wearing CEF tunics, breeches and high puttees with forage caps. The soldiers are carrying bed rolls over their shoulders and their rifles are carried at slope arms. The caption on the bottom of the photo states: "RETURN OF 231ST FROM SIDNEY". From the 231st Battalion, CEF Souvenir Booklet: The 231st Battalion, CEF in training at Sidney on Vancouver Island, 1916. Late in June [1916] the order came for them [the 231st Battalion] to proceed to Sidney for training, and an advance party was at once sent over to prepare the camp for the reception of the regiment. On July 4th the battalion marched through the city streets to the C.P.R. wharf, 564 strong, less a small number to be left behind for recruiting and to form the nucleus of "C" Company. The steamer "Princess Mary" was in readiness and was attached to the battalion for training. On August 28th "C" Company now 150 strong, was welcomed to the camp. No more ideal site for a training camp could be found than Sidney, the nature of the ground occupied being such as to present the salient features of actual warfare to those in training. Besides the regular battalion and company manoeuvres, ample target accommodation was provided in addition to the long ranges at Heals and the battalion was given a thorough schooling in this important branch at work. On November 1st, the regiment embarked at 10 o'clock on the steamer "Princess Sophia" and arrived in Vancouver at 3 o'clock in the afternoon to again occupy their old quarters at Hastings Park. The Molson Bank (sometimes labeled Molsons Bank) was a Canadian bank founded in Montreal by brothers William (1793-1875) and John Molson, Jr. (1787-1860), the sons of brewery magnate John Molson. In 1850, it was constituted under the Free Banking Act passed by the parliament of the Province of Canada. To increase its powers and its revenue, the bank was incorporated in 1855. It granted a charter on May 19, 1855 in Montreal allowing it to operate its bank in the same way as other banks. The Vancouver Branch was established in 1899. It continued in operation until 1925 when it merged with the Bank of Montreal.