conflict thomas william holmes
The Canadian Expeditionary Force ( CEF ) was the designation of the field force created by Canada for service overseas in the First ___MASK60___ . The force fielded several combat formations on the Western Front in France and Belgium , the largest of which was the Canadian Corps , consisting of four divisions . The Canadian Cavalry Brigade and the Canadian Independent Force , which were independent of the Canadian Corps , also fought on the Western Front . The CEF also had a large reserve and training organization in England , and a recruiting organization in Canada . In the later stages of the European war , particularly after their success at Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele , the Canadian Corps was regarded by friend and foe alike as the most effective Allied military formation on the Western Front . The Germans went so far as to call them " storm troopers " for their great combat efficiency . In August 1918 , the CEF ' s Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force travelled to revolution - rift Russia . It reinforced an anti - Bolshevik garrison in Vladivostok during the winter of 1918  19 . At this time , another force of Canadian soldiers were placed in Archangel , where they fought against Bolsheviks . Thomas William Holmes VC ( 14 October 1898 -- 4 January 1950 ) was a soldier in the Canadian Expeditionary Force , and was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross , the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces , during the First ___MASK60___ . Holmes is the youngest Canadian to ever win the Victoria Cross . The Canadian Corps was a ___MASK56___ corps formed from the Canadian Expeditionary Force in September 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France . The corps was expanded by the addition of the 3rd Canadian Division in December 1915 and the 4th Canadian Division in August 1916 . The organization of a 5th Canadian Division began in February 1917 but it was still not fully formed when it was broken up in February 1918 and its men used to reinforce the other four divisions .