Lieutenant Colonel D.M. Grant
122nd (Muskoka) Battalion

This affords an opportunity to the men who are accustom to working in the bush to take on their regular line of work for the next year or so, have a trip to England or France and if on the ground when Peace is declared will have the time of their lives. It is ENTIRELY a separate force from the fighting units.

(122nd Batt., Recruiting Poster, 1917)

Born on 2 April 1868, Donald McKenzie Grant was a Huntsville lawyer and son of Rev. George Munro Grant (1835—1902). Commanding officer of the 35th Regiment, he was initially authorized to raise a new battalion from Simcoe County in November 1915. However, he soon ordered to switch with Lieutenant Colonel D. H. MacLaren of the 157th to organize the 122nd from Muskoka. A local newspaper wrote, “Such a change would have made many men give up their work in disgust, but such was not the case with Col. Grant, who thus roved his true military worth, sincerity, loyalty and determination.”

A reporter for the Galt Reporter observed, “By his men he is idolized. A strict disciplinarian, his heart and soul is in the noble work he has undertaken.” Complimenting Grant and his officers, the writer declared, “when the opportunity presents itself, will bring glory to themselves.”

The 122nd did not depart Canada until June 1917. Once in England, the battalion was absorbed into the Canadian Forestry Depot. Grant later served in France with the British Army

 He died in Huntsville on 29 September 1963 at the age of ninety-five.