the camp's trench system (which is now among the only surviving trenches from the First World War); some men specialized in trades such as machine gunning and signaling, and many officers attended specialty schools to learn bombing (grenade throwing), musketry, and other specialized tasks. During their time in Camp Hughes, the men of the 196th Battalion developed a strong bond over their shared identities. They called themselves "WUBians" (short for Western Universities Battalion), and the "Little Grey Devils" — which stemmed from the grey breeches they were made to wear. One volume of a battalion newspaper was published on 21 October 1916. The battalion departed Camp Hughes on 26 October 1916, and inspected by Prime Minister Robert Bordon and Minister of Defence and Militia Sam Hughes on 29 October. They embarked for England on 1 November, aboard the and reached Liverpool on 16 November. Disbandment Upon arrival in England, the 196th Battalion was billeted at Seaford. Brigadier-General J.P. Landry, Commander of the Canadian troops stationed there, wrote that the 196th Battalion was: "... well officered, well organized and well disciplined and undoubtedly one of the best sent over from Canada … and would it not be in the best interests of the service to keep it as a reserve for officers to be taken from as needs arose. There are at present 202 Other Ranks recommended by the C.O. as be available for appointment to commissioned ranks." On 16 December, an order was issued to halt all drafts of manpower from the 196th while the army decided what to do with its men, due to how many of them were considered to be officer-material. During this time, the battalion's companies were dispersed among a large area and mixed with other units, diminishing its officers' ability to maintain control over the battalion as a whole. The men of the battalion began a 14-week training period, because Canada's domestic training was seen by the English to be sub-par. The four companies of the 196th were reunited on 31 December 1916, and two days later merged with the 222nd Battalion to form the 19th Reserve Battalion. In early 1917, the 19th Reserve Battalion was dissolved and its men sent to a number of different units, including the 46th "suicide" battalion, the 1st Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles, and the Canadian Machine Gun Corps. In 1929, the battalion was awarded the theatre of war honour