 The nucleus of the 179th was formed from absorbing the 79th Cameron Highlanders of Canada Drafting Detachment on 1 February.On 30 May, Lieutenant-Colonel Cantlie, whose poor health precluded him from overseas deployment, relinquished command to Lieutenant-Colonel J. Y. Reid, and the battalion moved by train to Camp Hughes.Training at Camp Hughes throughout the summer of 1916, the 179th entrained for overseas deployment on 26 September.