The Royal Canadian Regiment
The official lineage of The Royal Canadian Regiment infantry regiment.
Colonel-in-Chief: Vacant
Badge
Description
On an eight-pointed diamond-cut star Argent a bezant inscribed VRI, the Cypher of Queen Victoria, in letters Argent and encircled by a rope Or surmounted in chief with the Royal Crown proper.
Symbolism
The star is a customary infantry badge shape from the 19th Century. King George V granted the regiment the right to wear in perpetuity Queen Victoria's cypher "VRI" in memory of the sovereign under whose reign the regiment was raised and in view of the services the regiment rendered in the Great War.Footnote 1
Motto
PRO PATRIA (For my country)
Quick March
"The Royal Canadian Regiment" (also titled "St. Catharines")
Slow March
"Pro Patria"
Alliance
British Army
The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers; and The Rifles
Jamaica Defence Force
The Jamaica Regiment
Regimental colour
Camp flag
Battle honours
The War of 1812
DEFENCE OF CANADA – 1812-1815 – DÉFENSE DU CANADA; DETROIT; NIAGARA
Honorary Distinction
The non-emblazonable honorary distinction DEFENCE OF CANADA – 1812-1815 – DÉFENSE DU CANADA
North West Campaign
SASKATCHEWAN; NORTH WEST CANADA, 1885.
South African War
PAARDEBERG; SOUTH AFRICA, 1899-1900.
The First World War
YPRES, 1915, '17; Gravenstafel; St. Julien; FESTUBERT, 1915; MOUNT SORREL; SOMME, 1916; Pozières; Flers-Courcelette; Ancre Heights; ARRAS, 1917, '18; Vimy, 1917; Arleux; Scarpe, 1917, '18; HILL 70; Passchendaele; AMIENS; Drocourt-Quéant; HINDENBURG LINE; Canal du Nord; Cambrai, 1918; PURSUIT TO MONS; FRANCE AND FLANDERS, 1915-18.
The Second World War
LANDING IN SICILY; Valguarnera; Agira; ADRANO; Regalbuto; SICILY, 1943; Landing at Reggio; Motta Montecorvino; Campobasso; Torella; San Leonardo; The Gully; Ortona; CASSINO II; Gustav Line; LIRI VALLEY; Hitler Line; GOTHIC LINE; LAMONE CROSSING; Misano Ridge; RIMINI LINE; San Martino-San Lorenzo; Pisciatello; Fosso Vecchio; ITALY, 1943-1945; Apeldoorn; NORTH-WEST EUROPE, 1945.
United Nations Operations - Korea
KOREA, 1951-1953.
South-West Asia
AFGHANISTAN
Lineage
This regiment originates on 14 August 1863 and incorporates both Regular and Reserve Force components.
The Royal Canadian Regiment originated on 21 December 1883, when the 'Infantry School Corps' was authorized to be formed.Footnote 2 It was redesignated: 'Canadian Regiment of Infantry' on 14 May 1892;Footnote 3 'The Royal Regiment of Canadian Infantry' 24 May 1893;Footnote 4 'The Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry' on 1 April 1899;Footnote 5 and 'The Royal Canadian Regiment' on 1 November 1901.Footnote 6 On 25 April 1958, it was amalgamated with 'The London and Oxford Fusiliers (3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment) (see below), retaining its designation.Footnote 7
Notes:
The regiment was placed on Active Service on 6 August 1914 as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (GO 142/14) (see operational history below). A Permanent Active Militia component was formed on 1 April 1919 (GO 27/19) and the Canadian Expeditionary Force component of the regiment was disbanded on 30 August 1920 (GO 149/20).
On 1 March 1946, 'The Royal Canadian Regiment, CASF, CIC' was disbanded (GO 139/46) and the '2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, CIC' was redesignated 'The Royal Canadian Regiment, CIC' (GO 138/46). On 27 June 1946, The Royal Canadian Regiment was embodied in the post-war Permanent Force (Active Force) (GO 158/46) (see operational history below).
On 7 August 1950, a '2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, RCIC' was authorized to be formed as an Active Force unit embodied in the Special Force (CAO 110-2, Supp Issue No. 210/50). On 14 July 1952, it ceased to be embodied in the Canadian Army Special Force (CAO 76-8, Pt 'B', Supp Issue No. 293/52).
On 9 August 1950, The Royal Canadian Regiment, RCIC was redesignated 'The Royal Canadian Regiment, (1st Battalion) RCIC' (CAO 76-2, Supp Issue No. 193/50). On 1 February 1952, it was embodied in the Special Force (CAO 76-8, Pt 'B', Supp Issue No. 273/52). On 9 April 1952, it was redesignated '1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, RCIC' (CAO 76-2, Pt 'B', Supp Issue No. 283/52) and on 16 May 1953, it ceased to be embodied in the Special Force (CAO 76-8, Pt 'B', Supp Issue No. 340/53).
On 9 December 1950, a '3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, RCIC' was authorized to be formed as an Active Force unit embodied in the Special Force (CAO 110-2, Supp Issue No. 210/50). On 1 November 1953, it ceased to be embodied in the Canadian Army Special Force (CAO 76-8, Pt 'B', Supp Issue No. 365/53) and on 15 April 1954, it was reduced to nil strength (SD 1 Letter No. 54/30, 5 April 1954). The battalion was disbanded on 21 July 1954 (CAO 78-2, Pt 'B', Supp Issue No. 401/54).
On 6 July 1970, a '3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment' was authorized to be formed as a Regular Force unit (CANFORCEHED Message 1160-110/076 (DO) (DHH 73/1223, series 2, file 1050).
The '3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (London and Oxford Fusiliers)' was redesignated the '4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (London and Oxford Fusiliers)' on 1 September 1970 (CFOO 70/16).
On 12 August 1977, all generic titles in the Canadian Forces, such as 'battalion', were made bilingual (Memorandum, DGBB (Director General Bilingualism and Biculturalism), 1901-1/1211-7-4, 12 Aug 77).
The '4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (London and Oxford Fusiliers)' was redesignated '4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment' on 22 May 1990 (MOO 98/90).
The London and Oxford Fusiliers (3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment)' originated in Woodstock, Ontario on 14 August 1863, when the '"Twenty-second Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles, Canada" or "The Oxford Rifles"' was authorized to be formed.Footnote 8 It was redesignated: '22nd Battalion "The Oxford Rifles"' on 13 April 1866;Footnote 9 '22nd Regiment "The Oxford Rifles"' on 8 May 1900;Footnote 10 'The Oxford Rifles' on 29 March 1920;Footnote 11 '2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The Oxford Rifles' on 18 March 1942;Footnote 12 and 'The Oxford Rifles' on 1 June 1945.Footnote 13 On 1 October 1954, it was amalgamated with 'The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Machine Gun)' (see below) and redesignated 'The London and Oxford Fusiliers (3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment)'.Footnote 14 On 25 April 1958, it was amalgamated with 'The Royal Canadian Regiment' and redesignated the '3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (London and Oxford Fusiliers)', as above.
Notes:
Upon redesignation as The Oxford Rifles on 29 March 1920 (see above), it was organized as a two battalion regiment with the 1st Battalion (71st Battalion, CEF) on the Non Permanent Active Militia order of battle, and the 2nd Battalion (168th Battalion, CEF) on the Reserve order of battle. The reserve unit was disbanded on 14 December 1936 (GO 3/37).
The Oxford Rifles were disbanded for the purpose of reorganization on 15 October 1920 and reorganized the same day (GO 253/20). This change was administrative and does not affect the lineage of the regiment.
The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Machine Gun) originated in London, Ontario on 27 April 1866, when the '7th Battalion Infantry, "Prince Arthur's Own"' was authorized to be formed.Footnote 15 It was redesignated: '7th Battalion Infantry' on 1 May 1866;Footnote 16 '7th Battalion "London Light Infantry"' on 15 February 1867;Footnote 17 '7th Battalion "Fusiliers"' on 16 January 1880;Footnote 18 '7th Regiment "Fusiliers"' on 8 May 1900;Footnote 19 'The Western Ontario Regiment' on 29 March 1920;Footnote 20 and 'The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)' on 1 August 1924.Footnote 21 On 15 December 1936 it was amalgamated with the 'Headquarters' and 'A Company' of the '2nd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC' (see below) and redesignated 'The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Machine Gun)'.Footnote 22 It was redesignated: '2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)' on 29 January 1942;Footnote 23 '2nd (Reserve) Battalion), The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Machine Gun)' on 24 March 1942;Footnote 24 and 'The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Machine Gun)' on 1 April 1946.Footnote 25 On 1 October 1954, it was amalgamated with 'The Oxford Rifles', as above.
Notes:
The 7th Battalion "Fusiliers" was disbanded for the purpose of reorganization on 3 May 1889 (GO 7/89) and reorganized on 14 June 1889 (GO 11/89). This change was administrative and does not affect the lineage of the regiment.
The 7th Battalion "Fusiliers' was disbanded for the purpose of reorganization on 1 February 1899 and reorganized the same day (GO 16/89). This change was administrative and does not affect the lineage of the regiment.
Upon redesignation as The Western Ontario Regiment on 29 March 1920 (see above), it was organized as a three battalion regiment with the 1st Battalion (1st Battalion, CEF) on the Non Permanent Active Militia order of battle, and the 2nd Battalion (33rd Battalion, CEF) and 3rd Battalion (142nd Battalion, CEF) on the Reserve order of battle. The reserve units were disbanded on 14 December 1936 (GO 3/37).
The Western Ontario Regiment was disbanded for the purpose of reorganization on 15 April 1920 and reorganized the same day (GO 65/20). This change was administrative and does not affect the lineage of the regiment.
The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was disbanded for the purpose of amalgamation on 14 December 1936 and reorganized the next day (GO 146/36). This change was administrative and does not affect the lineage of the regiment.
The '2nd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC' originated in London, Ontario on 1 June 1919, when the '2nd Machine Gun Brigade, CMGC' was authorized to be formed.Footnote 26 It was redesignated the '2nd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC' on 15 September 1924.Footnote 27 On 15 December 1936, it was amalgamated with 'The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)', as above.
Notes:
The 2nd Machine Gun Brigade, CMGC was authorized a Reserve order of battle counterpart on 1 June 1919 (GO 104/20). The reserve unit was disbanded on 14 December 1936 (GO 3/37).
The 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC was disbanded for the purpose of amalgamation on 14 December 1936 and reorganized the next day (GO 148/36). This change was administrative and does not affect the lineage of the regiment.
On 15 December 1936, 'The Kent Regiment' (now 'The Essex and Kent Regiment') amalgamated with "B" Company", 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC' and 'The Perth Regiment' amalgamated with "C" Company, 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC' (GO 148/36).The perpetuation of the 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC (1919-1936) was assigned to The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Machine Gun) (GO 76/37).
Perpetuations
‘The Loyal London Volunteers’, ‘1st Regiment of Middlesex Militia (1812-15)’, ‘1st Regiment of Oxford Militia (1812-15)’, '1st', '33rd', '71s't, '142nd' and '168th "Overseas" Battalions, CEF'; and '2nd Battalion, CMGC, CEF'
Headquarters Location
1st Battalion: Petawawa, Ontario
2nd Battalion: Gagetown, New Brunswick
3rd Battalion: Petawawa, Ontario
4th Battalion: London, Ontario
Operational history
The Fenian Raids
The 7th Battalion Infantry was called out on active service on 1 June 1866. The battalion served on the St. Clair frontier and was removed from active service on 22 June 1866.Footnote 28
The 22nd Battalion, "Oxford Rifles" was called out on active service on 1 June 1866. The battalion served on the St. Clair frontier and was removed from active service on 22 June 1866.Footnote 29
Two companies of the 7th Battalion "London Light Infantry" were called out on active service on 12 April 1870. They served on the St. Clair frontier and were removed from active service on 21 April 1870.Footnote 30
North West Campaign
The Infantry School Corps mobilized "C" Company for active service on 10 April 1885.Footnote 31 Half of the company served with Middleton's Column, the other half-company with the Battleford Column, of the North West Field Force.Footnote 32
The 7th Battalion "Fusiliers" was mobilized for active service on 10 April 1885.Footnote 33 It served as part of the Alberta Column of the North West Field Force.Footnote 34 The battalion was removed from active service on 24 July 1885.Footnote 35
South African War
On 14 October 1899, eight companies of infantry were authorized to be formed for active service in South Africa.Footnote 36 These companies were taken on strength of the 'Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry' on 20 October 1899,Footnote 37 and designated the '2nd (Special Service) Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry' on 27 October 1899.Footnote 38 The battalion embarked for Africa on 30 October 1899,Footnote 39 where it fought as part of the '19th Brigade, IX Division'.Footnote 40 The overseas battalion was disbanded on 31 December 1900.Footnote 41
On 5 March 1900, a 'Provisional Battalion of Infantry' was authorized to be formed for active service at Halifax, Nova Scotia.Footnote 42 It was redesignated the '3rd (Special Service) Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry' on 31 March 1900.Footnote 43 The unit served in a garrison role at Halifax and Esquimalt, British Columbia.Footnote 44 The battalion was disbanded on 1 October 1902.Footnote 45
The 7th Battalion "Fusiliers" contributed volunteers for the Canadian Contingents during the South African War.Footnote 46
The First World War
The Royal Canadian Regiment, which was placed on active service on 6 August 1914,Footnote 47 embarked for Bermuda for garrison duty on 10 September 1914.Footnote 48 The regiment embarked for Great Britain, via Halifax, on 26 August 1915.Footnote 49 On 1 November 1915 it disembarked in France, where it fought as part of the 7th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war.Footnote 50 The overseas component of the regiment was disbanded on 15 September 1920.Footnote 51
Details of the 7th Regiment "Fusiliers" were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protection duties.Footnote 52
Details of the 22nd Regiment "The Oxford Rifles" were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protection duties.Footnote 53
The 1st Battalion, which was authorized on 10 August 1914 as the '1st Battalion, CEF',Footnote 54 embarked for Great Britain on 26 September 1914.Footnote 55 It disembarked in France on 12 February 1915, where it fought as part of the 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war.Footnote 56 The battalion was disbanded on 15 September 1920.Footnote 57
The 33rd Battalion, which was authorized on 7 November 1914 as the '33rd Battalion', CEF,Footnote 58 embarked for Great Britain on 1 April 1916.Footnote 59 It was redesignated the '33rd Reserve Battalion, CEF' on 6 April 1916 and it provided reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field until 6 July 1916, when its personnel were absorbed by the '36th "Overseas" Battalion, CEF'.Footnote 60 The battalion was disbanded on 17 July 1917.Footnote 61
The 71st Battalion, which was authorized on 1 April 1916 as the '71st "Overseas" Infantry Battalion', CEF,Footnote 62 embarked for Great Britain on 1 April 1916.Footnote 63 It provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field until 30 September 1916, when its personnel were absorbed by the '44th', '54th' and '74th "Overseas" Battalion(s), CEF'.Footnote 64 The battalion was disbanded on 11 April 1918.Footnote 65
The 142nd Battalion, which was authorized on 22 December 1915 as the '142nd "Overseas" Battalion', CEF,Footnote 66 embarked for Great Britain on 31 October 1916.Footnote 67 On 12 November 1916, its personnel were absorbed by the '23rd Reserve Battalion, CEF' to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field.Footnote 68 The battalion was disbanded on 27 July 1917.Footnote 69
The 168th Battalion, which was authorized on 22 December 1915 as the '168th "Overseas" Battalion', CEF,Footnote 70 embarked for Great Britain on 30 October 1916.Footnote 71 On 4 January 1917, its personnel were absorbed by the '4th Reserve Battalion, CEF' and the '6th Reserve Battalion, CEF' to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field.Footnote 72 The battalion was disbanded on 4 April 1918.Footnote 73
The '2nd Battalion, CMGC, CEF', which was organized in France, was authorized on 21 March 1918.Footnote 74 It provided machine gun support to the 2nd Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war.Footnote 75 The battalion was disbanded on 15 November 1920.Footnote 76
The Second World War
The Royal Canadian Regiment was placed on active service on 1 September 1939, under the designation 'The Royal Canadian Regiment, CASF'.Footnote 77 It embarked for Great Britain on 18 December 1939, and on 14 June 1940 it went to France as part of the Second British Expeditionary Force, reaching a point beyond Laval before being ordered back.Footnote 78 It landed in Sicily on 10 July 1943 and in Italy on 3 September 1943 as part of the 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division.Footnote 79 On 9 March 1945 the regiment moved with the 1st Canadian Corps to North West Europe, where it fought until the end of the war.Footnote 80 The overseas regiment was disbanded on 1 March 1946.Footnote 81
On 1 June 1945, a second Active Force component of the regiment was mobilized for service in the Pacific theatre of operations, under the designation '1st Canadian Infantry Battalion (The Royal Canadian Regiment), CASF'.Footnote 82 It was redesignated: '2nd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment, CIC' on 2 September 1945;Footnote 83 and 'The Royal Canadian Regiment, CIC' on 1 March 1946.Footnote 84 On 27 June 1946, it was embodied in the Permanent Force as the 'The Royal Canadian Regiment'.Footnote 85
The Canadian Fusiliers mobilized the '1st Battalion, The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), CASF' for active service on 29 January 1942.Footnote 86 It served in Canada in a home defence role as part of Pacific Command;Footnote 87 and took part in the expedition to Kiska, Alaska as a component of the 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group, serving there from 16 August 1943 to 22 December 1943.Footnote 88 It embarked for Britain on 28 May 1944.Footnote 89 On 1 November 1944, it was redesignated the '2nd Canadian Infantry Training Battalion, Type A (Canadian Fusiliers), CASF'.Footnote 90 The overseas battalion was disbanded on 10 August 1945.Footnote 91
The Oxford Rifles mobilized the '1st Battalion, The Oxford Rifles, CASF' for active service on 18 March 1942.Footnote 92 It served in Canada in a home defence role as part of the 16th Infantry Brigade, 8th Canadian Division.Footnote 93 On 2 January 1945, it embarked for Britain where it was disbanded on 10 January 1945.Footnote 94
United Nations Operations - Korea
Three battalions of The Royal Canadian Regiment served in Korea as part of the 25th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group, 1st Commonwealth Division. The 2nd Battalion was the first to arrive in Korea (5 May 1951 to 25 April 1952), followed by the 1st Battalion (20 April 1952 to 25 March 1953) then the 3rd Battalion (23 March 1953 to the end of the conflict).Footnote 95
The Gulf War
'C' Company of the 1st Battalion served in Al Jabail, Saudi Arabia providing security for '1 Canadian Field Hospital' and prisoner of war processing from 21 February to 20 March 1991. 12 Platoon, 'P' Company of the 3rd Battalion served in Bahrain as a security force from 16 January to the end of March 1991.Footnote 96
South-West Asia
The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions provided multiple Companies and Platoons to the Canadian Task Forces that served in Afghanistan from 2002 to 2014.Footnote 97
From 2002 to 2014, the 4th Battalion reinforced various CAF units deployed to Afghanistan.Footnote 98
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