Les Voltigeurs de Québec

Badge

Description

The arms of Salaberry (Per pale dexter per fess in chief Or a lion rampant Gules, in base Or two cows passant in pale Gules armed collared and belled Azure, sinister Gules a cross bottony Or, a bordure Azure charged with eight saltires couped Or) within an annulus Vert fimbriated and inscribed VOLTIGEURS DE QUEBEC in letters Argent, all surmounting the cross of the Order of St. Louis Argent, the whole ensigned by the Royal Crown proper and above a scroll Argent inscribed with the Motto in letters Gules

Symbolism

The Crown represents service to the Sovereign. The Voltigeurs Canadiens (1812-1815), who were organized as a temporary British Army regular unit and commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Charles-Michel d'Irumberry de Salaberry for service during the War of 1812, had the reputation of repeatedly repulsing superior American forces. His son, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles René-Léonidas de Salaberry, was the first commanding officer of the regiment when it was formed in 1862. The badge, incorporating the arms and motto "FORCE À SUPERBE MERCY À FOIBLE"" of the family of d'Irumberry de Salaberry, was adopted in 1892 in recognition of this family's services to the military of Canada and the regiment. The Order of St. Louis, instituted by King Louis XIV of France in 1693, was a notable honour in New France. "VOLTIGEURS DE QUEBEC" is a form of the regimental title.

Motto

FORCE À SUPERBE MERCY À FOIBLE (Violence to the strong, mercy to the weak)

March

"Les Voltigeurs de Québec"

Alliance

British Army

The Yorkshire Regiment

Affiliation

HMCS Ville de Québec

Regimental colour

Rifle regiments do not carry Colours. They may emblazon their battle honours on unit appointments such as cap badges or shoulder pouch belt plates.

Camp flag

Battle honours

The War of 1812

DEFENCE OF CANADA – 1812-1815 – DÉFENSE DU CANADA; CHÂTEAUGUAY; CRYSLER’S FARM

Honorary Distinction

The non-emblazonable honorary distinction DEFENCE OF CANADA – 1812-1815 – DÉFENSE DU CANADA

North West Rebellion

NORTH WEST CANADA, 1885.

South African War

SOUTH AFRICA, 1899-1900

The First World War

YPRES, 1915, ‘17; FESTUBERT, 1915; MOUNT SORREL; SOMME, 1916; ARRAS, 1917; HILL 70; AMIENS.

The Second World War

Hong Kong; SOUTH-EAST ASIA, 1941

Honorary Distinction

The Second World War badge of the Royal 22e Régiment for significantly reinforcing the regiment during the Italian campaign.

South-West Asia

AFGHANISTAN

Lineage

This Reserve Force regiment dates to 28 February 1862 and incorporates the following regiments.

Les Voltigeurs de Québec originated in Quebec City, Quebec on 7 March 1862, when 'The 9th Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles, Canada (or "Voltigeurs of Quebec") were authorized to be formed.^{Footnote 1} It was redesignated: '9th Regiment "Voltigeurs de Québec"' on 8 May 1900;^{Footnote 2} 'Les Voltigeurs de Québec' on 29 March 1920;^{Footnote 3} '2nd (Reserve) Battalion, Les Voltigeurs de Québec' on 10 May 1941;^{Footnote 4} 'Les Voltigeurs de Québec (Reserve)' on 15 September 1944;^{Footnote 5} and 'Les Voltigeurs de Québec (Motor)' on 1 April 1946.^{Footnote 6} On 1 September 1954, it was amalgamated with 'Le Régiment de Québec (Mitrailleuses)' (see below) and redesignated 'Les Voltigeurs de Québec (Mitrailleuses)'.^{Footnote 7} It was redesignated 'Les Voltigeurs de Québec' on 11 April 1958.^{Footnote 8} On 22 February 1965, it was amalgamated with 'The Royal Rifles of Canada'.^{Footnote 9} The two regiments ceased to be amalgamated on 1 November 1966.^{Footnote 10} On 22 February 2019, Les Voltigeurs de Québec wereas amalgamated with ‘The Royal Rifles of Canada’, retaining its title.^{Footnote 11}

Perpetuations

‘6th Battalion, Select Embodied Militia’, ‘Provincial Corps of Light Infantry (Canadian Voltigeurs)’, ‘1st and 2nd Battalions (City of Quebec) (1812-15)’, ‘Beauport Division (1812-15)’, '12th Battalion, CEF' , '57th "Overseas" Battalion, CEF' , '171st "Overseas" Battalion, CEF'

Headquarters Location

Quebec City, Quebec

Operational history

The Fenian Raids

The Voltigeurs of Quebec were called out on active service on 8 March 1866. The battalion was removed from active service on 31 March 1866.^{Footnote 28} The 8th Volunteer Militia Rifles were called out on active service on 8 March 1866. The battalion, which served in Quebec City, was removed from active service on 31 March 1866.^{Footnote 29}

North West Rebellion

Les Voltigeurs de Québec, which were mobilized for active service on 10 April 1885,^{Footnote 30} served in the Alberta Column of the North West Field Force.^{Footnote 31} The battalion was removed from active service on 24 July 1885.^{Footnote 32}

South African War

The Royal Rifles of Canada contributed volunteers for the Canadian contingents in the field, mainly the « 2nd (Special Service) Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry ».^{Footnote 33}

The First World War

Details of the 8th Regiment ‘Royal Rifles’, the 9th Regiment "Voltigeurs de Québec" and the 87th Quebec Regiment were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protection duties. ^{Footnote 34Footnote 35Footnote 36}

The 12th Battalion, which was authorized on 10 August 1914 as the '12th Battalion, CEF',^{Footnote 37} embarked for Great Britain on 30 September 1914.^{Footnote 38} It was redesignated '12th Reserve Infantry Battalion, CEF' on 29 April 1915, to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field.^{Footnote 39} The battalion was disbanded on 15 September 1920.^{Footnote 40}

The 57th Battalion, which was authorized on 20 April 1915 as the '57th "Overseas" Battalion, CEF',^{Footnote 41} embarked for Britain on 2 June 1916.^{Footnote 42} On 8 June 1916, its personnel were absorbed by the '69th "Overseas" Battalion, CEF' to provide reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field.^{Footnote 43} The battalion was disbanded on 11 April 1918.^{Footnote 44}

The 171st Battalion, which was authorized on 15 July 1916 as the '171st "Overseas" Battalion, CEF',^{Footnote 45} embarked for Great Britain on 24 November 1916.^{Footnote 46} Its personnel were absorbed by the '20th Reserve Battalion, CEF' on 8 January 1917 to provide reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field.^{Footnote 47} The battalion was disbanded on 27 July 1917.^{Footnote 48}

The Second World War

Details from The Royal Rifles of Canada were called out on service on 26 August 1939 and then placed on active service on 1 September 1939, under the designation 'The Royal Rifles of Canada, CASF (Details)', for local protection duties.^{Footnote 49} The details called out on active service were disbanded on 31 December 1940.^{Footnote 50} Details of the regiment were again called out on service on 1 January 1941, under the designation 'Details of 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The Royal Rifles of Canada'.^{Footnote 51} The details were removed from active service on 30 September 1941.^{Footnote 52} The regiment subsequently mobilized 'The Royal Rifles of Canada, CASF' for active service on 24 May 1940.^{Footnote 53} It was redesignated '1st Battalion, The Royal Rifles of Canada, CASF' on 7 November 1940.^{Footnote 54} The battalion served in Newfoundland on garrison duty from early November 1940 to August 1941.^{Footnote 55} On 27 October 1941 it embarked for Hong Kong, where it was destroyed while fighting in defence of the colony.^{Footnote 56} The unit was reconstituted on 10 January 1942.^{Footnote 57} It served in Canada in a home defence role as part of the Vancouver Defences of Pacific Command.^{Footnote 58} On 2 January 1945 it embarked for Great Britain,^{Footnote 59} where it was disbanded on 10 January 1945 to provide reinforcements to the Canadian army in the field.^{Footnote 60}

Details of Les Voltigeurs de Québec were called out on service on 26 August 1939 and then placed on active service on 1 September 1939, under the designation 'Les Voltigeurs de Québec, CASF (Details)' for local protection duties.^{Footnote 61} The details called out on active service were disbanded on 31 December 1940.^{Footnote 62} Details of the regiment were again called out on service on 1 January 1941, under the designation 'Details of 1st (Reserve) Battalion, 'Les Voltigeurs de Québec'.^{Footnote 63} The details called out on active service were disbanded on 5 April 1941.^{Footnote 64}

The regiment subsequently mobilized the '1st Battalion, Les Voltigeurs de Québec, CASF' for active service on 10 May 1941.^{Footnote 65} It was converted to armour and redesignated the '24th Army Tank Battalion (Les Voltigeurs de Québec), CAC, CASF' on 26 January 1942.^{Footnote 66} It was redesignated: '24th Reconnaissance Battalion (Les Voltigeurs de Québec), CAC, CASF' on 22 May 1942;^{Footnote 67} and '24th Reconnaissance Regiment (Les Voltigeurs de Québec), CAC, CASF' on 8 June 1942.^{Footnote 68} On 16 January 1943, it was reconverted to infantry and redesignated the '1st Battalion, Les Voltigeurs de Québec, CASF'.^{Footnote 69} It served in Canada in a home defence role as part of the 17th Infantry Brigade, 7th Canadian Division.^{Footnote 70} It embarked for Britain on 23 July 1943,^{Footnote 71} where it provided reinforcements to units of the Canadian Corps in the field.^{Footnote 72} The overseas battalion was disbanded on 1 November 1943.^{Footnote 73}

Details of Le Régiment de Québec were called out on service on 26 August 1939 and then placed on active service on 1 September 1939, under the designation 'Le Régiment de Québec (Mitrailleuses), CASF (Details)', for local protection duties.^{Footnote 74} The details called out on active service were disbanded on 31 December 1940.^{Footnote 75} The regiment subsequently mobilized the '1st Battalion, Le Régiment de Québec, CASF' for active service on 18 March 1942.^{Footnote 76} This unit served in Canada and in a home defence role as part of the 15th Infantry Brigade, 7th Canadian Division and in Newfoundland on garrison duty.^{Footnote 77} The battalion was disbanded on 22 December 1945.^{Footnote 78}

South-West Asia

From 2002 to 2014, the Voltigeurs de Québec reinforced various CAF units deployed to Afghanistan.^{Footnote 79}