Canadian Militia badges, Artillery, York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection

Canadian Militia, Artillery, York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection

(Library and Archives Canada Image, MIKAN No. 2837873)

Uniforms of the Canadian Militia, 1898. Arthur H. Hider (1870-1952).

The Canadian Militia is a historical title for military units raised for the defence of Canada. The term has been used to describe sedentary militia units raised from local communities in Canada; as well as the regular army for the Province of Canada and post-confederated Canada, referred to as the active militias.

The earliest militia units in Canada dates back to 16th century in New France. In the French colony, a compulsory militia of settlers from every parish was raised in order to support the military of New France in the defence and expansion of the colony. Sedentary militia units were also raised by the British, to defend its colonies and to support British military operations on the continent. The sedentary militia eventually fell into disuse in the late-19th century, although vestiges of the sedentary militia system continued into the early-20th century.

The Canadian Militia also referred to the regular army established by the Province of Canada under the Militia Act of 1855. The two organizations that originated from the act, the Permanent Active Militia (PAM), and the Non-Permanent Active Militia (NPAM), continued to serve as Canada's regular army following Canadian Confederation in 1867. In November 1940, both PAM and NPAM were reorganized as the Canadian Army, with PAM becoming the Army's Regular Force, and NPAM becoming the Army Reserve. The Army Reserve continues to be informally referred to as the militia in Canada. (Wikipedia)

During the First World War, the militia was not mobilized, with Canadians serving overseas enlisting with the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), a separate military field force managed by the Ministry of Overseas Military Forces. Cavalry Regiments and Provincial Infantry Regiments are listed on separate pages on this website.

Royal Artillery

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.454.‍

Victorian era Royal Artillery, Queen Victoria Crown.

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Royal Canadian Artillery and Royal Canadian Horse Artillery

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.439.‍

Royal Canadian Artillery, Queen Victoria Crown.

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.469.

Royal Canadian Artillery, Queen Victoria Crown.

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(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.488.‍

Royal Canadian Artillery, King George V cypher.

(New Brunswick Military History Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Royal Canadian Artillery, King Edward VII cypher.

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.38.‍

Royal Canadian Artillery, King's crown.

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.42.‍

Royal Canadian Artillery, Queen's crown.