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

York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Canadian Militia Badges, Quebec

(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 are listed on a separate page on this website.

‍Militia

‍Québec

‍The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada (Militia)

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

Accession No. 1997.28.66.

The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada (Militia)

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Le Régiment de Trois-Rivières, 12e Régiment Blindé du Canada (Milice)

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The Ottawa Provisional Battalion of Infantry

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52nd Brome Regiment

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79th Shefford and Brome Regiment

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13th Scottish Light Dragoons

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The Royal Guides Governor General’s Body Guard for Lower Canada

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Grand Trunk Railway Brigade

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Eastern Townships Mounted Rifles

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

Accession No. 1997.28.25.

The Eastern Townships Mounted Rifles was a cavalry regiment of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of the Canadian Militia (now the Canadian Army). In 1936, the regiment was converted from cavalry to artillery and became the 27th Field Artillery Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery (currently on the Supplementary Order of Battle).Originated on 1 April 1910, in Coaticook, Quebec, as the 26th Canadian Horse (Stanstead Dragoons).Redesignated on 3 September 1912, as the 26th Stanstead Dragoons. Redesignated on 15 March 1920, as The Eastern Townships Mounted Rifles. Converted on 14 December 1936, from cavalry to artillery and redesignated as the 27th Field Brigade, RCA (now the 27th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA - currently on the Supplementary Order of Battle).

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4th Battalion Chasseurs Canadiens

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Les Chasseurs Canadiens

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7th Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles Canada or “Chasseurs de Québec”

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10th Queen’s Own Canadian Hussars

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11th Regiment Argenteuil Rangers

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12th Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles of Canada

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17th Lévis Regiment

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Le Régiment de Gaspé – Bonaventure

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Le Régiment de Montmagny

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

Accession No. 1997.28.528.

Le Régiment de Montmagny.

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Les Fusiliers du St Laurent (5e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment)

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

Accession No. 1997.28.127.

Les Fusiliers du St-Laurent is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. It was first raised in 1869 but also perpetuates the 4th Battalion, Select Embodied Militia, from the War of 1812. From 1954 to 1968, as a reserve regiment, it also was given a subsidiary title as the 5th Battalion of the Van Doos. This association was ended in 1968.  The regiment is based in Rimouski, Quebec.

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33rd Vaudreuil and Soulanges Hussars

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The Irish Canadian Rangers

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

Accession No. 1997.28.133. Accession No. 1997.28.152.

The Irish Canadian Rangers.

This infantry battalion was founded by the Canadian armed forces to improve their recruitment success by having an all Irish regiment. They were also called the "Duchess of Connaught's Own Irish Rangers," as a tribute to Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia, who funded the battalion. Based in Montreal, Québec, the unit began recruiting during the winter of 1915/16 in that city. After sailing to England in Dec 1916, the battalion was absorbed into the 23^rd Canadian Reserve Battalion (Central Ontario), CEF on 11 May 1917. The 199^th (Duchess of Connaught's Own Irish Rangers) Battalion, CEF, had two Commanding Officers: Lieutenant-Colonel H. J. Trihey (26Dec 1916 – 10 Jan 1917) and Lieutenant-Colonel J. V. O'Donahoe (10 Jan 1917 –11 April 1917). The Irish Canadian Rangers were part of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of the Canadian Militia. In 1936, the regiment was disbanded as a result of a country wide reorganization of the Canadian Militia, along with 13 otherregiments as part of the 1936 Canadian Militia Reorganization.

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21st Battalion Richelieu Light Infantry

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55th Regiment, Megantic Light Infantry

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60th Missisiquoi Battalion of Infantry

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70th Champlain Battalion of Infantry

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80th Nicolet Regiment

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81st Portneuf Regiment

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88th Kamouraska and Charlevoix Regiment

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50th Battalion of Infantry “Huntingdon Borderers”

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51st Battalion of Infantry “Hemmingford Rangers”

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50th Regiment Huntingdon and Hemmingford Rangers

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Le Régiment de Hull

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

1997.28.515.

Le Régiment de Hull.

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The Royal Montreal Regiment

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

Accession No. 1997.28.659.

The Royal Montreal Regiment .

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Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke

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

Accession No. 1997.28.124.

Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. It is based in Sherbrooke, Quebec, with a sub-unit in Granby. Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke. Originated 1 April 1910 in Sherbrooke, Quebec as the 54th Regiment (Carabiniers de Sherbrooke)Redesignated 29 March 1920 as Les Carabiniers de Sherbrooke. Redesignated 15 January 1933 as Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke. Redesignated 7 November 1940 as Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke (Reserve)Redesignated 18 March 1942 as the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke. Redesignated 1 June 1945 as Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke. Early in the Second World War the Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment was formed with men from Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke and The Sherbrooke Regiment. Shortly after establishment, the spelling was changed to "Fusilier", as in Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment. This singular form of the name is on the cap badge and shoulder title. Its Royal Canadian Armoured Corps lineage, battle honours and armoured traditions are perpetuated by The Sherbrooke Hussars through The Sherbrooke Regiment. Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke is an infantry regiment and shares the battle honours.

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Le Régiment du Saguenay

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

Accession No. 1997.28.506.

Le Régiment du Saguenay

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The Sherbrooke Hussars

The Sherbrooke Hussars were formed in 1866 under the name Sherbrooke Battalion Infantry. The regiment was amalgamated with the 7th/11th Hussars in 1965 and was then designated the Sherbrooke Hussars.

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The Sherbrooke Regiment

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

Accession No. 1997.28.519.

The Sherbrooke Regiment.

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58th Compton Regiment

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54th Richmond Regiment

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7th/11th Hussars

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

7th/11th Hussars

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Le Régiment de Joliette

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

Accession No. 1997.28.447.

83rd Joliette Battalion of Infantry.

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Le Régiment de Joliette

Le Régiment de Joliette originated on 13 January 1871, in Joliette, Quebec, as The Joliette Provisional Battalion of Infantry. Redesignated on 27 December 1878 as the 83rd Joliette Battalion of Infantry. Redesignated on 8 May 1900 as the 83rd Joliette Regiment. Redesignated on 29 March 1920 as Le Régiment de Joliette. Redesignated on 3 January 1942 as the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, Le Régiment de Joliette. Redesignated on 1 June 1945 as the Le Régiment de Joliette. Reduced to nil strength on 31 December 1964, and transferred to the Supplementary Order of Battle.  With the formation of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, the regiment provided volunteers for the 12th Battalion, CEF which sailed to the United Kingdom as part of the First Contingent (later the 1st Canadian Division). On 1 April 1920, as a result of the Otter Commission and the following post-war reorganization of the militia, the 83rd Joliette Regiment was Redesignated as Le Régiment de Joliette. On 3 January 1942, The regiment mobilized the 1st Battalion, Le Régiment de Joliette, CASF for active service. From January 1943 until February 1944, the battalion served in Newfoundland on garrison duty as part of Atlantic Command. On 10 January 1945, the battalion embarked for Great Britain and after arrival in the UK, on 19 January 1945, the battalion was disbanded to provide reinforcements to the First Canadian Army in the field.

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Le Régiment de Lévis

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

Accession No. 1997.28.107.

Le Régiment de Lévis.

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23rd Beauce Battalion of Infantry

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Regiment de Beauce

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

Accession No. 1997.28.101.

Regiment de Beauce.

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Le Régiment de la Chaudière

(Internet Photo)

Le Régiment de la Chaudière.

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Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal

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

Accession No. 1997.28.472. Helmet plate.

65th Carabiniers Mont-Royal.

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

Accession No. 1997.28.492.

65th Regiment Carabinierres

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

Accession No. 1997.28.499. Helmet plate.

69th Battalion (Canadien-Français)

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Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal

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

Accession No. 1997.28.125.

Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal originated in Montreal, Quebec on 18 June 1869 as The Mount Royal Rifles. It was redesignated as the 65th Battalion, Mount Royal Rifles on 5 November 1869, as the 65th Regiment "Mount Royal Rifles" on 8 May 1900 as the 65th Regiment "Carabiniers Mont-Royal" on 1 August 1902, as Les Carabiniers Mont-Royal on 29 March 1920, as Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal on 15 April 1931, as the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal on 7 November 1940 and finally as Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal on 15 November 1945.Upon redesignation as Les Carabiniers Mont-Royal on 29 March 1920 it was organized as a two-battalion regiment with the 1st Battalion (perpetuating the 69th Battalion (Canadien-Français), CEF) on the Non-Permanent Active Militia order of battle, and the 2nd Battalion (perpetuating the 150th Battalion (Carabiniers Mont-Royal), CEF) on the Reserve order of battle. The reserve unit was disbanded on 14 December 1936.

On 4 May 1951, Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal mobilized two temporary Active Force companies designated "E" and "F" Company. "E" Company was reduced to nil strength upon its personnel being incorporated into the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion (later the 3rd Battalion, The Canadian Guards) for service in Germany with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It was disbanded on 29 July 1953. "F" Company was initially used as a reinforcement pool for "E" Company. On 15 May 1952, it was reduced to nil strength, upon its personnel being absorbed by the newly formed 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion (later the 4th Battalion, The Canadian Guards) for service in Korea with the United Nations. "F" Company was disbanded on 29 July 1953.

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Le Régiment de Maisonneuve

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Victoria Rifles of Canada

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

Accession No. 1997.28.78. King's crown.

The Victoria Rifles of Canada originated in 1862 as the 3rd Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles Canada. It was designated 3rd Battalion Victoria Rifles of Canada in 1879 and the 3rd Regiment Victoria Rifles of Canada in 1900. In 1920, the unit became The Victoria Rifles of Canada and the "The" was dropped in 1934. The unit was reduced to nil strength and transferred to the supplementary order of battle in 1965.

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The Royal Rifles of Canada

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

Accession No. 1997.28.487.

The Royal Rifles of Canada originated in Quebec City, Canada East, on 28 February 1862, when The 8th Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles, Canada was authorized. It was redesignated the 8th or Stadacona Volunteer Militia Rifles on 28 March 1862; the 8th Battalion "Royal Rifles" on 6 April 1877; the 8th Regiment "Royal Rifles" on 8 May 1900; The Royal Rifles of Canada on 29 March 1920; the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The Royal Rifles of Canada on 7 November 1940 and The Royal Rifles of Canada on 1 June 1945. On 22 February 1965, it was amalgamated with Les Voltigeurs de Québec. On 1 November 1966, these two regiments ceased to be amalgamated and the regiment was reduced to nil strength and transferred to the Supplementary Order of Battle.

The Sherbrooke Hussars, a present-day Canadian Army Primary Reserve armoured regiment, has the honorary distinction of placing the Royal Rifles' badge and the date 1941 on its guidon. This distinction is not a battle honour, but an acknowledgement that one of its predecessor units, the 7th/11th Hussars, provided about half its effective strength to the Royal Rifles while it was preparing for overseas.

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The Royal Rifles of Canada (Militia)

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6e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment (Le Régiment de St-Hyacinthe)

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

Accession No. 1997.28.119.

Le Régiment de St.-Hyacinthe, 1866.  6th Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, 1956. HONNEUR ET DEVOIR (honour and duty).

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Le Régiment de Québec

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

Accession No. 1997.28.401.

Le Prémier Battailion, 2ieme Régiment de Québec.

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Le Régiment de Québec (Mitrailleuses)

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

Accession No. 1997.28.131.

The Régiment de Québec was first created as a battalion in 1869 under the name The Provisional Battalion of "Quebec". This became the 87th Quebec Infantry Battalion in 1881. In 1900, the battalion became a regiment and adopted the name 87th Quebec Regiment. It adopted the name Le Régiment de Québec in 1920. On 1 September 1954, it merged with Les Voltigeurs de Québec.

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Les Voltigeurs de Québec

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

Accession No. 1997.28.509.

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Les Voltigeurs de Québec

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76th Regiment “Voltigeurs de Châteauguay”

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

Accession No. 1997.28.539.

Details of Le Régiment de Châteauguay (Mitrailleuses) were called to service on 26 August 1939 and then placed on active service on 1 September 1939, as Le Régiment de Châteauguay (Mitrailleuses), CASF (Details), for local protection duties. The details called to active service were disbanded on 31 December 1940.The regiment subsequently mobilized the 1st Battalion, Le Régiment de Châteauguay (Mitrailleuses), CASF for active service on 18 March 1942. It was re-designated as the 1st Airfield Defence Battalion (Le Régiment de Châteauguay) (Mitrailleuses), CIC, CASF on 19 July 1943, the 1st Airfield Defence Battalion (Le Régiment de Châteauguay), CIC, CASF on 1 January 1944 and the 1st Battalion, Le Régiment de Châteauguay, CIC, CASF on 1 September 1944. This unit served in Canada in a home defence role as part of the 7th Canadian Division, with three of its companies serving in Newfoundland. On 10 January 1945, the unit embarked for Great Britain, where it was disbanded on 18 January 1945 in order to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Army in the field. Later part of the R22eR formed in 1954.

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4ième Bataillon ,Royal 22e Régiment (Châteauguay)

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5th Dragoons

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6th Duke of Connaught’s Royal Canadian Hussars

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17th Duke of York’s Royal Canadian Hussars

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

2011.7.9.

17th Duke of York’s Royal Canadian Hussars.

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The Royal Canadian Hussars (Montreal)

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

Accession No. 1997.28.37.

The Royal Canadian Hussars originated in 1877 under the unit 5th Provisional Regiment of Calvary. It was formerly known as the Duke of Connaught's Royal Canadian Hussars which amalgamated with the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars and was designated the Royal Canadian Hussars in 1958. They still exists today.

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6th Battalion “Fusiliers”

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The Canadian Grenadier Guards (6th Battalion, The Canadian Guards)

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

Accession No. 1997.28.512.

The Canadian Grenadier Guards.

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