The Carleton and York Regiment, a brief history

The Carleton and York Regiment

(York Sunbury Historical Society, New Brunswick Military History Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 2014.14.17.

‍The Carleton and York Regiment

The Carleton and York Regiment was formed in 1937 by the amalgamation of two New Brunswick regiments, the Carleton Light Infantry and the York Regiment, and through them, can trace its origins back the county militias first raised in 1787.  The Carleton and York Regiment mobilized at Woodstock on 1 Sep 1939 as part of the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Canadian Division.   It was redesignated the 1st Battalion, The Carleton and York Regiment, CASF, on 7 November 1940.  It embarked for Britain on 9 December 1939 and landed in Sicily on 10 July 1943 and in Italy on 3 September 1943 as part of the 3rd Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division. On 16 March 1945, it moved to North-West Europe as part of Operation Goldflake, where it fought until the end of the war. The overseas battalion was disbanded on 30 September 1945. On 1 June 1945, a second Active Force battalion was mobilized for service in the Pacific, under the designation 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, (The Carleton and York Regiment), CASF. The battalion was disbanded on 1 November 1945.

Under sniper fire, personnel of the Carleton and York Regiment advance up the steep main street of the mountain village of Campochiaro, Italy, 21 October 1943.  (Library and Archives Canada Photo)

Infantrymen from New Brunswick’s Carleton and York Regiment, prepare to storm a sniper’s position with a grenade, Campochino, Italy, 23 Oct 1943. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3200692)

Soldiers of The Carleton and York Regiment inspect a captured German anti-tank gun outside of Gambatesa after its capture, overlooking the Ponti dei 13 Archi (Bridge of the 13 Arches).

The Carleton and York Regiment is perpetuated by the Royal New Brunswick Regiment, with its Headquarters in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Carleton & York Band, Woodstock, NB, 1953.  The author's father Aage Skaarup is one of the trumpet players in this band.

Carleton & York Regiment Memorial, outside the Armoury in Fredericton.

(Author Photo)

Carleton and York Regiment Colours at NB Legislature

706 Queen St, Fredericton, NB

On 10 February 1955 the Queen's and Regimental Colours of the Carleton and York Regiment were laid up in the Legislative Assembly, where they are on view to the public.  The Colours on display were the gift of the Honorable Murray MacLaren, Honourary Colonel of the Regiment and Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, with the Regimental Colour emblazoned with their battle honours from the First World War and the South African War.  These colours were presented to the Regiment by His Majesty King George VI at Caterham, Surrey, England on 1 July 1941.

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