The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (The Wentworth Regiment)
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Motto
Semper Paratus - Always Prepared.
Battle Honours
South Africa 1900
First World War
Ypres, 1915, "17, Gravenstafel, St Julien, Festurbert, 1915, Mount Sorrel, Somme, 1916, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Ancre Heights, Arras, 1917, "18, Vimy, 1917, Arleux, Scarpe, 1917, "18, Hill 70, Passchendaele, Amiens, Drocourt-Queant, Hindenburg Line, Canal du Nord, Pursuit to Mons, France and Flanders, 1915-18.
Second World War
Dieppe, Verriere Ridge - Tilly-la-Campagne, Falaise. Falaise Road. Clair Tizon, Foret de la Londe, The Scheldt, Woensdrecht, South Beveland, The Rhineland, Goch-Calcar Road, The Hochwald, Xanten, Twente Canal, Groningen, Oldenburg, North-West Europe, 1942,1944-1945.
Perpetuates the 4th, 86th, 120th, 129th and 205th Battalions, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1914-1919.
Headquarters
Hamilton, Ontario.
Affiliated to the Somerset LI in 1910.
Organisation
The Regiment originated on 11 Dec 1862 when "The 13th Battalion Volunteer Militia (Infantry), Canada" was authorised to be formed from seven rifle companies. It incorporates the following regiments:
THE ROYAL HAMILTON LIGHT INFANTRY was authorized on 11 Dec 1962 as the 13th Battalion Volunteer Militia (Infantry), Canada`. It was redesignated "13th Regiment", 8 May 1900; "13th Royal Regiment", 3 Jan 1910; "The Royal Hamilton Regiment", 1 May 1920. "The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry", 15 Mar 1927. On 15 Dec 1936 it was amalgamated with Headquarters and three companies of The Wentworth Regiment and redesignated "The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment)".
THE WENTWORTH REGIMENT was authorised on 23 May 1872 as the 77th "Wentworth" Battalion of Infantry. It was redesignated: "77th Wentworth Regiment", 8 May 1900; "The Wentworth Regiment", 1 May 1920. On 15 Dec 1936 its Headquarters and three companies were amalgamated with The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry as above. The one remaining company was converted and redesignated "102nd (Wentworth) Field Battery, RCA" and is at present a battery of the 8th Field Artillery Regiment.
History
Early History. During the Fenian raids the 13th Battalion Volunteer Militia (Infantry), Canada took part in the engagement at Ridgeway, 2 Jun 1866. Both the 13th Regiment and the 77th Wentworth Regiment provided volunteers for the Canadian contingents during the South African War, 1899-1902.
First World War, 1914-1919. The 13th "Royal Regiment" contributed to the 4th Battalion CEF on its formation in September 1914, and later recruited for the 86th, 120th and 205th Battalions CEF. The 4th Battalion served in, France and Flanders with the 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division, from 12 Feb 1915, until the Armistice. A member of this battalion, Sgt W Merrifield MM, won the VC on 1 Oct 1918. The 86th Battalion was reorganised in England as the Canadian Machine Gun Depot on 22 Jun 1916, while the 205th Battalion was reorganised in Canada as a Draft Giving Depot Machine Gun Battalion on 20 Dec 1916. The 120th Battalion provided reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field.
The 77th Wentworth Regiment contributed to the 1st Battalion, CEF, on its formation in September 1914, and later recruited for the 129th Battalion, CEF. The 129th Battalion provided reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field.
Second World War, 1939-1945. The Regiment mobilized "The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, C.A.S.F." on 1 Sep 1939, and embarked for the United Kingdom on 22 Jul 1940. The Regiment took part in the raid on Dieppe on 19 Aug 1942 and its Chaplain H/Capt J W Foote, won the VC on that date. On 5 Jul 1944 the Regiment landed in Normandy as a unit of the 4th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. The active unit was disbanded on 31 Dec 1945. A 2nd Battalion served in the Reserve Army.
Le merit de Maisonneuve
Motto
Bon Coeur et Bon Bras - With good heart and good arms (suggested by the Rev Mother Marie Victoire of the Sisters of Providence La Prairie in 1880)
Battle Honours
First World War
Mount Sorrel, Somme 1916, Arras, 1917, Hill 70 Ypres, 1917, Amiens.
Second World War
Bourguebus Ridge, Faubourg de Vaucelles, Maltot, Verrieres Ridge - 11 Tilly-la-Campagne, Falaise, Falaise Road, Foret de ]a Londe, Dunkirk, 1944, Antwerp-Turnhout Canal, The Scheldt, Woensdrecht, South Beveland, Walcheren Causeway, The Rhineland, The Reichswald, The Hochwald, Xanten, Groningen, Oldenburg, North-West Europe, 1944-1945.
Perpetuates the 41st and 206th Battalions, Canadians Expeditionary Force, 1914-1919.
Headquarters
Montreal, Quebec
Affiliated to the KSLI 1941
Organisation
The Regiment originated on 4 June 1880 when the "85th Battalion of Infantry" was authorized to be formed from five independent infantry companies. It was redesignated: "85th Regiment, 8 May 1900; "Le Regiment de Maisonneuve", 1 Apr 1920.
History
First World War, 1914-1919. Details of the Regiment were placed on active service on 6 Aug 1914 for local protective duty. The Regiment contributed to the 12th Battalion, CEF, on its formation in September 1914, and also to the 41st, 57th, 69th and 163rd Battalions, CEF. It later recruited for the 206th Battalion, CEF, which provided reinforcements for the CEF battalion garrison at Bermuda.
Second World War, 1939-1945. The Regiment mobilized "Le Regiment de Maisonneuve, C.A.S.F." on 1 Sep 1939. This unit embarked for the United Kingdom on 24 Aug 1940. On 7 Jul 1944 it landed in Normandy as a unit of the 5th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. The active unit was disbanded on 15 Dec 1945. A "3rd Battalion, Le Regiment de Maisonneuve", mobilized on 12 May 1942, was disbanded on 15 Oct 1943. A 2nd Battalion served in the Reserve Army.
The North Saskatchewan Regiment
North Saskatchewan Regiment
Battle Honours
North West Canada 1885.
First World War
Ypres 1915, "17, Gravenstafel, St Julien, Festubert, 1915, Mount Sorrel, Somme, 1916, Flers-Courcelette, Thiepval, Ancre Heights, Arras, 1917, "18, Vimy, 1917, Arleux Hill 70, Passchendaele, Amiens, Scarpe, 1918, Drocourt-Queant, Hindenburg Line, Canal du Nord, Cambrai, 1918, Valenciennes, France and Flanders, 1915-18.
Second World War
Landing in Sicily, Valguarnera, Agira, Adrano, Sicily, 1943, The Gully, Ortona, Cassino II, Gustav Line, Liri Valley, Hitler Line, Gothic Line, Lamone Crossing, Rimini Line, Cesena, Savio Bridgehead, Naviglio Canal, Fosso Vecchio, Fosso Munio, Italy, 1943-1945, Apeldoorn, North-West Europe, 1945.
Perpetuates the Moose Mountain Scouts (1885); the Infantry Company, Battleford, Sask. (1885); the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion, the 9th and 10th Regiments, Canadian Mounted Rifles, and the 5th, 53rd, 65th and 22nd Battalions, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1914-1919.
Headquarters
1st Battalion - Prince Albert, Sask.
2nd Battalion - Saskatoon, Sask.
Affiliated to KOYLI. 1 March 1925.
Organisation
The Regiment originated on 3 Jul 1905 and incorporated the following regiments:
THE BATTLEFORD LIGHT INFANTRY (16TH/22ND SASKATCHEWAN HORSE) was authorised on 3 Jul 1905 as "The 16th Mounted Rifles". It was designated: "The 16th Light Horse", 1 Oct 1908; "16 Canadian Light Horse", 15 Mar 1920. On 15 Dec 1936 it was amalgamated with the Saskatchewan Mounted Rifles (authorised 2 Mar 1908 as "Saskatchewan Light Horse" later the "22nd Saskatchewan Light Horse"), May 1941. On 1 Apr 1946 it was amalgamated with The Prince Albert Volunteers to form "The Prince Albert and Battleford Volunteers". On 1 Sep 1954 it was amalgamated with the 50th Field Squadron, RCE (authorised 5 Jun 1947) and redesignated "The Prince Albert and Battleford Volunteers (Machine Gun). It was redesignated "1st Battalion, The North Saskatchewan Regiment (The Prince Albert and Battleford Volunteers) (Machine Gun)", 17 Feb 1955: 1st Battalion, The North Saskatchewan Regiment (The Prince Albert and Battleford Volunteers)", 11 Apr 1958.
THE PRINCE ALBERT VOLUNTEERS was authorised on 1 Apr 1912 as the "105th Regiment". It was redesignated: "105th Regiment "Fusiliers", 16 Sep 1912; 105th Regiment (Saskatoon Fusiliers) 15 Apr 1914. On 1 Oct 1920 it was amalgamated with the 52nd Regiment "Prince Albert Volunteers" (authorised 2 Jan 1913) to form "The North Saskatchewan Regiment". On 15 May 1924 it was reorganised into four regiments designated as follows: "The Yorkton Regiment" (now the 64th Field Battery); "The Saskatoon Light Infantry (see below); "The Prince Albert Volunteers; and "The Battleford Light Infantry". On 15 Dec 1936 The Prince Albert Volunteers and The Battleford Light Infantry were amalgamated to form The Prince Albert and Battleford Volunteers, 1 May 1941. On 1 Apr 1946 it was amalgamated with The Battleford Light Infantry, (16th/22nd Saskatchewan Horse) to form The Prince Albert and Battleford Volunteers as shown above.
THE SASKATOON LIGHT INFANTRY was formed when The North Saskatchewan Regiment was reorganised into four regiments on 15 May 1924 (see The Prince Albert Volunteers above). On 15 Dec 1936 it was amalgamated with C Company, 12 Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC, (authorised 1 Jun 1919) to form The Saskatoon Light Infantry (M.G.). It was redesignated 2nd Battalion, The North Saskatchewan Regiment (The Saskatoon Light Infantry) (Machine Gun)", 17 Feb 1955; 2nd Battalion, The North Saskatchewan Regiment (The Saskatoon Light Infantry).
History
Early History. The Moose Mountain Scouts and the Battleford Infantry Company were raised for, and served during, the campaign in North West Canada, 1885.
First World War, 1914-1919. Details of The 16th Light Horse were placed on active service on 6 Aug 1914 for local protective duty. It contributed volunteers to the 5th Battalion, CEF, on its formation in September 1914. The 5th Battalion served in France and Flanders with the 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division, from 14 Feb 1915 until the Armistice. A member of this battalion, Sgt R L Zengel, MM, won the VC on 9 Aug 1918.
The 22nd Saskatchewan Light Horse contributed volunteers to the 6th Battalion, CEF, on its formation in September 1914 and later recruited for the 1st 9th and 10th Regiments, Canadian Mounted Rifles, CEF. The 1st Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles served in France with the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifle Brigade from 21 Sep 1915 until 1 Jan 1916, when it was reorganised as the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion and served with the 8th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division until the Armistice. The 9th and 10th Regiments Canadian Mounted Rifles provided reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field.
Second World War, 1939-1945. The 16th/22nd Saskatchewan Horse mobilized the 16th/22nd Saskatchewan Horse, C.A.S.F. on 24 May 1940. This unit was redesignated; "20th Reconnaissance Battalion (16/22 Saskatchewan Horse)", 26 Jan 1942; 20th Army Tank Battalion (16/22 Saskatchewan Horse)", 22 May 1942. On 16 Jun 1943 it embarked for the United Kingdom where it was disbanded on 1 Nov 1943. A 2nd Battalion served in the Reserve Army.
Details of The Prince Albert and Battleford Volunteers were placed on active service on 1 Sep 1939 for local protective duty. The Regiment mobilized The Prince Albert Volunteers on 5 Mar 1942. This unit served in Canada until disbanded on 30 Nov 1945. A 2nd Battalion served in the Reserve Army.
The Saskatoon Light Infantry (MG) mobilized The Saskatoon Light Infantry (M.G.) C.A.S.F on 1 Sept 1939. This unit embarked for the United Kingdom on 8 Dec 1939. It was redesignated "1st Infantry Division Support Battalion (The Saskatoon Light Infantry)", 1 May 1943. It landed in Sicily on 13 Jul 1943, as part of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division. On 3 Sep 1943 it landed in Italy where it was redesignated "(The Saskatoon Light Infantry (M.G.)", 1 Jul 1944. It moved to North-West Europe on 4 Mar 1945. The active unit was disbanded on 15 Oct 1945. On 1 Jun 1945 the Regiment mobilized three cannon companies for service with the Canadian Army Pacific Force. These were disbanded on 1 Nov 1945. A 2nd Battalion served in the Reserve Army.
From "A Short History of The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 1755 - 1965"
The origins of the Regimental affiliation with the Saskatoon Light Infantry date back to 1914 when the Canadian 105th Regiment Fusiliers were first allied to the K.O.Y.L.I. In 1925 the first Battalion North Saskatchewan Regiment, the former 105th Fusiliers, became the Saskatoon Light Infantry - part of the Canadian Militia. Converted to a Machine Gun role, the Regiment arrived in England in January, 1940, where the Regimental connections were renewed and K.O.Y.L.I. embellishments adopted.
As a support Battalion, armed with M.M.G., heavy mortars and light anti-aircraft guns, the Regiment supported 1st Canadian Division during the Sicily landings and through the Italian campaign. It finished the war in Belgium and Holland.
Since the war there have been amalgamations and the Saskatoon Light Infantry as such has ceased to exist. It is now part of the North Saskatchewan Regiment and is not officially affiliated to the Regiment although we still have contact. |
