Canadian brass...well some of it is.

[Daniel Murphy]

Laurence,

You have great collection of badges. I especially like the way you gave the history of the units. That kind of puts meat on the bones of an otherwise ordinary object. I am not quite sure how we got from badges to canteens , but what the heck. I love that canteen. The leather work looks to have been made by a master and is of the highest quality. With the snaps and leather reinforcing at the neck and the high quality of the piece, I thought it was an officers version until I saw the year stamp. Still, it could be for officers to purchase through the quartermaster. I would say it was intented for mounted service (hung on the saddle) since the strap looks rather short.

Dan Murphy

[Laurence Strong]

Hi Daniel

Thanks for the interest in my Canadian items. What happened was I ran out of hat badges I have a lot of other mopre mundane items, though I am not sure how many people would be interested in them. I will post the canteen and some other items I have recieved, when I make it home next time.

[Laurence Strong]

Back to hat badges, the next 2 fill out the last 2 spots for all of the eg Force Combat Arms units.

The 1st is the Royal 22 Regiment

The ancestor of the regiment was formed in the early days of the First World War, when volunteers from all over Canada were being massed for training at Valcartier, Quebec, just outside of Quebec City. The first contingent of 30,000 volunteers, which became the 1st Canadian Division of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, were grouped into numbered battalions, regardless of origin. The existing reserve regiments were not mobilized, due to the belief of the Defence Minister, Sam Hughes, that a new "efficient" structure was required. In the process, the new structure failed to create French-speaking units, such as those that had existed in the reserves. Over 1000 French-Canadian volunteers were scattered into different English-speaking units. This was not an oversight. Ontario (Hughes's political base) was in the process of forbidding teaching in French, or of French, in the school system (Regulation 17), causing outrage in French Canada and a lack of support for the war of the "king and country" that was perceived as seeking to destroy the Francophone community in Canada.

The second contingent was based, more logically, on battalions raised and trained in the various military districts in which they had been recruited, but still on an impersonal numbered basis (with the exception of some with a Highland or Irish identity). Considerable political pressure in Quebec, along with public rallies, demanded the creation of French-speaking units to fight a war that many viewed as being right and necessary, despite the infamous Regulation 17 in Ontario. When the government relented, the first such unit was the 22nd (French Canadian) Infantry Battalion, CEF. The 22nd went to France as part of the 5th Canadian Brigade and the 2nd Canadian Division in September 1915, and fought with distinction in every major Canadian engagement until the end of the war. While other French-speaking units were also created, they were all broken up upon arrival in France to provide reinforcements for the 22nd, which suffered close to 4000 wounded and killed in the course of the war. Two members of the 22nd were awarded the Victoria Cross in that war, Lieutenant Jean Brillant and Corporal Joseph Kaeble.

After the war, the 22nd Battalion was disbanded on May 20, 1919, sharing the fate of the other numbered battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. However, in the post-war reorganizations of the army, public pressure, such as resolutions by the Legislature of Quebec as well as the City Council of Quebec City, demanded that a permanent French-language unit be created in the peace-time Regular Force, and accordingly a new regiment was created, made up of veterans of the 22nd Battalion, on April 1, 1921. Initially the regiment was simply the 22nd Regiment, but in June King George V approved renaming it The Royal 22nd Regiment. In 1928 the anomaly of a French-language unit with an English name was resolved, and the regiment became the Royal 22e R?giment.

In 1940, the regiment became the first Francophone Canadian unit to mount the King's Guard in London, and was the first of the three current Regular Force regiments to do so.

In the Second World War the regiment was part of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade and the 1st Canadian Infantry Division and was involved in intense combat in Italy, (where Paul Triquet earned the Victoria Cross) and later in the Netherlands and northwest Germany.

During the Korean War, 1951-1953, the regiment expanded to three battalions, each serving in turn as part of the Canadian brigade in the 1st Commonwealth Division. Thus the "Van Doos" represented one-third of Canada's infantry contingent throughout the war.

During the Cold War the regular battalions of the regiment served, in turn, in West Germany for most of the period.

During the life of the Canadian Airborne Regiment (1968-1995) the 1er Commando was manned as a French-speaking sub-unit by soldiers of the Royal 22e R?giment.

In the 1950s, the Canadian Army promoted a scheme of administratively associating reserve infantry regiments with a regular one. Although this project did not make much progress in most of the army, three reserve regiments did join the Van Doos, becoming battalions of the Royal 22e R?giment:

[Laurence Strong]

One of the few, 2 pieced badges riveted together that I have seen

Battle honours

The Great War: Mont-Sorrel1, Somme 1916 '18, Flers-Courcelette, Thiepval, Les Hauteurs d'Ancre1, Arras 1917 '18, Vimy 1917, Arleux, Scarpe 1917 '18, C?te 701, Ypres 1917, Passchendaele, Amiens, Ligne Hindenburg1, Canal du Nord, Cambrai 1918, Pouss?e de Mons1, France et Flandres 1915-181

The Second World War: D?barquement en Sicile1, Valguarnera, Adrano, Catenuova, Sicile 19431, D?barquement ? Reggio1, Potenza, Le Sangro1, Casa Berardi, Torre Mucchia, Cassino II, Ligne Gustav1, Vall?e de la Liri1, Ligne Hitler1, Ligne Gothique1, Borgo Santa Maria, Passage du Lamone1, Ligne Rimini1, San Martino-San Lorenzo, San Fortunato, Cesena, Italie 1943-19451, Apeldoorn, Nord-Ouest de l'Europe 19451

Cor?e 1951-531

1. translated to French in 1958 from original English awards in 1957.

A note on the name

Most units of the Canadian Forces have official names in English and in French, but the historic regiments are exceptions, having monolingual names for the sake of tradition. The English name "Royal 22nd Regiment" is often seen, but strictly speaking is incorrect: only the French form is official.

Edited August 5, 2006 by Laurence Strong

[Laurence Strong]

Next is the 12 Regiment Blinde Canadien, this is an older badge made of brass instead of the more modern alloys;

The 12e R?giment blind? du Canada is a Canadian Forces armoured regiment based in CFB Valcartier, on the outskirts of Quebec City.

Its origins are in The Three Rivers Regiment, a militia (Reserve Force) regiment based in Trois-Rivi?res, a town halfway between Montreal and Quebec. Originally formed in 1862, The Three Rivers Regiment, after many name changes, became the 12e R?giment blind? du Canada in 1968. This was a new Regular Force regiment which was created in Valcartier, while a militia unit was left in Trois-Rivi?res under the name 12e R?giment blind? du Canada (Milice). The number in the regimental title commemorates The Three Rivers Regiment's title during the Second World War: 12th Armoured Regiment (The Three Rivers Regiment). The Canadian Army traditionally avoided having city or region names in the titles of its Regular Force regiments; this was likely the reason for the 1960s name change.

The 12e R?giment blind? du Canada is called "twelve R-B-C" for short, and affectionately known as the "Twelve Rubber Boot Company" by anglophones in the Canadian Forces.

The regular force regiment comprises three squadrons. A,B and D squadron, who are now all armored reconnaissance squadron.

Battle honours

The Great War: Amiens1, Sib?rie 1918-19

The Second World War: D?barquement en Sicile, Grammichele, Piazza Armerina, Valguarnera, Agira, Adrano, Vall?e du Troina, Sicile 1943, Termoli, Le Ravin, Ortona, Cassino II, Ligne Gustav, Vall?e du Liri, Ligne Hitler, Ligne Trasimene, Arezzo, L'Avance ? Florence, Monte La Pieve, Monte Spaduro, Italie 1943-1945, Apeldoorn, Nord-Ouest de L'Europe 1945

[Laurence Strong]

On to some pre-QEll hat badges and collar dogs;

The Lake Superior Scottish Regiment

The Regiment was raised 30 Apr 1885 and designated The Provisional Battalion of Rifles at Port Arthur, Ontario. It was redesignated the 96th District of Algoma Battalion of Rifles 29 Apr 1887. On 3 Jul 1904 is was renamed the 96th Lake Superior Regiment and redesignated The Lake Superior Regiment 15 Mar 1920. 26 Jan 1943 it became The Lake Superior Regiment (Motor) and on 29 Jun 1949 it was granted approval to become "Scottish", being called The Lake Superior Scottish Regiment (Motor), and 11 Apr 1958 it adopted its present title, The Lake Superior Scottish Regiment. During World War I it sent drafts of over 400 soldiers each to the 8th and 28th Battalions, CEF, raised the 52nd, 94th, and 141st Battalions, the latter two being reinforcement Battalions for "The Fighting 52nd".

Battle Honours (34)

First World War

YPRES, 1915

YPRES, 1917

PASSCHENDAELE

Fustubert, 1915

AMIENS

MOUNT SORREL

Scarpe, 1918

SOMME, 1916

Drocourt-Queant

Flers-Courcelette

HINDENBURG LINE

Ancre Heights

Canal du Nord

Arras, 1917

Arras, 1918

CAMBRAI, 1918

VIMY, 1917

VALENCIENNES

HILL 70

France and Flanders, 1915-1918

Second World War

FALAISE

THE HOCHWALD

Falaise Road

Veen

The Laison

TWENTE CANAL

Chambois

FRIESOYTHE

THE SCHELDT

KUSTEN CANAL

THE LOWER MAAS

Bad Zwischenahn

THE RHINELAND

NORTH-WEST EUROPE, 1944-1945

Edited August 5, 2006 by Laurence Strong

[Laurence Strong]

Following the Boer War the Canadian Government realized that more the defence of Canada required more than just a single infantry battalion and a few artillery batteries as part of the permament defence force. In 1903 The Royal Canadian Engineers were founded as the basis of the permanent military engineers, while the militia had the Canadian Engineer Corps created.

World War I

One of the first tasks completed by the Engineers after the declariation of war upon Germany in 1914 was for the rapid development of the Valcartier training site in Quebec. At its peak size 30,000 men where stationed here before 1st Canadian Division was deployed to England.

When the 1st Division arrived on the front in Belgium they were accompanied by field companies of the Canadian Engineer Corps (as since men recruited into the service after the start of the war were part of the Milita branch and not the regulars.) This troops were responsible for construction of defences, sanitation systems, water supplies, bridging, and assisting with Trench raids.

One of the most important functions of the Sappers during the war was to dig tunnels underneath enemy trenches, with which to plan explosives to destroy them. At the Battle of Vimy Ridge, several such mines were used to win the battle.

During the war the one and only Victoria Cross the Royal Canadian Engineers ever received was earned by Captain C. N. Mitchell for actions on 8 October 1918.

In total, more than 40 000 canadians served as Engineers during the war, 14 000 on the front on the last day of the war.

Between Wars

Upon demoblization, the permanent force of Engineers was changed to 38 officers and 249 other ranks.

On 29 April 1936, the Milita and Permanent components where jointed to form the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers. Until then the Milita and regulars had had separate cap badges, but then adopted the one used by the regulars.

World War II

Korea

Unification and the Cold War

Royal Canadian Engineers

On 1 February 1968 The Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, and Royal Canadian Air Force were official unified under the Canadian Armed forces (now Canadian Forces). As such the Royal Canadian Engineers, Royal Canadian Navy Civil Engineers and Royal Canadian Air Force Consturction Division were emagamated. However, the new branch went under the name Royal Canadian Engineers until 1973. At that point the branch was officially named as the Canadian Military Engineers.

21st century and beyond

The role of the Canadian Military Engineers has been expanding. The regular force component has been expanding the size of their units, due to the current missions of the Canadian Forces.

As well, the reserve component of the CME is about to begin a reorgization. Current speculation is that each reserve Brigade will have a single "Combat Engineer Regiment" like their regular force components. This had already been done for 31 Canadian Brigade Group when The Elgin Regiment (RCAC) was converted to Engineers as 31 Combat Engineer Regiment. At the same time this would essential recreate units that previously existed. An example of this is 7 Field Engineer Regiment, which up until the 1960's was the higher authority for 6 and 44 Field Engineer Squadrons in British Columbia. This reorgization would theoretically create 38 Combat Engineer Regiment, with the same componenet units.

[Laurence Strong]

Another new one WW2 Canadian Armoured Fighting Vehicle Training Center. Someone used it as a display as the holders on the rear are gone and there is a hole drilled in the crown

The Canadian Armoured Corps was virtually non-existent in 1939, yet by 1945 was fielding two full armoured divisions (the 4th and 5th), in addition to an independent armoured brigade and numerous smaller units.

It owes its existence to the tireless efforts of one man, Captain (later Major General) Frank Worthington. Known invariably as "Worthy", he had served with the Canadian Machine Gun Corps in 1918, where he learned first-hand of the value of armour on the battlefield. One of the few who stayed with the miniscule Permanent Force between the wars, Worthy never tired of pushing for an armoured element in the Canadian Army. His dream was in part realized in 1930, when he was permitted to form the Canadian Armoured Fighting Vehicle School at Camp Borden [Ontario] in 1930.

Originally equipped with 12 Carden Loyd Machine Gun Carriers, this school evolved into the 'Canadian Armoured Fighting Vehicles Training Centre' in 1938, once the threat of war had driven the politicos into releasing funds for preparation. At that time, two Vickers Mk.VI light tanks were added to the CAC's strength. Ten more followed in 1939.

The Canadian Armoured Corps was largely unaffected by the general mobilization in the fall of 1939. Six battalions of the Non-Permanent Active Militia had been declared 'armoured units' as far back as 1936, but it took the Blitzkrieg of May 1940 to motivate the Department of National Defence into providing the administrative infrastructure for (the now) Colonel Worthington's armoured force. The Canadian Armoured Corps was officially formed in August 1940, with the senior units the Ontario Regiment, the Three Rivers Regiment, the 1st Hussars and the Fort Garry Horse.

The fall of 1940 found Worthy in possession of 265 Renault tanks built in 1917 and originally found in new condition in storage at the Rock Island Arsenal. They were purchased for $120 a piece as "scrap iron" destined for the 'Camp Borden Foundry', in order to subvert American regulations governing the export of war materiel. As obsolete as they were, they were nonetheless warmly received!

In the interim, plans to manufacture a Canadian tank had been underway since 1937, again courtesy of Worthy. Pressure on British industry led to the initial manufacture of the Valentine (despite Worthy's objections) in 1941, by the Angus Shops of Canadian Pacific Railways in Montreal, but most of the production run of 1,420 tanks were sent to the Russians, who declared them amongst the best vehicles the Allies supplied during the war (see the Valentine page below for more info).

The unique Canadian Ram followed very shortly, based upon the chassis and powerplant of the U.S. M-3 Lee. In return it spawned the American Sherman, which became the backbone of all Allied armoured forces for the rest of the war. The Ram also led to the production of the Sexton S.P. gun (armed with the ubiquitous 25 pdr), which eventually supplanted the U.S. Priests in Canadian formations and served long after the war in many countries.

Frank Worthington, who was once but a single voice of reason lost in the clamour of inter-war disarmament, had seen his dream come true. He ended the war appropriately as Major General Worthington and is revered today as the father of the current Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. His final resting place is, appropriately, on the crest of the ridge which forms the centrepoint of Worthington Park, the military museum at CFB Borden.

Edited August 9, 2006 by Laurence Strong

[Laurence Strong]

The reverse. Will try for a better obv shot

[Laurence Strong]

So what are the odds, a good friend of mine, who coincidentally has been supplying me with goodies has been after me for coffee at Timmies, and he tells me he has a bag of goodies. Now I have not seen him in about 6 weeks.

After yesterdays moaning about the Armored school badge being damaged.......

Edited August 10, 2006 by Laurence Strong

[Laurence Strong]

The intact rev

[Laurence Strong]

This one took a while, had to scan the back of it to fiqure out the words on it

1st Canadian Hussars, could be a WW2 from the shape of it

The 1st Hussars can trace its roots back to the formation of the St. Thomas Troop of Volunteer Militia Cavalry in March of 1856 and the First Troop of Volunteer Militia Cavalry of London in July of the same year. In 1863, these units were renamed to the St. Thomas Troop of Cavalry and the London Troop of Cavalry. both troops were put on active duty in southwestern Ontario in response to the Fenian raid of 1866, but neither had any contact with the invading forces.

The two troops were amalgamated in the aftermath of the 1866 Fenian Raids, forming the St. Thomas and London Squadron of Canada in January of 1867. Both troops of the new squadron were again called into active service during the 1870 Fenian invasion, but again neither saw action.

In May of 1872, the unit was expanded and reorganized to include four additional Cavalry troops, for a total of six troops, becoming the 1st Regiment of Cavalry, headquartered in St. Thomas.

In 1880, the regiment's headquarters was moved to London, where it has remained to this day. The 1st Regiment of Cavalry was renamed in 1888 becoming the 1st Regiment of Cavalry Hussars, and again in 1892 , receiving the title 1st Hussars, which it has retained ever since. In 1896 and 1897, the remaining four troops' numbered designations were replaced with letters and the troops were renamed as squadrons. In February of 1905, the regiment moved into the newly built London Armouries at the corner of Dundas and Waterloo Streets, which it used until 1977. By 1913, 'A' Squadron had moved to London from St. Thomas, 'C' Squadron had moved from Mooretown to Courtright, where it was disbanded, and 'D' Squadron had moved from Kingsville to Amhurstburg, where it was renamed 'C' Squadron after the disbandment of the Courtright squadron.

1st Hussars in South Africa

October of 1899 saw the outbreak of the Second Boer War between the British Empire and the Boer republics of the Orange Free State and the Transvaal Republic.

Although the 1st Hussars did not participate as a unit, 27 of the regiment's members went to South Africa with other units of the Canadian Army.

6 Hussars joined the special service battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry and participated in the engagements at Sunnyside, Paardeberg and the capture of Pretoria.

Another 15 Hussars joined 'A' Squadron, 1st Battalion of the Canadian Mounted Rifles (later re-named the Royal Canadian Dragoons). The 1st Battalion CMR arrived in South Africa in March of 1900 and fought in the region, participating in the March to Pretoria and the Battle of Leliefontein on the Komati River in November of 1900 before returning to Canada.

In 1901, 6 members of the 1st Hussars joined the newly established South African Constabulary.

First World War

Mobilization, Organization and Deployment

As with the Boer War, the 1st Hussars did not participate as a unit.

At the outbreak of the war, some 66 members of the regiment joined the 1st Western Ontario Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force which was raised in late 1914. The Western Ontario Battalion was present at the Second Battle of Ypres.

In November of 1914, the 7th Canadian Mounted Rifles was raised. 'A' Squadron was recruited in London, 'B' Squadron was drew men from Windsor, Sarnia and Amherstburg and 'C' Squadron was raised in Toronto. 'A' Squadron was attached to the 2nd Canadian Division in March of 1915 as the divisional cavalry squadron. In June of 1915, 7 CMR sailed for England. In January of 1916, 'A' Squadron was renamed Special Service Squadron, First (Canadian) Hussars to reflect the unit's roots in 1st Hussars. By mid-May of 1916, the Squadron became part of the Canadian Corps Calvary Regiment, later renamed the Canadian Light Horse, forming 'B' Squadron of the regiment

On 9 October 1918, The Canadian Corps attacked the Germans near the French village of Escaudoevres on the L'Escaut Canal (north-east of Cambrai). By this point, battlefield was becoming more fluid and calvary playing a more important role during operations. On the 9th, the CLH was ordered to occupy two pieces high ground in front 5 Canadian Infantry Brigade's position. Just after noon, 'B' Squadron CLH was ordered forward with 'A' and 'C' Squadrons in support. The troops advanced across the canal and approached a rail line which ran along the ridge on the far bank. As the troops closed on the rail line, machine-guns opened up on the right hitting several men and horses. the situation on the left of the advance developed in a similar fashion with MGs opening up as the troopers crested the rail embankment. One of the German MGs was put out of action allowing a position to be established and Hotchkiss Machine guns set up on the rail embankment. One troop was sent in an attempt to outflank the remaining German MGs, but they were unsuccessful. The position was held and passed on to the 25th Battalion, CEF and the CLH troops retired. 1 Non-commissioned officer was killed and 11 men were wounded in the action which gained 2500 meters of ground and inflicted at least 20 casualties on the Germans and captured 2 German MGs.

The next day the First Hussars would participate in an action that saw the last of the few calvary charges in Canadian history. The Canadian Corps continued to advance on the far bank of the canal. The village of Naves was captured by the 19th Battalion, CEF, which continued on to capture a ridgeline to the east of the village. The objective for 'A' and 'C' Squadrons of the CLH was to capture a portion of sunken road on the ridgeline and continue on to take a hill overlooking the village of Iwuy . 'B' Squadron was held in reserve. 'A' and 'C' Squadrons forded the Erclin River and charged up the hill towards the sunken road. The charge resulted in 23 dead troopers and 66 dead horses, but despite the losses, the hill was taken and held

As the Hundred Day's offensive continued, the 1st Hussars and rest of the CLH found itself often leading the advance, and letting the infantry pass through when resistance was met.

Members of the 1st Hussars also participated in the following actions:

Second Battle of Ypres

Battle of Flers-Courcelette

Battle of Hill 70

Passchendaele

Second World War

Mobilization, Organization and Deployment

"Defence Scheme Number 3" was implemented on September 1, 1939 and saw the raising of 1st Canadian Division, Canadian Active Service Force. The 1st Hussars provided Divisional Cavalry for CASF (1st Division). In December of 1939, the majority of 1st Division sailed for England, but the 1st Hussars stayed behind in London because there were not enough tanks to equip the regiment.

In January 1940, 1st Hussars contributed the Headquarters Squadron and 'C' Squadron to the First Canadian Cavalry Regiment (Mechanised) (1 CCR (M)). ('A' Squadron was mainly supplied by the Royal Canadian Dragoons and 'B' Squadron was filled by members of Lord Strathcona's Horse.). 1 CCR (M) was still part of the 1st Canadian Division. In May 1940, 1 CCR (M) left London for Camp Borden where they trained on the Carden-Loyd Machine Carrier, the Vickers Mk. VIB Light Tank and the Renault FT 17 Light Tank. Although these tanks were obsolete, they served the purpose of training the regiment's members in tactics and vehicle maintenance.

In January 1941, The Squadrons of 1 CCR (M) returned to their respective units as they became mobilised as regiments.

The Canadian Armoured Corps (CAC) was raised in August of 1940 and the 1st Hussars found themselves organised within it. In spring of 1941, 1st Hussars, now the 6th Canadian Armoured Regiment (1st Hussars) (6 CAR), became part of the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade, which departed to England in October 1941. The regiment took up residance in Aldershot where they continued they're training. In early 1942, 6 CAR received some M3 Lee tanks and Canadian Ram Mk. Is and IIs. The Hussars remained a part of 1 CAB until January 1943, when they were reorganised into the 3rd Canadian Army Tank Brigade along with the The Fort Garry Horse and the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment. In July of 1943, 3 CATB was re-designated the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade (2CAB), a designation which remained until the end of the war.

6 CAR continued training in the village of Elstead in southern England before moving to Combined Operations Training Centre in Inverary, Scotland where they prepared for an Amphibious assault. In December of 1943, the First Hussars were introduced to "Duplex Drive" (DD for short) tanks. Innitally the regiment was trained on the Valentine DD, until it was re-equipped with the M4A4 Sherman DD and Sherman Vc "Firefly" in April 1944.

D-Day and Normandy

The DD tanks of the 1st Hussars were amongst the allied forces to come ashore in Normandy. The Hussars were to support the infantry landing on the western half of Juno Beach.

At 0715h, 19 tanks of 'B' Squadron launched their Sherman V DDs from their landing-craft into the English Channel some 4000 meters from shore of Nan Green Beach. Of 'B' Squadron's 19 tanks, 15 made it to shore ahead of the Regina Rifles, whom they were tasked to support.

'A' Squadron launched some of their DDs some ten minuets later then 'B' Squadron, from approximately 1500 meters out and headed towards Mike Beach. Only two of the four LTCs carrying 'A' Squadron were able to launch all their tanks off shore. Of 'A' Squadron's 19 tanks, 10 were launched into the channel with seven of those making it to shore. Five tanks were landed directly onto the beach, and four were stranded on a landing craft which struck a mine. The tanks of 'A' Squadron were to support the Winnipeg Rifles, who were already fighting on the beach when they came ashore.

At the beach, the many of tanks of the 1st Hussars stayed partially submerged just off shore in a hull down position. After dropping they're screens, they began engaging the German antitank guns, machine-gun nests and other strong points, allowing the infantry to break the beach defences and make its way inland. 'A' Squadron made its way inland to the village of Graye-sur-Mer where the Winnipeg Rifles were attempting to capture bridges over the Suelles River. 'B' Squadron helped clear Courseulles-sur-Mer before breaking out into the countryside.

At 0820h, 'C' Squadron's Sherman Vc Fireflys and Sherman IIIs were landed directaly onto Mike Red beach, along with the regimental Headquarters Squadron. By this time, resistance at the beach had been cleared.

After clearing Courseulles-sur-Mer, The regiment made its way inland. South of Reviers, 'B' Squadron encountered a German 88 which knocked out six tanks before being put out of action. Seven Hussar crewmen were killed in the engagement. Due to these losses,'B' squadron was pulled back to the beach after the encounter. As mentioned above, 'A' Squadron moved on to Graye-sur-Mer where the Winnipeg Rifles were fighting to secure the village. 'A' Squadron joined the fight in support of the Winnipegs, along with elements of 'C' squadron who were catching up. After the village was captured, 'C' Squadron pressed on, with 2nd Troop reaching the regiment's objective of the Caen-Bayeux Highway, becoming the only Allied unit to reach its D-Day objective. However, 2nd troop had to pull back, as they were too far ahead of the rest of the force and too few to hold the objective. At dusk, the regiment pulled back to the channel to rest. the 1st Hussars suffered 21 killed, 17 wounded during the actions of D-Day. 'A' Squadron was left with 9 tanks at the end of the day and 'B' Squadron was reduced to 4 tanks.

After D-Day, the 1st Hussars continued to support infantry as it advanced and faced German counter-attacks. On 9 June, the Hussars supported the Canadian Scottish as they re-took Poutot-en-Bessin and engaged panthers of the 1st Batallion, SS-Panzer Regiment 12 (of the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend), destroying 6.

Regimental seniority

Despite "1st" in the title, the regiment is not the most senior armoured unit. With the militia reorganization of 1872, the senior or only cavalry regiment within a Militia District adopted the numerical designation of that district. Southwestern Ontario comprised Military District No. 1, hence the original designation as the 1st Regiment of Cavalry. The unit was renamed 1st Hussars in 1892 and because a British mounted unit numbered "1" never existed, it was unnecessary to add a 'Canada' or 'Canadian' modifier. Following the Second World War, because of wartime and earlier conversion to armour of some more senior infantry regiments, the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps decided that seniority would be determined by date of birth, regardless of the Corps in which the unit was raised. Regular Force regiments take precedence, and seniority among themselves by date of birth. 1st Hussars is placed seventh in the order of seniority of militis armoured regiments.

First World War flying ace and recipient of the Victoria Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross, William Avery (Billy) Bishop, was a lieutenant in the regiment before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps.

One of the regiment's greatest claims to fame is that it was the Allied unit that penetrated deepest into Normandy on D-Day.

honours

South Africa, 1900

Arras, 1917

Vimy, 1917

Hindenburg Line

Cambrai, 1918

Pursuit to Mons

Normandy Landing

Le Mesnil-Patry

Caen

Faubourg de Vaucelles

Verri?res Ridge?Tilly-la-Campagne

Falaise

Calais, 1944

The Lower Maas

The Rhineland

Apeldoorn

Order of precedence

Preceded by:

12e R?giment blind? du Canada (Milice) 1st Hussars Succeeded by:

The Prince Edward Island Regiment (RCAC)

Edited August 10, 2006 by Laurence Strong

[Laurence Strong]

The reverse showing the lettering

[Laurence Strong]

Next is a lone collar dog and shoulder brass for the Royal Canadian Service Corps.

The Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) was an administrative corps of the Canadian Army.

Unification

When the Army, Royal Canadian Navy, and Royal Canadian Air Force were merged in 1968 to form the Canadian Forces, the administrative Corps of the Army were merged with their Naval and Air Force counterparts to form the Canadian Forces' personnel branches.

The RCASC's transport and supply elements were combined with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps to form the Logistics Branch

The RCASC's clerical trades were merged with the Royal Canadian Army Pay Corps and the Royal Canadian Postal Corps to form the Administration Branch (later merged with the Logistics Branch)

I mean REALLY...what can you say about the service corps...

[Laurence Strong]

A close up of the collar dog

[Laurence Strong]

Rev of the collar dog

"HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE" was a popular motto in the old days....brings back visions of hangings and be-headings

[Laurence Strong]

As shown with this crest from 3RCHA which is now 1RCHA. But thats for another thread I hope to start soon.

[Laurence Strong]

Something a little newer. Queens Own Rifles of Canada, probably from the late 50's or early 60's

Regimental structure

The Reserve Battalion is made up of the following companies:

Battalion Headquarters

60th Company

Buffs Company

Victoria Company (Combat Service Support)

Para Company

History

The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada (originally named 2nd Battalion, Volunteer Militia Rifles of Canada) was formed on April 26, 1860. The regiment saw combat in both world wars as well as during conflicts before and after these wars. Modern operations include Cambodia, Sierra Leone, the Balkans, Middle East and Afghanistan.

They are the only militia regiment in Canada that participates in parachuting exercises.

Important engagements

Battle of Ridgeway, Fenian Raids, 1866

Battle of Cut Knife, North-West Rebellion, 1885

World War I

St Julien

Hill 70

Passchendaele

Mount Sorrel

Amiens

Somme, 1916

Fleurs-Courcelette

Canal du Nord

Pursuit to Mons

Vimy, 1917

World War II

Normandy Landing

Le Mesnil-Patry

The Scheldt

Caen

The Rhineland

Bourguebus Ridge

The Hochwald

Falaise

The Rhine

Boulogne, 1944

Colonels-in-chief

HM Queen Mary (1928-1953)

HRH Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy (1960- )

Order of precedence

Preceded by:

The Canadian Grenadier Guards The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Succeeded by:

The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada

[Laurence Strong]

Rev

[Laurence Strong]

Fo something different, a couple of brassards from abot 1968 to 1971 which was when the green unified uniform came in to effect:

First a Corporal in the RCR

The Canadian Army evolved from the various British garrison forces on the North American continent in the 1800s. Upon Confederation of Canada in 1867, the ground forces in Canada were referred to as the Militia. Eventually, a Permanent Active Militia was designated, being the regular army of Canada (regular in the sense that they were full time professional soldiers) and the Non-Permanent Active Militia (or reserves, part time soldiers who had vocations in the civilian world who trained on evenings, weekends, and for short periods in the summer months).

In 1914, the Canadian Expeditionary Force was created in response to a call by the United Kingdom for soldiers after the start of the First World War. The CEF was a separate entity from the Permanent Active Militia (by now also known as the Permanent Force, or PF) and the NPAM. Regiments and other units of the Militia were not mobilized, but rather transferred personnel to the CEF for overseas employment. The CEF was disbanded after the First World War.

Canada's land forces underwent two major organziational changes between the world wars; in 1920 the pre-war regiments were all renamed, several organizational corps were created mirroring corps in the British Army, and new ones like the Canadian Machine Gun Corps (not to be confused with the wartime corps of the same name) were created. The new regiments all perpetuated the history of the wartime CEF, and when Battle Honours were granted many years later, were permitted to adopt those battle honours.

In 1936, the CMGC was abolished and the Militia again underwent dramatic reorganizations, with three types of infantry regiments being created (rifle, machine gun, and tank). Many regiments were disbanded or amalgamated.

Canadian soldiers in World War II.

In 1939, the Canadian Active Service Force was mobilized; similar to the CEF, this was a mobilization of prewar PF and NPAM units, who retained their traditional titles. In 1940, the land forces of Canada were retitled. The CASF became the Canadian Army (Overseas), the Permanent Force became the Canadian Army (Active) and the NPAM became the Canadian Army (Reserve). The Canadian Army (Overseas) ceased to exist after the Second World War. A new Canadian Armoured Corps was created and many infantry regiments were reroled to fight in tanks. The veterinary corps was disbanded in 1940 as mechanization was completed and all cavalry units eventually converted to armour or armoured car regiments.

Following unification of the armed forces in the late 1960s, the army was again retitled to become Force Mobile Command, with both a regular and a reserve component. The reserve component readopted the historic title Militia.

In the late 1980s, after reorganisation of the three services into distinct "elements", with the naval and air components returning to uniforms roughly comparable to the former RCN and RCAF, Force Mobile Command became Land Force Command, retaining a slightly-modified version of the unified "CF Green" uniform. Towards the end of the 20th Century, the term "Army" became once again unofficially used to refer to Canada's land forces, both Regular and Reserve.

Edited August 10, 2006 by Laurence Strong

[Laurence Strong]

Next a Gunner in a Militia Regt or the School of Atillery

[Laurence Strong]

Some cloth shoulder flashes

King's Own Calgary Regiment. A Militia Amored unit in Calgary

[Laurence Strong]

The North Saskatchewan Regiment:

The North Saskatchewan Regiment traces its lineage to 1 April 1912 from reorganization of the 95th Saskatchewan Rifles. The unit amalgamated with the 52nd Regiment (Prince Albert Volunteers) on 1 April 1921 to form the North Saskatchewan Regiment, one of four battalions. The 1st Battalion was headquartered in Saskatoon, and perpetuated the 5th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force.

The 5th Battalion served in France as part of the 1st Canadian Division

The 1st Battalion, North Saskatchewan Regiment was re-designated The Saskatoon Light Infantry, 15 May 1924. It was then re-designated The Saskatoon Light Infantry (Machine Gun), 15 December 1936.

The 1st (Service) Battalion of this regiment served in the Second World War as the support battalion (machine guns and mortars) of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division, fighting through Sicily, Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany.

The regiment was re-designated as 2nd Battalion, The North Saskatchewan Regiment (The Saskatoon Light Infantry) (Machine Gun), 17 February 1955. On 11 April 1958, it reassumed the name The North Saskatchewan Regiment (The Saskatoon Light Infantry), under the 2nd Battalion.

The unit is presently known as The North Saskatchewan Regiment, a reserve infantry unit located in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

[Laurence Strong]

The Irish Regt of Canada

[Michael Johnson]

The Irish Regt of Canada

The Irish Regiment of Canada was unusual in that it was originally a Toronto unit, but in 1965 it was reduced to nil strength, and an artillery unit in Sudbury was converted to the "2nd Battalion, The Irish Regiment of Canada".

This title appears to be the modern version formerly worn on the former garrison jacket.