The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment)

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The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment)
Irish Fusiliers of Canada badge.png
Active1913–1965
Country Canada
BranchCanadian Militia (1913-1940)
Canadian Army (1940-1965)
TypeLine Infantry
RoleInfantry
SizeOne battalion
Part ofNon-Permanent Active Militia (1913-1940)
Royal Canadian Infantry Corps (1942-1946, 1958-1965)
Royal Canadian Artillery (1946-1958)
Regimental HeadquartersVancouver, BC
EngagementsFirst World War
Second World War

The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment) was an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. It was placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle in 1965. In 2002, it was taken off the Supplementary Order of Battle and Amalgamated with The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own).[1] [2] [3]

Perpetuations[]

The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment) perpetuated the following units:[3]

After Amalgamation in 2002, these perpetuations are continued on by The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own).[2] [3]

Lineage[]

The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment)[]

The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment) was formed in Vancouver, British Columbia on 15 August 1913 as the 11th Regiment Irish Fusiliers of Canada. The regiment was redesignated The Irish Fusiliers of Canada on 12 March 1920 and reorganized as a two battalion regiment with the 1st Battalion perpetuating the 121st Battalion (Western Irish), CEF and a 2nd Battalion on the Reserve order of battle. The reserve unit was disbanded on 14 December 1936.[1] [2] [3]

On 1 June 1936 the Irish Fusiliers of Canada were amalgamated with The Vancouver Regiment and were redesignated the Irish Fusiliers (Vancouver Regiment). It was redesignated as the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, Irish Fusiliers (Vancouver Regiment) on 1 January 1941 and the Irish Fusiliers (Vancouver Regiment) on 1 June 1945. The regiment was converted to artillery and redesignated the 65th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (Irish Fusiliers), Royal Canadian Artillery on 1 April 1946. On 1 September 1958 the regiment amalgamated with the 120th Independent Field Battery, RCA, converted to infantry and redesignated The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment).[1] [2] [3]

120th Independent Field Battery, RCA / The North British Columbia Regiment[]

The 120th Independent Field Battery, RCA originated in Prince Rupert, British Columbia on 1 May 1914 as the Earl Grey's Own Rifles. It was redesignated as the 68th Regiment (Earl Grey's Own Rifles) on 2 November 1914 and as The North British Columbia Regiment on 12 March 1920. Upon redesignation as The North British Columbia Regiment it was organized as a two battalion regiment with the 1st Battalion perpetuating the 102nd Battalion, CEF and the 2nd Battalion, perpetuating the 30th Battalion, CEF, on the Reserve order of battle. The reserve unit was disbanded on 14 December 1936.[1] [2] [3]

On 15 December 1936 the North British Columbia Regiment was converted to artillery and redesignated as the 102nd (North British Columbia) Heavy Battery, RCA. During the Second World War it was redesignated as the 102nd (Reserve) (North British Columbia) Heavy Battery, RCA on 1 January 1941 and as the 120th Coast Battery, RCA on 1 April 1946. Following the Second World War, the unit was redesignated again as the 120th Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery, RCA on 5 February 1948, as the 120th Harbour Defence Troop, RCA on 17 October 1954 and the 120th Independent Field Battery, RCA on 25 October 1956. On 1 September 1958, it was amalgamated with the 65th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (Irish Fusiliers), RCA.[1] [2]

The Vancouver Regiment[]

The Vancouver Regiment originated in Vancouver, British Columbia on 15 May 1924 when the 1st British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) was reorganized into three separate regiments designated the 1st British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own), The Westminster Regiment and The Vancouver Regiment. On 1 June 1936, it was amalgamated with The Irish Fusiliers of Canada.[1] [2] [3]

History[]

First World War[]

On 6 August, 1914, the 11th Regiment Irish Fusiliers of Canada was placed on active service for local protection duties.[2]

On 7 November, 1914, the 29th Battalion, CEF was authorized for service and on 20 May, 1915, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. On 17 September 1915, the 29th Battalion disembarked in France where it fought as part of the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. On 30 August, 1920, the 29th Battalion was disbanded after its return to Canada.[2]

On 27 October, 1914, the 30th Battalion, CEF was authorized and on 23 February, 1915, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. After its arrival in the UK, on 18 April, 1915, it was redesignated as the 30th Reserve Battalion, CEF to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. On 4 January, 1917, its personnel were absorbed by the '1st Reserve Battalion, CEF and on 1 September, 1917, the 30th Battalion was disbanded.

On 22 December, 1915, the 102nd Battalion, CEF was authorized and on 18 June, 1916, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. On 12 August, 1916, the 102nd Battalion disembarked in France where it fought as part of the 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. On 30 August, 1920, the 102nd Battalion was disbanded after its return to Canada.[2]

On 22 December, 1915, the 121st Battalion, CEF was authorized and on 14 November, 1916, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. After its arrival in the UK, the battalion provided reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. On 10 January, 1917, its personnel were absorbed by the 16th Reserve Battalion, CEF and on 17 July, 1917, the 121st Battalion was disbanded.[2]

On 22 December, 1915, the 158th Battalion, CEF was authorized and on 14 November, 1916, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. After its arrival in the UK, the battalion provided reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. On 4 January, 1917, its personnel were absorbed by the 1st Reserve Battalion, CEF and on 27 July, 1917, the 158th Battalion was disbanded.[2]

Second World War[]

Irish Fusiliers (Vancouver Regiment)[]

On on 26 August, 1939, detachments from the Irish Fusiliers were called out on service and on 1 September, 1939, placed on active service under the designation 'Irish Fusiliers (Vancouver Regiment), CASF for local protection duties. On 31 December 1940, those details called out on active service were disbanded.[2] [4]

On 1 January 1941, the regiment was subsequently mobilized for active service as the 1st Battalion, Irish Fusiliers (Vancouver Regiment), CASF. The battalion served in Canada in a home defence role as part of the 18th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 6th Canadian Infantry Division. From 18 May 1943 to 6 August 1944, the battalion served on garrison duty in Jamaica. On 10 January 1945, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. After its arrival in the UK, on 19 January 1945, the battalion was disbanded to provide reinforcements to the First Canadian Army in the field.[2] [4]

On 12 May, 1942, the regiment also mobilized the 3rd Battalion, Irish Fusiliers (Vancouver Regiment), CASF. The battalion served in Canada in a home defence role as part of the 19th Canadian Infantry Brigade of Pacific Command. On 15 August, 1943, the 3rd battalion, Irish Fusiliers (Vancouver Regiment) was disbanded.[2] [4]

102nd Battery[]

On 26 August 1939, the 102nd Battery was called out for service and on 1 September 1939, details of the battery were placed on active service under the designation of the 102nd (North British Columbia) Heavy Battery, RCA, CASF for local protection duties. On 31 December, 1940, those details called out on active service were disbanded.[2]

On 1 January, 1941, the battery subsequently mobilized as the 102nd (North British Columbia) Heavy Battery, RCA, CASF for active service. On 1 May, 1942, it was redesignated the 102nd Coast Battery, RCA, CASF. The battery served in Canada in a home defence role with the 17th (North British Columbia) Coast Regiment, RCA, CASF as part of Pacific Command. On 31 October, 1945, the battery was disbanded.[2]

Post War[]

The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment) were reduced to nil strength and transferred to the Supplementary Order of Battle on 19 March 1965. On 13 June 2002, it was removed from the Supplementary Order of Battle and amalgamated with The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own).[1] [2] [3] [4] The Regiment is perpetuated by 2381 BC Regiment (Irish Fusiliers) Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps of Richmond, B.C.

Battle Honours[]

The Great War[]

After Amalgamation in 2002, these Battle Honours are continued on by The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own).[2] [3]

Royal Canadian Army Cadets[]

The Regiment is perpetuated by 2381 British Columbia Regiment Irish Fusiliers Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in Richmond, B.C.

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Defence, National (29 November 2018). "The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own)". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Guide to Sources Relating to the Canadian Militia (Infantry, Cavalry, Armored)" (PDF).
  4. ^ a b c d e "www.canadiansoldiers.com". canadiansoldiers.com. Retrieved 11 December 2021.

Links[]

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