The Princess Louise Fusiliers

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The Princess Louise Fusiliers is a reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Armed Forces.

1 History
2 Battle Honours
3 Alliances
4 Order of precedence

[edit] History

Based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, the infantry regiment was created on June 18, 1798 by Sir Edward Cornwalis, the unit's first Commanding Officer and Halifax's founder. Ten Companies were formed up on the Grand Parade in the city and were made a collective Battalion. It is not until Canadian Confederation in 1867 that the Princess Louise Fusiliers are permitted to count regimental birthdays, since it was not considered a Canadian army unit until then. During the unit's history, it has undergone several name changes. On November 5, 1869, the regiment was named to "66th The Halifax Battalion of Infantry". Originally consisting of six companies, but later growing to two more in size. Ten years later, on November 14, 1879, the regiment was once again renamed, this time to the "66th Battalion 'Princess Louise Fusiliers'", named for Princess Louise, wife of the Govenor General at the time. It was shortly after this point in which the regiment received its first battle honour, when they helped suppress the Northwest Rebellion of 1885. Fourteen years later, in 1899, the regiment was sent to South Africa to assist the British Army in the Second Boer War. May 8, 1900 brought about another name change, this time to "66th Regiment 'Princess Louise Fusiliers'". During the First World War the 66th Regiment was sent to France to help her allies, and during that time the regiment received five more battle honours. In May of 1915 the regiment was renamed to its current name, the Princess Louise Fusiliers. The onset of World War II saw more action for the Fusiliers, when they were once again sent to France to help defeat Germany and her allies. The regiment was turned into a machine gun company for the war, and afterwards reverted back to a light infantry company. During the conflict, the regiment received nine more battle honours, bringing their total count to 16. Their most recent battle honour was received in 1999 for their valiant efforts in Arnhem 1945. To this day they are to receive the notation of this battle honour on their regimental colours.