The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
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| The Royal Winnipeg Rifles | |
|---|---|
 Cap badge of the RWR |
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| Active | 1883 – Present |
| Country | Canada |
| Branch | Militia |
| Type | Rifles |
| Part of | Royal Canadian Infantry Corps |
| Garrison/HQ | Minto Armoury |
| Motto | "Hosti Acie Nominati" |
| March | Old Solomon Levi |
| Abbreviation | R Wpg Rif |
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles (R Wpg Rif) are a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. They are based at Minto Armouries in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The RWR are part of Land Force Western Area's 38 Canadian Brigade Group.
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[edit] History
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles were formed in 1883 under command of Lt Col. William Nassau Kennedy. The regimental Latin motto is Hosti Acie Nominati, which means “named by the enemy in battle”. After the Battle of Fish Creek during the Northwest Rebellion of 1885, a captured Métis asked, "The red coats we know, but who are those little black devils?" Infantry of the line usually wore red coats, while Rifle units wore dark green - almost black - coats.
During World War II the Royal Winnipeg Rifles had the honour of being the first Allied troops on the beaches on D-Day. The Winnipeg Rifles, Regina Rifles and The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada were the first to land to suppress German fire.
[edit] Traditions
Rifles regiments are full of history and traditions, one of which is a lack of colours. They marched at 140 paces per minute (rather than the standard 120) to get ahead of the infantry and disrupt the enemy. That said, a big flag is an impractical thing to have in battle if you are trying to conceal yourself. Instead Rifles carry their colours on their cap badge and drums (see below) which, for the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, is a devil carrying a sceptre with a wreath bearing the battle honours.
A trained private (one chevron) of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles is referred to as a rifleman.
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles are fortunate enough to have a band whose drums bear the regiment's battle honours. Infantrymen (called pioneers) are tasked to protect them on parade. Pioneers wear leather armour and carry special weapons: an axe, a pick, a hatchet and a halberd.
The regimental march of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles is Pork, Beans and Hard Tack (Old Solomon Levi) and the double quick march is Keel Row.
[edit] Battle honours
Battle honours in CAPITALS are displayed on the cap badge
[edit] Pre-1914
[edit] World War I
- YPRES 1915, 17
- St. Julien
- MOUNT SORREL
- Flers – Courcelette
- Ancre Heights
- ARRAS 1917-1918
- Arleux
- PASSCHENDAELE
- Scarpe 1917-1918
- Hindenburg Line
- Cambrai 1918
- FRANCE AND FLANDERS, 1915, 18
- Gravenstafel
- FESTUBERT 1915
- SOMME 1916-1918
- Thiepval
- Ancre 1916
- Vimy 1917
- HILL 70
- AMIENS
- DROCOURT – QUEANT
- CANAL DU NORD
- VALENCIENNES
[edit] World War II
- NORMANDY LANDING
- Caen
- The Orne
- FALAISE
- The Seine
- THE SCHELDT
- Breskens Pocket
- Waal Flats
- THE RHINE
- Deventer
- Putot-en-bessin
- Carpiquet
- Bourquebus Ridge
- The Laison
- CALAIS 1944
- LEOPOLD CANAL
- The Rhineland
- MOYLAND WOOD
- Emmerich-Hoch Elten
- NORTH WEST EUROPE 1944-1945
[edit] Alliances
[edit] Victoria Cross holders
[edit] See also
[edit] Order of precedence
| Preceded by: The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa |
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles | Succeeded by: The Essex and Kent Scottish |
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- The Royal Winnipeg Rifles site (unofficial)
- The Royal Winnipeg Rifles (army site)
- Juno Beach - The Winnipeg Rifles on D-Day
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