The Winnipeg Grenadiers

The Winnipeg Grenadiers

The cap badge of the Winnipeg Grenadiers
Active 1 April 1908 – 28 February 1965
Country Canada
Allegiance Canadian Army
Reserve Force
Branch Canadian Army
Type Line Infantry
Role Infantry
Size One Battalion
Part of Royal Canadian Infantry Corps
Garrison/HQ Minto Armoury, Winnpeg, Man.
Motto ADSUM (Present)
March "British Grenadiers"
Engagements Battle of Hong Kong
Battle honours See Battle honours (below)

The Winnipeg Grenadiers was an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army formed on 1 April 1908 under General Order No. 20. Initially it was raised with Headquarters at Morden, Manitoba and companies at: ‘A’ Company at Morden, ‘B’ Company at Morden, ‘C’ Company at Manitou, ‘D’ Company at Carmen,‘E’ Company at Roland, 'F’ Company at Pilot Mound, ‘G’ Company at Cartwright and ‘H’ Company at Boissevain. The unit did not have any active personnel enrolled at the formation.

On 1 February 1910 all companies and headquarters were moved to Winnipeg. On 2 May 1910 the designation was changed to the "100th Winnipeg Grenadiers". The first officers were gazetted to the Regiment on 18 May 1910. Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Norlande Ruttan who came from the Retired List commanded the Regiment on organization (General Order No. 57 (HQ 32-1-107)). The Regiment was reorganized under General Order No. 120 (1915) on 1 October 1915 to an establishment with four companies.

The Winnipeg Grenadiers perpetuate the 11th, 78th and 100th Battalions, Canadian Expeditionary Force.[1]

In 1965 it was placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle.

Contents

Combat Deployments

The Great War

The 78th Battalion (Winnipeg Grenadiers), CEF served in France and Belgium from 13 August 1916 to 4 May 1919. It was part of the 12th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division.

Second World War

During the Second World War two battalions were mobilized for combat operations. The 1st Battalion, The Winnipeg Grenadiers, mobilized on 1 September 1939 as part of the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. In the spring of 1940, the battalion was sent to the British West Indies (Bermuda and Jamaica) as garrison troops tasked with guarding Axis prisoners of war and inspecting cargo and passenger ships. This task was completed in September 1941 with the battalion returning to Winnipeg in September 1941.

The battalion in mid October was assigned overseas duty and left Winnipeg on 25 October 1941. It arrived in Hong Kong on 16 November 1941. They participated in the Battle of Hong Kong (8-25 December 1941).

A reconstituted 1st Battalion was formed in January 1942 and posted to British Columbia for coastal defence. In 1943 this battalion took part in the invasion of Kiska in the Aleutian Islands to expel Japanese troops.

Battle honours

Those Battle Honours in bold type are emblazoned on the Regiment's colours.

The Great War

The Second World War

Cadet Corps

The cadet corps was originally formed on 15 February 1917 and named "526 100th Grenadiers Cadet Corps" (Militia Order No. 118, 30 April 1917). It was disbanded 13 November 1931 (Militia Order No. 512, 25 November 1931). Its affiliation was 100th Winnipeg Grenadiers.

In 1946 members of the Regiment through the Grenadiers Winnipeg Incorporated took the steps to reform the Cadet Corps. On 1 October 1946 the cadet corps was authorized under the title 526 The Winnipeg Grenadiers Cadet Corps (Canadian Army Order 110-4, Issue No. 12, 1946). The Cadet Corps parades at Minto Armoury in Winnipeg, Canada. The cadet corps in 2010 is still up and running strong.

Alliances

On 15 August 1914, an alliance was authorized with the Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians). This Regiment, raised in Canada in 1858 as the 100th (or Prince of Wales Royal Canadian) Regiment of Foot, was disbanded (with four other Irish regiments) in July 1922 as a consequence of the division of Ireland. The Regiment's present alliance, which dates from 6 November 1933, is The Scots Guards, Brigade of Guards, British Army.

References

  1. ^ Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.

External links