The Royal Rifles of Canada was a rifle regiment in the Canadian Army and fought alongside the Winnipeg Grenadiers in the Battle of Hong Kong during World War II.
| The Royal Rifles of Canada | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1862 – end of World War II |
| Country | Canada |
| Type | Rifles |
| Garrison/HQ | Quebec City |
| Engagements | Battle of Hong Kong |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Brigadier J.K. Lawson |
The unit was formed in 1862 as the 8th Battalion and renamed the 9th Battalion in 1900. It was reformed alongside the Les Voltigeurs de Québec in 1920. Its recruiting areas included, the Eastern Townships, Quebec City and Gaspe, Quebec, and Northern New Brunswick. The Royal Rifles of Canada fought gallantly in the Battle of Hong Kong in December 1941. The survivors surrendered on December 25 1941 and spent the rest of the war in captivity. It was disbanded after World War II, but the regiment's HQ on the Plains of Abraham, Quebec City became home to a museum, which was destroyed by a fire in 2008.
The Sherbrooke Hussars (RCAC), a present day Canadian Forces Primary Reserve unit, perpetuates the Royal Rifles of Canada and the date 1941 on its guidon. Not as a battle honour, but an acknowledgement that one of its predecessor units, the 7th/XI Hussars, provided about half its effective strength to the Royal Rifles while it was preparing for overseas.