| Royal Winnipeg Rifles | |
|---|---|
Cap badge of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles |
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| Active | 1883–present |
| Country | Canada |
| Branch | Primary Reserve |
| Type | Rifles |
| Part of | Royal Canadian Infantry Corps |
| Garrison/HQ | Minto Armoury |
| Nickname | Little Black Devils |
| Motto | "Hosti Acie Nominati" |
| March | Old Solomon Levi |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel-in-Chief | His Royal Highness Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales |
| Abbreviation | R Wpg Rif |
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles (R Wpg Rif) are a Primary Reserve one-battalion infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. Nicknamed the "Little Black Devils", they are based at Minto Armouries in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles are part of Land Force Western Area's 38 Canadian Brigade Group.
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The Royal Winnipeg Rifles were formed in 1883 under command of Lieutenant Colonel 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 North-West Rebellion of 1885, a captured Métis asked, "The red coats we know, but who are those little black devils?", a reference to the fact that while infantry of the line wore red coats, the Winnipeg soldiers were clad in traditional rifle green.
During the First World War, the regiment raised several battalions for the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
In the 1920 reorganization of the Canadian Militia following the report of the Otter Committee, the regiment's former designation as 90th Regiment was dropped and the current designation of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles was adopted.
Three battalions of the regiment served during the Second World War. The 1st Battalion served in the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, the 2nd Battalion was a reserve unit that remained on part-time duty in Winnipeg, and a 3rd Battalion served in the Canadian Army Occupation Force.
The 1st Battalion were among the first Allied troops to land on the Normandy beaches on D-Day. They served throughout the Northwest Europe campaign, including the Battle of the Scheldt, the Rhineland, and the final battles across the Rhine, before returning to Canada in 1945. The 3rd Battalion was raised in 1945 and remained in Germany until 1946.
In 1955, the regiment amalgamated with The Winnipeg Light Infantry with no change in designation.
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles perpetuate the 91st "Winnipeg" Battalion of Light Infantry of 1885-1888 and the 8th, 10th, 27th, 44th, 61st, 90th, 101st, 144th, 190th, 203rd, 222nd and 226th Battalion(s), Canadian Expeditionary Force.
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles adhere to standard rifle regiment traditions; as such they do not have a stand of colours and march to the traditional rifle pace of 140 beats per minute. Battle honours are borne on the cap badge and drums. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles have also adopted a devil device carrying a sceptre, and, in imitation of a rifleman's role on the battlefield, is depicted as running.
The formal rank designation of a trained private (one chevron) of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles is "rifleman".
The regimental band's drums are emblazoned with the unit's battle honours. 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".
Battle honours in CAPITALS are displayed on the cap badge
The RWR has an army cadet corps of the same name, Royal Winnipeg Rifles Cadet Corps, formed in 1947. The cadet corps is based at Minto Armoury in Winnipeg.
(Winnipeg Light Infantry)
| Royal Winnipeg Rifles Regimental Museum | |
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| Location | Minto Armoury, 969 St. Matthews Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Type | Naval Museum |
The museum preserves the history of the Regiment through the collection, preservation and display of military artifacts, pictures, books, documents etc., which pertain to the Regiment and commencing with the Red River Expedition of 1870 to the present. The museum provides the Battalion with a training facility for teaching Regimental history. The museum stimulates and fosters within the general public, an interest and sense of pride in the Regiment, its’ activities and accomplishments. [1] The museum is affiliated with: CMA, CHIN, OMMC and Virtual Museum of Canada.
| Preceded by The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa |
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles | Succeeded by The Essex and Kent Scottish |
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