| Le Régiment de Maisonneuve | |
|---|---|
Canadian Infantry of the Regiment de Maisonneuve, moving through Holten to Rijssen, Netherlands, 9 April 1945 |
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| Active | 1880– |
| Country | Canada |
| Branch | Canadian Army-Primary Reserves |
| Type | Line infantry |
| Role | Light role |
| Size | One battalion |
| Part of | Royal Canadian Infantry Corps |
| Motto | Bon Cœur et Bon Bras (Good heart and strong arm) |
| Engagements | Great War World War II |
Le Régiment de Maisonneuve is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. The regiment is Canada's twenty-sixth most senior reserve infantry regiment, and comprises one battalion serving as part of the Land Force Reserve.
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The regiment was founded in 1880 by Lieutenant-Colonel Julien Brosseau, VD, as the 85th Infantry Battalion. In 1900, the unit was redesignated the 85th Infantry Regiment.
In 1914 the 85th Infantry Regiment recruited volunteers for the Canadian Expeditionary Force, including the 41st (French-Canadian) Battalion, CEF, and in 1916 for the 206th (Canadien-Français) Battalion, CEF. These battalions provided reinforcements to units of the Canadian Corps, primarily the 22nd (French Canadian) Battalion, CEF. Although the 41st did not enter combat as a unit, enough of its former members fought in certain battles that it qualified for battle honours[1], which Le Régiment de Maisonneuve perpetuates (see #Battle honours below).
In 1920, as part of the Otter Committee's reforms, the 85th Infantry Regiment was restructured and renamed the Régiment de Maisonneuve, in memory of the founder of Montreal, Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve.
In 1939, the regiment was mobilized as part of the 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. The regiment was sent overseas to England.
The regiment was not selected to participate in the Dieppe Raid. The battalion landed in France on 6 July 1944 and fought throughout the Battle of Normandy with the 5th Brigade. It suffered heavy casualties in the Battle of the Scheldt, and was notably depleted by the time of the Battle of Walcheren Causeway. The unit recovered during the winter and was again in action during the Rhineland fighting and the final weeks of the war, taking part in the final campaigns in northern Netherlands, the Battle of Groningen, and the final attacks on German soil.
The unit returned to Canada in late 1945.
In 1940 the regiment formed an alliance with The King's Shropshire Light Infantry.
In 1962 the city of Montreal accorded the regiment Freedom of the City as well as the right to bear the coat of arms of Montreal on its regimental colour.
The unit celebrated its centennial in 1980 and published a history. In 1983, the unit moved from District Number 1 to District Number 2 in Quebec. On 1 September 1991, the regiment transferred to the new district Number 1.
1994: The regiment was affiliated in July to HMCS Montréal, a new frigate of the Canadian Navy. 1997: The regiment was consolidated under the restructuring of 34 Canadian Brigade Group.[2][3]
[4] Great War
World War II
| Preceded by The Nova Scotia Highlanders |
Le Régiment de Maisonneuve | Succeeded by The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa |
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