Misplaced Pages

#674325

83-775: The Yukon Field Force , later termed the Yukon Garrison , was a unit of 203 officers and men from the Permanent Force of the Canadian Militia that served in the Yukon between 1898 and 1900. The force was created in the wake of the Klondike Gold Rush in response to fears that the United States might attempt to seize the region. It left Ottawa on May 6, 1898, travelling by rail and sea to

166-833: A Militia Act which also created the Cavalry School Corps . These school corps were created as regular units that would train the Canadian militia. The first companies stood up in Fredericton NB, St Jean-sur-Richelieu QC, and Toronto ON in 1883, with a fourth company standing up in London ON several years later. The Infantry School Corps' first battle honours were earned during the North-West Rebellion in 1885, where it fought at Batoche and Cut Knife Creek . The regiment later provided personnel to

249-630: A United States takeover was to be avoided. In response, the North-West Mounted Police carried out a survey along the Yukon River, establishing a barracks there in 1875. In 1896, huge amounts of gold were discovered in the Klondike valley , prompting an international gold rush. Local miners streamed from Forty Mile to the new town of Dawson and, once word got out to the wider world the next year, around 100,000 more rushed to

332-674: A background in managing cavalry, infantry and artillery. The force was equipped with Lee–Enfield rifles, two Maxim guns , and two 7-pounder (3 kg) guns, one brass and the other steel , and took along sixty horses for transport. The soldiers were issued with special heavy black pea jackets and trousers and other cold weather clothing for the winter months, along with their regular field and garrison uniforms. Their hastily purchased supplies included 123,000 kilograms (271,000 lb) of tinned meat, biscuits and flour. The soldiers were accompanied by nine "artificers" – including boat builders and packers – and eleven civil servants. The expedition

415-757: A ceremony which took place at the Citadel in Quebec City on 9 September 2002 ...". The unit returned to Bosnia for a tour with the Stabilization Force, SFOR , in 1998 and 1999. All three Regular Force battalions served as peacekeepers in the Sinai Peninsula , in Bosnia . The 1st Battalion served in Kosovo under NATO mission Operation Kinetic , Rotation 1, December 1999–May 2000. In 2000,

498-589: A close in 1918, and the CEF expected to disband, plans to re-organize the Canadian Militia were initiated under the Otter Commission . The Commission proposed that PAM field a force of six infantry divisions and one cavalry division, supplemented by personnel from NPAM. Additionally, the Otter Commission saw links of perpetuation created, for battle honours earned from units of the CEF with units of

581-587: A country uniquely worth preserving. I call on you all, wherever you live, whatever your walk of life, to cherish that inheritance, and to protect it with all your strength. May God bless each and every one of you as you go about that task. And may God bless Canada. Shortly thereafter the Governor General of Canada bestowed the Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendation to N Company. The official warrant stated: ... The first

664-750: A force of 455 officers, and 3,714 soldiers of all other ranks. During World War II, the Permanent Force was renamed the Canadian Army (Active); it later became known as the Canadian Army Active Force, Canadian Army (Regular), and Force Mobile Command following Unification on February 1, 1968. On July 8, 2013, by order of the Minister of National Defence , the name reverted to the Canadian Army. Royal Regiment of Canadian Infantry The Royal Canadian Regiment ( RCR )

747-590: A fourth company was authorized and the next year was established at London, Ontario . Now consisting of three Regular Force battalions and one Reserve Force battalion, the regiment's four battalions are now stationed in Ontario and New Brunswick . With many of its soldiers drawn from Ontario and the Atlantic Provinces in recent decades, the regiment maintains a general connection as the "local" infantry regiment for anglophone eastern Canada. The regiment

830-628: A member of the Canadian family, to wish Canada a happy birthday on this one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of Confederation. We have an occasion, and a country, worth celebrating ... I want to say a special word about the brave Canadian soldiers who today seek to bring peace, under the United Nations auspices, to a dangerous situation in Bosnia. They serve both Canada and the cause of peace with courage and conviction. As Queen of Canada, I salute their contribution with pride ... You have inherited

913-783: A number of militia regiments in Canada, including PAM. A number of administrative reforms were instituted after the war, with the establishment of the Canadian Army Service Corps in 1901, and the Royal Canadian Engineers , Canadian Army Medical Corps , Canadian Ordnance Corps , and the Signalling Corps in 1903. On 1 April 1914, PAM had an authorized force of 3,110 soldiers of all ranks, and 684 horses. It comprised two cavalry regiments ( Royal Canadian Dragoons , Lord Strathcona's Horse ),

SECTION 10

#1732780577675

996-742: A platoon from P Company from 3rd Battalion (CFB Baden-Soellingen, Germany) and C Company from 1RCR ( CFB London , Ontario) served in the Persian Gulf during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm , the first Gulf War . These companies were employed on airfield and field hospital security duties. In 1992, soldiers from the English-speaking N Company of the 3rd Battalion (Major Devlin), based in Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Baden-Soellingen in Germany, as an attachment to

1079-604: A provisional battle group and was warned off that if the government decided to participate, it would deploy. The government decided against participation and instead decided to return to Afghanistan. I Company Group deployed to Kabul on 26 May 2003 to form the Defence and Security Company for the construction of the Canadian camp. It returned to Canada in August of that year after 3rd Battalion Group took on ISAF operations. The "Leadership Award" (2000) by André Gauthier (sculptor)

1162-559: A relief in place with H Company Group in June. H Company changed roles to the UN force and redeployed to Gonaïves , Haiti. It returned to Canada in September of that year. In August 2003, the 3rd Battalion deployed to Kabul Afghanistan as part of Operation Athena for a six-month tour of duty. The battalion suffered the first Canadian casualties effected by enemy action in the war and conducted

1245-498: A steamer with a detachment of 80 men to join the team at Fort Selkirk, but the boat hit a rock while coming back to pick up the remainder of the men. The force instead sailed across the lake using four scows and five smaller row boats they had built from local trees, having originally intended to use them to carry their supplies. The scows were 14 metres (46 ft) long and could carry 15 metric tons (15 long tons; 17 short tons) of cargo and 30 men; they had sails, and were fitted with

1328-514: A stove for cooking. They finally arrived in Fort Selkirk on September 11, having covered another 640 kilometres (400 mi) from Teslin Lake. A small detachment of mounted police were already stationed at Fort Selkirk to monitor the river traffic, and the advance team of the force had been working with contractors to make good progress on the new garrison buildings. The combined force completed

1411-411: A total of 61 battle honours . In the list below, battle honours in capitals were awarded for participation in large operations and campaigns, while those in lowercase indicate honours granted for more specific battles. Battle honours in bold type are emblazoned on the regimental colours. The Royal Canadian Regiment is one of Canada's oldest Regular Force military units. In 2012 the regiment was assigned

1494-553: A tour of duty. In September 2008, 3rd Battalion replaced 2nd Battalion, PPCLI, as part of Operation Athena, Roto 6 , forming the core of the Task Force Kanadahar Battle Group. It served until relieved in place by 2nd Battalion, Royal 22 Régiment in April 2009. The predeployment training of a platoon from the battalion was filmed for the reality television series Combat School . In April 2010,

1577-480: Is a "British-style" infantry regiment that is the spiritual home and repository of customs and traditions for a number of battalions that do not necessarily serve together operationally. The RCR maintains its Regimental Headquarters (RHQ) in Petawawa, Ontario , which has no operational command role but handles regimental affairs outside the responsibility of the individual battalions. The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum

1660-732: Is an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army . The regiment consists of four battalions , three in the Regular Force and one in the primary reserve . The RCR is ranked first in the order of precedence amongst Canadian Army infantry regiments, but in a quirk of the rules of seniority, its 4th battalion is ninth. The RCR was originally authorized as the Infantry School Corps on 21 December 1883, and established its first three company stations at Fredericton, New Brunswick; St Jean, Quebec; and Toronto, Ontario. In 1887

1743-552: Is located within historic Wolseley Hall in London, Ontario. Wolseley Barracks in London has been continuously occupied by some element of the regiment since construction of Wolseley Hall was completed in 1888. At various times Wolseley Barracks has been the home of the Regimental Headquarters, the 1st and 2nd Battalions, and remains the home of the 4th Battalion today. The Royal Canadian Regiment has been awarded

SECTION 20

#1732780577675

1826-775: The 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade , a formation made up entirely of Ontario units. Moving to the United Kingdom in December 1939 as a component of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division , the RCR saw hard training for almost four years. On 10 July 1943, the RCR landed at Pachino in the opening waves of the Allied invasion of Sicily – the last member of the regiment to participate in these original waves – George F. Burrows of Chatham Ontario – died on April 11, 2012, in Windsor, Ontario at

1909-602: The 3rd Battalion , The RCR. In 1990, HQ and Duke of Edinburgh's Company (the first rifle company) of the 1st Battalion deployed to Cornwall, Ontario, as part of Operation Kahnawake . The 2nd Battalion, as part of 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group , deployed to the Montreal region to partake in Operation Salon. These deployments were part of the government's response to the Oka Crisis . In 1991, M Company and

1992-849: The Militia Act of 1855 , creating the Active Militia. The Active Militia, later split off into the Permanent Active Militia (PAM), the Militia's regular armed unit (although it continued to use the label militia), and the Non-Permanent Active Militia (NPAM), the Canadian Militia's military reserve force . After PAM's formation, the remaining sedentary militia regiments that made up the Canadian Militia were collectively referred to as

2075-734: The October Crisis in 1970 as part of the government's response to the FLQ . Major John Hasek became the first commander of the Skyhawks Parachute Team when it formed in 1971. The three Regular Force battalions were also deployed in to support the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal , Quebec. Throughout the Cold War period, The RCR participated in Canada's contributions to United Nations peacekeeping . For battalions of

2158-866: The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery , the Royal Canadian Garrison Artillery , and the Royal Canadian Regiment . PAM was not directly mobilized during World War I ; Canadian soldiers served overseas after enlisting in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), a separate force managed by the Ministry of Overseas Military Forces . However, the Royal Canadian Regiment, an infantry regiment under PAM,

2241-545: The Royal Regiment of Canadian Infantry . The force was formed up by asking for volunteers from the Permanent Force, who were told that the task would last at least two years; the detachment proved popular, with many soldiers putting themselves forward for it and, if necessary, extending their terms of service. It was commanded by acting Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Evans, a well-regarded officer based in Winnipeg, who had

2324-594: The Stikine River on the Stikine Chief , making use of Canada's navigational rights and avoiding landing in United States territory, before travelling overland and along the river network towards Fort Selkirk. The remaining 100 metric tons (98 long tons; 110 short tons) of the supplies and the artillery would be sent via St Michael in Alaska and from there by steamer through to Dawson City. Having landed at

2407-974: The Yukon Field Force (1898–1900), which assisted the North-West Mounted Police in the Yukon during the Gold Rush . The regiment served in the South African (Boer) War (1899–1903). Its Great War deployment was delayed by a garrison assignment in Bermuda from September 1914 until August 1915. Upon returning to Nova Scotia, its members attested for overseas service with the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), arriving in France in October 1915 to fight in WW1. The regiment's name

2490-679: The 1st Battalion deployed for Task Force 1–10 In February 2012, the 2nd Battalion formed the core of Rotation 1 of the Canadian Contribution Training Mission – Afghanistan and deployed to Kabul on Operation Attention till November 2012. In October–November 2018, an 82-strong contingent from all four battalions and 38 members of the Royal Canadian Artillery Band provided the Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace , St James's Palace and

2573-630: The 1st and 3rd Battalions , each saw service in Korea. The 2nd Battalion helped stabilize the 38th parallel, most notably at the Chail-li sector. In October 1952, the 1st Battalion fought the Chinese at the battle of Kowang-san (Hill 355 – Little Gibraltar). It was replaced by the 3rd Battalion , which took over the Jamestown Line on Hill 187, where it fought one of the last engagements before

Yukon Field Force - Misplaced Pages Continue

2656-441: The 1st, 33rd, 71st, 142nd and 168th Battalions as well as the 2nd Battalion of the Canadian Machine Gun Corps . The amalgamation also saw the total battle honours for the First World War, based on the combined list of amalgamated components of the regiment, increase to the full list seen below. The Militia battalion (3rd Battalion) was renumbered as the 4th Battalion in 1970 when the Canadian Guards were reduced to nil strength and

2739-420: The 2nd Battalion had the honour of mounting the Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace , when a detachment came to London to commemorate the Canadian involvement in the Second Boer War , and to celebrate the re-opening of Canada House . Later that year, H Company Group of 2nd Battalion deployed to eastern Africa as part of UNMEE. As the United States prepared to launch military actions against Iraq, 2 RCR formed

2822-453: The 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment , from September 1914 (arriving at Bermuda on 3 September, 1914, aboard HMCS Canada , escorted by HMCS Niobe ) to August 1915, when it was replaced by the 38th Battalion (Ottawa), CEF and returned to Halifax and reattested for overseas service. The RCR arrived in France in October 1915 to join the new 3rd Canadian Division . The regiment combined with Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry and

2905-452: The 42nd and 49th Canadian Infantry Battalions to form the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade. Battle honours awarded to The Royal Canadian Regiment for its actions in the First World War included: "Mount Sorrel, Somme , 1916, Flers-Courcelette, Ancre Heights, Arras , 1917, 18, Vimy , 1917, Hill 70 , Ypres , 1917, Passchendaele , Amiens , Scarpe , 1918, Hindenburg Line , Canal du Nord, Pursuit to Mons , FRANCE AND FLANDERS, 1914–18". Among

2988-495: The Canadian Militia. Following the results of the Otter Commission , two more infantry regiments were integrated into PAM, 22nd Battalion (French Canadian) of the CEF (later renamed the Royal 22nd Regiment ), and Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry . In the midst of demobilization after the end of World War I, PAM strength was reduced to nearly its pre-World War I levels, with 381 officers, and 3744 soldiers of other ranks. The force would maintain this relative size until

3071-566: The French-speaking Royal 22 Régiment , operationally secured the Sarajevo airport during the Yugoslav wars . This operation saw a redeployment of the entire battle group from Croatia to Sarajevo , under the command of General Lewis MacKenzie . Elizabeth II , Queen of Canada , made mention of this operational force and its commitment to international peace while she was in the National Capital Region that same year during Canada's 125th, stating: I am delighted to be here with you once again, to share in this day of national celebration, and, as

3154-454: The Italian mainland in September. The RCR fought in several battles of the Italian campaign , including key engagements in the Moro River valley near Ortona in December 1943. During 1944, the regiment took part the Battle of Monte Cassino in attacks on German defensive lines called the Hitler Line and later the Gothic Line . The regiment was transferred to northwest Europe in February 1945 during Operation Goldflake and took part in

3237-412: The Reserve Militia. Following Canadian Confederation in July 1867, PAM was managed by the Canadian Minister of Militia . PAM was mobilized on a number of occasions in the latter half of the 19th century, including the Fenian raids , the Wolseley expedition , the North-West Rebellion , and the Second Boer War . The Second Boer War saw more than 8,000 volunteers raised for service in South Africa, from

3320-400: The Reserve component of The RCR. In 1958, it was renamed 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (London and Oxford Fusiliers). In 1989, the designation of the Reserve battalion was shortened to 4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment. This amalgamation also brought to the regiment the perpetuation of a number of battalions of the First World War Canadian Expeditionary Force , including

3403-464: The active regiments in the army's Regular Force order of battle. During the 1950s and 1960s, battalions of The RCR were stationed as part of 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group at Fort York, Germany. These deployments were executed by 1RCR (1955–57 and 1962–65) and 2RCR (1953–55 and 1965–70). 3rd Battalion was later deployed to Germany, stationed in Baden-Söllingen 1977–84 and 1988–93. All three Regular Force battalions of The RCR were deployed during

Yukon Field Force - Misplaced Pages Continue

3486-436: The age of 88. The regiment and its sister units in the 1st Brigade, The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment and the 48th Highlanders of Canada fought in several battles as the division advanced north and then east towards Messina. After the 38-day campaign on the island was completed, the regiment was involved in another amphibious landing (codenamed Operation Baytown ) at Reggio di Calabria , as part of Allied invasion of

3569-414: The armistice in 1953. After the end of the Korean War, the regiment was reduced to two battalions, when the 3rd Battalion was disbanded in July 1954. In 1954 two London, Ontario, Militia regiments, the Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (MG) and The Oxford Rifles were amalgamated and redesignated The London and Oxford Fusiliers (3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment). This unit thus became

3652-417: The centennial of the Royal Canadian Regiment's Battle of Paardeberg during the Boer War . In October 1901 the regiment received new colours from the Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V ) during his visit to Canada, and the regiment's name was changed to The Royal Canadian Regiment. In 1914, the regiment was deployed to the Imperial fortress colony of Bermuda for garrison duties, replacing

3735-418: The enemy lines, quietly digging trenches on high ground 65 yards from the Boer lines. On February 27, 1900, the Boers, staring into the muzzles of Canadian and British rifles, surrendered, thus removing the commando blocking the way to the first Boer capital, Bloemfontein, Orange Free State. This date has since been celebrated by the Regiment as Paardeberg Day . Having delivered the first unqualified good news of

3818-440: The eve of World War II . In 1923, PAM was tasked with the operation of the Northwest Territories and Yukon Radio System . In the Interwar period , PAM was occasionally mobilized in order to maintain "peace," between strikers and business owners during strikes. From 1932 to 1936, PAM was involved in the operation of unemployment camps, jointly with the Department of Labour . At the outbreak of World War II in 1939, PAM fielded

3901-447: The faster route of White Pass and Skagway through United States' territory. In October, war broke out between Britain and the Boer Republics in South Africa; Canada raised a force to deploy in support of the British. Thomas Evans was withdrawn from the Yukon in November to join the effort, and was replaced as the force's commander by Major T. Hemming. In May 1900, the force left Fort Selkirk and focused solely on Dawson. On June 25,

3984-401: The fears of an annexation reduced, pressures grew for the recall of the force. The force was halved in size in July 1898 and the remainder were finally withdrawn in June 1900. The Yukon Field Force was created in response to the discovery of gold in the Canadian far north in the final years of the 19th century. There was no government presence in the Yukon in the late 19th century and the region

4067-401: The first Canadian company-level direct action raid against insurgent forces since the Korean War. In August 2006, the 1st Battalion deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Athena , replacing the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) for a six-month tour of duty in theatre. In February 2007, the 2nd Battalion replaced the 1st Battalion in Afghanistan for

4150-432: The force's former barracks until 1911. Three buildings built by the force survive at Fort Selkirk: the officers' residence and the former guard room, which were moved to new locations on the site by a local man called Alex Coward in the 1920s and known today as "Coward Cabin" and "the Garage", and the orderly room, which remains in its original location. The Yukon Field Force cemetery, where three soldiers and some members of

4233-416: The honours and awards to members of the regiment in the First World War was the Victoria Cross (VC) won by Lieutenant Milton Gregg . The RCR also recognizes the VC won by Lieutenant Frederick William Campbell , who was an officer of the 1st (Western Ontario) Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force , one of the battalions now perpetuated by The RCR. The RCR remained a Permanent Force regiment between

SECTION 50

#1732780577675

4316-429: The idea in Parliament in February 1898. The government worked up the proposal into a formal plan, which was confirmed through an Order-in-Council on March 21. Frederick Borden , the Minister of Militia and Defence , announced in May that a 200-strong force would be deployed to Fort Selkirk , the nominal capital of the territory, to reinforce the mounted police. One of the arguments put forward in favour of this option

4399-452: The liberation the Dutch city of Apeldoorn . The regiment received 28 battle honours for its participation in the Second World War. The regiment returned home to Canada in 1945. In 1950 the regiment was called upon to contribute to Canada's forces for the Korean War . A new Active Service Force (Special Force) was to be raised, and the regiment expanded to a two-battalion, then a three-battalion, organization. The 2nd Battalion, followed by

4482-482: The local community are buried, is located nearby. The force's two 7-pounder guns are on display at the offices of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Dawson City. Four of the officers who served with the force later rose to the rank of Major-General during the First World War. Major T.D.R. Hemming, as Major-General (CMG), commanded Military District No. 3 from 1913 to 1918. The force's medical officer, Surgeon-Major G.L. Foster, became Major-General (CB, FRCS, LL.D) and

4565-414: The new General Officer Commanding Canadian Militia, was unhappy with the role of the Yukon Field Force. He argued that it was inappropriately employed in support of civil tasks, and that having so many regular soldiers deployed there was harming the Permanent Force's ability to train the rest of the militia. As a result, half the force was withdrawn in July 1899 and returned to Canada, this time travelling via

4648-444: The perpetuation of the 1st Regiment of Middlesex Militia (1812–15) and the 1st Regiment of Oxford Militia (1812–15) from the War of 1812 , and as a result carries three battle honours from that conflict. The RCR was also assigned the perpetuation of The Loyal London Volunteers which was accompanied by a non-emblazonable Honorary Distinction. The regiment itself was formed as the Infantry School Corps on 21 December 1883, authorized by

4731-416: The port of Glenora in British Columbia on May 20, the main force marched overland to Telegraph Creek , where the 250-kilometre (160 mi) long Teslin Trail began. The force was broken down into 35-man teams for the march, with an advance party of 50 men sent on ahead to improve the trail and advance quickly using a steamer on to Fort Selkirk to begin rebuilding it. The journey over the rugged terrain

4814-403: The port of Glenora in British Columbia . From there, the unit made an arduous journey of 890 kilometres (550 mi) on foot and using makeshift boats to Fort Selkirk , where they established their headquarters. A detachment of 72 men was sent to the boom town of Dawson City to support the North-West Mounted Police , with duties that included guarding the gold deposits of the local banks. As

4897-502: The regiment garrisoned at Saint John sur Richelieu from 1884 to 1908 and 1924–. In 1984 the battalion was rotated to Winnipeg . In 1988 the battalion was rotated back to Baden until the base was closed in 1993 at which time it was disbanded in Germany and subsequently stood up at CFB Borden , Ontario, as a "10/90" battalion. The "10/90" concept created an infantry battalion in each Regular Force regiment with approximately 10 per cent of its personnel being full-time Regular soldiers, while

4980-500: The regiment, this meant rotating tours on the island of Cyprus . The six-month tours of this mission, named Operation Snowgoose, were executed by elements of the regiment 13 times between 1966 and 1992. In 1977 the 3rd Battalion was posted to CFB Baden-Soellingen in Germany. In 1983, a Century of Service plaque at the Royal Military College Saint-Jean commemorates the centennial of the Royal Canadian Regiment, 1883–1983 Canada's oldest permanent force infantry regiment. Elements of

5063-454: The region in search of gold. Although no more than 40,000 successfully reached the Klondike, an estimated 60 to 80 percent of these newcomers came from the United States. The mounted police deployed to the region in increasing strength, in part due to concerns that the United States might take the opportunity to annex the Klondike. The first suggestion that a military force should be sent to the Yukon came from Nathaniel Wallace , who put forward

SECTION 60

#1732780577675

5146-404: The remainder of the force was withdrawn on the advice of the Minister of Militia, again returning via White Pass and Skagway. Their uniforms, rifles and Maxim guns remained behind and were later reused by the volunteer militia Dawson Rifle Company, formed the following year, while the artillery was given to the mounted police. The mounted police continued their presence at Fort Selkirk, making use of

5229-419: The remaining positions were filled by Reserve Force soldiers from affiliated units in the region. These units existed until 1996 when the three 10/90 battalions were stood down and replaced by light infantry battalions on the Regular Force order of battle. Initially formed without specific regimental affiliation, within the year the light infantry battalion was relocated to CFB Petawawa and officially designated

5312-417: The soldiers of that regiment's 2nd Battalion (at CFB Petawawa ) became the restored 3rd Battalion , The RCR, on the Regular Force order of battle. At the same time, the 2nd Battalion of The RCR was relocated to CFB Gagetown , New Brunswick, and reconstituted from the soldiers of the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada as its two battalions there were also reduced to nil strength and removed from

5395-461: The town was built from wood and particularly vulnerable to conflagration. They also carried out some ceremonial duties. The Fort Selkirk garrison was considered to be quite isolated and men were moved between the two sites over the winter to reduce the boredom. During the warmer months of 1899, weekly military exercises were carried out by the force and a rifle range was constructed. By 1899, the risk of annexation had passed and General Edward Hutton ,

5478-405: The valleys, however, and by 1894 the growing population and development of gold mining at Forty Mile had led to calls from religious and business leaders for Ottawa to intervene to control whiskey trading, protect the local First Nations and gather customs duties. The government surveyor William Ogilvie warned Ottawa that it was necessary to introduce Canadian government quickly to the region if

5561-466: The war for the British Empire, the Regiment also distinguished itself on the march north, arriving first at the gates of Pretoria . During the South African War Private Richard Rowland Thompson was awarded a Queen's scarf, one of the four presented to soldiers of the Dominions, a further four scarves crocheted by Queen Victoria went to non-commissioned officers of the British Army . A small statuette (1999) by André Gauthier (sculptor) commemorates

5644-423: The wars and returned to its role of providing instruction to the Militia through garrisons in London ( Ontario ), Halifax ( Nova Scotia ), Toronto (Ontario) and Montreal ( Quebec ). On 1 September 1939 the regiment was mobilized as part of the Canadian Active Service Force as Canada prepared for participation in the Second World War . When war was declared on September 10, the RCR had already been allocated to

5727-426: The way, either when coming by boat across western Alaska along the Yukon River , or when crossing the mountain ranges in the south-east. This situation had aroused nationalistic concern in Canada and some routes had therefore been identified that avoided entering the United States altogether, known as the "All-Canadian routes". It was regarded as politically essential that the Yukon Field Force use one of these, and this

5810-457: The work, creating a compound of eleven log buildings around a central parade ground. Although the headquarters of the force remained at Fort Selkirk, over the course of October and November 1898, 72 men and one of the Maxim guns were sent to Dawson City to support the mounted police. The Dawson detachment protected the gold held by the various banks in the town, guarded prisoners, helped to construct local hospitals, and took part in fighting fires –

5893-456: Was Director General of Medical Services, Overseas Military Forces of Canada, 1918–1919. Captain H.E. Burstall , RCA, later Major-General Sir Henry Burstall, KCB, KCMC, commanded the artillery of the Canadian Corps, 1915–1916, and from December 1916 to demobilization commanded the 2nd Canadian Division. Captain P.F. Thacker became Major-General (CB, CMG) and was Adjutant General, 1918–1919. Permanent Active Militia The counterpart to PAM

5976-582: Was also disbanded. In the Boer War, the Toronto company of the 2RCRI fought Canada's first overseas battle at Sunnyside, Cape Colony, on January 1, 1900, defeating a Boer commando in an action led by Australia's Queensland Mounted Infantry. The unit as a whole then joined and played an instrumental role in the victory at the Battle of Paardeberg Drift (18–27 February 1900), including an advance by night towards

6059-621: Was also joined by four nurses, dispatched by the Victorian Order of Nurses to work in the Yukon; the wife of a mounted police officer who was travelling to join her husband; and Faith Fenton , a journalist sent by the Toronto Globe to cover the force's journey. By 1898, there were various ways to reach the remote Yukon region from eastern Canada, but most required that travellers passed through some United States territory along

6142-406: Was arduous, and Thomas Evans noted the suffering caused by the heat, swamps and mosquitos, observing that his men had nothing to eat but "hard biscuits, rancid strong bacon and black tea". They each carried heavy packs, as the local contractors had failed to supply them with sufficient mules to transport their supplies. When the force reached the end of the trail at Teslin Lake , Evans left aboard

6225-546: Was changed to The Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry in 1893, with a new emphasis on being combat capable. William Dillon Otter , formerly of The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada , was the first Commanding Officer . He would later become the first Canadian-born Chief of the General Staff , the head of the Canadian Army . During the South African War ( Second Boer War ), the "2nd (Special Service) Battalion"

6308-480: Was commissioned for The Royal Canadian Regiment. In March 2004 the same company deployed to Port-au-Prince , Haiti, as part of Operation Halo (Operation "Secure Tomorrow" as the United States called it) to conduct security operations as part of the Multinational Interim Force. This force was set in place in order to set the conditions for the United Nations to take over. I Company conducted

6391-552: Was deployed to the Imperial fortress of Bermuda in order to relieve the 2nd Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment from garrison duty. The members of the regiment were later redeployed to France in November 1915, where its members were integrated with the CEF. It was replaced at Bermuda successively by the 38th Battalion (Ottawa), CEF , 77th Battalion, CEF , and 163rd Battalion (French-Canadian), CEF . As World War I drew to

6474-493: Was raised from across the country to contribute Canada's First Contingent in this war, with Otter in command. This battalion was quickly disbanded in 1900 upon its return to Canada, even though they were considered by many British officers to be the best infantry battalion in the country. The "3rd (Special Service) Battalion" was also raised at this time, in 1900, and was employed as a garrison force in Halifax until 1902 when it

6557-436: Was reinforced by practical concerns that the slower Yukon River route might take the expedition too long to complete, potentially stranding the force in the wilderness if its waters froze early. After leaving by rail from Ottawa on May 6 bound for Vancouver , the force was therefore split into two. The men and 80 metric tons (79 long tons; 88 short tons) of essential supplies would travel to the river head at Wrangell , then up

6640-576: Was sparsely populated by First Nations and European prospectors. The borders in south-east Alaska had been disputed between the United States, Canada and Britain since the United States' purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867. There were no police in the region, and the Permanent Force of the Canadian Militia was only around 800 strong across the whole of the country, with the nearest garrison in Winnipeg , Manitoba , approximately 3,800 kilometres (2,400 mi) away. Gold began to be discovered along

6723-570: Was that it was much cheaper than sending additional police, who enjoyed higher pay than soldiers. In addition to its primary role in maintaining Canadian sovereignty, Borden stated that the force would, if necessary, assist in maintaining law and order. The 203-strong force consisted of 12 commissioned officers, 15 men from the Royal Canadian Dragoons , 46 men from the Royal Canadian Artillery and 130 men from

6806-638: Was the Non-Permanent Active Militia (NPAM), which referred to the reserve force of the Canadian Militia . PAM and NPAM were distinct forces from the sedentary militias raised in Canada. Both organizations were reorganized into the Canadian Army in 1940. As the British began to withdraw soldiers from British North America in the decades after the War of 1812, the Parliament of the Province of Canada passed

6889-684: Was to the 1st Battalion of the Royal 22 Regiment Battle Group (Including N Company, 3rd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment) for having opened the airport in the besieged city of Sarajevo in July 1992 (OP HARMONY). The Commendation was officially presented to the unit by Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, CC, CMM, COM, CD, Governor General of Canada and Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces during

#674325