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The Canadian Grenadier Guards (CGG) is a reserve infantry
regiment A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, military service, service, or administrative corps, specialisation. In Middle Ages, Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of l ...
in the 34 Canadian Brigade Group, 2nd Canadian Division, of the
Canadian Army The Canadian Army () is the command (military formation), command responsible for the operational readiness of the conventional ground forces of the Canadian Armed Forces. It maintains regular forces units at bases across Canada, and is also re ...
. The regiment is the oldest and second-most-senior infantry regiment in the Primary Reserve of the Canadian Army. Located in
Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...
, its main role is the provision of combat-ready
light infantry Light infantry refers to certain types of lightly equipped infantry throughout history. They have a more mobile or fluid function than other types of infantry, such as heavy infantry or line infantry. Historically, light infantry often fought ...
troops in support of Canadian regular infantry. It is a
Household A household consists of one or more persons who live in the same dwelling. It may be of a single family or another type of person group. The household is the basic unit of analysis in many social, microeconomic and government models, and is im ...
Foot Guard regiment and also provides soldiers for public ceremonial duties ( Ceremonial Guard), performing similar ceremonial duties as the Guards regiments of the
British Army The British Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of the United Kingdom. the British Army comprises 73,847 regular full-time personnel, 4,127 Brigade of Gurkhas, Gurkhas, 25,742 Army Reserve (United Kingdom), volunteer reserve perso ...
. This primarily entails mounting the guard at Government House (
Rideau Hall Rideau Hall (officially Government House) is the official residence of the governor general of Canada, the representative of the monarch of Canada. Located in Ottawa, the Capital city, capital of the country, on a estate at 1 Sussex Drive, th ...
), the King's and Governor General's residence, and performing the "Changing the Guard" ceremony on
Parliament Hill Parliament Hill (), colloquially known as The Hill, is an area of Crown land on the southern bank of the Ottawa River that houses the Parliament of Canada in downtown Ottawa, Ontario. It accommodates a suite of Gothic revival buildings whose ...
in
Ottawa Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southern Ontario, southern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the cor ...
, a task it shares with Canada's senior Household Foot Guard regiment, the
Governor General's Foot Guards The Governor General's Foot Guards (GGFG) is the senior reserve infantry regiment in the Canadian Army. Located in Ottawa at the Cartier Square Drill Hall, the regiment is a Primary Reserve infantry unit, and the members are part-time soldiers. ...
of Ottawa. The Canadian Grenadier Guards is an allied regiment to the British
Grenadier Guards The Grenadier Guards (GREN GDS) is the most senior infantry regiment of the British Army, being at the top of the Infantry Order of Precedence. It can trace its lineage back to 1656 when Lord Wentworth's Regiment was raised in Bruges to protect ...
.


Lineage

File:CGG Colour.jpg, The regimental colour of the Canadian Grenadier Guards. File:CGG Camp Flag.jpg, The camp flag of the Canadian Grenadier Guards.


The Canadian Grenadier Guards

''The Canadian Grenadier Guards'' originated in Montreal, Quebec on 17 November 1859 as the ''First Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles of Canada''. It was redesignated as ''The First (or Prince of Wales's) Regiment of Volunteer Rifles of Canadian Militia'' on 7 September 1860. On 2 May 1898 it amalgamated with the ''6th Battalion "Fusiliers"'' and was redesignated the ''1st Battalion "Prince of Wales' Regiment Fusiliers"''. It was redesignated as the ''1st Regiment "Prince of Wales' Fusiliers"'' on 8 May 1900; as the ''1st Regiment Canadian Grenadier Guards'' on 29 December 1911; as ''The Canadian Grenadier Guards'' on 29 March 1920; as the ''2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The Canadian Grenadier Guards'' on 7 November 1941; as ''The Canadian Grenadier Guards'' on 15 February 1946; as ''The Canadian Grenadier Guards (6th Battalion, The Canadian Guards)'' on 1 September 1954 before reverting to ''The Canadian Grenadier Guards'' on 1 August 1976.


6th Battalion "Fusiliers"

The ''6th Battalion "Fusiliers"'' originated in Montreal, Quebec on 31 January 1862 as the ''6th Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles, Canada''. It was redesignated as the ''Sixth Battalion Volunteer Militia, Canada, or "Hochelaga Light Infantry"'' on 5 June 1863; as the ''6th Battalion "Hochelaga Fusiliers"'' on 3 December 1875; and finally as the ''6th Battalion "Fusiliers"'' on 28 January 1876. On 2 May 1898, it amalgamated with ''The First (or Prince of Wales's) Regiment of Volunteer Rifles of Canadian Militia''.


Lineage chart


Perpetuations


The War of 1812

*1st Militia Light Infantry Battalion *2nd Battalion, Select Embodied Militia * Corps of Canadian Voyageurs *Montreal Incorporated Volunteers *Montreal Militia Battalion *Provincial Commissariat Voyageurs *1st Battalion (City of Montreal) "British Militia"


The Great War

* 87th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards), CEF *
245th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards), CEF The 245th (Canadian Grenadier Guards) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. Based in Montreal, Quebec, the unit began recruiting in the spring of 1916 in that city. After sailing to England in M ...


World War Two

*22nd Armoured Regiment (The Canadian Grenadier Guards), CAC, CASF


Operational history


The Fenian Raids

''The First (or Prince of Wales's) Regiment of Volunteer Rifles of Canadian Militia'' was called out on active service on 8 March 1866 and served on the South-eastern frontier until it was removed from active service on 31 March 1866. ''The Sixth Battalion Volunteer Militia, Canada'' was called out on active service from 8 to 31 March and from 1 to 22 June 1866 and served on the South-eastern frontier. ''The First (or Prince of Wales's) Regiment of Volunteer Rifles of Canadian Militia'' was called out on active service on 24 May 1870 and served on the South-eastern frontier until it was removed from active service on 31 May 1870. ''The Sixth Battalion Volunteer Militia, Canada'' was called out on active service on 24 May 1870 and served on the South-eastern frontier until it was removed from active service on 31 May 1870. The regiment contributed volunteers for the Canadian Contingents during the Second
Boer War The Second Boer War (, , 11 October 189931 May 1902), also known as the Boer War, Transvaal War, Anglo–Boer War, or South African War, was a conflict fought between the British Empire and the two Boer republics (the South African Republic an ...
(1899–1902).


The Second Boer War (11 October 1899 – 31 May 1902)

At total of 23 members of ''1st Prince of Wales Fusiliers (1st P.W.R.F.)'' participated and served during the Second Boer War, most (16) being attached to 'E' Company of The Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry, 2nd (Special Service) Battalion. Several Officers (3) relinquished their commissions to join Canadian Mounted units with The Royal Canadian Dragoons, Lord Strathcona's Horse, and The Canadian Scouts. A further 4 Officers joined British or South African Mounted units. On 12 February 1900, the Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry, 2nd (Special Service) Battalion joined the 19th Brigade to march and fight in the great British offensive aimed at capturing Pretoria, the capital of the Transvaal. The battalion was soon in action at Paardeberg Drift, suffering heavy casualties on 18 February, and mounting the famous attack that led to the surrender of General Cronje's Boer forces on the 27th. Paardeberg was the first major British victory of the war. After the
Battle of Paardeberg The Battle of Paardeberg or Perdeberg ("Horse Mountain", 18–27 February 1900) was a major battle during the Second Anglo-Boer War. It was fought near ''Paardeberg Ford (crossing), Drift'' on the banks of the Modder River in the Orange Free St ...
the 2nd Battalion RCRI fought in the British advance on the Boer capitals of Bloemfontein and Pretoria, gaining in experience and reputation all the while. By the time they marched past Lord Roberts in Pretoria on 5 June 1900, it was considered by many observers as good as any battalion in the British Army. With the Transvaal capital in British hands, and the war seemingly won, the 2nd Battalion took up lines-of-communications duties and the unit spent the rest of its tour of operations on this assignment, except for an interlude spent with a column of infantry chasing mounted Boer forces.


The Great War

Details of the regiment were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protection duties. Following conventional army practice the whole regiment was not sent. Some 350 men were drafted to join the 14th Battalion
Canadian Expeditionary Force The Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF; French: ''Corps expéditionnaire canadien'') was the expeditionary warfare, expeditionary field force of Canada during the First World War. It was formed on August 15, 1914, following United Kingdom declarat ...
(CEF). While other contingents were also recruited for France and Flanders: the '' 87th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards), CEF'' was authorised on 22 December 1915 and embarked for Britain on 23 April 1916. It disembarked in France on 12 August 1916, where it fought as part of the ''11th Infantry Brigade,
4th Canadian Division The 4th Canadian Division is a formation of the Canadian Army. It is currently responsible for Canadian Army operations in the Canadian province of Ontario and is headquartered at Denison Armoury in Toronto. The division was first created as ...
'' in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The battalion was subsequently disbanded on 30 August 1920.Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments. The system of temporary battalion formations was quite disruptive for the regulars of the permanent regimental establishment. The ''245th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards), CEF'' was authorised on 15 July 1916 and embarked for Britain on 3 May 1917 where it was absorbed by the ''23rd Reserve Battalion, CEF'' on 14 May 1917 to provide reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field. The battalion was subsequently disbanded on 17 July 1917.


The Second World War

The recruitment drive in 1939 was entirely different from that deployed during the Great War. The regiment mobilised ''The Canadian Grenadier Guards, CASF'' on 24 May 1940. It was re-designated as the ''1st Battalion, The Canadian Grenadier Guards, CASF'' on 7 November 1940. It was converted to armour and re-designated as the ''22nd Armoured Regiment (The Canadian Grenadier Guards), CAC, CASF'' on 26 January 1942. It embarked for Britain on 25 September 1942. Less than two years later, in June 1944, it sailed with the D-Day landings. On 26 July 1944, it landed in France as part of the '' 4th Armoured Brigade,
4th Canadian Armoured Division Fourth or the fourth may refer to: * the ordinal form of the number 4 * ''Fourth'' (album), by Soft Machine, 1971 * Fourth (angle), an ancient astronomical subdivision * Fourth (music), a musical interval * ''The Fourth'', a 1972 Soviet drama ...
'', and continued to fight in North West Europe until the end of the war. The regimental casualties were 97 killed, and 230 wounded. It was reconfigured as the ''22nd Armoured Regiment (The Canadian Grenadier Guards), RCAC, CASF'' on 2 August 1945. The overseas regiment was disbanded on 15 February 1946. Their uniform was similar to that of the British Grenadiers except for the regimental buttons and a red and white hackle. On 1 June 1945, a second Active Force component of the regiment was mobilised for service in the Pacific theatre of operations as the ''22nd Canadian Tank Battalion (The Canadian Grenadier Guards), CAC, CASF''. It was re-designated the ''22nd Canadian Tank Battalion (The Canadian Grenadier Guards), RCAC, CASF'' and was disbanded on 1 November 1945.


War in Afghanistan

The regiment contributed a large number of volunteers for the Canadian task forces contingents during the War in Afghanistan.


History


Predecessor and perpetuated units

The history of the Canadian Grenadier Guards parallels in many ways the evolution of Canada as a nation, beginning in the early days after the Treaty of Paris in 1763.Annex A, The Canadian Grenadier Guards' Regimental Standing Orders On 12 March 1764,
Colonel Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...
Frederick Haldimand ordered, from
Trois-Rivières Trois-Rivières (, ; ) is a city in the Mauricie administrative region of Quebec, Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Saint-Maurice River, Saint-Maurice and Saint Lawrence River, Saint Lawrence rivers, on the north shore of the Sain ...
, Quebec, the formation of a volunteer unit to aid in the defence of Canada. In response, the ''1st Company, District of Montreal Militia'' was raised, under the command of Captain de Montizambert; the company was drawn from the traditional Militia of the Ancien Régime, and was predominantly French-speaking. This company was raised in status to a battalion in 1807, becoming the ''1st Battalion, Montreal Militia'' under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel
James McGill James McGill (6 October 1744 – 19 December 1813) was a Scottish-born businessman, politician, slaveholder, and philanthropist best known for being the founder of McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. He was elected to the Legislative Assembl ...
, founder of
McGill University McGill University (French: Université McGill) is an English-language public research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1821 by royal charter,Frost, Stanley Brice. ''McGill University, Vol. I. For the Advancement of Learning, ...
. Elements of the 1st Battalion fought at the Battle of Châteauguay (26 October 1813) under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Charles de Salaberry; as a result of their conduct, the 1st Battalion was awarded a pair of
Colours Color (or colour in Commonwealth English; see spelling differences) is the visual perception based on the electromagnetic spectrum. Though color is not an inherent property of matter, color perception is related to an object's light absorpt ...
after recommendation by the Commander-in-Chief, Sir George Prevost, to
the Prince Regent George IV (George Augustus Frederick; 12 August 1762 – 26 June 1830) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and King of Hanover from 29 January 1820 until his death in 1830. At the time of his accession to the throne, h ...
. The Select Embodied Militia continued to exist after the
War of 1812 The War of 1812 was fought by the United States and its allies against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, United Kingdom and its allies in North America. It began when the United States United States declaration of war on the Uni ...
, being called upon next during the
Rebellions of 1837–1838 The Rebellions of 1837–1838 (), were two armed rebellion, uprisings that took place in Lower Canada, Lower and Upper Canada in 1837 and 1838. Both rebellions were motivated by frustrations with lack of political reform. A key shared goal was r ...
. Various units existed as Montreal Rifles, Loyal Montreal Volunteers and later Montreal Volunteer Rifles. With the passage of the Militia Act in 1859, the Montreal Rifles (and other independent companies) became the ''First Battalion, Volunteer Militia Rifles of Canada'' on 17 November 1859, the first "Volunteer Militia" battalion to be formed in the
British Empire The British Empire comprised the dominions, Crown colony, colonies, protectorates, League of Nations mandate, mandates, and other Dependent territory, territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It bega ...
. In 1860, the unit was raised to regimental status by
The Prince of Wales Prince of Wales (, ; ) is a title traditionally given to the male heir apparent to the History of the English monarchy, English, and later, the British throne. The title originated with the Welsh rulers of Kingdom of Gwynedd, Gwynedd who, from ...
with the title of ''First or "Prince of Wales" Regiment, Volunteer Rifles of the Canadian Militia''; its regimental status was unique within the Canadian Militia, highlighted by the Regimental motto ''Nulli Secundus'' and its designation as the First Regiment. The Prince of Wales became the Honorary Colonel, an appointment he continued to hold after his coronation as King Edward VII in 1902. In addition to those directly antecedent to the First Regiment, the 6th Battalion, Volunteer Militia, was raised in 1862, which later became the 6th Battalion Hochelaga Light Infantry and subsequently the 6th Battalion Fusiliers. In 1898, this Battalion disbanded and absorbed into the First Regiment to become the ''1st Battalion Prince of Wales Regiment Fusiliers'', which then became the ''1st Regiment, Prince of Wales' Fusiliers'' in 1900. Lieutenant-Colonel J.H. Burland, last Commanding Officer of the Sixth Fusiliers, became the first Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel in 1904. During the period from 1859 to 1900, both the regiment and the Sixth Fusiliers were on active service during the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870, and the First Regiment was next for duty in Montreal at the time of the
North-West Rebellion The North-West Rebellion (), was an armed rebellion of Métis under Louis Riel and an associated uprising of Cree and Assiniboine mostly in the District of Saskatchewan, against the Government of Canada, Canadian government. Important events i ...
in 1885, being encamped under arms for a month ready to go to the front. When the first South African contingent was formed as the 2nd (Special Service) Battalion,
The Royal Canadian Regiment The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) 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 Canad ...
, the First Regiment contributed its quota of officers and men to "E" Company. This contribution earned the
battle honour A battle honour is an award of a right by a government or sovereign to a military unit to emblazon the name of a battle or Military operation, operation on its flags ("colours"), uniforms or other accessories where ornamentation is possible. In ...
"South Africa 1899–1900".


Early 20th century and First World War

In 1911, Lieutenant-Colonel J.W. Carson (later Major-General Sir William Carson) was asked to reorganise the regiment, he agreed on the conditions that he be given a free hand in the selection of his officers; that the regiment should be renamed and become a Regiment of Foot Guards while still preserving its identity as the First Regiment of the Active Militia of Canada; and that it should be provided with an armoury of its own. The reorganisation was promulgated in January 1912, when the First Regiment became ''1st Regiment, The Grenadier Guards of Canada'', and in April 1914 took possession of the new armoury and changed its name again to ''1st Regiment Canadian Grenadier Guards''. It remained the First Regiment (although junior as a regiment of Foot Guards to the
Governor General's Foot Guards The Governor General's Foot Guards (GGFG) is the senior reserve infantry regiment in the Canadian Army. Located in Ottawa at the Cartier Square Drill Hall, the regiment is a Primary Reserve infantry unit, and the members are part-time soldiers. ...
, raised in 1872 as Household Troops for the
Governor-General Governor-general (plural governors-general), or governor general (plural governors general), is the title of an official, most prominently associated with the British Empire. In the context of the governors-general and former British colonies, ...
), and was seen to be the Canadian unit of Household Troops for the Sovereign. Within a week of the declaration of the
Great War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
, the regiment contributed the first Commanding Officer, 11 officers and 357 Non-commissioned Officers and men to the newly formed " The Royal Montreal Regiment" (14th Battalion,
Canadian Expeditionary Force The Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF; French: ''Corps expéditionnaire canadien'') was the expeditionary warfare, expeditionary field force of Canada during the First World War. It was formed on August 15, 1914, following United Kingdom declarat ...
). Further contingents were provided to
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI, generally referred to as the Patricias) is one of the three Regular Force infantry regiments of the Canadian Army of the Canadian Armed Forces. Formed in 1914, it is named for Princess Patrici ...
, the 13th Battalion ( Royal Highlanders of Canada), the 23rd Battalion (Royal Montreal Regiment), 24th Battalion ( Victoria Rifles of Canada), 60th Battalion (VRC), and the 73rd Battalion (RHC) all of the CEF. Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Stephen Meighen returned from overseas command of the 14th Battalion in June 1915 and announced in September that permission finally had been given to raise an overseas battalion of the regiment, the 87th Battalion CEF. Active recruiting began on 23 October, and in seven weeks the battalion was raised and ready for its winter training in barracks at
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu () is a city in eastern Montérégie in the Canadian province of Quebec, about southeast of Montreal, located roughly halfway between Montreal and the Canada–United States border with the state of Vermont. It is sit ...
, Quebec. The battalion was unique in that recruiting had occurred not only in Montreal but in every province of Canada (rather than the restricted area allocated to other CEF Battalions) – it was a thoroughly representative "Canadian" unit. Use of the title Canadian Grenadier Guards was also different, as the policy had been to not send CEF battalions overseas with their Militia titles; for the Canadian Grenadiers, especial authority was sought from The Governor-General, the Duke of Connaught who as a British Grenadier authorised additionally the wearing of Grenadier Guards' badges. The 87th Battalion entered France on 12 August 1916 and remained on the continent until 1919. During the War, it earned 17 Honorary Distinctions, and
Private Private or privates may refer to: Music * "In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorded ...
John Francis Young was awarded the
Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious decoration of the Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom, British decorations system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British ...
. After the
Battle of Vimy Ridge The Battle of Vimy Ridge was part of the Battle of Arras, in the Pas-de-Calais department of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the four divisions of the Canadian Corps in the First Army, against three divisions of ...
in April 1917, the increasing difficulty of finding replacements for the English-speaking battalions from Montreal became acute. Earlier, in the spring of 1916, the regiment had raised a second CEF battalion in Montreal, the 245th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards), which was placed under the command of Lieut-Col. C. C. Ballantyne when it left for England. After sailing to England in May 1917, the battalion was absorbed into the 23rd Reserve Battalion, CEF upon arrival, its personnel being used to supplement the 87th Bn and the 1st (Central Ontario) Bn of the CEF. Consequently, and to retain the Canadian Grenadiers amongst the active units of the army, the decision was made to transfer the remaining personnel of the 60th Bn (VRC) to the 87th Bn. On 22 November 1918,
King George V George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936. George was born during the reign of his pa ...
granted the title of "
Guardsman Guardsman is a rank used instead of private in some military units that serve as the official bodyguard of a sovereign or head of state. It is also used as a generic term for any member of a guards unit of any rank. Canada In the Canadian Fo ...
" to Private soldiers of the
Brigade of Guards The Brigade of Guards was an administrative formation of the British Army from 1856 to 1968. It was commanded by the Major-General commanding the Household Division, Major-General commanding the Brigade of Guards and was responsible for administ ...
, and this distinction extended to the Canadian Grenadiers. File:Join the Canadian Grenadier Guards for overseas service under General Meighen (16786329715).jpg, World War I recruitment poster for the Canadian Grenadier Guards. File:87th Battalion Distinguishing patches.gif, 87th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards) Distinguishing patches for 4th Division, 11th Brigade CEF File:Attention! ... Canadian Grenadier Guards now recruiting LCCN2005696932.jpg, First World War recruiting poster for the Canadian Grenadier Guards and the 87th Battalion, CEF. File:Forward! To victory with the 245 Overseas Canadian Grenadier Guards Battalion LCCN2005696927.jpg, First World War recruiting poster for the Canadian Grenadier Guards and the 245th Battalion, CEF.


Between the wars

On return to Canada in 1919, the 87th Bn was demobilised; its name was perpetuated by the 1st Battalion, The Canadian Grenadier Guards (87th Bn CEF) in 1920. At the same time the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Grenadier Guards (245th Bn CEF) perpetuated the other Great War Battalion of the CEF. With this reorganisation, the regiment lost the ordinal title of "First Regiment", as numerals for all regiments were discarded. The return to peace permitted steps to be taken to enhance the status of the regiment as a Regiment of Foot Guards. In 1924,
The Prince of Wales Prince of Wales (, ; ) is a title traditionally given to the male heir apparent to the History of the English monarchy, English, and later, the British throne. The title originated with the Welsh rulers of Kingdom of Gwynedd, Gwynedd who, from ...
(later
King Edward VIII Edward VIII (Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David; 23 June 1894 – 28 May 1972), later known as the Duke of Windsor, was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Empire, and Emperor of India, from 20 January ...
) became the Colonel-in-Chief, and was able to inspect the regiment during a visit to Canada in 1927. In 1930, King George V approved the alliance with the
Grenadier Guards The Grenadier Guards (GREN GDS) is the most senior infantry regiment of the British Army, being at the top of the Infantry Order of Precedence. It can trace its lineage back to 1656 when Lord Wentworth's Regiment was raised in Bruges to protect ...
, which linkage continues today. In 1932, he approved the use of a Stand of Foot Guard Colours (presented in 1935), and of Company Colours within the regiment. In 1937, the Brigade of Canadian Guards was authorised (comprising the GGFG and the CGG), which brigade trooped in
Ottawa Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southern Ontario, southern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the cor ...
on a number of occasions, not least for
King George VI George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death in 1952. He was also the last Emperor of In ...
during the Royal Visit in 1939; the brigade was inspected in England in November 1942 by Major-General Phelan (late of the CGG) who had commanded it in Ottawa in 1935. In addition to the continuing linkage with
McGill University McGill University (French: Université McGill) is an English-language public research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1821 by royal charter,Frost, Stanley Brice. ''McGill University, Vol. I. For the Advancement of Learning, ...
, a strong linkage grew with the St. George's Society of Montreal. One of the benevolent Societies, St. George's supported the regiment in a number of ways; in return, the regiment paraded to the Regimental Church ( Christ Church Cathedral) on the Sunday closest to St. George's Day at the end of which service the regiment paraded past the President of the Society (often at the gates of McGill University) and then received the Society "At Home". This linkage continued well into the 1960s, and members of the Society are still welcome in the armoury.


Second World War

At the outbreak of the
Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, the regiment furnished 20 officers and 125 other ranks to other units before its own mobilisation in 1940 when, as 1st Battalion, the Canadian Grenadier Guards, it reached full strength in three weeks. It trained first on St. Helen's Island in Montreal, moved subsequently to Camps Borden and Valcartier, garrisoned the
Halifax citadel Citadel Hill is a National Historic Sites of Canada, National Historic Site in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Four fortifications have been constructed on Citadel Hill since the city was founded by the British in 1749, and were referred to as For ...
, was stationed in
Saint John, New Brunswick Saint John () is a port#seaport, seaport city located on the Bay of Fundy in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. It is Canada's oldest Municipal corporation, incorporated city, established by royal charter on May 18, 1785, during the reign ...
, and trained in Sussex, New Brunswick and Debert, Nova Scotia. On 5 February 1942, the First Battalion became 22nd Canadian Armoured Regiment (CGG), a unit of 4th Canadian (Armoured) Division (which included 21st Canadian Armoured Regiment (GGFG)). In September, proudly wearing the black beret of the
Armoured Corps An armoured corps (also mechanized corps or tank corps) is a specialized military organization whose role is to conduct armoured warfare. The units belonging to an armoured corps include military staff, and are equipped with tanks and other arm ...
, 22 CAR moved to England where it would continue to train in a number of areas until deployed to Normandy on 21 July 1944. From that time until
VE Day Victory in Europe Day is the day celebrating the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces on Tuesday, 8 May 1945; it marked the official surrender of all German military operations ...
on 8 May 1945, 22 CAR fought throughout the battles around Falaise, the move into
Belgium Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeas ...
and the
Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...
and finally across the
Rhine The Rhine ( ) is one of the List of rivers of Europe, major rivers in Europe. The river begins in the Swiss canton of Graubünden in the southeastern Swiss Alps. It forms part of the Swiss-Liechtenstein border, then part of the Austria–Swit ...
, earning 12 Honorary Distinctions. By this time, 22nd Canadian Tank Battalion (CGG) had been raised for the Pacific Force, but the war in the Pacific ended before it could be deployed overseas. 22nd Canadian Armoured Regiment returned to Montreal in February 1946 for demobilization and gave up its tanks. The regiment's participation in the Second World War also saw numerous heroic actions by Sergeant Moe Hurwitz, who did not survive the war.


Post-Second World War

On formation of the 1st Battalion, the home station battalion became 2nd Battalion, the Canadian Grenadier Guards, which continued through the war the traditional role of the Militia to provide reinforcements to units overseas. Reinforcements were drawn from other units, particularly the
Halifax Rifles The Halifax Rifles (RCAC) is a Canadian Army regiment that served between the years of 1860 and 1965 before being reduced to nil strength and placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle. The regiment was reactivated on May 10, 2009, as a reserve ...
and Princess Louise Fusiliers. On reorganization, the CGG resumed its traditional Militia role as a regiment of foot guards many of those who had served overseas continued to serve the regiment in Montreal. The peacetime routine of training, garrison duties and parades was highlighted by the appointment of King George VI as Colonel-in-Chief, the acceptance of the honorary colonelcy by Field Marshal The Viscount Alexander of Tunis (himself a guardsman), the opening by him of the Regimental Museum as a memorial to the dead in 1950 and the participation by members of the regiment in
Korea Korea is a peninsular region in East Asia consisting of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, and smaller islands. Since the end of World War II in 1945, it has been politically Division of Korea, divided at or near the 38th parallel north, 3 ...
. With the formation of the Canadian Guards (a regular unit of four battalions) in 1953, the regiment became the 6th Battalion, under which title it received a new stand of colours from
Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 19268 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. ...
, the Colonel-in-Chief, in 1959 (the first occasion where a Militia unit received a stand of colours in Canada from the hand of a reigning sovereign). Five years earlier the Queen had granted permission for four battalions to be raised. Although the responsibility for public duties in Ottawa was assumed by the Canadian Guards, the regiment provided individuals for this purpose until the formation of the Ceremonial Guard in 1969. Since that date, No. 2 (CGG) Company has participated in the Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill and
Rideau Hall Rideau Hall (officially Government House) is the official residence of the governor general of Canada, the representative of the monarch of Canada. Located in Ottawa, the Capital city, capital of the country, on a estate at 1 Sussex Drive, th ...
during the summer months. As a result, the City of Ottawa granted its
Freedom Freedom is the power or right to speak, act, and change as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Freedom is often associated with liberty and autonomy in the sense of "giving oneself one's own laws". In one definition, something is "free" i ...
to the regiment in 1979; a similar grant was made by Montreal in 1990 in commemoration of 225 years of service to the city since the formation of 1st Company, District of Montreal Militia, in 1764. Service to Canada and Montreal continues. Members of the regiment participated in aid to civil power at Oka and
Kahnawake The Kahnawake Mohawk Territory (, in the Mohawk language, ''Kahnawáˀkye'' in Tuscarora) is a First Nations reserve of the Mohawks of Kahnawà:ke on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada, across from Montreal. Establi ...
in the summer of 1990, and members served with the United Nations Protection Force in the former Yugoslavia, as well as with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in the Middle East. Members served with and in support of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan; the Canadian name for that mission was Operation Athena. Most recently, members deployed in various capacities and roles on Operation Reassurance, Operation Unifier, Operation Impact. As well as supporting domestic operations on Operation Lentus and Operation Laser.


Regimental structure

Source: * Headquarters * Active Battalion ** No. 1 Canada Company - Contains actively trained personnel. ** No. 2 Prince of Wales Company - Charged with providing a Public Duties Company for the Ceremonial Guard in
Ottawa Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southern Ontario, southern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the cor ...
. ** No. 3 Hochelaga Company - Charged with providing administrative, financial and logistic support ** No. 4 Quebec Company - Charged with training untrained personnel and recruitment activities.


Freedoms

The regiment has received the
Freedom Freedom is the power or right to speak, act, and change as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Freedom is often associated with liberty and autonomy in the sense of "giving oneself one's own laws". In one definition, something is "free" i ...
throughout its history at the following occasions: * 1979: Ottawa, Ontario, Ottawa * 1989:
Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...
* 2003:
Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...
* 2006: Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue * 2023: Hampstead, Quebec


Alliances

* –
Grenadier Guards The Grenadier Guards (GREN GDS) is the most senior infantry regiment of the British Army, being at the top of the Infantry Order of Precedence. It can trace its lineage back to 1656 when Lord Wentworth's Regiment was raised in Bruges to protect ...


Battle honours

The regiment has been awarded 35 battle honours, of which 23 are emblazoned upon the colours (those in bold type below), and one honorary distinction. Battle honours in small capital letters are for large operations and campaigns, and those in title case are for more specific battles.


War of 1812

* * * The non-emblazonable honorary distinction


Second Boer War (South Africa)

*


Great War


Second World War


War in Afghanistan

*


Victoria Cross recipients

*Private John Francis Young :87th Battalion,
Canadian Expeditionary Force The Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF; French: ''Corps expéditionnaire canadien'') was the expeditionary warfare, expeditionary field force of Canada during the First World War. It was formed on August 15, 1914, following United Kingdom declarat ...
:Dury-Arras Sector :2 September 1918


Memorials

* An M4 tank at Connaught Ranges and Primary Training Centre in
Ottawa Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southern Ontario, southern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the cor ...
was dedicated by the 22nd Armoured Regiment (The Canadian Grenadier Guards) to the memory of its soldiers who fought in Northwest Europe from 1944 to 1945. * Coudehard-Montormel Memorial – In 1965 on the battle's 20th anniversary, a Coudehard-Montormel Memorial, monument to the Polish, Canadian (22nd Armoured Regiment (The Canadian Grenadier Guards)), American and French units that took part in the battle was erected on Hill 262. Marking the occasion, former President of the United States Dwight D. Eisenhower commented that "no other battlefield presented such a horrible sight of death, hell, and total destruction." The Mémorial de Coudehard–Montormel museum was constructed on the same site on the battle's 50th anniversary in 1994. * Place Léo Gariépy, Courseulles-sur-Mer – Sergeant Gariépy, a former Canadian Grenadier Guard, (1936–1940), was one of the Canadians who landed on Juno Beach on D-Day. At the end of the 1960s, Gariépy led the initiative to fish out of the water a DD tank named ''Bold'', which had sunk off Courseulles on D-Day. The tank was raised, restored, and offered to the town. It is displayed in Place Léo Gariépy, visible from the Juno Beach Centre. Gariépy died on 8 May 1972. He was an "honorary citizen" of Courseulles-sur-Mer and is buried in the military section of Courseulles' municipal cemetery.


Armoury


Order of precedence


See also

* Household Division * Governor General's Horse Guards *
Governor General's Foot Guards The Governor General's Foot Guards (GGFG) is the senior reserve infantry regiment in the Canadian Army. Located in Ottawa at the Cartier Square Drill Hall, the regiment is a Primary Reserve infantry unit, and the members are part-time soldiers. ...
* Military history of Canada * History of the Canadian Army * Canadian Forces * List of armouries in Canada * Canadian Grenadier Guards Band


Notes and references


Secondary sources

* * * * "A brief outline of the story of the Canadian Grenadier Guards and the first months of the Royal Montreal Regiment in the Great War; told in an anthology of verse and prose." (Montreal, Gazette Print. Co., 1926) * *Canada in Khaki South Africa 1899–1900: Nominal Roll Casualties etc. – Eugene Ursual 1994


External links

*
Canadian Grenadier Guards Regimental AssociationCérémonie du crépuscule du Canadian Grenadier Guards
{{DEFAULTSORT:Canadian Grenadier Guards Canadian Grenadier Guards Guards regiments Grenadier regiments of Canada Military units and formations of Quebec Infantry regiments of Canada in World War II Monarchy of Canada Canadian ceremonial units Military units and formations established in 1859