The Norfolk Regiment of Canada was an infantry regiment of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of the Canadian Militia (now the

Canadian Army The Canadian Army (french: Armée canadienne) is the 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 respo ...

). First raised in the 1860’s as The Norfolk Rifles, the regiment was converted to a Line Regiment in 1928. In 1936, the regiment was converted from infantry to artillery and now forms part of the

56th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA The 56th Field Artillery Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery is a Canadian Army Reserve artillery regiment based in Brantford, Ontario. The regiment is currently part of 4th Canadian Division's 32 Canadian Brigade Group.http://www.army.forces.g ...

Lineage

The Norfolk Regiment of Canada

* Originated on 28 September 1866, in Simcoe, Ontario as the ''39th Norfolk Battalion of Rifles''. * Redesignated on 8 May 1900, as the ''39th Regiment Norfolk Rifles''. * Redesignated on 1 May 1920, as ''The Norfolk Rifles''. * Redesignated on 15 November 1928, as ''The Norfolk Regiment of Canada''. * Converted to artillery on 15 December 1936, and redesignated as the ''25th (Norfolk) Field Brigade, RCA'' (now part of the 56th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA).

Chart

Perpetuations

* 133rd Battalion (Norfolk's Own), CEF

History

Early history

On 28 September 1866, the 39th Norfolk Battalion of Rifles was authorized for service. Its regimental headquarters was at Simcoe and had companies at Simcoe, Villa Nova, Port Rowan, Walsingham (Pleasant Hill) and Waterford, Ontario. On 8 May 1900, the regiment was redesignated as ''39th Regiment Norfolk Rifles''.

Great War

On 22 December 1915, the 133rd Battalion (Norfolk's Own), CEF was authorized for service and on 30 October 1916, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. After its arrival in the UK, on 12 November 1916, the battalion’s personnel were absorbed by the

23rd Reserve Battalion, CEF The 23rd Reserve Battalion, CEF was an infantry unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. History Formed as the 23rd Infantry Battalion on August 6, 1914, the battalion mobilized at Quebec City, and recruited in vario ...

to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. On 17 July 1917, the 133rd Battalion, CEF was disbanded.

Organization

39th Norfolk Battalion of Rifles (28 September 1866)

* Regimental Headquarters (Simcoe, Ontario) * No. 1 Company (Villa Nova Rifles) (Villa Nova, Ontario) (first raised on 15 October 1861 as the 1st Volunteer Militia Rifle Company of the County of Norfolk) * No. 2 Company (Fenwick Rifles) (Simcoe, Ontario) (first raised on 22 January 1862 as the Simcoe Volunteer Militia Rifle Company) * No. 3 Company (Port Rowan Rifles) (Port Rowan, Ontario) (first raised on 23 January 1863 as the Port Rowan Volunteer Militia Rifle Company) * No. 4 Company (Walsingham Centre Rifles) (Walsingham, Ontario) (first raised in January, 1863 as the Walsingham Volunteer Militia Rifle Company) * No. 5 Company (Waterford, Ontario) (first raised on 17 August 1866 as the Waterford Infantry Company) * No. 6 Company (Simcoe, Ontario) (first raised on 17 August 1866 as the Simcoe Infantry Company; later amalgamated with No. 2 Company)

The Norfolk Rifles (01 March, 1921)

* 1st Battalion (perpetuating the 133rd Battalion, CEF) * 2nd (Reserve) Battalion

Alliances

* - The Royal Norfolk Regiment

Battle honours

Arras, 1917 The Battle of Arras (also known as the Second Battle of Arras) was a British offensive on the Western Front during the First World War. From 9 April to 16 May 1917, British troops attacked German defences near the French city of Arras on the W ...

Hill 70 The Battle of Hill 70 took place in the First World War between the Canadian Corps and five divisions of the German 6th Army. The battle took place along the Western Front on the outskirts of Lens in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France b ...

Notable members

Brigadier General Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...

James "Buster" Sutherland Brown * Lieutenant Colonel David Tisdale

References

{{reflist Former infantry regiments of Canada Military units and formations of Ontario Military units and formations disestablished in 1936