The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada is a

Primary Reserve The Primary Reserve of the Canadian Armed Forces (french: links=no, Première réserve des Forces canadiennes) is the first and largest of the four sub-components of the Canadian Armed Forces reserves, followed by the Supplementary Reserve, the ...

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 ...

regiment A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation. In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscript ...

of 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 res ...

, with companies in

Cambridge Cambridge ( ) is a College town, university city and the county town in Cambridgeshire, England. It is located on the River Cam approximately north of London. As of the 2021 United Kingdom census, the population of Cambridge was 145,700. Cam ...

and Kitchener, and is an infantry sub-unit of

31 Canadian Brigade Group 31 Canadian Brigade Group (31 CBG; french: 31e Groupe-brigade du Canada) is part of the 4th Canadian Division, under the Canadian Army. It encompasses the southwestern portion of Ontario, and is headquartered in London, Ontario. The 31 CBG area of ...

, headquartered in

London, Ontario London (pronounced ) is a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada, along the Quebec City–Windsor Corridor. The city had a population of 422,324 according to the 2021 Canadian census. London is at the confluence of the Thames River, approximate ...

The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, (Margaret Rose; 21 August 1930 – 9 February 2002) was the younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and the younger sister and only sibling of Queen Elizabeth ...

and The Prince Andrew, Duke of York, as members of the

Canadian Royal Family The monarchy of Canada is Canada's form of government embodied by the Canadian sovereign and head of state. It is at the core of Canada's constitutional federal structure and Westminster-style parliamentary democracy. The monarchy is the founda ...

, acted as Colonel-in-Chief.

Lineage

File:RHFC regt colour.jpg, The regimental colour of the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada. File:RHFC camp flag.jpg, The camp flag of The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada.

The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada

*Originated 14 September 1866 in Berlin, Ontario, as the 29th Waterloo Battalion of Infantry *Redesignated 8 May 1900 as the 29th Waterloo Regiment *Redesignated 15 April 1915 as the 29th Regiment (Highland Light Infantry of Canada) *Redesignated 29 March 1920 as The Highland Light Infantry of Canada *Redesignated 7 November 1940 as the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The Highland Light Infantry of Canada *Redesignated 1 May 1946 as The Highland Light Infantry of Canada *Amalgamated 1 October 1954 with

The Perth Regiment The Perth Regiment was an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. It is currently on the Supplementary Order of Battle. Lineage Lineage of The Perth Regiment: The Perth Regiment (Overseas Battalion) *Originated 22 Dec as 110th (Overseas) Battal ...

and renamed as The Perth and Waterloo Regiment (Highland Light Infantry of Canada) *Amalgamation ceased 1 April 1957, the two regiments ceased to be amalgamated and resumed their former designations *Amalgamated 26 February 1965 with The Scots Fusiliers of Canada and redesignated as The Highland Fusiliers of Canada *Redesignated 7 July 1998 as The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada

The Scots Fusiliers of Canada

*Originated 21 September 1914 in Berlin, Ontario when an "eight company regiment of infantry" was authorized to be formed. *Designated 1 February 1915 as the 108th Regiment *Redesignated 29 March 1920 as The Waterloo Regiment *Redesignated 3 August 1920 as the North Waterloo Regiment *Redesignated 15 September 1928 as The Scots Fusiliers of Canada *Redesignated 5 March 1942 as the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The Scots Fusiliers of Canada *Redesignated 15 October 1943 as The Scots Fusiliers of Canada (Reserve) *Redesignated 7 November 1945 as The Scots Fusiliers of Canada *Converted 1 April 1946 to artillery and redesignated as the 54th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (Scots Fusiliers of Canada), RCA *Converted 1 December 1959 to infantry and redesignated as The Scots Fusiliers of Canada *Amalgamated 26 February 1965 with The Highland Light Infantry of Canada

Lineage chart

History

The Great War

The 34th Battalion, CEF, was authorized on 7 November 1914 and embarked for Britain on 23 October 1915, where it provided reinforcements to Canadian units in the field until 27 November 1916, when it was reorganized as the 34th Battalion (Boys'), CEF. The battalion was subsequently disbanded on 17 July 1917. It was recruited in

Guelph, Ontario Guelph ( ; 2021 Canadian Census population 143,740) is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Known as "The Royal City", Guelph is roughly east of Kitchener and west of Downtown Toronto, at the intersection of Highway 6, Highway 7 and Well ...

, and district and was mobilized at Guelph.Meek, John F. ''Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War.'' Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971. It had one Officer Commanding, Lt.-Col. A.J. Oliver, who commanded the battalion from 23 October 1915 to 6 July 1916. The 111th Battalion (South Waterloo), CEF was authorized on 22 December 1915 and embarked for Britain on 25 September 1916 where on 13 October 1916 its personnel were absorbed by the

35th Battalion, CEF The 35th Battalion, CEF was an infantry battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the Great War. History The 35th Battalion was authorized on 7 November 1914 and embarked for Britain on 16 October 1915. The battalion was redesignated ...

to provide reinforcements for Canadian units in the field. The 111th Battalion was disbanded on 21 May 1917. The 118th (North Waterloo) Battalion, CEF was authorized on 22 December 1915 and embarked for Britain on 22 January 1917 where on 6 February 1917, its personnel were absorbed by the 25th Reserve Battalion, CEF, to provide reinforcements for Canadian units in the field. The 118th Battalion was disbanded on 17 July 1917. The regiment perpetuates all these three battalions.

The Second World War

The Highland Light Infantry of Canada mobilized the Highland Light Infantry of Canada, CASF, for active service on 24 May 1940. It was redesignated as the 1st Battalion, The Highland Light Infantry of Canada, CASF, on 7 November 1940 and embarked for Britain on 20 July 1941. On D-Day, 6 June 1944, it landed on Juno Beach in Normandy as part of the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, and it continued to fight in North-West Europe until the end of the war. The overseas battalion was disbanded on 15 January 1946. The regiment subsequently mobilized the 3rd Battalion, The Highland Light Infantry of Canada, Canadian Infantry Corps, Canadian Army Occupation Force on 1 June 1945 for service in Germany. The 3rd Battalion was disbanded on 1 May 1946. The Scots Fusiliers mobilized the 1st Battalion, The Scots Fusiliers, CASF, for active service on 5 March 1942. It served in Canada in a home defence role as part of Military District No. 2 until the battalion was disbanded on 15 October 1943. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, the regiment disembarking at Nan sector on Juno Beach with the rest of the 9th Brigade, the

Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. It is part of 33 Canadian Brigade Group, 4th Canadian Division and is headquartered in Cornwall, Ontario. Regimental badge Superimposed upon a ...

, and the North Nova Scotia Highlanders. These regiments were not in the first wave assault, but landed later in the morning and advanced through the lead brigades. The Highland Light Infantry continued to serve through out Europe. From D-day to the end of war of Europe the regiment became one of the most battle hardened units in the Canadian army.

War In Afghanistan

The regiment contributed an aggregate of more than 20% of its authorized strength to the various Task Forces which served in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2014.

Alliances

* - The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Bn, Royal Regiment of Scotland - 2 SCOTS * - 52nd Lowland Volunteers, 6th Bn, Royal Regiment of Scotland - 6 SCOTS

Battle honours

Battle honours in small capitals are for large operations and campaigns and those in lowercase are for more specific battles. Bold type indicates honours emblazoned on the regimental colour. File:RHFC regt colour.jpg, The regimental colour of the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada.

Armoury

Notes

References

* * Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914-1919 by Col. G.W.L. Nicholson, CD, Queen's Printer, Ottawa, Ontario, 1962

External links

*
Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada Regimental Association

Juno Beach Centre

Canadian battle plan at Juno Beach, at stormpages.com

Complete battle overview, photos, video, audio and much info.
D-Day: Etat des Lieux: Juno Beach
{{DEFAULTSORT:Royal Highland Fusiliers Of Canada Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada Highland & Scottish regiments of Canada Fusilier regiments of Canada Military units and formations established in 1866 Military units and formations of Ontario 1866 establishments in Canada Infantry regiments of Canada in World War II