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First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

, decorations = , battle_honours = See #Battle honours , battle_honours_label = , disbanded = , flying_hours = , website = , current_commander = , commander1 = , commander1_label = , commander2 = , commander2_label = , commander3 = , commander3_label = , commander4 = , commander4_label = , commander5 = , commander5_label = , commander6 = , commander6_label = , commander7 = , commander7_label = , commander8 = , commander8_label = , commander9 = , commander9_label = , notable_commanders = , identification_symbol = , identification_symbol_label = , identification_symbol_2 = , identification_symbol_2_label = , identification_symbol_3 = , identification_symbol_3_label = , identification_symbol_4 = , identification_symbol_4_label = , identification_symbol_5 = , identification_symbol_5_label = The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment) was an

infantry Infantry is a military specialization which engages in ground combat on foot. Infantry generally consists of light infantry, mountain infantry, motorized infantry & mechanized infantry, airborne infantry, air assault infantry, and marine i ...

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 conscripted ...

of the Canadian Army. It was placed on the

Supplementary Order of Battle In the Canadian Army, a regiment is placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle when the need for the regiment's existence is no longer relevant. When placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle, a regiment is considered "virtually disbanded", and ...

in 1965. In 2002, it was taken off the Supplementary Order of Battle and amalgamated with

The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) is a Primary Reserve armoured reconnaissance (recce) regiment of the Canadian Army; the regiment is subordinate to 39 Canadian Brigade Group of the 3rd Canadian Division. Established in 1883 ...

Lineage

Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment)

The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment) was formed in Vancouver, British Columbia on 15 August 1913 as the ''11th Regiment Irish Fusiliers of Canada''. The regiment was redesignated ''The Irish Fusiliers of Canada'' on 12 March 1920 and reorganized as a two-battalion regiment with the 1st Battalion perpetuating the 121st Battalion (Western Irish), CEF and a 2nd Battalion on the Reserve order of battle. The reserve unit was disbanded on 14 December 1936.Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments. On 1 June 1936 the Irish Fusiliers of Canada were amalgamated with The Vancouver Regiment and were redesignated the ''Irish Fusiliers (Vancouver Regiment)''. It was redesignated as the ''2nd (Reserve) Battalion, Irish Fusiliers (Vancouver Regiment)'' on 1 January 1941 and the ''Irish Fusiliers (Vancouver Regiment)'' on 1 June 1945. The regiment was converted to artillery and redesignated the ''65th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (Irish Fusiliers), Royal Canadian Artillery'' on 1 April 1946. On 1 September 1958 the regiment amalgamated with the 120th Independent Field Battery, RCA, converted to infantry and redesignated ''The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment)''.

120th Independent Field Battery, RCA / North British Columbia Regiment

The ''120th Independent Field Battery, RCA'' originated in Prince Rupert, British Columbia on 1 May 1914 as the ''Earl Grey's Own Rifles''. It was redesignated as the ''68th Regiment (Earl Grey's Own Rifles)'' on 2 November 1914 and as ''The North British Columbia Regiment'' on 12 March 1920. Upon redesignation as The North British Columbia Regiment it was organized as a two battalion regiment with the 1st Battalion perpetuating the

102nd Battalion, CEF The 102nd Battalion, CEF, (initially the 102nd Battalion (Northern British Columbia), then after August, 1917, the 102nd Battalion (Central Ontario), CEF) was an infantry battalion of the Great War Canadian Expeditionary Force. History The 102n ...

and the 2nd Battalion, perpetuating the

30th Battalion, CEF The 30th Battalion, CEF was an infantry battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the Great War. History The 30th Battalion was authorized on 27 October 1914 and embarked for Britain on 23 February 1915. It was redesignated as the 30t ...

, on the Reserve order of battle. The reserve unit was disbanded on 14 December 1936. On 15 December 1936 the North British Columbia Regiment was converted to artillery and redesignated as the ''102nd (North British Columbia) Heavy Battery, RCA''. During the Second World War it was redesignated as the ''102nd (Reserve) (North British Columbia) Heavy Battery, RCA'' on 1 January 1941 and as the ''120th Coast Battery, RCA'' on 1 April 1946. Following the Second World War, the unit was redesignated again as the ''120th Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery, RCA'' on 5 February 1948, as the ''120th Harbour Defence Troop, RCA'' on 17 October 1954 and the ''120th Independent Field Battery, RCA'' on 25 October 1956. On 1 September 1958, it was amalgamated with the 65th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (Irish Fusiliers), RCA. The North British Columbia Regiment was awarded the following battle honours in 1929.Appendix to General Order No. 123 of 1929 After conversion to artillery, these honours became dormant, being replaced by the RCA's honorary distinction .

Vancouver Regiment

''The Vancouver Regiment'' originated in Vancouver, British Columbia on 15 May 1924 when the ''1st British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own)'' was reorganized into three separate regiments designated the ''1st British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own)'', ''The Westminster Regiment'' and ''The Vancouver Regiment''. On 1 June 1936, it was amalgamated with The Irish Fusiliers of Canada.

Perpetuations

The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (Vancouver Regiment) perpetuated the following units: * 29th Battalion (Vancouver), CEF *

* 121st Battalion (Western Irish), CEF * 158th Battalion (The Duke of Connaught's Own), CEF After amalgamation in 2002, these perpetuations are continued on by

History

First World War

On 6 August 1914, the 11th Regiment Irish Fusiliers of Canada was placed on active service for local protection duties. On 7 November 1914, the 29th Battalion, CEF was authorized for service and on 20 May 1915, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. On 17 September 1915, the 29th Battalion disembarked in France where it fought as part of the

6th Canadian Infantry Brigade The 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade of the Canadian Army that fought during World War I and World War II. Raised in 1915, it formed part of the 2nd Canadian Division and fought on the Western Front during World War I before ...

, 2nd Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. On 30 August 1920, the 29th Battalion was disbanded after its return to Canada. On 27 October 1914, the 30th Battalion, CEF was authorized and on 23 February 1915, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. After its arrival in the UK, on 18 April 1915, it was redesignated as the 30th Reserve Battalion, CEF to provide reinforcements for the

Canadian Corps The Canadian Corps was a World War I corps formed from the Canadian Expeditionary Force in September 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. The corps was expanded by the addition of the 3rd Canadian Division in December ...

in the field. On 4 January 1917, its personnel were absorbed by the '1st Reserve Battalion, CEF and on 1 September 1917, the 30th Battalion was disbanded. On 22 December 1915, the 102nd Battalion, CEF was authorized and on 18 June 1916, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. On 12 August 1916, the 102nd Battalion disembarked in France where it fought as part of the 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade,

4th Canadian Division The 4th Canadian Division is a formation of the Canadian Army. The division was first created as a formation of the Canadian Corps during the First World War. During the Second World War the division was reactivated as the 4th Canadian Infantr ...

in France and Flanders until the end of the war. On 30 August 1920, the 102nd Battalion was disbanded after its return to Canada. On 22 December 1915, the 121st Battalion, CEF was authorized and on 14 November 1916, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. After its arrival in the UK, the battalion provided reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. On 10 January 1917, its personnel were absorbed by the 16th Reserve Battalion, CEF and on 17 July 1917, the 121st Battalion was disbanded. On 22 December 1915, the 158th Battalion, CEF was authorized and on 14 November 1916, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. After its arrival in the UK, the battalion provided reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. On 4 January 1917, its personnel were absorbed by the 1st Reserve Battalion, CEF and on 27 July 1917, the 158th Battalion was disbanded.

Second World War

Irish Fusiliers (Vancouver Regiment)

On 26 August 1939, detachments from the Irish Fusiliers were called out on service and on 1 September 1939, placed on active service under the designation 'Irish Fusiliers (Vancouver Regiment), CASF for local protection duties. On 31 December 1940, those details called out on active service were disbanded. On 1 January 1941, the regiment was subsequently mobilized for active service as the 1st Battalion, Irish Fusiliers (Vancouver Regiment), CASF. The battalion served in Canada in a home defence role as part of the 18th Canadian Infantry Brigade,

6th Canadian Infantry Division The 6th Canadian Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Canadian Army, formed in 1942 during the Second World War. It was attached to Pacific Command. The division had a brigade sent to the Aleutian Islands Campaign, particularly at ...

. From 18 May 1943 to 6 August 1944, the battalion served on garrison duty in Jamaica. On 10 January 1945, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. After its arrival in the UK, on 19 January 1945, the battalion was disbanded to provide reinforcements to the

First Canadian Army The First Canadian Army (french: 1reArmée canadienne) was a field army and a formation of the Canadian Army in World War II in which most Canadian elements serving in North-West Europe were assigned. It served on the Western Front from July 1944 ...

in the field. On 12 May 1942, the regiment also mobilized the 3rd Battalion, Irish Fusiliers (Vancouver Regiment), CASF. The battalion served in Canada in a home defence role as part of the 19th Canadian Infantry Brigade of Pacific Command. On 15 August 1943, the 3rd battalion, Irish Fusiliers (Vancouver Regiment) was disbanded.

102nd Battery

On 26 August 1939, the 102nd Battery was called out for service and on 1 September 1939, details of the battery were placed on active service under the designation of the 102nd (North British Columbia) Heavy Battery, RCA, CASF for local protection duties. On 31 December 1940, those details called out on active service were disbanded. On 1 January 1941, the battery subsequently mobilized as the 102nd (North British Columbia) Heavy Battery, RCA, CASF for active service. On 1 May 1942, it was redesignated the 102nd Coast Battery, RCA, CASF. The battery served in Canada in a home defence role with the 17th (North British Columbia) Coast Regiment, RCA, CASF as part of Pacific Command. On 31 October 1945, the battery was disbanded.

Post war

The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment) were reduced to nil strength and transferred to the

on 19 March 1965. On 13 June 2002, it was removed from the

and amalgamated with

. The regiment is commemorated by 2381 BC Regiment (Irish Fusiliers) Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps of Richmond, B.C.

Alliances

* -

The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment), formerly the 3rd Regiment of Foot, was a line infantry regiment of the British Army traditionally raised in the English county of Kent and garrisoned at Canterbury. It had a history dating back to 1572 and ...

(Until 1961) * -

The Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's) The Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's) was an Irish line infantry regiment of the British Army, formed by the amalgamation of the 87th (Prince of Wales's Irish) Regiment of Foot and the 89th (Princess Victoria's) Regiment of Foot in ...

(Until 1965)

Battle honours

Great War

Ypres, 1915 During the First World War, the Second Battle of Ypres was fought from for control of the tactically important high ground to the east and south of the Flemish town of Ypres in western Belgium. The First Battle of Ypres had been fought the pre ...

, '17 * Mount Sorrel * Flers-Courcelette *

Ancre Heights The Ancre (; ) is a river of Picardy, France. Rising at Miraumont, a hamlet near the town of Albert, it flows into the Somme at Corbie. It is long. For most of its length it flows through the department of Somme. For a short stretch near P ...

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 ...

, '18 * Scarpe, 1917, '18 * Passchendaele * Drocourt-Quéant *

Canal du Nord The Canal du Nord (, literally ''Canal of the North'') is a long canal in northern France. The canal connects the Canal latéral à l'Oise at Pont-l'Évêque to the Sensée Canal at Arleux. The French government, in partnership with coal-min ...

Valenciennes Valenciennes (, also , , ; nl, label=also Dutch, Valencijn; pcd, Valincyinnes or ; la, Valentianae) is a commune in the Nord department, Hauts-de-France, France. It lies on the Scheldt () river. Although the city and region experienced a s ...

Festubert, 1915 The Battle of Festubert (15–25 May 1915) was an attack by the British army in the Artois region of France on the western front during World War I. The offensive formed part of a series of attacks by the French Tenth Army and the British ...

Somme, 1916 The Battle of the Somme ( French: Bataille de la Somme), also known as the Somme offensive, was a battle of the First World War fought by the armies of the British Empire and French Third Republic against the German Empire. It took place bet ...

, '18 *

Thiepval Thiepval (; pcd, Tièbvo) is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. Thiepval is located north of Albert at the crossroads of the D73 and D151 and approximately northeast of Amiens. Population First World ...

Ancre, 1916 The Battle of the Ancre was fought by the British Fifth Army ( Lieutenant-General Hubert Gough), against the German 1st Army (General Fritz von Below). The Reserve Army had been renamed the Fifth Army on 30 October. The battle was the last ...

Vimy, 1917 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 o ...

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 ...

Amiens Amiens (English: or ; ; pcd, Anmien, or ) is a city and commune in northern France, located north of Paris and south-west of Lille. It is the capital of the Somme department in the region of Hauts-de-France. In 2021, the population of ...

Hindenburg Line The Hindenburg Line (German: , Siegfried Position) was a German defensive position built during the winter of 1916–1917 on the Western Front during the First World War. The line ran from Arras to Laffaux, near Soissons on the Aisne. In 191 ...

Cambrai, 1918 The Battle of Cambrai, 1918 (also known as the Second Battle of Cambrai) was a battle between troops of the British First, Third and Fourth Armies and German Empire forces during the Hundred Days Offensive of the First World War. The battle ...

France and Flanders, 1915–18 The Western Front was one of the main theatres of war during the First World War. Following the outbreak of war in August 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of impor ...

After amalgamation in 2002, these battle honours are continued on by

Notable members

Sherwood Lett Sherwood Lett, (August 1,1895 – July 24,1964) was a Canadian soldier, lawyer, diplomat, and jurist. Early life Sherwood Lett was born in Iroquois, Ontario, but the family then moved to British Columbia. His university studies occurred a ...

* Michael George Levy

Royal Canadian Army Cadets

The regiment is commemorated by 2381 British Columbia Regiment Irish Fusiliers

Royal Canadian Army Cadet The Royal Canadian Army Cadets (RCAC; french: Cadets royaux de l’Armée canadienne) is a national Canadian youth program sponsored by the Canadian Armed Forces and the civilian Army Cadet League of Canada. Under the authority of the National D ...

Corps in Richmond, B.C.

References

Links

*http://canadiansoldiers.com/regiments/infantry/irishfusiliers.htm {{DEFAULTSORT:Irish Fusiliers of Canada Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment) Fusilier regiments of Canada Irish regiments in Canada Military units and formations of British Columbia Military units and formations disestablished in 1965 Military units and formations established in 1913 Infantry regiments of Canada in World War II Supplementary Order of Battle