is a

Primary Reserve The Primary Reserve of the Canadian Armed Forces () is the first and largest of the four sub-components of the Canadian Armed Forces reserves, followed by the Supplementary Reserve, the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (f ...

infantry Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...

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 ...

of the

Canadian Forces The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF; , FAC) are the unified Military, military forces of Canada, including sea, land, and air commands referred to as the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Under the ''National Defenc ...

. It is at the Quebec City Armoury in

Quebec City Quebec City is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Quebec. As of July 2021, the city had a population of 549,459, and the Census Metropolitan Area (including surrounding communities) had a populati ...

, Quebec, Canada. The name of the regiment commemorates another older French-speaking Canadian militia

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 ...

unit, the Canadian Voltigeurs (raised in 1812 and disbanded in 1815). The founder of the Canadian Voltigeurs, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles-Michel d'Irumberry de Salaberry, was the father of the two men who raised . The regiment was formed in March 1862, with its headquarters in Quebec City, by the amalgamation into a regiment of eight independent volunteer militia rifle companies. The first of these companies was originally raised in December 1861. Between 1862 and 1867 these companies were frequently disbanded, reformed and renumbered. In 1942 it provided an armoured regiment. The regiment has provided soldiers for service with the

United Nations The United Nations (UN) is the Earth, global intergovernmental organization established by the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, UN Charter on 26 June 1945 with the stated purpose of maintaining international peace and internationa ...

and NATO in places like the

Golan Heights The Golan Heights, or simply the Golan, is a basaltic plateau at the southwest corner of Syria. It is bordered by the Yarmouk River in the south, the Sea of Galilee and Hula Valley in the west, the Anti-Lebanon mountains with Mount Hermon in t ...

Cyprus Cyprus (), officially the Republic of Cyprus, is an island country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Situated in West Asia, its cultural identity and geopolitical orientation are overwhelmingly Southeast European. Cyprus is the List of isl ...

, the former

Yugoslavia , common_name = Yugoslavia , life_span = 1918–19921941–1945: World War II in Yugoslavia#Axis invasion and dismemberment of Yugoslavia, Axis occupation , p1 = Kingdom of SerbiaSerbia , flag_p ...

, Egypt, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and

Haiti Haiti, officially the Republic of Haiti, is a country on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea, east of Cuba and Jamaica, and south of the Bahamas. It occupies the western three-eighths of the island, which it shares with the Dominican ...

Cap badge

Description

The arms of Salaberry within an annulus Vert fimbriated and inscribed VOLTIGEURS DE QUEBEC in letters

Argent In heraldry, argent () is the tincture of silver, and belongs to the class of light tinctures called "metals". It is very frequently depicted as white and usually considered interchangeable with it. In engravings and line drawings, regions to b ...

, all surmounting the cross of the Order of St. Louis Argent, the whole ensigned by the Royal Crown proper and above a scroll Argent inscribed with the Motto in letters

Gules In heraldry, gules () is the tincture with the colour red. It is one of the class of five dark tinctures called "colours", the others being azure (blue), sable (black), vert (green) and purpure (purple). Gules is portrayed in heraldic hatch ...

Symbolism

The Crown represents service to the Sovereign. The Voltigeurs Canadiens (1812-1815), who were organized as a temporary British Army regular unit and commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Charles-Michel d'Irumberry de Salaberry for service during the War of 1812, had the reputation of repeatedly repulsing superior American forces. His son, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles René-Léonidas de Salaberry, was the first commanding officer of the regiment when it was formed in 1862. The badge, incorporating the arms and motto "FORCE À SUPERBE MERCY À FOIBLE"" of the family of d'Irumberry de Salaberry, was adopted in 1892 in recognition of this family's services to the military of Canada and the regiment. The

Order of Saint Louis The Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis () is a dynastic order of chivalry founded 5 April 1693 by King Louis XIV, named after Saint Louis (King Louis IX of France). It was intended as a reward for exceptional officers, notable as the fi ...

, instituted by King Louis XIV of France in 1693, was a notable honour in

New France New France (, ) was the territory colonized by Kingdom of France, France in North America, beginning with the exploration of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Kingdom of Great Br ...

. "VOLTIGEURS DE QUEBEC" is a form of the regimental title.

Lineage

Les Voltigeurs de Québec

Les Voltigeurs de Québec originated in

, Quebec on 7 March 1862 as The ''9th Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles, Canada'' (or "'Voltigeurs of Quebec'"). It was redesignated the ''9th Regiment Voltigeurs de Québec'' on 8 May 1900, and, following the Great War, ''Les Voltigeurs de Québec'' on 29 March 1920. During the Second World War it was designated the ''2nd (Reserve) Battalion, Les Voltigeurs de Québec'' on 10 May 1941 and ''Les Voltigeurs de Québec (Reserve)'' on 15 September 1944. After the Second World War it was designated ''Les Voltigeurs de Québec (Motor)'' on 1 April 1946. On 1 September 1954, it was amalgamated with ''Le Régiment de Québec (Mitrailleuses)'' and redesignated ''Les Voltigeurs de Québec (Mitrailleuses)''. It was redesignated ''Les Voltigeurs de Québec'' on 11 April 1958. On 22 February 1965, it was amalgamated with The Royal Rifles of Canada. The two regiments ceased to be amalgamated on 1 November 1966.

Le Régiment de Québec

Le Régiment de Québec (Mitrailleuses) originated in St. Ambroise on 9 April 1869 as ''The Provisional Battalion of Quebec''. It was redesignated the ''87th Quebec Battalion of Infantry'' on 27 May 1881 and the ''87th Quebec Regiment'' on 8 May 1900. Following the Great War it was redesignated ''Le Régiment de Québec'' on 29 March 1920 and ''Le Régiment de Québec (Mitrailleuses)'' on 15 December 1936. During the Second World War it was redesignated the ''2nd (Reserve) Battalion, Le Régiment de Québec (Mitrailleuses)'' on 18 March 1942. Following the Second World War it was redesignated ''Le Régiment de Québec (Mitrailleuses)'' on 22 December 1945. On 1 September 1954, it was amalgamated with ''Les Voltigeurs de Québec (Motor)''. File:V de Q camp flag.jpg, Regimental camp flag

Perpetuations

'War of 1812: Les Voltigeurs de Québec perpetuate the Provincial Corps of Light Infantry ( Canadian Voltigeurs), the 1st and 2nd Battalions (City of Quebec) (1812–15), the Beauport Division (1812–15) and the 6th Battalion, Select Embodied Militia. The Great War: The regiment perpetuates the 57th Battalion (Canadien-Français), CEF.

Operational history

The Fenian Raids

The Voltigeurs of Quebec were called out on active service on 8 March 1866, remaining on active service until 31 March 1866.

The North West Rebellion

Les Voltigeurs de Québec were mobilized for active service on 10 April 1885, and served in the Alberta Column of the North West Field Force. The battalion was removed from active service on 24 July 1885.

The Great War

The 9th Regiment Voltigeurs de Québec and details of the 87th Quebec Regiment were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protection duties. The ''57^e Bataillon (Canadien-Français), CEF'', was authorized on 20 April 1915 and embarked for Britain on 2 June 1916, where on 8 June 1916, its personnel were absorbed by the 69th Battalion (Canadien-Français), CEF, to provide reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field. The battalion was disbanded on 11 April 1918.

The Second World War

Details of Les Voltigeurs de Québec and details of Le Régiment de Québec were called out on service on 26 August 1939 and then placed on active service on 1 September 1939, as ''Les Voltigeurs de Québec, CASF (Details)'' and ''Le Régiment de Québec (Mitrailleuses), CASF (Details)'', for local protection duties. These details were disbanded on 31 December 1940. Details of Les Voltigeurs were again called out on service on 1 January 1941, as Details of ''1st (Reserve) Battalion, Les Voltigeurs de Québec'', and were disbanded on 5 April 1941. The regiment mobilized the ''1st Battalion, Les Voltigeurs de Québec, CASF'', on 10 May 1941. It was converted to armour and redesignated the ''24th Army Tank Battalion (Les Voltigeurs de Québec), CAC, CASF'', on 26 January 1942. It was redesignated the ''24th

Reconnaissance In military operations, military reconnaissance () or scouting is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, the terrain, and civil activities in the area of operations. In military jargon, reconnai ...

Battalion (Les Voltigeurs de Québec), CAC, CASF'', on 22 May 1942 and the ''24th Reconnaissance Regiment (Les Voltigeurs de Québec), CAC, CASF'', on 8 June 1942. On 16 January 1943, it was reconverted to infantry and redesignated the ''1st Battalion, Les Voltigeurs de Québec, CASF''. It served in Canada in a home defence role as part of the 17th Infantry Brigade,

7th Canadian Infantry Division The 7th Canadian Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Canadian Army, mobilized in the spring of 1942 and assigned for home defence within Atlantic Command, during World War II. At the time it was assumed it would consist of volun ...

. It embarked for Britain on 23 July 1943, where it provided reinforcements to units of the Canadian Corps in the field until it was disbanded on 1 November 1943. Details of Le Régiment de Québec were called out on service on 26 August 1939 and then placed on active service on 1 September 1939, under the designation ''Le Régiment de Québec (Mitrailleuses), CASF (Details)'', for local protection duties.41 The details called out on active service were disbanded on 31 December 1940. The regiment subsequently mobilized the ''1st Battalion, Le Régiment de Québec, CASF'', on 18 March 1942. This unit served in Canada and in a home defence role as part of the 15th Infantry Brigade,

and in Newfoundland on garrison duty. The battalion was disbanded on 22 December 1945 following the cessation of hostilities.

Afghanistan

The regiment contributed volunteers to the various task forces that served in Afghanistan from 2002 to 2014. File:M 51 12 9e voltigeur quebec 1ed.jpg, 1914 File:Voltigeurs de Québec3.JPG,

La Musique des Voltigeurs de Québec LA most frequently refers to Los Angeles, the second most populous city in the United States of America. La, LA, or L.A. may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Music * La (musical note), or A, the sixth note *"L.A.", a song by Elliott Smi ...

at the Quebec City International Festival of Military Bands in August 2012.

Fire

During the night of April 4, 2008, the Quebec City Armoury, (formerly Grande-Allée Armoury ()), built in 1887, was destroyed during a fire. In October 2008, regimental institutions and their insurance firm started a lawsuit against the

Department of National Defence A ministry of defence or defense (see spelling differences), also known as a department of defence or defense, is the part of a government responsible for matters of defence and military forces, found in states where the government is divided ...

, for damages, blaming negligence on the part of the government for failing to let the insurance firm personnel inspect the site after the fire. In November 2012, the Government of Canada announced that the armoury would be rebuilt and would remain the historic home of the regiment. The re-built armoury was scheduled to be completed by 2017 and was reopened on 12 May 2018, with the ceremonial reopening presided by the Prime Minister of Canada,

Justin Trudeau Justin Pierre James Trudeau (born December 25, 1971) is a Canadian politician who served as the 23rd prime minister of Canada from 2015 to 2025. He led the Liberal Party from 2013 until his resignation in 2025 and was the member of Parliament ...

, who was the reviewing officer and keynote speaker.

Battle honours

Affiliation

* * The Yorkshire Regiment (14th/15th, 19th and 33rd/76th Foot). - Les voltigeurs were allied to The

Duke of Wellington's Regiment The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, forming part of the King's Division. In 1702, Colonel George Hastings, 8th Earl of Huntingdon, was authorised to raise a new regiment, which he di ...

(DWR) and The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire (PWO) prior to the 2006 merger of the PWO,

Green Howards The Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment), frequently known as the Yorkshire Regiment until the 1920s, was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, in the King's Division. Raised in 1688, it served under variou ...

and DWR into The new Yorkshire Regiment. File:Affiliation Plaque, LVQ-DWR.jpg, Historical plaque showing regimental alliance to The DWR

Les Voltigeurs de Québec museum

The museum fosters greater awareness among general public of the regiment's history and traditions. The museum illustrates the military history of the Régiment des Voltigeurs de Québec, the Royal Rifles of Canada and the Quebec Regiment, using artifacts, uniforms, photographs and documents. The museum displays military uniforms, weapons, equipment, medals, private badge collections, scale models, trophies and war memorabilia loaned by Regimental veterans and supporters of the museum.

Bibliography

*Les Voltigeurs De Québec : Premier Régiment Canadien-Français by Jacques Castonguay (1987)

Legacy

The

Royal Canadian Mint The Royal Canadian Mint () is the mint of Canada and a Crown corporation, operating under an act of parliament referred to as the ''Royal Canadian Mint Act''. The shares of the mint are held in trust for the Crown in right of Canada. The mi ...

issued a 5-cent silver proof coin celebrating Les Voltigeurs de Québec in 2000; the coin features a baton, drums, and a sash of the Regimental Insignia of Les Voltigeurs de Québec.Les Voltigeurs de Québec coin
/ref>

Notes and references

External links

Regimental websiteHistorica’s Heritage Minute video docudrama about Les Voltigeurs de Québec.
(

Adobe Flash Player Adobe Flash Player (known in Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Google Chrome as Shockwave Flash) is a discontinuedExcept in China, where it continues to be used, as well as Harman for enterprise users. computer program for viewing multimedia ...

Order of precedence

{{DEFAULTSORT:Les Voltigeurs De Quebec Les Voltigeurs de Québec Infantry regiments of Canada in World War II Military units and formations of Quebec Military and war museums in Canada Regimental museums in Canada British colonial regiments Military units and formations established in 1862 1862 establishments in Canada Canadian Militia units of The North-West Rebellion