2nd Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles
The 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion, (known colloquially as the 2nd Battalion, CMR or simply 2 CMR) was authorized on 7 November 1914 as the 2nd Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles, CEF, and embarked for Great Britain on 12 June 1915. It disembarked in France on 22 September 1915 as part of the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Brigade. On 1 January 1916 it was converted to infantry, amalgamated with 'B Squadron' and the headquarters staff of the 3rd Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles, CEF and redesignated the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion, CEF. It fought as part of the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The battalion was disbanded on 6 November 1920.[1]
The Battalion initially recruited in Victoria and Vernon, British Columbia and was mobilized in Victoria.[2]
The Battalion had two Officers Commanding:
- Lt.-Col. J.C. Bott, 12 June 1915 – 27 November 1916
- Lt.-Col. G.C. Johnston, 27 November 1916-Demobilization[3]
Capt. John MacGregor was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the Battle of the Canal du Nord from 29 September to 3 October 1918.[4]
The Battalion was awarded the following battle honours:
- MOUNT SORREL
- SOMME, 1916
- FLERS-COURCELETTE
- Ancre Heights
- Arras, 1917, '18
- VIMY 1917
- Hill 70
- Ypres, 1917
- PASSCHENDAELE
- AMIENS
- Scarpe, 1918
- HINDENBURG LINE
- Canal du NORD
- CAMBRAI, 1918
- PURSUIT to MONS
- FRANCE and FLANDERS, 1915-18[5]
The 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion is perpetuated by the The British Columbia Dragoons.[6]
References
- ↑ Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.
- ↑ Meek, John F. Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War. Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971. ISBN 0906158109
- ↑ Meek, John F. Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War. Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971. ISBN 0906158109
- ↑ Meek, John F. Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War. Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971. ISBN 0906158109
- ↑ Meek, John F. Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War. Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971. ISBN 0906158109
- ↑ Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.
Sources
Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914-1919 by Col. G.W.L. Nicholson, CD, Queen's Printer, Ottawa, Ontario, 1962