Irish Fusiliers of Canada

The Irish Fusiliers of Canada

Active| 1913–1936
Country| Canada
Branch| Canadian Militia
Type| Fusiliers
Role| Infantry
Part of| Non-Permanent Active Militia
Garrison/HQ| Vancouver, British Columbia
Engagements| First World War
Battle honours| See #Battle Honours

Military unit

The Irish Fusiliers of Canada was an infantry regiment of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of the Canadian Militia (now the Canadian Army). In 1936, the regiment was amalgamated with The Vancouver Regiment to form The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment), which today forms part of The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own).[1][2][3][4]

## Lineage

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### The Irish Fusiliers of Canada

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* Originated on 15 August 1913, in Vancouver, British Columbia, as the 11th Regiment Irish Fusiliers of Canada.
* Redesignated on 12 March 1920, as The Irish Fusiliers of Canada.
* Amalgamated on 1 June 1936, with The Vancouver Regiment and redesignated as the Irish Fusiliers (Vancouver Regiment).[2]

## Perpetuations

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* 121st Battalion (Western Irish), CEF[1][5]

## History

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### Early history

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On 15 August 1913, the 11th Regiment Irish Fusiliers of Canada was authorized for service. The regiment had its headquarters and companies in Vancouver.[1][6]

### Great War

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On 6 August 1914, the 11th Regiment Irish Fusiliers of Canada was placed on active service for local protection duties.[2]

On 22 December 1915, the 121st Battalion (Western Irish), CEF, was authorized for service, 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, the battalion’s personnel were absorbed by the 16th Reserve Battalion, CEF. Finally on 17 July 1917, the 121st Battalion, CEF, was disbanded.[2]

### 1920s–1930s

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On 15 March 1920, as a result of the Otter Commission and the following post-war reorganization of the Canadian Militia, the 11th Regiment Irish Fusiliers of Canada was redesignated as The Irish Fusiliers of Canada and was reorganized with 2 battalions (1 of them a paper-only reserve battalion) to perpetuate the assigned war-raised battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.[1][7]

As a result of the 1936 Canadian Militia reorganization, on 1 June 1936, The Irish Fusiliers of Canada were amalgamated with The Vancouver Regiment to form the Irish Fusiliers (Vancouver Regiment) - later redesignated as The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment).[1][8]

## Organization

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### 11th Regiment, Irish Fusiliers of Canada (15 August 1913)

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* Regimental Headquarters (Vancouver, British Columbia)
* No. 1 Company
* No. 2 Company
* No. 3 Company
* No. 4 Company
* No. 5 Company
* No. 6 Company
* No. 7 Company
* No. 8 Company[3]

### The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (02 July, 1920)

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* 1st Battalion (perpetuating the 121st Battalion, CEF)
* 2nd (Reserve) Battalion[3]

## Battle Honours

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* Ypres, 1915, '17[9][10]
* Festubert, 1915[11]
* Somme, 1916[12]
* Arras, 1917, '18[13][14]
* Hill 70[15]
* Amiens[16]
* Hindenburg Line[17]
* Valenciennes[18]

## Notable members

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* Sherwood Lett

## References

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1. ^ a b c d e "Guide to Sources Relating to the Canadian Militia (Infantry, Cavalry, Armored)" (PDF). Library and Archives Canada.
2. ^ a b c d Defence, National (2018-11-29). "The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own)". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
3. ^ a b c "The Irish Fusiliers of Canada". 2007-11-14. Archived from the original on 14 November 2007. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
4. ^ "The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment)". www.canadiansoldiers.com. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
5. ^ "CEF Infantry Battalions" (PDF). Library and Archives Canada.
6. ^ Luscombe, Stephen. "The British Empire, Imperialism, Colonialism, Colonies". www.britishempire.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
7. ^ "Otter Committee". www.canadiansoldiers.com. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
8. ^ "1936 Reorganization of the Militia". www.canadiansoldiers.com. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
9. ^ Defence, National (2019-07-22). "WWI - Ypres, 1915". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
10. ^ Defence, National (2019-07-23). "WWI - Ypres, 1917". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
11. ^ Defence, National (2019-07-22). "WWI - Festubert, 1915". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
12. ^ Defence, National (2019-07-22). "WWI - Somme, 1916". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
13. ^ Defence, National (2019-07-22). "WWI - Arras, 1917". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
14. ^ Defence, National (2019-07-22). "WWI - Arras, 1918". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
15. ^ Defence, National (2019-07-22). "WWI - Hill 70". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
16. ^ Defence, National (2019-07-22). "WWI - Amiens". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
17. ^ Defence, National (2019-07-22). "WWI - Hindenburg Line". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
18. ^ Defence, National (2019-07-22). "WWI - Valenciennes". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2022-06-05.