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| Unit Name: | The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) |
| Dates: | 1866–1954 |
| Country: | Canada |
| Branch: |
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| Type: | Fusiliers |
| Role: | Infantry |
| Size: | One Regiment |
| Command Structure: |
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| Garrison: | London, Ontario |
| Battles: | |
| Battle Honours: | See
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The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was an infantry regiment of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of the Canadian Militia (now the Canadian Army). In 1954, the regiment was amalgamated with The Oxford Rifles to form The London and Oxford Fusiliers (now the reserve battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment).[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
The history of the Canadian Militia in the London area of Ontario dates as far back of the early 1800s, most notably with units of the 1st Middlesex Militia serving during the War of 1812.
With the passing of the Militia Act of 1855, the first of a number of newly raised independent militia companies were established in and around the London area of Canada West (now Ontario).
On 27 April 1866, the 7th Battalion Infantry (Prince Arthur's Own) was authorized for service in London by the regimentation of six of these previously authorized independent artillery, rifle and infantry companies.
On 1 June 1866, the 7th Battalion Infantry (Prince Arthur's Own) were called out on active service. The battalion served on the St. Clair frontier and was removed from active service on 22 June 1866. A few years later on 12 April 1870, Two companies from the 7th Battalion, London Light Infantry were called out on active service. They served on the St. Clair frontier and were removed from active service on 21 April 1870.
On 10 April 1885, the 7th Battalion, Fusiliers were mobilized for active service. It served as part of the Alberta Column of the North West Field Force. At the end of hostilities. the battalion was removed from active service on 24 July 1885.
During the South African War, the 7th Battalion, Fusiliers contributed volunteers for the Canadian Contingents, most notably for the 2nd (Special Service) Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment.
On 8 May 1900, the 7th Battalion, Fusiliers was Reorganized and Redesignated as the 7th Regiment, Fusiliers.[10]
On 6 August 1914, Details of the 7th Regiment, Fusiliers were placed on active service for local protection duties.
On 10 August 1914, the 1st Battalion (Ontario Regiment), CEF was authorized for service and on 26 September 1914, the battalion embarked for Great Britain as part of The First Contingent of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. On 12 February 1915, the battalion disembarked in France, where it fought as part of the 1st Canadian Brigade, 1st Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. Upon its return to Canada, on 15 September 1920, the 1st Battalion, CEF was disbanded.
On 7 November 1914, the 33rd Battalion, CEF was authorized for service and on 1 April 1916, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. Upon its arrival in the UK, on 6 April 1916, the battalion was redesignated the 33rd Reserve Battalion, CEF and provided reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. On 6 July 1916, the battalion's personnel were absorbed by the 36th Battalion, CEF. On 17 July 1917, the 33rd Battalion, CEF was disbanded.
On 22 December 1915, the 142nd Battalion (London's Own), CEF was authorized for service and on 31 October 1916, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. Upon its arrival in the UK, on 12 November 1916, the battalion's personnel were absorbed by the 23rd Reserve Battalion, CEF and provided reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. On 27 July 1917, the 142nd Battalion, CEF was disbanded.
On 29 March 1920, as a result of the Otter Commission and the following post-war reorganization of the militia, the 7th Regiment Fusiliers was Redesignated as The Western Ontario Regiment and was reorganized with 3 battalions to perpetuate the assigned war-raised battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. On 1 August 1924, the regiment was again Redesignated as The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment).[11]
As a result of the 1936 Canadian Militia Reorganization, on 15 December 1936, The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was Amalgamated with the Headquarters and A Company of the 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps and redesignated as The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Machine Gun), and were re-tasked as an Infantry Battalion (Machine Gun).[12] [13]
On 29 January 1942, the 1st Battalion, The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), CASF was mobilized for active service. It served in Canada in a home defence role as part of Pacific Command and as the machine gun battalion of the 6th Canadian Infantry Division.[14] [15]
In late 1943, the 1st Battalion, The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was reassigned to the 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group of the 6th Canadian Infantry Division and took part in the expedition to Kiska, Alaska, serving there from 16 August 1943 to 22 December 1943.[16]
See main article: article and Operation Cottage. On 28 May 1944, the 1st Battalion embarked for the UK and later on 1 November 1944, it was redesignated the 2nd Canadian Infantry Training Battalion, Type A (Canadian Fusiliers), CASF. On 10 August 1945, the overseas battalion was disbanded.
Post war, The Canadian Fusiliers resumed their role as an infantry regiment in the Canadian Army Reserve.
On 1 October 1954, as a result on the Kennedy Report on the Reserve Army, The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) were Amalgamated with The Oxford Rifles to become The London and Oxford Fusiliers (3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment) and subsequently became the reserve battalion of the RCR.[17] [18]
When the 7th Battalion London Light Infantry was redesignated in 1880 as the 7th Battalion Fusiliers, as with many of the units of the Canadian Militia the regiment chose to model itself like that of its counterpart in the British Army, in this case that of The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) - itself formerly the 7th Regiment of Foot (Royal Fusiliers). As such, the 7th Fusiliers adopted a similar uniform.[19]
This uniform consisted of a scarlet tunic with royal blue facings and dark blue trousers with a red stripe. The regimental headdress would consist of the bearskin fusilier busby with a white plume similar to that of its British Army counterpart.