31 Canadian Brigade Group Explained

Unit Name:31st (Reserve) Brigade Group
31 Canadian Brigade Group
Dates:1942 - 1946
1 April 1997–present
Country: Canada
Branch: Primary Reserve
Command Structure:4th Canadian Division
Type:Headquarters
Website:http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/31-cbg/index.page
Ceremonial Chief Label:Colonel-in-Chief
Motto:Latin: Pro aris et focis (For hearth and home)[1]
Garrison:Wolseley Barracks, London, Ontario
Identification Symbol Label:NATO Map Symbol[2]

31 Canadian Brigade Group (31 CBG; French: 31<sup>e</sup> Groupe-brigade du Canada) is part of the 4th Canadian Division, under the Canadian Army. It encompasses the southwestern portion of Ontario, and is headquartered in London, Ontario. The 31 CBG area of responsibility stretches from Hamilton to Windsor. The brigade has approximately 2,400 soldiers. Colonel Chris Brown, CD is Commander of 31 Canadian Brigade Group. The brigade sergeant-major is Chief Warrant Officer Mike Coit, CD.[3]

History

Second World War

31st (Reserve) Brigade Group was created, within 1 Militia District, on 1 April 1942 when the reserve force in Canada was reorganized for the war. Like today, the formation consisted of part-time soldiers who were paraded and trained on evenings and weekends. The brigade group was closed down on 28 November 1945 and the headquarters itself closed on 8 June 1946.[4] During its existence, the brigade group was headquartered in London, Ontario and it held the following organization:

1997 to Present

31 Canadian Brigade Group (CBG) was recreated on 1 April 1997, with its headquarters located in London, replacing the London Militia District (LMD). Resulting from a major restructuring of the army, it was established as one of ten reserve brigade groups organized across Canada.

Brigade composition

Overview

31 CBG is an infantry-focused reserve brigade comprising 12 units in addition to the brigade headquarters in London. These units are spread out over southern and south-western Ontario, in London, Sarnia, Windsor, Guelph, Hamilton, St. Thomas, Waterloo, Burlington, Stratford, Owen Sound, Barrie, Cambridge, Kitchener, and Chatham. The Grey and Simcoe Foresters also provide support to the 4th Canadian Division as part of the Arctic Response Company Group, supporting communities in northern Ontario and northern Canada.

Regiments

31 Canadian Brigade Group BranchLocation
31 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters Headquarters London, Ontario
1st HussarsArmoured Reconnaissance London and Sarnia
The Windsor Regiment (RCAC)Armoured Reconnaissance Windsor
11th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA Artillery Guelph and Hamilton
31 Combat Engineer Regiment (The Elgins)Engineer St. Thomas and Waterloo
31 Signal Regiment Communications Hamilton and London
The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment)Infantry Hamilton and Burlington
4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian RegimentInfantry London and Stratford
The Grey and Simcoe ForestersInfantry Owen Sound and Barrie
The Royal Highland Fusiliers of CanadaInfantry (Mortar) Cambridge and Kitchener
The Essex and Kent ScottishInfantry Windsor and Chatham
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's)Infantry Hamilton
31 Service BattalionCombat Service Support Hamilton, London, and Windsor

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 31 Canadian Brigade Group . Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges . Canadian Heraldic Authority . 6 November 2012.
  2. Book: Canadian Forces . B-GL-331-003/FP-001 Military Symbols for Land Operations . 15 May 2000 . Department of National Defence . 4, 24–25.
  3. Web site: 31 Canadian Brigade Group Army Reserve Brigade Canadian Army . army-armee.forces.gc.ca . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130914084451/http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/31-cbg/index.page . 2013-09-14.
  4. Web site: Reserve Brigades - Second World War. Canadian Soldiers.com. 24 February 2013.