Irish Fusiliers of Canada explained

Unit Name:	The Irish Fusiliers of Canada
Dates:	1913–1936
Country:	Canada
Branch:	Canadian Militia
Type:	Fusiliers
Role:	Infantry
Command Structure:	Non-Permanent Active Militia
Garrison:	Vancouver, British Columbia
Battles:	First World War
Battle Honours:	See Battle Honours

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

The Irish Fusiliers of Canada

• 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).

Perpetuations

• 121st Battalion (Western Irish), CEF^[5]

History

Early history

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

Great War

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

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.

1920s–1930s

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.^[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).^[8]

Organization

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

• 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

The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (02 July, 1920)

• 1st Battalion (perpetuating the 121st Battalion, CEF)
• 2nd (Reserve) Battalion

Battle Honours

• 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

• Sherwood Lett

References

1. Web site: Guide to Sources Relating to the Canadian Militia (Infantry, Cavalry, Armored) . .
2. Web site: Defence . National . 2018-11-29 . The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) . 2022-06-05 . www.canada.ca.
3. Web site: 2007-11-14 . The Irish Fusiliers of Canada . 2022-06-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071114203025/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/na-canada/volmil/bc-inf/011IrishF.htm . 14 November 2007 . dead.
4. Web site: The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment) . 2022-06-05 . www.canadiansoldiers.com.
5. Web site: CEF Infantry Battalions . .
6. Web site: Luscombe . Stephen . The British Empire, Imperialism, Colonialism, Colonies . 2022-06-05 . www.britishempire.co.uk.
7. Web site: Otter Committee . 2022-06-05 . www.canadiansoldiers.com.
8. Web site: 1936 Reorganization of the Militia . 2022-06-05 . www.canadiansoldiers.com.
9. Web site: Defence . National . 2019-07-22 . WWI - Ypres, 1915 . 2022-06-05 . www.canada.ca.
10. Web site: Defence . National . 2019-07-23 . WWI - Ypres, 1917 . 2022-06-05 . www.canada.ca.
11. Web site: Defence . National . 2019-07-22 . WWI - Festubert, 1915 . 2022-06-05 . www.canada.ca.
12. Web site: Defence . National . 2019-07-22 . WWI - Somme, 1916 . 2022-06-05 . www.canada.ca.
13. Web site: Defence . National . 2019-07-22 . WWI - Arras, 1917 . 2022-06-05 . www.canada.ca.
14. Web site: Defence . National . 2019-07-22 . WWI - Arras, 1918 . 2022-06-05 . www.canada.ca.
15. Web site: Defence . National . 2019-07-22 . WWI - Hill 70 . 2022-06-05 . www.canada.ca.
16. Web site: Defence . National . 2019-07-22 . WWI - Amiens . 2022-06-05 . www.canada.ca.
17. Web site: Defence . National . 2019-07-22 . WWI - Hindenburg Line . 2022-06-05 . www.canada.ca.
18. Web site: Defence . National . 2019-07-22 . WWI - Valenciennes . 2022-06-05 . www.canada.ca.