Saskatoon Light Infantry Explained

Unit Name:The Saskatoon Light Infantry
Dates:1924–1955
Country:Canada
Type:Light Infantry
Role:Infantry
Size:One Regiment
Garrison:Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
March:The Jockey of York
Battle Honours:See
  1. Battle honours

The Saskatoon Light Infantry was an infantry regiment of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of the Canadian Militia (now the Canadian Army). The regiment was formed in 1924, when The North Saskatchewan Regiment (1920–1924) was reorganized into four separate regiments. In 1955, the regiment was amalgamated with The Prince Albert and Battleford Volunteers to form The North Saskatchewan Regiment.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Lineage

Perpetuations

History

Early history

On 15 May 1924, The North Saskatchewan Regiment was split up and reorganized into four separate regiments: The Saskatoon Light Infantry, The Yorkton Regiment (now the 64th Field Battery, RCA), The Prince Albert Volunteers and The Battleford Light Infantry.

On 15 December 1936, as a result of the 1936 Canadian Militia reorganization, The Saskatoon Light Infantry was amalgamated with C Company, 12th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC and reorganized as a machine gun infantry battalion. As a result, the regiment was redesignated as The Saskatoon Light Infantry (Machine Gun).[9] [10] [11]

Second World War

Home front

On 26 August 1939, details of The Saskatoon Light Infantry (Machine Gun) were called out for service and on 1 September 1939, were placed on active service under the designation as The Saskatoon Light Infantry (Machine Gun), CASF for local protection duties. On 31 December 1940, those details on active service were disbanded.

Europe

On 1 September 1939, the regiment subsequently mobilized The Saskatoon Light Infantry (Machine Gun), CASF for active service, and on 8 December 1939, the battalion embarked for Great Britain as part of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division. On 7 November 1940, the battalion was again redesignated as the 1st Battalion, The Saskatoon Light Infantry (Machine Gun), CASF. On 25 August 1941, the battalion participated in the expedition to Spitzbergen, Norway. On 1 May 1943, the battalion was redesignated as the 1st Infantry Division Support Battalion (The Saskatoon Light Infantry), CIC, CASF. On 10 July 1943, the battalion as part of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division landed in Sicily as part of Operation Husky. On 3 September 1943, the battalion and the rest of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division as part of the British Army's V Corps landed in Italy where it fought as part of the Italian campaign, later joining with the rest of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division as part of the I Canadian Corps. On 1 July 1944, the battalion was again redesignated as the 1st Battalion, The Saskatoon Light Infantry (Machine Gun), CASF. On 4 March 1945, the battalion landed in France and upon arrival in the North West Europe theatre of operations with the rest of the First Canadian Army, it served until the end of the war. On 15 October 1945, the overseas battalion was disbanded.

Pacific

On 1 June 1945, The Saskatoon Light Infantry (Machine Gun) mobilized three “cannon” companies for active service with the 6th Canadian Infantry Division (Canadian Army Pacific Force). On 1 November 1945, these companies were disbanded.

Organization

The Saskatoon Light Infantry (M.G.) (15 December 1936)

Alliances

- The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (1925-1955)

Uniform

Scarlet tunic with blue facings

Tartan: Mackenzie (pipers' kilts, 1942-1955, with permission of The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada)

Battle honours

Great War

Second World War

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Defence. National. 2018-10-29. The North Saskatchewan Regiment. 2022-01-24. www.canada.ca.
  2. Web site: Guide to Sources Relating to the Canadian Militia (Infantry, Cavalry, Armored).
  3. Web site: 2007-11-13 . The Saskatoon Light Infantry [Canada] ]. 2022-01-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071113190736/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/na-canada/volmil/sk-inf/105SaskF.htm . 13 November 2007 . dead.
  4. Web site: The Saskatoon Light Infantry (M.G.) 1939-1945. 2022-01-24. The Saskatoon Light Infantry (M.G.) 1939-1945. en.
  5. Web site: U of S Archives - Saskatoon Light Infantry - History/Evolution/Organization. 2022-01-24. digital.scaa.sk.ca.
  6. Web site: British Light Infantry Regiments. 2022-01-24. www.lightinfantry.org.uk.
  7. Web site: Guide to Sources Relating to the Canadian Militia (Infantry, Cavalry, Armored).
  8. Web site: Guide to Sources Relating to the Canadian Militia (Infantry, Cavalry, Armored).
  9. Web site: www.canadiansoldiers.com. 2022-01-24. www.canadiansoldiers.com.
  10. Web site: www.canadiansoldiers.com. 2022-01-24. www.canadiansoldiers.com.
  11. Web site: The Minute Book. 2022-01-24. www.regimentalrogue.com.
  12. Web site: The North Saskatchewan Regiment. 2022-02-13. www.regimentalrogue.com.