Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada

The Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada
Active	1866-1946
Country	Canada
Branch	Canadian Militia (1866-1940) Canadian Army (1940-1946)
Type	Rifle Infantry
Part of	Non-Permanent Active Militia (1866-1940) Royal Canadian Infantry Corps (1942-1946)
Garrison/HQ	Brantford, Ontario
Motto(s)	Pervias rectas
Engagements	Fenian Raids First World War Second World War
Battle honours	See #Battle Honours

The Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada was an infantry regiment of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of the Canadian Militia and later the Canadian Army. The regiment was formed in 1936, when The Haldimand Rifles was Amalgamated with The Dufferin Rifles of Canada. In 1946, the regiment was converted from Infantry to Artillery and now forms part of the 56th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA.[1][2][3]

Lineage

The Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada

Main article: The Haldimand Rifles

• Originated on 28 September 1866, in York, Ontario, as the 37th Haldimand Battalion of Rifles.
• Redesignated on 8 May 1900, as the 37th Regiment Haldimand Rifles.
• Redesignated on 1 May 1920, as The Haldimand Rifles.
• Amalgamated on 15 December 1936, with The Dufferin Rifles of Canada and C Company of the 3rd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC (now The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's)), and Redesignated as The Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada.
• Redesignated on 7 November 1940, as the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada.
• Redesignated on 1 June 1945, as The Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada.
• Converted to Artillery on 1 April 1946, and Redesignated as the 56th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles), RCA (now the 56th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA).[2]

The Dufferin Rifles of Canada

Main article: The Dufferin Rifles of Canada

• Originated on 28 September 1866, in Brantford, Ontario, as the 38th Brant Battalion of Infantry.
• Redesignated on 30 November 1866, as the 38th Brant Battalion of Infantry.
• Redesignated on 24 March 1871, as the 38th Brant Battalion of Rifles.
• Redesignated on 3 July 1874, as the 38th Brant Battalion or Dufferin Rifles.
• Redesignated on 28 September 1883, as the 38th Battalion Dufferin Rifles of Canada.
• Redesignated on 8 May 1900, as the 38th Regiment Dufferin Rifles of Canada.
• Redesignated on 1 May 1920, as The Dufferin Rifles of Canada.
• Amalgamated on 15 December 1936, with The Haldimand Rifles and C Company of the 3rd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC, and Redesignated as The Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada.[2]

Perpetuations

• 4th Battalion (Central Ontario), CEF
• 36th Battalion, CEF
• 114th Battalion (Haldimand), CEF
• 125th Battalion (1st Overseas Battalion of 38th Regiment Dufferin Rifles), CEF
• 215th Battalion (2nd Overseas Battalion of 38th Regiment Dufferin Rifles), CEF[1][4][5]

History

1936-1939

As a direct result of the 1936 Canadian Militia Reorganization, The Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada was formed by the Amalgamation of The Haldimand Rifles, The Dufferin Rifles of Canada, and "C" Company of the 3rd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC.[1][3][6]

The Second World War

On 24 May 1940, the regiment mobilized The Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada, CASF for active service. On 7 November 1941, the battalion was redesignated as the 1st Battalion, The Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada, CASF. The battalion served in Canada in a home defence role as part of the 17th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 7th Canadian Infantry Division. On 8 March 1945, the battalion was disbanded.[2]

Organization

The Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada (15 December 1936)

• Regimental Headquarters (Brantford, Ontario)
• HQ Company (Dunnville, ON)
• A Company (Brantford, ON)
• B Company (Brantford, ON)
• C Company (Paris, ON)
• D Company (Hagersville, ON)[3]

Alliances

• The King's Royal Rifle Corps (1936-1946)[3]

Battle Honours

• Ypres 1915, ‘17
• Gravenstafel
• St. Julien
• Festubert, 1915
• Mount Sorrel
• Somme, 1916
• Pozieres
• Flers-Courcelette
• Ancre Heights
• Arras 1917, '18
• Vimy, 1917
• Arleux
• Scarpe, 1917, 18
• Hill 70
• Passchendaele
• Amiens
• Drocourt-Quéant
• Hindenburg Line
• Canal du Nord
• Pursuit to Mons
• France and Flanders, 1915-18[5]

Notable Members

• William Merrifield VC MM
• Oliver Milton Martin

References

1. "Guide to Sources Relating to the Canadian Militia (Infantry, Cavalry, Armored)" (PDF).
2. Defence, National (2019-01-28). "56th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
3. "The Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada". 2007-11-16. Archived from the original on 16 November 2007. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
4. "CEF Infantry Battalions" (PDF).
5. "www.canadiansoldiers.com". www.canadiansoldiers.com. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
6. "www.canadiansoldiers.com". www.canadiansoldiers.com. Retrieved 2022-03-27.