Haldimand Rifles

The Haldimand Rifles
Active	1866-1936
Country	Canada
Branch	Canadian Militia
Type	Rifles
Role	Infantry
Size	One regiment
Part of	Non-Permanent Active Militia
Garrison/HQ	York, Ontario
Engagements	Fenian Raids, First World War
Battle honours	See #Battle Honours

The Haldimand Rifles 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 Dufferin Rifles of Canada to form The Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada (now the 56th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA).[1][2][3]

Lineage

• 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.[2]

Chart

Lineage chart[2]

1856 Dunnville Rifle Coy 1862 York Rifle Coy Caledonia Rifle Coy 1866 Oneida Infy Coy Walpole Infy Coy Cheapside Infy Coy 1866 37th "Haldimand Bn of Rifles" 1900 37th Regt "Haldimand Rifles" 1915 114th "Overseas" Bn, CEF 1916 Absorbed by 35th and 36th Reserve Bns, CEF 1920 1st Bn (114th Bn, CEF), The Haldimand Rifles 2nd Bn,[a] The Haldimand Rifles 1st Bn (4th Bn, CEF), The Dufferin Rifles of Canada C Coy, 3rd MG Bn, CMGC 1936 Disbanded 1936 The Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada

Perpetuations

• 114th Battalion (Haldimand), CEF[1]

History

Early history

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 Haldimand County-area of Canada West (now Ontario).

During the Fenian Raids, two of these companies: the York Rifle Company and the Caledonia Rifle Company of the Haldimand County Militia would see action on June 2, 1866, alongside The Queen's Own Rifles and the 13th Battalion Volunteer Militia (Infantry), Canada (now the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry) at the Battle of Ridgeway.[4][5][6][7][8]

On 28 September 1866, the 37th Haldimand Battalion of Rifles was authorized. Its Regimental Headquarters was in York and had companies in York, Dunnville, Caledonia, Oneida, Hullsville, Cheapside and Mount Healy, Canada West (now Ontario).[1]

On 8 May 1900, the 37th Haldimand Battalion of Rifles was Redesignated as the 37th Regiment Haldimand Rifles.[1]

Great War

On 22 December 1915, the 114th Battalion (Haldimand), CEF was authorized for service and on 31 October 1916, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. After its arrival in the UK, on 11 November 1916, the battalion's personnel were absorbed by the 35th Reserve Battalion, CEF and the 36th Reserve Battalion, CEF to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. On 21 May 1917, the 114th Battalion, CEF was disbanded.[2]

1920s–1930s

On 1 April 1921, as a result of the Otter Commission and the following reorganization of the Canadian Militia, the 37th Regiment Haldimand Rifles was Redesignated as The Haldimand Rifles.[1][9]

On 15 December 1936, as a result of the 1936 Canadian Militia Reorganization, The Haldimand Rifles was Amalgamated 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)), to form The Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada.[1][10]

Organization

37th Haldimand Battalion of Rifles (28 September 1866)

• No. 1 Company (York, Ontario) (first raised on 27 August 1862, as the York Rifle Company)
• No. 2 Company (Dunnville, Ontario) (first raised on 24 July 1856 as the Dunnville Rifle Company)
• No. 3 Company (Caledonia, Ontario) (first raised on 27 August 1862 as the Caledonia Rifle Company)
• No. 4 Company (Oneida, Ontario) (first raised on 6 July 1866 as the Oneida Infantry Company)
• No. 5 Company (Walpole, Ontario) (first raised on 31 August 1866 as the Walpole Infantry Company)
• No. 6 Company (Cheapside, Ontario) (first raised on 14 September 1866 as the Cheapside Infantry Company)[3]

Battle Honours

• Hill 70[b][11]
• Ypres, 1917[12]

Notable members

• Brigadier Oliver Milton Martin
• Colonel James Walker

References

1. Reserve order of battle
2. Selected to be borne on colours and appointments

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 2022-04-06.
3. "The Haldimand Rifles [Canada]". 2008-01-25. Archived from the original on 25 January 2008. Retrieved 2022-04-06.
4. "Ridgeway Battlefield National Historic Site of Canada". www.pc.gc.ca. Retrieved 2022-05-30.
5. "The Fenian Raid 1866". The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archive. 2012-02-23. Retrieved 2022-05-30.
6. "Battle of Ridgeway Clarified". The Ontario Regiment RCAC Museum. 2019-07-24. Retrieved 2022-05-30.
7. "Opinion | Ridgeway 1866: An overlooked Hamilton Mountain Memory". The Hamilton Spectator. 2021-05-30. ISSN 1189-9417. Retrieved 2022-05-30.
8. "Grand Uprising of the Canadian People". www.canadiangenealogy.net. Retrieved 2022-05-30.
9. "Otter Committee". www.canadiansoldiers.com. Retrieved 2022-04-06.
10. "1936 Reorganization of the Militia". www.canadiansoldiers.com. Retrieved 2022-04-06.
11. Defence, National (2019-07-22). "WWI - Hill 70". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2022-04-06.
12. Defence, National (2019-07-23). "WWI - Ypres, 1917". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2022-04-06.