SITE MENU / Heading Content

RENÉ CHARTRAND, ILLUSTRATED BY RON VOLSTAD
CANADIAN FORCES IN WORLD WAR II

Table 2: Canadian Army Units 1939-45

Regular regiments (in order of precedence):

Royal Canadian Dragoons (1st Armd Car Regt) I Corps troops - Italy 1943-45; NW Europe from March 1945.

Lord Strathcona's Horse (2nd Armd Regt) Italy 1943-45 with 5th Armd Bde, 5th Armd Div; NW Europe from February 1945.

Royal Canadian Artillery Dieppe 1942, Kiska 1943. Italy 1943-45, NW Europe 1944-45. Some units also served in Canada, notably as coast artillery.

Royal Canadian Regiment Italy 1943-1945 with 1st Inf Bde, 1st Inf Div; NW Europe 1945.

Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Italy 1943-1945 with 2nd Inf Bde, 1st Inf Div; NW Europe 1945.

Royal 22e Régiment Italy 1943-1945 with 3rd Inf Bde, 1st Inf Div; NW Europe 1945.

Militia, volunteer & reserve units (listed alphabetically). Notes:

'Mb' = mobilisation date.

Units with initial numbers are listed phonetically - e.g. '1st' & '4th' etc. appear under 'F'.

Many units listed as shipped to the UK in 1944-45 and disbanded there were dispersed as casualty replacements to units of 1st Canadian Army in NW Europe.

Algonquin Regiment Mb 24 May 1940; Normandy 23 August 1944 with 10th Inf Bde, 4th Armd Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders of Canada Mb 15 August 1940; Normandy 23 August 1944 with 10th Inf Bde; 4th Armd Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

Argyll Light Infantry Not mobilised; converted to artillery, remained in Canada as part of Reserve Army.

Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada Mb 1 September 1939; three platoons at Dieppe 1942; Normandy 6 July 1944 with 5th Inf Bde, 2nd Inf Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

British Columbia Dragoons (9th Armd Regt) Mb 24 May 1940; Italy 1943-45 with 5th Armd Bde. 5th Armd Div; NW Europe from February 1945.

British Columbia Regiment (28th Armd Regt) Mb 24 May 1940; Normandy 26 July 1944 with 4th Amid Bde, 4th Armd Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

Brockville Rifles Mb 18 March 1942; served in Bermuda, later with 6th Inf Div, Pacific Command.

Calgary Highlanders Mb 1 September 1939; Normandy 6 July 1944 with 5th Inf Bde, 2nd Inf Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

Calgary Regiment (14th Armd Regt) Mb 11 February 1941; Dieppe 1942; Italy 1943-45 with 1st Armd Bde, 5th Armd Div; NW Europe from March 1945.

Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Mb 1 September 1939; Normandy 6 June 1944 with 3rd Inf Div (MG Bn); NW Europe 1944-45.

Canadian Fusiliers Mb 29 January 1942; with 13th Bde. 6th Inf Div, Pacific Command: Kiska 1943; to UK May 1944, converted into 2 Cdn Training Bn, 1 November 1944.

Canadian Garrison Battalion Formed late autumn 1940 from WWI veterans; served in Ontario guarding hydro-electric plants at Chippewa and Niagara Falls; disbanded 1943.

Canadian Grenadier Guards (22nd Armd Regt) Mb 24 May 1940; Normandy 26 July 1944 with 4th Armd Bde, 4th Armd Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

Canadian Scottish Regiment Mb 24 May 1940; Normandy 6 June 1944 with 7th Inf Bde, 3rd Inf Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

Canadian Parachute Corps 1st Canadian Para Bn raised July 1942; jumped Normandy 6 June 1944, Rhine crossings; NW Europe 1944-45 with British 6th Airborne Div. 2nd Bn with First Special Service Force (qv).

Cape Breton Highlanders Mb 1 January 1941; Italy 1943-45 with 11th Inf Bde, 5th Armd Div; NW Europe from March 1945.

Carieton & York Regiment Mb 1 September 1939; Italy 1943-45 with 3rd Inf Bde, 1st Inf Div; NW Europe from March 1945.

Dufferin & Haldiman Rifles of Canada Mb July 1940; served in Canada.

Edmonton Fusiliers Mb 1 September 1939; served in Canada. 2nd Bn mb 12 May 1942; served with 8th Inf Div, Pacific Command.

Edmonton Regiment - see Loyal Edmonton Regiment.

8th Princess Louise's New Brunswick Hussars (5th Armd Regt) Mb July 1940; Italy 1943-45 with 5th Armd Bde, 5th Armd Div: NW Europe from February 1945.

Elgin Regiment Mb 24 May 1940; one Sqn as 1st Cdn Tank Delivery Sqn in Italy 1943-45; one Sqn as 25th Armd Delivery Regt in Normandy 8 June 1944, NW Europe 1944-45.

Essex Regiment Mb 24 May 1940; July 1943 to UK, where disbanded 31 March 1944.

Essex Scottish Regiment Mb 1 September 1939; Dieppe 1942; Normandy 5 July 1944 with 4th Inf Bde, 2nd Inf Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

1st Cdn Armoured Personnel Carrier Regt Formed in Holland 24 October 1944, served with British 79th Armd Div; disbanded Germany, 11 May 1945.

1st Hussars (6th Armd Regt) Mb 1 September 1939; Normandy 6 June 1944; NW Europe 1944-45.

First Special Service Force (Parachute) Mixed elite US/Canadian unit organised from June 1942, Canadians originally called 2nd Cdn Para Bn; Kiska 1943; Italy 1943-44; southern France 1944; disbanded 5 December 1944.

Fort Garry Horse (10th Armd Regt) Mb 1 September 1939; Normandy 6 June 1944; NW Europe 1944-45.

4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards (4th Recce Regt) Mb 26 January 1941; Italy 1943-1945 with 1st Inf Div, then 5th Armd Div; NW Europe from February 1945.

14th Canadian Hussars (8th Recce Bn) Mb 26 January 1941; Normandy 6 July 1944 with 2nd Inf Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

48th Highlanders of Canada Mb 1 September 1939; Italy 1943-45 with 1st Inf Bde, 1st Inf Div; NW Europe from March 1945.

Fusiliers Mont-Royal Mb 1 September 1939; Dieppe 1942; Normandy 7 July 1944 with 6th Inf Bde, 2nd Inf Div: NW Europe 1944-45.

Fusiliers de Sherbrooke Mb 18 March 1942; served in Canada; January 1945 to UK, where disbanded 18 January.

Fusiliers du Saint-Laurent Mb 3 January 1942; served in Gaspé Peninsula; January 1945 to UK, where disbanded 18 January.

Governor General's Foot Guards (21st Armd Regt) Mb 24 May 1940; Normandy 25 July 1944 with 4th Armd Bde, 4th Armd Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

Governor General's Horse Guards (3rd Armd Recce Regt) Mb 9 October 1941; Italy 1943-45 with 5th Armd Div; NW Europe from February 1945.

Grey & Simcoe Foresters Mb 24 May 1940; June 1943 to UK, where disbanded 1 November.

Halifax Rifles Mb 1 January 1940; June 1943 to UK, where disbanded 1 November.

Hastings & Prince Edward Regiment Mb 1 September 1939; Italy 1943-45 with 1st Inf Bde, 1st Inf Div; NW Europe from March 1945.

Highland Light Infantry of Canada Mb 24 May 1940; Normandy 6 June 1944 with 9th Inf Bde, 3rd Inf Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

Irish Fusiliers of Canada Mb 1 January 1941; served in Canada & Jamaica; January 1945 to UK, where disbanded 19 January.

Irish Regiment of Canada Mb 24 May 1940; Italy 1943-45 with 11th Inf Bde, 5th Armd Div; NW Europe from February 1945.

Kent Regiment Mb 24 May 1940; served in Canada with 8th Inf Div, Pacific Command.

King's Own Rifles of Canada Mb 24 May 1940; served in Canada with 8th Inf Div, Pacific Command.

Lake Superior Regiment (Motor) Mb 24 May 1940; Normandy 26 July 1944 with 4th Armd Bde, 4th Armd Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

Lanark & Renfrew Scottish Regt (1st Light Anti-Aircraft Regt) Mb 5 March 1942; disbanded Halifax 15 October 1943. 1st Light AA Regt organised in UK, 1 February 1941; served in Italy 1943-45; designated Lanark & Renfrew Scottish, 15 March 1945.

Lincoln & Welland Regiment Mb 15 August 1940; Normandy 26 July 1944 with 10th Inf Bde, 4th Armd Div: NW Europe 1944-45.

Lome Scots Mb 1 September 1939; served in Canada as base depot but detachments in Italy 1943-45, Normandy & NW Europe 1944-45.

(Loyal) Edmonton Regiment Mb 1 September 1939; Sprtzbergen August 1941; Italy 1943-45 with 2nd Inf Bde. 1st Inf Div: NW Europe from March 1945. Prefix 'Loyal' granted 7 July 1943.

Manitoba Mounted Rifles Not mobilised.

Manitoba Volunteer Reserve Local guard duties in Canada.

Middlesex & Huron Regiment Not mobilised.

Midland Regiment Mb 24 May 1940: served in Canada; to UK January 1945.

New Brunswick Rangers Mb 1 January 1941; Normandy 26 July 1944 with 10th Inf Bde, 4th Armd Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

New Brunswick Regiment Not mobilised.

19th Alberta Light Horse (31st (Alberta) Recce Bn) Mb 13 March 1942; served in Canada; January 1945 to UK, where disbanded 15 February.

North Nova Scotia Highlanders Mb 1 September 1939; Normandy 6 June 1944 with 9th Inf Bde, 3rd Inf Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment Mb 24 May 1940; Normandy 6 June 1944 with 8th Inf Bde, 3rd Inf Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

Ontario Regiment (11th Armd Regt) Mobilised 1 September 1939; Spitzbergen August 1941; Italy 1943-45 with 1st Armd Bde; NW Europe from March 1945.

Oxford Rifles Mb 24 May 1940; served in Canada; January 1945 to UK, where disbanded.

Perth Regiment (Motor) Mb 1 September 1939; Italy 1943-45 with 11th Inf Bde, 5th Armd Div; NW Europe from March 1945.

Pictou Highlanders Mb 1 September 1939; served in Newfoundland 1941-43: companies to Bahamas & Bermuda 1943-46.

Prince Albert & Battleford Volunteers Mb 1 September 1939; served in Canada; Battleford component disbanded and absorbed into 16/22 Saskatchewan Horse, 1 May 1941. Remainder redesignated The Prince Albert Volunteers; served in Pacific Command 1942-45.

Prince Edward Island Highlanders Mb 1 January 1941; served in Canada; January 1945 to UK, where disbanded 18 January.

Prince Edward Island Light Horse (1st Cdn Armd Bde HQ Sqn) Mb 27 February 1941; redesignated II Corps Defence Co, 1 November 1943; Normandy 6 July 1944; NW Europe 1944-45.

Prince of Wales Rangers Mb 1 September 1939; served with 8th Inf Div, Pacific Command, 1942-45.

Prince Rupert Regiment Raised 20 November 1942; served in Prince Rupert, BC, area coast defences; released from active duty May 1944, disbanded 31 March 1946.

Princess Louise Fusiliers (Motor) Mb 1 January 1941; Italy 1943-45 with 11th Inf Bde, 5th Armd Div; NW Europe from February 1945.

Princess of Wales' Own Regiment Mb 9 September 1939 for local defence in Kingston; disbanded 15 October 1943.

Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada Mb 1 September 1939; Dieppe 1942; Normandy 7 July 1944 with 6th Inf Bde, 2nd Inf Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Mb 24 May 1940; Normandy 6 July 1944 with 8th Inf Bde, 3rd Inf Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

Queen's York Rangers Mb 5 March 1942; served in Ontario; disbanded 15 October 1943.

Régiment de Châteauguay Mb for local defence 1 September 1939; to Newfoundland, September 1944: disbanded at St John's, 18 January 1945.

Régiment de la Chaudiére Mb 1 September 1939; Normandy 6 June 1944 with 8th Inf Bde, 3rd Inf Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

Régiment de Gaspé - Bonnaventure Formed 15 August 1944; not mobilised; disbanded 31 March 1946. (Originally 3rd Reserve Bn of Les Fusiliers du Saint-Laurent, and wore its cap badge.)

Régiment de Hull Mb 28 July 1941; with 13th Bde, 6th Inf Div, Pacific Command; Kiska 1943-44; May 1944 to UK, where redesignated 4th Cdn Inf Training Bn Type B, 1 November.

Régiment de Joliette Mb 3 January 1942; served in Newfoundland; January 1945 to UK, where disbanded 10 January.

Régiment de Lévis Local defence duty from 1 September 1939: mb 12 May 1942; served in Valcartier, Quebec; disbanded 15 October 1943.

Régiment de Maisonneuve Mb 1 September 1939: Normandy 7 July 1944 with 5th Inf Bde, 2nd Inf Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

Régiment de Montmagny Mb 15 March 1942; served in Newfoundland; disbanded 15 September 1944.

Régiment de Québec Mb 18 March 1942; served with 15th Inf Bde, 7th Inf Div of Atlantic Command; disbanded 22 December 1945.

Régiment de St Hyacinthe Mb 3 January 1942; served in Newfoundland; disbanded 14 January 1946.

Régiment du Saguenay Not mobilised.

Rocky Mountain Rangers Mb 1 January 1941: with 13th Bde, 6th Inf Div, Pacific Command; Kiska 1943; May 1944 to UK, where redesignated 1st Cdn Inf Training Bn Type A, 1 November.

Regina Rifle Regiment Mb 24 May 1940; Normandy 6 June 1944 with 7th Inf Bde, 3rd Inf Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Mb 1 September 1939; Dieppe 1942; Normandy 7 July 1944 with 4th Inf Bde, 2nd Inf Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

Royal Montreal Regiment Mb 1 September 1939; Normandy 28 July 1944; NW Europe 1944-45.

Royal Regiment of Canada Mb 1 September 1939; Dieppe 1942; Normandy 7 July 1944 with 4th Inf Bde, 2nd Inf Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

Royal Rifles of Canada Mb 24 May 1940; destroyed in defence of Hong Kong. December 1941; reconstituted 1 January 1942; served in Canada; January 1945 to UK.

Royal Winnipeg Rifles Mb 24 May 1940; Normandy 6 June 1944 with 7th Inf Bde, 3rd Inf Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

St John Fusiliers Mb 1 September 1939; with 13th Bde, 6th Inf Div, Pacific Command from January 1941; one company on Kiska 1943-44; January 1945 to UK, where disbanded 10 January.

Saskatoon Light Infantry Mb 1 September 1939; Italy 1943-45 with 1st Inf Div (MG bn); NW Europe from March 1945.

Sault St Marie & Sudbury Regiment Mb; served with 6th Inf Div, Pacific Command 1942-45.

Scots Fusiliers of Canada Mb 5 March 1942; served in Ontario; disbanded 15 October 1943.

Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Mb 1 September 1939; Italy 1943-45 with 2nd Inf Bde, 1st Inf Div; NW Europe from March 1945.

2nd Armoured Car Regt Mb in Winnipeg; sent to UK, where disbanded early 1941.

2nd/10th Dragoons Mb 26 May 1942; with 7th Inf Div. Atlantic Command; disbanded 1944.

17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars (7th Recce Regt) Mb 24 May 1940; Normandy 6 June 1944 with 3rd Inf Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

7th/11th Hussars (2nd Cdn Armd Bde HQ Sqn) Mb 27 February 1941; to UK, where disbanded 1 January 1943.

Sherbrooke Fusiliers (27th Armd Regt) Mb 24 May 1940; Normandy 6 June 1944 with 2nd Armd Bde; NW Europe 1944-45.

Sherbrooke Regiment Mb 1 September 1939; to UK, where disbanded 16 July 1940.

16th/22nd Saskatchewan Horse Mb 24 May 1940; June 1943 to UK, where disbanded 1 November.

6th Duke of Connaught's Royal Canadian Hussars (5th Cdn Armd Div HQ Sqn) Mb 27 February 1941; to UK, where disbanded 1 January 1943.

South Alberta Regiment (29th Amid Recce Regt) Mb 24 May 1940; Normandy 24 July 1944 with 4th Armd Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

South Saskatchewan Regiment Mb 1 September 1939; Dieppe 1942; Normandy 8 July 1944 with 6th Inf Bde. 2nd Inf Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

Stormont. Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders Mb 24 May 1940; Normandy 6 June 1944 with 9th inf Bde, 3rd Inf Div; NW Europe 1944-45.

Three Rivers Regiment (12th Armd Regt) Mb 1 September 1939; Italy 1943-45 with 1st Armd Bde; NW Europe from March 1945.

Toronto Scottish Regiment Mb 1 September 1939; Dieppe 1942; Normandy 8 July 1944 with 2nd Inf Div (MG bn); NW Europe 1944-45.

12th Manitoba Dragoons (18th Armd Car Regt) Mb 10 May 1941; Normandy 9 July 1944; NW Europe 1944-45.

Victoria Rifles of Canada Mb 24 May 1940; with 7th Inf Div, Atlantic Command; 20 November 1944 to UK. where disbanded on arrival.

Voltigeurs de Québec Mb 10 May 1941; with 17th Inf Bde, Pacific Command; July 1943 to UK, where disbanded 1 November.

West Nova Scotia Regiment Mb 1 September 1939; Italy 1943-45 with 3rd Inf Bde, 1st Inf Div; NW Europe from March 1945.

Westminster Regiment (Motor) Mb 1 September 1939; Italy 1943-45 with 5th Armd Bde, 5th Armd Div; NW Europe from March 1945.

Winnipeg Grenadiers Mb 1 September 1939; to Jamaica & Bermuda until recalled to Canada, October 1941; to Hong Kong in November, where destroyed December 1941. Reconstituted 10 January 1942; with 13th Bde, 6th Inf Div, Pacific Command; Kiska 1943; May 1944 to UK, where redesignated 3rd Cdn Inf Training; Bn Type A, 1 November.

Winnipeg Light Infantry Mb 1 September 1939 for local defence; 18 March 1942 to 19th Inf Bde, Pacific Command, at Esquimalt, BC; disbanded 10 January 1945.



(⇚ + ctrl) PREVIOUS PAGE ◄► NEXT PAGE (ctrl + ⇛)