Le Régiment de Maisonneuve

Le Régiment de Maisonneuve is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. The regiment is Canada's twenty-sixth most senior reserve infantry regiment, and comprises one battalion serving as part of the Canadian Army Reserves.

Le Régiment de Maisonneuve
The cap badge of Le Régiment de Maisonneuve
Active1880–present
CountryCanada
BranchPrimary Reserves
TypeLine infantry
RoleLight role
SizeOne battalion
Part ofRoyal Canadian Infantry Corps
Motto(s)Bon Cœur et Bon Bras (Good heart and strong arm)
March"Sambre et Meuse"
EngagementsThe Great War
World War II

History

This Reserve Force regiment originated in Montreal, Quebec on 4 June 1880, when the 85th Battalion of Infantry was authorized to be formed. Lieutenant-Colonel Julien Brosseau, VD, was the first Commanding Officer. It was redesignated as the 85th Regiment on 8 May 1900, as Le Régiment de Maisonneuve on 29 March 1920, as the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, Le Régiment de Maisonneuve on 7 November 1940 and finally Le Régiment de Maisonneuve on 15 December 1945.[1]

The Great War

During the Great War, details of the 85th Regiment were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protection duties. The 41st Battalion, CEF, was authorized on 7 November 1914 and embarked for Great Britain on 18 October 1915, where it provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field until 13 July 1916, when its personnel were absorbed by the 69th Battalion, CEF. The battalion was disbanded on 15 September 1920. The 206th Battalion, CEF, was authorized on 15 July 1916 and sent two reinforcing drafts to Bermuda. On 17 August 1916, its remaining personnel were absorbed, in Canada, by the 167th Battalion, CEF. The battalion was disbanded on 1 August 1918.[1]

In 1920, as part of the Otter Committee's reforms, the 85th Infantry Regiment was restructured and renamed the Régiment de Maisonneuve, in memory of the founder of Montreal, Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve.

Second World War
Canadian Infantry of the Régiment de Maisonneuve, moving through Holten to Rijssen, Netherlands, 9 April 1945.

The regiment mobilized Le Régiment de Maisonneuve, CASF, on 1 September 1939. It embarked for Great Britain on 24 August 1940. It was redesignated as the 1st Battalion, Le Régiment de Maisonneuve, CASF, on 7 November 1940. 17 On 7 July 1944, the battalion landed in France as part of the 5th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. It suffered heavy casualties in the Battle of the Scheldt, and was notably depleted by the time of the Battle of Walcheren Causeway. The unit recovered during the winter and was again in action during the Rhineland fighting and the final weeks of the war, taking part in the final campaigns in northern Netherlands, the Battle of Groningen, and the final attacks on German soil. The overseas battalion was disbanded on 15 December 1945.

The regiment subsequently mobilized the 3rd Battalion, Le Régiment de Maisonneuve, CASF, on 12 May 1942. It served in Canada in a home defence role as part of the 21st Infantry Brigade, 8th Canadian Division. The 3rd Battalion was disbanded on 15 October 1943.[1]

Postwar

In 1940 the regiment formed an alliance with The King's Shropshire Light Infantry.

In 1962 the city of Montreal accorded the regiment Freedom of the City as well as the right to bear the coat of arms of Montreal on its regimental colour.

The unit celebrated its centennial in 1980 and published a history. In 1983, the unit moved from District Number 1 to District Number 2 in Quebec. On 1 September 1991, the regiment transferred to the new district Number 1.

1994: The regiment was affiliated in July to HMCS Montréal, a new frigate of the Canadian Navy. 1997: The regiment was consolidated under the restructuring of 34 Canadian Brigade Group.[2][3]

Armoury
Site Date(s) Designated Description Image
Victoria Rifles Armoury
691 Cathcart Street
Montreal		 1933 Canada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1984 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings

This armoury`s two-dimensional façade with a low-pitched gable roof is pressed up against its urban streetscape

Battle honours
The regimental colour of Le Régiment de Maisonneuve.

In the list below, battle honours in capitals were awarded for participation in large operations and campaigns, while those in lowercase indicate honours granted for more specific battles. Battle honours in bold type are authorized to be emblazoned on regimental colours.

The Great War

  • MOUNT SORREL
  • SOMME, 1916
  • ARRAS, 1917
  • HILL 70
  • YPRES, 1917
  • AMIENS

The Second World War

  • BOURGUÉBUS RIDGE
  • Faubourg de Vaucelles
  • Maltot
  • Verrières Ridge–Tilly-la-Campagne
  • FALAISE
  • Falaise Road
  • Forêt de la Londe
  • Dunkirk, 1944
  • Antwerp–Turnhout Canal
  • THE SCHELDT
  • Woensdrecht
  • South Beveland
  • Walcheren Causeway
  • THE RHINELAND
  • The Reichswald
  • The Hochwald
  • Xanten
  • Groningen
  • Oldenburg
  • NORTH-WEST EUROPE, 1944–1945[1]

War in Afghanistan

Alliances
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See also

Media
  • Le Régiment de Maisonneuve vers la victoire 1944-1945 by Gérard Marchand (Apr 22 1997)
  • Bon coeur et Bon bras, Histoire du Régiment de Maisonneuve 1880-1980 by Jacques Gouin (1980)

References
  1. Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.
  2. "army.ca".
  3. "army.ca".
  4. "South-West Asia Theatre Honours". Office of the Prime Minister of Canada. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
Preceded by
The Nova Scotia Highlanders		 Le Régiment de Maisonneuve Succeeded by
The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh's Own)
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