The Royal Westminster Regiment
Encyclopedia
The Royal Westminster Regiment is an infantry
regiment
of the Canadian Forces
Primary Reserve. It is based in New Westminster, British Columbia
at The Armouries, located at the corner of 6th and Queens.
The regiment is part of the 39 Canadian Brigade Group
and also part of Land Force Western Area
.
The Armouries also houses The Royal Westminster Regiment Museum..
was withdrawn to the UK, and was the first militia unit raised in Colony of British Columbia, thus predating Canada
as a nation.
In 1864, the regiment saw its first action when a detachment, numbering 38 men under the command of Captain Chartres Brew
, who was also the first Chief Constable of the colonial constabulary
, accompanied a punitive expedition
dispatched to the Chilcotin
. This action, known as the Chilcotin War
, was in response to fears of a native uprising sparked by the killing of 13 white road-builders by members of the Tsilhqot'in
people.
In 1866 there was a perceived threats of invasion by Irish-American Fenians from the United States of America. Fenians had mounted a brief and abortive invasion of Eastern Canada and as a result The Rifles were supplemented by the formation of "The Home Guards" and The Seymour Artillery Company.
In 1874, the New Westminster Rifle Company No. 1 ceased to exist, replaced by the No. 1 Company of Rifles (New Westminster). In 1877 the No. 1 Company of Rifles (New Westminster) was reorganized as the New Westminster Rifle Company, but no increase in its almost totally non-existent funding or equipment was authorized.
In 1892, as a consequence of neglect on the part of the Canadian government, the New Westminster Rifle Company was disbanded.
Persevering through a seven year stretch as artillery, the unit reverted to an infantry role in 1899.
In 1914 the regiment contributed to the formation of the 7th Battalion CEF, and in 1915 formed and trained the 47th Battalion CEF. The battalion sailed from Halifax for Great Britain
on November 13, 1915. The 47th Battalion fought with distinction at the Battle of Vimy Ridge
.
Additional World War I
honours were earned for:
A member of the 47th Battalion, Corporal Filip Konowal
, received the Victoria Cross
for his single handed destruction of a German machine gun position.
The unit also trained the 131st Battalion CEF, which was absorbed by the 30th Battalion, CEF as reinforcements in France
.
and in 1924 it was reformed as The Westminster Regiment.
The regiment was re-designated as a machine gun battalion and titled The Westminster Regiment (M.G.) in 1936.
During the Second World War the regiment formed a part of Major General Burt Hoffmeister's 5th Canadian Armoured Division ("The Mighty Maroon Machine") taking part in the Italian
Campaign before being transferred to Europe and participating in the liberation of Holland
. The 2nd Battalion, Westminster Regiment served in the reserve force stationed in Canada.
At that time of mobilization the regiment consisted of Battalion HQ, A and B Companies in New Westminster, C Company in Mission
and D Company in Chiliwack
. The Commanding Officer was Lt Col C.J Loat, with Major "Little Joe" Sager as Deputy Commanding Officer. Major Sager became CO at the end of 1939. On May 27, 1940, the unit deployed to Camp Dundurn Saskatchewan
for additional training. Late in September, 1940 the unit was deployed again, not overseas as they had hoped, but back to Vancouver for winter quarters at the then abandoned Hotel Vancouver.
on November 13, 1941, exactly 26 years from the day that the 47th Battalion CEF had sailed for Europe from the same port. The unit disembarked in Liverpool on November 24, 1941.
, Hove
, Pippingford Park, and Cranwich Camp Thetford
, Norfolk
.
In March 1943 the Westminster's CO, Lt Col Sager, was promoted to Brigadier and given command of 4 Canadian Infantry Brigade. Command of the regiment passed to Lt Col RL Tindall, who had been recently second in command of the Perth Regiment.
. Next the unit was sent by rail to Phillipeville and immediately embarked on the HMT Cameronia
for Naples
, Italy
where they joined the 8th Army
. The regiment went into the line and engaged in combat first at the town of Guardiagrele
, near Monte Mariella. The unit's first casualties were suffered on January 22, 1944, during patrolling on this static part of the front. After eight days on the line the unit was withdrawn to the Sangro River
on the night of 25-26 January. The regiment returned to the line on January 31, relieving the 1/9 Gurkhas at Sararola. During this action the Westminsters developed the tactic of sending out patrols by night to lay over behind enemy lines in a deserted house through the day, calling in artillery and mortar fire by radio and then returning to their own lines the following night.
On February 14, 1944, Lt Col Gordon Corbould, a former Westie company commander and regimental 2IC, returned from his posting as second in command of the Irish Regiment of Canada to assume command of the Westminster Regiment. He would command the unit for the remainder of the war and through its hardest actions.
, holding the line near the villages of Vallirontonda and Aquafondata, starting on April 11, 1944. The unit was relieved on May 3, 1944, and moved to a rest area at Pignataro.
On May 11, 1944, the attack on the Gustav Line and the Hitler Line
commenced with the Westminsters and the 5th Armoured Division forming the exploitation force, hoping to break into the Liri Valley and the assault on Rome
. The advance through the Liri valley included the Westminster's most famous action, the assault water crossing at the Melfa River. The Officer Commanding, "A" Company at the Battle of the Melfa River, Major Jack Mahony
, was awarded the Victoria Cross
for his gallantry and leadership under fire during that action fought in conjunction with the tanks of Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
. This action cemented a friendship between the two regiments that has endured since the Second World War.
By August 1944 the Anzio Bridgehead
force had broken out, Rome had fallen and the advance to the Po River
commenced. The Westies joined the fight on August 6, 1944, at Montefalco in the advance to the next German defensive position, the Gothic Line
which the regiment engaged starting on August 26. The unit was involved in the crossing of the Fogia River. and the Conca River
. The unit completed the action on September 5, 1944.
on September 14, 1944
led the advance. The advance continued into the flat country under heavy fire to capture San Vito
. On September 25, the order was received to continue the advance and cross the Rubicone River, this time with the tanks of the Governor General's Horse Guards in support. The attack ran into thick minefields and heavy shelling, but no German infantry and regimental casualties were few.
and Italian partisans in the forward area south of Ravenna
. The mission was to hold the existing line, put pressure on the enemy and advance when the opportunity presented itself. Regimental HQ was in Vincoli with "A" and "B" Companies in San Stefano and "C" Company in Gambellara
. The action consisted of extensive night patrolling and night advances to contact the enemy. The pressure forced the enemy back across the Uniti Canal and into San Pancrazio
.
The regiment advanced through patrol actions across the Ronco River to the Scolo Lama canal, where bitter German resistance was encountered. Consolidating the advances by November 26, 1944, the Westminster's held a line of 7000 yards (6,400.8 m), a very long front for a unit of this size in this type of warfare. The campaign to clear the Po River
valley was severely hampered by the Italian climate and the rain at this time of year turned the flat valley into lakes and rivers.
The Porter Force membership ended with over 40 German prisoners taken and many more casualties inflicted on the enemy.
, capturing Ravenna
and the surrounding area, all with the aim of reducing pressure on the Fifth US Army operating near Bologna
. The attack was commenced at 0800 hours on December 2, 1944, and the unit captured the town of San Pancrazio
quickly.
After a month in continuous combat the unit was put under command of 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade and crossed the Lamone River in a night attack. The lead elements engaged in a difficult battle in the town of Villanova, where "A" and "C" Companies successfully engaged a column of German tanks with small arms and PIAT
s.
The regiment was next engaged in the battles for the Naviglio Canal and the River Senio
between 12-22 December 1944. Both actions were continuous and involved dealing with heavy German opposition in concert with the tanks of the Strathconas once again.
On December 23, 1944, the regiment was withdrawn for rest at Ravenna after 43 days and nights of continuous combat.
and the fighting was fierce against the determined resistance. As the Westie tradition dictated the regiment was not deterred and the objective was captured, the enemy forced to withdraw.
The unit was relieved by the 1st Battalion of the Welsh Regiment and a squadron of the RAF Regiment
on December 29, 1944.
On January 13, 1945, the unit was moved to Fano
and on to San Severino Marche
for rest and refitting.
on February 21, 1945, and from there embarked on United States Navy
shipping and conveyed to Marseilles, France
. The unit mounted its own transport and drove through the Rhone Valley to Belgium
, where they leaguered at Deinze
.
in Belgium as part of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division, now part of the First Canadian Corps, First Canadian Army
. Most of the unit was sent on leave when the order came on March 17, 1945, to prepare to move into battle again. The first area of operations was on the Maas River and Waal River lines near Nijmegen where the Westminsters relieved the 12th Manitoba Dragoons and commenced active patrolling and used the battalion mortars against the German positions across the Waal in Tiel
.
On April 5, 1945, the regiment was deployed to an area between the Waal and the Neder Rijn in conjunction with two companies of the 2nd Belgian Fusiliers. This was in preparation for a major offensive, which commenced on April 12, with a move to Doesburg
, just west of Arnhem
.
The division was given the task of exploiting the breakthrough created by the British 49th West Riding Division and driving to the Zuider Zee
. At this point the unit's anti-tank platoon was issued Stuart tank
s, unusual for an infantry regiment. The unit carried out a night attack across the IJssel River on the night of 12/13 April 1945 and passed through Arnhem. Pressing the attack, the 5th Canadian Armoured Division, in concert with the 1st Canadian Infantry Division
. During the attack Lt Oldfield won the Military Cross
for the action of his "A" Company Scout Platoon in clearing a German position and taking 40 prisoners.
The regiment attacked in concert with the Strathconas and the British Columbia Dragoons, capturing Deelen Airfield. The armoured drive continued against intense German opposition in fluid mobile operations, by-passing points of resistance to clean them up later. The unit advanced through Voorhuizen and Barneveld
. German defences were in chaos and many prisoners were taken in the drive to Putten
. When the operation had ended on April 18, 1945, the unit had covered 33 miles (53.1 km) and participated in cutting off thousands of German troops in the Amsterdam area.
The unit commenced coast watching and patrolling near Groningen to prevent the escape or infiltration of German forces still holding the islands off shore.
The unit's final action was the capture of the German anti-aircraft battery at Termunterzijl
. The battery's 128 mm guns controlled the whole area and the operation was hampered by the lack of artillery and air support. The action was hard-fought against stiff German defences built in great depth to protect the battery. Relentless pressure form the Westminsters forced the abandonment of the battery and the withdrawal of the remaining German forces.
, Toronto
and finally to Vancouver
by train. They marched up New Westminster's Columbia Street to Queen's Park where the final dismissal was given on January 19, 1946.
The unit was noted for never having failed to make an objective assigned. The Commander of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division, Major General BM Hoffmeister, described the regiment's war record as "a record of particularly outstanding accomplishment".
In May and June 1948, The Westminster Regiment (Motor) provided aid to the Civil Power during the Fraser River Floods. This operation took place over three weeks.
On the 25th of June 1952, the requirement and consideration yet again for Canadian soldiers became a necessity with the invasion of South Korea by North Korea. Members of the Westies prepared for enlistment into the C.A.S.F. Specifically they would join units like the 2nd Battalion P.P.C.L.I. The Westminster Regiment (Motor) was not mobilized. However, a platoon of volunteers was remembered to be parading and preparing on the Armoury floor to join the C.A.S.F.
Then in 1954, the Major General Howard Kennedy Report was completed and made some recommendations to reorganizing the Army. The Report concluded the following: training would be required to be flexible, remove the coastal and air defense units, increase the number of Armoured units, decrease the number of headquarters from thirty-five to twenty-six.
Between 1956 to 1964, the concept of the Militia units mobilizing overseas and contributing to those efforts was changed quite dramatically. Therefore, the role of the Militia was changed and the funding and size was reduced. The role in 1957 was changed to Civil Defense in light of the substantial nuclear threat. From 1964 to 1969 the Militia was further reduced in personnel from 23,000 to 19,000.
On 24 May 1963 the Westminster Regiment was granted Freedom of the City by the City of New Westminster.
The Royal Westminster Regiment has provided personnel for many United Nations Missions such as Cyprus (UNFICYP), Egypt (UNEF II) 1973-79, Golan Heights (UNDOF) 1974 - present and the former Yugoslavia (UNPROFOR) 1992-1993. Since 2006, the regiment has been supporting operations in Afghanistan.
The museum encourages within the community, a realization of the contribution to the community and the nation made by the Regiment and its antecedents. The museum`s goal is to imbue
a spirit of pride and selflessness in those who continue to serve.
units spread across British Columbia
which are affiliated with the Royal Westminster Regiment.
Cadet units affiliated to the Royal Westminster Regiment receive support and also are entitled to wear traditional regimental accoutrements on their uniforms.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
Primary Reserve. It is based in New Westminster, British Columbia
New Westminster, British Columbia
New Westminster is an historically important city in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada, and is a member municipality of the Greater Vancouver Regional District. It was founded as the capital of the Colony of British Columbia ....
at The Armouries, located at the corner of 6th and Queens.
The regiment is part of the 39 Canadian Brigade Group
39 Canadian Brigade Group
The 39 Canadian Brigade Group is part of Land Force Western Area of the Canadian Army. It is composed of Canadian Forces Primary Reserve units which are based in British Columbia. No. 39 CBG is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, at the Jericho Garrison on West 4th Avenue...
and also part of Land Force Western Area
Land Force Western Area
Land Force Western Area is one of four operational commands of the Canadian Army. LFWA is responsible for all Canadian Army administration and operations in western Canada from the Pacific Ocean to Thunder Bay, Ontario...
.
The Armouries also houses The Royal Westminster Regiment Museum..
The New Westminster Rifle Company No. 1
The Royal Westminster Regiment traces its lineage back to The New Westminster Rifle Company No. 1 which was formed on November 21, 1863, just after the Royal Engineers, Columbia DetachmentRoyal Engineers, Columbia detachment
Columbia detachment of the Royal Engineers was a British military contingent that played a major role in the settlement, development and security of the new British Columbia. Sent at the request of Governor James Douglas to help maintain order during the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush, the detachment was...
was withdrawn to the UK, and was the first militia unit raised in Colony of British Columbia, thus predating Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
as a nation.
In 1864, the regiment saw its first action when a detachment, numbering 38 men under the command of Captain Chartres Brew
Chartres Brew
Chartres Brew was a Gold commissioner, Chief Constable and judge in the Colony of British Columbia, later a province of Canada....
, who was also the first Chief Constable of the colonial constabulary
British Columbia Provincial Police
The British Columbia Provincial Police was the policing body for the Canadian province of British Columbia until 1950. The force is usually dated from the appointment of Chartres Brew in 1858 with the formation of the Colony of British Columbia and associated appointments...
, accompanied a punitive expedition
Punitive expedition
A punitive expedition is a military journey undertaken to punish a state or any group of persons outside the borders of the punishing state. It is usually undertaken in response to perceived disobedient or morally wrong behavior, but may be also be a covered revenge...
dispatched to the Chilcotin
Chilcotin District
The Chilcotin District of British Columbia is usually known simply as "the Chilcotin", and also in speech commonly as "the Chilcotin Country" or simply Chilcotin. It is a plateau and mountain region in British Columbia on the inland lea of the Coast Mountains on the west side of the Fraser River....
. This action, known as the Chilcotin War
Chilcotin War
The Chilcotin War, Chilcotin Uprising or Bute Inlet Massacre was a confrontation in 1864 between members of the Tsilhqot'in people in British Columbia and white road construction workers...
, was in response to fears of a native uprising sparked by the killing of 13 white road-builders by members of the Tsilhqot'in
Tsilhqot'in
The Tsilhqot'in are a Northern Athabaskan First Nations people that live in British Columbia, Canada...
people.
In 1866 there was a perceived threats of invasion by Irish-American Fenians from the United States of America. Fenians had mounted a brief and abortive invasion of Eastern Canada and as a result The Rifles were supplemented by the formation of "The Home Guards" and The Seymour Artillery Company.
In 1874, the New Westminster Rifle Company No. 1 ceased to exist, replaced by the No. 1 Company of Rifles (New Westminster). In 1877 the No. 1 Company of Rifles (New Westminster) was reorganized as the New Westminster Rifle Company, but no increase in its almost totally non-existent funding or equipment was authorized.
In 1892, as a consequence of neglect on the part of the Canadian government, the New Westminster Rifle Company was disbanded.
Persevering through a seven year stretch as artillery, the unit reverted to an infantry role in 1899.
The 104th Regiment (Westminster Fusiliers of Canada)
In 1910, the Regiment's name was changed to the 104th Regiment. Then changed again in 1913 to The 104th Regiment "Westminster Fusiliers of Canada" and again to The 104th Regiment (Westminster Fusiliers of Canada).First World War
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
on November 13, 1915. The 47th Battalion fought with distinction at the Battle of Vimy Ridge
Battle of Vimy Ridge
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a military engagement fought primarily as part of the Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the Canadian Corps, of four divisions, against three divisions of the German Sixth Army...
.
Additional World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
honours were earned for:
- Mount Sorrel
- Somme 1916
- Ancre Heights
- Ancre 1917
- Arras 1917-18
- Hill 70
- Ypes 1917
- Passchendaele
- Amiens
- Scarpe 1918
- Drocourt-Queant
- Hindenburg LineHindenburg LineThe Hindenburg Line was a vast system of defences in northeastern France during World War I. It was constructed by the Germans during the winter of 1916–17. The line stretched from Lens to beyond Verdun...
- Canal du NordBattle of the Canal du NordThe Battle of Canal du Nord was part of a general Allied offensive against German positions on the Western Front during the Hundred Days Offensive of World War I. The battle took place in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, along an incomplete portion of the Canal du Nord and on the outskirts...
- ValenciennesValenciennesValenciennes is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.It lies on the Scheldt river. Although the city and region had seen a steady decline between 1975 and 1990, it has since rebounded...
- France and Flanders 1916-18
A member of the 47th Battalion, Corporal Filip Konowal
Filip Konowal
Filip Konowal VC was a highly decorated Ukrainian Canadian soldier. He is the only Ukrainian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy given to British and Commonwealth forces...
, received the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
for his single handed destruction of a German machine gun position.
The unit also trained the 131st Battalion CEF, which was absorbed by the 30th Battalion, CEF as reinforcements in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
The Westminster Regiment
In 1920 the unit was amalgamated with the 6th Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own Rifles)The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) (RCAC)
The British Columbia Regiment is a Primary Reserve armoured reconnaissance regiment of the Canadian Forces; the regiment is subordinate to 39 Canadian Brigade Group of Land Force Western Area. Established in 1883, it is the oldest military unit in Vancouver, British Columbia...
and in 1924 it was reformed as The Westminster Regiment.
The regiment was re-designated as a machine gun battalion and titled The Westminster Regiment (M.G.) in 1936.
Second World War
With the German invasion of Poland, the Regiment's 1st Battalion was mobilized on September 2, 1939, as a machine gun battalion..During the Second World War the regiment formed a part of Major General Burt Hoffmeister's 5th Canadian Armoured Division ("The Mighty Maroon Machine") taking part in the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
Campaign before being transferred to Europe and participating in the liberation of Holland
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. The 2nd Battalion, Westminster Regiment served in the reserve force stationed in Canada.
At that time of mobilization the regiment consisted of Battalion HQ, A and B Companies in New Westminster, C Company in Mission
Mission, British Columbia
Mission, the core of which was formerly known as Mission City, is a district municipality in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is situated on the north bank of the Fraser River overlooking the City of Abbotsford and with that city is part of the Central Fraser Valley. Mission is the...
and D Company in Chiliwack
Chilliwack, British Columbia
Chilliwack is a Canadian city in the Province of British Columbia. It is a predominantly agricultural community with an estimated population of 80,000 people. Chilliwack is the second largest city in the Fraser Valley Regional District after Abbotsford. The city is surrounded by mountains and...
. The Commanding Officer was Lt Col C.J Loat, with Major "Little Joe" Sager as Deputy Commanding Officer. Major Sager became CO at the end of 1939. On May 27, 1940, the unit deployed to Camp Dundurn Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
for additional training. Late in September, 1940 the unit was deployed again, not overseas as they had hoped, but back to Vancouver for winter quarters at the then abandoned Hotel Vancouver.
The Westminster Regiment (Motor)
The unit was converted to a motor battalion and designated The Westminster Regiment (Motor) in early 1941. On May 27, 1941, the unit entrained at the CPR station in Vancouver for deployment to Camp Borden. At Borden the unit became part of the 1st Armoured Brigade, 1st Armoured Division. The regiment sailed from Halifax on HMT Andes for Great BritainGreat Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
on November 13, 1941, exactly 26 years from the day that the 47th Battalion CEF had sailed for Europe from the same port. The unit disembarked in Liverpool on November 24, 1941.
Great Britain
The brigade and the division were both re-numbered on arrival and the Westminsters were now part of 5 Brigade of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division under command of Major General Burt Hoffmeister, based at Aldershot for more training. Subsequently the unit was moved to FarnhamFarnham
Farnham is a town in Surrey, England, within the Borough of Waverley. The town is situated some 42 miles southwest of London in the extreme west of Surrey, adjacent to the border with Hampshire...
, Hove
Hove
Hove is a town on the south coast of England, immediately to the west of its larger neighbour Brighton, with which it forms the unitary authority Brighton and Hove. It forms a single conurbation together with Brighton and some smaller towns and villages running along the coast...
, Pippingford Park, and Cranwich Camp Thetford
Thetford
Thetford is a market town and civil parish in the Breckland district of Norfolk, England. It is on the A11 road between Norwich and London, just south of Thetford Forest. The civil parish, covering an area of , has a population of 21,588.-History:...
, Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
.
In March 1943 the Westminster's CO, Lt Col Sager, was promoted to Brigadier and given command of 4 Canadian Infantry Brigade. Command of the regiment passed to Lt Col RL Tindall, who had been recently second in command of the Perth Regiment.
Deployment to Italy
On November 15, 1943, the regiment sailed aboard RMS Samaria for AlgiersAlgiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
. Next the unit was sent by rail to Phillipeville and immediately embarked on the HMT Cameronia
HMT Cameronia
Cameronia was a British ocean liner which was built in 1920 by William Beardmore & Co Ltd, Port Glasgow for the Anchor Line . She was requisitioned for use as a troopship in the Second World War, surviving a torpedo attack. In 1953 she was requisitioned by the Ministry of Troop Transport and...
for Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
where they joined the 8th Army
Eighth Army (United Kingdom)
The Eighth Army was one of the best-known formations of the British Army during World War II, fighting in the North African and Italian campaigns....
. The regiment went into the line and engaged in combat first at the town of Guardiagrele
Guardiagrele
Guardiagrele is a town and comune in the province of Chieti, part of the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It is situated in the foothills of the Maiella mountain at an elevation of around 576 metres...
, near Monte Mariella. The unit's first casualties were suffered on January 22, 1944, during patrolling on this static part of the front. After eight days on the line the unit was withdrawn to the Sangro River
Sangro River
The Sangro is a river in eastern central Italy, known in ancient times as Sagrus from the Greek Sagros or Isagros, Ισαγρος....
on the night of 25-26 January. The regiment returned to the line on January 31, relieving the 1/9 Gurkhas at Sararola. During this action the Westminsters developed the tactic of sending out patrols by night to lay over behind enemy lines in a deserted house through the day, calling in artillery and mortar fire by radio and then returning to their own lines the following night.
On February 14, 1944, Lt Col Gordon Corbould, a former Westie company commander and regimental 2IC, returned from his posting as second in command of the Irish Regiment of Canada to assume command of the Westminster Regiment. He would command the unit for the remainder of the war and through its hardest actions.
Corbould Force
On March 1, 1944, the regiment was relieved from the line by the Perth Regiment and sent for rest in Roatti. It was soon re-deployed as part of a battle group under Westminster CO Lt Col Corbould, known as "Corbould Force". The unit took part in the Battle of Monte CassinoBattle of Monte Cassino
The Battle of Monte Cassino was a costly series of four battles during World War II, fought by the Allies against Germans and Italians with the intention of breaking through the Winter Line and seizing Rome.In the beginning of 1944, the western half of the Winter Line was being anchored by Germans...
, holding the line near the villages of Vallirontonda and Aquafondata, starting on April 11, 1944. The unit was relieved on May 3, 1944, and moved to a rest area at Pignataro.
Battle of the Melfa River
Hitler Line
The Hitler Line was a German defensive line in central Italy during the Second World War. The strong points of the line were at Aquino and Piedimonte. In May 1944, the line was re-named the Senger Line, after General von Senger und Etterlin, one of the generals commanding Axis forces in the area...
commenced with the Westminsters and the 5th Armoured Division forming the exploitation force, hoping to break into the Liri Valley and the assault on Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. The advance through the Liri valley included the Westminster's most famous action, the assault water crossing at the Melfa River. The Officer Commanding, "A" Company at the Battle of the Melfa River, Major Jack Mahony
John Keefer Mahony
John Keefer Mahony VC was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
, was awarded the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
for his gallantry and leadership under fire during that action fought in conjunction with the tanks of Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
Lord Strathcona's Horse is a regular armoured regiment of the Canadian Forces. Currently based in Edmonton, Alberta, the regiment is part of Land Force Western Area's 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group...
. This action cemented a friendship between the two regiments that has endured since the Second World War.
The Gothic Line
The entire division was relieved from the line on May 30, 1944, and carried out "rest and refit" duties near the villages of Baia and Latina.By August 1944 the Anzio Bridgehead
Operation Shingle
Operation Shingle , during the Italian Campaign of World War II, was an Allied amphibious landing against Axis forces in the area of Anzio and Nettuno, Italy. The operation was commanded by Major General John P. Lucas and was intended to outflank German forces of the Winter Line and enable an...
force had broken out, Rome had fallen and the advance to the Po River
Po River
The Po |Ligurian]]: Bodincus or Bodencus) is a river that flows either or – considering the length of the Maira, a right bank tributary – eastward across northern Italy, from a spring seeping from a stony hillside at Pian del Re, a flat place at the head of the Val Po under the northwest face...
commenced. The Westies joined the fight on August 6, 1944, at Montefalco in the advance to the next German defensive position, the Gothic Line
Gothic Line
The Gothic Line formed Field Marshal Albert Kesselring's last major line of defence in the final stages of World War II along the summits of the Apennines during the fighting retreat of German forces in Italy against the Allied Armies in Italy commanded by General Sir Harold Alexander.Adolf Hitler...
which the regiment engaged starting on August 26. The unit was involved in the crossing of the Fogia River. and the Conca River
Conca (river)
The Conca is an Italian river whose source is north of Carpegna in the province of Pesaro and Urbino in the Marche. The river flows northeast past Mercatino Conca before crossing into the province of Rimini in Emilia–Romagna...
. The unit completed the action on September 5, 1944.
Coriano
After a few days out of the line the regiment was thrown into the Battle for Coriano Ridge, starting on September 13, 1944. The regiment prevailed despite heavy shelling and losses, being relieved by the 4th British Division. The regiment was moved back for rest at the coastal town of RiccioneRiccione
Riccione is a comune in the Province of Rimini, Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy. As of 2007 Riccione had an estimated population of 34,868.-History:...
on September 14, 1944
San Mauro and the Rubicone River
The regiment was soon back in action, following more training. They were assigned to pass over the Uso River bridgehead held by the Princess Louise Dragoon Guards and take the village of San Mauro. The attack commenced on September 23, 1944, with the bypassing of San Giustina, which had not been captured and was held by stiff German resistance. "A" Company and "B" Squadron of Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
Lord Strathcona's Horse is a regular armoured regiment of the Canadian Forces. Currently based in Edmonton, Alberta, the regiment is part of Land Force Western Area's 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group...
led the advance. The advance continued into the flat country under heavy fire to capture San Vito
San Vito
San Vito is a comune in the Province of Cagliari in the Italian region Sardinia, located about 45 km northeast of Cagliari.San Vito borders the following municipalities: Burcei, Castiadas, Muravera, Sinnai, Villaputzu, Villasalto....
. On September 25, the order was received to continue the advance and cross the Rubicone River, this time with the tanks of the Governor General's Horse Guards in support. The attack ran into thick minefields and heavy shelling, but no German infantry and regimental casualties were few.
Porter Force
The Westminster regiment was assigned to Porter Force on November 10, 1944. This ad hoc formation was intended to work with Popski's Private ArmyPopski's Private Army
Popski's Private Army, officially No. 1 Demolition Squadron, PPA, was a unit of British Special Forces founded in Cairo in 1942 by Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Peniakoff DSO MC. Popski's Private Army was one of several raiding units formed in the Western Desert during the Second World War...
and Italian partisans in the forward area south of Ravenna
Ravenna
Ravenna is the capital city of the Province of Ravenna in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and the second largest comune in Italy by land area, although, at , it is little more than half the size of the largest comune, Rome...
. The mission was to hold the existing line, put pressure on the enemy and advance when the opportunity presented itself. Regimental HQ was in Vincoli with "A" and "B" Companies in San Stefano and "C" Company in Gambellara
Gambellara
Gambellara is a town and comune in the province of Vicenza, Veneto, Italy. It is north west of European route E70.Gambellara is a small town known for its wine production. The area has one DOC classified wine, Gambellara classico and Recioto de Gambellara which was in 2009 upgraded from DOC-level...
. The action consisted of extensive night patrolling and night advances to contact the enemy. The pressure forced the enemy back across the Uniti Canal and into San Pancrazio
San Pancrazio
San Pancrazio is a basilica church in Rome, founded in the 6th century. It stands in via S. Pancrazio, westward beyond the Porta San Pancrazio that opens in a stretch of the Aurelian Wall on the Janiculum....
.
The regiment advanced through patrol actions across the Ronco River to the Scolo Lama canal, where bitter German resistance was encountered. Consolidating the advances by November 26, 1944, the Westminster's held a line of 7000 yards (6,400.8 m), a very long front for a unit of this size in this type of warfare. The campaign to clear the Po River
Po River
The Po |Ligurian]]: Bodincus or Bodencus) is a river that flows either or – considering the length of the Maira, a right bank tributary – eastward across northern Italy, from a spring seeping from a stony hillside at Pian del Re, a flat place at the head of the Val Po under the northwest face...
valley was severely hampered by the Italian climate and the rain at this time of year turned the flat valley into lakes and rivers.
The Porter Force membership ended with over 40 German prisoners taken and many more casualties inflicted on the enemy.
Adriatic battles
The regiment was employed as part of the 1st Canadian Corps which was given the role in the winter of 1944 of assaulting over the Montone RiverMontone River
The Montone is a river in Romagna, northern Italy. It is the northernmost river on the east-facing slopes of the Apennines to flow directly into the Adriatic Sea rather than entering the Po....
, capturing Ravenna
Ravenna
Ravenna is the capital city of the Province of Ravenna in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and the second largest comune in Italy by land area, although, at , it is little more than half the size of the largest comune, Rome...
and the surrounding area, all with the aim of reducing pressure on the Fifth US Army operating near Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
. The attack was commenced at 0800 hours on December 2, 1944, and the unit captured the town of San Pancrazio
St. Pankraz
Sankt Pankraz is a comune in South Tyrol in the Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, located about north of the city of Trento and about northwest of the city of Bolzano/Bozen.-Geography:...
quickly.
After a month in continuous combat the unit was put under command of 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade and crossed the Lamone River in a night attack. The lead elements engaged in a difficult battle in the town of Villanova, where "A" and "C" Companies successfully engaged a column of German tanks with small arms and PIAT
PIAT
The Projector, Infantry, Anti Tank was a British hand-held anti-tank weapon developed during the Second World War. The PIAT was designed in 1942 in response to the British Army's need for a more effective infantry anti-tank weapon, and entered service in 1943.The PIAT was based on the spigot...
s.
The regiment was next engaged in the battles for the Naviglio Canal and the River Senio
Senio
The Senio is a 92 km river of Romagna in Italy, the final right-sided tributary of the river Reno. The mean discharge at its mouth is about 10 m³/s; however this can vary from a minimum of 0.3 m³/s to a maximum of 500 m³/s....
between 12-22 December 1944. Both actions were continuous and involved dealing with heavy German opposition in concert with the tanks of the Strathconas once again.
On December 23, 1944, the regiment was withdrawn for rest at Ravenna after 43 days and nights of continuous combat.
Villanova
The regiment returned to action near the town of Villanova on December 27, 1944. The action was to advance and take the town of Rosetta in the flat country of that area. The battle was against a formation of the Waffen-SSWaffen-SS
The Waffen-SS was a multi-ethnic and multi-national military force of the Third Reich. It constituted the armed wing of the Schutzstaffel or SS, an organ of the Nazi Party. The Waffen-SS saw action throughout World War II and grew from three regiments to over 38 divisions, and served alongside...
and the fighting was fierce against the determined resistance. As the Westie tradition dictated the regiment was not deterred and the objective was captured, the enemy forced to withdraw.
The unit was relieved by the 1st Battalion of the Welsh Regiment and a squadron of the RAF Regiment
RAF Regiment
The Royal Air Force Regiment is a specialist airfield defence corps founded by Royal Warrant in 1942. After a 32 week trainee gunner course, its members are trained and equipped to prevent a successful enemy attack in the first instance; minimise the damage caused by a successful attack; and...
on December 29, 1944.
Conventello
Early in the New Year the regiment was sent to fill a gap in the line at Conventello and bore the brunt of a German counterattack in that area with the aim of recapturing Revenna. The attack included massed German artillery and infantry attacks. The result was that the Westminsters in cooperation with the Strathconas' tanks and the Irish Regiment of Canada held the line and 200 wounded and prisoners were taken, with over 200 German dead.On January 13, 1945, the unit was moved to Fano
Fano
Fano is a town and comune of the province of Pesaro and Urbino in the Marche region of Italy. It is a beach resort 12 km southeast of Pesaro, located where the Via Flaminia reaches the Adriatic Sea...
and on to San Severino Marche
San Severino Marche
San Severino Marche is a comune in the Province of Macerata in the Italian region Marche, located about 50 km southwest of Ancona and about 25 km southwest of Macerata.-From prehistory to Roman age:...
for rest and refitting.
Departure from the Italian Campaign
The Westminsters were dispatched to LivornoLivorno
Livorno , traditionally Leghorn , is a port city on the Tyrrhenian Sea on the western edge of Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Livorno, having a population of approximately 160,000 residents in 2009.- History :...
on February 21, 1945, and from there embarked on United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
shipping and conveyed to Marseilles, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. The unit mounted its own transport and drove through the Rhone Valley to Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, where they leaguered at Deinze
Deinze
Deinze is a city and a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Deinze proper and the towns of Astene, Bachte-Maria-Leerne, Gottem, Grammene, Meigem, Petegem-aan-de-Leie, Sint-Martens-Leerne, Vinkt, Wontergem and Zeveren. On January 1,...
.
Northwest Europe
The regiment was deployed to MeulebekeMeulebeke
Meulebeke is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises only the town of Meulebeke proper. On January 1, 2006 Meulebeke had a total population of 10,980...
in Belgium as part of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division, now part of the First Canadian Corps, First Canadian Army
First Canadian Army
The First Canadian Army was the senior Canadian operational formation in Europe during the Second World War.The Army was formed in early 1942, replacing the existing unnumbered Canadian Corps, as the growing number of Canadian forces in the United Kingdom necessitated an expansion to two corps...
. Most of the unit was sent on leave when the order came on March 17, 1945, to prepare to move into battle again. The first area of operations was on the Maas River and Waal River lines near Nijmegen where the Westminsters relieved the 12th Manitoba Dragoons and commenced active patrolling and used the battalion mortars against the German positions across the Waal in Tiel
Tiel
' is a municipality and a town in the middle of the Netherlands.The town is enclosed by the Waal river and the Linge river on the south and the north side, and the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal on the east side. The city was founded in the 5th century AD....
.
On April 5, 1945, the regiment was deployed to an area between the Waal and the Neder Rijn in conjunction with two companies of the 2nd Belgian Fusiliers. This was in preparation for a major offensive, which commenced on April 12, with a move to Doesburg
Doesburg
Doesburg Doesburg Doesburg (Dutch is a municipality and a city in the eastern Netherlands in the province of Gelderland. Doesburg received city rights in 1237 and currently has 11,602 inhabitants (1 January 2007, source: CBS). The city is situated on the right bank of river IJssel, at the...
, just west of Arnhem
Arnhem
Arnhem is a city and municipality, situated in the eastern part of the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of Gelderland and located near the river Nederrijn as well as near the St. Jansbeek, which was the source of the city's development. Arnhem has 146,095 residents as one of the...
.
The division was given the task of exploiting the breakthrough created by the British 49th West Riding Division and driving to the Zuider Zee
IJsselmeer
IJsselmeer is a shallow artificial lake of 1100 km² in the central Netherlands bordering the provinces of Flevoland, North Holland and Friesland, with an average depth of 5 to 6 m. The IJsselmeer is the largest lake in Western Europe....
. At this point the unit's anti-tank platoon was issued Stuart tank
Stuart tank
The M3 Stuart, formally Light Tank M3, was an American light tank of World War II and supplied to British and Commonwealth forces under lend-lease prior to the entry of the U.S. into the war—and used thereafter by U.S...
s, unusual for an infantry regiment. The unit carried out a night attack across the IJssel River on the night of 12/13 April 1945 and passed through Arnhem. Pressing the attack, the 5th Canadian Armoured Division, in concert with the 1st Canadian Infantry Division
1st Canadian Infantry Division
The 1st Canadian Infantry Division was a formation mobilized on 1 September 1939 for service in the Second World War. The division was also reactivated twice during the Cold War....
. During the attack Lt Oldfield won the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
for the action of his "A" Company Scout Platoon in clearing a German position and taking 40 prisoners.
The regiment attacked in concert with the Strathconas and the British Columbia Dragoons, capturing Deelen Airfield. The armoured drive continued against intense German opposition in fluid mobile operations, by-passing points of resistance to clean them up later. The unit advanced through Voorhuizen and Barneveld
Barneveld
Barneveld is a town and a municipality in the province of Gelderland in the center of the Netherlands. It is known for its poultry industry and large protestant community. The population of the municipality was 52.629 in June 2010, the town having a population of 29.756.-Transport:Barneveld is...
. German defences were in chaos and many prisoners were taken in the drive to Putten
Putten
Putten is a municipality and a town in Gelderland province in the middle of the Netherlands. In 2007 it had a population of 23,024.Putten is surrounded by a great variety of landscapes. To the east of Putten lies the Veluwe, the biggest national park of the Netherlands...
. When the operation had ended on April 18, 1945, the unit had covered 33 miles (53.1 km) and participated in cutting off thousands of German troops in the Amsterdam area.
The unit commenced coast watching and patrolling near Groningen to prevent the escape or infiltration of German forces still holding the islands off shore.
The unit's final action was the capture of the German anti-aircraft battery at Termunterzijl
Termunterzijl
Termunterzijl is a town in the Dutch province of Groningen. It is a part of the municipality of Delfzijl, and lies about 32 km east of Groningen.In 2001, the town of Termunterzijl had 269 inhabitants...
. The battery's 128 mm guns controlled the whole area and the operation was hampered by the lack of artillery and air support. The action was hard-fought against stiff German defences built in great depth to protect the battery. Relentless pressure form the Westminsters forced the abandonment of the battery and the withdrawal of the remaining German forces.
End of the Second World War
Hostilities ended in Europe on May 7, 1945. The unit was repatriated after a long wait for sea transport and passed through New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
and finally to Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
by train. They marched up New Westminster's Columbia Street to Queen's Park where the final dismissal was given on January 19, 1946.
World War 2 battle honours
The unit earned battle honours for:- Melfa Crossing
- Gothic LineGothic LineThe Gothic Line formed Field Marshal Albert Kesselring's last major line of defence in the final stages of World War II along the summits of the Apennines during the fighting retreat of German forces in Italy against the Allied Armies in Italy commanded by General Sir Harold Alexander.Adolf Hitler...
- Coriano
- Lamone crossing
- Misano Ridge
- Naviglio canal
- Italy 1944-45
- IJsselmeer
- Delfzijl Pocket
- Northwest Europe 1945
War record
During the Second World War 4,236 men passed through the Westminster Regiment (Motor). Of these 134 were killed in action.The unit was noted for never having failed to make an objective assigned. The Commander of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division, Major General BM Hoffmeister, described the regiment's war record as "a record of particularly outstanding accomplishment".
Post war
The Westies lost their "Motor" designation in 1954, but gained their "Royal" title in 1967.In May and June 1948, The Westminster Regiment (Motor) provided aid to the Civil Power during the Fraser River Floods. This operation took place over three weeks.
On the 25th of June 1952, the requirement and consideration yet again for Canadian soldiers became a necessity with the invasion of South Korea by North Korea. Members of the Westies prepared for enlistment into the C.A.S.F. Specifically they would join units like the 2nd Battalion P.P.C.L.I. The Westminster Regiment (Motor) was not mobilized. However, a platoon of volunteers was remembered to be parading and preparing on the Armoury floor to join the C.A.S.F.
Then in 1954, the Major General Howard Kennedy Report was completed and made some recommendations to reorganizing the Army. The Report concluded the following: training would be required to be flexible, remove the coastal and air defense units, increase the number of Armoured units, decrease the number of headquarters from thirty-five to twenty-six.
Between 1956 to 1964, the concept of the Militia units mobilizing overseas and contributing to those efforts was changed quite dramatically. Therefore, the role of the Militia was changed and the funding and size was reduced. The role in 1957 was changed to Civil Defense in light of the substantial nuclear threat. From 1964 to 1969 the Militia was further reduced in personnel from 23,000 to 19,000.
On 24 May 1963 the Westminster Regiment was granted Freedom of the City by the City of New Westminster.
The Royal Westminster Regiment has provided personnel for many United Nations Missions such as Cyprus (UNFICYP), Egypt (UNEF II) 1973-79, Golan Heights (UNDOF) 1974 - present and the former Yugoslavia (UNPROFOR) 1992-1993. Since 2006, the regiment has been supporting operations in Afghanistan.
Perpetuation
The Royal Westminster Regiment perpetuates the Seymour Artillery Company, the Seymour Battery of the British Columbia Garrison Artillery, as well as the 47th and 131st Battalions CEF (Canadian Expeditionary Force) [World War I].Royal Westminster Regiment Museum
The museum acquires, identifies, preserves and exhibits a permanent collection of military artifacts and memorabilia from the experience of the Regiment and its antecedents.The museum encourages within the community, a realization of the contribution to the community and the nation made by the Regiment and its antecedents. The museum`s goal is to imbue
a spirit of pride and selflessness in those who continue to serve.
Cadet units
There are several Royal Canadian Army CadetsRoyal Canadian Army Cadets
The Royal Canadian Army Cadets is a Canadian national youth program sponsored by the Canadian Forces and the civilian Army Cadet League of Canada. Administered by the Canadian Forces, the program is funded through the Department of National Defence with the civilian partner providing support in...
units spread across British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
which are affiliated with the Royal Westminster Regiment.
| Corps | Location |
|---|---|
| 1789 RCACC | Agassiz |
| 1922 RCACC | CFS Aldergrove |
| 2316 RCACC | New Westminster |
| 2822 RCACC | Surrey |
| 1838 RCACC | Maple Ridge |
Cadet units affiliated to the Royal Westminster Regiment receive support and also are entitled to wear traditional regimental accoutrements on their uniforms.