Victoria Rifles of Canada
Encyclopedia
The Victoria Rifles of Canada (Third Battalion Victoria Volunteer Rifles or officially after 1934 Victoria Rifles of Canada) was an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. The regiment's motto was PRO ARIS ET FOCIS (For the altars and for the hearths).
During the Fenian raids, the Victoria Rifles participated in the Campobello fiasco in Cornwall
with other regiments like the Royal Scots. In 1866 several companies from the Victoria Rifles were sent to reinforce defences in St-Jean, Lachine and Cornwall.
The raids of 1870 were the least effective of the Fenian attempts against Canada. The effort four years earlier at Campobello had the most far-rearching effects, as it induced New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to enter Confederation, while operations in Canada East and Canada West brought about a martial spirit similar to that which swept the United States at the outbreak of the Civil War. Because the campaign was of short duration, there was no time for disenchantment. Yet the raids of 1866 were clearly unfinished business, as the Brotherhood declared by warlike preparation.
Victoria Rifles also participated in Boer War
, as part of the second Battalion of the Royal Canadian regiment.
Between 1885 and 1902, The Rifles have sometimes been called upon to help quell civil disruptions in Montreal and Valleyfield.
The Rifles sent three oversees battalions during World War I
, and members of the 1st battalion were sent to England
during World War II
.
The regiment was placed on the Supplementary Order Of Battle in 1960's
History
On January 10, 1862, the regiment was officially enrolled as a militia in response to the strain that was brought on by the American civil war.During the Fenian raids, the Victoria Rifles participated in the Campobello fiasco in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
with other regiments like the Royal Scots. In 1866 several companies from the Victoria Rifles were sent to reinforce defences in St-Jean, Lachine and Cornwall.
The raids of 1870 were the least effective of the Fenian attempts against Canada. The effort four years earlier at Campobello had the most far-rearching effects, as it induced New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to enter Confederation, while operations in Canada East and Canada West brought about a martial spirit similar to that which swept the United States at the outbreak of the Civil War. Because the campaign was of short duration, there was no time for disenchantment. Yet the raids of 1866 were clearly unfinished business, as the Brotherhood declared by warlike preparation.
Victoria Rifles also participated in Boer War
Boer War
The Boer Wars were two wars fought between the British Empire and the two independent Boer republics, the Oranje Vrijstaat and the Republiek van Transvaal ....
, as part of the second Battalion of the Royal Canadian regiment.
Between 1885 and 1902, The Rifles have sometimes been called upon to help quell civil disruptions in Montreal and Valleyfield.
The Rifles sent three oversees battalions during 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...
, and members of the 1st battalion were sent to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The regiment was placed on the Supplementary Order Of Battle in 1960's