The LSR(M) and 28th Armoured Regiment (The British Columbia Regiment) were the only Canadian land-based units to score a naval victory during the Second World War. On November 5, 1944, the units sank three small German ships and destroyed a fourth in the port of Zijpe.[3][4] One of the ships was likely the AF-92,[5] a landing-craft-type vessel, about 153 feet (47 m) long, equipped to lay mines, and armed with two 88 mm guns. One legend suggests a mortar round fired by the infantry made its way down the funnel of one of the ships.[2] The ship's bell from one of the sunken vessels was recovered, and is in the Officer's Mess of the British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own).
Since World War II, its soldiers have served throughout the world on numerous peacekeeping operations. Most recently, the LSSR has had several soldiers serve in Afghanistan. The regiment lost one soldier, Corporal Anthony "T-Bone" Boneca on July 9, 2006, fighting Taliban insurgents during Operation Zahar ("sword") in Zhari District, Kandahar Province.
A large maple leaf in center charged with a beaver, encircled by an annulus, inscribed THE LAKE SUPERIOR SCOTTISH REGIMENT and surmounted by the Crown; below a scroll inscribed INTER PERICULA INTREPIDI; on each side of the annulus with six maple leaves.
The Port Arthur Rifle Company was originally raised on 24 April 1885 in response to the outbreak of the North-West Rebellion. The company and the subsequent 96th District of Algoma Battalion of Rifles served in defense of the area following the rebellion.
Details of the 96th The Lake Superior Regiment were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protective duty.[1][6]
The 52nd Battalion (New Ontario), CEF, was authorized on 7 November 1914 and embarked for Britain on 23 November 1915. The battalion disembarked in France on 21 February 1916, where it fought as part of the 9th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The battalion disbanded on 30 August 1920.[1][6]
The 141st (Rainy River District) Battalion (Border Bull Moose), CEF, was authorized on 22 December 1915 and embarked for Britain on 29 April 1917, where its personnel were absorbed by the 18th Reserve Battalion, CEF on 7 May 1917 to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. The battalion disbanded on 17 July 1917.[1][6]
The distinguishing patch of the 52nd Battalion (New Ontario), CEF.
The regiment mobilized The Lake Superior Regiment, CASF, on 24 May 1940. It was redesignated as the 1st Battalion, The Lake Superior Regiment, CASF, on 7 November 1940 and as the 1st Battalion, The Lake Superior Regiment (Motor), CASF, on 26 January 1942. It embarked for Britain on 22 August 1942. On 26 and 27 July 1944, it landed in France as part of the 4th Canadian Armoured Brigade, 4th Canadian (Armoured) Division, and it continued to fight in northwest Europe until the end of the war. The overseas battalion disbanded on 15 February 1946.[1][6]
Lake Superior Regiment with captured Hitler Youth flag, Friesoythe, Germany, 16 April 1945
The regiment contributed an aggregate of more than 20% of its authorized strength to the various Task Forces which served in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2014.[8]
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. Those battle honours followed by a "+" are emblazoned on the regimental colour.[1][6]
The regimental colour of The Lake Superior Scottish Regiment.
Stanley, George F.G., In the Face of Danger: The History of the Lake Superior Regiment (1960)
Beaulieu, Michel S., David K. Ratz, Thorold J. Tronrud, and Jenna L. Kirker. Thunder Bay and the First World War, 1914-1919. Thunder Bay: Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society, 2018.
Fedak, Michael. Letters to Leah: The Experiences of a Member of the Lake Superior Regiment (motor) During the Second World War from August 1944 to May 1945, introduced by David K. Ratz. Thunder Bay: Lake Superior Scottish Regiment, 2012.
Private W.C. Millar, From Thunder Bay Through Ypres with the Fighting 52nd, edited by Thorold J. Tronrud and annotated by David Ratz. Thunder Bay: Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society, 2010.
Ratz, David Karl. "Aid to the Civil Power: The 96th 'Lake Superior Regiment' 1909 and 1912." Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society Papers & Records (1991): 51–64.
Ratz, David. "Strike Duty," the Canadian Military and Labour at the Lakehead before the First World War." In Essays in Northwestern Ontario Working Class History, edited by Michel S. Beaulieu, 29-49. Thunder Bay: Lakehead University Centre for Northern Studies, 2008.
Ratz, David K. "Pete Musselman, Teacher and Soldier." Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society Papers & Records (2003): 21–50.
Ratz, David. "The Controversy Over Unit Designation and Perpetuation: The History of the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment." Journal of the Military History Society of Manitoba (1999): 50–56.
United Kingdom – The Royal Anglian Regiment
Australia – 5th/6th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment
