| The Winnipeg Light Infantry | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1885–1888, 1912–1955 |
| Country |  Canada |
| Branch | Canadian Militia (1885–1888, 1912–1940) Canadian Army (1940–1958) |
| Type | Light infantry |
| Role | Infantry |
| Size | One battalion |
| Part of | Non-Permanent Active Militia (1912–1940) Royal Canadian Infantry Corps (1942–1955) |
| Garrison/HQ | Winnipeg, Manitoba |
| Motto(s) | Latin: Nulli Secundus, lit. 'Second to None' |
| Anniversaries | Battle of Kitcheners' Wood |
| Engagements | North-West Rebellion First World War Second World War |
| Battle honours | See #Battle Honours |
The Winnipeg Light Infantry was an infantry regiment of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of the Canadian Militia (now the Canadian Army). In 1955, the regiment was amalgamated with The Royal Winnipeg Rifles.[1][2][3][4]
On 10 April 1885, a Battalion of Light Infantry at Winnipeg was authorized to be formed and was mobilized for active service during the North West Rebellion. On 15 May 1885, the battalion was redesignated as the Winnipeg Light Infantry Battalion. The battalion served in the Alberta Column of the North West Field Force and on 18 September 1885, the battalion was removed from active service. The Winnipeg Light Infantry Battalion was Retained on the order of battle of the Non-Permanent Active Militia and on 2 April 1886, the battalion was redesignated as the 91st Winnipeg Light Infantry Battalion. On 23 November 1888, the 91st Winnipeg Light Infantry Battalion was disbanded.[3]
On 1 April 1912, the 106th Regiment, Winnipeg Light Infantry was authorized. Its Regimental Headquarters and all companies were in Winnipeg.[3][5]
Details of the 106th Regiment, Winnipeg Light Infantry were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protection duties.[3]
On 10 August 1914, the 10th Battalion (Canadians), CEF was authorized and on 29 September 1914, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. On 14 February 1915, the battalion disembarked in France where it fought as part of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war on 11 November 1918. On 15 September 1920, the 10th Battalion, CEF was disbanded.[3]
On 20 April 1915, the 61st Battalion (Winnipeg), CEF was authorized and on 5 April 1915, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. After its arrival in the UK, the battalion provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field. On 7 July 1916, the battalion’s personnel were absorbed by the 11th Reserve Battalion, CEF. On 17 July 1917, the 61st Battalion, CEF was disbanded.[3]
On 22 December 1915, the 101st Battalion (Winnipeg Light Infantry), CEF was authorized and on 29 June 1916, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. After its arrival in the UK, on 13 July 1916, the battalion’s personnel were absorbed by the 17th Reserve Battalion, CEF to provide reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field. On 12 October 1917, the 101st Battalion, CEF was disbanded.[3]
On 15 July 1916, the 222nd Battalion, CEF was authorized and on 15 November 1916, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. After its arrival in the UK, the battalion provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field. On 2 January 1917, the battalion’s personnel were absorbed by the 19th Reserve Battalion, CEF. On 1 September 1917, the 222nd Battalion, CEF was disbanded.[3]
On 15 July 1916, the 226th Battalion (Men of the North), CEF was authorized and on 16 December 1916, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. After its arrival in the UK, the battalion provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field. On 7 April 1917, the battalion’s personnel were absorbed by the 14th Reserve Battalion, CEF. On 27 July 1917, the 226th Battalion, CEF was disbanded.[3]
On 15 March 1920, as a result of the reorganization of the Canadian Militia following the Otter Commission, the 106th Regiment, Winnipeg Light Infantry was redesignated as The Winnipeg Light Infantry.[2][3][5][6]
On 15 December 1936, as a result of the 1936 Canadian Militia Reorganization, The Winnipeg Light Infantry was Reorganized as an Infantry Battalion (Machine Gun) and redesignated as The Winnipeg Light Infantry (Machine Gun).[3][7][8][9]
On 26 August 1939, Details of The Winnipeg Light Infantry (Machine Gun) were called out on service and on 1 September 1939, were placed on active service under the designation The Winnipeg Light Infantry (Machine Gun), CASF for local protection duties. On 31 December 1940, the details called out on active service were disbanded.[3]
On 1 January 1941, Details of the regiment were again called out on service as the 1st (Reserve) Battalion, The Winnipeg Light Infantry (Machine Gun), but they were disbanded the same day.[3]
On 18 March 1942, the regiment mobilized the 1st Battalion, The Winnipeg Light Infantry, CASF for active service. The battalion served in Canada in a home defence role as part of the 19th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 8th Canadian Infantry Division; the 16th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 7th Canadian Infantry Division; and the 14th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 6th Canadian Infantry Division. On 3 January 1945, the battalion embarked for Great Britain, and after its arrival in the UK, the 1st Battalion, The Winnipeg Light Infantry, CASF was disbanded on 10 January 1945, to provided reinforcements to the Canadian Army in the field.[3]
United Kingdom - The Durham Light Infantry (1914–1955)[4]
