History of the Regiment ‘Soldiers of the Queen The Canadian Grenadier Guards of Montreal 1859 to 2009

SOLDIERS OF THE QUEEN

The Canadian Grenadier Guards of Montreal 

1859 – 2009

Commemorating 150 years of continuous service to our country.  This history is dedicated to the men and women who haves served, to those now serving, to those who will serve, and to their families.  We remember, in particular, comrades who gave their lives in the hope and belief that others could be free.

This is the story of a Regiment that exemplifies the entire history of the Canadian Active Militia from its founding in 1855.  Beginning with the first Volunteer Rifle Company in 1855 and the first Volunteer Rifle Battalion in 1859, it is Canada’s oldest infantry regiment.  As the 1st Regiment Prince of Wales Rifles, it was part of the defence of Canada during the Fenian Raids in the 1860’s.  It joined with the 6th Battalion ‘Hochelaga Light Infantry,’ later the ‘6th Fusiliers,’ founded in 1862, which had a similar record of service in Montreal to form the 1st Regiment Prince of Wales Fusiliers in 1859.  It sent volunteers to the South Africa War.  In 1912, the unit was reorganized as the 1st Regiment, The Grenadier Guards of Canada.  In the First World War, it made major contributions of officers and men to three CEF battalions, raised the 87th and 245th Battalions.  The 87th Battalion, CGG, fought as part of the 4th Canadian Division from the Somme to the end of the war.

During the period, 1920 – 1939, the Regiment began to parade in full dress and perform ceremonial duties expected of one allied to the British Grenadier Guards.  It trooped the Colour on Parliament Hill in 1937 and 1939, with the Governor General’s Foot Guards.  Mobilized in 1940, it contributed the 1st Battalion for the Canadian Army (Active) and the 2nd Battalion to the Canadian Army (Reserve).   In 1942, the 1st Battalion was converted into the 22nd Canadian Armoured Regiment, (CGG).  As part of the 4th Canadian Armoured Division, the Regiment fought in Normandy and Northwest Europe from July 1944 to May 1945.

The Canadian Grenadier Guards continues as an infantry unit in the Canadian Militia.  Sense 1969, it has contributed to the Ceremonial Guard that performs the Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill.  More recently, the CGG has sent Grenadiers on UN Peacekeeping missions and to Afghanistan for Nato operations.

Front Cover The front cover is a montage consisting of the Regimental Flag, in the background, with the fireplace in the Officers’ Mess superimposed in place of the Regimental Cypher.  On either side, are two figures: on the left a Canadian Grenadier in full dress taken from the recruiting poster of the 87th Battalion, CGG representing the ceremonial role of the Regiment; on the right a Grenadier in Afghanistan in representing the Active Service role played by the Regiment during the last 150 years.