|
A parade in the Drill Hall in the mid 1920's. Training.of course, carried on in the face of government restraint. Between the Wars 1918 - 1939 Perhaps the greatest problem facing the Army was how to reorganize and perpetuate 260 reinforcing and 59 fighting battalions of the CEF within the framework of the "Old Militia" regiments which remained behind in Canada. In our province, National Defence Headquarters decided to create a British Columbia Regiment with six battalions. The DCOR and 7th Bn would be joined to form the First Battalion (7th Battalion CEF) 1st BC Regiment DCO. The 29th and Vancouver Regiments would form the second Battalion and the 47th Bn CEF and the Westminster Regiment the 3rd Bn. The Drill Hall was a busy place with the Vancouver Regiment parading Mondays and Wednesdays, the Seaforth Highlanders on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the BC Regiment the other days. In May 1924 the Westminster and Vancouver Regiments went their separate ways after the large BC Regiment was broken up. Later that year, our affiliation with the Rifle Brigade was reaffirmed by the King. However, we were still classified as an Infantry Regiment and carried Colours on parade. Our new commanding officer was Lt-Col Foster CMG, DSO, VD, who did a fine job of leading the Regiment. Lt-Col HFG Letson MC, took over command of the Regiment in 1927 and during his years, our links with our rifle traditions were strengthened. In 1928, Officers were now authorized to wear black ties on parade and off parade to wear the tie of the Rifle Brigade (with a silver stripe added to preserve regimental identity). In January, 1930, the Regiment reverted to Rifles and our colours were laid up in Christ Church Cathedral, where they hang over the alter today. Trooping was discontinued and Rifle drill adopted once more. A new Cap badge was designed by Lt-Col Letson, which incorporated the Badge of the 7th with Rifle Symbols, a Ducal Coronet, a wreath, and a scroll with "The Duke of Connaught's Own Rifles" on it. The initial version had ten battle honours from the First World War, and later South Africa was added in the 1930's. Our Cap badge has remained unchanged since this time. By 1937 the militia in Canada was still badly equipped and was trying to make do with W.W.I Uniforms and equipment. In spite of appeals from the press this situation did not improve until the war started two years later. One bright light to emerge this year was another top class rifleman, Corporal PM Gibault, who won many trophies at the BCRA shoot, and later that year shot at Ottawa on the BC Team. He won the MacDougall Challenge Cup and Miniature in competition with more than 450 other shooters from England, Australia, and Canada, as well as the Gooding Gold Medal for the best marksman under 21 years of age. Col Letson was commander of the Vancouver Garrison ( the 14th Infantry Brigade) by 1938. Two majors and three warrant officers completed his staff. His organization would be responsible to implement local mobilization orders in time of war.
"Up The Dukes!"
The
British Columbia Regiment Recruiting:
(604) 666-4288 |