The Royal Regina Rifles Article Index for
The Royal
Website Links For
Royal
 

Information About

The Royal Regina Rifles




The regiment, nicknamed "The Johns" during the Second World War because of the high proportion of "Farmer Johns" in its ranks, perpetuates the 28th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force .

The Regina Rifle Regiment was created from the 1st and 6th Battalions of the South Saskatchewan Regiment on 15 May 1924 following extensive reorganizations of the Canadian Militia. The Regina Rifle Regiment existed as a single battalion militia regiment until 1939. Four battalions were raised during the Second World War.

During the Second World War it received 14 Military Medals with 1 Bar to that award, 7 Distinguished Service Orders, 7 Military Cross awards, 1 British Empire Medal, 1 Africa Star, 3 French Croix De Guerre, 1 Netherlands Bronze Lion many more were mentioned in Dispatches.

The Regimeant suffered 356 fatel casualties by May 7th 1945.

Its first taste of combat came in Normandy, landing on Juno Beach on D-Day. It later faced the 12th S.S. 'Hitler Jugend' Division which was almost completely anniliated by the British and Canadian forces. The Regina's later entered Cean.

  • 1st Battalion, Canadian Active Service Force, mobilized 24 May 1940, moved to the UK in August 1941 as part the Third Canadian Division, fought in Northwest Europe from June 1944 to May 1945. Disbanded 15 Jan 46.

  • 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, did not mobilize

  • 3rd (Active) Battalion, mobilized 12 May 42. Did not leave Canada. Redesignated "2nd Airfield Defence Battalion (The Regina Rifle Regiment)" 19 Jul 43. Disbanded 15 Nov 43

  • 4th Battalion, Canadian Army Occupation Force, raised 1 Jun 45, Disbanded 4 Apr 46


In 1946, the Regiment reverted to a single battalion Militia regiment.


SEE ALSO


List Of Canadian Organizations With Royal Patronage


EXTERNAL LINKS




ORDER OF PRECEDENCE


  Before North Saskatchewan Regiment
  Title The Royal Regina Rifles