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Domestic Military Organization 1900-1999
The Canadian
military was organized into Military Districts at the start of the 20th Century.
A newspaper article in 1926 described the district as:
...the peacetime organization of a
division, having approximately the same number of units utilized in
war-time, some quite active but others merely on paper. Military
districts have been in existence in Canada for many years and the
headquarters are usually located in places where regular troops were
garrisoned many years ago..
...the local district(s) boasts of
practically every branch of the land forces...cavalry, artillery,
infantry, corps of signals, corps of guides, machine guns, army
service, army medical corps, ordnance corps, veterinary corps and
detachments of the army pay and postal corps...
The headquarters' organization consists
of an officer in charge who is known as the District Officer
Commanding...
Attached to the general staff of each
district headquarters are two officers who have highly important
duties - the district military intelligence officer and the district
signalling officer. The administrative staff consists of two
officers whose titles are "Assistant Adjutant and Quarter-Master
General" and "Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General."
The services and departments are under the supervision of such
officers as the district engineer officer, supply and transport
officer, ordnance officer, paymaster, veterinary officer and
district cadet officer.1
Military Districts as of 1 January 1900
Beginning in 1868, Canada was divided into Military
Districts, each responsible for training and administration of militia units within.
The Districts were further divided into Brigade Divisions.
The 1895 Militia List breaks down the Military Districts as
follows:
No.
1 - Headquarters: London, Ontario |
| 1st Brigade
Division |
Counties of Bothwell, Elgin,
Essex, Kent, Lambton, Middlesex, Oxford, and the City of London. |
| 2nd Brigade
Division |
Counties of Bruce, Huron, Perth,
Waterloo, and Wellington. |
No.
2 - Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario |
| 3rd Brigade
Division |
Counties
of Brant, Haldimand, Lincoln, Monck, Niagara, Norfolk, Welland, Wentworth and the City of
Hamilton. |
| 4th Brigade
Division |
Counties
of Cardwell, Grey, Algoma (east of Nepigon), Ontario, Peel, Simcoe, Halton and York |
| 5th Brigade
Division |
City
of Toronto. |
No.
3 - Headquarters: Kingston, Ontario |
| 6th Brigade
Division |
Counties of Durham,
Northumberland, Peterborough and Victoria. |
| 7th Brigade
Division |
Counties of
Addington, Frontenac, Hastings, Lennox, Prince Edward and the City of Kingston. |
No.
4 - Headquarters: Ottawa, Ontario |
| 8th Brigade
Division |
Counties
of Carleton, Dundas, Glengarry, Grenville, Lanark, Leeds, Ottawa, Pontiac, Prescott,
Renfrew, Russell, Stormont, the Town of Brockville, and the City of Ottawa. |
No.
5 - Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec |
| 1st Brigade
Division of Quebec |
Counties
of Jacques Cartier, Hochelaga, Laval, Vaudreuil, Soulanges, Napierville, Beauharnois,
Chateauguay, Hunting, Laprairie and the City of Montreal. |
| 2nd Brigade
Division of Quebec |
Counties
of Argenteuil, Terrebonne, Two Mountains, Montcalm, L'Assomption, Joliette, Berthier,
Maskinonge, St. Maurice and Three Rivers. |
No.
6 - Headquarters: St. Johns, Quebec |
| 3rd Brigade
Division of Quebec |
Counties
of St. Johns, Iberville, Missisquoi, Brome, Shefford, Rouville, Chambly, Vercheres, St.
Hyacinthe, Bagot, Drummond, Richelieu and Yamaska. |
| 4th Brigade
Division of Quebec |
Counties
of Nicolet, Arthabaska, Wolfe, Richmond, Sherbrooke, Stanstead and Compton. |
No.
7 - Headquarters: Quebec City, Quebec |
| 5th Brigade
Division of Quebec |
Counties
of Beauce, Bellechase, Bonaventure, Dorchester, Gaspe, Kamouraska, Levis, L'Islet,
Lothiniere, Montmagny, Megantic, Rimouski and Temiscouta. |
| 6th Brigade
Division of Quebec |
Counties
of Champlain, Charlevoix, Chicoutimi, Montmorency, Quebec, Portneuf, Saguenay and Quebec
City. |
No.
8 - Headquarters: Fredericton, New Brunswick |
| 1st Brigade
Division of N.B. |
Counties
of Carleton, Charlotte, Sunbury, Victoria and York. |
| 2nd Brigade
Division of N.B. |
Counties
of Albert, King's, Queen's and St. John. |
| 3rd Brigade
Division of N.B. |
Counties
of Gloucester, Kent, Northumberland, Restigouche and Westmoreland. |
No.
9 - Headquarters: Halifax, Nova Scotia |
| 1st Brigade
Division of N.S. |
Counties
of Antigonish, Colchester, Cumberland, Guysborough, Hants, Halifax, Pictou and Halifax
City. |
| 2nd Brigade
Division of N.S. |
Counties
of Annapolis, Digby, King's, Lunenburg, Queen's, Shelburne and Yarmouth. |
| 3rd Brigade
Division of N.S. |
Counties
of Cape Breton, Inverness, Richmond and Victoria. |
| No.
10 - Headquarters: Winnipeg, Manitoba |
| Not yet formed
into Brigade Divisions |
Comprising
Algoma west of Nepigon, the Provinc of Manitoba, the North-west Territories and the
District of Keewatin. |
| No.
11 - Headquarters: Victoria, British Columbia |
| Not yet formed
into Brigade Divisions |
Comprising
the Province of British Columbia. |
| No.
12 - Headquarters: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island |
| No. 1 King's
County (Reigmental Division) |
Comprising
the Province of Prince Edward Island viz King's County. |
| No. 2 Prince
County (Regimental Division) |
Comprising
the Province of Prince Edward Island viz Prince County. |
| No. 3 Queen's
County (Regimental Division) |
Comprising
the Province of Prince Edward Island viz Queen's County. |
MD 10 - originally just a portion of Manitoba, created in
1871, expanded in 1907 to include all of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the District of
Keewatin and parts of north-west Ontario.
MD 13 - created out of MD 10 in 1907, included Alberta and
the Territory of MacKenzie.
Military Districts as of 1 January 1915
| No. 1 -
Headquarters: London, Ontario |
Counties of Essex,
Kent, Lambton, Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford, Waterloo, Perth, Huron, and Bruce in the Province
of Ontario. |
| No. 2 -
Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario |
Counties of Lincoln,
Welland, Haldimand, Norfolk, Brant,Wentworth, Halton, Peel, York, Ontario, Grey, Dufferin,
Simcoe; the districts of Muskoka, Perry Sound, Algoma and Nipissing, north of the Mattawa
and French Rivers (including the townships of Ferris and Bonfield.) |
| No. 3 -
Headquarters: Kingston, Ontario |
Counties of Durham,
Northumberland, Victoria, Peterborough, Hastings, Prince Edward, Lennox, Addington,
Frontenac, Halliburton, Carleton, Dundas, Glengarry, Renfrew, Russell, Stormont,
Grenville, Lanark, Wright, Labelle, Pontiac, Leeds, Prescott, the district of Nipissing
south of Mattawa River (exclusive of townships of Ferris and Bonfield). |
No.
4 - Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec |
Counties
of Jacques Cartier, Hochelaga, Laval, Soulanges, Napierville, Beauharnois, Chateauguay,
Huntington, Laprairie, Argenteuil, Terrebonne, Two Mountains, Montcalm, L'Assomption,
Joliette, Berthier, Maskinonge, St. Maurice, Three Rivers, St. Johns, Iberville,
Missisquoi, Brome, Shefford, Rouville, Chambly, Vercheres, St. Hyacinthe, Bagot, Drummond,
Richelieu, Yamaska, Nicolet, Arthabaska, Sherbrooke and Stanstead. |
| No. 5 -
Headquarters: Quebec City, Quebec |
Counties
of Wolfe, Richmond, Compton, Beauce, Bellechase, Bonaventure, Dorchester, Gaspe,
Kamouraska, Levis, L'Islet, Champlain, Charlevoix, Chicoutimi, Montmorency, Quebec,
Portneuf, Saguenay, Lotbiniere, Montmagny, Matane, Megantic, Rimouski and Temiscouta. |
| No. 6 -
Headquarters: Halifax, Nova Scotia |
The
Provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. |
| No. 10 -
Headquarters: Winnipeg, Manitoba |
The
Provinces of Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, the territory of Keewatin and the Districts of
Thundery Bay and Rainey River. |
| No. 11 -
Headquarters: Victoria, British Columbia |
The
Province of British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. |
| No. 13 -
Headquarters: Calgary, Alberta |
The
Province of Alberta and the Territory of Mackenzie |
MD 12 - From 1875 until 1911 included just Prince Edward
Island. Then in 1916, Saskatchewan was designated MD 12.
Military Districts as of 1 July 1917
| No. 1 -
Headquarters: London, Ontario |
Counties of Essex,
Kent, Lambton, Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford, Waterloo, Perth, Huron, and Bruce in the Province
of Ontario. |
| No. 2 -
Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario |
Counties of Lincoln,
Welland, Haldimand, Norfolk, Brant,Wentworth, Halton, Peel, York, Ontario, Grey, Dufferin,
Simcoe; the districts of Muskoka, Perry Sound, Algoma and Nipissing, north of the Mattawa
and French Rivers (including the townships of Ferris and Bonfield.) |
| No. 3 -
Headquarters: Kingston, Ontario |
Counties of Durham,
Northumberland, Victoria, Peterborough, Hastings, Prince Edward, Lennox, Addington,
Frontenac, Halliburton, Carleton, Dundas, Glengarry, Renfrew, Russell, Stormont,
Grenville, Lanark, Wright, Labelle, Pontiac, Leeds, Prescott, the district of Nipissing
south of Mattawa River (exclusive of townships of Ferris and Bonfield). |
No.
4 - Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec |
Counties
of Jacques Cartier, Hochelaga, Laval, Soulanges, Napierville, Beauharnois, Chateauguay,
Huntington, Laprairie, Argenteuil, Terrebonne, Two Mountains, Montcalm, L'Assomption,
Joliette, Berthier, Maskinonge, St. Maurice, Three Rivers, St. Johns, Iberville,
Missisquoi, Brome, Shefford, Rouville, Chambly, Vercheres, St. Hyacinthe, Bagot, Drummond,
Richelieu, Yamaska, Nicolet, Arthabaska, Sherbrooke and Stanstead. |
| No. 5 -
Headquarters: Quebec City, Quebec |
Counties
of Wolfe, Richmond, Compton, Beauce, Bellechase, Bonaventure, Dorchester, Gaspe,
Kamouraska, Levis, L'Islet, Champlain, Charlevoix, Chicoutimi, Montmorency, Quebec,
Portneuf, Saguenay, Lotbiniere, Montmagny, Matane, Megantic, Rimouski and Temiscouta. |
| No. 6 -
Headquarters: Halifax, Nova Scotia |
The
Provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. |
| No. 10 -
Headquarters: Winnipeg, Manitoba |
The
Provinces of Manitoba, and, in the Province of Ontario, the Districts of Kenora, Rainey
River and Thunder Bay. |
| No. 11 -
Headquarters: Victoria, British Columbia |
The
Province of British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. |
| No. 12 -
Headquarters: Regina, Saskatchewan |
The
Province of Saskatchewan. |
| No. 13 -
Headquarters: Calgary, Alberta |
The
Province of Alberta and the Territory of Mackenzie |
Military Districts as of 1 September 1939
By 1939 there were 11 Military Districts, further divided
into Brigades.
| No. 1 -
Headquarters: London, Ontario |
Counties of Bruce,
Elgin, Essex, Huron, Kent, Lambton, Middlesex, Oxford, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington in
Ontario |
| No. 2 -
Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario |
Counties of Brant,
Dufferin, Grey, Halimand, Halton. Lincoln, Norfolk, Ontario, Peel, Simcoe, Welland,
Wentworth and York, and the Districts of Algoma, Cochrane, Manitoulin, Muskoka, Parry
Sound, Sudbury, Timiskaming and that portion of Nipissing lying north of the Mattawa and
French Rivers (including the Townships of Ferris and Banfield) of Ontario |
| No. 3 -
Headquarters: Kingston, Ontario |
Counties of
Carleton, Frontenac, Haliburton, Hastings, Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Lennox and
Addington, Northumberland and Durham, Peterborough, Prescott and Russell, Prince Edward,
Renfrew, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Victoria and that portion of the district of
Nipissing lyiug south of the Mattawa River (exclusive of the Townships of Ferris and
Banfield and inclusive of the town of Mattawa) and in the Province of Quebec, the counties
of Gatineau, Pontiac and Temiscaminque. |
No.
4 - Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec |
Counties
of Abitibi, Argenteuil, Arthabaska, Bagot, Beauharnois, Berthier, Brome, Chambly,
Champlain, Chateaquay, Deux-Montagnes, Drummond, Hochelegu, Huntingdon, Iberville,
Jacques-Cartier, Joliette, Labelle, Laprairie, L'Assomption, Lavel, Maskinonge,
Missisquoi, Montcalm, Napierville, Nicolet, Papineau, Richelieu, Rouville, Shefford,
Sherbrooke, Soulanges,Stanstead, St. Hyacinthe, St. Jean, St. Maurice, Terrebonne,
Vandreuil, Vercheres and Yamaska and that portion of the province of Quebec to the north
of the County of Abitibi and to the west of the 74th meridian. |
| No. 5 -
Headquarters: Quebec City, Quebec |
Beauce,
Bellechasse, Bonaventure, Carlevoix Est, Carlevoix 0vest, Chicoutimi, Compton, Dorchester,
Frontenac, Gaspe Est, Gaspe 0uest, Isles-de-la-Madeleine, Kamouraska, Lac St. Jean Est and
Ouest, Levis L'Islet, Lotbiniere, Matane, Matapedic, Megantic, Montmagny, Montmorency Nos.
1 and 2, Portneuf, Quebec, Richmond, Rimouski, Riviere du Loup, Saquenay, Temiscouata, and
Wolf and that portion of Quebec lying to the north of these counties and to the east of
the 74th meridian. |
| No. 6 -
Headquarters: Halifax, Nova Scotia |
The
Provinces of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. |
| No. 7 -
Headquarters St. John, New Brunswick |
The
Province of New Brunswick |
| No. 10 -
Headquarters: Winnipeg, Manitoba |
The
Province of Manitoba and the District of Keewatin, in the Province of Ontario, the
Districts of Kenora, Rainy River and Thunder Bay |
| No. 11 -
Headquarters: Victoria, British Columbia |
The
Province of British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. |
| No. 12 -
Headquarters: Regina Saskatchewan |
The
Province of Saskatchewan. |
| No. 13 -
Headquarters: Calgary, Alberta |
The
Province of Alberta and the Territory of Mackenzie |
The Districts and Brigades were as follows (list as of 3
September 1939): The brigades were all disbanded or renamed in 1946.
(Organization of the brigades as well as a breakdown of units is given on a seperate page
of this site).
| Military District Units |
| M.D. 1 |
1st Infantry
Brigade: HQ London
2nd Infantry Brigade: HQ Kitchner
7th Field Brigade, RCA: London
11th Field Brigade RCA: Guelph
21st Field Brigade, RCA: Listowel |
| M.D. 2 |
1st Cavalry
Brigade: HQ Toronto
4th Infantry Brigade: HQ Hamilton
5th Infantry Brigade: HQ Barrie
6th Infantry Brigade: HQ Toronto
7th (Toronto) Regiment, RCA: Toronto |
| M.D. 3 |
8th Infantry
Brigade: HQ Ottawa
9th lnfantry Brigade: HQ Kingston
1st Field Brigade, RCA: Ottawa
4th Field Brigade, RCA: Cobourg
9th Field Brigade RCA: Kingston |
| M.D. 4 |
3rd Cavalry
Brigade: HQ Montreal
10th Infantry Brigade: HQ Sherbrooke
11th Infantry Brigade: HQ Montreal
12th Infantry Brigade: HQ Montreal
2nd (Montreal) Regiment, RCA: Montreal
2nd Field Brigade RCA: Montreal
2nd Medium Brigade, RCA: Montreal
6th Field Brigade RCA: Sherbrooke
27th Field Brigade, RCA: Coaticook |
| M.D. 5 |
13th Infantry
Brigade: HQ Quebec
15th Infantry Brigade: HQ Quebec
13th Field Brigade, RCA: Quebec
6th (Quebec and Levis) Medium Brigade, RCA: Levis |
| M.D. 6 |
17th Infantry
Brigade HQ Halifax
18th Infantry Brigade: HQ Halifax
14th Field Brigade, RCA: Yarmouth
1st (Prince Edward Island) Medium Brigade, RCA: Charlottetown, PEI
1st (Halifax) Coast Brigade, RCA: Halifax
16th Coast Brigade, RCA: Sydney |
| M.D. 7 |
16th lnfantry
Brigade: HQ Saint John
12th Field Brigade RCA: Frederickton
23rd Field Brigade, RCA: Moncton
3rd (New Brunswick) Coast Brigade (The Loyal Company of
Artillery), RCA: Saint John |
| M.D. 10 |
4th Cavalry
Brigade: HQ Winnipeg
7th Infantry Brigade: HQ Winnipeg
5th Field Brigade RCA: Winnipeg
26th Field Brigade, RCA: Brandon
7th Medium Brigade, RCA: Winnipeg
HQ District Engineers 10: Winnipeg |
| M.D. 11 |
14th Infantry
Brigade: HQ Vancouver
23rd Infantry Brigade: HQ
24th (Kootenay) Field Brigade, RCA: Cranbrook
5th (British Columbia) Coast Brigade, RCA Victoria
15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade, RCA: Vancouver
1st Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA: Vancouver |
| M.D. 12 |
7th Cavalry
Brigade: HQ Regina
19th Infantry Brigade: HQ Regina
10th Field Brigade, RCE: Regina
17th Field Brigade, RCA: Saskatoon
22nd (Assiniboia) Field Brigade, RCA: Moosomin |
| M.D. 13 |
2nd Cavalry
Brigade: HQ Chauvin
3rd Infantry Brigade HQ: Calgary
18th Field Brigade, RCA: Lethbridge
19th Field Brigade, RCA: Calgary
20th Field Brigade, RCA: Edmonton |
| Reserve
Brigades (Infantry and Cavalry) |
| 1st (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 1 |
HQ London |
| 2nd (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 1 |
HQ Kitchner |
| 3rd (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 13 |
HQ Calgary |
| 4th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 2 |
HQ Hamilton |
| 5th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 2 |
HQ Barrie |
| 6th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 2 |
HQ Toronto |
| 7th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 10 |
HQ Winnipeg |
| 8th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 3 |
HQ Ottawa |
| 9th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 3 |
HQ Kingston |
| 10th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 4 |
HQ Sherbrooke |
| 11th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 4 |
HQ Montreal |
| 12th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 4 |
HQ Montreal |
| 13th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 5 |
HQ Quebec |
| 14th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 11 |
HQ Vancouver |
| 15th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 5 |
HQ Quebec |
| 16th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 7 |
HQ Saint John |
| 17th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 6 |
HQ Halifax |
| 18th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 6 |
HQ Halifax |
| 19th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 12 |
HQ Regina |
| 23rd (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 11 |
HQ |
| 1st (Reserve) Cavalry Brigade |
M.D. No. 2 |
HQ Toronto |
| 2nd (Reserve) Cavalry Brigade |
M.D. No. 13 |
HQ Chauvin |
| 3rd (Reserve) Cavalry Brigade |
M.D. No. 4 |
HQ Montreal |
| 4th (Reserve) Cavalry Brigade |
M.D. No. 10 |
HQ Winnipeg |
| 7th (Reserve) Cavalry Brigade |
M.D. No. 12 |
HQ Regina |
Wartime Reserve Brigades 1942-1946
In 1942 the Reserve Brigades were restructured and
renumbered; 11 new Brigade Groups were created, with two more added in 1943.
Full details are provided on a seperate page of this site The 13
Brigades (one per Militia District) were numbered from 31 to 42 (inclusive).
| MD |
Brigade Group |
| 1 |
31st (Reserve) Brigade Group |
| 2 |
32nd (Reserve) Brigade Group |
| 3 |
33rd (Reserve) Brigade Group |
| 4 |
34th (Reserve) Brigade Group |
| 5 |
35th (Reserve) Brigade Group |
| 6 |
36th (Reserve) Brigade Group |
| 6 |
42nd (Reserve) Brigade Group |
| 7 |
37th (Reserve) Brigade Group |
| 10 |
38th (Reserve) Brigade Group |
| 11 |
39th (Reserve) Brigade Group |
| 12 |
40th (Reserve) Brigade Group |
| 13 |
41st (Reserve) Brigade Group |
|
Military Commands and new Brigade
organization - 1946
General Order
Number 21/1946, dated 28th January 1946, effective 23rd January, 1946 authorized
five Commands
NOTE: General Order 21 of 1946 was amended by General Order
74 of 1946 (dated 28th March, 1946), the amendment being that "(less portion included
in Military District No. 3)" was Deleted from the General Description opposite Quebec
Command, with effect 15th February, 1946. |
 |
| Command |
Military Districts |
General Description |
| Western Command |
11, 13
NW Territories
Yukon Territories |
British Columbia, Alberta and Northwest Territories and
Yukon |
| Prairie Command |
10, 12 |
Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Western Ontario |
| Central Command |
1, 2, 3 |
Ontario (less districts of Thunder Bay, Rainy River and
Kenora) |
| Quebec Command |
4, 5 |
Quebec (less portion included in Military District No. 3) |
| Eastern Command |
6, 7 |
Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick |
G.O. 56/46 (dated 9th March, 1946, effective 23rd January,
1946) renamed Headquarters, Pacific Command to become Headquarters, Military District No.
11.
G.O. 203/46 (dated 28th August, 1946, effective 13th August, 1946) - the following Active
Units of the Canadian Army were authorized and placed on Active Service:
Headquarters, Western Command
Headquarters, Prairie Command
Headquarters, Central Command
Headquarters, Quebec Command
Headquarters, Eastern Command
In other words, these commands now existed for the Regular
Army as well as the Reserves.
The following Reserve Unit disbandments were published in
Part "A" General Orders 1946 (G.O. 113/46, dated 13th May, 1946, effective 31st
March, 1946):
Headquarters, 18th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade (M.D. No. 6)
Headquarters, 4th (Reserve) Cavalry Brigade (M.D. No. 10)
Headquarters, 7th (Reserve) Cavalry Brigade (M.D. No. 12)
Headquarters, 2nd (Reserve) Cavalry Brigade (M.D. No. 13)
General Orders 114/46, 115/46 and 116/46 dated 13 May 1946
(effective 1 Apr 1946) authorized the creation, redesignation and conversions of the
infantry brigades, as shown in the following chart:
| New Designation |
Old Designation |
MD |
| 1st Corps |
nil |
M.D. No. 2 |
| 2nd Corps |
nil |
M.D. No. 4 |
| 1st Infantry Division |
nil |
M.D. No. 1 |
| 2nd Infantry Division |
nil |
M.D. No.2 |
| 3rd Infantry Division |
nil |
M.D. No. 4 |
| 4th Infantry Division |
nil |
M.D. No. 5 |
| 5th Infantry Division |
nil |
M.D. No. 6 |
| 6th Infantry Division |
nil |
M.D. No. 10 |
| 3rd Infantry Brigade |
4th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 2 |
| 4th Infantry Brigade |
6th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 2 |
| 6th Infantry Brigade |
9th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 3 |
| 7th Infantry Brigade |
8th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 3 |
| 8th Infantry Brigade |
11th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 4 |
| 9th Infantry Brigade |
12th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 4 |
| 11th Infantry Brigade |
13th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 5 |
| 12th Infantry Brigade |
15th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 5 |
| 13th Infantry Brigade |
17th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 6 |
| 14th Infantry Brigade |
16th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 7 |
| 15th Infantry Brigade |
14th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 11 |
| 16th Infantry Brigade |
7th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 10 |
| 17th Infantry Brigade |
19th (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 12 |
| 18th Infantry Brigade |
3rd (Reserve) Infantry Brigade |
M.D. No. 13 |
| 19th Armoured Brigade, R.C.A.C. |
1st (Reserve) Cavalry Brigade |
M.D. No. 2 |
| 20th Armoured Brigade, R.C.A.C. |
3rd (Reserve) Cavalry Brigade |
M.D. No. 4 |
| 21st Armoured Brigade, R.C.A.C. |
nil |
M.D. 7 |
| 22nd Armoured Brigade, R.C.A.C. |
nil |
M.D. 11 |
Canadian Army Order 76-2, Issue No. 1/1947 (dated 13th
January, 1947, effective 1st January, 1947) redesignated the following Military Districts:
| MD |
Renamed Jan 1947
as: |
| Headquarters, Military District No. 11 |
Headquarters, British Columbia Area |
| Headquarters, Military District No. 12 |
Headquarters, Saskatchewan Area |
| Headquarters, Military District No. 1 |
Headquarters, Western Ontario Area |
| Headquarters, Military District No. 3 |
Headquarters, Eastern Ontario Area |
| Headquarters, Military District No. 5 |
Headquarters, Eastern Quebec Area |
| Headquarters, Military District No. 7 |
Headquarters, New Brunswick Area |
Commands, Areas and Militia Groups 1954 - 1964
In September 1954, the Canadian Army (Reserve Force) was
renamed Canadian Army (Militia).
The
Kennedy Board of Officers, commissioned in 1953 and headed by
Major-General H. Kennedy, CBE, MC, had recommended a major restructure
of the reserve forces in Canada. The thirty-five Divisional, brigade and
brigade group headquarters then in existence were replaced with 25
Militia Group Headquarters (abbreviated Mil Gp HQ), each with a
Brigadier in command. The number of Militia Groups later expanded to 27.2
The number of infantry units under this
reorganization was decreased in favour of more armoured units.
Number 18 Militia
Group, with headquarters in London, Ontario, originally included all of
western Ontario from Windsor to Guelph, with 23 major units and
additional minor units. Colonel W.W. Bradley of The Windsor Regiment,
upon taking command of the Group, recommended that it be subdivided into
three. His suggestion was partially adopted when the Group was split
into two halves on 5 March 1962. No. 26 Militia Group was headquartered
in Windsor, Ontario at the Kildare Road Armoury, and included The
Windsor Regiment (RCAC), The Elgin Regiment (RCAC), 7th Field Regiment
(RCA), 1st and 2nd Battalions of The Essex and Kent Scottish, and 39
Technical Squadron RCEME.3
Originally, command of units in the Interior of BC was placed
under 24 Militia Group Headquarters in Vancouver; by the fall of 1961 a "sub
headquarters" was deemed necessary and "No 27 Militia Group Headquarters"
was formed a year and a half later in Vernon, effective February 8, 1963.
During the 1950s-1960 the Commands were divided into
Areas. Commands were commanded by Major-Generals and Areas by Brigadiers or
Colonels. Prairie was absorbed by Western Command in 1959.
|
Command |
Area |
Militia Group |
Location |
|
Eastern Command |
Newfoundland Area |
Number 1 Militia Group |
St. John's, NF |
|
Prince Edward Island Area |
Number 2 Militia Group |
Charlottetown, PE |
|
Nova Scotia Area |
Number 3 Militia Group |
Sydney, NS |
|
Number 4 Militia Group |
Halifax, NS? |
|
New Brunswick Area |
Number 5 Militia Group |
Moncton, NB |
|
Number 6 Militia Group |
St. John, NB |
|
Quebec Command |
Eastern Quebec Area |
Number 7 Militia Group |
Quebec? |
|
|
Number 8 Militia Group |
Quebec? |
|
Western Quebec Area |
Number 9 Militia Group |
Montreal/Sherbrooke PQ? |
|
|
Number 10 Militia Group |
Montreal |
|
|
Number 11 Militia Group? |
|
|
Central Command |
Eastern Ontario Area |
Number 12 Militia Group |
Ottawa, ON |
|
Central Ontario Area |
Number 13 Militia Group? |
Peterborough, ON? |
|
Northern Ontario Area |
Number 14 Militia Group |
Toronto |
|
Western Ontario Area |
Number 15 Militia Group? |
Toronto? |
|
Number 16 Militia Group |
|
|
Number 17 Militia Group |
Dundas, ON |
|
Number 18 Militia Group |
London, ON |
|
Number 26 Militia Group (Mar 1962) |
Windsor, ON |
|
Prairie Command |
Manitoba Area |
Number 19 Militia Group |
Winnipeg, MB |
|
Saskatchewan Area |
Number 20 Militia Group |
Regina, SK? |
|
Number 21 Militia Group |
Saskatoon, SK? |
|
Western Command |
Alberta Area |
Number 22 Militia Group |
Calgary, AB |
| |
Number 23 Militia Group |
Wainwright, AB? |
| |
Number 24 Militia Group |
Vancouver, BC |
|
British Columbia Area |
Number 25 Militia Group |
Vancouver, BC |
|
|
Number 27 Militia Group (Feb 1963) |
Vernon, BC |
Sample Biographical sketch/Administrative History
12 Militia Group fell under the Eastern Ontario Area, part of Central Command. With the
reorganization of the Canadian Militia in September 1954, M. B. Gordon was given command
of 12th Militia Group, which he held until he was replaced by E. D. Baldock in May 1955.
Baldock was in turn succeeded George G. Aldous, on 1 Feb 1960.
In May of 1964, the 12th Militia Group consisted of 14 units - 11 of which were stationed
in Ottawa - and the others being the Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment, with
headquarters at Pembroke, and detached companies in Renfrew, Perth and Carleton Place; the
Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, with headquarters in Cornwall and a detached
company at Alexandria; and the 9th Medical company, Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps,
also at Cornwall. The units in Ottawa were the following: IV Princess Louise Dragoon
Guards; 30th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA); 3rd Field Squadron, Royal
Canadian Engineers (RCE); 3rd Signals Regiment, Royal Canadian Signals (RCCS); The
Governor-General's Foot Guards; Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa; 130 Company, Royal Canadian
Army Service Corps (RCASC); 10th Medical Company, Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps
(RCAMC); 54th Dental Unit, Royal Canadian Dental Corps (RCDC); 3rd Ordnance Company, Royal
Canadian Ordnance Corps (RCOC); and 113 Manning Depot.
From The Daily News (St. John's,
Newfoundland), March 13, 1956
Militia Areas and Districts 1968 - 1991
Following the report of the Suttie Commission regarding the
downsizing of the Reserves, Minister of Defence The Honourable Paul Hellyer announced
significant changes to the Canadian Militia, based on a new requirement for only 19,500
Militiamen. A commission chaired by Brigadier E.R. Suttie had recommended that
the 27 Militia Group headquarters be reduced in number to 15; Minister Hellyer
rejected that advice in favour of creating Militia Districts in place of Group
Headquarters. Each of the new Militia Districts was to be commanded by a colonel
rather than a Brigadier. For example, 26 Militia Group HQ became Windsor Militia
District HQ in 1968, which reported to Central Militia Area in Toronto, now
commanded by a Brigadier-General.4
The entire Militia was reorganized in 1968/1969 into 5 Areas,
comprising 21 Militia Districts.
| Area |
Districts |
| Atlantic Militia Area |
Eastern New Brunswick Militia District
Western New Brunswick Militia District
Western Nova Scotia Militia District
Cape Breton Militia District
Prince Edward Island Militia District
Newfoundland Militia District |
| secteur de l'Est |
Militia District Number 1
Militia District Number 2
Militia District Number 3 |
| Central Militia Area |
Ottawa Militia District (OMD)
Toronto Militia District (TMD)
London Militia District (LMD)
Northern Ontario Militia District (NOMD)
Windsor Militia District (WMD)
Hamilton Militia District (HMD) |
| Prairie Militia Area |
Northern Alberta Militia District (NAMD)
Southern Alberta Militia District (SAMD)
Saskatchewan Militia District (SMD)
Thunder Bay Militia District
Manitoba(-Lakehead) Militia District |
| Pacific Militia Area |
Vancouver Militia District
Victoria Militia District |
Total Force
In the late 1980s, the
Canadian Forces began integrating its Regular Force and Reserve Force into a
"Total Force" concept. As an example, in December 1989, the Windsor Militia
District was absorbed into the London District Headquarters. Some districts
were merged, such as Southern Alberta Militia District and Northern Alberta
Militia District, which became simply Alberta District. The history of The
Windsor Regiment notes:
The Windsor Militia
District lasted until December 1989, when, as a result of the Total
Force reorganization (i.e. the integration of reserves with regulars),
it was absorbed into London District HQ. The Regiment thus reverted to
the same command relationship that had existed on 15 December 1936. The
elimination of the Windsor HQ severely limited the career prospects of
Windsor area militia officers. Once an officer had achieved unit
command, the opportunity for further progression and development stopped
and he or she was usually retired. As a result a growing pool of
expertise and experience went untapped.5
Land Force Areas 1991-1997
On 1 September 1991, Canada was again reorganized into four separate
Land Force Areas; these administrative areas were still in effect at the end of the 20th
Century. These four area commands were overseen by the Land Staff (located at
National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa). The areas were subdivided into
Regular Force Brigade Groups and Militia Districts. The 14 Militia Districts were a
reorganization of earlier districts. However, these same Land Force headquarters
also commanded Regular forces in their geographical areas as well.
 |
Land Force Atlantic Area (LFAA)
was responsible for all Army operations and administration in the provinces east of Quebec
(ie the Maritimes.) LFQA was headquartered in Halifax.
| New Brunswick - Prince Edward Island District |
Moncton, NB |
| Nova Scotia District |
Halifax, NS |
| Newfoundland District |
St. John's, NF |
|
 |
The Land Force Quebec Area
(LFQA) or Secteur du Quebec de la Force Terrestre (SQFT) was responsible
for all Army operations and administration in the region within the province of Quebec.
LFQA was headquartered in Montreal.
| Quebec District Number 1 |
Montreal, PQ |
| Quebec District Number 2 |
Sherbrooke, PQ |
| Quebec District Number 3 |
Quebec, PQ |
|
 |
The Land Force Central Area
(LCCA) was responsible for all Army operations and administration within the
province of Ontario, from the Quebec border to the northern Lakehead region. LCCA was
headquartered in Toronto.
| Northern Ontario District |
Sault Ste Marie, Ont |
| London District |
London, Ont |
| Toronto District |
Toronto, Ont |
| Ottawa District |
Ottawa, Ont |
|
 |
The Land Force Western Area
(LFWA) was responsible for all Army operations and administration in western Canada from
the northern lakehead region of Ontario to the Pacific Ocean. LFWA was headquartered
in Edmonton.
| British Columbia District |
Vancouver, BC |
| Alberta District |
Calgary, AB |
| Saskatchewan District |
Regina, SK |
| Manitoba-Lakehead District |
Winnipeg, MB |
|
Militia Brigade Groups 1997
In 1997, the 14 Militia Districts were reorganized into 10
Brigade Groups, using as inspiration the numbered reserve brigades that had served in
Canada in the Second World War.
| LFAA |
36 Canadian Brigade Group |
(PEI - Nova Scotia) |
|
| 37 Canadian Brigade Group |
(New Brunswick) |
|
| LFQA |
34 Canadian Brigade Group |
|
|
| 35 Canadian Brigade Group |
|
|
| LFCA |
31 Canadian Brigade Group |
(Ontario) |
HQ - London |
| 32 Canadian Brigade Group |
(Ontario) |
HQ - Toronto |
| 33 Canadian Brigade Group |
(Ontario) |
HQ - Ottawa |
| LFWA |
38 Canadian Brigade Group |
(Saskatchewan-Manitoba) |
|
| 39 Canadian Brigade Group |
(British Columbia) |
|
| 41 Canadian Brigade Group |
(Alberta) |
HQ - Calgary |
NOTES
Thanks to
Doug Townend and
Mark Tonner for their help with this page. Thanks also to Major (ret.)
Leonard Curchin, Regimental historian,
31 CER (The Elgins), for additional research.
-
"M.D. No.. 1 Not Unseen Force or Mysterious Pass-Word
to Society" The Windsor Star 22 May 1926, The Border
Cities Star supplement, p.5
-
Michael McNorgan, Michael Black
Beret: A History of The Windsor Regiment (RCAC) 1936 - 2006
(Douglas A. Lock,
Windsor Regiment Association, 2006)
ISBN 0978119509 p.60
-
Ibid
-
Ibid, p.78
-
Ibid
|
