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The Halifax Rifles (RCAC)
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The
Halifax Rifles (RCAC) was a regiment of
infantry formed in the Canadian Army that later converted to
armour, and had been added to the Supplementary Order of
Battle by the end of the 20th Century. In 2009, the regiment
was re-activated as an armoured reconnaissance unit of the
Reserve Force.
Lineage
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14 May 1860: The Halifax Volunteer Battalion
of Rifles was authorized
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5 November 1869: Redesignated
63rd The Halifax Battalion of Rifles
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8 May 1900: Redesignated
63rd Halifax Rifles
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15 May 1920: Redesignated
The Halifax Rifles
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1
April 1946:
Redesignated 23rd Armoured Regiment (Halifax Rifles)
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4 February 1949: Redesignated
The Halifax Rifles (23rd Armoured Regiment)
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19 May 1958:
Redesignated The Halifax Rifles (RCAC)
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31 March 1965:
Reduced to nil strength and added to Supplementary Order
of Battle
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The
Halifax Rifles (RCAC) |
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Headquarters:
Halifax, NS
Predecessor: none
Perpetuates: 40th Battalion, CEF
Raised: 14 May 1860
Added to SOB: 31 March 1965
Status 1 Jan 2000: Supplementary Order of
Battle |
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History
Following the Crimean
War and the rise of the Volunteer Force in Britain, the Halifax
Volunteer Battalion of Rifles was raised in May 1860 and underwent a
number of organizational changes. The unit provided three companies
for the Halifax Provisional Battalion for active service in the
North West Rebellion, and also sent volunteers for the 2nd (Special
Service) Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment during the South
African War of 1899-1902, as well as the South African Constabulary.
During the First World War, details of the 63rd Halifax Rifles were
placed on active service for local protective duty on 6 August 1914.
Volunteers from the regiment attested for overseas service with the
14th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force on its formation
in September 1914 and the regiment later raised the 40th Battalion,
CEF, the 40th later being broken up for reinforcements for the
Canadian Corps.
During the Second World War, details of the regiment were once again
placed on local protective duty at the outbreak of war, and the unit
mobilized on 1 January 1941. The active service unit converted to
armour, redesignated as the 23rd Army Tank Battalion (The Halifax
Rifles) on 26 January 1942, and embarked for the United Kingdom on
17 June 1943. The active unit disbanded on 1 November 1943, while a
2nd Battalion of The Halifax Rifles served in the Reserve Army in
Canada.
On 1 April 1946, the regiment was redesignated the 23rd Armoured
Regiment (Halifax Rifles), then The Halifax Rifles (23rd Armoured
Regiment) on 4 February 1949. It received its final designation on
19 May 1958. The regiment served in Halifax until reduced to nil
establishment in on 31 March 1965.
Battle Honours
Battle Honours in bold were selected for
emblazonment:
North West
Canada, 1885
Mount Sorrel
Arras, 1917, '18
Ypres, 1917
Hindenberg Line |
South
Africa, 1899-1900
Somme, 1916
Hill 70
Amiens
Pursuit to Mons |
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Insignia
The cap badge is
described on the Governor General's website as follows:
On an eight
pointed star Argent a hunting horn Or embellished Gules
encircling a maple leaf Vert inscribed with the word CANADA in
letters Or, the horn pendent from cords Sable enfiling a motto
scroll Vert edged and inscribed CEDE NULLIS in letters Or below
a like scroll inscribed THE HALIFAX RIFLES and ensigned by the
Royal Crown proper.1
The symbolism of the badge is further
described there as thus:
The star is of a type favoured by
Canadian regiments in Victorian times. The maple leaf represents
service to Canada, and the Crown, service to the Sovereign. The
regiment's rifle heritage and their regimental march, the
"Huntsmen's Chorus" is symbolized by the horn. Both green and
black are important colours used in rifle regiment uniforms.
"THE HALIFAX RIFLES" is a form of the regimental title and "CEDE
NULLIS" is the motto of the regiment.
References
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The Regiments and Corps of the Canadian Army (Queen's
Printer, Ottawa, ON, 1964)
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Hampson, William C. A Catalogue of Twentieth-Century Canadian
Military and Metal Shoulder Titles 1900 to 1999 Part II: Royal
Canadian Armoured Corps (William C. Hampson Publishing, Calgary,
AB, 1999) ISBN 0-9685714-1-7
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Mazeas, Daniel Insignes de la Milice Canadienne - Canadian
Militia Badges Pre 1914
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Mazeas, Daniel Insignes Canadiens 1920-1950 - Canadian
Badges Revised Edition
Notes
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http://archive.gg.ca/heraldry/pub-reg/project-pic.asp?lang=e&ProjectID=17&ProjectElementID=40
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