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46th Durham Regiment
History
The 46th "East Durham" Battalion of Infantry was authorized on 16 November 1866. It was entered the 20th Century known as the 46th "Durham Battalion of Infantry" and on 8 May 1900, Militia battalions across Canada were redesignated as numbered regiments rather than battalions. The unit did not activate for the First World War, instead sending men to various battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. In 1920, as part of the Otter Commision reorganizations, the unit was redesignated The Durham Regiment.2
Boer War
Soldiers of the regiment joined the Canadian forces participating in the war in South Africa. The regiment's E.C. Southey was one of many Militia officers who resigned an officer's commission to enlist in the 2nd Special Service Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry.3 An obelisk was erected at Newtonville on 26 May 1903 in memory of Captain William Peter Keith Milligan of the 46th Durham Regiment, another officer who had resigned to fight in the Boer War, who was later killed with the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles at Kleinhart's River in South Africa.4 Milligan was 39 years of age when he was killed.5 He was described as a expert marksman who had distinguished himself at various shooting competitions with the Dominion Rifle Association, and was a wealthy farmer in civil life who left behind a wife and four children.6
First World War and Postwar Perpetuations
The 46th Durham Regiment contributed to a number of battalions of the CEF including the 21st, 39th, 77th, 80th, 136th, 139th, 155th, 235th and 254th Battalions.7
Insignia
Cap Badge
Other
Sir Sam Hughes, long-time Member of Parliament and infamous Minister of Militia and Defence, began his Militia career in the 46th Durham Regiment. His brother, Colonel John Hughes, also commanded the regiment.
H.A. Ward joined the regiment in 1867 and retired in 1909 with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, having commanded the regiment for six years. He was a well known politician who represented the county of Durham in Parliament from 1885 to 1891 and again 1900 to 1908. He was best known as Judge Ward, and reportedly helped form Canada's first organized hockey team in the 1880s.9 He retired as country court judge for Northumberland and Durham counties in August 1924 at the age of 75.10
Notes
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