Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal
Encyclopedia
Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal is one of the oldest surviving units of the historical regiment
s of the Canadian
army. It celebrated its regimental centenary in 1969. The unit was created on November 5, 1869. They were first named the 65th Regiment, then the Mount Royal Rifles, later the Carabiniers Mont-Royal and finally in 1931, the name became Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal.
It is also one of the few regiments from French Canada
, having its roots in the French part of Montreal
in the 19th century. Famous former members include Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau.
Best known for having been one of the participants of the ill-planned Dieppe Raid
, Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal was put back in shape and later obtained battle honours in seven major engagements in World War II
.
The regiment was also involved in several engagements in World War I
in Europe, and the interventions of 1885 in the North-West Rebellion
in Canada, where it also obtained battle honour
s.
During all these engagements and the peaceful periods between them, the barracks language was French and the command language was English, following the tradition of several "indigenous" or "native" regiments of the British Empire
. Recruits knew that they would have to learn a set of basic English commands for training and fighting purposes, while their daily life could go on in French. When World War I and also when World War II erupted young French-speaking Québécois
flocked in great numbers to volunteer for service to the Crown within Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal (and a few other "bilingual" regiments like it), because they expected that in this unit they would not be mocked or otherwise hindered because of their language or their religion. Many of them had to be turned back, because there was not enough room within a single regiment, and because the nascent Canadian army refused any serious expansion to the "bilingual" regiments or the formation of other regiments of the same kind.
The Latin motto of the regiment is Nunquam retrorsum, which can be roughly translated as "Never retreat".
Former members may join the active associations from the Officers Mess and the Sergents Mess. L'Association les Anciens Sergents Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal accepts retired members of the Junior Ranks Mess as associate Members. Please contact the unit Orderly Room for more information.
, CHIN
, OMMC
and Virtual Museum of Canada
.
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
s of the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
army. It celebrated its regimental centenary in 1969. The unit was created on November 5, 1869. They were first named the 65th Regiment, then the Mount Royal Rifles, later the Carabiniers Mont-Royal and finally in 1931, the name became Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal.
It is also one of the few regiments from French Canada
French Canada
French Canada, also known as "Lower Canada", is a term to distinguish the French Canadian population of Canada from English Canada.-Definition:...
, having its roots in the French part of Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
in the 19th century. Famous former members include Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau.
Best known for having been one of the participants of the ill-planned Dieppe Raid
Dieppe Raid
The Dieppe Raid, also known as the Battle of Dieppe, Operation Rutter or later on Operation Jubilee, during the Second World War, was an Allied attack on the German-occupied port of Dieppe on the northern coast of France on 19 August 1942. The assault began at 5:00 AM and by 10:50 AM the Allied...
, Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal was put back in shape and later obtained battle honours in seven major engagements in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The regiment was also involved in several engagements in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
in Europe, and the interventions of 1885 in the North-West Rebellion
North-West Rebellion
The North-West Rebellion of 1885 was a brief and unsuccessful uprising by the Métis people of the District of Saskatchewan under Louis Riel against the Dominion of Canada...
in Canada, where it also obtained battle honour
Battle honour
A battle honour is an award of a right by a government or sovereign to a military unit to emblazon the name of a battle or operation on its flags , uniforms or other accessories where ornamentation is possible....
s.
During all these engagements and the peaceful periods between them, the barracks language was French and the command language was English, following the tradition of several "indigenous" or "native" regiments of the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
. Recruits knew that they would have to learn a set of basic English commands for training and fighting purposes, while their daily life could go on in French. When World War I and also when World War II erupted young French-speaking Québécois
French-speaking Quebecer
French-speaking Quebecers are francophone residents of the Canadian province of Quebec....
flocked in great numbers to volunteer for service to the Crown within Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal (and a few other "bilingual" regiments like it), because they expected that in this unit they would not be mocked or otherwise hindered because of their language or their religion. Many of them had to be turned back, because there was not enough room within a single regiment, and because the nascent Canadian army refused any serious expansion to the "bilingual" regiments or the formation of other regiments of the same kind.
The Latin motto of the regiment is Nunquam retrorsum, which can be roughly translated as "Never retreat".
Battle honours
- North West Canada 1885
- The Great War: [awarded battle honours of the 69th Battalion CEF and 150th Battalion CEF, with the following emblazoned:] Ypres 1915 '17, Festubert 1915, Somme 1916, Arras 1917 '18, Hill 70, Amiens, Pursuit to Mons
- The Second World War: DieppeDieppe RaidThe Dieppe Raid, also known as the Battle of Dieppe, Operation Rutter or later on Operation Jubilee, during the Second World War, was an Allied attack on the German-occupied port of Dieppe on the northern coast of France on 19 August 1942. The assault began at 5:00 AM and by 10:50 AM the Allied...
, L'Escaut, Bourgebus Ridge, Saint-André-sur-OrneSaint-André-sur-OrneSaint-André-sur-Orne is a commune in the Calvados department in the Basse-Normandie region in northwestern France.-World War II:The village was the site of an expulsion of many schoolchildren from the Maison du Clos by the Nazi army during World War II, in which case the marching children were...
, Verrières Ridge—Tilly-la-CampagneTilly-la-Campagne-References:*...
, FalaiseFalaise pocketThe battle of the Falaise Pocket, fought during the Second World War from 12 to 21 August 1944, was the decisive engagement of the Battle of Normandy...
, Falaise Road, The Liaison, Forêt de la Londe, Dunkirk 1944, Antwerp-Turnhout Canal, The ScheldtBattle of the ScheldtThe Battle of the Scheldt was a series of military operations of the Canadian 1st Army, led by Lieutenant-General Guy Simonds. The battle took place in northern Belgium and southwestern Netherlands during World War II from 2 October-8 November 1944...
, Woensdrecht, South Beveland, The Rhineland, The Hochwald, Xanten, The Rhine, Groningen, Oldenburg, North-West Europe 1942 '44-45
Former members may join the active associations from the Officers Mess and the Sergents Mess. L'Association les Anciens Sergents Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal accepts retired members of the Junior Ranks Mess as associate Members. Please contact the unit Orderly Room for more information.
Regimental headquarters
The address of Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal is:- Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal
- 3721 Henri-Julien
- Montreal, QC H2X 3H4
Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal Museum
The museum features uniforms, medals, patches, photographs and other unit memorabilia. It is open on Tuesday evenings and by appointment. The museum collects, preserves, and shows, documents, artifacts, photos which illustrate the military life of our regiment in the city of Montreal in all aspects of life in peace and in war. The Museum is affiliated with: CMACanadian Museums Association
The Canadian Museums Association is a national organization for the promotion of museums in Canada.The Canadian Museums Association is the national organization for the advancement of the Canadian museum sector, representing Canadian museum professionals both within Canada and internationally. The...
, CHIN
Canadian Heritage Information Network
The Canadian Heritage Information Network is a Canadian government-supported organization that provides a networked interface to Canada's heritage, largely through the World Wide Web. It aims to give access to Canada's heritage for both Canadians and a worldwide audience, by supporting the...
, OMMC
Organization of Military Museums of Canada
The Organization of Military Museums of Canada is a national organization for the promotion of military museums in Canada.The OMMC was established in 1967 by a group of military museums, historians, and military history enthusiasts. It has over 40 individual and 60 institutional members including...
and Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada
The Virtual Museum of Canada is Canada's national virtual museum. With a directory of over 3,000 Canadian heritage institutions and a database of over 600 virtual exhibits, the VMC brings together Canada's museums regardless of size or geographical location.The VMC includes virtual exhibits,...
.