Winnipeg Light Infantry

The Winnipeg Light Infantry • Originated on 1 April 1912, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, as the 106th Regiment, Winnipeg Light Infantry. • Redesignated on 12 March 1920, as The Winnipeg Light Infantry. • Redesignated on 15 December 1936, as The Winnipeg Light Infantry (Machine Gun). • Redesignated on 18 March 1942, as the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The Winnipeg Light Infantry (Machine Gun). • Redesignated on 1 June 1945, as The Winnipeg Light Infantry (Machine Gun). • Redesignated on 1 April 1946, as The Winnipeg Light Infantry. • Amalgamated on 30 June 1955, with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. == Perpetuations ==

North West Rebellion • 91st Winnipeg Battalion of Light Infantry (1885–1888) Great War • 10th Battalion (Canadians), CEF • 61st Battalion (Winnipeg), CEF • 101st Battalion (Winnipeg Light Infantry), CEF • 222nd Battalion, CEF • 226th Battalion (Men of the North), CEF == History ==

Early history 91st Winnipeg Light Infantry Battalion (1885–1888) On 10 April 1885, a battalion of light infantry at Winnipeg was authorized to be formed and was mobilized for active service during the North West Rebellion. On 15 May 1885, the battalion was redesignated as the Winnipeg Light Infantry Battalion. The battalion served in the Alberta Column of the North West Field Force and on 18 September 1885, the battalion was removed from active service. The Winnipeg Light Infantry Battalion was retained on the order of battle of the Non-Permanent Active Militia, and on 2 April 1886 the battalion was redesignated as the 91st Winnipeg Light Infantry Battalion. On 23 November 1888, the battalion was disbanded. First World War Details of the 106th Regiment, Winnipeg Light Infantry, were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protection duties. On 15 December 1936, as a result of the 1936 Canadian Militia Reorganization, the Winnipeg Light Infantry was reorganized as an infantry battalion (machine gun) and redesignated as The Winnipeg Light Infantry (Machine Gun). Second World War On 26 August 1939, details of the Winnipeg Light Infantry (Machine Gun) were called out on service, and on 1 September 1939 were placed on active service under the designation The Winnipeg Light Infantry (Machine Gun), CASF, for local protection duties. On 31 December 1940, the details called out on active service were disbanded. On 1 January 1941, details of the regiment were again called out on service as the 1st (Reserve) Battalion, The Winnipeg Light Infantry (Machine Gun), but they were disbanded the same day. On 18 March 1942, the regiment mobilized the 1st Battalion, The Winnipeg Light Infantry, CASF, for active service. The battalion served in Canada in a home defence role as part of the 19th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 8th Canadian Infantry Division; the 16th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 7th Canadian Infantry Division; and the 14th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 6th Canadian Infantry Division. On 3 January 1945, the battalion embarked for Great Britain, and after its arrival in the UK, the 1st Battalion was disbanded on 10 January 1945, to provided reinforcements to the Canadian Army in the field. == Alliances ==

- The Durham Light Infantry (1914–1955) == Battle honours ==

North West Rebellion • North West Canada, 1885 Great War • Ypres, 1915, '17 • Gravenstafel • St. Julien • Festubert, 1915 • Mount Sorrel • Somme, 1916 • Thiepval • Ancre Heights • Arras, 1917, '18 • Vimy, 1917 • Arleux • Hill 70 • Passchendaele • Amiens • Scarpe, 1918 • Drocourt-Quéant • Hindenburg Line • Canal du Nord • Pursuit to Mons • France and Flanders, 1915–18 Honorary distinction: oak leaf shoulder badge for the actions of the 10th Battalion, CEF, at the Battle of Kitcheners' Wood on 22/23 April 1915. == Notable members ==

• Lieutenant Colonel William Osborne Smith • Captain John "Jack" Douglas Verner. Awarded Bar to Military Cross for his bravery and leadership during the attack on Dodu Wood, 8 August 1918, while serving with the 43rd Battalion, Cameron Highlanders of Canada. The citation states: "During an attack his company [D] came under heavy fire in the assembly area. He rallied his men and led them forward. The attack to which he was committed necessitated two complete changes of direction. A heavy mist prevailed, obliterating all features; nevertheless he handled his company in such a way under machine-gun fire that, without any error, they reached their objective by a flanking movement. During the operation a battery of 5.9's with open sights started firing at advancing Tank and his company. He manoeuvred his Lewis guns to enfilade the enemy guns, and captured five guns, six officers, and seventy men." Verner had served with the 106th Regiment, Winnipeg Light Infantry for two months prior to his service overseas with the CEF. • Company Sergeant Major Frederick William Hall, == Notes and references ==