York Rangers

The York Rangers was an infantry regiment of the Non-Permanent Active Militia [NPAM] of the Canadian Militia (now the Canadian Army). Although the unit was first officially created in 1866, the regiment traces its ancestry and origins as far back to Rogers' Rangers of the Seven Years' War, the Queen's Rangers of the American Revolutionary War and also the York Militia of the War of 1812. In 1936, the regiment was amalgamated with The Queen's Rangers (1st American Regiment) to form The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment).^[1][2][3][4]

The York Rangers
Active	1866-1936
Country	Canada
Branch	Canadian Militia
Type	Rangers
Role	Infantry
Size	One battalion 1866–1922 Two battalions 1922–1925 One battalion 1925–1936
Part of	Non-Permanent Active Militia
Garrison/HQ	Aurora, Ontario
Motto(s)	Latin: celer et audax, lit. 'swift and bold'
Engagements	Fenian Raids North-West Rebellion South African War First World War
Battle honours	See #Battle honours

History

On 10 April, 1885, the 12th York Rangers mobilized four companies for active service during the North-West Rebellion with the York and Simcoe Provisional Battalion. The battalion served in the Alberta Column of the North West Field Force. On 24 July 1885, these companies were removed from active service.^[2]

Great War

When the Canadian Expeditionary Force was raised in September 1914, the 12th York Rangers contributed drafts to help raise the 4th Battalion (Central Ontario), CEF. The regiment also contributed drafts to help form the 20th Battalion (Central Ontario), CEF.^[2][4][5]

On 7 November, 1914, the 35th Battalion, CEF was authorized for service. On 9 February 1915, the battalion was redesignated as the 35th Reserve Battalion, CEF and on 16 October, 1915, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. After its arrival in the UK, the battalion provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field. On 4 January, 1917, the battalion’s personnel were absorbed by the 4th Reserve Battalion, CEF. On 8 December, 1917, the 35th Battalion, CEF was disbanded.^[2]

On 22 December, 1915, the 127th Battalion (12th York Rangers), CEF was authorized for service and on 21 August, 1916, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. After its arrival in the UK, the battalion provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field. On 20 November, 1916, the battalion was reorganized as a railway battalion. On 13 January, 1917, the battalion disembarked in France and on 3 February, 1917, the battalion was redesignated the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops, CEF. From 1917 until early 1918, the battalion provided special light railway engineering services to the British Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders. During the German Spring Offensive of 1918, the battalion would resume its original infantry role continued in the Allied Frontline until the Amiens Offensive of August 1918. Soon after, the battalion resumed its railway battalion role until the end of the war. On 23 October, 1920, the 127th Battalion (12th York Rangers), CEF was disbanded.^[2]

On 15 July, 1916, the 220th Battalion (12th Regiment York Rangers), CEF was authorized for service and on 26 January, 1917, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. On 7 May, 1917, the battalion’s personnel were absorbed by the 3rd Reserve Battalion, CEF to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. On 1 September, 1917, the 220th Battalion, CEF was disbanded.^[2]

Lineage

The York Rangers

• Originated on 14 September 1866, in Aurora, Ontario, as the 12th York Battalion of Infantry.
• Redesignated on 10 May 1872, as the 12th Battalion of Infantry or York Rangers.
• Redesignated on 8 May 1900, as the 12th Regiment York Rangers.
• Redesignated on 1 May 1920, as The York Rangers.
• Amalgamated on 15 December 1936, with The Queen's Rangers (1st American Regiment) and redesignated as The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (MG).^[2]

Lineage chart

Lineage chart^[6]

1862 Scarborough Rifle Coy Aurora Infy Coy Lloydtown Infy Rifle Coy 1863 King Infy Coy 1866 Newmarket Infy Coy 1866 12th "York Bn of Infy" 1872 12th Bn of Infy or "York Rangers" 1900 12th Regt "York Rangers" 1914 35th Bn, CEF 1915 127th "Overseas" Bn, CEF 35th Reserve Bn, CEF 1916 220th "Overseas" Bn, CEF 1917 2nd Bn, CRT, CEF Absorbed by 3rd Reserve Bn, CEF Absorbed by 4th Reserve Bn, CEF 1920 Disbanded 1920 1st Bn, The York Rangers 3rd Bn (127th Bn, CEF),^[a] The York Rangers 4th Bn (220th Bn, CEF),^[a] The York Rangers 2nd Bn (35th Bn, CEF),^[a] The York Rangers 1922 2nd Bn (35th Bn, CEF),^[b] The York Rangers 1st Bn (20th Bn, CEF), The West Toronto Regt 1925 1st Bn (127th Bn, CEF), The York Rangers Disbanded 2nd Bn (220th Bn, CEF), The York Rangers 1st Bn (20th Bn, CEF), The Queen's Rangers 1927 2nd Bn (35th Bn, CEF), The York Rangers 1st Bn (20th Bn, CEF), The Queen's Rangers, 1st American Regt 1929 3rd (Reserve) Bn (220th Bn, CEF),^[a] The York Rangers 1936 Disbanded Disbanded 1936 The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regt) (MG)

Perpetuations

• 35th Battalion, CEF
• 127th Battalion (12th York Rangers), CEF
• 220th Battalion (12th Regiment York Rangers), CEF^[1][5]

Structure

12th York Battalion of Infantry (14 September 1866)

• No. 1 Company (Scarborough, Ontario) (first raised in September 1862 as the Scarborough Rifle Company)
• No. 2 Company (Aurora, Ontario) (first raised in December 1862 as the Aurora Infantry Company)
• No. 3 Company (Lloydtown, Ontario) (first raised in December 1862 as the Lloydtown Infantry Company; absorbed in 1872 by the Aurora company)
• No. 4 Company (King, Ontario) (first raised in January 1863 as the King Rifle Company)
• No. 5 Company (Newmarket, Ontario)^[3]

12th York Battalion of Infantry (October 1866)

• Regimental Headquarters (Newmarket, Ontario)
• No. 1 Company (Scarborough, Ontario)
• No. 2 Company (Aurora, Ontario)
• No. 3 Company (Lloydtown, Ontario) (absorbed in 1872 by the Aurora company)
• No. 4 Company (King, Ontario)
• No. 5 Company (Newmarket, Ontario)
• No. 6 Company (Keswick, Ontario; moved in 1867 to Sutton, Ontario)
• No. 7 Company (Markham, Ontario)
• No. 8 Company (Sharon, Ontario)
• No. 9 Company (Unionville, Ontario) (raised in November 1866)^[3]

The York Rangers (1 December 1920)

• Regimental Headquarters (Aurora, Ontario)
• 1st Battalion (Aurora, Ontario) (perpetuating the 127th Battalion, CEF)
• 2nd Battalion (perpetuating the 35th Battalion, CEF)
• 3rd (Reserve) Battalion (perpetuating the 127th Battalion, CEF)
• 4th (Reserve) Battalion (perpetuating the 220th Battalion, CEF)^[3]

The York Rangers (1 August 1925)

• Regimental Headquarters (Aurora, Ontario)
• 1st Battalion (Aurora, Ontario) (perpetuating the 127th Battalion, CEF)
• 2nd (Reserve) Battalion (perpetuating the 35th Battalion, CEF (jointly with The Queen's Rangers))
• 3rd (Reserve) Battalion (perpetuating the 220th Battalion CEF)^[3]

Alliances

•   United Kingdom - The Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment) (Until 1936)^[3]

Battle honours

North West Rebellion

• North West Canada, 1885^[7][8]

Great War

• Ypres, 1915, '17^[c][9][10]
• Festubert, 1915^[11]
• Mount Sorrel^[12]
• Somme, 1916, '18^[c][13][14]
• Arras, 1917, '18^[c][15][16]
• Hill 70^[17]
• Pilckem^[c][18]
• Langemarck, 1917^[c][19]
• Menin Road^[20]
• Polygon Wood^[c][21]
• Broodseinde^[22]
• Poelcappelle^[23]
• Passchendaele^[c][24]
• St. Quentin^[c][25]
• Amiens^[c][26]
• Hindenburg Line^[27]
• Pursuit to Mons^[c][28]
• France and Flanders, 1915–18^[8][29]

Notes and references

1. Reserve order of battle
2. Non Permanent Active Militia order of battle
3. Selected to be borne on colours and appointments

1. "(Guide to Sources Relating to the Canadian Militia (Infantry, Cavalry, Armored)" (PDF). Library and Archives Canada.
2. Defence, National (2018-11-29). "The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (RCAC)". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
3. . 2007-11-18. Archived from the original on 2007-11-18. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
4. "The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (RCAC)". www.canadiansoldiers.com. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
5. "CEF Infantry Battalions" (PDF). Library and Archives Canada.
6. "The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (RCAC)". www.canada.ca. 2018-11-29. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
7. "Battle Honours of North-West Rebellion (Militia)". www.regimentalrogue.com. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
8. "The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment)(RCAC)". www.regimentalrogue.com. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
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17. "WWI - Hill 70". www.canada.ca. 2019-07-22. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
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21. "WWI - Polygon Wood". www.canada.ca. 2019-07-22. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
22. "WWI - Broodseinde". www.canada.ca. 2019-07-22. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
23. "WWI - Poelcappelle". www.canada.ca. 2019-07-22. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
24. "WWI - Passchendaele". www.canada.ca. 2019-07-22. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
25. "WWI - St. Quentin". www.canada.ca. 2019-07-22. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
26. "WWI - Amiens". www.canada.ca. 2019-07-22. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
27. "WWI - Hindenburg Line". www.canada.ca. 2019-07-22. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
28. "WWI - Pursuit to Mons". www.canada.ca. 2019-07-22. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
29. "WWI - France and Flanders". www.canada.ca. 2022-07-11. Retrieved 2022-07-16.