The Winnipeg Grenadiers

The Winnipeg Grenadiers
The cap badge of the Winnipeg Grenadiers
Active	1 April 1908 – 28 February 1965
Country	Canada
Allegiance	Canadian Army Reserve Force
Branch	Canadian Army
Type	Line Infantry
Role	Infantry
Size	Battalion
Part of	Royal Canadian Infantry Corps
Garrison/HQ	Minto Armoury, Winnipeg, Man.
Motto(s)	ADSUM (Present)
March	British Grenadiers
Engagements	Battle of Hong Kong
Battle honours	See Battle honours (below)

The Winnipeg Grenadiers was an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army formed on 1 April 1908 under General Order No. 20. Initially it was raised with headquarters at Morden, Manitoba and companies at: ‘A’ Company at Morden, ‘B’ Company at Morden, ‘C’ Company at Manitou, ‘D’ Company at Carman,‘E’ Company at Roland, 'F’ Company at Pilot Mound, ‘G’ Company at Cartwright and ‘H’ Company at Boissevain. The unit did not have any active personnel enrolled at the formation.

On 1 February 1910 all companies and headquarters were moved to Winnipeg. On 2 May 1910 the designation was changed to the 100th Winnipeg Grenadiers. The first officers were gazetted to the regiment on 18 May 1910. Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Norlande Ruttan who came from the Retired List commanded the regiment on organization (General Order No. 57 (HQ 32-1-107)). The regiment was reorganized under General Order No. 120 (1915) on 1 October 1915 to an establishment with four companies.

The Winnipeg Grenadiers originated in Morden, Manitoba on 1 April 1908, as the 100th Regiment. It was redesignated the 100th "Winnipeg Grenadiers" on 2 May 1910 and The Winnipeg Grenadiers on 12 March 1920. On 16 November 1936, it was amalgamated with the 10th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC and redesignated The Winnipeg Grenadiers (Machine Gun). It was redesignated the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The Winnipeg Grenadiers (Machine Gun) on 7 November 1940, the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The Winnipeg Grenadiers on 15 March 1941 and The Winnipeg Grenadiers on 28 January 1946. It was reduced to nil strength and transferred to the Supplementary Order of Battle on 28 February 1965.

The 10th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC originated in Winnipeg, Manitoba on 1 June 1919, as the 10th Machine Gun Brigade, CMGC. It was redesignated the 10th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC on 15 September 1924. On 16 November 1936, it was amalgamated with The Winnipeg Grenadiers. The perpetuation of the 10th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC (1919-1936) was assigned to The Winnipeg Grenadiers (Machine Gun).

The Winnipeg Grenadiers perpetuate the 11th Battalion, CEF, the 78th Battalion (Winnipeg Grenadiers), CEF, and the 100th Battalion (Winnipeg Grenadiers), CEF.

Details from the 100th Winnipeg Grenadiers were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protection duties.

The 11th Battalion, CEF was authorized on 10 August 1914 and embarked for Great Britain on 30 September 1914, where it was redesignated as the 11th Reserve Infantry Battalion, CEF, on 29 April 1915, to provide reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field. On 4 January 1917, its personnel, along with the personnel of the 100th Battalion (Winnipeg Grenadiers), CEF, were absorbed by a new 11th Reserve Battalion, CEF. The battalion was disbanded on 12 October 1917.