Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke |
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The badge of Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke.
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| Active | 1910–present |
| Country | Canada |
| Branch | Canadian Army |
| Type | Primary Reserve infantry |
| Role | infantry |
| Size | Two companies and one regimental band |
| Part of | 35 Canadian Brigade Group |
| Garrison/HQ | Sherbrooke, Quebec |
| Motto(s) | Droit au but (To the point) |
| March | "Queen City" |
Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke is a special army group in the Canadian Army. It's a Primary Reserve infantry regiment, which means its members are part-time soldiers. They train regularly and can be called upon to help in different situations.
This regiment is based in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. They also have a smaller group in Granby.
Contents
Regimental Badge
The badge of Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke is a cool symbol! It shows a grenade with a crown on top. Around it, there's a circle that says Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke. Above the circle, you'll see a beaver, and the whole design sits on a maple leaf. At the very bottom, a scroll says Droit au but, which means "To the point" in French.
Regiment's History and Name Changes
The regiment has changed its name a few times since it started.
- It began on April 1, 1910, in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Its first name was the 54th Regiment (Carabiniers de Sherbrooke).
- On March 29, 1920, it became Les Carabiniers de Sherbrooke.
- Then, on January 15, 1933, it was renamed Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke. This is the name it mostly uses today.
- During World War II, its name changed a couple more times to show if it was a reserve unit or a battalion.
- Finally, on June 1, 1945, it went back to being called Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke.
Understanding the Names: "Fusiliers" vs. "Fusilier"
During World War II, things got a bit confusing with the names! Another group, the Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment, was formed. It included soldiers from Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke and another regiment.
Soon after, the spelling changed to "Fusilier" (singular) instead of "Fusiliers" (plural). This single-word name was on their badges. This "Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment" became an armoured (tank) unit. Its history is now carried on by The Sherbrooke Hussars.
Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke, however, is an infantry regiment. This means they are foot soldiers. Both regiments share some of the same battle honours, which are special awards for their bravery in battles.
Carrying on Traditions (Perpetuations)
Regiments sometimes "perpetuate" older units. This means they keep the history and traditions of those units alive.
World War I
Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke carries on the history of the 163rd Battalion (French-Canadian), CEF. This battalion was formed in 1915 and sent to Bermuda for duty. Later, its soldiers helped reinforce other Canadian units fighting in Europe.
What They Did: Operational History
The regiment has played important roles in Canada's military history.
World War I
When World War I started in 1914, parts of the 54th Regiment "Carabiniers de Sherbrooke" were called to active duty. They helped protect local areas.
World War II
During World War II, Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke helped create The Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment. This unit later became an armoured regiment with tanks. It was called the 27th Armoured Regiment (The Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment).
This tank regiment served in Newfoundland and then went to Great Britain. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, they landed in Normandy, France. They fought bravely across North-West Europe until the war ended.
Separately, the main Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke regiment also had a battalion that served in Canada. They helped defend the country at home. In 1945, this battalion went to Great Britain to provide more soldiers for the fighting.
Afghanistan
Between 2002 and 2014, many members of Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke volunteered to serve in Afghanistan. More than 20% of their soldiers helped in different missions there.
The Regimental Band
The Musique des Fusiliers de Sherbrooke is the regiment's band. It stopped playing for a while in the 1970s but started up again in the early 1990s. The band has a long history, even older than the regiment itself!
Lieutenant Serge Bélanger was the first director when the band restarted. He helped it grow from a small group to about 30 musicians. It's now one of nine military bands in Quebec. Captain Sylvain Côté has been the director of music since 1996.
The band plays for regimental ceremonies and parades. They also perform at charity concerts in Quebec. In 2013, they even donated $2,000 to local music groups.
Battle Honours
Battle honours are special awards given to military units for their bravery and success in important battles or campaigns. The ones in bold type are proudly displayed on the regiment's flag, called the regimental colour.
World War I
World War II
- Normandy Landing
- Authie
- Caen
- The Orne
- Bourguébus Ridge
- Faubourg de Vaucelles
- St. André-sur-Orne
- Falaise
- Falaise Road
- Clair Tizon
- The Laison
- Antwerp–Turnhout Canal
- The Scheldt
- The Lower Maas
- The Rhineland
- The Hochwald
- Xanten
- The Rhine
- Emmerich–Hoch Elten
- Zutphen
- Deventer
- North-West Europe, 1944–1945
Afghanistan Honour
- Afghanistan
Famous People from the Regiment
One very famous person who served with the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment (the tank unit) was Major (later Brigadier-General) S.V. Radley-Walters. He was known as Canada's top tank ace, meaning he was incredibly skilled in tank battles. He later held many important leadership roles in the Canadian Army.
Alliances
Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke has a special connection with a British regiment:
United Kingdom - The Rifles
The Armoury Building
The Sherbrooke Armoury is the main building where the regiment is based.
- It's located at 64 Belvédère Street South in Sherbrooke, Quebec.
- The building was built in 1908.
- It's recognized as a historic place in Canada.
- It's a large building with a big open space inside, used for training and drills.
Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke Regimental Museum
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| Location | 64 Belvédère Street South Sherbrooke, Quebec Canada |
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| Type | Regimental Museum |
The museum is located in the armoury building. Its main goal is to share the military history of Sherbrooke and Canada. It has many interesting items like documents, artifacts, and photos. These show the life and history of Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke and other military units.
Images for kids
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Sherman tank of Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment, Falaise 17 August 1944.
