Lorne Rifles (Scottish) facts for kids

The Lorne Rifles (Scottish) was a special group of soldiers in the Canadian Militia. This was like a part-time army that helped protect Canada. It started in the 1860s and was first known as The Halton Rifles. Later, in 1931, its name changed to The Lorne Rifles (Scottish).

In 1936, this regiment joined with another group called The Peel and Dufferin Regiment. Together, they became a new unit known as The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment).

What is a Regiment's Lineage?

A regiment's lineage is like its family tree. It shows all the different names a military unit had over time and how it changed. The Lorne Rifles (Scottish) went through several name changes before becoming what it was.

The Lorne Rifles (Scottish) Through the Years

• On September 28, 1866, it started in Milton, Ontario, as the 20th Halton Battalion of Infantry.
• On January 12, 1872, it was renamed the 20th Halton Battalion of Rifles.
• On November 11, 1881, it became the 20th Halton Battalion, Lorne Rifles.
• On May 8, 1900, its name changed to the 20th Halton Regiment Lorne Rifles.
• On December 1, 1909, it was called the 20th Regiment, Halton Rifles.
• On May 1, 1920, it became The Halton Rifles.
• On November 1, 1931, it was renamed The Lorne Rifles (Scottish).
• On December 15, 1936, it joined with The Peel and Dufferin Regiment to form The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment).

What is Perpetuation?

Perpetuation means that a current military unit carries on the history and honours of an older unit. It's like keeping their spirit alive. The Lorne Rifles (Scottish) helped keep the memory of these First World War battalions going:

• 37th Battalion (Northern Ontario), CEF
• 76th Battalion, CEF
• 164th Battalion (Halton and Dufferin), CEF

History of The Lorne Rifles (Scottish)

Early Days of the Regiment

In 1855, a new law called the Militia Act of 1855 was passed in Canada. This law allowed new local military companies to be formed. Many of these companies started in the Halton County area of what was then called Canada West (now Ontario).

On September 28, 1866, seven of these local companies joined together to form the 20th Halton Battalion of Infantry. Its main office was in Milton, Ontario. The battalion had companies in towns like Oakville, Stewarttown, Georgetown, and Acton.

Later, on November 11, 1881, the battalion changed its uniform from red to green. It also changed its name to the 20th Halton Battalion "Lorne Rifles". The "Lorne" part came from the name of the Governor General at the time, John Campbell, Marquess of Lorne.

The Regiment During the First World War

When the First World War began, the 20th Halton Rifles as a whole unit did not go to war. Instead, soldiers from many units, including the 20th Halton Rifles, were brought together to form new battalions for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). These new battalions were sent overseas.

The 20th Halton Rifles sent soldiers to help form the 4th Battalion (Central Ontario), CEF. This battalion was part of the first group of Canadian soldiers sent to fight.

The 37th Battalion (Northern Ontario), CEF

This battalion was officially created on November 7, 1914. On November 27, 1915, its soldiers sailed to Great Britain. Once there, they helped provide extra soldiers for the Canadian Corps fighting in the war. On July 9, 1916, the soldiers from the 37th Battalion joined the 39th Battalion, CEF. The 37th Battalion was officially ended on May 21, 1917.

The 76th Battalion, CEF

This battalion was created on July 10, 1915. On April 23, 1916, its soldiers also sailed to Great Britain. Like the 37th Battalion, they provided extra soldiers for the Canadian Corps. On July 6, 1916, the soldiers of the 76th Battalion joined the 36th Battalion, CEF. The 76th Battalion was officially ended on July 17, 1917.

The 164th Battalion (Halton and Dufferin), CEF

This battalion was created on December 22, 1915. On April 11, 1917, its soldiers went to Great Britain. They also provided extra soldiers for the Canadian Corps. On April 16, 1918, the soldiers from the 164th Battalion joined the 8th Reserve Battalion, CEF. The 164th Battalion was officially ended on November 29, 1918.

Changes in the 1920s and 1930s

After the First World War, the Canadian military was reorganized. On May 1, 1920, the 20th Regiment, Halton Rifles was renamed The Halton Rifles. It was set up with three battalions. Two of these were "reserve" battalions, meaning they existed on paper to keep the history of the war-time battalions alive.

On November 1, 1931, the regiment's Scottish connection was brought back. The Halton Rifles became The Lorne Rifles (Scottish). They even got special permission from Niall Campbell, 10th Duke of Argyll, a very important Scottish leader, to use his family's special crest (a boar's head) and tartan pattern.

Finally, on December 15, 1936, The Lorne Rifles (Scottish) joined with The Peel and Dufferin Regiment. This created the new unit called The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment).

How the Regiment Was Organized

20th Halton Battalion of Infantry (September 28, 1866)

• Regimental Headquarters (Milton)
• No. 1 Company (Oakville)
• No. 2 Company (Stewarttown)
• No. 3 Company (Georgetown)
• No. 4 Company (Norval)
• No. 5 Company (Nelson)
• No. 6 Company (Milton)
• No. 7 Company (Acton)
• No. 8 Company (Nassagewaya)

20th Regiment, Halton Rifles (December 1, 1909)

• A Company (Oakville)
• B Company (Norval)
• C Company (Georgetown)
• D Company (Campbellville)
• E Company (Burlington)
• F Company (Acton)
• G Company (Milton)
• H Company (Hornby)

The Halton Rifles (December 1, 1920)

• Regimental Headquarters (Georgetown)
• 1st Battalion (carrying on the history of the 37th Battalion, CEF)
  • A Company (Oakville)
  • B Company (Milton)
  • C Company (Burlington)
  • D Company (Georgetown)
• 2nd (Reserve) Battalion (carrying on the history of the 76th Battalion, CEF)
• 3rd (Reserve) Battalion (carrying on the history of the 164th Battalion, CEF)

Alliances

An alliance is when one military unit has a special friendship or connection with another unit, often from a different country.

•  United Kingdom – The Royal Ulster Rifles (from the 1920s to 1936)

Battle Honours

Battle honours are special awards given to military units for their bravery and success in battles. They are like badges of honour for the unit's history. The Lorne Rifles (Scottish) earned honours for these important battles:

• Mount Sorrel
• Somme, 1916
• Arras, 1917, ‘18
• Hill 70
• Ypres, 1917
• Amiens
• Hindenburg Line
• Pursuit to Mons

See also

• Canadian-Scottish regiment