Régiment de la Chaudière facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Le Régiment de la Chaudière |
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Levis Armoury
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| Active | 1869–present |
| Country | Canada |
| Branch | Canadian Army |
| Type | Line Infantry |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Garrison/HQ | Lévis, Quebec |
| Motto(s) | Latin: Ære perennius (Stronger than bronze) |
| March | "Sambre et Meuse" and "The Longest Day" |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel-in-Chief | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Insignia | |
| Regimental badge | Two crossed machine guns, surmounted by a beaver supporting a fleur-de-lys. Under this is a scroll inscribed with the device Ære perennius meaning 'More lasting than bronze', with a small maple leaf on each end.  |
The Régiment de la Chaudière is a special part-time army group in the Canadian Army. It is an infantry (foot soldier) regiment that helps protect Canada. This group is based in Lévis, Quebec, and is part of the 35 Canadian Brigade Group, which belongs to the 2nd Canadian Division.
Contents
What is the Regimental Badge?
The badge of Le Régiment de la Chaudière is a special symbol. It shows two Vickers machine guns crossed over each other. Above them, there is a beaver holding a fleur-de-lys, which is a symbol of France. Below this, a ribbon says Aere perennius. This Latin phrase means 'Stronger than bronze'. There is also a small maple leaf on each end of the ribbon.
How Did the Regiment Start?
Le Régiment de la Chaudière has a long history. It keeps alive the memory of three older army groups that fought in the War of 1812. These groups were the 1st Battalion, Select Embodied Militia, the Dorchester Provincial Light Dragoons, and the 1st Lotbinière Division. Because of them, the regiment has special "Battle Honours" for their brave actions, especially at the Battle of the Chateauguay.
Early Beginnings: 1869 to 1936
The regiment officially started in Saint-Anselme, Quebec, on April 9, 1869. It was first called The Provisional Battalion of "Dorchester". Over the years, its name changed several times:
- On June 12, 1885, it became the 92nd "Dorchester" Battalion of Infantry.
- In 1899, it joined with the 23rd "Beauce" Battalion of Infantry but kept its name.
- It was renamed the 92nd Dorchester Regiment in 1900.
- Then, it became Le Régiment de Dorchester in 1920.
- In 1921, it was called The Beauce Regiment, then Le Régiment de Beauce.
- By 1932, it was known as Le Régiment de Dorchester et Beauce.
Joining Forces: 1936 to Today
On December 15, 1936, the regiment combined with the 5th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC. It was then called Le Régiment de la Chaudière (Mitrailleuses). The name changed a few more times during and after the Second World War:
- In 1940, it became the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, Le Régiment de la Chaudière (Mitrailleuses).
- In 1941, it was the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, Le Régiment de la Chaudière.
- Finally, on April 24, 1946, it became simply Le Régiment de la Chaudière.
- In 1954, it joined with Le Régiment de Lévis but kept its current name.
Why is it Called "Chaudière"?
When soldiers from the regiment were in Normandy, France, during World War II, people were surprised they spoke French like them. But they were confused by the name "Chaudière". In French, chaudière means a water heater or boiler. The regiment is actually named after the Chaudière River in Quebec. This river got its name because one of its waterfalls looks like "boiling" water!
What Has the Regiment Done?
Fighting in the Second World War (1939-1945)
Le Régiment de la Chaudière played a big part in the Second World War.
- In 1939, a special part of the regiment was formed for active service.
- It was first set up as a machine gun battalion.
- In July 1941, this battalion traveled to Great Britain.
- On D-Day, June 6, 1944, the regiment landed in Normandy, France. This was a huge invasion to free Europe from Nazi control.
- They were part of the 8th Infantry Brigade, which belonged to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division.
- Le Régiment de la Chaudière was the only French-Canadian regiment to take part in Operation Overlord (the D-Day landings). They landed on the beaches of Bernières-sur-Mer shortly after another Canadian unit.
- They continued to fight bravely across North-West Europe until the war ended.
The regiment was involved in many important battles:
- They fought in the Battle for Caen in July 1944, including a tough fight at Carpiquet airfield.
- They also took part in the Battle of the Scheldt, especially in the Breskens Pocket in late 1944.
- In early 1945, they were active in the Rhineland area and finished the war fighting on German soil.
Helping in Afghanistan (2002-2014)
Later, between 2002 and 2014, the regiment sent many of its members to help in the war in Afghanistan. More than 20% of its soldiers served there in different groups.
What are Battle Honours?
Battle honours are special awards given to military units for their brave actions in important battles or campaigns. They are like badges of honor for the whole regiment. Some of these honours are even shown on the regiment's flag, called the "regimental colour".
Honours from the War of 1812
- Defence of Canada – 1812–1815
- Châteauguay
Honours from the Second World War
- Normandy Landing
- Caen
- Carpiquet
- Bourguébus Ridge
- Faubourg de Vaucelles
- Falaise
- The Laison
- Chambois
- Boulogne, 1944
- Calais, 1944
- The Scheldt
- Breskens Pocket
- The Rhineland
- Waal Flats
- The Hochwald
- The Rhine
- Emmerich–Hoch Elten
- Zutphen
- North-West Europe, 1944–1945
Honours from South-West Asia
- Afghanistan
Régiment de la Chaudière Museum
| Location | Lévis Armoury, 10 Arsenal Street, Lévis, QC G6V 4P7 Canada |
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| Type | Regimental Museum |
The Régiment de la Chaudière museum is a place where you can learn about the regiment's history. It collects and keeps many items that show what military life was like, especially during the war in Europe from 1944-1945. The museum displays old weapons, uniforms, and equipment. It also tells stories about the customs of Le Régiment de la Chaudière from when it first started.
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Paul Mathieu, DSO, ED from Archives of Museum of Régiment de la Chaudière
Books About the Regiment
- Le Régiment de la Chaudière by Jacques & Armand Ross Castonguay (1983)
- Le Geste Du Régiment De La Chaudière by Major Armand, Major Michel Gauvin Ross and Georges Lepage (1945)
Images for kids
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Sergeant Léo Major
