Battle honours are absent for World War ll. The reasons for this is explained here.
| Silver Bugle Donated to Halifax Rifles by "Ladies Of Halifax" in 1862 (On display at Citadel Museum) |
Regimental Colours deserve very special mention and should always be accorded the deepest
reverence by all soldiers.
It is with especial pride that we record that these COLOURS were given to the Regiment by the
Corporation of the City of Halifax, in the year 1862, in recognition of valuable service the Regiment
was performing in training themselves in their spare time to be ready to defend Canada as they are
doing today. The presentation took place on November 10th, 1862. The day was proclaimed a
Public Holiday, and a full review of Permanent Force and Reserve Force men took place on the
Commons. Mrs. P. C. Hill, wife of the Mayor of Halifax made the presentation on behalf of the
Halifax City Council. Captain William Chearnley, (Captain Commanding) accepted the COLOURS
on behalf of the Regiment.
Following the COLOUR presentation the Countess of Mulgrave presented the Regiment with a
Silver Bugle donated by the Ladies of Halifax , and expressed the wish that the Regiment would long
carry it. This bugle is presently in the Citadel Hill Military Museum, at Halifax. (See picture at page
top)
At the outbreak of the Second World War the COLOURS were deposited with due ceremony in
the Chapel of King's University College, where they still remain.
The inscription on the cabinet holding the COLOURS reads as follows.
"COLOURS" presented to the HALIFAX VOLUNTEER BATTALION
November 10th, 1862, by the Halifax City Council. After Confederation this CORPS became 63rd.
Regt. "HALIFAX RIFLES" under authority of General Orders No. 109 of 1929, No. 71 of 1930,
and No. 60 of 1933.
The BATTLE HONOURS are emblazoned on the "COLOURS"
BATTLE HONOURS AWARDED
NORTH WEST CANADA..................1885
SOUTH AFRICAN WAR....................1899-1900
MOUNT SORREL...............................1916
SOMME...............................................1916
ARRAS.................................................1917
HILL 70................................................1917
YPRES..................................................1917
AMIENS...............................................1918
PURSUIT TO MONS...........................1918
HIDENBURG LINE..............................1918
NB
reverence by all soldiers.
It is with especial pride that we record that these COLOURS were given to the Regiment by the
Corporation of the City of Halifax, in the year 1862, in recognition of valuable service the Regiment
was performing in training themselves in their spare time to be ready to defend Canada as they are
doing today. The presentation took place on November 10th, 1862. The day was proclaimed a
Public Holiday, and a full review of Permanent Force and Reserve Force men took place on the
Commons. Mrs. P. C. Hill, wife of the Mayor of Halifax made the presentation on behalf of the
Halifax City Council. Captain William Chearnley, (Captain Commanding) accepted the COLOURS
on behalf of the Regiment.
Following the COLOUR presentation the Countess of Mulgrave presented the Regiment with a
Silver Bugle donated by the Ladies of Halifax , and expressed the wish that the Regiment would long
carry it. This bugle is presently in the Citadel Hill Military Museum, at Halifax. (See picture at page
top)
At the outbreak of the Second World War the COLOURS were deposited with due ceremony in
the Chapel of King's University College, where they still remain.
The inscription on the cabinet holding the COLOURS reads as follows.
"COLOURS" presented to the HALIFAX VOLUNTEER BATTALION
November 10th, 1862, by the Halifax City Council. After Confederation this CORPS became 63rd.
Regt. "HALIFAX RIFLES" under authority of General Orders No. 109 of 1929, No. 71 of 1930,
and No. 60 of 1933.
The BATTLE HONOURS are emblazoned on the "COLOURS"
BATTLE HONOURS AWARDED
NORTH WEST CANADA..................1885
SOUTH AFRICAN WAR....................1899-1900
MOUNT SORREL...............................1916
SOMME...............................................1916
ARRAS.................................................1917
HILL 70................................................1917
YPRES..................................................1917
AMIENS...............................................1918
PURSUIT TO MONS...........................1918
HIDENBURG LINE..............................1918
NB
"A detailed account has yet to be written of what happened to the six hundred and nine (609)
other ranks and thirty-eight (38) officers in the Regiment at the time, as well as those
previously posted as reinforcements. Some went to Artillery, Engineer and Signals Regiments,
Service Units, the RCAF and RAF, but the majority went to 31 Canadian Armoured and
Infantry Regiments.
These soldiers fought as members of those units in Sicily, Italy, Normandy, North-West Europe
and Germany. Although they fought in every major Canadian Army battle in these theatres, the
Halifax Rifles has no World War 11 battle honours. The Regimental Association is pursuing
this with DND."
(Annex C)
other ranks and thirty-eight (38) officers in the Regiment at the time, as well as those
previously posted as reinforcements. Some went to Artillery, Engineer and Signals Regiments,
Service Units, the RCAF and RAF, but the majority went to 31 Canadian Armoured and
Infantry Regiments.
These soldiers fought as members of those units in Sicily, Italy, Normandy, North-West Europe
and Germany. Although they fought in every major Canadian Army battle in these theatres, the
Halifax Rifles has no World War 11 battle honours. The Regimental Association is pursuing
this with DND."
(Annex C)
