The South Saskatchewan Regiment

Reprinted here with permission from pages 334 and 335 of Compendium of canadian regiments. A civilian's perspective. by Michael Gregory. First Edition. ISBN 0-9688562-0-9. Submissions to the next edition of this publication are invited by the author, Michael Gregory, via Box 67, Victoria, PE. C0A 2G0. cangory@magma.ca

March: Warwicksire Lads
Headquarters: Estevan, SK

Antecedents

1885 - Moose Mountain Scouts.

The history to 1914 is shared with four of the five Saskatchewan regiments originating on 3 Jul 1905 when the 95th Regiment was authorized, redesignated:
Jun 1909 - 95th Saskatchewan Rifles, Apr 1912 - divided into two separate regiments creating the 105th Regt; the 95th was redesignated, Sep 1913 - The Saskatchewan Rifles.

Jan 1913 - the 60th Rifles of Canada was authorised.
WWI: 5Bn Western Cavalry,
152Bn Weyburn, Estevan.

Mar 1920 - The Saskatchewan Rifles and 60th Rifles amalgamated, redesignated: The South Saskatchewan Regiment.

May 1924 - divided into the following regiments:
Assiniboia Regiment (redesignated the 10th Medium Arty Regiment)
The Regina Rifles
The south Saskatchewan Regiment - (redesignated The Saskatchewan Dragoons)
The Weyburn Regiment, and
The Saskatchewan Border Regiment.
Dec 1936 - These last two amalgamated and again designated The South Saskatchewan Regiment.

Campaigns

1885 - Duck Lake
WWI: 1917 - Arras, Hill 70
WWII: 1942 - Dieppe, 1944 - Bourguebus Ridge, St. Adrre-sur-Orne, Falaise, Falaise Road, The Laison, Foret de la Londe, Dunkirk, Antwerp-Turnhout Canal, The Scheldt, Woroensdrecht, South Beveland, The Rhineland, The Hochwald, Xanten.
1945 - The Rhine, Groningen, Oldenburg.
NW Europe 1942, 1944-45.

Notes

The almost mythic Moose Mountain Scouts and the later Assiniboia Regt were from Moosomin, south of the Qu'Appelle Valley (of romantic Franco-Cree origin), south of which lies oil producing Weyburn, and further south again is coal-producing Estevan, scene of a violent miners strike. Close by is Roche Percée, site of the ancient petroglyphs. 45 Moose Mountain Scouts were with the NWMP at Duck Lake where 9 volunteers were killed.

1914-1919. The 60th and the 95th Rifles were placed on active service on 6 Aug 1914, next month both contributed to 11Bn on its formation. They recruited for 28, 46, front line bns and for the 68, 128, 152 and 195 reinforcement battalions.

1939-45. The South Saskatchewan Regt was mobilized (1 Sep 1939) and embarked for the UK on 16 Dec 1940. It took part in the Dieppe Raid (19 Aug 1942) where a detachment was in the incision attempt to destroy a radar installation at Pourville. It was estimated 348 were evacuated from the beach - losses include 89 captured. On 8 Jul 1944 the regiment landed in Normandy with the 6th Inf Bde joining the drive along the English Channel coast to Belgium and Holland.

The active unit was disbanded on 15 Dec 1945. The 2nd reserve Bn continued to serve until 1 Sep 1968 when the regiment was placed on the dreaded terminating Supplementary Order of Battle.

Colours

152nd Weyburn-Estevan Bn: Cantebury Cathedral, England to 1921; Soo Line Museum, Weyburn.