In a spirit very similar to that of the early 1920s, the reorganization of
Canada's Militia immediately after the successful conclusion of the Second
World War resulted in an ambitious field force.
The units that went to war in 1939, were for the most part, retained.
To provide all the arms and services found in a modern mechanized
army82
new units were established while some existing units were converted to other
roles.83
In British Columbia, two new formation headquarters (22nd
Armoured Brigade and 15th Infantry Brigade) were created in Vancouver to
command the Militia arms units in the province.
In 1946, with the exception of the 108th Field Battery (Howitzer) and The
Rocky Mountain Rangers, most of the Militia units in the British Columbia
interior, as detailed below, were little changed in structure from 1939.
9th Reconnaissance Regiment (The British Columbia Dragoons)
84
| Regimental Headquarters |
Kelowna |
| A Squadron |
Vernon |
| B Squadron |
Kelowna |
| C Squadron |
Penticton |
| Pipes and Drums |
Penticton |
24th Field Regiment, R.C.A.
| Regimental Headquarters |
Cranbrook85 |
| 107th Field Battery |
Cranbrook |
| 109th Field Battery |
Trail |
| 111th Field Battery |
Nelson |
Effective February 5, 1948 the 24th Field Regiment, RCA was converted and
redesignated "24th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA;" it consisted of the
107th, 109th and 111th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Batteries, RCA.86
| 108th Anti-Tank Battery (Self-Propelled), RCA |
Kimberley |
The Rocky Mountain Rangers
88
| Headquarters |
Kamloops |
| A Company |
Prince George |
| B Company |
Salmon Arm |
| C Company |
Armstrong |
| D Company |
Revelstoke |
While the Rangers would retain a four rifle company structure for the next
20 years, the following changes would significantly affect their dispersion:
*
Sometime after 1948, "B" Company was moved to Revelstoke, "C" Company was in
Salmon Arm, and "D" Company had its headquarters in Armstrong, with its No.
12 Platoon in Enderby.
Battalion Headquarters, Headquarters Company, and Support Company were in
Kamloops
89
*
In 1952, "B" Company was re-located from Revelstoke to Whitehorse, in the
Yukon Territory, where it was active until approximately 1955
*
Also in 1952, No. 7 Platoon, "C" Company was organized in Revelstoke; in
1953 it was known as No. 9 Platoon, and kept that title until 1956, when it
reverted to being known as No. 7 Platoon
*
In 1952, No. 9 Platoon was listed as being in Chase.
In 1953 and 1956 it switched locations to and from Revelstoke, as
described above. No. 9 Platoon
stayed in Chase until 1958 when it was re-located to Salmon Arm.90
*
Support Company's Mortar Platoon was established in Merritt about 1952.
In 1956 the Pioneer Platoon was set up in Lytton, but it was
relocated to Kamloops in 1958.
91
*
In 1956, No. 3 Platoon (of "A" Company) was listed as being in Quesnel, and
No. 4 Platoon (the only active component of "B" Company - which had been
stood-down in Whitehorse the year before) was organized in Williams Lake.
However, in 1958 the platoon in Williams Lake was relocated to
Kamloops.92
No. 3 Platoon in Quesnel continued to be listed as such until 1960,
when it became known as No. 4 Platoon.
The platoon in Quesnel was reduced to nil strength and made dormant
with effect from 24 February 1964.93
*
In 1958, No. 9 Platoon in Chase was relocated to Salmon Arm, and No. 12
Platoon in Enderby joined the remainder of "D" Company in Armstrong.94
*
In 1959, "D" Company headquarters moved from Armstrong to Revelstoke, and
No. 7 Platoon in Revelstoke was transferred to Armstrong.
*
In 1960 the armoury in Armstrong was badly gutted, and it was reported that
a temporary home for No. 9 Platoon was found in the recently vacated Enderby
armoury. It is presumed that
this "No. 9 Platoon" was the former No. 7 Platoon - in any event, from 1961
onward the Rangers in Armstrong are listed as No. 7 Platoon.
In 1965, this platoon was relocated to Salmon Arm95
Maps showing Rangers company and platoon locations
 Rangers
in the North |
 Rangers
in the South |
In 1949, the sappers arrived in the interior of British Columbia in force. In 1947, the 44th Field Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers was to be organized in Victoria.96 There is little evidence, however, that plans were implemented to effect its creation; instead, its number was used when the existing squadron was stood-up in Trail, effective January 25, 1949.97 About 100 miles to the northeast, the 17th Independent Field Squadron was organized in Kimberley on June 30, 1949, using a number from a squadron that had previously been established in Victoriaville, Quebec.
 |
MAP: 'BC Units circa 1950' |