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After the Second World War

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

24th Field Regiment, R.C.A.

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

The Rocky Mountain Rangers ⁸⁸

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

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. 

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