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Between The Two World Wars

The relative disarray experienced by the Canadian Army in the years immediately following the end of the First World War is well known.  The Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.), representing the majority of the more than 400,000 soldiers who served overseas, returned home and its units were disbanded.  The resettlement of ex-servicemen was both a national and an individual priority and it was not until 1919 that a review - known as the Otter Committee - was completed of defence requirements that indicated the size and nature of a future Canadian Army.  It was envisioned that a military force of 11 infantry and six cavalry divisions would be required.⁴⁴

At the same time, there was a universal sentiment to perpetuate in the Militia the deeds and history of the CEF, and this was also reflected in the initial reorganization of the reserves.  Most Militia unit titles were changed - most notably for the infantry who, except for the 48th Highlanders, lost their "regimental" numbers".  Non-active members could, at their choice, be assigned to a unit's 'reserve regiment' or (reserve battalion) instead of to a unit general list (though the end result was the same).  After the First World War, these 'corps reserve' units were allowed to hold as many members as were willing to be associated with their former regiments.⁴⁵  The B.C. interior regiments were re-styled as follows:

The British Columbia Mounted Rifles⁴⁶

(from an amalgamation on May 15, 1920 of the former 30th Regiment, British Columbia Horse and the "Victoria Independent Squadron (British Columbia Horse)")

5th British Columbia Light Horse⁴⁷  

(the former 31st Regiment, British Columbia Horse)

The Rocky Mountain Rangers⁴⁸

(the former 102nd Regiment 'Rocky Mountain Rangers')

The Kootenay Regiment⁴⁹

(the former 107th East Kootenay Regiment)

The Independent Company of Rifles at Grand Forks was disbanded with effect from April 15, 1920.⁵⁰

In 1921 the first post-war reorganization of the Militia resulted in this configuration of British Columbia interior units:  

The British Columbia Mounted Rifles⁵¹

NOTE: despite the amalgamation, The British Columbia Mounted Rifles did not have a presence in the Victoria area after 1920

In 1926, "B Squadron," of The British Columbia Mounted Rifles was moved from Lumby to Kelowna.⁵⁴

On March 15, 1929, The British Columbia Mounted Rifles were redesignated "The British Columbia Dragoons".⁵⁵ 

5th British Columbia Light Horse  

In 1924 the 5th British Columbia Light Horse was reorganized when "B" Squadron was moved from Merritt to Vancouver and "C" Squadron was moved from Langley Prairie to Merritt.⁵⁷

Effective August 15, 1932, the 5th British Columbia Light Horse was redesignated "The British Columbia Hussars".⁵⁸

The Rocky Mountain Rangers⁵⁹

In 1928, "D" Company, The Rocky Mountain Rangers was moved from Kelowna to Revelstoke.⁶⁰

The Kootenay Regiment⁶¹

Effective October 13, 1932, The Kootenay Regiment was "disbanded for the purpose of reorganization".⁶² The eventual outcome was the relocation on November 1, 1933 of this unit as follows:

NOTE: Only the Headquarters, "B" and "C" Companies were authorized to stand up, with the organization of "A" and "D" Companies held in abeyance until authorized by National Defence Headquarters.⁶³      

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