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)")
| Active regiment |
1st Regiment (2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion, C.E.F.) |
| Reserve regiment |
2nd Regiment (11th Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion, C.E.F.) |
5th British Columbia Light Horse47
(the former 31st Regiment, British Columbia Horse)
| Active regiment |
1st Regiment |
| Reserve regiment |
2nd Regiment |
The Rocky Mountain Rangers48
(the former 102nd Regiment 'Rocky Mountain Rangers')
| Active battalion |
1st Battalion (172nd Battalion, C.E.F.) |
| Reserve battalion |
2nd Battalion |
The Kootenay Regiment49
(the former 107th East Kootenay Regiment)
| Active battalion |
1st Battalion (54th Battalion, C.E.F.) |
| Reserve battalion |
2nd Battalion (225th Battalion, C.E.F.) |
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
| Regimental Headquarters |
Vernon52 |
| A Squadron |
Vernon |
| B Squadron |
Lumby |
| C Squadron |
Penticton53 |
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
On March 15, 1929, The British Columbia Mounted Rifles were redesignated
"The British
5th British Columbia Light Horse
| Regimental Headquarters |
Kamloops56 |
| A Squadron |
Kamloops |
| C Squadron |
Merritt |
In
1924 the 5th
British Columbia Light
Effective August 15, 1932, the 5th British Columbia Light Horse was
redesignated "The British Columbia Hussars".58
The Rocky Mountain Rangers5
| Headquarters |
Kamloops |
| A Company |
Kamloops |
| B Company |
Salmon Arm |
| C Company |
Armstrong |
| D Company |
Kelowna |
In 1928, "D" Company, The Rocky Mountain Rangers was moved from Kelowna to
The Kootenay Regiment61
| Headquarters |
Cranbrook |
| A Company |
Nelson |
| B Company |
Fernie |
| C Company |
Cranbrook |
| D Company |
Creston |
 |
MAP BC Units circa 1925 |
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:
| Headquarters |
Cranbrook |
| A Company |
Kimberley |
| B Company |
Cranbrook |
| C Company |
Cranbrook |
| D Company |
Creston |
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
 |
MAP BC Units circa 1935 |