The Saint John Fusiliers was an infantry regiment of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of the Canadian Militia (now the Canadian Army). In 1946, the regiment was amalgamated with The New Brunswick Rangers to form the South New Brunswick Regiment which was later renamed as The New Brunswick Scottish. They now form part of the 1st Battalion, The Royal New Brunswick Regiment.
Lineage
The Saint John Fusiliers
Originated on 22 March 1872, as the 62nd St. John Battalion of Infantry. Redesignated on 14 April 1882 as the 62nd Battalion Saint John Fusiliers. Amalgamated on 1 December 1898, with the St. John Rifle Company. Redesignated on 8 May 1900, as the 62nd Regiment, St. John Fusiliers. Redesignated on 15 March 1920, as The St. John Fusiliers. Redesignated on 2 September 1925, as The Saint John Fusiliers. Amalgamated on 15 December 1936, with The New Brunswick Dragoons and "A" Company of the 7th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC and redesignated as The Saint John Fusiliers (Machine Gun). Redesignated on 1 January 1941, as the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The Saint John Fusiliers (Machine Gun). Redesignated again on 1 June 1945, as The Saint John Fusiliers (Machine Gun). Amalgamated on 31 August 1946, with The New Brunswick Rangers to form The South New Brunswick Regiment (later The New Brunswick Scottish).
St. John Rifle Company
Originated on 8 July 1862, in Saint John, New Brunswick as the Western Militia District Engineer Company. Redesignated on 6 February 1869, as The St. John Engineer Company. Redesignated on 28 May 1869, as The New Brunswick Engineers Company. Converted on 13 January 1882, to Infantry and Redesignated as the St. John Rifle Company. Amalgamated on 1 December 1898, with the 62nd Battalion Saint John Fusiliers to form an additional infantry company.
7th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC
Originated on 1 June 1919, in Saint John, New Brunswick as the 7th Machine Gun Brigade, CMGC. Redesignated on 15 September 1924, as the 7th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC. Amalgamated on 15 December 1936, with The Saint John Fusiliers and redesignated as The Saint John Fusiliers (Machine Gun). Headquarters and B Company redesignated as The New Brunswick Regiment (Tank) (subsequently disbanded in 1959 as the 64th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (New Brunswick Regiment), RCA). C Company was amalgamated with other sub-units and redesignated the 104th Field Battery, RCA (reduced to nil strength and transferred to the Supplementary Order of Battle in 1966).
Perpetuations
26th Battalion (New Brunswick), CEF
115th Battalion (New Brunswick), CEF
History
Early history
On 22 March, 1872, the 62nd St. John Battalion of Infantry was authorized for service.
On 14 April, 1882, the battalion was Redesignated as the 62nd Battalion Saint John Fusiliers.
South African War & Early 1900s
During the Boer War, the 62nd St. John Fusiliers contributed volunteers for the various Canadian Contingents serving in South Africa.
On 8 May, 1900, the 62nd Battalion Saint John Fusiliers was Reorganized and Redesignated as the 62nd Regiment, St. John Fusiliers.
The Great War
On 6 August 1914, Details of the 62nd St. John Fusiliers were placed on active service for local protective duty.
On 7 November 1914, the 26th Battalion, CEF was authorized and on 15 June 1915, the 26th Battalion embarked for Great Britain. On 16 September 1915, the 26th Battalion disembarked in France where it fought as part of the 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division on the Western Front until the end of the war. After its return to Canada, on 30 August 1920, the 26th Battalion was disbanded.
On 22 December 1915, the 115th Battalion, CEF was authorized and on 23 July 1916, embarked for the UK. The battalion provided reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field until when on 21 October 1916, its personnel were absorbed by the 112th Overseas Battalion, CEF. On 1 September 1917, the 115th Battalion was disbanded.
1920s–1930s
On 15 March, 1920, as a result of the Otter Commission and the following post-war reorganization of the militia, the 62nd Regiment, St. John Fusiliers was Redesignated as The St. John Fusiliers and was reorganized with 2 battalions (1 of them a paper-only reserve battalion) to perpetuate the assigned war-raised battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
On 2 September, 1925, the regiment was Redesignated as The Saint John Fusiliers.