The Edmonton Fusiliers Between the Wars

After the War, the unit carried on with peace time training as part of the NPAM. During a re-organization of the Militia in 1920, the name was changed by General Order d. 15-3-20 to the Edmonton Regiment with five Battalions perpetuating respectively the:

9^th Bn CEF

49^th Bn CEF

51^st Bn CEF

63^rd Bn CEF

66^th Bn CEF

Six months later, after considerable agitation, the 1st and 2nd Bns separated to form the Edmonton Fusiliers and the Edmonton Regiment, the Fusiliers perpetuating the 9th CEF, 66th CEF, 138th CEF, and 202nd CEF (General Order 253 d.15-9-20).

The Regimental Badge of the Edmonton Fusiliers represents a bomb surmounted by a fuse; super-imposed is a Grizzly bear, with the words "Deum Cole Regem Serva” (Worship God, Serve the King) inscribed beneath. The badge of the Royal Munster’s was very similar with a tiger instead of a bear. The Grizzly bear was substituted for the tiger as it was considered more appropriate to Western Canada. It is interesting to note that Busbies were once worn by the Fusiliers on ceremonial parades.

In 1934-5-6 under the command of Lt Col.E Brown, MM, ED, the Unit won the Alberta Infantry Association Efficiency Trophy, the first and only in the history of MD.13, when this was won by the same Unit for 3 consecutive years. In 1936, the Edmonton Fusiliers absorbed the 13th. CMGC and became known as the Edmonton Fusiliers (MG).

10 days prior to the outbreak of the present War this Unit supplied 1 Officer and 80 Other Ranks to guard vulnerable points for a few months. With the mobilization of the Edmonton Regiment in Sept.1939, a number of Officers and NCO's and almost 100 of the Other Ranks of the Unit went Active. In January 1940, Officers, Warrant Officers, and NCO’s were supplied to the Ad vanced MG Centre at Dundurn, Sask. and the Infantry Training Centre at Currie Barracks and in April 1940, one Company and additional Officers was supplied to the South Alberta Regiment on mobilization.

In June 1940 orders were received to mobilize the Unit up to War Establishment and by August, the strength reached 1220 all ranks, an increase of 985 in 6 weeks.

On August 2nd 1940 authority was granted to form the 1^st Bn Edmonton Fusiliers CA(A) and this Unit became known as the 2^nd Bn. Edmonton Fusiliers (MG) but was later converted to a Rifle Battalion under the name 2^nd Bn Edmonton Fusiliers (R)CA

This Unit supplied Officers, NCO's and men for Headquarters Coy of the new Active Service Unit be bearing our name. At the annual summer camp at Sarcee in 1940 this Unit won the Efficiency Cup for MD 13, presented by Brig. Connelly, and at the 1941 Camp, while no actual awards were made, information from the Staff of MD 13 indicated that this Unit had again proven itself the most efficient in the District.

Officers, WO's, NCO's and Men of this Unit are now on Active Service with Saskatoon Light Infantry and Infantry and MG Holding Units in England and the Unit is also well represented on Active Service with RCNVR, RCA, RCE, CAC, RCAMC, the Royal Air Force, and RCAF and on the Training Staffs at CA(B)TC’s at Camrose, Grande Prairie and Red Deer.

In April 1942, a call was made for Instructors for 31st. (Alta) Recce Bn, C.A.C. One Officer, one C.S.M. and 7 Cpls. were accepted with their Reserve Ranks.

The new Basic Training Centre at Wetaskiwin has also asked for Officer and Other Rank personnel. A number of recommendations have been made but at this writing concurrence has not been received.

It is the opinion of the Commanding Officer that the training the men receive, plus the background of Regimental tradition provides sufficient inspiration to place men on Active Service with out definite recruiting drives. As a result of this policy, 52 Officers, 115 NCO's and 501 Other Ranks of this Unit, together with 337 Supernumerary NRMA Recruits have gone on Active Service with the various Armed Forces up to May 12th, 1942.

"D” Coy is detached from the rest of the Battalion and has one Platoon at Camrose, one at Lacombe, and one Platoon and Coy HQ at Wetaskiwin.