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The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry
"The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry" is a regiment of the Canadian Armed Forces created on December 11, 1862 as the 13th Battalion of Canadian Militia Volunteers. Originally, the Government of Canada had established national militia units in most major cities and counties during the 1860s. It was concerned about the instability of the United States with the Civil War . This regiment participated in the battle of "Ridgeway" in June 1866 where it engaged its 1st combat.
Originally, there was a regiment in "Wentworth" County, a suburb of the city of "Hamilton" in Canada, and another in the city center. In 1936, the two military units united under the name of "The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry", this regiment was born.
At the start of the Second World War, the Canadian government therefore decided to use its militia units for military operations in Europe. On September 1, 1939, the "Royal Hamilton Light Infantry" was mobilized but he waited until July 22, 1940 to join the "United Kingdom" and participate in Operation "Jubilee" of August 19, 1942 during which he was among the main forces launched on the French coasts. On that day, the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry returned with 102 men out of the 582 engaged in the battle.
The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, which distinguished itself during the Second World War, was dissolved on December 31, 1945.
After the war, the Canadian army saw its personnel reduced and the "Royal Hamilton Light Infantry" regained its militia status made up of volunteers but its veterans never forgot their history and meet every year at "John Weir Foote VC Armories”.
Every August 19 and November 11, despite the years and the constantly growing number of veterans who disappear, veterans remember the hundreds of Hamiltonians who remained on French soil.