Grenville Regiment (Lisgar Rifles)

The Grenville Regiment (Lisgar Rifles) was an infantry regiment of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of the Canadian Militia (now the Canadian Army) based in Grenville County, Ontario.

The Grenville Regiment (Lisgar Rifles)
Soldiers of the 56th Grenville Regiment, c.1866
Active	1866-1936
Country	Canada
Branch	Canadian Militia
Type	Rifle regiment
Role	Infantry
Size	One Regiment
Part of	Non-Permanent Active Militia
Garrison/HQ	Prescott, Ontario Kemptville, Ontario
Engagements	Fenian Raids First World War
Commanders
Notable commanders	Col. Hamilton Jessup

In 1936, the regiment was converted to artillery and would later become part of the 50th Field Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA (currently on the Supplementary Order of Battle).^[1][2][3]

History

The 56th Prescott Battalion of Infantry was raised from various volunteer militia companies in Grenville County and was composed of Grenville and Dundas men. The volunteer companies were called out on active service during the Fenian Raids in 1866, serving along the St. Lawrence River frontier at Fort Wellington in Prescott. The battalion was commanded by Col. Hamilton Jessup, who also commanded Fort Wellington in 1866.

The 56th Grenville Battalion of Infantry was called out again for active service on 24 May 1870, serving at Cornwall and was removed from active service on 3 June 1870.^[2]

On the outbreak of the First World War, on August 6, 1914, the 56th Grenville Regiment was called out for active service as part of the St. Lawrence River Canal Patrol, guarding the locks and canals along the St. Lawrence River. Men from the regiment would go on to serve in Europe with the CEF.^[2]

Lineage

The Grenville Regiment (Lisgar Rifles)

• Originated on 12 April 1867, in Prescott, Ontario, as the 56th Prescott Battalion of Infantry.
• Redesignated on 9 August 1867, as the 56th Grenville Battalion of Infantry.
• Redesignated on 13 September 1871, as the 56th Grenville Battalion of Rifles.
• Redesignated on 29 September 1871, as the 56th Grenville Battalion "Lisgar Rifles".
• Redesignated on 8 May 1900, as the 56th Grenville Regiment "Lisgar Rifles".
• Redesignated on 12 March 1920, as The Grenville Regiment (Lisgar Rifles).
• Amalgamated on 15 December 1936, with the 56th Field Battery, RCA, and redesignated as the 56th (Grenville) Field Battery, (Howitzer), RCA.^[2]

Organization

56th Prescott Battalion of Infantry (12 April 1867)

• No. 1 Company (first raised on 3 April 1856 as the 1st Prescott Rifle Company)
• No. 2 Company (first raised on 11 February 1857 as the 2nd Prescott Rifle Company)
• No. 3 Company (first raised on 30 January 1863 as the Burritt's Rapids Infantry Company)
• No. 4 Company (first raised on 8 June 1866 as the Millar's Corners Infantry Company) - included men from the companies of the Dundas County Militia
• No. 5 Company (first raised on 20 July 1866 as the Aultsville Infantry Company)
• No. 6 Company (first raised on 15 June 1866 as the Ottawa and Prescott Railway Infantry Company)^[2]

The Grenville Regiment (Lisgar Rifles) (15 February 1921)

• 1st Battalion (without perpetuation)
• 2nd (Reserve) Battalion^[3]

Notable Members

• Col. Hamilton D. Jessup - 1st Prescott Rifles (1856–66) & 56th Grenville Battalion (1867–70)
• James Morrow Walsh - 2nd Prescott Rifles (1866) & 56th Grenville Battalion (1867–70)

References

1. "Guide to Sources Relating to the Canadian Militia (Infantry, Cavalry, Armored)" (PDF). Library and Archives Canada.
2. Defence, National (2019-02-15). "50th Field Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
3. "The Grenville Regiment (Lisgar Rifles) [Canada]". 2007-12-02. Archived from the original on 2007-12-02. Retrieved 2022-07-23.