Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal originated in Montreal, Quebec on 18 June 1869 as The Mount Royal Rifles. It was redesignated as the 65th Battalion, Mount Royal Rifles on 5 November 1869, as the 65th Regiment "Mount Royal Rifles" on 8 May 1900 as the 65th Regiment "Carabiniers Mont-Royal" on 1 August 1902, as Les Carabiniers Mont-Royal on 29 March 1920, as Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal on 15 April 1931, as the 2nd Battalion, Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal on 7 November 1940 and finally as Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal on 15 November 1945. Upon redesignation as Les Carabiniers Mont-Royal on 29 March 1920 it was organized as a two-battalion regiment with the 1st Battalion on the Non-Permanent Active Militiaorder of battle, and the 2nd Battalion on the Reserve order of battle. The reserve unit was disbanded on 14 December 1936. On 4 May 1951, Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal the regiment mobilized two temporary Active Force companies designated "E" and "F" Company. "E" Company was reduced to nil strength upon its personnel being incorporated into the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion for service in Germany with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It was disbanded on 29 July 1953. "F" Company was initially used as a reinforcement pool for "E" Company. On 15 May 1952, it was reduced to nil strength, upon its personnel being absorbed by the newly formed 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion for service in Korea with the United Nations. "F" Company was disbanded on 29 July 1953.
Perpetuations
Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal perpetuate the 2nd and 3rd Battalions , Longue-Pointe and Pointe-Claire Divisions, the 69th Battalion, CEF and the 150th Battalion, CEF.
Operational history
North-West Rebellion
The battalion was mobilized for active service, under the designation 65th Mounted Rifles, "Mount Royal Rifles" on 10 April 1885. It served in the Alberta Column of the North West-Field Force. The battalion was removed from active service on 24 July 1885.
The Great War
Details of the regiment were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protective duty. The 69th Battalion, CEF was authorized on 10 July 1915 and embarked for Britain on 17 April 1916. The battalion provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field until 4 January 1917, when its personnel were absorbed by the 10th Reserve Battalion, CEF. The battalion was disbanded on 30 August 1920. 150th Battalion, CEF, was authorized on 22 December 1915 and embarked for Britain on 29 September 1916. The battalion provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field until February 1917, when it was allotted to the 14th Infantry Brigade, 5th Canadian Division in England. On 15 February 1918 its personnel were absorbed by the 10th Reserve Battalion, CEF. The battalion was disbanded on 29 November 1918.21
The regiment mobilized the Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, CASF for active service on 1 September 1939. It was redesignated as the 1st Battalion, Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, CASF on 7 November 1940. It embarked for garrison duty in Iceland with "Z" Force on 1 July 1940. On 31 October 1940 it was transferred to Great Britain. The regiment took part in OPERATION JUBILEE, the raid on Dieppe on 19 August 1942. It returned to France on 7 July 1944, as part of the 6th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, and it continued to fight in North-West Europe until the end of the war. The overseas battalion was disbanded on 15 November 1945. The regiment mobilized the 3rd Battalion, Les Fusiliers de Mont-Royal, CASF for active service on 12 May 1942. It served in Canada in a home defence role as part of Military District No. 5 and the 7th Canadian Infantry Division. The battalion was disbanded on 15 October 1943.
War In Afghanistan
The regiment contributed an aggregate of more than 20% of its authorized strength to the various Task Forces which served in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2014.
Battle honours
In the list below, battle honours in capitals were awarded for participation in large operations and campaigns, while those in lowercase indicate honours granted for more specific battles. Battle honours in bold type are emblazoned on the regimental colour.
Regimental associations
Former members may join the active associations from the Officers Mess and the Sergents Mess. L'Association les Anciens Sergents Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal accepts retired members of the Junior Ranks Mess as associate members.
Regimental headquarters
The address of Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal is:
Armoury
Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal Museum
Raoul Adolphe Brassard, an officer of the 65th Regiment, served as the architect for the Armoury of the Fusiliers Mont-Royal in Montreal. The museum features uniforms, medals, patches, photographs and other unit memorabilia. It is open on Tuesday evenings and by appointment. The museum collects, preserves, and shows, documents, artifacts, photos which illustrate the military life of our regiment in the city of Montreal in all aspects of life in peace and in war. The Museum is affiliated with: CMA, CHIN, OMMC and Virtual Museum of Canada.
