With the passing of the Militia Act of 1855, the first of a number of newly-raised independent militia companies were established in and around the Durham County region of Canada West (now the Province of Ontario). These companies would see active service when called out during the Fenian Raids of the late 1860s.
On 16 November 1866, the 45th West Durham Battalion of Infantry was authorized for service by the regimentation of four of these previously authorized independent militia rifle and infantry companies. Its regimental headquarters was at Bowmanville and had companies at Bowmanville, Orono, Cartwright and Newcastle.[1][5]
North West Rebellion and late 19th century
On 10 April 1885, the 45th West Durham Battalion of Infantry mobilized a company for active service with The Midland Battalion where it served in the Alberta Column of the North West Field Force. On 24 July 1885, the company was removed from active service.[2][6][7]
On 1 January 1898, the 45th West Durham Battalion of Infantry was redesignated as the 45th Victoria Battalion of Infantry.[2]
On 1 May 1917, the 252nd Battalion (Lindsay), CEF was authorized for service and on 2 June 1917, the battalion embarked for Great Britain. After its arrival in the UK, the battalion was absorbed by the 6th Reserve Battalion, CEF to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. On 1 September 1917, the 252nd Battalion, CEF was disbanded.[2]
1920s–1930s
On 15 March 1920, as a result of the reorganization of the Canadian Militia following the Otter Commission, the 45th Victoria and Haliburton Regiment was redesignated as The Victoria and Haliburton Regiment and was reorganized with two battalions (one of them a paper-only reserve battalion) to perpetuate the assigned war-raised battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.[1][2][10]
On 15 December 1936, as a result of the 1936 militia reorganization, The Victoria and Haliburton Regiment was converted from infantry to artillery and amalgamated with the 45th Medium Battery, RCA, and redesignated as the 45th Field Battery (Howitzer), RCA.[1][2][11][12]
Organization
45th West Durham Battalion of Infantry (16 November 1866)
Regimental Headquarters (Bowmanville)
No. 1 Company (Bowmanville) (first raised on 22 January 1862 as the Bowmanville Rifle Company)
No. 2 Company (Orono) (first raised on 22 June 1866 as the Orono Infantry Company)
No. 3 Company (Cartwright) (first raised on 17 August 1866 as the Cartwright Infantry Company)
No. 4 Company (Newcastle) (first raised on 17 August 1866 as the Newcastle Infantry Company)[2]
