50th Field Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA

50th Field Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), Royal Canadian Artillery
Active	6 July 1960–1 April 1970
Country	Canada
Branch	Army
Type	Field artillery
Part of	Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
Garrison/HQ	Peterborough, Ontario
Motto(s)	Ubique (Latin for 'everywhere'), quo fas et gloria ducunt (Latin for 'whither right and glory lead')
March	Quick: "The British Grenadiers"
Engagements	none (see article for perpetuated units)

The 50th Field Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), Royal Canadian Artillery was a Canadian Army Reserve artillery regiment based in Peterborough, Ontario. The regiment exists "on paper" on the Supplementary Order of Battle. ^{[1] [2]}

The regiment was created in 1960 from the merger of 50th Medium Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA - originally the 57th Peterborough Battalion of Infantry formed in 1867 ^[3] and the 45th Medium Battery, RCA ^[3] - originally as 45th Canadian Volunteer Militia and then as 45th West Durham Battalion of Infantry . ^[2]

In 2015, the Canadian Forces authorized the award of an honorary distinction to The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment), if and when it is ever activated from the SOB and converted to an armour or infantry unit: the wartime badge of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders (SD&GH) with the year dates 1944–45 in recognition of the role played by the PWR in the mobilization of the Canadian Active Service Force unit of the SD&GH. ^[4] This badge would be emblazoned on the unit's guidon or regimental colour.

Perpetuations

• 4th Brigade, CFA, CEF
• 2nd Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment), CEF
• 93rd Battalion (Peterborough), CEF
• 109th Battalion (Victoria & Haliburton), CEF
• 247th Battalion (Victoria & Haliburton), CEF
• 252nd Battalion (Lindsay), CEF
• 4th Battalion, CMGC, CEF
• 4th Battery, CFA, CEF
• 45th Depot Battery, CFA, CEF ^[2]

Lineage

50th Field Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA

Main article: The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment)

• Originated on 3 May 1867 in Peterborough, Ontario , as the 57th Peterborough Battalion of Infantry.
• Redesignated on 16 January 1880 as the 57th Battalion of Infantry Peterborough Rangers.
• Redesignated on 8 May 1900 as the 57th Regiment Peterborough Rangers.
• Redesignated on 12 March 1920 as The Peterborough Rangers .
• Amalgamated on 15 December 1936 with the 3rd The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons and the Headquarters and C Company of the 4th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC, and redesignated as The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment) (MG).
• Redesignated on 5 March 1942 as the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment).
• Redesignated on 1 June 1945 as The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment). ^[5]
• Converted on 1 April 1946 from infantry to artillery, and redesignated as the 50th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA.
• Redesignated on 22 August 1955 as the 50th Medium Anti-Aircraft Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA.
• Redesignated on 12 April 1960 50th Medium Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA.
• Amalgamated on 6 July 1960 with the 45th Medium Battery, RCA, and redesignated as the 50th Field Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA.
• Reduced to nil strength on 1 April 1970 and transferred to the Supplementary Order of Battle. ^[2]

3rd Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons

Main article: 3rd Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons

• Originated on 30 April 1875 in Cobourg, Ontario , as the 3rd Provisional Regiment of Cavalry.
• Redesignated on 14 October 1881 as the 3rd Provisional Regiment of Cavalry, The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons.
• Redesignated on 25 November 1892 as the 3rd Regiment of Cavalry, The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons.
• Redesignated on 1 January 1893 as the 3rd The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons.
• Amalgamated on 15 December 1936 with The Peterborough Rangers and the Headquarters and C Company of the 4th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC, and redesignated as The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment) (MG). ^{[2] [5]}

4th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC

• Originated on 1 June 1919 in Kingston, Ontario , as the 4th Machine Gun Brigade, CMGC.
• Redesignated on 15 September 1924 as the 4th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC.
• Amalgamated on 15 December 1936 with The Peterborough Rangers and the 3rd The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons, and redesignated as The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment) (MG). ^[2]

45th Medium Battery, RCA

• Originated on 2 February 1920 in Cornwall, Ontario , as the 45th Battery, CFA.
• Redesignated on 1 July 1925 as the 45th Field Battery, CA.
• Redesignated on 3 June 1935 as the 45th Field Battery, RCA.
• Amalgamated on 15 December 1936 with The Victoria and Haliburton Regiment, and redesignated as the 45th Field Battery (Howitzer), RCA.
• Redesignated on 7 November 1940 as the 45th (Reserve) Field Battery (Howitzer), RCA.
• Redesignated on 20 May 1942 as the 45th/56th (Reserve) Field Battery, RCA.
• Redesignated on 1 April 1946 as the 45th Field Battery, RCA.
• Redesignated on 19 June 1947 as the 45th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA.
• Amalgamated on 1 September 1954 with the 4th Field Regiment (Self- propelled), RCA and the 56th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA, and redesignated as the 45th Medium Battery, RCA.
• Amalgamated on 6 July 1960 with the 50th Medium Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA and redesignated as the 50th Field Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA. ^[2]

The Victoria and Haliburton Regiment

Main article: The Victoria and Haliburton Regiment

• Originated on 16 November 1866 in Bowmanville, Ontario , as the 45th West Durham Battalion of Infantry.
• Redesignated on 1 January 1898 as the 45th Victoria Battalion of Infantry.
• Redesignated on 8 May 1900 as the 45th Victoria Regiment.
• Redesignated on 16 July 1917 as the 45th Victoria and Haliburton Regiment.
• Redesignated on 12 March 1920 as The Victoria and Haliburton Regiment.
• Amalgamated on 14 December 1936 with the 45th Field Battery, RCA and redesignated as the 45th Field Battery (Howitzer), RCA. ^{[2] [5]}

4th Field Regiment (Self-propelled), RCA

• Originated on 9 May 1905 in Cobourg, Ontario , as the 10th Brigade of Field Artillery, CA.
• Redesignated on 2 February 1920 as the 4th Brigade, CFA.
• Redesignated on 1 July 1925 as the 4th Field Brigade, CA.
• Redesignated on 3 June 1935 as the 4th Field Brigade, RCA.
• Redesignated on 7 November 1940 as the 4th (Reserve) Field Brigade, RCA.
• Redesignated on 24 June 1942 as the 43rd (Reserve) Field Regiment, RCA.
• Redesignated on 1 April 1946 as the 4th Field Regiment, RCA.
• Redesignated on 19 June 1947 as the 4th Field Regiment (Self- propelled), RCA.
• Amalgamated on 1 September 1954 as the 45th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA and the 56th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA. ^[2]

56th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA

• Originated on 1 April 1912 in Goderich, Ontario , as the 31st Battery, CFA.
• Redesignated on 2 February 1920 as the 56th Battery, CFA.
• Redesignated on 1 July 1925 as the 56th Field Battery, CA.
• Redesignated on 3 June 1935 as the 56th Field Battery, RCA.
• Amalgamated on 15 December 1936 with The Grenville Regiment (Lisgar Rifles), and redesignated as the 56th (Grenville) Field Battery, (Howitzer), RCA.
• Redesignated on 1 December 1937 as the 56th (Grenville) Field Battery, RCA.
• Redesignated on 7 November 1940 as the 56th Reserve (Grenville) Field Battery, RCA.
• Redesignated on 1 April 1946 as the 56th Field Battery, RCA.
• Redesignated on 19 June 1947 as the 56th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA.
• Amalgamated on 1 September 1954, with the 4th Field Regiment (Self- propelled), RCA, the 45th Field Battery (Self- propelled), RCA, and the 4th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA, and redesignated the 45th Medium Battery, RCA. ^[2]

The Grenville Regiment (Lisgar Rifles)

Main article: 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]

4th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA

• Originated on 9 May 1905 in Peterborough, Ontario , as the 24th Field Battery, CA.
• Redesignated on 2 February 1920 as the 4th Battery, CFA.
• Redesignated on 1 July 1925, as the 4th Field Battery, CA.
• Redesignated on 3 June 1935 as the 4th Field Battery, RCA.
• Redesignated on 7 November 1940 as the 4th (Reserve) Field Battery, RCA.
• Redesignated on 1 September 1943 as the 4th (Reserve) Anti-Aircraft Battery (Type 2H), RCA.
• Redesignated on 1 April 1946 as the 4th Field Battery, RCA.
• Redesignated on 19 June 1947 as the 4th Field Battery (Self- propelled), RCA.
• Amalgamated on 1 September 1954 with the 4th Field Regiment (Self-propelled), RCA, the 45th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA, and the 56th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA, and redesignated the 45th Medium Battery, RCA. ^[2]

Lineage chart

Lineage chart 1856–1914 [6]

1856 Independent cavy troops Independent infy and rifle coys 1857 Independent infy and rifle coys 1862 Independent infy and rifle coys 1866 45th "West Durham" Bn of Infy 1867 57th Peterborough Bn of Infy 56th "Prescott" Bn of Infy 1867 56th "Grenville" Bn of Infy 1871 56th Grenville Bn of Rifles 1871 56th Grenville Bn "Lisgar Rifles" 1872 14th FdBty, CA 1875 3rd Provisional Regt of Cavy 1880 57th Bn of Infy "Peterborough Rangers" 1881 3rd Provisional Regt of Cavy, The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons 1892 3rd Regt of Cavy, The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons 1893 3rd The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons 1898 45th "Victoria" Bn of Infy 1900 57th Regt "Peterborough Rangers" 45th Victoria Regt 56th Grenville Regt "Lisgar Rifles" 1905 10th Bde of Fd Arty, CA

Lineage chart 1914–1936 [6]

57th Regt "Peterborough Rangers" 3rd The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons 45th Victoria Regt 10th Bde of FdArty, CA 56th Grenville Regt "Lisgar Rifles" 1914 2nd Bn, CEF 4th Fd Arty Bde, CFA, CEF 1915 93rd "Overseas" Bn, CEF 109th "Overseas" Bn', CEF 1916 Absorbed by 39th Reserve Bn Absorbed by 20th, 21st, 38th and 124th "Overseas" Bn 1917 247th "Overseas" Infy Bn,CEF 45th Victoria and Haliburton Regt 252nd "Overseas" Infy Bn, CEF 1917 Absorbed by 235th "Overseas" Bn Disbanded 1918 4th Bn, CMGC, CEF 1919 4th MG Bde, CMGC 1920 Disbanded Disbanded Disbanded 1920 1st Bn (2nd Bn, CEF), The Peterborough Rangers 2nd Bn (93rd Bn, CEF), [a] The Peterborough Rangers 3rd Bn (247th Bn, CEF), [a] The Peterborough Rangers 1st Bn (109th Bn, CEF), The Victoria and Haliburton Regt 2nd Bn (252nd Bn, CEF), [a] The Victoria and Haliburton Regt 4th Bde, CFA 1st Bn, The Grenville Regt (Lisgar Rifles) 2nd Bn, [a] The Grenville Regt (Lisgar Rifles) 1924 4th MG Bn, CMGC 1925 4th Fd Bde, CA 1935 4th Fd Bde, RCA 1936 Disbanded Disbanded Disbanded Disbanded 1936 The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regt) (MG) 45th Fd Bty (Howitzer), RCA 56th (Grenville) Fd Bty (Howitzer), RCA

Lineage chart 1936–present [6]

The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regt) (MG) 45th FdBty (Howitzer), RCA 4th Fd Bde, RCA 56th (Grenville) Fd Bty (Howitzer), RCA 1937 56th (Grenville) Fd Bty, RCA 1940 45th (Reserve) Fd Bty (Howitzer), RCA 4th (Reserve) Fd Bde, RCA 56th Reserve (Grenville) Fd Bty, RCA 1942 1st Bn, The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regt), CASF 2nd (Reserve) Bn, The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regt) 45th/56th (Reserve) Fd Bty, RCA 43rd (Reserve) Fd Regt, RCA 1945 Disbanded The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regt) 1946 50th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regt (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA 45th Fd Bty, RCA 4th Fd Regt, RCA 56th Fd Bty, RCA 1947 45th Fd Bty (Self-propelled), RCA 4th Fd Regt (Self-propelled), RCA 56th Fd Bty (Self-propelled), RCA 1954 45th Medium Bty, RCA 1955 50th Medium Anti-Aircraft Regt (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA 1960 50th Medium Anti-Aircraft Arty Regt (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA 1960 50th Fd Arty Regt (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA 1970 Supplementary Order of Battle

Notable members

• Sir Sam Hughes - joined the 45th West Durham Battalion of Infantry

Notes and references

1. Reserve order of battle

1. Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.
2. Defence, National (2019-02-15). "50th Field Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
3. "Armour, Artillery and Field Engineer Regiments - Artillery Regiments - 50TH FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT (THE PRINCE OF WALES RANGERS), RCA". 9 November 2004.
4. Canadian Forces General Message 032/15
5. "Guide to Sources Relating to the Canadian Militia (Infantry, Cavalry, Armored)" (PDF). Library and Archives Canada . Archived (PDF) from the original on 2015-04-02.
6. "50th Field Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA". www.canada.ca. 2019-02-15. Retrieved 2025-05-08.