41 Service Battalion

41 (Alberta) Service Battalion is a Canadian Army Primary Reserve Combat Service Support unit with three Companies located at Currie Armoury in Calgary and at Debney Armoury in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Battalion is under the command of 41 Canadian Brigade Group, itself part of the 3rd Canadian Division, one of four region-based Canadian Army divisions. The Battalion is made up of Officers and Soldiers primarily from the Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and the Logistics Branch and provides transport, maintenance, supply, food services and administrative support to 41 Canadian Brigade Group and other military elements in southern Alberta.

Sub-Units
14 Service Company - Calgary.

15 Service Company - Edmonton.

Headquarters Company - Calgary / Edmonton



Mountain Operations
With its close proximity to the Rocky Mountains, 41 Service Battalion often trains in this environment to develop soldier skills for operating in the mountains. This includes driver training, winter warfare and winter survival. Mountain Operations includes many civilian skills such as avalanche awareness, wildlife awareness and basic mountaineering. As well, military specific skills are taught such as Mountain Operations, austere vehicles (Quads, Side-by-sides etc.) and aerial replenishment (Helicopters and UAVs).

History
The history of 41 Service Battalion begins with the formation of No. 14 Company, Canadian Army Service Corps (CASC) in Calgary on April 1, 1910. In Edmonton, No. 22 Company, Canadian Army Service Corps (CASC) was formed in 1922. The Battalions lineage is complicated by the move from a horse based military in 1910 to the modern automated force of today. This has caused the formation of new Corps such as the Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers (RCEME) to maintain the complex equipment as well as it has seen the amalgamation of other Corps such as the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps and Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps under the combined Logistics title. Through these changes, the Battalion has served in communities across the Province in peacetime as well as in almost every conflict including the First World War, the Second World War, Peacekeeping and the conflict in Afghanistan. The largest change to the organization was the formation of the experimental Service Battalion concept in the mid-1960's which saw various Corps being brought together in one organization including the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC), the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps (RCOC), the Royal Canadian Pay Corps, the Royal Canadian Postal Corps and the Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers (RCEME). Other Corps, including Military Police and Medical have been included for short periods of time. The unification of the Canadian Armed Forces brought greater change with the merging of the RCASC and RCOC under the Logistics Branch. No matter the construct of the Battalion, the goal has always been to provide Combat Service Support to the units that it is tasked with sustaining during war, peace and during domestic emergencies. The motto, “The Lifeblood in Battle”, signifies the objective of the soldiers of the Battalion at all times.



Antecedent Units
Blairmore

 Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers (RCEME) 

1946-1950: No. 22 Armoured Workshop, RCEME;

1950-1954: Recovery Troop, 39 Technical Squadron, RCEME;

1954-1965: 31st Technical Squadron, 9th Technical Regiment, RCEME.
 * 31st Technical Squadron, RCEME had a band in 1961.

Calgary

 Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) 

1910-1922: No. 14 Company, 5th Mounted Brigade, CASC;

1922-1926: Headquarters and No. 1 Company, 13th Divisional Train, CASC;

1926-1936: Headquarters and No. 1 Company (Mechanical Transport), CASC;

1936-1942: 2nd (Reserve) Corps Troop Column, RCASC As part of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division, it saw action in Italy and Holland with the following names: 1942-1946: 4th Armoured Division, RCASC (2nd Corps Troops only);
 * 2 Corps Troops, RCASC, Sr NCOs, ca 1935.jpg Divisional Ammunition Company was raised in 1939 from 2nd (Reserve) Corps Troops and sent overseas in 1939 under the command of Maj. R.V. Jones.
 * 1) 1939-1942: 1st Divisional Ammunition Company, RCASC;
 * 2) 1942-1945: 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade Company, RCASC.

1946-1954: Headquarters, 2 Corps Troops Column, RCASC (Mewata Armoury);

1946-1947: No. 33 Corps Troops Composite Company, 2nd Corps Troops, RCASC (Hanger #6 Currie Barracks);

1947-1954: No. 33 Supply Company, 2 Corps Troops, RCASC (Hanger #6, Currie Barracks);

1946-1947: No. 35 Corps Troops Transport Company, 2nd Corps Troops, RCASC (Hanger #6, Currie Barracks);

1947-1954: No. 35 General Transport Company (Heavy), 2 Corps Troops, RCASC (Hanger #6, Currie Barracks);

1954-1965: Headquarters and 150 Company, 7 Column, RCASC.  Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps (RCOC) 

1909-????: Number 13 Detachment, COC;

1921-1936: 13 Detachment, RCOC;

1936-1941: No. 6 Army Field Workshop, RCOC;

1936-1941: No. 13 District Stores Section, RCOC;

1941-1944: No. 1 (Reserve) Army Ordnance Workshop, RCOC;

1941-1944: No 1 (Reserve) Armoured Divisional Workshop, RCOC;

1941-1944: No. 3 (Reserve) Divisional Ordnance Field Park, RCOC;

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Overseas Units raised in Canada

1939-1940: 2nd Division, Mobile Bath Unit, RCOC;

1940-1945: 2nd Division, Mobile Laundry and Bath Unit (MLBU), RCOC;

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1944-1946: 2 (Reserve) Infantry Divisional Sub Park, RCOC;

1946-1947: 13th Infantry Divisional Sub Park, RCOC;

1947-1952: HQ, Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps, 5th Division, RCOC;

1952-1965: 6th Ordnance Company, RCOC.

 Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers (RCEME) 

1944-1946: No. 1 (Reserve) Armoured Brigade Workshop, RCEME;

1943-1946: No. 41, 42, 43 and 44 (Reserve) Light Aid Detachment (Type A), RCEME;

1946-1950: No. 22, Armoured Brigade Workshop, RCEME;

1946-1950: No. 91, 140, 141, 142 Light Aid Detachment (Type B), RCEME;

1950-1954: 39 Technical Squadron, RCEME;

1954-1965: A Squadron, 9th Technical Regiment, RCEME.

 Canadian Provost Corps (C Pro C) 

1963-1965: 14 Company, C Pro C;

1975-1977: 14 (Calgary) Military Police Platoon (Within 14 (Calgary) Service Battalion);  Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (RCAMC) 
 * In 2002, 14 Military Police Platoon was allocated to 15 Military Police Company in Edmonton.

1914: No. 17 Company, Field Ambulance is listed as being in Calgary

1915-1954: 8th Field Ambulance, RCAMC;

1936: No. 13, Field Hygiene Section is noted in GO 213.

1954-1965: 21 Medical Company, RCAMC.
 * Medical Services moved to the Calgary Service Battalion, however became a separate organization in 1975 under the Royal Canadian Medical Services.

 Service Battalion 

''In 1963. the Canadian Armed Forces began testing a new Combat Service Support concept known as a Service Battalion which grouped together support functions.''

1965-1975: Calgary Service Battalion - Initially established with Battalion Headquarters, No.150 Coy (RCASC), 21 Medical Company (RCAMC), 6 Ordnance Company (RCOC) and 14 Provost Company (C Pro C). A Squadron, 9th Technical Regiment (RCEME) also became part of the Calgary Service Battalion at a similar time.

1975-2010: 14 (Calgary) Service Battalion;

2010-Present: Headquarters and 14 Service Company, 41 Service Battalion.

 Other Support Organizations 

1998-2010: Area Support Unit (ASU) Calgary

* Formed following the closure of CFB Calgary, ASU Calgary was created. It was amalgamated with 41 Service Battalion in 2010 and is part of Headquarters Company, 41 Service Battalion.

 Cardston 

 Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps (RCOC) 

1909-????: "C" Squadron, No. 13 Detachment, RCOC;

Drumheller

 Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) 

1946-1947: No. 32 Corps Troops Composite Company, 2 Corps Troops, RCASC;

1947-1954: 32 General Transport Company, RCASC;

1954-1961: 152 Company, 7 Column, RCASC ;

On 24 September 1961, Company was re-designated as "D Company", The Calgary Highlanders.

 Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps (RCOC) 

1939: 6th Field Workshop, RCOC.

1942-1944: No. 1 (Reserve) Armoured Divisional Ordnance Workshop;

Overseas Units raised in Canada

1941: 203rd Infantry Ordnance Sub-Park, RCOC.

 Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers (RCEME) 

1944-1946: No 2 (Reserve) Tank Troops Workshop, RCEME;

1946-1950: No. 18 Infantry Workshop, RCEME.
 * No. 18 Infantry Workshop had a band in 1949.

Edmonton

 Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) 

1921-1922: No. 22 Company, CASC;1922-1926: No. 2 Company, 13th Divisional Train, CASC;

1926-1931: No. 2 Company (Horse Transport) and Supply Details, 13th Divisional Train, CASC;

1931-1936: No. 13 Maintenance Company, 13th Divisional Train, CASC;

1936-1942: 1 Company, 2nd (Reserve) Corps Troop Column, RCASC;

1942-1946: 4th (Reserve) Divisional Troops Company, RCASC;

1946-1947: 45 Medium Regiment Platoon, RCASC;

1947-1954: 45 Artillery Platoon, RCASC (Prince of Wales Armoury);

1954-1965: 154 Company, RCASC (Prince of Wales Armoury).

 Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps (RCOC) 

1954-1965: 7th Ordnance Battalion, RCOC;

1965: 16 Ordnance Company. Was part of Edmonton Service Battalion (See Below).

 Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers (RCEME) 

1948-1950: 156th Light Aid Detachment (LAD), RCEME;

1950-1965: 38 Technical Squadron, RCEME.

 Canadian Provost Corps (C Pro C) 

1954-1965: 15 Company, C Pro C.  Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (RCAMC) 
 * 15 Provost Company fought in Northwest Europe during the Second World War.

TBC: 17th Field Ambulance, RCAMC;

1954-1965: 23 Medical Company, RCAMC.

 Service Battalion 

''In 1963. the Canadian Armed Forces began testing a new Combat Service Support concept known as a Service Battalion which grouped together support functions.''

1965-1975: Edmonton Service Battalion - Initially established with Battalion Headquarters, No.154 Company (RCASC), 23 Medical Company (RCAMC), One Company from No. 7 Ordnance Battalion (RCOC), No 15 Provost Company (C Pro C), and 38th Technical Squadron (RCEME) ;

1975-2010: 15 (Edmonton) Service Battalion;

2010-Present: 15 Service Company, 41 Service Battalion.

 Fort MacLeod 

 Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps (RCOC) 

1909-????: "B" Squadron, No. 13 Detachment, RCOC;

High River

 Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) 

1947-1954: HQ and 2 Transport Platoons, 49th "Tipper" Company, RCASC;

1954-1964: HQ and 2 Transport Platoons, 153 Company, 7 Column, RCASC.  Lethbridge 
 * 49 Coy and 153 Company had Platoons in Turner Valley and Nanton (See Below);
 * 153 Company had Platoons in Medicine Hat (See Below).
 * 153 Company had a Band which won the Colonel Jennings marching band trophy in 1959.
 * On disbandment in 1964, the Company was re-designated as a Company of The Calgary Highlanders for a brief period.

 Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers (RCEME) 

194?-1946: 42nd (Reserve) Light Aid Detachment (Type B), RCEME;

1946-1947: 140th Light Aid Detachment (Type B), RCEME;

1947-1950: No. 140 Light Aid Detachment (Type C) and No 142 Light Aid Detachment (Type B), RCEME ;

1950-1954: 1 Troop (Wheeled), 39 Technical Squadron, RCEME;

1954-1958: 9 Technical Regiment HQ, RCEME (RCEME Armoury at Kenyon Airfield);

1950-1965: 32nd Technical Squadron, 9th Technical Regiment, RCEME (RCEME Armoury at Kenyon Airfield) ;

1964-1968: 142 Light Aid Detachment (LAD) and 43 Electrical Mechanical Platoon as part of 6th Field Park, Royal Canadian Engineers.

 Medicine Hat 

 Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) 

????-1965: Clerical Platoon (CWAC) and Transport Platoon (CWAC), 153 Company, RCASC.

 Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers (RCEME) 

1950-????(Existed in the mid-1950's): 26 Technical Squadron, 9th Technical Regiment, RCEME.

 Nanton 

 Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) 

1947-1954: 2 Transport Platoons and 2 Relief Driver Increments, 49th "Tipper" Company, RCASC;

1954-1965: 2 Transport Platoons and 2 Relief Driver Icrements, 153 Company, 7 Column, RCASC.

 Ponoka 

 Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (RCAMC) 

1908-193?: 17th Cavalry, Field Ambulance, CAMC;

193?-1954: 17th Field Ambulance, RCAMC;

1954-1965: 22 Medical Company, RCAMC.

Red Deer

 Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) 

1947-1954: 51 General Transport Company, RCASC (Garrison Garage, Red Deer);

1954-1965: 151 Company, 7 Column, RCASC (Garrison Garage, Red Deer).

 Turner Valley 

 Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) 

1947-1954: 2 Transport Platoons and 2 Workshop Platoons, 49th "Tipper" Company, RCASC;

1954-1964: 2 Transport Platoons and 2 Workshop Platoons, 153 Company, 7 Column, RCASC.

Bands
Blairmore

31st Technical Squadron, RCEME had a band in 1961 under the direction of Lt. F. Beddington, Director of Music. In 1962, it was under the direction of WO2 F. Edl.

Drumheller

No. 18 Infantry Workshop, RCEME had a band in 1949. It was noted of a strength of 15 soldiers.

Calgary

The Calgary units of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) formed a band in 1932. The first public performance was on Sunday, March 12, 1933 at the Strand theatre. The original band wore a khaki uniform, however LCol MacMillan arranged for a dress blue uniform. Many of the band members went overseas in 1940 and a new trumpet and drum band was formed at Sarcee Barracks to replace this band. The latter was dissolved at the end of the war and a new RCASC band was organized by George Bealing in 1948. The band officially disbanded in 1963, with most remaining members transferring to the KOCR band.

Memorials
The Calgary Soldiers' Memorial lists the war dead of 41 Service Battalion from the Calgary-based antecedent units for the First World War and the Second World War.

A Memorial exists at The Military Museums for Royal Canadian Army Service Corps members. Red Deer - A20 Advanced Training Centre Memorial. From 1941 to 1945, the A-20 Camp Site was home to thousands of Trainees. It was one of two advanced Training Centres in Canada for Service Corps. After receiving basic training at other centres around the Country, young Servicemen would come to Red Deer to learn skills related to supply and transport, such as driving and repairing army vehicles, reading maps, defending against gas attacks and even using guns. The Cairn is a result of efforts by retired Captain Alex Campbell of Toronto.

Freedom of the City

 * Calgary: 1982 (Granted to 14 (Calgary) Service Battalion);
 * Edmonton: 1994 (Granted to 15 (Edmonton) Service Battalion).

Commanding Officers

 * 2010-2011: LCol G. Haight, CD;
 * 2011-2013: LCol D. Beauchamp, CD
 * 2013-2017: LCol D.M. Sweeney, CD
 * 2017-Present: LCol P.J. Boyle, CD

Regimental Sergeants Major

 * 2010-2013: CWO M. Dijiker, CD;
 * 2013-2016: CWO R. Pettit, CD
 * 2016-Present: CWO M. Noble, KStJ, CD

Cadet Corps
Active Disbanded Re-badged
 * 1955 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps - Calgary;
 * 2467 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps - Westlock;
 * 2733 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps - Edmonton;
 * 3025 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps - Didsbury.
 * 535 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps - Blairmore.
 * 2383 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (Now affiliated with The Calgary Highlanders) - Turner Valley.



Battalion Crest
The white peaks refer o the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, the province in which the unit is located. The wild rose is the provincial flower. The ears of wheat represent the prairie region of the province. The wagon was a vehicle used for combat service support during the early history of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps.