Corps of Canadian Voyageurs

The Corps of Canadian Voyageurs was raised in September 1812 by the British Army as a military water transportation corps. Its mission was to maintain the supply lines between Montreal and the western posts. The corps was disbanded in March 1813, and its mission was taken over by the Canadian branch of the British Commissariat Department, a department of HM Treasury, as the Provincial Commissariat Voyageurs. This corps was disbanded in March 1815.

Organization
The Corps of Voyageurs was organized on the initiative of the North West Company, and its bourgeois and engagés became the officers and men of the corps. The Provincial Commissariat Voyageurs had one lieutenant-colonel, one major, one captain, ten lieutenants, ten conductors (sergeants acting as guides), and about 400 private men.

Uniform and Equipment
The army wanted to put the corps into uniform, but that was impractical due to its duties. Instead of a uniform the men of the corps wore the dress of the ordinary civilian voyageurs. The army issued swords, pikes and pistols, but as they also were impractical they were thrown away or sold, and the men used their own rifles, axes and knives.

Discipline
The corps was known for its lack of discipline, at least in comparison with the iron discipline required by the British Army. However, it fulfilled an absolutely essential function in the wilderness war.

Honours
The Canadian Grenadier Guards perpetuates the honours of both corps.