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

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 currently exists on the Supplementary Order of Battle.

Direct Lineage
The 50th Field Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA has a long and convoluted lineage dating back to 3 May 1867 and the creation of the 57th Peterborough Battalion of Infantry in Peterborough, Ontario.

Peterborough Rangers
The Peterborugh Battalion of Infantry was authorized on 3 May 1867. Its lineage was as follows:


 * Peterborugh Battalion of Infantry authorized on 3 May 1867
 * Redesignated 57th Battalion of Infantry "Peterborough Rangers" on 16 January 1880
 * 57th Regiment "Peterborough Rangers" on 8 May 1900
 * The Peterborough Rangers on 12 March 1920

On 15 December 1936, the regiment was amalgamated with the 3rd The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons, the Headquarters and "C" Company of the 4th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC and redesignated The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment) (MG).

The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment)
On 15 December 1936, a new regiment was created by the amalgamation of the 3rd The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons, the Headquarters and "C" Company of the 4th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC. This regiment was designated The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment) (MG). Its lineage was as follows:


 * The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment) (MG) created on 15 December 1936, as described above
 * Redesignated 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment) on 5 March 1942
 * Redesignated The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment) on 1 June 1945

On 1 April 1946 the regiment was converted to artillery and redesignated the 50th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA.

50th Field Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA
The 50th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA was created by a reorganization of The Prince of Wales Rangers as described above. Its lineage is as follows:


 * '50th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA created on 1 April 1946 as described above
 * Redesignated 50th Medium Anti-Aircraft Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA on 22 August 1955
 * Redesignated 50th Medium Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA on 12 April 1960
 * On 6 July 1960, the regiment was amalgamated with the 45th Medium Battery, RCA and redesignated the 50th Field Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA
 * Reduced to nil strength and transferred to the Supplementary Order of Battle on 1 April 1970

Ancillary lineages
The 3rd Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons originated in Cobourg, Ontario on 30 April 1875 as the 3rd Provisional Regiment of Cavalry. It was redesignated the 3rd Provisional Regiment of Cavalry, The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons on 14 October 1881, the 3rd Regiment of Cavalry, The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons on 25 November 1892 and the 3rd The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons on 1 January 1893. On 15 December 1936, it was amalgamated with the Peterborough Rangers and the Headquarters and C Company of the 4th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC.

The 4th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC originated in Kingston, Ontario on 1 June 1919, as the 4th Machine Gun Brigade, CMGC. It was redesignated the 4th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC on 15 September 1924. On 15 December 1936, it was amalgamated with the 3rd The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons and The Peterborough Rangers.

The 45th Medium Battery, RCA originated in Cornwall, Ontario on 2 February 1920, as the 45th Battery, CFA. It was redesignated the 45th Field Battery, CA on 1 July 1925 and the 45th Field Battery, RCA on 3 June 1935. On 15 December 1936, it was amalgamated with The Victoria and Haliburton Regiment and redesignated the 45th Field Battery (Howitzer), RCA. It was redesignated the 45th (Reserve) Field Battery (Howitzer), RCA on 7 November 1940, the 45th/56th (Reserve) Field Battery, RCA on 20 May 1942, the 45th Field Battery, RCA on 1 April 19465 and the 45th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA on 19 June 1947. On 1 September 1954, it was amalgamated with the 4th Field Regiment (Self- propelled), RCA and the 56th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA and redesignated the 45th Medium Battery, RCA. On 6 July 1960, it was amalgamated with the 50th Medium Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA.

The Victoria and Haliburton Regiment originated in Bowmanville, Ontario on 16 November 1866, as the 45th "West Durham" Battalion of Infantry It was redesignated the 45th "Victoria" Battalion of Infantry on 1 January 1898, the 45th Victoria Regiment on 8 May 1900 the 45th Victoria and Haliburton Regiment on 16 July 1917 and The Victoria and Haliburton Regiment on 12 March 1920. On 14 December 1936, it was amalgamated with the 45th Field Battery, RCA.

The 4th Field Regiment (Self-propelled), RCA originated in Cobourg, Ontario on 9 May 1905 as the 10th Brigade of Field Artillery, CA. It was redesignated the 4th Brigade, CFA on 2 February 1920, the 4th Field Brigade, CA on 1 July 1925the 4th Field Brigade, RCA on 3 June 1935, the 4th (Reserve) Field Brigade, RCA on 7 November 1940, the 43rd (Reserve) Field Regiment, RCA on 24 June 1942, the 4th Field Regiment, RCA on 1 April 1946 and the 4th Field Regiment (Self- propelled), RCA on 19 June 1947. On 1 September 1954, it was amalgamated with the 45th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA and the 56th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA.

The 56th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA originated in Goderich, Ontario on 1 April 1912 as the 31st Battery, CFA. It was redesignated the 56th Battery, CFA following the Great War on 2 February 1920, as the 56th Field Battery, CA on 1 July 1925 and the 56th Field Battery, RCA on 3 June 1935. On 15 December 1936 it was amalgamated with The Grenville Regiment (Lisgar Rifles) and redesignated the 56th (Grenville) Field Battery, (Howitzer), RCA. It was redesignated the 56th (Grenville) Field Battery, RCA on 1 December 1937, the 56th Reserve (Grenville) Field Battery, RCA on 7 November 1940, the 56th Field Battery, RCA on 1 April 1946 and the 56th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA on 19 June 1947. On 1 September 1954, it was amalgamated 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.

The Grenville Regiment (Lisgar Rifles) originated in Prescott, Ontario on 12 April 1867 as the 56th "Prescott" Battalion of Infantry. It was redesignated the 56th "Grenville" Battalion of Infantry on 9 August 1867, the 56th Grenville Battalion of Rifles on 13 September 1871, the 56th Grenville Battalion "Lisgar Rifles" on 29 September 1871, the 56th Grenville Regiment "Lisgar Rifles" on 8 May 1900 and The Grenville Regiment (Lisgar Rifles) on 12 March 1920. On 15 December 1936, it was amalgamated with the 56th Field Battery, RCA.

The 4th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA originated in Peterborough, Ontario on 9 May 1905 as the 24th Field Battery, CA. It was redesignated the 4th Battery, CFA following the Great War on 2 February 1920, the 4th Field Battery, CA on 1 July 1925, the 4th Field Battery, RCA on 3 June 1935, the 4th (Reserve) Field Battery, RCA on 7 November 1940, the 4th (Reserve) Anti-Aircraft Battery (Type 2H), RCA on 1 September 1943, the 4th Field Battery, RCA on 1 April 1946 and the 4th Field Battery (Self- propelled), RCA on 19 June 1947. On 1 September 1954, it was amalgamated with the 4th Field Regiment (Self-propelled), RCA, the 45th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA and the 56th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA.

Lineage of the 50th Field Artillery Regiment:

Perpetuations
The 50th Field Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA, perpetuates the 4th Brigade, CFA, CEF, the 2nd Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment), CEF, the 93rd Battalion (Peterborough), CEF, the 109th Battalion (Victoria & Haliburton), CEF, 247th Battalion (Victoria & Haliburton), CEF, 252nd Battalion (Lindsay), CEF, the 4th Battalion, CMGC, CEF, the 4th Battery, CFA, CEF and the 45th Depot Battery, CFA, CEF.

Fenian Raids
The 56th "Grenville" Battalion of Infantry was called out on active service on 24 May 1870. The battalion, which served on the St. Lawrence River frontier, was removed from active service on 3 June 1870.

The North West Rebellion
The 45th "West Durham" Battalion of Infantry mobilized one company for active service on 10 April 1885. It served as part of the Midland Battalion in the Alberta Column of the North West Field Force. The company was removed from active service on 24 July 1885.

The 57th Battalion of Infantry "Peterborough Rangers" mobilized one company for active service on 10 April 1885. It served as part of the 'Midland Battalion' in the Alberta Column of the North West Field Force. The company was removed from active service on 24 July 1885.

The Great War
Details from the 56th Grenville Regiment "Lisgar Rifles" were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protection duties.

The 4th Brigade was authorized on 7 November 1914 as the 4th Field Artillery Brigade, CFA, CEF and embarked for Britain on 20 May 1915. It disembarked in France on 14 September 1915, where it provided field artillery support as part of the 3rd Indian (Lahore) Divisional Artillery and the 2nd and 4th Canadian Divisional Artilleries in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The brigade was disbanded on 23 October 1920.

The 2nd Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment), CEF was authorized on 10 August 1914 and embarked for Britain on 26 September 1914. It disembarked in France on 11 February 1915, where it fought as part of the 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The battalion was disbanded on 30 August 1920.

The 93rd Battalion (Peterborough), CEF was authorized on 22 December 1915 and embarked for Britain on 15 July 1916, where it provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field until 6 October 1916, when its personnel were absorbed by the 39th Reserve Battalion, CEF. The battalion was disbanded on 21 May 1917.

The 109th Battalion (Victoria & Haliburton), CEF was authorized on 22 December 1915 and embarked for Britain on 23 July 1916. The battalion provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field until its personnel were absorbed by the 20th Battalion (Central Ontario), CEF, the 21st Battalion (Eastern Ontario), CEF, 38th Battalion (Ottawa), CEF, and the 124th Battalion (Governor General's Body Guard), CEF between 5 October and 8 December 1916. The battalion was disbanded on 21 May 1917.

The 247th Battalion (Victoria & Haliburton), CEF was authorized on 1 May 1917. It was absorbed in Canada by the 235th Battalion, CEF on 1 April 1917. The battalion was disbanded on 11 April 1918.

The 252nd Battalion (Lindsay), CEF was authorized on 1 May 1917 and embarked for Britain on 2 June 1917. It was absorbed by the 6th Reserve Battalion, CEF on 10 June 1917 to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. The battalion was disbanded on 1 September 1917.

The 4th Battalion, CMGC, CEF was organized in France on 29 March 1918. It provided machine gun support to the 4th Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The battalion was disbanded on 6 November 1920.

The 4th Battery was authorized on 10 August 1914 as the 4th Field Battery, CFA, CEF and embarked for Britain on 26 September 1914. It disembarked in France on 11 February 1915, where it provided field artillery support as part of the 1st Brigade, CFA, CEF in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The battery was disbanded on 23 October 1920.

The 45th Battery was authorized on 15 July 1916 as the 45th Depot Battery, CFA, CEF and embarked for Britain on 5 February 1916. It disembarked in France on 14 July 1916, where it provided field artillery support as part of the 9th Brigade, CFA, CEF in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The battery was disbanded on 23 October 1920.

The Second World War
The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment) mobilized the 1st Battalion, The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment), CASF on 5 March 1942, which served in Canada in a home defence role as part of the 16th Infantry Brigade, 8th Canadian Division on the Pacific Coast. The battalion was disbanded on 10 January 1945.

The 4th Field Battery mobilized the 4th Anti-Tank Battery, RCA, CASF on 24 May 1940, which provided anti-tank support as part of the 3rd Anti- Tank Regiment, RCA, CASF in North-West Europe until the end of the war. The overseas battery was disbanded on 14 November 1945.

The 2nd/4th Anti-Tank Battery, RCA, CAOF was authorized to be formed on 1 June 1945. It performed garrison duties as part of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, CAOF in Germany. The battery was disbanded on 14 May 1946.

The 45th Field Battery mobilized the 45th Field Battery (H), RCA, CASF on 1 September 1939. On 1 June 1940 it was amalgamated with the 12th Field Battery, RCA, CASF and redesignated the 12th/45th Field Battery, RCA, CASF. On 1 January 1941 this amalgamation ceased and it was redesignated the 45th Field Battery, RCA, CASF. It was redesignated the 45th Medium Battery, RCA, CASF on 21 November 1943. The battery provided medium artillery support as part of the 7th Medium Regiment, RCA, CASF in North- West Europe until the end of the war. The overseas battery was disbanded on 25 September 1945.