Formation History of the Canadian Army

while canada developed volunteer militia force of partially trained , unpaid amateurs, defence of country dependent on contingent of regular british soldiers, naval defence through royal navy. canadian militia evolved various british garrison forces on north american continent in 19th century. in 1854, outbreak of crimean war, virtually entire british garrison pulled out of british north america fight against russia, , many american politicians saying opportune moment united state realize manifest destiny annexing british north america, government of united canadas, consisting of canada west (modern ontario) , canada east (modern quebec) passed militia act of 1855 create active militia professional army, through not labelled such. canadian army direct descendant of active duty militia force created in 1855. upon canadian confederation in 1867, ground forces in canada continued referred militia. primary action newly formed militia saw fenians, group of irish radicals made several attempts in late 19th century invade parts of southern canada united states.

after treaty of washington (1871) , end of fenian raids, british began downsize garrisons in canada, move troops other areas of empire, due friendlier relations united states, canada s immediate neighbour, , country capable of launching armed invasion of country.

this led designation of permanent active militia regular army of canada (regular in sense full-time professional soldiers) , non-permanent active militia (or reserves, part-time soldiers vocations in civilian world trained on evenings, weekends, , short periods in summer months).

, b batteries of garrison artillery formed first units of canada s permanent military force in 1871 in kingston , quebec city respectively, third ( c battery) authorized in 1883 , formed in 1887 in esquimalt. these batteries incorporated in 1st regiment royal canadian horse artillery. cavalry school corps, became royal canadian dragoons, , infantry school corps, became royal canadian regiment, both formed on 21 december 1883.

the north-west field force body of militia , regular troops created quelling north-west rebellion of 1885, constituted canada s first military action without british troop support, although british officers such frederick middleton in command of canadian forces.