Rangers must be inquisitive and conditionally aggressive; that was what Robert Rogers needed, and it is good to know that a habit of acquiring things still endures. However, some things never really change. There are things officers and sergeants major should know about, things they will know about and pretend that they don’t, and things they shouldn’t know about.
Read MoreIt is perhaps not surprising that military history often focuses on great battles, inspiring leaders and victories that changed the course of history. Arguably as interesting, however, are the smaller human dramas which take place in the background to these “great” events. Though they are often not recorded or remembered by other than those who were there, it is these stories which make the official history richer. One such story that has survived to present day is that of the court martial of Lieutenant Nathaniel Fitzpatrick of the Queen’s Rangers.
Read MoreIn summer 1914 Canada had been at peace for a century. Over the past hundred years, Britain’s colonies in North America had already gone well on the way to full sovereignty - without the fire and sword of rebellion against the Crown. They still maintained a close bond with the mother country. Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier had reminded the House of Commons four years earlier, “When Britain is at War, Canada is at war.”1 Therefore, when the assassination of the heir to the Habsburg throne in Sarajevo in late June ultimately led Great Britain to enter hostilities with Germany on August 4, Canada immediately entered the fight.2
Read MoreHello Ranger Family
The day we have come thousands of km to participate in was here - April 9th. We attended the Vimy Ridge memorial a couple of times during the Sunrise and Sunset ceremonies, however never had time to explore it. Now, we would be witnessing the 100th anniversary event that all of Canada and beyond has been waiting for. The schedule for the day was very simple, attend the event and the reception, however it was very hectic.
Read MoreTo honour the sacrifice and victory of the 20th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Forces, in the Battle of Vimy Ridge the Regimental Council of The Queen’s York Rangers hosted a sold-out Centenary Evening.
The Queens York Rangers perpetuate the 20th Battalion, 37th Battalion, 127th Battalion and 220th Battalion, all of whom were part of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces in WWI. Their combined service during the Great War earned the Rangers ten Battle Honours.
A reaction to the April 9th parade written by the mother of one of the Rangers on parade at Old Fort York.
Read Morea photo essay on his exploits so far by CWO Goldenberg (Ret'd)
Read MoreApril 7th and 8th activities of CWO Dave Goldenberg (Ret'd) on his trip to Vimy for the 100th Anniversary commemoration.
Read MoreCWO Goldenberg (Ret'd) on his arrival in France as part of the Vimy Commemoration tour.
Read MoreDuring a short business visit to Hong Kong last week, former OC D, Major Liam Morrissey (ret’d) had a chance to pay his respects to the Canadian war dead at Sai Wan Cemetery and to take in a little more knowledge about our alliance to The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers).
Read MoreEntry #1 of the trip by CWO Goldenberg to Vimy.
Read MoreNames such as Simcoe, Jarvis, Shank and Shaw are all well known as being those of some of the Queen’s Rangers officers who led the Regiment during its duties constructing the town of York. There is another officer, however, who is lesser known today but who was a force to be reckoned with in his day. His name was John Small.
Read MoreHelp us find and select a former Ranger to attend the ceremonies at Vimy in April 2017.
Read MoreThe members of the 20th Battalion, CEF were amongst the earliest volunteers for the First World War, many of who enlisted in September of 1914. They spent the next five Christmas’ away from their families, either training in Valcartier, PQ (1914), in France (1915-1917) or in Germany on occupation duties (1918).
Read MoreThanks to a generous grant from the Macdonald Stewart Foundation, the Regimental Council will publish a third edition of Stewart Bull’s history of the Regiment. I am revising the text, both to bring the story into the 21st century as well as to incorporate new research. For those of you who have the time and inclination, I thought it might be useful to post each chapter as I write it. If anyone does see any mistakes or want to make a comment, please contact me at dschimme@hotmail.com
Read More
The role of the Queen’s York Rangers in the Second World War was limited to its necessary though dull duties on the home front, and the individual exploits of the many men who were trained by the Regiment and who joined other units overseas. One of these individuals, who served with great distinction, is Captain Graeme Delamere Black. On the seventy-fourth anniversary of his death, it is fitting that we remember him and his service.
Read MoreFormer Ranger or member of the Regimental Family? Here's the latest scoop on the Regimental Coins and how you can get one.
Read MoreJohn Alexander Fraser, one of the most colourful RSMs that the Regiment has had in recent times.
Read MoreThe British Army that started the great Somme Offensive of 1916 was enthusiastic, amateurish, and the disaster of the first day was --until the surrender of Singapore in 1942 -- the worst catastrophe in the history of the British Army. With 57,470 casualties, including 19,240 dead, to the British 4th Army alone on July 1st, it was certainly the bloodiest day in the history of British arms.
While many people regard this -- rightly -- as a debacle, they forget that the Somme Offensive continued until early November; even then this is widely regarded as an exercise in bloody-minded futility by a set of out-dated Generals incapable of understanding modern war. This opinion is dead wrong.
Read MoreDid you know that Canada's most highly decorated aboriginal soldier from WWI was a Ranger? Read more about Capt Smith of the 20th Bn in this blog posting.
Read More© Copyright 2026 The Queen's York Rangers Regimental Council | Privacy Policy
