Canadian Military Engineers

Image File history File links CanMilEng. ...

Canadian Military Engineers

History

Creation

Following the Boer War the Canadian Government realized that more the defence of Canada required more than just a single infantry battalion and a few artillery batteries as part of the permament defence force. In 1903 The Royal Canadian Engineers were founded as the basis of the permanent military engineers, while the militia had the Canadian Engineer Corps created. 1903 (MCMIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

World War I

One of the first tasks completed by the Engineers after the declariation of war upon Germany in 1914 was for the rapid development of the Valcartier training site in Quebec. At it's peak size 30,000 men where stationed here before 1st Canadian Division was deployed to England. 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... Canadian Forces Base Valcartier is located 25 km west of Quebec City. ... Motto: Je me souviens (French: I remember) Official languages French Capital Quebec City Largest city Montreal Lieutenant-Governor Lise Thibault Premier Jean Charest (PLQ) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 75 24 Area Total  â€¢ Land  â€¢ Water    (% of total)  Ranked 2nd 1,542,056 km² 1,183,128 km² 176,928... The Canadian Corps - 1st Canadian Division – World War I Formed in August of 1914, the 1st Canadian Division was initially made up from Provisional Battalions that were named after their Province of origin but these Provisional titles were dropped before the Division arrived in Britain on October 14, 1914. ...

When the 1st Division arrived on the front in Belgium they were accompanied by field companies of the Canadian Engineer Corps (as since men recruited into the service after the start of the war were part of the Milita branch and not the regulars.) This troops were responsible for construction of defences, sanitation systems, water supplies, bridging, and assisting with Trench raids.

One of the most important functions of the Sappers during the war was to dig tunnels underneath enemy trenches, with which to plan explosives to destroy them. At the Battle of Vimy Ridge, several such mines were used to win the battle. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with combat engineering. ... Combatants Canada United Kingdom Germany Commanders Julian Byng Arthur Currie Ludwig von Falkenhausen Strength 30,000 Unknown Casualties 3,598 dead 7,104 wounded 20,000 The Battle of Vimy Ridge was one of the opening battles in a larger British campaign of the First World War known as the...

During the war the one and only Victoria Cross the Royal Canadian Engineers ever recieved was earned by Coulson_Norman_Mitchell for actions on 8 October 1918. Victoria Cross medal, ribbon, and bar. ... October 8 is the 281st day of the year (282nd in leap years). ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ...

In total, more than 40 000 canadians served as Engineers during the war, 14 000 on the front on the last day of the war.

Between Wars

Upon demoblization, the permanent force of Engineers was changed to 38 officers and 249 other ranks.

On 29 April 1936, the Milita and Permanent components where jointed to form the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers. Until then the Milita and regulars had had seperate cap badges, but then adopted the one used by the regulars. April 29 is the 119th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (120th in leap years). ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

World War II

Korea

Unification and the Cold War

21st Century and beyond

Customs and Traditions

Colonel-in-Chief

HM Queen Elizabeth II is the Colonel-in-Chief of the CME. She had previously been Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Canadian Engineers unit unification in 1967. On the occasion of her Silver Jubilee she was re-affirmed as Colonel-in-Chief. King George V, Edward VIII (albeit briefly), and George VI have all served as previous Colonels-in-Chief of the Royal Canadian Engineers. Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, born 21 April 1926), styled Her Majesty The Queen, is the Queen regnant of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and... King George V King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Emperor of India His Majesty King George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert) (3 June 1865–20 January 1936) was the last British monarch of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, changing the name to the House... King Edward VIII King of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, King of Ireland Emperor of India His Majesty King Edward VIII, (Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David), later His Royal Highness The Duke of Windsor (23 June 1894 – 28 May 1972) was the second British monarch of the House... George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George) (December 14, 1895 - February 6, 1952) was the third British monarch of the House of Windsor, reigning from December 11, 1936 to February 6, 1952. ...

Mottos

Due to their associate with the Royal Engineers, King George V granted the RCE the same mottos as the Royal Engineers.

Ubique (Latin: Everywhere) serves as a substitution for the battlehonours the Corps would have obtained if they were a line regiment.

Quo fas et gloria ducunt (Latin: Whither right and glory lead )

Cap Badge

From shortly after their creation until 1967, the Royal Canadian Engineers had a nearly identical cap badge as that of the Royal Engineers. This consisted of the Cipher of the Reigning monarch, surrounded by the Garter, surrmounted by the crown with the words Royal Canadian Engineers on the scroll at the bottom, and surrounded by maple leaves instead of laurels.

The current cap badge came to it's current form after unification. Since the cap badge was reprensitive only of the army, a new one was developed. At the same time the previous cap badge did not fit the new Canadian Armed Forces need to be bilingual. Hence the new cap bade was developed. The words Engineers and Genie appear on the current cap badge indicating the bilingual nature of the CME. The word Ubique also appears, confirming that the Engineers are present everywhere the Canadian Forces goes.

CHIMO

The CME greeting, toast and battlecry is “Chimo” - pronounced CHEE-mo. This expression is also often used as a closing on correspondence between Engineers. It is also yelled out by Engineers on their third pace after being dismissed from a parade, the only exception being while officers are on parade. The term Chimo was widely used at one point in the Inuktitut language, which is spoken by the Inuit in northern Canada. ...

The word itself is derived from the Inuktitut greeting saimo, and rought translates as “hello,” “goodbye,” “peace be with you,”. The current spelling and pronunciation is based on a Caucasian adaptation of the native language. The greeting was introduced during the time of unification to create a common tradition to the CME. As well, the corps was also heavy involved with the development of Canada's North at the time.

From the CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS OF THE CME

Engineer Prayer

The Engineer Prayer was created for 2 Field Engineer Regiment by Major Hugh Macdonald, the unit's Padre. It goes as follows:

Almighty God, we pray thee to bless the Canadian Military Engineers. May our bridges always stand, and our charges never fail, our members be ever loyal, and our officers worthy of their loyalty. May we work diligently in all our purposes and be skilled in our trades; steadfast for Queen and Country everywhere. Amen.

From the CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS OF THE CME

Patron Saint

The Patron saint of military Engineers is Saint Barbara. Engineers, along with the Artillery and miners, celebrate her feast day on December 4th. Most CME units have mess dinners to celebrate this day.

Units

Regular Force Units

• 1 Combat Engineer Regiment
• 2 Combat Engineer Regiment
• 4 Engineer Support Regiment
• 5 Combat Engineer Regiment

Reserve Force Units

• 2 Field Engineer Regiment
• 3 Field Engineer Regiment
• 8 Field Engineer Regiment
  • 25 Field Squadron
  • 85 Support Squadron
• 31 Combat Engineer Regiment (The Elgins)
• 3 Field Engineer Squadron
• 6 Field Engineer Squadron
• 9 Field Engineer Squadron
• 10 Field Engineer Squadron
• 33 Field Engineer Squadron
• 44 Field Engineer Squadron
• 45 Field Engineer Squadron
• 56 Field Engineer Squadron