About the Regiment

Little Black Devils

In 1883, the 90th Winnipeg Battalion of Rifles was authorized by the Government, becoming the oldest infantry regiment in western Canada.

During the Northwest Canada Expedition in 1885 the Regiment faced its baptism of fire in the Battles of Fish Creek and Batoche. During the former an adversary was baffled as to who were the dark-coated men (referring to the Regiment’s dark green coats) fighting alongside the red-coated Canadian militia said “The redcoats we know, but who are those little black devils?”

The moniker stuck and the motto “HOSTI ACIE NOMINATI” (Named by the Enemy Force) and the rampant devil are emblazed on the Regiment’s cap badge. Since then, the members of the regiment proudly call themselves “Little Black Devils". (Although Hostium Acie Nominati is the grammatically correct Latin translation of the Regimental Motto, Hosti Acie Nominati has been in common use since 15 April 1913 and the Regiment has opted to continue to use this historically significant version vice the grammatically correct version.)

A Brief History

First World War

During the First World War (1914-1918), because of the battalion numbering system adopted by the Canadian Expeditionary Force, the regiment was authorized as the 8th Canadian Battalion (90th Winnipeg Rifles). The Little Black Devils entered the maelstrom of war during the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915. The Little Black Devils trained at Camp Shilo, Manitoba. Three months later they were transferred to Debert Camp, Nova Scotia and in September 1941, 36 officers and 860 other ranks of the Little Black Devils arrived in England. Following the war, the Canadian Expeditionary Force demobilized and the Regiment was renamed the Winnipeg Rifles. In 1933, it was granted the name Royal Winnipeg Rifles.

Second World War

The Second World War began in September 1939 and in June 1940 the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division was created to meet Canada’s growing war needs. In July 1940, recruiting began for the Canadian Active Service Battalion to be known as the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. The Little Black Devils trained at Camp Shilo, Manitoba, three months later they were transferred to Debert Camp, Nova Scotia and in September 1941, 36 officers and 860 other ranks of the Little Black Devils arrived in England. By June 1944, the young soldiers of the 3rd Canadian Division were fit, trained and ready for the great battle to liberate Europe. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles War Diary entries of 5 and 6 June 1944, reads,

The sea was rough, and the landings looked difficult, but the operation was on!... The Battalion during this day, D-6 June 44, not one man flinched from his task, no matter how tough it was-not one officer failed to display courage and energy and a degree of gallantry.

The Little Black Devils gained honour fighting its way through Normandy, North-West France, Belgium, into Germany and fought their last battles during the 1945 liberation of the Netherlands.

The Fallen

In the two world wars of the 20th century, nearly 10,000 men served with Winnipeg’s Little Black Devils. The Regiment suffered over 7000 casualties, with 2000 dead. The men who made the ultimate sacrifice are remembered on the wall of The Fallen in the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Museum.

Post Second World War

Members of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles continue to support Canada’s military obligations, being stationed in Germany during the Cold War, serving in peace-keeping and training missions around the world, as well as during the wars in the former Yugoslavia and Afghanistan.

Forebears

The following units are the roots of the present-day Regiment or are directly related to the Regiment:

  • 90th Winnipeg Battalion of Rifles;

  • The following Canadian Expeditionary Overseas Battalions:

    • 8thBattalion (90th Winnipeg Rifles);

    • 90th Battalion (Winnipeg Rifles); 

    • 144th (Winnipeg Rifles) Battalion;

    • 190th Battalion (Winnipeg Rifles); and 

    • 203rd Battalion (Winnipeg Rifles).

  • First Battalion, The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, Canadian Active Service Force (CASF);  

  • Second Battalion, The Royal Winnipeg Rifles;

  • Third Battalion, The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, CASF;

  • Fourth Battalion, The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, CIC, Canadian Army Occupation Force (CAOF);

  • E Company, The Royal Winnipeg Rifles; and

  • F Company, The Royal Winnipeg Rifles.

Perpetuations

A perpetuation is the how one unit preserves the military honours of another unit that is disbanded. The following units are perpetuated by The Royal Winnipeg Rifles: 

  • 91st "Winnipeg" Battalion of Light Infantry, 1885-1888; 

  • The following CEF Overseas Battalions:

    • 10th Battalion (Canadians);

    • 27thBattalion (City of Winnipeg);

    • 44th Battalion (Manitoba) later 44th Battalion (New Brunswick);

    • 61st Battalion (Winnipeg);

    • 101st Battalion (Winnipeg Light Infantry);

    • 222nd Battalion; and 

    • 226th Battalion (Men of the North).  

Amalgamation

Alliances

On 30 June 1955, The Winnipeg Light Infantry was amalgamated with The Royal Winnipeg Rifles. 

The Rifles, British Army

________________________

Major Cliff Chadderton:

Cliff Cadderton joined the Royal Winnipeg Rifles in 1939 and went from a Non‑Commissioned Officer to Company Commander. A D-Day veteran, he lost part of his right leg in Belgium in 1944 during the Battle of the Scheldt.

He joined The War Amps upon returning to Canada and became the War Amps Chief Executive Officer in 1965.

Cliff was very proud to be part of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, and is a part of the Regiment’s history.

Here is his story:

Note: The Regiment and the Regimental Museum do not collect, conserve or display artefacts and archives of Regiments perpetuated by or amalgamated with The Royal Winnipeg Rifles.