The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (RCAC) - Lineage

Lineage

First raised in 1756 by Robert Rogers as a force of light infantry during the French and Indian War, the Rangers were intended to fight in the same manner as the French Canadian militia and their First Nations Allies. The Rangers were stood down in 1763, but were raised again by Rogers in 1775 to fight for the British Crown during the American Revolution. Under Colonel John Graves Simcoe, who took command in 1777, the Regiment particularly distinguished itself at the Battle of Brandywine, and still commemorates this battle today. It was also designated as the '1st American Regiment' on the British Army List in 1779.

Following the end of the Revolutionary War, most of the regiment settled in New Brunswick, but were reactivated by Simcoe in 1792 as he took up his appointment as the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada. They were instrumental in the establishment of the city of York (now known as Toronto) and many of the city's oldest street names bear the names of Ranger's Officers such as Jarvis and Shaw. Rangers also first laid out Yonge Street and other major roads. They were stood down in 1802, although most still served in the York Militia.

Activated by Samuel Peter Jarvis for the War of 1812, the York Militia fought at the capture of Detroit, the Battle of Queenston Heights and in the unsuccessful defence of York itself in the American raid of 1813. Jarvis activated them again in 1837 during the Rebellion of Upper Canada, where the Regiment achieved some notoriety for the 'Caroline' incident in early 1838—capturing a supply ship used by the last rebels on the American side of the Niagara river and sending it aflame over Niagara Falls. Thereafter they were stood down and returned to the informal annual musters of the York Militia.

The Rangers were activated again out of the York Militia by another member of the Jarvis family in Aurora, Ontario on 14 September 1866 as the 12th "York Battalion of Infantry". It was redesignated as the 12th Battalion of Infantry or "York Rangers" on 10 May 1872, as the 12th Regiment "York Rangers" on 8 May 1900 and, following the Great War, as The York Rangers on 1 May 1920. On 15 December 1936, it was amalgamated with The Queen's Rangers, 1st American Regiment and redesignated The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (MG). It was redesignated as the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) on 5 March 1942, as The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (Reserve) on 15 September 1944, as The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) on 30 November 1945, as the 25th Armoured Regiment (Queen's York Rangers), RCAC on 19 June 1947, The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (25th Armoured Regiment) on 4 February 1949, The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (RCAC) on 19 May 1958, The Queen's York Rangers (RCAC) on 3 September 1985 and The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (RCAC) on 12 November 2004.

The Queen's Rangers, 1st American Regiment was formed in Toronto, Ontario on 15 January 1921 as The West Toronto Regiment. On 1 August 1925, it was amalgamated with the 2nd Battalion (35th Battalion, CEF), The York Rangers and redesignated The Queen's Rangers. It was redesignated The Queen's Rangers, 1st American Regiment on 1 December 1927. On 15 December 1936, it was amalgamated with The York Rangers.