Who Are the Winnipeg Grenadiers?

Originally forming in 1908, the Winnipeg Grenadiers was an infantry regiment part of the Canadian army. Grenadiers are specially trained in throwing grenade bombs and engaging in assault operations. The red and white colours of the Grenadier badge stands for the colours of the Canadian flag. At the outbreak of the First World War, the regiment embarked for Great Britain where it was placed on active service for local protection duties. They supplied reinforcements to the Canadian Corps and fought in France and Flanders until the end of the war. At the outbreak of the Second World War, the Winnipeg Grenadiers were once again mobilized for active service. In May 1940, the regiment was sent to Jamaica and Bermuda for garrison duty where many got married and enjoyed their last period of peace. By Mackenzie King’s orders, the regiment was chosen to defend the British colony, Hong Kong. The Winnipeg Grenadiers left in October 1941 and surrendered to the Japanese army on Christmas Day.