Supplementary Order of Battle


In the Canadian Army, the Supplementary Order of Battle is a category of regiments that are reduced to zero strength but continues to exist administratively. This is done when the need for the regiment's continued operation is no longer relevant, and the regiment is re-manned only when the Department of National Defence deems the unit is required again. The Supplementary Order of Battle was instituted during the army rationalizations in the 1960s as an alternative to outright disbandment. If a regiment is re-manned and moved from the Supplementary Order of Battle, it takes its old place in the order of precedence and its colours, traditions and battle honours remain as if there had been no interruption of service.
In contrast, regiments that are completely disbanded are not placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle. For example, the Canadian Airborne Regiment was completely disbanded in the aftermath of the Somalia Affair in 1993, and is not placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle.
Three regiments have been removed from the Supplementary Order of Battle by amalgamating them with existing Primary Reserve units: the Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment), on the order since 1965, was merged into the British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) in 2002. The 19th Alberta Dragoons, also on the order since 1965, was merged into the South Alberta Light Horse in 2006. The Royal [Rifles of Canada], on the order since 1966, was merged into the Voltigeurs de Québec in 2019.
On September 5, 2008, Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced that The [Halifax Rifles (RCAC)] would be reorganized as an active unit. The Halifax Rifles are the first, and so far only, regiment to rejoin the Primary Reserve from the Supplementary Order of Battle.

Regiments on the Supplementary Order of Battle

[Royal Canadian Armoured Corps]

RegimentFormedTo SOBHeadquarters
4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards18751965Ottawa
12th Manitoba Dragoons19031964Winnipeg
14th Canadian Hussars19101968Swift Current

[Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery]

RegimentFormedTo SOBHeadquarters
3rd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery19511992Shilo, Manitoba
4th Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery19521970Petawawa, Ontario
8th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA19121970Hamilton, Ontario
12th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA19051965Fredericton, New Brunswick
14th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA19121968Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
18th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA19201970Lethbridge, Alberta
21st Field Artillery Regiment, RCA19361970Wingham, Ontario
24th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA19141965Trail, British Columbia
27th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA19101970Farnham, Quebec
29th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA18981965Sarnia, Ontario
34th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA19421965Montreal, Quebec
37th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA19051965Montreal, Quebec
39th Field Artillery Regiment (Self-Propelled), RCA19141965Winnipeg, Manitoba
40th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA19361981Kenora, Ontario
44th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA19461965St. Catharines, Ontario
46th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA19361968Drummondville, Quebec
50th Field Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA18661970Peterborough, Ontario
53rd Field Artillery Regiment, RCA19461968Yorkton, Saskatchewan
57th Field Artillery Regiment (2nd/10th Dragoons), RCA18721970Niagara Falls, Ontario
19th Medium Artillery Regiment, RCA19201965Calgary, Alberta
33rd Medium Artillery Regiment, RCA19461965Cobourg, Ontario
42nd Medium Artillery Regiment, RCA19311965Toronto, Ontario
1st Artillery Locating Regiment, RCA19461965Toronto, Ontario

[Royal Canadian Infantry Corps]

RegimentFormedTo SOBHeadquarters
Canadian Guards19511970Petawawa
Victoria Rifles of Canada18621965Montreal
Régiment de Joliette18711964Joliette
Perth Regiment18861965Stratford, Ontario
South Saskatchewan Regiment19051968Estevan
Winnipeg Grenadiers19081965Winnipeg
1st Battalion, Irish Regiment of Canada19151965Toronto
Yukon Regiment19621968Whitehorse, Yukon