2nd Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles

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2nd Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles

A Canadian unit that served in two major wars: the Second Boer War and the First World War.

- Formed for the Second Boer War in November 1901. Recruited in Victoria and Vernon, British Columbia; mobilized in Victoria. Canada provided equipment and training, while Britain paid the costs. Many officers and some men had previous South Africa service, including commander Lt-Col T.D.B. Evans.
- Fought at Hart’s River (Boschbult) on 31 March 1902 and took part in drives to round up Boers before the war ended on 31 May 1902.
- For World War I, mobilized on 15 March 1915 at Willows Camp, Victoria; recruits came from local militia cavalry units (the 30th British Columbia Horse and the Victoria Squadron of Horse). Sailed for Great Britain on 12 June 1915 and landed in France on 22 September 1915 as part of the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Brigade.
- On 1 January 1916, converted to infantry, merged with B Squadron and the HQ staff of the 3rd Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles, and redesignated the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion, CEF.
- Fought with the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war.
- Disbanded on 6 November 1920.
- Captain John MacGregor was awarded the Victoria Cross for actions at the Canal du Nord (29 September–3 October 1918).
- The battalion’s lineage is carried on by The British Columbia Dragoons.