Royal 22e Régiment

Royal 22e Régiment
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Unit name	Royal 22e Régiment
Dates	1914–present
Country	Canada
Branch	Canadian Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Light infantry
Size	Battalion-sized battalions
Command structure	Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre
Garrison	Quebec City
Nickname	"Van Doos"
Motto	"Vingt-deux" (informal)
March	"Le Régiment de la Chaudière"
Battles	First World War, Second World War, Korean War, Afghanistan

Royal 22e Régiment

The Royal 22e Régiment is a predominantly French-Canadian infantry regiment of the Canadian Army raised in Quebec City during the First World War. It has served in major 20th- and 21st-century conflicts including the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War, and the War in Afghanistan, and has provided troops for North Atlantic Treaty Organization operations, United Nations missions, and domestic aid. The regiment is commonly known by its anglicized nickname, "Van Doos", and maintains strong ties with francophone institutions in Quebec and with national Canadian institutions such as the Governor General of Canada and the Department of National Defence (Canada).

History

Originating in 1914 as the 22nd Battalion (French Canadian), CEF, the regiment fought on the Western Front at battles including Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, and the Battle of Amiens. Postwar reorganization during the interwar period saw the unit reconstituted in the Non-Permanent Active Militia and linked to militia structures in Quebec City and Montreal. During the Second World War the regiment was mobilized and served in the Italian Campaign at engagements such as the Gothic Line and later fought in the Northwest Europe campaign including the Battle of the Scheldt. In the Korean War the regiment provided personnel to Canadian contingents and participated in NATO commitments during the Cold War era, deploying to West Germany as part of Canadian Forces Europe. The late 20th century saw the regiment contribute to UN peacekeeping missions in Cyprus, Gaza, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in the 21st century it deployed companies to Afghanistan under operations connected to Operation Athena and Operation Attention.

Organization and Structure

The regiment comprises multiple battalions within the Canadian Army structure including regular force and reserve elements. It forms part of the 2nd Canadian Division and has been aligned under formations involved with the Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group and the 3rd Canadian Division across several reorganizations. Regimental headquarters is in Quebec City with companies historically based in Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Lévis, and Montreal. Elements of the regiment have been attached to multinational formations under NATO command and integrated with units such as the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, The Royal Canadian Regiment, Governor General's Foot Guards, and Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal for joint operations and exercises.

Operational Deployments and Operations

In the First World War the 22nd Battalion fought with the Canadian Expeditionary Force on the Western Front in operations alongside formations like the Canadian Corps and under commanders such as Sir Arthur Currie. In the Second World War the regiment served in the 1st Canadian Infantry Division in Italy and later with the 5th Canadian Armoured Division in Northwest Europe, participating in operations at Ortona, The Liri Valley, and the Scheldt Estuary. During the Korean conflict and Cold War the regiment integrated with Commonwealth forces and took part in UN and NATO deterrence tasks alongside British Army and United States Army units. More recent deployments include taskings to Haiti for humanitarian assistance, to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo for peace enforcement, and multiple rotations to Afghanistan within multinational efforts led by NATO ISAF and under Canadian national operations.

Traditions and Insignia

Regimental traditions draw on francophone heritage and Canadian ceremonial practices, with influences from institutions such as the Monarchy of Canada and viceregal traditions of the Governor General of Canada. Dress and insignia include variations of the Canadian infantry cap badge bearing regimental symbols, a regimental colour presented by royal representatives, and a unique regimental quick march used on parade with ties to Quebecois musical heritage. The nickname "Van Doos" reflects anglophone phonetic rendering of "vingt-deux" and is widely used in popular and formal contexts alongside ceremonial observances such as Remembrance Day with the Royal Canadian Legion and state commemorations at monuments like the National War Memorial (Canada).

Battle Honours and Decorations

Battle honours awarded to the regiment encompass First World War distinctions such as YPRES 1915, VIMY 1917, and AMIENS 1918, Second World War honours including ORSONA and SCHELDT, and later recognitions for Korea and Afghanistan. Regimental members have received individual decorations including the Victoria Cross, the Order of Military Merit (Canada), the Star of Military Valour, and mentions in despatches for gallantry and leadership. The regiment maintains honour rolls and perpetuations of CEF units represented in Canadian commemorative traditions like those observed at Vimy Memorial and national remembrance ceremonies.

Notable Personnel

Prominent figures associated with the regiment include wartime commanders, decorated non-commissioned officers, and politicians who served in its ranks. Notable names connected with the regiment’s history include leaders who later held posts in the House of Commons of Canada, the Senate of Canada, and provincial legislatures in Quebec, as well as recipients of high military honours who are commemorated in regimental histories and by institutions such as the Canadian War Museum and the National Defence Headquarters.

Museums and Memorials

The regiment's museum and archives are housed in Quebec City and display uniforms, medals, documents, and artifacts related to engagements at sites like Vimy Ridge, Ortona, and Kapyong. Regimental memorials and plaques appear at locations including local civic spaces in Lévis and battalion memorials on military bases such as CFB Valcartier. The museum collaborates with national institutions including the Canadian War Museum, the Archives nationales du Québec, and Veterans Affairs Canada to preserve and present the regiment’s history for public education and commemoration.

Category:Infantry regiments of Canada