The 7th Canadian Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Canadian Army, mobilized in the spring of 1942 and assigned for home defence within Atlantic Command, during World War II.
History The 7th Canadian Division was formed on 12 May 1942.
At the time it was assumed it would consist of volunteers and proceed overseas. By the summer of 1942 it became obvious that there would not be enough volunteers, so National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA) conscripts were assigned to the regiments of the Division to bring their numbers up to war establishment strength.
This meant that the Division could only be used for home defence, unless the Parliament of Canada ruled that conscripted men could be sent overseas. Two brigades were assembled in the early fall of 1942 in Camp Debert in Nova Scotia with the third at Camp Sussex in New Brunswick.
After the end of the Aleutian Islands campaign, the need for home defense units was decreased and the 7th Canadian Division was disbanded in late 1943. Despite the order for disbandment being given on 15 October 1943, the division was not fully disbanded until December 1943.
Formation patch The formation patch worn by the 7th Canadian Division consisted of a half French grey and half green rectangular patch.
Order of battle May 1942
Headquarters, 7th Division 7th Division Intelligence Section No. 7 Field Security Section No. 7 Defence and Employment Platoon (Lorne Scots)
16th Canadian Infantry Brigade
The Prince of Wales' Own Rangers The Oxford Rifles The Winnipeg Light Infantry No. 16 Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots)
17th Canadian Infantry Brigade
The Victoria Rifles of Canada 2nd Battalion, The Black Watch (RHR) of Canada The Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada No. 17 Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots)
18th Canadian Infantry Brigade
The Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury Regiment The Rocky Mountain Rangers 1st Battalion, Irish Fusiliers of Canada (Vancouver Regiment) No. 18 Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots) Units of the supporting arms included:
Canadian Armoured Corps: 30th Reconnaissance Battalion (The Essex Regiment) Royal Canadian Artillery: Headquarters, Seventh Divisional Artillery, RCA 22nd Field Regiment 3rd Field Battery 6th Field Battery 80th Field Battery 23rd Field Regiment 31st Field Battery 36th Field Battery 83rd Field Battery 24th Field Regiment 49th Field Battery 84th Field Battery 85th Field Battery 10th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment 6th Light AA Battery 7th Light AA Battery 8th Light AA Battery 9th Light AA Battery 8th Anti-Tank Regiment 10th AT Battery 11th AT Battery 12th AT Battery 13th AT Battery Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers: Headquarters 7th Divisional Engineers, RCE 5th Field Park Company, RCE 15th Field Company, RCE 23rd Field Company, RCE 27th Field Company, RCE Royal Canadian Corps of Signals: Headquarters 7th Divisional Signals RCCS
Plus units of the RCASC, RCAMC, RCOC, CPC, etc.
References
External links 7th Division at www.canadiansoldiers.com