1

Interwar Years

During the intervening years from the dismissal of the Head of the Lakes Guard in November 1916, the 96th LSR had all but ceased to exist as an organized entity. It had remained a theoretical depot. This was clearly evident when the unit was unable to field an honour guard for the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1919. In cooperation with the local Great War Veteran's Association the acting CO, Lieutenant-Colonel S.C Young, hastily equipped and armed a contingent of former soldiers.
Once the war had ended and the men of the CEF came home the question was raised, what would be the role, or fate of the "nonfighting" Militia units which had been brushed aside by Colonel Sam Hughes in 1914? General Sir William Otter chaired a special committee to make recommendations on the post-war structure of the Militia. Regarding unit organization the Otter Committee proposed that infantry regiments be reorganized on a four-company basis with one or more "active battalions" and an equivalent or higher number of "reserve battalions." It was also recommended that regimental names be substituted for numerical designations. This was accomplished 15 March 1920, with the redesignation to "The Lake Superior Regiment." Headquarters, A and B Companies were located in Port Arthur, while C and D Companies were localized at Fort William. A 2nd Reserve Battalion was created, as well as a Corps Reserve. At the same time the 1st Battalion would perpetuate the 52nd Battalion, CEF and the 2nd Reserve Battalion would perpetuate the 94th Battalion CEF. Administrative changes followed in 15 July 1921 when the unit was disbanded for purposes of reorganization. At the same time the 141st Battalion was substituted for the 94th Battalion. The 141st was originally assigned to The Kenora Light Infantry but instead was given the right to perpetuate the 94th.
Reserve Battalions were abolished effective 14 December 1936, though the Corps Reserve list of officers continued to be maintained. These were simply "paper organizations," consisting of a list of "inactive" officers which could provide a basis for expansion in wartime. Officers would transfer to these organizations when they could no longer actively participate or retired as commanding officer. Occasionally an individual would transfer back to the 1st Battalion. The 96th LSR had a Corps Reserve previously.

2

Interwar Years
31 July 2006
Thunder Bay Military Museum, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

3

LSR Colour Party 1934
1934
Thunder Bay Military Museum, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Photo from the LSSR Officer's Mess

4

Lake Superior Regiment troops on the rail platform
1930
Shilo, Manitoba, Canada

5

Eddie Gravelle and Palmer digging a trench
1938
Thunder Bay Military Museum, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

6

Mock firing squad Shilo
1937
Thunder Bay Military Museum, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

7

Mock firing squad Shilo
1937
Thunder Bay Military Museum, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

8

Lake Superior Regiment soldiers at Camp Shilo
1938
Shilo, Manitoba, Canada

9

Allied Units

On 30 March 1933, an "Alliance" was approved by George V between the Lake Superior Regiment and The Northamptonshire Regiment (48th/58th Foot). Although the practice of Allied or Sister Regiments originated in Canada in 1904, there were limits to its application, since until 1924 there was a restriction of one alliance per British regiment with one Dominion regiment. In the 1930's the practice became truly inter-Commonwealth when most units were Allied with British, Australian, South African and New Zealand regiments. The purpose behind the creation of Sister units was to foster inter-Empire/Commonwealth understanding, standardization and extend regimental esprit de corps. Thus Alliances were typically formed between units which fought together, had a similar role, shared a regimental number or similarity of dress. The choice of the Northamptonshire's, a line infantry unit, was an appropriate Alliance for a rough northern Ontario regiment, since it was a "work a day" county regiment and not one of the more fashionable units of the British Army. The system of Alliances was expanded in 1953 to include the 58th/32nd Battalion (City of Essendon Regiment), Australian Military Force and The Regiment de la Rey (Transvaal), South African Defence Force, both of which were Allied to The Northamptonshire Regiment. The Royal Lincolnshire Regiment and The Northamptonshire Regiment amalgamated and in 1960 became the 2nd East Anglian Regiment (Duchess of Gloucester's Own Royal Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire), which later became the 2nd Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment. The Alliances with the South African and Australian regiments lapsed due to reorganizations and reductions in both countries armed forces during the 1960's and as a result of South Africa becoming an international pariah in 1961.

10

Allied Units
31 July 2006
Thunder Bay Military Museum, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

11

Lake Superior Regiment dinner
1938
Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

12

Lake Superior Regiment NCO' dinner
1938
Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

13

Lake Superior Regiment officer's dinner
1938
Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

14

King George VI inspects Honour Guard from LSR
23 May 1939
Thunder Bay Military Museum, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Collection of David Ratz