Princess Louise Fusiliers – Battle Dress

WW2 Canadian battledress worn by a Sergeant of the Princess Louise Fusiliers, 5th Canadian Armoured Division. Untouched and original period badged battledress. The BD is maker marked S&G Clothing Co Ltd. Dated 1943, large size 16. Normal traces of usage. Nice early pattern shoulder strap buttons. Very interesting regiment.

The Princess Louise Fusiliers is a Primary Reserve Light Infantry Regiment of the Canadian Forces. The onset of World War 2 saw more action for the Fusiliers, when they were sent to Italy as part of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division. The regiment fielded twomachine gun companies, the 11th Independent MG Coy. in support of the 11th Infantry Brigade, and the 12th Independent MG Coy. in support of the 12th Infantry Brigade. In British and Commonwealth armoured divisions of that period, independent MG coys. consisted of a HQ platoon, plus one platoon operating Browning .50 cal. heavy MGs and a second platoon operating 107mm heavy mortars; they were heavy direct-fire support units.

In February 1945 the 5th Armoured was transferred from Italy to Belgium, and these two companies participated in the liberation of the Netherlands from late March to the German surrender. During the conflict, the regiment received nine more battle honours, bringing their total count to 16.

Battle Honours:
LIRI VALLEY
MELFA CROSSING
GOTHIC LINE
CORIANO
LAMONE CROSSING
MISANO RIDGE
ITALY 1944-1945
DELFZIJL
NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1945