Bruce’s first militia was formed with the passing of the Military Act of 1855. This act made all men, ages 18-40, servicemen and ages 40-60 reserves. At this time, there were two kinds of militia, one active and the other standing. Bruce’s militia was standing. Originally divided into three battalions, this was later changed to six. During this time, the militia wasn’t drilled, but had to muster annually for the Queen’s birthday.
When the Trent Affair arose in 1861, it looked like there would be war between Britain and the United States. Volunteer companies arose throughout the County. Southampton was the first to form a volunteer company, raised under Colonel alexander Sproat, and authorized by general order in 1861. According to author Norman Robertson, the Southampton Company was the first to form because they had previously petitioned to become their own company. This petition stemmed from the fact the 1st Battalion thought it was useless to muster on the Queen’s birthday and refused to turn out. An act they were fined for, but still refused. Part of their petition was for the Ministry to supply them with weapons, while they supplied their own uniforms. Once the Trent Affair started, the Minister of Militia agreed to the petition, making them the first volunteer company in Bruce. A regular army sergeant was sent to drill them. Next to follow with a volunteer company was Kincardine in 1862, and Paisley, Lucknow, and Kincardine Township in 1863.
When the Fenian forces landed at Fort Erie on June 2, 1866, Bruce’s volunteers were called to meet at Goderich to aid the regulars in fending off the invaders. Four of Bruce’s companies, Southampton, Kincardine, Kincardine Township and Paisley amassed outside of Goderich in June 1866. They were there for approximately four weeks before returning home. The Southampton Rifles were the exception; they carried on south to outside of Sarnia until August. During this time both Tara and Walkerton formed volunteer companies.
On September 14, 1866, the four companies present at Goderich and the newly formed Tara and Walkerton companies were officially formed as the 32nd Bruce Battalion of Infantry and were under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Sproat. They assembled for the first time July 1868 at Southampton where they drilled for 12 days. Mildmay and Teeswater established companies in 1872. The 32nd’s colours were purchased for $600, by monies raised by the ladies of Bruce County, and were presented by Mrs. Sproat in Kincardine June 19, 1872.
In 1870, during the Red River Rebellion, it was asked that three volunteers from each company of the 32nd assemble with other volunteer forces, and travel to Manitoba. In each case, more than three men volunteered and had to be selected. Like the Fenian Raids, this skirmish ended with no blood shed for the men of the 32nd and they returned home. In 1855, the 32nd Regiment was again called to duty, this time in response to the North-West Rebellion. Again, the troops were at the ready, waiting to be deployed from Southampton, but again were not required and were sent home. It is interesting to note that several Bruce men, not under auspices of the 32nd, played roles in the North-West Rebellion.
At some time, the 32nd Bruce Battalion became known as the 32nd Bruce Regiment.
At the outbreak of the First World War, the Regiment began to recruit men for the Canadian Expeditionary Force or C.E.F. When the C.E.F. was mustered at Valcartier, Quebec in September of 1914, the 32nd Regiment had recruited 72 volunteers for the 1st Canadian Battalion. Later recruits were attached to the 18th, 33rd, 34th, and 70th Battalions, and then the 160th Bruce Battalion, which was formed in December of 1915. Between the First and Second Wars, the Regiment was disbanded and reorganized as an artillery unit, under the 21st Field Brigade (later the 21st Field Artillery Regiment). Headquarters and “B” Company of the Bruce Regiment became the 97th (Bruce) Field Battery R.C.A. and “A” Company became 98th Field Battery R.C.A.
