62nd Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
The 62nd Field Artillery Regiment, RCA () is a militia unit of the Canadian Army that has its own military band and is located in Shawinigan, Quebec. It recruits primarily in Shawinigan, Joliette and Victoriaville. Origin. Its oldest and most notable subunit is the 81st Field Artillery Battery, which was founded in the Eastern Townships in 1912 and relocated in Shawinigan, Mauricie in 1936. World War II. The battery was called to active duty during World War II. Its members were trained in Ontario and the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1944. In 1944-45, the  81st Battery contributed to the Allies' effort in the Normandy Landings, which led to the Liberation of France. Anti-aircraft Unit. In 1946-48, members of the Shawinigan-based C Company of the Régiment de Joliette joined those of the 81st Battery to form the 62nd Regiment. From that moment until 1961, the newly formed unit served in an anti-aircraft capacity. Field artillery. Since 1961, the regiment has been a field artillery unit. Its equipment consists of 105 mm towed howitzers. Its armoury is currently located at 5315 Boulevard Royal, Shawinigan. A substantial number of the 62nd Regiment reservists  attend Collège Shawinigan. Every year on Remembrance Day weekend, members of the regiment gather near the Monument des Braves cenotaph and conduct a ceremony to commemorate soldiers who died on the field of honour. They also parade in the streets of downtown Shawinigan and Grand-Mère. Contributions since World War II. Even though the 62nd Regiment has not served in active duty since World War II, it provided personnel for a number of operations, including: Well-known members. Well-known members of the regiment are: