Pacific Coast Militia Rangers of the Second World War

​We would like to welcome military historian Stu McDonald for a guest column about the Pacific Coast Militia Rangers on the Sunshine Coast during World War II

Remembrance Day is a day to think about those who served in defence of our freedom and the freedom of others around the globe.  We often think about those Canadians on other days of the year, as well as on November 11th. When doing so, here on the Sunshine Coast, many of us are not aware of a little known group of military volunteers who served right here in our communities from 1942 to 1945.

Local chapter of PCMR training on the Sunshine Coast

These volunteers were members of the Pacific Coast Militia Rangers (P.C.M.R). All of them were members of Canada’s Reserve Army. They were equipped with weapons and uniforms and trained in the evenings and on weekends. Many of the Rangers would have preferred to join the overseas Canadian military forces but they were employed locally in essential work, such as logging, fishing, farming and mining and were not permitted to leave those jobs.

PCMR Hat Badges

Examples of brassards (arm bands) for regional PCMR chapters

The mission of the P.C.M.R. was to provide surveillance along the coast of British Columbia and Yukon and to help to defend our country against possible Japanese attacks. They also watched for suspicious activity, located Japanese balloon bombs and assisted the Regular Army as guides and scouts.
 
How many were there in B.C.? Far more than you would probably think. There was a 25 to 50 man company in the Sechelt to Pender Harbour area, another in the Gibsons to Robert’s Creek area, another company in Gambier - Port Mellon – East Bay and a fourth in the Woodfibre area. 

Firearms training for local PCMR chapter

There were 132 companies in BC and Yukon, with a total strength of over 14,000 Rangers. If you were a Ranger, or know someone who was, please post a comment below, or contact the Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives.

                            Many thanks to guest author Stu McDonald!

Local PCRM target practice