The Militia Act of 1855 was an act of Canadian legislation that permitted the formation of independent volunteer companies ("Active Militia").

The maximum size of the force was set at 5,000 men. They were all volunteers and trained at public expense for 10 days each year (20 for those in the artillery). The men had to provide their own uniforms. Captains would be paid 10 shillings 6 pence a day, and privates five shillings.

The Act divided the country into 18 military districts. Each district was commanded by a colonel, who was assisted by a group of staff officers, all of whom served without pay.

In 1860 these companies began to form into battalions that gradually eclipsed the Sedentary Militia. In 1864 the Sedentary Militia was re-styled "Non-Service Militia", and in 1869 its battalions were reduced to the "Reserve Militia" of each county. The Reserve Militia was last enrolled in 1873 (but never called out), deferred thereafter, and the theory that every able-bodied man was liable for service was finally abolished in 1950.

Sources

Author: T.F. Mills
Title : Regiments and Corps of the Canadian Sedentary Militia 1855
Ref  : "Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth" at http://www.regiments.org.
Used in accordance with the permissions granted on the "Citing and Linking This Site" page of regiments.org.

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• Royal Canadian Artillery