WW2 ROYAL WINNIPEG RIFLES BLACK GAITERS

These are Canadian Royal Winnipeg Rifles black canvas gaiters, also called anklets or putties. They are black for the Rifles nickname of "Little Black Devils". The Royal Winnipeg Rifles were know for dying all there 37 pattern field gear black .

The Royal Winnipeg Rifles are a Primary Reserve one-battalion infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. Nicknamed the "Little Black Devils", they are based at Minto Armoury in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles are part of 3rd Canadian Division's 38 Canadian Brigade Group.

In WWII the Rifles were part of the first wave of landings on D-Day.  They fought throughout the Normandy campaign, including the famous battles off Caen and the Falaise Gap. 

After liberating several Chanel Ports, the Rifles also fought to clear the Scheldt Estuary, to help reopen the Antwerp Harbour.  Also aiding in liberating the Netherlands the Winnipeg Rifles ended WWII preparing to assault Aurich, Germany.

After the war the 3rd battalion remained in Germany until 1946.

Received from the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Museum, Canada. The museum was selling off some of there museum’s items, to make room for more. The museum called it deaccessioning surplus museum artifacts.