Canterbury Infantry Regiment (NZEF)

The Canterbury Infantry Regiment was a territorial infantry regiment of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) during World War I. As part of the Canterbury Military District, it drew its recruits primarily from the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island.

The regiment was formed in 1914 with the outbreak of the war, incorporating existing territorial force units. It served as part of the New Zealand Division on the Western Front, participating in major battles including Gallipoli, the Somme, Passchendaele, and the Hundred Days Offensive.

Throughout its service, the Canterbury Infantry Regiment was organised into several battalions, each identified by a number (e.g., 1st Battalion, 2nd Battalion). These battalions were rotated in and out of the front lines, enduring heavy casualties. The regiment was known for its resilience and fighting spirit.

Following the Armistice in 1918, the regiment was gradually demobilized, and its surviving personnel returned to New Zealand. The Canterbury Infantry Regiment, along with other NZEF units, played a significant role in New Zealand's contribution to the war effort and shaped the nation's identity.

The regimental colors and battle honors are preserved and carried on by successor units within the modern New Zealand Army. Its history is also commemorated in various war memorials and museums throughout the Canterbury region.