Cap Badge - Canadian Army Ordinance Corps Formed in 1871, the Canadian Stores Department was a civil department of the Canadian Government. This civil service was charged with control of forts, ammunition, stores, buildings and an ordnance depot left by the departing British Military. On 1 July 1903 the Ordnance Stores Corps was formed, taking over duties performed formerly by the Canadian Stores Department. Granted the title Canadian Ordnance Corps on 2 Dec 1907, creditable service in the First World War led to the grant of the prefix "Royal" by King George V on 3 Nov 1919. The Militia component of the Corps was not authorized until 1912, and redesignated with the Royal prefix in 1936. The responsibilities of the Canadian Stores Department were transferred to the Ordnance Stores Corps. In 1907 it was renamed the Canadian Ordnance Corps (COC). The Canadian Ordnance Corps was redesignated the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps on 3 Nov 1919. As a matter of honour, King George V, the Canadian monarch bestowed on the organization the right to use the prefix royal before its name. In the First World War the COC, in conjunction with the CASC, was supporting 400,000 men, 150,000 French civilians and 25,000 horses. During the First World War nearly 2,000 officers and men served in the Corps. With the Canadian Corps in France and Belgium were three Ordnance Mobile Workshops. In England five depots, including a Base Depot were established. In addition, the Canadian Ordnance Corps had representation in four divisions and a cavalry brigade, and in forces sent to Russia, Siberia, and the West Indies.