In 1885 “C” Company, stationed at Toronto, joined a mixed force of Militia under the command of Lieut.-Col. W. D. Otter, which marched across the ice along the North Shore of Lake Superior to the Northwest, to suppress the rebellion of the half-breeds, under the leadership of Louis Riel. The Company took part in the action of Fish Creek and the relief of Battleford on April 24th, and in the action of Cut Knife Hill on May 2nd. It also took part in the pursuit of Chief Big Bear during June and July. It remained in garrison at Battleford from July until October, when it returned to Toronto. This was the first occasion on which Canadian troops had conducted active operations and brought them to a successful conclusion without the aid of Imperial troops.
In 1892 the name of the Regiment was changed to the “Canadian Regiment Infantry,” and the following year Queen Victoria approved of the Regiment becoming a Royal Regiment, known as the “Royal Canadian Regiment of Canadian Infantry,” and granted permission for her Imperial Cypher, V.R.I., with the Imperial Crown, to be worn as a badge.
In 1899, on the outbreak of the South African War, a second (Special Service) Battalion was raised under the command of Lieut.-Colonel W. D. Otter, and sailed on October 30, 1899, in the S.S. Sardinian, arriving at Cape Town on November 30th. In addition to minor skirmishes the Battalion took part in the following actions while in South Africa:
| Paardeberg | 27th February, 1900 |
| Poplar Grove | 7th March, 1900 |
| Dreifontein | 10th March, 1900 |
| Israel’s Poort | 25th April, 1900 |
| Hont’s Nek | 1st May, 1900 |
| Zano River | 16th May, 1900 |
| Doorn Kop | 29th May, 1900 |
| Pretoria | 4th June, 1900 |
The casualties in South Africa were thirty-nine killed, twenty-eight died of disease, one hundred and twenty-three wounded.
The Battalion was represented at the annexation ceremony at Pretoria on October 25th by a party specially selected, and on November 7th it embarked at Cape Town for Southampton, arriving on November 29th. The Battalion was inspected by Her Majesty Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle, when she addressed them and thanked them for their services. This was the last official inspection made by the Queen before her death.
On December 11th the Battalion embarked at Liverpool and sailed for Canada, arriving at Halifax on December 23rd, where it was disbanded.
During the South African War the name of the Regiment was changed to the “Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry.” His Majesty King George, then Duke of York, presented colors to the Regiment at Toronto on October 11, 1901, during his tour of the British Empire.
A 3rd (Garrison) Battalion of the Regiment was raised at Halifax to release the 1st Battalion Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) for service elsewhere. This Battalion was brought to a high state of efficiency and formed the greater part of the Garrison in the Fortress at Halifax. It was, however, disbanded shortly after being relieved by an Imperial Regiment, the 5th Battalion Royal Garrison Regiment, in September, 1902.
In 1902 the name of the Regiment was once again changed, becoming known by its present distinctive title of “The Royal Canadian Regiment.”