.gif)
The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) is a Primary Reserve infantry
regiment
of the Canadian Forces
based on Vancouver Island
British Columbia
.
The regiment is located in Victoria
, Nanaimo, and Courtenay, British Columbia
. It is part of 39 Canadian Brigade Group
, the headquarters for all of the army reserves in BC.
One of four infantry regiments in BC, the Canadian Scottish is the largest reserve unit in Western Canada and continues to evolve operationally.
As a light infantry
regiment the regiment trains in raids, reconnaissance patrolling, ambushes, amphibious operations and airmobile operations. The unit also trains to meet the realities of the “Three Block War
” – warfighting, peacekeeping, and humanitarian support.
Regimental Headquarters:
Bay Street Armoury
715 Bay Street
Victoria, BC
V8T 1R1
Currently the regiment has members serving on combat operations with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Afghanistan.
Members of The Canadian Scottish Regiment have also been involved in peacekeeping missions, notably Egypt, Golan Heights, Cyprus, Croatia, Bosnia, and Sierra Leone.
The regiment originated on 3 September 1912 when the 88th Regiment, Victoria Fusiliers, was authorised. When the 16th (Canadian Scottish) Battalion, CEF, was created in 1914, it drew on soldiers from the four separate regiments – the 50th Regiment (Gordon Highlanders of Canada) in Victoria, the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada in Vancouver, the 79th Regiment (Cameron Highlanders of Canada) in Winnipeg, and the 91st Canadian Highlanders (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) in Hamilton. The desire was to not perpetuate specific regimental identities and so the new battalion was simply referred to as "Canadian Scottish".
The 16th Battalion served in the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Canadian Division
. Since its early beginnings, the battalion had a high standard of conduct on the battlefield and was commanded by outstanding leaders. One such was Lieutenant General Sir Arthur Currie
who rose to command the Canadian Corps
during the First World War. Currie was a master tactician whose skills led the Canadians to victory at Vimy Ridge
and Amiens.
Four members of the 16th Battalion were awarded the Victoria Cross
. Lieutenant Colonel Cyrus Peck
commanded the battalion for many months in the trenches. Piper James Richardson
was just 18 years old when he enlisted, and was killed during the Battle of the Somme shortly after having played his company through No Man's Land
. He disappeared in shellfire after going back to retrieve the bagpipes he laid aside to bring back a wounded comrade. Piper James Richardson's Pipes were returned to the Regiment after being found on display in France. They were received in Victoria at a ceremony on the lawn on the Parlament Building by the CScotR Cadet Pipe Major Sgt Josh MacDonald.
After the war, the battalion disbanded, and in the 1920 reorganization of the Militia, in the wake of the work of the Otter Commission, a new regiment was created amalgamating the 50th Regiment and the Victoria Fusiliers and named "The Canadian Scottish Regiment". The suffix "(Princess Mary's)" followed later.
The Canadian Scottish were unique in 1939 in having two battalions on the strength of the Canadian Militia. The 1st Battalion was mobilized for overseas service in 1940 and trained in Debert, Nova Scotia
, until August 1941, from where it moved to the United Kingdom as part of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division
. On 6 June 1944 C Company was in the first wave ashore in Normandy on Juno Beach
, the rest of the battalion following in the second wave. The battalion proceeded to advance a total of six miles – farther than any other assault brigade of the British Second Army that day. The regiment went on to earn 17 battle honours, including the liberation of Wagenborgen, a small Dutch village. The last honour was not awarded until the 1990s.
.
First World War
Second World War
rifles. The museum is affiliated with: CMA
, CHIN
, OMMC
and Virtual Museum of Canada
.
units spread across British Columbia
which are affiliated to the Canadian Scottish Regiment.
Cadet units affiliated to the Canadian Scottish receive support and also are entitled to wear traditional regimental accoutrements on their uniforms.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
based on Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794...
British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
.
The regiment is located in Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
, Nanaimo, and Courtenay, British Columbia
Courtenay, British Columbia
Courtenay is a city on the east coast of Vancouver Island, in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It is the largest city in the area commonly known as the Comox Valley, and it is the seat of the Comox Valley Regional District which replaced the Comox-Strathcona Regional District...
. It is part of 39 Canadian Brigade Group
39 Canadian Brigade Group
The 39 Canadian Brigade Group is part of Land Force Western Area of the Canadian Army. It is composed of Canadian Forces Primary Reserve units which are based in British Columbia. No. 39 CBG is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, at the Jericho Garrison on West 4th Avenue...
, the headquarters for all of the army reserves in BC.
One of four infantry regiments in BC, the Canadian Scottish is the largest reserve unit in Western Canada and continues to evolve operationally.
As a light infantry
Light infantry
Traditionally light infantry were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. Light infantry was distinct from medium, heavy or line infantry. Heavy infantry were dedicated primarily to fighting in tight...
regiment the regiment trains in raids, reconnaissance patrolling, ambushes, amphibious operations and airmobile operations. The unit also trains to meet the realities of the “Three Block War
Three Block War
The Three Block War is a concept described by U.S. Marine General Charles Krulak in the late 1990s to illustrate the complex spectrum of challenges likely to be faced by soldiers on the modern battlefield. In Krulak's example, soldiers may be required to conduct full scale military action,...
” – warfighting, peacekeeping, and humanitarian support.
Regimental Headquarters:
Bay Street Armoury
715 Bay Street
Victoria, BC
V8T 1R1
Deployments
The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) is actively involved in sending troops to various Canadian missions around the world.Currently the regiment has members serving on combat operations with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Afghanistan.
Members of The Canadian Scottish Regiment have also been involved in peacekeeping missions, notably Egypt, Golan Heights, Cyprus, Croatia, Bosnia, and Sierra Leone.
History and battle honours
The 16th Battalion served in the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Canadian Division
1st Canadian Division
Formed in August 1914, the 1st Canadian Division was a formation of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The division was initially made up from provisional battalions that were named after their province of origin but these titles were dropped before the division arrived in Britain on October 14,...
. Since its early beginnings, the battalion had a high standard of conduct on the battlefield and was commanded by outstanding leaders. One such was Lieutenant General Sir Arthur Currie
Arthur Currie
Sir Arthur William Currie GCMG, KCB , was a Canadian general during World War I. He had the unique distinction of starting his military career on the very bottom rung as a pre-war militia gunner before rising through the ranks to become the first Canadian commander of the four divisions of the...
who rose to command the Canadian Corps
Canadian Corps
The Canadian Corps was a World War I corps formed from the Canadian Expeditionary Force in September 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. The corps was expanded by the addition of the 3rd Canadian Division in December 1915 and the 4th Canadian Division in August 1916...
during the First World War. Currie was a master tactician whose skills led the Canadians to victory at Vimy Ridge
Battle of Vimy Ridge
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a military engagement fought primarily as part of the Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the Canadian Corps, of four divisions, against three divisions of the German Sixth Army...
and Amiens.
Four members of the 16th Battalion were awarded the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
. Lieutenant Colonel Cyrus Peck
Cyrus Wesley Peck
Cyrus Wesley Peck VC DSO and Bar was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Peck was one of seven Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on...
commanded the battalion for many months in the trenches. Piper James Richardson
James Cleland Richardson
James Cleland Richardson VC was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.He was 20 years old, born in Scotland and a resident of Vancouver, British Columbia,...
was just 18 years old when he enlisted, and was killed during the Battle of the Somme shortly after having played his company through No Man's Land
No Man's Land
No man's land is an unoccupied area between two opposing positions.No Man's Land may also refer to:-Places:In the United Kingdom* No Man's Land, Cornwall, England* No Man's Land Fort, off the coast of England* Nomansland, Devon, England...
. He disappeared in shellfire after going back to retrieve the bagpipes he laid aside to bring back a wounded comrade. Piper James Richardson's Pipes were returned to the Regiment after being found on display in France. They were received in Victoria at a ceremony on the lawn on the Parlament Building by the CScotR Cadet Pipe Major Sgt Josh MacDonald.
After the war, the battalion disbanded, and in the 1920 reorganization of the Militia, in the wake of the work of the Otter Commission, a new regiment was created amalgamating the 50th Regiment and the Victoria Fusiliers and named "The Canadian Scottish Regiment". The suffix "(Princess Mary's)" followed later.
The Canadian Scottish were unique in 1939 in having two battalions on the strength of the Canadian Militia. The 1st Battalion was mobilized for overseas service in 1940 and trained in Debert, Nova Scotia
Debert, Nova Scotia
Debert is an unincorporated farming community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. It is located approximately 20 km west of the town of Truro. The Village of Debert is home to two churches, Baptist and United, plus a Fellowship Center, as well as a gas station and two garages. There are...
, until August 1941, from where it moved to the United Kingdom as part of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division
3rd Canadian Infantry Division
The Canadian 3rd Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Canadian Army from 1940 to c.1945.- History :The formation of the division was authorized on 17 May 1940...
. On 6 June 1944 C Company was in the first wave ashore in Normandy on Juno Beach
Juno Beach
Juno or Juno Beach was one of five sectors of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944, during the Second World War. The sector spanned from Saint-Aubin, a village just east of the British Gold sector, to Courseulles, just west of the British Sword sector...
, the rest of the battalion following in the second wave. The battalion proceeded to advance a total of six miles – farther than any other assault brigade of the British Second Army that day. The regiment went on to earn 17 battle honours, including the liberation of Wagenborgen, a small Dutch village. The last honour was not awarded until the 1990s.
Battle honours
All capitals indicate honours selected for emblazonmentEmblazonment
Emblazonment refers to the selection of Battle Honours to be borne on Regimental Colours, drums, and cap badges .-Canadian Practice:...
.
First World War
- YPRES, 1915Second Battle of YpresThe Second Battle of Ypres was the first time Germany used poison gas on a large scale on the Western Front in the First World War and the first time a former colonial force pushed back a major European power on European soil, which occurred in the battle of St...
, 1917 - Gravenstafel
- ST. JULIEN
- FESTUBERTBattle of FestubertThe Battle of Festubert was an attack by the British army in the Artois region of France on the western front during World War I. It began on May 15, 1915 and continued until May 25.-Context:...
, 1915 - MOUNT SORRELBattle of Mont SorrelThe Battle of Mont Sorrel was a localized conflict of World War I between three divisions of the British Second Army and three divisions of the German Fourth Army in the Ypres Salient, near Ypres, Belgium, from 2 June 1916 to 14 June 1916.In an effort to pull British resources from the observed...
- SOMME, 1916
- PozièresBattle of PozièresThe Battle of Pozières was a two week struggle for the French village of Pozières and the ridge on which it stands, during the middle stages of the 1916 Battle of the Somme. Though British divisions were involved in most phases of the fighting, Pozières is primarily remembered as an Australian battle...
- Flers-CourceletteBattle of Flers-CourceletteThe Battle of Flers-Courcelette, was a battle within the Franco-British Somme Offensive which took place in the summer and autumn of 1916. Launched on the 15th of September 1916 the battle went on for one week. Flers-Courcelette began with the overall objective of cutting a hole in the German...
- Thiepval
- Ancre Heights
- Ancre, 1916
- Arras, 1917Battle of Arras (1917)The Battle of Arras was a British offensive during the First World War. From 9 April to 16 May 1917, British, Canadian, New Zealand, Newfoundland, and Australian troops attacked German trenches near the French city of Arras on the Western Front....
, 1918, - VIMYBattle of Vimy RidgeThe Battle of Vimy Ridge was a military engagement fought primarily as part of the Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the Canadian Corps, of four divisions, against three divisions of the German Sixth Army...
, 1917 - Arleux
- Scarpe 1917, 1918Battle of the Scarpe (1918)The Battle of the Scarpe was a World War I battle that took place during the Hundred Days Offensive between 26 and 30 August 1918.-26 August:The Canadian Corps advanced over 5 kilometers and captured the towns of Monchy-le-Preux and Wancourt.Lt...
- Hill 70Battle of Hill 70The Battle of Hill 70 was a localized battle of World War I between the Canadian Corps and five divisions of the German Sixth Army. The battle took place along the Western Front on the outskirts of Lens in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France between 15 August 1917 and 25 August 1917.The primary...
- PASSCHENDAELE
- AMIENS
- DROCOURT-QUÉANTDrocourt-QuéantThe Drocourt-Quéant Line was a set of mutually supporting defensive lines constructed by Germany between the French cities of Drocourt and Quéant during World War I...
- Hindenburg LineHindenburg LineThe Hindenburg Line was a vast system of defences in northeastern France during World War I. It was constructed by the Germans during the winter of 1916–17. The line stretched from Lens to beyond Verdun...
- CANAL DU NORDBattle of the Canal du NordThe Battle of Canal du Nord was part of a general Allied offensive against German positions on the Western Front during the Hundred Days Offensive of World War I. The battle took place in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, along an incomplete portion of the Canal du Nord and on the outskirts...
- Pursuit to MonsBattle of MonsThe Battle of Mons was the first major action of the British Expeditionary Force in the First World War. It was a subsidiary action of the Battle of the Frontiers, in which the Allies clashed with Germany on the French borders. At Mons, the British army attempted to hold the line of the...
- France and Flanders, 1915–18
- Honourary distinction – oak-leaf shoulder badge for the Battle of Kitcheners' WoodBattle of Kitcheners' WoodThe Battle of Kitcheners' Wood was fought during World War I during the Second Battle of Ypres.-Location:The name of this oak plantation derived from the French name, Bois-de-Cuisinères, where French troops housed their field kitchens, and not in reference as is sometimes thought to the British...
Second World War
- NORMANDY LANDING
- PUTOT-EN-BESSINPutot-en-Bessin-External links:*...
- CAENBattle for CaenThe Battle for Caen from June-August 1944 was a battle between Allied and German forces during the Battle of Normandy....
- The OrneOrne RiverThe Orne is a river in Normandy, within northwestern France. It discharges into the English Channel at the port of Ouistreham. Its source is in Aunou-sur-Orne, east of Sées...
- FALAISE
- The Laison
- Calais, 1944
- The ScheldtBattle of the ScheldtThe Battle of the Scheldt was a series of military operations of the Canadian 1st Army, led by Lieutenant-General Guy Simonds. The battle took place in northern Belgium and southwestern Netherlands during World War II from 2 October-8 November 1944...
- LEOPOLD CANAL
- Breskens PocketBreskens PocketThe Breskens Pocket was a pocket of fortified German resistance against the Canadian First Army in the Battle of the Scheldt during the Second World War. It was chiefly situated on the southern shore of the Scheldt estuary in the southern Netherlands, near the Belgian border...
- THE RHINELAND
- Waal Flats
- MOYLAND WOOD
- The RhineOperation VeritableOperation Veritable was a Second World War pincer movement conducted by Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery's 21st Army Group to clear and occupy the land between the Rhine and Maas rivers. It took place between 8 February and 11 March 1945. It was a part of General Dwight Eisenhower's "broad front"...
- EMMERICH-HOCH ELTEN
- DEVENTERDeventerDeventer is a municipality and city in the Salland region of the Dutch province of Overijssel. Deventer is largely situated on the east bank of the river IJssel, but also has a small part of its territory on the west bank. In 2005 the municipality of Bathmen Deventer is a municipality and city in...
- WagenborgenWagenborgenWagenborgen is a town in the Dutch province of Groningen. It is a part of the municipality of Delfzijl, and lies about 25 km east of Groningen.In 2001, the town of Wagenborgen had 1755 inhabitants...
- North-West Europe, 1944–45
Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) Regimental Museum
The Museum presents, researches and preserves items of historic significance to the Regiment and to the Infantry Branch. The artifacts assist military historians and serve as a training aid to teach regimental history. with displays of weapons, uniforms, medals and other items. The museum features a collection of Lee-variantLee-Enfield
The Lee-Enfield bolt-action, magazine-fed, repeating rifle was the main firearm used by the military forces of the British Empire and Commonwealth during the first half of the 20th century...
rifles. The museum is affiliated with: CMA
Canadian Museums Association
The Canadian Museums Association is a national organization for the promotion of museums in Canada.The Canadian Museums Association is the national organization for the advancement of the Canadian museum sector, representing Canadian museum professionals both within Canada and internationally. The...
, CHIN
Canadian Heritage Information Network
The Canadian Heritage Information Network is a Canadian government-supported organization that provides a networked interface to Canada's heritage, largely through the World Wide Web. It aims to give access to Canada's heritage for both Canadians and a worldwide audience, by supporting the...
, OMMC
Organization of Military Museums of Canada
The Organization of Military Museums of Canada is a national organization for the promotion of military museums in Canada.The OMMC was established in 1967 by a group of military museums, historians, and military history enthusiasts. It has over 40 individual and 60 institutional members including...
and Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada
The Virtual Museum of Canada is Canada's national virtual museum. With a directory of over 3,000 Canadian heritage institutions and a database of over 600 virtual exhibits, the VMC brings together Canada's museums regardless of size or geographical location.The VMC includes virtual exhibits,...
.
- Wallace (currently Wallace VI) is the St. BernardSt. Bernard (dog)The St. Bernard is a breed of very large working dog from the Italian and Swiss Alps, originally bred for rescue. The breed has become famous through tales of alpine rescues, as well as for its large size.-Appearance:The St. Bernard is a large dog...
mascot of The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's).
Cadet units
There are several Royal Canadian Army CadetsRoyal Canadian Army Cadets
The Royal Canadian Army Cadets is a Canadian national youth program sponsored by the Canadian Forces and the civilian Army Cadet League of Canada. Administered by the Canadian Forces, the program is funded through the Department of National Defence with the civilian partner providing support in...
units spread across British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
which are affiliated to the Canadian Scottish Regiment.
| Corps | Location |
|---|---|
| 1726 RCACC | Comox |
| 2136 RCACC | Victoria |
| 2308 RCACC | Port Alberni |
| 2422 RCACC | Nanaimo |
Cadet units affiliated to the Canadian Scottish receive support and also are entitled to wear traditional regimental accoutrements on their uniforms.
External links
- Official Regimental Website
- Official Recruitment Website
- www.regiments.org - The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)
- Juno Beach - The Canadian Scottish on D-Day
- Canadian Scottish Regiment Collection at University of Victoria, Special Collections
- Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) Regimental Museum