The Grey and Simcoe Foresters
Encyclopedia
The Grey and Simcoe Foresters is a Primary Reserve infantry
regiment
of the Canadian Forces
. It is part of Land Force Central Area
's 32 Canadian Brigade Group
. Due to the restructuring of the "Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters" into The Mercian Regiment, The Grey and Simcoe Foresters is the only remaining unit in the Commonwealth of Nations
known to be designated as a regiment of Foresters.
and Simcoe
Foresters of the Canadian Army. The Canadian Foresters have had a unique history that has lived up to its rural versatility and spirit. The Foresters have enjoyed one of the most diverse roles in the Canadian Army, serving as infantry, armoured and artillery. Previously, The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters
of the British Army
also held this title, however due to restructuring into the The Mercian Regiment, only one holder of this name now exists.
Foresters are a very old form of infantry finding its antecedents in Robin Hood’s
Sherwood Forest
. The Grey and Simcoe Foresters were formed from the 1936 amalgamation of the 31st Grey Regiment and the 35th Simcoe Foresters both originally gazetted on September 14, 1866. Following the 1837 Rebellion, the Government of Upper Canada retained in January 1838 one troop of cavalry and three militia battalions on active service along the Niagara River and in Toronto. One of these battalions was a composite made up of soldiers from the two Simcoe County battalions of that era. This composite battalion, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Carthew, was known as the 1st Simcoe Incorporated Militia (Royal Foresters). This is the earliest known reference to the Simcoe County militia as "Foresters."
.
In 1885, Lieutenant-Colonel W.E. O'Brien, 35th Simcoe Foresters, took command of the York-Simcoe Battalion, which was formed from four companies of the 35th Simcoe Foresters and four companies of the 12th York Rangers to counter the Riel Rebellion
in western Canada. In recognition of this contribution the 35th Simcoe Foresters received its first battle honour
"North West Canada 1885".
During the Second Boer War
the regiments contributed men to the Canadian contingents sent to assist the British Army. While attached to the 2nd (Special Service) Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
at the Battle of Paardeburg, Private James Findlay from the 35 Simcoe Foresters, became one of the first Canadians and the first Forester to be killed-in-action. During the First World War, the 31st and 35th regiments recruited men for four battalions (the 147th
, 157th
, 177th
, and 248th (Grey) Battalion) and supplied quotas for two more, the 4th and 15th Battalions, CEF.
The Great War
brought with it the creation of Camp Borden, where the Barrie, Ontario
and Collingwood, Ontario
companies of the 157th Simcoe Foresters were ordered to begin construction of the new camp in May 1916. In June, another company from Barrie arrived to help speed-up the construction. As such the 157th, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel D.H. MacLaren, became the founding battalion of Camp Borden, which it constructed to accommodate 40 infantry battalions in 10 brigades. Before the Camp was opened the remainder of the 157th and the entire 177th, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.B. McPhee, arrived. By that summer, Camp Borden was home to 36 CEF battalions in 9 brigades before they embarked overseas, including the 147th, which had been training at Camp Niagara. One 157th Simcoe Forester would later become the Premier of Ontario
for four terms of office, the Honourable Leslie Frost
of Orillia. In 1917, Private Thomas William Holmes
of the 147th Grey Battalion became Canada's youngest winner of the Victoria Cross
, while assigned to the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles. By war's end, the Grey and Simcoe counties had contributed over 6,000 soldiers, of whom several hundred were killed-in-action
. The Grey's Roll of Honour alone lists 342 killed-in-action.
, the 1st Battalion was mobilized on 1 June 1940 and arrived at Camp Borden on 28 June, with a strength of 24 officers and 936 other ranks. Lieutenant-Colonel T.J. (Uncle Tom) Rutherford commanded the 1st Battalion until succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel V.R. Fell. By war's end Rutherford had been promoted to Brigadier and made a Commander of the British Empire. The 1st Battalion left Camp Borden on 17 April 1941 and became an armoured unit overseas, while the 2nd Battalion remained in Canada as an infantry unit. On January 26, 1942, the 1st Battalion became the 26th Army Tank Battalion (later Regiment), Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. They embarked for England
on June 16, 1943 having served as local protection force in Ontario and Nova Scotia
since mobilization. Unfortunately, the regiment had to swallow a bitter pill when on November 1, 1943 the regiment was broken up for reinforcements. Consequently, Foresters found themselves represented in tank regiments in almost every theatre of conflict.
was converted to artillery
becoming the 45th Anti-Tank Regiment on April 1, 1946 with the designation "(Self -Propelled)" being added on June 19, 1947. On October 1, 1954, the unit was amalgamated with the 55th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA. The Foresters returned to the armoured corps on May 19, 1958, as the 28th Armoured Regiment.
Reverting to its original infantry role in 1970, the regiment was part of London District (now 31 Canadian Brigade Group) until transferring to 32 Canadian Brigade Group on June 19, 1995. In peacetime at home, the Foresters have responded to assistance to civil authority during 1954 Hurricane Hazel
, the 1985 Barrie tornado outbreak, the 1997 Red River Flood and the Ontario Ice Storm (1998), as well as to forest fires over the years. As well, many members have served as augmentation from the Korean War
onwards, including the Middle East
(UNEF II), Golan Heights (UNDOF), Cyprus
(UNFICYP), the Former Yugoslavia (Croatia
and Bosnia-Herzegovina) (UNPROFOR, IFOR
, and SFOR
) and more recently Afghanistan
(ISAF
) and Sierra Leone
(IMATT
) .
There are over 2000 soldiers currently serving in the 32nd Canadian Brigade Group, 5% being Regular Forces and 95% being Reserve Forces.
The Grey and Simcoe Foresters are conveniently stationed near the Land Force Central Area Training Centre (LFCA TC
). LFCA TC was designed in 1942 for the purpose of training soldier
s in tank warfare
and artillery
gunnery. LFCA TC's current role not only includes being tasked to provide and maintain ranges, training areas, facilities and equipment for approximately 10,000 reserve soldiers in the Ontario
area, but also plays host to a variety of other countries military units and non military agencies, for training exercises.
Arras, 1917,
Hill 70,
Ypres 1917,
Amiens,
Arras, 1918,
Hindenburg Line,
Pursuit To Mons
The Armoury
37 Parkside Drive
Barrie, Ontario L4N 1W8
(705) 728-3761
"A"Company
The Tommy Holmes, VC, Memorial Armoury
858 10th Street East
Owen Sound, Ontario N4K1T4
(519) 538-1371
at Shanty Bay, Ontario, near Barrie
, on 17 November 1946, when the Regiment was converted to Royal Canadian Artillery. In 1968, a decade after reverting to armour as the 28th Armoured Regiment, Royal Canadian Armoured Corps
, a guidon was approved but never produced. Two years later, The Grey and Simcoe Foresters reverted to infantry, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps
. On 3 September 1983, the Colours were trooped in the presence of His Excellency The Right Honourable Edward Schreyer
. In 1986, the Colours were paraded with the Guard of Honour for HRH The Princess Anne
during her official opening of Queen's Quay, Toronto, Ontario.
The first Colour of the 31st Grey Battalion was presented and consecrated 22 March 1867 at Annan, Ontario. It had first been produced following the Fenian Raids
for the Leith Rifles, which became No. 3 Company, 31st Grey Battalion. This Colour was entrusted to the Telford family, which presented it to the Regiment in 1962, which laid it up in the Owen Sound Officers' Mess.
The 147th Grey (Overseas) Battalion received its Colours on 22 August 1916 at Camp Borden. These were laid-up for safe keeping in St. Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, on 26 May 1917. They were reclaimed on 3 March 1919 and returned to Canada where they were deposited in the Owen Sound Public Library on 16 September. Eventually, they were incased in the Owen Sound Officers' Mess. In a rather unorthodox approach, a duplicate stand of 147th Colours was produced in 1948 by the Grey Council Council and deposited in the old County Courthouse by the Association on 13 April 1949. The 248th Grey (Overseas) Battalion did not receive Colours before embarking for England in 1916 and was later disbanded for reinforcements.
The 35th Simcoe Foresters received its first stand of Colours on 25 May 1868, one year after Canada's Confederation, during the reign of Queen Victoria. The second stand of Colours was presented on 8 July 1909 (during the reign of King Edward VII) and later laid-up in All Saints Anglican Church Collingwood, Ontario
on 15 October 1932, (during the reign of King George V), following presentation of the third stand of Colours. On 17 September 2000, the 1909 Colours were reclaimed by the Regiment and laid-up in the regimental museum at Barrie, Ontario
.
The 157th Overseas Battalion (Simcoe Foresters) of the Canadian Expeditionary Force
received its Colours on 12 October 1916 at Camp Borden. Following the First World War this stand of Colours was laid-up in St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Barrie, Ontario
on 10 October 1919 and subsequently moved to the Simcoe County Archives on 21 July 1968 and then to the Simcoe County Museum in December 1979. On 18 June 1982, the Regiment reclaimed this stand of Colours and laid them up in its Barrie Officers' Mess. The 177th Overeseas Battalion (Simcoe Foresters) did not receive a stand of Colours during its short existence.
, 35th Simcoe Foresters, 31st Grey, Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
, North West Mounted Police, South African Constabularly,
Lieutenant-Colonel W.E. O'Brien, 35th Simcoe Foresters, Commanding Officer York-Simcoe Battalion, Riel Rebellion,
Captain the Honourable Leslie Frost
, 157th Battalion (Simcoe Foresters), CEF, 20th Battalion CEF, Premier of Ontario,
Major the Honourable Sir Daniel Hunter McMillan
, 35th Simcoe Foresters, 95th Battalion, Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba,
Private Thomas William Holmes
, VC 147th (Grey) Battalion, CEF
, 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles,
Brigadier Thomas Rutherford, CBE, ED, 147th (Grey) Battalion, CEF
, 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles, The Grey and Simcoe Foresters,
Colonel the Honourable Mr. Justice Robert C. Rutherford, MBE, CD, The Grey and Simcoe Foresters, Governor General's Horse Guards
, CHIN
, OMMC
and Virtual Museum of Canada
.
The museum offers a variety of artifacts from the 1800s and from both world wars. Most of the artifacts in the museum have been donated by various Simcoe and Grey Regiment members. The museum is operated and maintained by Grey and Simcoe Foresters Regiment volunteers. Hours: May - November: Wednesday - Friday 11 - 4pm; Saturday 10 - 3pm; ....December–April: By appointment.
The Badge was adopted upon the amalgamation of the Grey Regiment and the Simcoe Foresters in December 1936, and is based upon the former badge of the allied regiment, the Sherwood Foresters
, perpetuated by the present-day 2nd Battalion (Worcesters and Foresters), Mercian Regiment
The regimental camp flag is Lincoln green over hunting scarlet on the diagonal and bears the badge in silver and gold in the upper left.
| align="center" colspan="8"|Lineage
|-
| width="20%" rowspan="20" align="center" | The Grey and Simcoe Foresters
| width="20%" rowspan="20" align="center" | 28th Armoured Regiment
| width="20%" rowspan="20" align="center" | 45th Anti-Tank Regiment
| width="20%" rowspan="20" align="center" | 26th Army Tank Regiment
| width="20%" rowspan="20" align="center" | The Grey and Simcoe Foresters
| width="20%" align="center"| 31st Grey Regiment
|-
| width="20%" align="center"| 35th Simcoe Foresters
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."...
. It is part of Land Force Central Area
Land Force Central Area
Land Force Central Area is responsible for the administration of the Canadian Army in the province of Ontario, from the Quebec border to the northern Lakehead region...
's 32 Canadian Brigade Group
32 Canadian Brigade Group
32 Canadian Brigade Group is part of Land Force Central Area, under the Canadian Army. It is centered around the Greater Toronto Area, as well as Grey and Simcoe Counties...
. Due to the restructuring of the "Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters" into The Mercian Regiment, The Grey and Simcoe Foresters is the only remaining unit in the Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
known to be designated as a regiment of Foresters.
Origin and lineage
While many regiments of fusiliers, grenadiers and highlanders may be found in the armies of the Commonwealth, only one regiment of foresters exist - The GreyGrey County, Ontario
Grey County is a county and census division of the Canadian province of Ontario. The county seat is in Owen Sound. The population was 92,411 in 2006. It is located in the subregion of Southern Ontario named Southwestern Ontario...
and Simcoe
Simcoe County, Ontario
Simcoe County is located in central portion of Southern Ontario. The County is situated just north of the Greater Toronto Area stretching from the shores of Lake Simcoe in the east to Georgian Bay in the west...
Foresters of the Canadian Army. The Canadian Foresters have had a unique history that has lived up to its rural versatility and spirit. The Foresters have enjoyed one of the most diverse roles in the Canadian Army, serving as infantry, armoured and artillery. Previously, The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters
Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters
The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Prince of Wales' Division...
of the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
also held this title, however due to restructuring into the The Mercian Regiment, only one holder of this name now exists.
Foresters are a very old form of infantry finding its antecedents in Robin Hood’s
Robin Hood
Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
Sherwood Forest
Sherwood Forest
Sherwood Forest is a Royal Forest in Nottinghamshire, England, that is famous through its historical association with the legend of Robin Hood. Continuously forested since the end of the Ice Age, Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve today encompasses 423 hectares surrounding the village of...
. The Grey and Simcoe Foresters were formed from the 1936 amalgamation of the 31st Grey Regiment and the 35th Simcoe Foresters both originally gazetted on September 14, 1866. Following the 1837 Rebellion, the Government of Upper Canada retained in January 1838 one troop of cavalry and three militia battalions on active service along the Niagara River and in Toronto. One of these battalions was a composite made up of soldiers from the two Simcoe County battalions of that era. This composite battalion, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Carthew, was known as the 1st Simcoe Incorporated Militia (Royal Foresters). This is the earliest known reference to the Simcoe County militia as "Foresters."
Early history through World War I
The 31st Grey Battalion of Infantry was organized and formed from six independent and rifle companies located in Owen Sound, Meaford, Leith, Durham and Flesherton, and Gazetted on 14 September 1866. These companies had been created in the 1850s. Lieutenant-Colonel W.D. Pollard was the first commanding officer of the 31st Greys. Concurrently in Simcoe County, the independent infantry and rifle companies in Barrie, Collingwood, Cookstown, Bradford, Oro and Orillia were organized into the 35th Battalion of Infantry (Simcoe Foresters), which was also Gazetted on 14 September 1866. Lieutenant-Colonel A.R. Stephen commanded this new battalion. Prior to their formal organization into this new battalion structure, these independent companies from Grey and Simcoe counties had deployed from 1864-1866 to guard strategic points along the Canada-USA border in response to the Fenian RaidsFenian raids
Between 1866 and 1871, the Fenian raids of the Fenian Brotherhood who were based in the United States; on British army forts, customs posts and other targets in Canada, were fought to bring pressure on Britain to withdraw from Ireland. They divided many Catholic Irish-Canadians, many of whom were...
.
In 1885, Lieutenant-Colonel W.E. O'Brien, 35th Simcoe Foresters, took command of the York-Simcoe Battalion, which was formed from four companies of the 35th Simcoe Foresters and four companies of the 12th York Rangers to counter the Riel Rebellion
North-West Rebellion
The North-West Rebellion of 1885 was a brief and unsuccessful uprising by the Métis people of the District of Saskatchewan under Louis Riel against the Dominion of Canada...
in western Canada. In recognition of this contribution the 35th Simcoe Foresters received its first battle honour
Battle honour
A battle honour is an award of a right by a government or sovereign to a military unit to emblazon the name of a battle or operation on its flags , uniforms or other accessories where ornamentation is possible....
"North West Canada 1885".
During the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
the regiments contributed men to the Canadian contingents sent to assist the British Army. While attached to the 2nd (Special Service) Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
The Royal Canadian Regiment
The Royal Canadian Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. The regiment consists of four battalions, three in the Regular Force and one in the Primary Reserve...
at the Battle of Paardeburg, Private James Findlay from the 35 Simcoe Foresters, became one of the first Canadians and the first Forester to be killed-in-action. During the First World War, the 31st and 35th regiments recruited men for four battalions (the 147th
147th (Grey) Battalion, CEF
The 147th Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War, raised by the 31st Grey Regiment. Based in Owen Sound, Ontario, the unit began recruiting in late 1915 in Grey County. It departed to Camp Niagara 19 May 1916 under the command of...
, 157th
157th (Simcoe Foresters) Battalion, CEF
The 157th Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. On 30 November 1915, the 35th Simcoe Foresters was authorized to raise the 157th Battalion. Under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel D.H...
, 177th
177th (Simcoe Foresters) Battalion, CEF
The 177th Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force raised during the First World War by the 35th Simcoe Foresters. Based in Barrie, Ontario and later at Camp Borden, the unit began recruiting during the winter of 1915/16 in Simcoe County, Ontario...
, and 248th (Grey) Battalion) and supplied quotas for two more, the 4th and 15th Battalions, CEF.
The Great War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
brought with it the creation of Camp Borden, where the Barrie, Ontario
Barrie, Ontario
Barrie is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada, located on the western shore of Lake Simcoe, approximately 90 km north of Toronto. Although located in Simcoe County, the city is politically independent...
and Collingwood, Ontario
Collingwood, Ontario
Collingwood is a town in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it is situated on Nottawasaga Bay at the southern point of Georgian Bay.-History:...
companies of the 157th Simcoe Foresters were ordered to begin construction of the new camp in May 1916. In June, another company from Barrie arrived to help speed-up the construction. As such the 157th, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel D.H. MacLaren, became the founding battalion of Camp Borden, which it constructed to accommodate 40 infantry battalions in 10 brigades. Before the Camp was opened the remainder of the 157th and the entire 177th, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.B. McPhee, arrived. By that summer, Camp Borden was home to 36 CEF battalions in 9 brigades before they embarked overseas, including the 147th, which had been training at Camp Niagara. One 157th Simcoe Forester would later become the Premier of Ontario
Premier of Ontario
The Premier of Ontario is the first Minister of the Crown for the Canadian province of Ontario. The Premier is appointed as the province's head of government by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and presides over the Executive council, or Cabinet. The Executive Council Act The Premier of Ontario...
for four terms of office, the Honourable Leslie Frost
Leslie Frost
Leslie Miscampbell Frost, was a politician in Ontario, Canada, who served as the 16th Premier from May 4, 1949 to November 8, 1961. Due to his lengthy tenure, he gained the nickname "Old Man Ontario".-Early years:...
of Orillia. In 1917, Private Thomas William Holmes
Thomas William Holmes
Thomas William Holmes VC was a soldier in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest military award for gallantry in the face of the enemy given to British and Commonwealth forces, during the First World War...
of the 147th Grey Battalion became Canada's youngest winner of 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....
, while assigned to the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles. By war's end, the Grey and Simcoe counties had contributed over 6,000 soldiers, of whom several hundred were killed-in-action
Killed in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
. The Grey's Roll of Honour alone lists 342 killed-in-action.
World War II
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the 1st Battalion was mobilized on 1 June 1940 and arrived at Camp Borden on 28 June, with a strength of 24 officers and 936 other ranks. Lieutenant-Colonel T.J. (Uncle Tom) Rutherford commanded the 1st Battalion until succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel V.R. Fell. By war's end Rutherford had been promoted to Brigadier and made a Commander of the British Empire. The 1st Battalion left Camp Borden on 17 April 1941 and became an armoured unit overseas, while the 2nd Battalion remained in Canada as an infantry unit. On January 26, 1942, the 1st Battalion became the 26th Army Tank Battalion (later Regiment), Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. They embarked for England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on June 16, 1943 having served as local protection force in Ontario and Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
since mobilization. Unfortunately, the regiment had to swallow a bitter pill when on November 1, 1943 the regiment was broken up for reinforcements. Consequently, Foresters found themselves represented in tank regiments in almost every theatre of conflict.
Postwar to the present
Following the war the 2nd BattalionBattalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
was converted to artillery
Artillery
Originally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
becoming the 45th Anti-Tank Regiment on April 1, 1946 with the designation "(Self -Propelled)" being added on June 19, 1947. On October 1, 1954, the unit was amalgamated with the 55th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA. The Foresters returned to the armoured corps on May 19, 1958, as the 28th Armoured Regiment.
Reverting to its original infantry role in 1970, the regiment was part of London District (now 31 Canadian Brigade Group) until transferring to 32 Canadian Brigade Group on June 19, 1995. In peacetime at home, the Foresters have responded to assistance to civil authority during 1954 Hurricane Hazel
Hurricane Hazel
Hurricane Hazel was the deadliest and costliest hurricane of the 1954 Atlantic hurricane season. The storm killed as many as 1,000 people in Haiti before striking the United States near the border between North and South Carolina, as a Category 4 hurricane...
, the 1985 Barrie tornado outbreak, the 1997 Red River Flood and the Ontario Ice Storm (1998), as well as to forest fires over the years. As well, many members have served as augmentation from the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
onwards, including the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
(UNEF II), Golan Heights (UNDOF), Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
(UNFICYP), the Former Yugoslavia (Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
and Bosnia-Herzegovina) (UNPROFOR, IFOR
IFOR
The Implementation Force was a NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina under a one-year mandate from 20 December 1995 to 20 December 1996 under the codename Operation Joint Endeavour. Its task was to implement the military Annexes of The General Framework Agreement for...
, and SFOR
SFOR
The Stabilisation Force was a NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina which was tasked with upholding the Dayton Agreement. It replaced the previous force IFOR...
) and more recently Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
(ISAF
ISAF
ISAF may refer to:* International Sailing Federation, the world governing body for Olympic and other competitive sailing.* International Security Assistance Force, the NATO-led security mission operating in Afghanistan since 2001....
) and Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
(IMATT
Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces
The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces is the armed forces of Sierra Leone, responsible for the territorial security of Sierra Leone's border and defending the national interests of Sierra Leone, within the framework of its international obligations...
) .
There are over 2000 soldiers currently serving in the 32nd Canadian Brigade Group, 5% being Regular Forces and 95% being Reserve Forces.
The Grey and Simcoe Foresters are conveniently stationed near the Land Force Central Area Training Centre (LFCA TC
LFCATC Meaford
Land Force Central Area Training Centre Meaford is a Canadian Forces training facility operated by Land Force Central Area of Land Force Command ....
). LFCA TC was designed in 1942 for the purpose of training soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
s in tank warfare
Armoured warfare
Armoured warfare or tank warfare is the use of armoured fighting vehicles in modern warfare. It is a major component of modern methods of war....
and artillery
Artillery
Originally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
gunnery. LFCA TC's current role not only includes being tasked to provide and maintain ranges, training areas, facilities and equipment for approximately 10,000 reserve soldiers in the Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
area, but also plays host to a variety of other countries military units and non military agencies, for training exercises.
Battle honours
North West Canada 1885,Arras, 1917,
Hill 70,
Ypres 1917,
Amiens,
Arras, 1918,
Hindenburg Line,
Pursuit To Mons
Garrison locations
'Regimental Headquarters and "B" CompanyThe Armoury
37 Parkside Drive
Barrie, Ontario L4N 1W8
(705) 728-3761
"A"Company
The Tommy Holmes, VC, Memorial Armoury
858 10th Street East
Owen Sound, Ontario N4K1T4
(519) 538-1371
Colours
The Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, the Honourable Pauline McGibbon, presented new Colours to the regiment on 28 May 1978. The Regiment had been without colours since the Colours of the Simcoe Foresters, presented in 1932, were laid-up in St. Thomas Anglican ChurchSt. Thomas Anglican Church (Shanty Bay, Ontario)
St. Thomas Anglican Church is an historic Gothic Revival style Anglican church building located at 28 Church Street, in Shanty Bay in the township of Oro-Medonte in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
at Shanty Bay, Ontario, near Barrie
Barrie
Barrie may refer to:* Barrie, city in Ontario, Canada* Barrie , Canadian federal electoral district* Barrie , provincial electoral district* Barrie—Simcoe—Bradford, former Canadian electoral district...
, on 17 November 1946, when the Regiment was converted to Royal Canadian Artillery. In 1968, a decade after reverting to armour as the 28th Armoured Regiment, Royal Canadian Armoured Corps
Royal Canadian Armoured Corps
The Royal Canadian Armoured Corps is the armoured branch of service of the Canadian Army, including regular force and reserve regiments.-History:...
, a guidon was approved but never produced. Two years later, The Grey and Simcoe Foresters reverted to infantry, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps
Royal Canadian Infantry Corps
The Infantry Branch is the organisation to which all Canadian infantry regiments belong. This was originally named "Canadian Infantry Corps"....
. On 3 September 1983, the Colours were trooped in the presence of His Excellency The Right Honourable Edward Schreyer
Edward Schreyer
Edward Richard Schreyer , commonly known as Ed Schreyer, is a Canadian politician, diplomat, and statesman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 22nd since Canadian Confederation....
. In 1986, the Colours were paraded with the Guard of Honour for HRH The Princess Anne
Anne, Princess Royal
Princess Anne, Princess Royal , is the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
during her official opening of Queen's Quay, Toronto, Ontario.
The first Colour of the 31st Grey Battalion was presented and consecrated 22 March 1867 at Annan, Ontario. It had first been produced following the Fenian Raids
Fenian raids
Between 1866 and 1871, the Fenian raids of the Fenian Brotherhood who were based in the United States; on British army forts, customs posts and other targets in Canada, were fought to bring pressure on Britain to withdraw from Ireland. They divided many Catholic Irish-Canadians, many of whom were...
for the Leith Rifles, which became No. 3 Company, 31st Grey Battalion. This Colour was entrusted to the Telford family, which presented it to the Regiment in 1962, which laid it up in the Owen Sound Officers' Mess.
The 147th Grey (Overseas) Battalion received its Colours on 22 August 1916 at Camp Borden. These were laid-up for safe keeping in St. Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, on 26 May 1917. They were reclaimed on 3 March 1919 and returned to Canada where they were deposited in the Owen Sound Public Library on 16 September. Eventually, they were incased in the Owen Sound Officers' Mess. In a rather unorthodox approach, a duplicate stand of 147th Colours was produced in 1948 by the Grey Council Council and deposited in the old County Courthouse by the Association on 13 April 1949. The 248th Grey (Overseas) Battalion did not receive Colours before embarking for England in 1916 and was later disbanded for reinforcements.
The 35th Simcoe Foresters received its first stand of Colours on 25 May 1868, one year after Canada's Confederation, during the reign of Queen Victoria. The second stand of Colours was presented on 8 July 1909 (during the reign of King Edward VII) and later laid-up in All Saints Anglican Church Collingwood, Ontario
Collingwood, Ontario
Collingwood is a town in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it is situated on Nottawasaga Bay at the southern point of Georgian Bay.-History:...
on 15 October 1932, (during the reign of King George V), following presentation of the third stand of Colours. On 17 September 2000, the 1909 Colours were reclaimed by the Regiment and laid-up in the regimental museum at Barrie, Ontario
Barrie, Ontario
Barrie is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada, located on the western shore of Lake Simcoe, approximately 90 km north of Toronto. Although located in Simcoe County, the city is politically independent...
.
The 157th Overseas Battalion (Simcoe Foresters) of the Canadian Expeditionary Force
Canadian Expeditionary Force
The Canadian Expeditionary Force was the designation of the field force created by Canada for service overseas in the First World War. Units of the C.E.F. were divided into field formation in France, where they were organized first into separate divisions and later joined together into a single...
received its Colours on 12 October 1916 at Camp Borden. Following the First World War this stand of Colours was laid-up in St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Barrie, Ontario
Barrie, Ontario
Barrie is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada, located on the western shore of Lake Simcoe, approximately 90 km north of Toronto. Although located in Simcoe County, the city is politically independent...
on 10 October 1919 and subsequently moved to the Simcoe County Archives on 21 July 1968 and then to the Simcoe County Museum in December 1979. On 18 June 1982, the Regiment reclaimed this stand of Colours and laid them up in its Barrie Officers' Mess. The 177th Overeseas Battalion (Simcoe Foresters) did not receive a stand of Colours during its short existence.
Some Grey and Simcoes of note
Major-General Sir Sam SteeleSam Steele
Major General Sir Samuel Benfield Steele, CB, KCMG, MVO was a distinguished Canadian soldier and police official...
, 35th Simcoe Foresters, 31st Grey, Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
Lord Strathcona's Horse is a regular armoured regiment of the Canadian Forces. Currently based in Edmonton, Alberta, the regiment is part of Land Force Western Area's 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group...
, North West Mounted Police, South African Constabularly,
Lieutenant-Colonel W.E. O'Brien, 35th Simcoe Foresters, Commanding Officer York-Simcoe Battalion, Riel Rebellion,
Captain the Honourable Leslie Frost
Leslie Frost
Leslie Miscampbell Frost, was a politician in Ontario, Canada, who served as the 16th Premier from May 4, 1949 to November 8, 1961. Due to his lengthy tenure, he gained the nickname "Old Man Ontario".-Early years:...
, 157th Battalion (Simcoe Foresters), CEF, 20th Battalion CEF, Premier of Ontario,
Major the Honourable Sir Daniel Hunter McMillan
Daniel Hunter McMillan
Sir Daniel Hunter McMillan, KCMG was a Manitoba politician. He was a cabinet minister in Thomas Greenway's government from 1889 to 1900, and served as the seventh Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba from 1900 to 1911....
, 35th Simcoe Foresters, 95th Battalion, Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba,
Private Thomas William Holmes
Thomas William Holmes
Thomas William Holmes VC was a soldier in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest military award for gallantry in the face of the enemy given to British and Commonwealth forces, during the First World War...
, VC 147th (Grey) Battalion, CEF
147th (Grey) Battalion, CEF
The 147th Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War, raised by the 31st Grey Regiment. Based in Owen Sound, Ontario, the unit began recruiting in late 1915 in Grey County. It departed to Camp Niagara 19 May 1916 under the command of...
, 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles,
Brigadier Thomas Rutherford, CBE, ED, 147th (Grey) Battalion, CEF
147th (Grey) Battalion, CEF
The 147th Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War, raised by the 31st Grey Regiment. Based in Owen Sound, Ontario, the unit began recruiting in late 1915 in Grey County. It departed to Camp Niagara 19 May 1916 under the command of...
, 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles, The Grey and Simcoe Foresters,
Colonel the Honourable Mr. Justice Robert C. Rutherford, MBE, CD, The Grey and Simcoe Foresters, Governor General's Horse Guards
Grey and Simcoe Foresters Regimental museum
The Grey and Simcoe Foresters Regimental Museum is located in Barrie armoury at 37 Parkside Drive, Barrie, Ontario. The museum perpetuates the history of the Grey & Simcoe Foresters as a means of instilling pride of Regiment & Country in new recruits and to enable the public at large to better appreciate the role of the military in the development of the area. The museum is affiliated with: CMACanadian 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,...
.
The museum offers a variety of artifacts from the 1800s and from both world wars. Most of the artifacts in the museum have been donated by various Simcoe and Grey Regiment members. The museum is operated and maintained by Grey and Simcoe Foresters Regiment volunteers. Hours: May - November: Wednesday - Friday 11 - 4pm; Saturday 10 - 3pm; ....December–April: By appointment.
Armorial description
The Badge of The Grey and Simcoe Foresters is armorially described as, resting on a scroll Vert inscribed "FORESTERS" Argent Maltese Cross Argent charged with a pomme bearing a stag couchant upon a mount proper encircled wreath of autumnal maple leaves on the sinister arm of the Cross and extending to the wreath a demi scroll Vert inscribed "GREY &" Argent on the dexter arm of the Cross and extending to the wreath a demi scroll Vert inscribed "SIMCOE" Argent the ensigned with the Crown.The Badge was adopted upon the amalgamation of the Grey Regiment and the Simcoe Foresters in December 1936, and is based upon the former badge of the allied regiment, the Sherwood Foresters
Sherwood Foresters
The Sherwood Foresters was formed during the Childers Reforms in 1881 from the amalgamation of the 45th Regiment of Foot and the 95th Regiment of Foot...
, perpetuated by the present-day 2nd Battalion (Worcesters and Foresters), Mercian Regiment
Mercian Regiment
The Mercian Regiment is an infantry regiment of the British Army, formed by the amalgamation of three existing regiments on 1 September 2007.The regiment has three regular army battalion's and one Territorial Army or reserve battalion...
The regimental camp flag is Lincoln green over hunting scarlet on the diagonal and bears the badge in silver and gold in the upper left.
See also
- Land Force Central AreaLand Force Central AreaLand Force Central Area is responsible for the administration of the Canadian Army in the province of Ontario, from the Quebec border to the northern Lakehead region...
- Uniforms of the Canadian ForcesUniforms of the Canadian ForcesThe Uniforms of the Canadian Forces are the official dress worn by members of Canada's military while on duty.Prior to unification in 1968, the uniforms of the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force were similar to their counterparts in the forces of the United Kingdom...
- Regimental nicknames of the Canadian ForcesRegimental nicknames of the Canadian ForcesMany regiments have over the years earned nicknames; some laudatory, some derogatory, but all colourful. Sometimes, the nicknames themselves have overshadowed the actual regimental title, e.g. the "Van Doos" for the Royal 22e Régiment...
External links
- The Grey and Simcoe Foresters Website
- Grey and Simcoe Foresters Regimental Association Website
- 32nd Brigade
Lineage
|-style="text-align: center; background: #F08080;"| align="center" colspan="8"|Lineage
|-
| width="20%" rowspan="20" align="center" | The Grey and Simcoe Foresters
| width="20%" rowspan="20" align="center" | 28th Armoured Regiment
| width="20%" rowspan="20" align="center" | 45th Anti-Tank Regiment
| width="20%" rowspan="20" align="center" | 26th Army Tank Regiment
| width="20%" rowspan="20" align="center" | The Grey and Simcoe Foresters
| width="20%" align="center"| 31st Grey Regiment
|-
| width="20%" align="center"| 35th Simcoe Foresters