The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
Encyclopedia
The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment is a Primary Reserve infantry
regiment
of the Canadian Forces
. The regiment is headquartered in Belleville, Ontario
, with companies
in Peterborough
and Cobourg
.
The regiment traces its roots back to the 1st Regiment of Prince Edward Militia
, formed in 1800 and the 1st Regiment of Hastings Militia formed in 1804 by United Empire Loyalists
who settled in Hastings County
and Prince Edward County
. Both these regiments served in the War of 1812
and the Rebellion of 1837-38.
In the 1860s independent infantry companies were raised to respond to the Fenians
. A number of these companies were gathered in Belleville, forming the 15th Argyllshire Light Infantry
in 1863. That same year, the 1st Prince Edward became the 16th Battalion
of Volunteer Militia, and then the 16th Prince Edward Battalion of Infantry in 1867. In 1866, the 1st Hastings became the 49th Regiment (Hastings Rifles). In 1885 the 15th Argyll saw service during the Northwest Rebellion, earning the regiment's first battle honour
.
The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment was formed in 1920 from the units mentioned above.
Although the regiment did not exist as a unit during the First World War, it perpetuates the battle honours of several battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force
.
The regiment found itself in Europe during the Second World War. It saw service in the Allied invasion of Sicily
, the Italian Campaign
, the Battle of France and the liberation of the Netherlands
from the German Army
. The regiment was awarded more battle honours than any other Canadian regiment. One of the most notable is Assoro, a daring single unit action.
The regiment's mascot is a wooden Indian named Chief Petawawa-Much, who was taken on strength to replace Little Chief, a massive pewter Indian taken from the roof of a canning factory in Picton prior to the regiment's departure for England in 1939. Little Chief was lost during the Battle of France while the regiment evacuated. An unknown individual, in the interest of securing Chief Petawawa-Much's future, got him a Social Insurance Number
.
The Regiment celebrates Pachino Day on 10 July every year with a spaghetti dinner, traditionally served with the cheapest red wine available. This is to commemorate the unit's participation in the landings in Sicily
on 10 July 1943 as part of Operation HUSKY.
In the Senior NCO's and Warrant Officers' Mess in Belleville, the footprints of Commanding Officers can be found on the ceiling of the Games Room. After a Change of Command, a pyramid is formed with junior officers on the bottom to hoist the new CO up to the ceiling to make his mark.
The Regimental Colour was stolen from its case in the Belleville Armouries in 1960. The staff for it was laid up with the Queen's Colour at Saint Mary Magdalene Anglican Church in Picton on 4 October 1964. The CO at the time, Lieutenant Colonel Angus Duffy, refused to wear his cap badge after the theft up until his death, as the Colours were his personal responsibility. The Regimental Colour has never been located.
, one of four Brigade Groups of Land Force Central Area
. The Regimental Headquarters and one company are located at 187 Pinnacle Street in Belleville, with additional companies in Peterborough
and Cobourg.
The current Commanding Officer (May 2010) is Lt. Col. Ross Cossar, CD, who took command of the regiment on 1 May of that year. The Regimental Sergeant Major is Chief Warrant Officer D.J. Hulan, C.D. The Colonel-in-Chief is HRH The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
; who visited the regiment in June 2005 and received a guard of honour from the regiment during his visit to Old Fort Henry
in Kingston
in June 2008. Rather strange considering he only lasted in miltary service with the Royal Marines
for barely three months!
, who served as an officer with the regiment during the Second World War.
Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, through the collection and preservation of military artifacts and documents of historical significance to the Regiment and its antecedent units.
The museum displays and illustrates in an appropriate manner the dress, weapons, and military equipment, and customs of the Regiment’s heritage. It serves as a training medium to teach regimental history and to provide a scholarly basis for those studying the history of the militia, the Regiment and its antecedent units, and their historical significance in the Midland District of Ontario. The museum fosters in the local community an interest and sense of pride in the Regiment and its accomplishments.
The museum focuses on the history of the regiment, its activities in different wars, and the effect on area counties. Exhibits include uniforms, weapons, medals, equipment, photographs, and other military and regimental memorabilia. The museum is open several days a week.
The museum is affiliated with: CMA
, CHIN
, OMMC
and Virtual Museum of Canada
.
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."...
. The regiment is headquartered in Belleville, Ontario
Belleville, Ontario
Belleville is a city located at the mouth of the Moira River on the Bay of Quinte in Southern Ontario, Canada, in the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor. It is the seat of Hastings County, but is politically independent of it. and the centre of the Bay of Quinte Region...
, with companies
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
in Peterborough
Peterborough, Ontario
Peterborough is a city on the Otonabee River in southern Ontario, Canada, 125 kilometres northeast of Toronto. The population of the City of Peterborough was 74,898 as of the 2006 census, while the census metropolitan area has a population of 121,428 as of a 2009 estimate. It presently ranks...
and Cobourg
Cobourg, Ontario
Cobourg is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario, located in Southern Ontario 95 km east of Toronto. It is the largest town in Northumberland County. Its nearest neighbour is Port Hope, to the west. It is located along Highway 401 and the former Highway 2...
.
The regiment traces its roots back to the 1st Regiment of Prince Edward Militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
, formed in 1800 and the 1st Regiment of Hastings Militia formed in 1804 by United Empire Loyalists
United Empire Loyalists
The name United Empire Loyalists is an honorific given after the fact to those American Loyalists who resettled in British North America and other British Colonies as an act of fealty to King George III after the British defeat in the American Revolutionary War and prior to the Treaty of Paris...
who settled in Hastings County
Hastings County, Ontario
Hastings County is located in the province of Ontario, Canada. It is The Cheese Capital of Canada. Geographically, it is located on the border of Eastern Ontario and Central Ontario. The population was 125,915 in 2001 and grew to 130,474 in the 2006 Canada Census...
and Prince Edward County
Prince Edward County, Ontario
Prince Edward County is a single-tier municipality and a census division of the Canadian province of Ontario.-Geography:Prince Edward County is located in Southern Ontario on a large irregular headland or littoral at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, just west of the head of the St. Lawrence River...
. Both these regiments served in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
and the Rebellion of 1837-38.
In the 1860s independent infantry companies were raised to respond to the Fenians
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...
. A number of these companies were gathered in Belleville, forming the 15th Argyllshire 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...
in 1863. That same year, the 1st Prince Edward became the 16th Battalion
Battalion
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...
of Volunteer Militia, and then the 16th Prince Edward Battalion of Infantry in 1867. In 1866, the 1st Hastings became the 49th Regiment (Hastings Rifles). In 1885 the 15th Argyll saw service during the Northwest Rebellion, earning the regiment's 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....
.
The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment was formed in 1920 from the units mentioned above.
Although the regiment did not exist as a unit during the First World War, it perpetuates the battle honours of several battalions 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...
.
The regiment found itself in Europe during the Second World War. It saw service in the Allied invasion of Sicily
Allied invasion of Sicily
The Allied invasion of Sicily, codenamed Operation Husky, was a major World War II campaign, in which the Allies took Sicily from the Axis . It was a large scale amphibious and airborne operation, followed by six weeks of land combat. It launched the Italian Campaign.Husky began on the night of...
, the Italian Campaign
Italian Campaign (World War II)
The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the...
, the Battle of France and the liberation of the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
from the German Army
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
. The regiment was awarded more battle honours than any other Canadian regiment. One of the most notable is Assoro, a daring single unit action.
Battle honours
(Battle honours listed in UPPERCASE letters are emblazoned on the Regimental Colour)- NORTH-WEST CANADA 1885
- First World War: Mount Sorrel, SOMME 1916, ARRAS 1917, 1918, HILL 70, YPRES 1917, AMIENS, HINDENBURG LINE, PURSUIT TO MONS
- Second World War: Landing in Sicily, Grammichele, Valguarnera, ASSORO, Agira, Adrano, Regalbuto, SICILY 1943, Landing at Reggio, Motta Montecorvino, Campobasso, Torella, THE MORO, San Leonardo, The Gully, Ortona, CASSINO II, Gustav Line, Liri Valley, HITLER LINE, GOTHIC LINE, Lamone Crossing, Misano Ridge, RIMINI LINE, SAN FORTUNATO, Bulgaria Village, Naviglio Canal, Fosso Vecchio, ITALY 1943 - 1945, Apeldoorn, NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1945
Customs and traditions
Fallen members of the regiment are said to have transferred to the White Battalion.The regiment's mascot is a wooden Indian named Chief Petawawa-Much, who was taken on strength to replace Little Chief, a massive pewter Indian taken from the roof of a canning factory in Picton prior to the regiment's departure for England in 1939. Little Chief was lost during the Battle of France while the regiment evacuated. An unknown individual, in the interest of securing Chief Petawawa-Much's future, got him a Social Insurance Number
Social Insurance Number
A social insurance number is a number issued in Canada to administer various government programs. The SIN was created in 1964 to serve as a client account number in the administration of the Canada Pension Plan and Canada's varied employment insurance programs. In 1967, Revenue Canada started...
.
The Regiment celebrates Pachino Day on 10 July every year with a spaghetti dinner, traditionally served with the cheapest red wine available. This is to commemorate the unit's participation in the landings in Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
on 10 July 1943 as part of Operation HUSKY.
In the Senior NCO's and Warrant Officers' Mess in Belleville, the footprints of Commanding Officers can be found on the ceiling of the Games Room. After a Change of Command, a pyramid is formed with junior officers on the bottom to hoist the new CO up to the ceiling to make his mark.
The Regimental Colour was stolen from its case in the Belleville Armouries in 1960. The staff for it was laid up with the Queen's Colour at Saint Mary Magdalene Anglican Church in Picton on 4 October 1964. The CO at the time, Lieutenant Colonel Angus Duffy, refused to wear his cap badge after the theft up until his death, as the Colours were his personal responsibility. The Regimental Colour has never been located.
The Regiment today
Currently the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment is part of 33 Canadian Brigade Group33 Canadian Brigade Group
33 Canadian Brigade Group commanded by Col Duane Waite, is part of Land Forces Central Area of the Canadian Forces. It encompasses the eastern and northern portions of Ontario.- Brigade Units :...
, one of four Brigade Groups 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...
. The Regimental Headquarters and one company are located at 187 Pinnacle Street in Belleville, with additional companies in Peterborough
Peterborough, Ontario
Peterborough is a city on the Otonabee River in southern Ontario, Canada, 125 kilometres northeast of Toronto. The population of the City of Peterborough was 74,898 as of the 2006 census, while the census metropolitan area has a population of 121,428 as of a 2009 estimate. It presently ranks...
and Cobourg.
The current Commanding Officer (May 2010) is Lt. Col. Ross Cossar, CD, who took command of the regiment on 1 May of that year. The Regimental Sergeant Major is Chief Warrant Officer D.J. Hulan, C.D. The Colonel-in-Chief is HRH The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG GCVO is the third son and fourth child of Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh...
; who visited the regiment in June 2005 and received a guard of honour from the regiment during his visit to Old Fort Henry
Fort Henry, Ontario
Fort Henry is located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada on Point Henry, a strategic point located near the mouth of the Cataraqui River where it flows into the St. Lawrence River, at the upper end of the Thousand Islands...
in Kingston
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
in June 2008. Rather strange considering he only lasted in miltary service with the Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
for barely three months!
Notable soldiers
- Private Harold Joseph Pringle was the only soldier of the Canadian Army to be executed for a service offence during the Second World War and was also the last Canadian soldier to be executed. He was executed by firing squad.
- Canadian Author Farley MowatFarley MowatFarley McGill Mowat, , born May 12, 1921 is a conservationist and one of Canada's most widely-read authors.His works have been translated into 52 languages and he has sold more than 14 million books. He achieved fame with the publication of his books on the Canadian North, such as People of the...
served as an officer with the regiment during the Second World War. - Golf Course Architect Geoffrey CornishGeoffrey CornishGeoffrey Cornish is a golf course architect, author, and a fellow of the American Society of Golf Course Architects. He has designed over 200 courses, including 9-hole additions, around the world.-Early life:...
served as an officer during the Second World War.
Media
The Regiment (1955) is an account of the Hastings and Price Edward Regiment written by Canadian author Farley MowatFarley Mowat
Farley McGill Mowat, , born May 12, 1921 is a conservationist and one of Canada's most widely-read authors.His works have been translated into 52 languages and he has sold more than 14 million books. He achieved fame with the publication of his books on the Canadian North, such as People of the...
, who served as an officer with the regiment during the Second World War.
Alliances
- The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires)Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
"PWRR" redirects here. For the railroad with these reporting marks, see Portland and Western Railroad.The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment is the senior English line infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Queen's Division...
Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment Museum
The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment Museum is located in the Belleville Armoury in Belleville. The museum preserves the history of the militia, specifically theHastings and Prince Edward Regiment, through the collection and preservation of military artifacts and documents of historical significance to the Regiment and its antecedent units.
The museum displays and illustrates in an appropriate manner the dress, weapons, and military equipment, and customs of the Regiment’s heritage. It serves as a training medium to teach regimental history and to provide a scholarly basis for those studying the history of the militia, the Regiment and its antecedent units, and their historical significance in the Midland District of Ontario. The museum fosters in the local community an interest and sense of pride in the Regiment and its accomplishments.
The museum focuses on the history of the regiment, its activities in different wars, and the effect on area counties. Exhibits include uniforms, weapons, medals, equipment, photographs, and other military and regimental memorabilia. The museum is open several days a week.
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,...
.
See also
- The Canadian Crown and the Canadian ForcesThe Canadian Crown and the Canadian ForcesThe place of the Canadian Crown in relation to the Canadian Armed Forces is both constitutional and ceremonial, the sovereign of Canada being the supreme commander of the forces, while he or she and the rest of the Canadian Royal Family hold honorary positions in various branches and regiments,...
- Organization of Military Museums of CanadaOrganization of Military Museums of CanadaThe 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...
External links
- Official site of The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
- Official Canadian Forces site of The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
- Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment Museum
- Official Canadian Army site of The Hast & PER