The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment (PWOR) is a
Primary Reserve
The Primary Reserve of the Canadian Armed Forces (french: links=no, Première réserve des Forces canadiennes) is the first and largest of the four sub-components of the Canadian Armed Forces reserves, followed by the Supplementary Reserve, the ...
infantry
Infantry is a military specialization which engages in ground combat on foot. Infantry generally consists of light infantry, mountain infantry, motorized infantry & mechanized infantry, airborne infantry, air assault infantry, and marine i ...
regiment
A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation.
In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscripted ...
of the
Canadian Army
The Canadian Army (french: Armée canadienne) is the command responsible for the operational readiness of the conventional ground forces of the Canadian Armed Forces. It maintains regular forces units at bases across Canada, and is also respo ...
.
Lineage
File:PWOR Regt Colour.jpg, Regimental colour
File:PWOR Camp Flag.jpg, Camp flag .
* Originated on 16 January, 1863, as the ''14th Battalion, Volunteer Militia Rifles of Canada''. Headquarters in
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston is a city in Ontario, Canada. It is located on the north-eastern end of Lake Ontario, at the beginning of the St. Lawrence River and at the mouth of the Cataraqui River (south end of the Rideau Canal). The city is midway between Toro ...
with companies in Kingston and
Portsmouth
Portsmouth ( ) is a port and city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. The city of Portsmouth has been a unitary authority since 1 April 1997 and is administered by Portsmouth City Council.
Portsmouth is the most dens ...
.
* Redesignated on 12 June 1868, as the ''14th Battalion, The Princess of Wales’ Own Rifles''.
* Redesignated on 8 May, 1900, as the ''14th Regiment, The Princess of Wales’ Own Rifles''.
* Redesignated on 15 March, 1920, as ''The Kingston Regiment (The Princess of Wales’ Own)''.
* Redesignated on 1 April, 1921, as ''The Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment''.
* Amalgamated on 15 December, 1936, with A Company, The Frontenac Regiment and “A” Company,
4th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC and redesignated as ''The Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment (Machine Gun)''.
* Redesignated on 1 April, 1946, as ''The Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment''.
Perpetuations
War of 1812
The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment perpetuates the
Battalion of Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada, the 1st Regiment of Addington Militia, the 1st Regiment of Frontenac Militia and the 1st Regiment of Lennox Militia.
Great War
The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment perpetuates the
21st Battalion (Eastern Ontario), CEF, the
59th Battalion (Ontario), CEF
The 59th Battalion (Ontario), CEF was an infantry battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the Great War. The 59th Battalion was authorized on 20 April 1915 and embarked for Britain on 1 April 1916. It provided reinforcements for the C ...
and
253rd Battalion (Queen's University Highland), CEF.
History
The regiment was created on 16 January 1863, as the ''14th Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles of Canada'' from the amalgamation of
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston is a city in Ontario, Canada. It is located on the north-eastern end of Lake Ontario, at the beginning of the St. Lawrence River and at the mouth of the Cataraqui River (south end of the Rideau Canal). The city is midway between Toro ...
’s seven independent rifle companies. Shortly after the wedding of the
Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) to Princess
Alexandra of Denmark
Alexandra of Denmark (Alexandra Caroline Marie Charlotte Louise Julia; 1 December 1844 – 20 November 1925) was Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Empress of India, from 22 January 1901 to 6 May 1910 as the wife of King ...
, the regiment asked for and was given permission to become ''The Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment''.
During the
Fenian Raid of 1866, when the
Irish
Irish may refer to:
Common meanings
* Someone or something of, from, or related to:
** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe
***Éire, Irish language name for the isle
** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...
extremists attempted to bring
Britain
Britain most often refers to:
* The United Kingdom, a sovereign state in Europe comprising the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and many smaller islands
* Great Britain, the largest island in the United King ...
to her knees by attacking
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
, the regiment was called to active duty, both to
Niagara and later to
Cornwall
Cornwall (; kw, Kernow ) is a historic county and ceremonial county in South West England. It is recognised as one of the Celtic nations, and is the homeland of the Cornish people. Cornwall is bordered to the north and west by the Atlantic ...
. The band mace presented to the regiment by its officers "In Remembrance of Cornwall" is in the museum.
In 1885, during the
Riel Rebellion the PWOR was again activated, but not for field service in the West, as it had hoped. It was destined for garrison duties at Tete-du-Pont Barracks (now
Fort Frontenac
Fort Frontenac was a French trading post and military fort built in July 1673 at the mouth of the Cataraqui River where the St. Lawrence River leaves Lake Ontario (at what is now the western end of the La Salle Causeway), in a location tradition ...
) and
Fort Henry.
The Boer War, in
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
, in 1899, again brought members of the 14th to the Colours. A number of members served in various units and because of the 14th’s contribution, “South Africa 1900” became the first
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 ("colours"), uniforms or other accessories where ornamentation is possible.
In European military t ...
. As a matter of interest, a PWOR officer by the name of Major
Wallace Bruce Matthews Carruthers, made his own way to South Africa, after being turned down for South Africa service, in Canada. He was "signed-on" as a Lieutenant and distinguished himself sufficiently that he was asked to join the regular force. When he returned to Canada, he was asked to set up the
Canadian Signal Corps.
The outbreak of
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
in 1914, resulted in a response by members of the regiment that was quite remarkable. Very quickly a contingent of 80 men was formed under Captain
George T. Richardson, (for whom
George Richardson Stadium in Kingston is named—he became the PWOR’s first officer fatality) and sent to the
2nd (Eastern Ontario Regiment) Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), of the
1st Canadian Division
The 1st Canadian Division (French: ''1re Division du Canada'' ) is a joint operational command and control formation based at CFB Kingston, and falls under Canadian Joint Operations Command. It is a high-readiness unit, able to move on very short ...
, which was part of Canada’s First Contingent.
At the same time, the
21st Battalion, CEF
The 21st Battalion (Eastern Ontario), CEF was an infantry battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force in the Great War.
History
The battalion was authorized on 7 November 1914 and embarked for Britain on 6 May 1915. It disembarked in France ...
was formed in Kingston, under the Commanding Officer of the PWOR, Lieutenant-Colonel St Pierre Hughes. The PWOR also contributed officers and men to the
59th,
146th, and
253rd Battalions, CEF.
The history of the 21st Battalion, which the PWOR perpetuates, is far too long to relate here, however, it should be mentioned that the unit earned eighteen Battle Honours were won in three years of frontline service. A great deal of the 21st Battalion history, including its Colours, is found in the regimental museum. There is also a photo tribute t
the 21st Battalion The mascot of the Princess of Wales' Own Regiment during the Great War, a white goat named `Nan`, retired to the
Royal Military College of Canada
'')
, established = 1876
, type = Military academy
, chancellor = Anita Anand ('' la, ex officio, label=none'' as Defence Minister)
, principal = Harry Kowal
, head_label ...
stables from 1918 until her death on September 22, 1924 at 12 years of age. She was buried in the
Cataraqui Cemetery
Cataraqui Cemetery is a non-denominational cemetery located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1850, it predates Canadian Confederation, and continues as an active burial ground. The cemetery is 91 acres in a rural setting with rolling wo ...
In 1920, in the post war re-organization of the Militia, the 14th Battalion Rifles was re-designated as a line infantry regiment so that it could carry the Battle Honours and Colours of the 21st Battalion, CEF (A rifle regiment carries its Battle Honours on its drums).
The Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment, became allied on 15 July 1926 with the South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales’ Volunteers) who count among their Battle Honours
Louisburg and Niagara. In the mid-1960s, the South Lancashire Regiment was amalgamated with other Lancashire regiments to form the present allied regiment - The Queen's Lancashire Regiment.
In the
Second World War
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, the decision was made not to mobilize the regiment, because of the heavy losses suffered in the First World War. Instead, it provided one complete company to the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders (Glens), which went under canvas at the Kingston fairgrounds. The Glens went ashore on
D-Day
The Normandy landings were the landing operations and associated airborne operations on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during World War II. Codenamed Operation Neptune and often referred to as D ...
under a PWOR officer, Lieutenant-Colonel GH Christiansen, as part of the 9th (Highland) Brigade, commanded by another PWOR officer,
Brigadier-General
Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...
Douglas Gordon Cunningham
Brigadier General Douglas Gordon Cunningham, (22 March 1908 – 18 July 1992) was a Canadian lawyer and soldier.
Early life
Cunningham was born in Kingston, Ontario. He was the son of Arthur Breden Cunningham and Kathleen (Gordon) Cunningham of K ...
.
In June 1942, the 1st battalion PWOR was formed under Lieutenant-Colonel E Cockburn and it served in
Sherbrooke
Sherbrooke ( ; ) is a city in southern Quebec, Canada. It is at the confluence of the Saint-François and Magog rivers in the heart of the Estrie administrative region. Sherbrooke is also the name of a territory equivalent to a regional count ...
,
Quebec
Quebec ( ; )According to the Canadian government, ''Québec'' (with the acute accent) is the official name in Canadian French and ''Quebec'' (without the accent) is the province's official name in Canadian English is one of the thirtee ...
and
Debert, Nova Scotia
Debert () (2006 pop: 1,471) is an unincorporated farming community in Nova Scotia, Canada. Located in the central-western part of Colchester County, it is approximately west of Truro.
The community has two churches (United Baptist Church and U ...
, where it was deployed for east coast defence. All told, the regiment supplied 1500 men for active service including one Brigadier, four Colonels and eight Lieutenant-Colonels.
In 1963, the PWOR celebrated its Centennial, and was granted freedom of the City of Kingston. It was presented with the new Colours by the Lieutenant Governor, the Honorable Earl Rowe. On the Colours was emblazoned the badge of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, 1939–1945, commemorating the service of PWOR members in that regiment.
The PWOR went through a decline during the 1970s and 1980s, where a measure of a unit’s success was simply the ability to remain active and keep off the increasing list of once proud units now relegated to the supplementary order of battle. The regiment was reduced to a minor unit, with only one authorized company for most of the Seventies, until finally in 1978, it was again elevated to major unit status.
The regiment has always acquitted itself well in competition over the years, whether in sports, shooting or skill at arms. In 1895, the Regimental Quarter Master represented Canada at
Bisley. His rifle and some of his winnings are on display in the museum. More recently a member of the unit was part of the 1990 Canadian Forces Bisley Team and a member of the unit's Cadet Corps distinguished herself on the same ranges.
Today, the regiment is composed of men and women from all walks of life including students, policemen and farmers. Members of the regiment have distinguished themselves on recent peacekeeping tours in
Cyprus
Cyprus ; tr, Kıbrıs (), officially the Republic of Cyprus,, , lit: Republic of Cyprus is an island country located south of the Anatolian Peninsula in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Its continental position is disputed; while it is geo ...
and the former republics of
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia (; sh-Latn-Cyrl, separator=" / ", Jugoslavija, Југославија ; sl, Jugoslavija ; mk, Југославија ;; rup, Iugoslavia; hu, Jugoszlávia; rue, label=Pannonian Rusyn, Югославия, translit=Juhoslavija ...
.
Members of the regiment have also served on combat missions in Afghanistan during
Operation Medusa
Operation Medusa (September 2–17, 2006) was a Canadian-led offensive during the second Battle of Panjwaii of the War in Afghanistan. The operation was fought primarily by the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group and other el ...
.
The Freedom of the City was exercised by the Princess of Wales' Own Regiment in Kingston 4 May 2013.
Today, the Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment continues to maintain itself as an effective component of the ‘Total Force’ army, preparing to fulfill its role, if called upon, as a first rate infantry unit of the Army's Primary Reserve.
File:21 CEF Patch.jpg, The distinguishing patch of the 21st Battalion (Eastern Ontario), CEF.
File:Princess of Wales Own Regiment war recruitment poster.jpg, Princess of Wales' Own Regiment war recruitment poster
Operational history
Fenian Raids
The battalion was called out on active service on 8 March 1866, remaining on active service until on 31 March 1866.
South African War
The regiment did not fight in the Boer War in South Africa, but contributed volunteers for the various Canadian Contingents.
Great War
Details of the regiment were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protection duties.
The ''
21st Battalion (Eastern Ontario), CEF'', was authorized on 14 October 1914 and embarked for Britain on 6 May 1915, disembarking in France on 15 September 1915, where it fought as part of the 4th Infantry Brigade,
2nd Canadian Division
The 2nd Canadian Division (2 Cdn Div; french: 2e Division du Canada) is a formation of the Canadian Army in the province of Quebec, Canada. The present command was created 2013 when Land Force Quebec Area was re-designated. The main unit housed ...
in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The battalion was disbanded on 30 August 1920.
The ''
59th Battalion (Ontario), CEF
The 59th Battalion (Ontario), CEF was an infantry battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the Great War. The 59th Battalion was authorized on 20 April 1915 and embarked for Britain on 1 April 1916. It provided reinforcements for the C ...
'', was authorized on 20 April 1915 and embarked for Britain on 1 April 1916, where it provided reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field until 6 July 1916, when its personnel were absorbed by the 39th Battalion, CEF. The battalion was disbanded on 21 May 1917.
The ''
253rd (Queen's University) Highland Battalion, CEF'', was authorized on 1 May 1916, began recruiting in mid-autumn of 1916, and embarked for Britain on 29 April 1917. On 18 May 1917, its personnel were absorbed by the 5th Reserve Battalion, CEF, to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. The battalion was disbanded on 8 December 1917.
Second World War
Details from the regiment were called out on service on 26 August 1939 and then placed on active service on 1 September 1939, as The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment (Machine Gun), CASF (Details), for local protection duties. These details were disbanded on 31 December 1940.
The regiment provided No. 1 Company of The
Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders
Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. It is part of 33 Canadian Brigade Group, 4th Canadian Division and is headquartered in Cornwall, Ontario.
Regimental badge
Superimposed upon a ...
, CASF, for active service on 24 May 1940. The regiment subsequently mobilized the 1st Battalion, The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment (Machine Gun), CASF, on 12 May 1942. It was redesignated the 1st Battalion, The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment, CIC, CASF, on 19 July 1943. It served in Canada in a home defence role as part of Military District No. 4. The battalion was disbanded on 15 October 1943.
War in Afghanistan
The regiment contributed an aggregate of more than 20% of its authorized strength to the various Task Forces which served in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2014.
Alliances
* -
Battle honours and honorary distinctions
In the list below, battle honours in capitals were awarded for participation in large operations and campaigns, while those in lowercase indicate honours granted for more specific battles. Battle honours in Bold Type are emblazoned on the regimental colour.
File:PWOR Regt Colour.jpg, Regimental colour
War of 1812
*
*
Honorary distinction: the non-emblazonable honorary distinction
Boer War
*
Great War
Second World War
Honorary distinction: the badge of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders (SD&G Highrs), with the dates 1944–1945, for jointly mobilizing the unit for service in Europe.
War in Afghanistan
*
Media
Capt. Herbert W. McBride who served with the 21st Battalion wrote two books about his experiences as a member of the unit during the Great War as a sniper and machine gunner: "A Rifleman Went To War" and "The Emma Gees."
Band
The PWOR Band is an all-volunteer, pipe and drum band sponsored by the regiment. The band’s mission statement is to provide a highland tradition to the PWOR. Events the PWOR Band have contributed to include
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day owing to the tradition of wearing a remembrance poppy) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to honour armed forces members who have died in t ...
Parades and the
Canada Day
Canada Day (french: Fête du Canada), formerly known as Dominion Day (french: Fête du Dominion), is the national day of Canada. A federal statutory holiday, it celebrates the anniversary of Canadian Confederation which occurred on July 1, 18 ...
Parade.
Memorials
In May 1917, the officers of the 21st Battalion had a cross built to commemorate their comrades lost in the hard fighting for Vimy Ridge. Private George Williams, a carpenter, salvaged wood from the battlefield to make the cross, ten feet high and three feet across, which was painted white and bore a metal plaque, "In Memory of the Officers, NCOs and Men; 21st Canadian Infantry Battalion Killed in Action April 9th 1917". The cross was originally erected near
Thelus, France. The cross was erected in Sanctuary Wood, and then later on the grounds of the
Royal Military College of Canada
'')
, established = 1876
, type = Military academy
, chancellor = Anita Anand ('' la, ex officio, label=none'' as Defence Minister)
, principal = Harry Kowal
, head_label ...
in the early 1920s. In 1992-1994 the cross was refurbished and moved into the West wall, Regimental Armouries, 100 Montreal Street with the 21st Battalion cap badge at its foot and surrounded by the regiment's 19 then current battle honours. During services held by the regiment and Association every April, the name of every 21st Battalion soldier killed at Vimy is read aloud.
Princess of Wales' Own Regiment Military Museum
The museum collects and conserves military artifacts pertaining to the regiment, its antecedents and other militia or military organizations whose roots are found in Kingston. The museum displays artifacts appropriately to members of the military and community in order to foster a better understanding of the military heritage of Kingston’s citizen soldiers in peace and war. The museum serves as a resource for the teaching of military history both to the members of the Regiment and to the public. The Kingston Armouries is a
Classified Federal Heritage Building
The Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office (FHBRO) was established in 1982 after the Government of Canada adopted an internal policy on managing heritage buildings. Today, federal heritage is incorporated into the Government of Canada's Treasury ...
1989 on the Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings.
File:Fred C Palmer marching band WWI.jpg, Fred C Palmer marching band World War 1; (East Kent Regiment), which raised nine battalions in World War I. Today the Buffs are amalgamated into the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
File:Fred C Palmer Royal Fusiliers portrait WWI.jpg, Fred C Palmer Royal Fusiliers portrait World War 1
File:Fred C Palmer equestrian portrait WWI.jpg, Fred C Palmer equestrian portrait World War 1
File:FCP World War 1 ASC soldiers.jpg, Fred C Palmer World War 1 ASC soldiers
File:FCP World War I horses 1915.jpg, Fred C Palmer World War 1 horses
Ice hockey team
The regiment formerly operated a
senior ice hockey
Senior hockey refers to amateur or semi-professional ice hockey competition. There are no age restrictions for Senior players, who typically consist of those whose Junior eligibility has expired.
Senior hockey leagues operate under the jurisdict ...
team which played in the
Ontario Hockey Association
The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is the governing body for the majority of junior and senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey As ...
, and won the
J. Ross Robertson Cup
The J. Ross Robertson Cup is a Canadian ice hockey trophy. It is awarded annually in junior ice hockey to the champion of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs. It was donated by John Ross Robertson to the Ontario Hockey Association in 1910, and ...
in 1908.
Hockey Hall of Fame
, logo = Hockey Hall of Fame Logo.svg
, logo_upright = 0.5
, image = Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto.jpg
, caption = The Hall's present location on Yonge Street since 1992
, map_type =
, former_name =
, established = 1943
, location = 30 Y ...
inductees
Captain George Richardson and
Scotty Davidson
Allan McLean "Scotty" Davidson (March 6, 1891 – June 16, 1915) was a Canadian ice hockey player and soldier. He was considered one of the top wingers of the game's early years. He led his Kingston junior team to two Ontario Hockey Associati ...
played on the senior team.
See also
*
List of armouries in Canada
A number of armouries and drill halls exist in communities across Canada. Of these, the majority were built in Ontario and Quebec.
Architecture
Chief Dominion Architects
The Chief Dominion Architect(s) designed a number of prominent public bui ...
*
Military history of Canada
The military history of Canada comprises hundreds of years of armed actions in the territory encompassing modern Canada, and interventions by the Canadian Forces, Canadian military in conflicts and peacekeeping worldwide. For thousands of years, t ...
*
History of the Canadian Army
The history of the Canadian Army, began when the title first came into official use in November 1940, during the Second World War, and is still used today. Although the official titles, Force Mobile Command, and later Land Force Command, were used ...
*
Canadian Forces
}
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF; french: Forces armées canadiennes, ''FAC'') are the unified military forces of Canada, including sea, land, and air elements referred to as the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force.
...
*
The Canadian Crown and the Canadian Forces
The relationship between the Canadian Crown and the Canadian Armed Forces is both constitutional and ceremonial with the King of Canada being the Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces and with the King and other members of the Canadian Royal ...
Order of precedence
External links
Princess of Wales' Own RegimentInformationThe Princess of Wales' Own Regimenton Duty & Valour
Nan mascot of the 21st Battalion on Duty & Valour
Sources
* A Rifleman Went To War, by Capt. Herbert W. McBride, MM, Small Arms Technical Publishing Company 1935,
* The Emma Gees, by Capt. Herbert W. McBride, MM, The Bobbs-Merrill Company Publishers, 1918, ISBN
* The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment ( M.G. ) by J. D. And Others Mackenzie - Naughton (1946)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Princess of Wales' Own Regiment
Regimental museums in Canada
Infantry regiments of Canada
Military units and formations established in 1863
Military units and formations of Ontario
Infantry regiments of Canada in World War II