Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment)
The cap badge of The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment).
Active	14 September 1866 – present
Country	Canada
Branch	Canadian Army
Type	Line infantry
Role	Light infantry
Size	One battalion
Part of	32 Canadian Brigade Group
Garrison/HQ	RHQ – Brampton, Ontario Dufferin (Admin) Company – Brampton Campbell Coy – Oakville, Ontario Campbell Coy – Brampton Campbell Coy – Georgetown, Ontario Pipes & Drums Band – Georgetown
Motto(s)	Air son ar duthchais (Scottish Gaelic for 'for our heritage')
March	Quick: "The Campbells Are Coming" Quick: "John Peel"
Mascot(s)	Wild boar
Anniversaries	September 14, regimental birthday
Engagements	South African War World War I World War II UN Peacekeeping Operations NATO Operations War in Afghanistan/War on Terror
Battle honours	See #Battle honours
Commanders
Current commander	LCol Robert Fraser, CD
Colonel-in-Chief	Field Marshal The Duke of Kent
Insignia
Tartan	Ancient Ordinary Campbell
Facings	White
Hackle	Primerose
Colours	Blue, grey and green

The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment) is a special part of the Canadian Army. It's a Primary Reserve infantry regiment, which means its soldiers are part-time but can be called upon for duty. They are part of the 4th Canadian Division's 32 Canadian Brigade Group.

What the Lorne Scots Do

The Lorne Scots is made up of different groups called sub-units. These groups are located in armouries (military buildings) in different towns:

• Regimental Headquarters (RHQ): This is like the main office, located in Brampton, Ontario.
• Dufferin Company (Admin Coy): This group handles administrative tasks and is in Brampton and Georgetown, Ontario.
• Campbell Company: This company has soldiers in Brampton, Oakville, and Georgetown, Ontario.
• Pipes and Drums (Dufferin Company): This is the regiment's band, based in Georgetown.

The regiment's leader is Lieutenant-Colonel Adam MacInnis. Many soldiers from the Lorne Scots have served in big wars like World War II. Since 1945, many have also helped in peacekeeping missions around the world. They have served in places like the Middle East, Golan Heights, Namibia, Cambodia, Cyprus, the Former Yugoslavia, and Afghanistan.

How the Regiment Started

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  Regimental colour

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  Camp flag

The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment) was formed from two older regiments.

The Peel and Dufferin Regiment

This part of the regiment started in Brampton, Ontario, on September 14, 1866. It was first called the 36th "Peel Battalion of Infantry." Over the years, its name changed several times. In 1923, it became "The Peel and Dufferin Regiment."

The Lorne Rifles (Scottish)

This part began in Milton, Ontario, on September 28, 1866. It was first known as the 20th "Halton Battalion of Infantry." Its name also changed over time. In 1931, it became "The Lorne Rifles (Scottish)."

Joining Forces

On December 15, 1936, these two regiments, The Peel and Dufferin Regiment and The Lorne Rifles (Scottish), joined together. This is how they became the regiment we know today: The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment).

Honoring Past Units

The Lorne Scots "perpetuates" (or carries on the history of) several older battalions. These include the 37th Battalion (Northern Ontario), CEF, the 74th Battalion, CEF, and others. This means the Lorne Scots keeps alive the traditions and honors of these units. They also carry battle honors from the 2nd Regiment of York Militia and the 4th Battalion, CEF.

Regimental Badges

Badges are important symbols for military units.

Cap Badge

The old cap badge of the Lorne Scots used until 2016.

The cap badge is worn on the soldier's hat. It shows a silver lion holding a golden shuttle. This design is topped with a crown and surrounded by maple leaves and thistles. Two scrolls below the badge say "AIR SON AR DUTHCHAIS" (which means "for our heritage" in Scottish Gaelic) and "THE LORNE SCOTS (PEEL, DUFFERIN AND HALTON REGT)."

In 2016, the cap badge was updated to look more like the image on the regiment's flag. The lion changed from gold to silver, and the shuttle changed from silver to gold.

Collar Badge

The collar badge is worn on the uniform collar. It features a "Boar's head erased" (a boar's head that looks like it's been torn off). This symbol was given permission to be used by the Chief of the Clan Campbell in 1931.

A Look at Their History

The 36th Peel Battalion and the 20th Halton Battalion of Infantry were formed in 1866. These early Canadian Militia Regiments eventually combined to create The Lorne Scots.

The regiment got its first Scottish link in 1879. The Halton Rifles were reviewed by the Marquis of Lorne. In 1881, they were allowed to change their name to the 20th Halton Battalion Lorne Rifles. They also started wearing tartan pants and a special Scottish hat called a Glengarry. A Pipe Band was also formed.

First World War (1914-1918)

During the First World War, many soldiers from the areas of Peel, Dufferin, and Halton joined up. Several new battalions were formed, like the 37th, 74th, 76th, 126th, 164th, and 234th Battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF).

These battalions often went to Great Britain to provide new soldiers for the Canadian Corps fighting in Europe. Many of these units were later broken up to send reinforcements to other Canadian units already in France. This helped keep the fighting units strong. For example, the 74th Battalion helped reinforce units like the 50th and 52nd Battalions. The 126th Battalion's march, 'John Peel', later became a regimental march for the Peel and Dufferin Regiment.

Even though these battalions didn't always fight as complete units, the men from Peel and Halton counties played a vital role. They contributed many officers and soldiers to various fighting units throughout the war.

Between the World Wars

After the First World War, the old county regiments were reorganized. The Peel Regiment was formed in 1920. In 1923, it became The Peel and Dufferin Regiment, including Dufferin county in its name. This regiment was allowed to use part of the crest of Sir Robert Peel, which included a lion and a shuttle.

In 1931, the Halton Rifles were reorganized as The Lorne Rifles (Scottish). They received permission to use the "Boar's Head" crest and the "Ordinary Campbell" tartan from the Duke of Argyll, a senior Scottish Duke.

In 1936, these two regiments, The Peel and Dufferin Regiment and The Lorne Rifles (Scottish), officially joined together. This created the modern Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment).

World War II (1939-1945)

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  Delivery of 500,000 free cigarettes from the Overseas Tobacco League to the 5th Canadian Armoured Division, Groningen, Netherlands. Captain J.F. Yeddeay of the Lorne Scots (left).

When World War II began in 1939, the Lorne Scots quickly got involved.

No. 1 Canadian Base Depot

The regiment helped form the No. 1 Infantry Base Depot. This unit was responsible for training soldiers, including cooks, and handling Canadian troops arriving and leaving Britain. They were stationed in Liverpool, England, which was heavily bombed during the war. Lorne Scots soldiers helped civilians and rescue workers during these dangerous air raids. One officer, Captain D.C. Heggie, even received the George Medal for his bravery during a bombing.

Defence and Employment Units

The Lorne Scots also formed the 1st Battalion for active service in 1941. This battalion provided soldiers for "Defence and Employment" roles for the Canadian Army. These units served in places like the Mediterranean, North-West Europe, and Canada.

Dieppe Raid

In 1942, some Lorne Scots soldiers took part in the Dieppe Raid in France. This was a difficult and dangerous operation. Soldiers like Corporal Larry Guator and Privates McDougall and Stephen Prus showed great bravery under fire. They helped protect their commanders and evacuate wounded soldiers.

Protecting Headquarters

A special unit, the Headquarters First Canadian Army, Defence Company (Lorne Scots), was created in 1942. Their job was to guard the headquarters of the First Canadian Army in England. They trained hard and provided guards of honor for important visitors.

Fighting in Italy

In 1943, Canadian troops, including some Lorne Scots, were sent to fight in Italy. They landed in Sicily and later took over defensive positions from other units. Soldiers from the Lorne Scots went on patrols to gather information about the enemy. They faced difficult conditions and constant danger.

Home Defence

In 1942, there were fears of invasion on Canada's Pacific coast. The Lorne Scots helped form the No. 6 Defence and Employment Platoon for the 6th Canadian Division. These soldiers trained for home defence in places like Brantford and Victoria, British Columbia. They helped protect Canada's coast until the threat lessened in 1944.

After World War II

Since World War II, the Lorne Scots have continued to be an active and important regiment. They have been well-represented at military events and are known for their excellent marksmanship. They often win shooting competitions at all levels.

In the 1960s, their allied regiment in England, the Lancashire Fusiliers, gave their special "primrose hackle" (a feather worn on the headdress) to the Lorne Scots to keep. Lorne Scots infantry soldiers proudly wear it today.

The regiment's Colonel-in-Chief, Field Marshal The Duke of Kent, has visited the regiment several times. In 1991, he presented them with new regimental and Queen's colors to celebrate their 125th birthday.

The Lorne Scots have also sent soldiers to many United Nations peacekeeping missions. These include missions in the Golan Heights, Namibia, Cambodia, Cyprus, and the Former Yugoslavia. They also helped with the clean-up after the 1998 Ice Storm in eastern Ontario and participated in Operation Nanook in the Canadian Arctic. In 2010, soldiers from the regiment helped with security for the G20 Toronto Leaders Summit.

More recently, the regiment has sent soldiers to help train local forces in Jordan and Ukraine. They also played a role in Operation Laser, the Canadian Armed Forces' response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020.

War in Afghanistan (2001-2014)

The Lorne Scots contributed many soldiers to the missions in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2014. More than 20% of their soldiers served there. Two members of the regiment were wounded during their service and received the Sacrifice Medal.

Regimental Friends (Alliances)

The Lorne Scots has special connections, called alliances, with other regiments:

•  United Kingdom – The Royal Ulster Rifles (in the past)
•  United Kingdom – Lancashire Fusiliers (until 1968)
•  United Kingdom – The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (current)

Battle Honours

Battle honours are special awards given to military units for their bravery and achievements in battles and campaigns. The ones in bold type are proudly displayed on the regiment's flag.

War of 1812

• DEFENCE OF CANADA, 1812–1815
• DETROIT
• QUEENSTON
• NIAGARA

First World War

• YPRES, 1915, '17
• FESTUBERT, 1915
• MOUNT SORREL
• SOMME, 1916
• ARRAS, 1917, '18
• HILL 70
• AMIENS
• HINDENBURG LINE
• PURSUIT TO MONS

Second World War

• SICILY, 1943
• ITALY, 1943–1945
• NORTH-WEST EUROPE, 1944–1945

War in Afghanistan

• AFGHANISTAN

Regimental Pipes and Drums

The Lorne Scots has its own military pipe band. It's called The Regimental Pipes and Drums of The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment). This band started in 1881 and is one of the oldest pipe bands in Canada.

The band plays music to support the regiment. They are based in the Col J.R. Barber Armoury in Georgetown, Ontario. The band is made up of serving soldiers and volunteer musicians.

The Pipes and Drums of the Lorne Scots was the first part-time (Primary Reserve) pipe band to play at the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland. They performed there in 1960 and again in 1970. The band has played for important people like Queen Elizabeth II and prime ministers. They have also toured in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Commanding Officers

The commanding officer is the main leader of the regiment. Here are some of the past commanding officers:

• LCol Godfrey Fitzgerald, ED, 1936–39
• LCol Louis Keene, ED, 1939
• Col Reginald Conover, VD, 1939–42
• LCol Leonard Bertram, MC, 1942–46
• LCol Newton Powell,1946
• LCol Charles Sharpe, 1946–47
• LCol Herbert Chisholm, ED, 1947–49
• LCol John R. Barber, ED, CD, 1949–54
• LCol Samuel Charters, CD, 1954–57
• LCol Arthur Kemp, CD, 1957–61
• LCol Edward Conover, CD, 1961–65
• LCol Robert Hardie, CD, 1965–68
• LCol Earl Lince, CD, 1968–71
• LCol Donald Egan, CD, 1971–74
• LCol Frank Ching, CD, 1974–78
• LCol Lowell Breckon, CD, 1978–79
• LCol Larry Smith, CD, 1979–81
• LCol Robin Hesler, CD, 1981–85
• LCol Jerry Derochie, CD, 1985–88
• LCol John Rodaway, CD, 1988–92
• LCol Richard Irvine, CD, 1992–97
• LCol Douglas Johnson, CD, AdeC, 1997–2000
• LCol William Adcock, OMM, CD, 2000–03
• LCol Ross Welch, CD, 2003–06
• LCol Timothy Orange, CD, 2006–09
• LCol Andre. M. Phelps, CD, 2009–2012
• LCol Duane E Hickson, CD, 2012–2016
• LCol Tom Ruggle, CD, 2016-2020
• LCol Robert L Fraser, CD, 2020–23
• LCol Adam MacInnis, CD, 2023-Present

Armouries (Regimental Buildings)

The Lorne Scots use several armouries, which are buildings where soldiers train and store equipment.

Lorne Scots Regimental Museum

The Lorne Scots Regimental Museum collects and displays items important to the regiment's history. It helps people remember the stories of the Canadian Forces and local communities. The museum is located in Brampton, Ontario.

You can see uniforms, weapons, musical instruments, maps, medals, and old photographs there. The museum is open on certain days for both military families and the public.

Other Information

• Canadian-Scottish regiment
• List of armouries in Canada
• The Canadian Crown and the Canadian Forces
• Military history of Canada
• History of the Canadian Army
• Canadian Forces