Perth Regiment facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Perth Regiment |
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| Active | 1866–1965 |
| Country |  Canada |
| Branch | Canadian Militia (1866-1940) Canadian Army (1940-1965) |
| Type | Line Infantry |
| Role | Infantry |
| Size | One battalion |
| Part of | Non-Permanent Active Militia (1866-1940) Royal Canadian Infantry Corps (1942-1965) |
| Garrison/HQ | Stratford, Ontario |
| Motto(s) | Latin: Audax et cautus ("Bold and wary") |
| Colours | Facing colour green |
| March | "Kenmure's On and Awa" |
| Engagements | Fenian Raids First World War Second World War |
| Battle honours | See #Battle Honours |
| Insignia | |
| Tartan | [1] |
| Blazer | [2] |
The Perth Regiment was a brave infantry regiment that served in the Canadian Army. It was made up of soldiers from the Perth County area in Ontario, Canada. This regiment played an important role in Canada's military history for nearly 100 years. Today, it is part of the Supplementary Order of Battle, which means its name is kept alive for historical reasons.
Contents
The Regiment's History
The Perth Regiment has a long and interesting history. It started as a local volunteer group and grew into a full military unit.
Early Days of the Regiment
The story of the Perth Regiment began in 1838. At that time, a group called the Third Regiment of Huron was formed. This was a "paper organization," meaning it existed on paper but didn't have real training or equipment.
Later, in 1856, the Stratford Volunteer Rifle Company was created. This group was different because its members volunteered their time. They even paid for their own equipment! The government officially recognized them in 1858.
In 1866, a temporary group of soldiers was put together. This happened because of the Fenian raids, which were attacks by Irish-American groups on Canadian borders. Companies from Stratford, Chatham, Ingersoll, St. Thomas, and Guelph joined forces.
On September 14, 1866, the Perth Regiment officially began. Robert Service of Stratford became its first commander. The Stratford Volunteer Rifle Company became the first company of this new regiment. Other companies were located in Listowel and St. Marys. The main idea was that soldiers would volunteer and train while still living their normal lives.
Fighting in the First World War
When the First World War started in 1914, soldiers from the Perth Regiment helped protect local areas.
The main Canadian fighting force was called the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). New battalions were created for this force. The 110th Battalion (Perth), CEF was formed on December 22, 1915. The Perth Regiment helped recruit soldiers for this battalion from Perth County.
The 110th Battalion sailed to Great Britain in October 1916. There were 679 soldiers in this group. In January 1917, these soldiers joined the 8th Battalion, CEF. This was done to send more soldiers to fight in Europe. The 110th Battalion was officially closed down in July 1917.
Serving in the Second World War
The 1st Battalion, The Perth Regiment, was called into action on September 1, 1939. This was for service in World War II. The battalion traveled to Great Britain in October 1941.
They landed in Italy on November 8, 1943. They were part of the 11th Infantry Brigade, which was part of the 5th Canadian Division. The 1st Battalion then moved to North-West Europe in March 1945. They fought there until the war ended.
After the war, the battalion returned home. It was officially disbanded on January 31, 1946.
A second group, the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, was also formed in 1940. It was based in Stratford. This group trained new soldiers for the 1st Battalion.
After the Wars
In 1954, the Perth Regiment joined with another group called The Highland Light Infantry of Canada. They became "The Perth and Waterloo Regiment (Highland Light Infantry of Canada)." However, this combination didn't work out well. In 1957, the two groups went back to being separate regiments.
In 1964, a special commission looked at how the Canadian Army was organized. They suggested that the Perth Regiment should be moved to the Supplementary Order of Battle. This means the regiment's name would be remembered, but it would no longer have active soldiers. The soldiers from the Perth Regiment joined another unit called 3 RCR.
On February 28, 1965, the Perth Regiment was officially placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle. At that time, it had a company of soldiers in Stratford and a support group in St. Marys.
Allies and Uniforms
The Perth Regiment had special connections with other military units around the world. These connections are called "alliances." The Perth Regiment was allied with:
- The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) in Scotland.
- The Otago and Southland Regiment in New Zealand.
- The 26th Battalion (Australia) in Australia.
- The Witwatersrand Rifles in South Africa.
The soldiers of the Perth Regiment wore a special uniform. They wore a Douglas kilt, which is a type of skirt. They also wore a green glengarry hat with a green and white checkered band. Other parts of their uniform included a grey sporran (a small bag worn with a kilt), Douglas socks, and green garter flashes.
Battle Honours
Battle honours are special awards given to military units for their bravery and success in battles. The Perth Regiment earned many battle honours. The ones written in bold are proudly displayed on the regiment's flag.
- Ypres, 1915
- Festubert, 1915
- Liri Valley (May 25 – June 1, 1944)
- Melfa Crossing (May 25, 1944)
- Ceprano (May 27, 1944)
- Gothic Line (August 29 – September 1, 1944)
- Montecchio (August 30, 1944)
- Point 204 (September 1, 1944)
- Coriano (September 13, 1944)
- Lamone Crossing (December 10–11, 1944)
- Fosso Munio (December 18–20, 1944)
- Conventello–Comacchio (January 2–6, 1945)
- Italy, 1944–1945
- IJsselmeer (April 15–18, 1945)
- Delfzijl Pocket (April 23 – May 2, 1945)
- North-West Europe, 1945
Regimental Colours
"Colours" are special flags that represent a regiment. They are very important and are treated with great respect.
The Perth Regiment received its first set of colours on June 15, 1927. These were given by the 28th Regiment Chapter of the IODE. The ceremony took place at Queen's Park in Stratford, Ontario.
A second set of colours was presented on June 30, 1962. The Honourable John Keiller MacKay, who was the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, presented them. This ceremony also happened at Queen's Park in Stratford.
Both sets of these historic colours are now kept safely at St. James' Anglican Church in Stratford, Ontario.
Images for kids
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Private H.E. Goddard of The Perth Regiment, carrying a Bren gun while advancing through a forest north of Arnhem, Netherlands, April 1945
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Private K.O. Earl of The Perth Regiment resting in the forest north of Arnhem, Netherlands, April 15, 1945
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Audax et Cautus
See also
