The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)
Cap badge of The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)
Active	1912–present
Country	Canada
Branch	Canadian Army
Type	Light Infantry
Role	To close with and destroy the enemy
Size	One battalion
Part of	39 Canadian Brigade Group
Garrison/HQ	Victoria Nanaimo Courtenay
Patron	Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood
Motto(s)	Scottish Gaelic: Deas gu cath ("Ready for the fray" or "ready to sting" – see §Regiment's Motto)
Colours	Red, blue, and green
March	Blue Bonnets Are over the Border
Mascot(s)	None currently; traditionally a Saint Bernard dog named "Wallace". Wallace I joined the regiment in 1939. The latest mascot, Wallace VI, died in 2011.
Equipment	Small arms including the C7 rifle, C9 light machine-gun, C6 machine gun, and M203 grenade launcher, C13 fragmentation grenade, browning Hi power, 84mm Carl gustov.
Commanders
Colonel-in-chief	HRH Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy
Insignia
Tartan	Hunting Stewart
Abbreviation	C Scot R

The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) is an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. It is based on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.

The regiment has locations in Victoria, Nanaimo, and Courtenay. It is part of the 3rd Canadian Division's 39 Canadian Brigade Group. This group oversees all army reserve units in British Columbia. The Canadian Scottish is one of four infantry regiments in British Columbia. It is also the largest reserve unit in Western Canada.

As a light infantry regiment, its soldiers train for many types of missions. These include raids, scouting patrols, ambushes, and operations using boats or aircraft. The unit also prepares for different kinds of modern conflicts. This includes fighting, peacekeeping, and helping people in need.

What the Regiment Does

The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) actively sends its soldiers on Canadian missions worldwide.

By 2012, all members who served in Afghanistan had returned home. They were part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Currie in Highlands dress of the 50th Regiment

Regiment members have also helped with peacekeeping missions. They have served in places like Egypt, the Golan Heights, Cyprus, Croatia, Bosnia, and Sierra Leone.

A Look at the Regiment's History

The regiment started on September 3, 1912. It was first known as the 88th Regiment, Victoria Fusiliers.

In 1914, the 16th (Canadian Scottish) Battalion, CEF was formed. Soldiers came from four different regiments. These included the 50th Regiment in Victoria and the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders in Vancouver. The new battalion was simply called "Canadian Scottish." This was to avoid favoring any single older regiment.

The 16th Battalion fought in the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Canadian Division. From the beginning, this battalion was known for its high standards. It had excellent leaders. One famous leader was Lieutenant General Sir Arthur Currie. He later commanded the entire Canadian Corps during the First World War. Currie was a brilliant planner. His skills helped Canadians win battles like Vimy Ridge and Amiens. He also led them through the final "Hundred Days" campaign that ended the war.

Four soldiers from the 16th Battalion earned the Victoria Cross. This is the highest award for bravery.

• Private William Milne bravely attacked two enemy machine gun nests by himself. This happened at Vimy Ridge on April 9, 1917. He died that same day.
• Lance Corporal William Henry Metcalf and Lieutenant Colonel Cyrus Peck both earned their VCs on September 2, 1918. This was during the Canadian Corps' capture of the Drocourt-Quéant Line.
• Piper James Cleland Richardson was only 18 when he joined. He was killed on October 8, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme. He had just played his bagpipes to lead his company through No Man's Land. He went back to get his bagpipes after helping a wounded friend. He then disappeared in shellfire. His pipes were found years later in Scotland. They were returned to the regiment in the 2000s. The pipes are now on display in the Provincial Legislature in Victoria.

After the First World War, the battalion was disbanded. In 1920, a new regiment was formed. It combined the 50th Regiment and the 88th Regiment Victoria Fusiliers. It was named "The Canadian Scottish Regiment." In 1948, the name "(Princess Mary's)" was added. This was allowed by King George VI. Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood had agreed to be the regiment's colonel-in-chief in 1930.

In 1939, the Canadian Scottish was unusual because it had two battalions. The 1st Battalion went overseas in 1940. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, C Company was among the first to land in Normandy on Juno Beach. The rest of the battalion followed. That day, the battalion advanced six miles inland. This was farther than any other British Second Army assault brigade. The regiment later earned 17 battle honours. One was for freeing the Dutch village of Wagenborgen. This honour was not given until the 1990s.

Regiment's Motto

The regiment's Gaelic motto is Deas gu cath. It has two English meanings. Many regimental histories translate it as "Ready for the Fray." However, official Canadian government sources translate it as "Ready to sting."

Battles and Achievements

The regiment has earned many battle honours. These are special awards for taking part in important battles and campaigns. Honours in capital letters are for large operations. Those in lowercase are for specific battles. Honours in bold are shown on the regiment's flag.

First World War Honours

• Ypres, 1915, '17
• Gravenstafel
• St. Julien
• Festubert, 1915
• Mount Sorrel
• Somme, 1916
• Pozières
• Flers–Courcelette
• Thiepval
• Ancre Heights
• Ancre, 1916
• Arras, 1917, '18
• Vimy, 1917
• Arleux
• Scarpe, 1917, '18
• Hill 70
• Passchendaele
• Amiens
• Drocourt–Quéant
• Hindenburg Line
• Canal du Nord
• Pursuit to Mons
• France and Flanders, 1915–18
• The regiment also received a special oak leaf shoulder badge. This was for the brave actions of the 16th "Overseas" Battalion, CEF at Kitcheners' Wood in April 1915.

Second World War Honours

• Normandy Landing
• Putot-en-Bessin
• Caen
• The Orne
• Falaise
• The Laison
• Calais, 1944
• The Scheldt
• Leopold Canal
• Breskens Pocket
• The Rhineland
• Waal Flats
• Moyland Wood
• The Rhine
• Emmerich–Hoch Elten
• Deventer
• Wagenborgen
• North-West Europe, 1944–1945

Modern Day Honours

• Afghanistan

Regimental Museum

The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) Regimental Museum is a special place. It collects and keeps important historical items related to the regiment. These items help historians learn about the past. They also help train new soldiers about the regiment's history.

The museum has displays of weapons, uniforms, medals, and other artifacts. It has a collection of small arms (guns) and regimental items. The museum is open to visitors at certain times of the year.

Freedom of the City

The regiment has been given the "Freedom of the City" honour multiple times. This means they can march through the city with drums beating and flags flying. They exercised this right in Victoria, British Columbia in 1964 and 2012. A plaque in Victoria remembers this honour. They also exercised it in Nanaimo in 1974, 1990, and 2012.

Cadet Corps

Four Royal Canadian Army Cadets corps on Vancouver Island are connected to The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's).

These Cadet Corps can wear parts of the regiment's traditional uniform. They also get some support from the regiment.

Alliances

The Canadian Scottish Regiment has a special alliance with a British Army regiment.

•  United Kingdom - The Royal Scots Borderers This alliance started in 1927. The Canadian Scottish Regiment officially joined with The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment). This is the oldest infantry regiment in the British Army.

Media About the Regiment

• Ready for the Fray (DEAS GU CATH): The History of the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) 1920 to 1955 by Roy, Reginald H.; Grubb, David McClintock (1958)
• Brave Battalion: The Remarkable Saga of the 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish) in the First World War by Mark Zuehlke (Nov 5 2013)

Images for kids

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  William Henry Metcalf, VC

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  William Johnstone Milne, VC

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  Cyrus Wesley Peck, VC

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  Piper James Cleland Richardson, VC, c. 1914–15. (Photo from Library and Archives Canada.)

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  The camp flag of The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's).

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  A Company Sergeant Major of the Canadian Scottish, in full marching order during World War I

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  The distinguishing patch of the 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish), CEF.

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  Photograph by Private Floyd Watkins, Canadian Scottish Regiment. cc-zero. World War II forces of Canada 1940

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  Photograph by Private Floyd Watkins, Canadian Scottish Regiment, Nijmegen, Fall 1945

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  Photograph by Private Floyd Watkins, Canadian Scottish Regiment 1945 the Netherlands

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  Photograph by Private Floyd Watkins, Canadian Scottish Regiment, Nijmegen, Fall 1945

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  Photograph taken by Private Floyd Watkins, Canadian Scottish Regiment; leaving Europe c. 1945 on board RMS Queen Elizabeth

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  The regimental colour of The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's).

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  Bay Street Armoury, Victoria, British Columbia.