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Essex Scottish Regiment facts for kids

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The Essex Scottish Regiment
Active 1885–1954
Country Canada
Branch Canadian Militia (1885-1940)
Canadian Army (1940-1954)
Type Line infantry
Role Infantry
Size One battalion
Part of Non-Permanent Active Militia (1885-1940)
Royal Canadian Infantry Corps (1942-1954)
Garrison/HQ Windsor, Ontario
Motto(s) Semper paratus 'always ready'
Colors Facing colour blue
March Quick: "Highland Laddie"
Engagements First World War
Second World War
Insignia
Tartan MacGregor

The Essex Scottish was an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army until 1954.

History

Founded in 1885 as the 21st Essex Battalion of Infantry, it went through several name changes including: 1887 - 21st Battalion, Essex Fusiliers; 1900 - 21st Regiment, Essex Fusiliers; 1920 - The Essex Fusiliers, acquiring its present title in 1927.

During World War II the regiment was among the first Canadian units to see combat in the European theatre during the invasion of Dieppe. By the end of The Dieppe Raid, the Essex Scottish Regiment had suffered 121 fatal casualties, with many others wounded and captured. The Essex Scottish later participated in Operation Atlantic and was slaughtered attempting to take Verrières Ridge on July 21. By the war's end, the Essex Scottish Regiment had suffered over 550 war dead; its 2,500 casualties were the most of any unit in the Canadian army during the Second World War.

In 1954, as a result of the Kennedy Report on the Reserve Army, this regiment was amalgamated with The Kent Regiment to form The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment.

The Essex Scottish before amalgamation held its final order of precedence as 40.

Alliances and uniform

MacGregor Red and Green tartan
Clan Gregor tartan

The Essex Scottish were allied to The Essex Regiment and were kitted with a balmoral with red and white diced border, scarlet doublet, white sporran with two black points, red and black hose, spats with black buttons, blue shoulder straps with white cross stripes and piping with full dress only for pipers and drummers, who also wore a feather bonnet with white hackle. They wore the red and green tartan of Clan Gregor.

Perpetuations

The regiment perpetuated the following units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force:

Great War

  • 18th Battalion (Western Ontario), CEF
  • 99th Battalion (Essex), CEF
  • 241st (Canadian Scottish Borderers) Battalion, CEF

Battle honours

First World War

Second World War

Victoria Cross and George Cross recipients

  • Major Frederick Albert Tilston VC, Gazetted on 22 May 1945.


See also

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