Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's Own) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's Own) |
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| Active | 1920–present |
| Country | Canada |
| Branch | Canadian Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Direct Fire Support |
| Size | One battalion |
| Part of | 32 Canadian Brigade Group |
| Headquarters | Captain B.S. Hutcheson VC Armoury, Toronto |
| Nickname(s) | Tor Scots |
| Motto(s) | "Carry on!" |
| March | Quick: "Blue Bonnets over the Border" |
| Anniversaries | Regimental birthday (as The Toronto Scottish Regiment) 1 September 1921 |
| Engagements |
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| Battle honours | See Battle honours |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel-in-chief | Charles III |
| Commanding officer | Lieutenant Colonel Ann Lockhart |
| Regimental sergeant major | Chief Warrant Officer Officer Glenn Fraser |
The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's Own) is a special group of soldiers in the Canadian Army. They are a Primary Reserve infantry regiment based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This means they are part-time soldiers who train regularly. They can be called upon to help the full-time army when needed.
The regiment's main job is to provide "direct fire support." This means they use powerful weapons to help other soldiers in battle. They are trained to use heavy machine guns, automatic grenade launchers, and anti-tank missiles. These weapons help protect other units during important missions.
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What is the Toronto Scottish Regiment?
The Toronto Scottish Regiment is often called the "Tor Scots" for short. They are an infantry regiment, which means their soldiers are trained to fight on foot. As a Primary Reserve unit, they support the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment. They often join them for training exercises and operations.
In March 2025, Lieutenant-Colonel Ann Lockhart became the commanding officer. She is the first woman to lead the regiment.
A Look Back: The Regiment's History
Starting in World War I
The regiment's story began on July 1, 1915, during the First World War. It was first known as the 75th (Mississauga) Battalion. Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Beckett started the battalion. In just three weeks, over 1,500 people joined!
The battalion trained hard and sailed to England in March 1916. More than 5,500 soldiers served in this battalion during the war. Sadly, 1,049 of them lost their lives. Captain Bellenden Hutcheson, a medical officer, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery. This is the highest military honour.
In 1921, the regiment was officially renamed The Toronto Scottish Regiment.
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The special patch worn by the 75th Battalion during the First World War.
World War II Service
During the Second World War, the regiment became a machine gun battalion. They provided important support to other Canadian units. In 1942, they helped at the Dieppe Raid in France. Later, from 1944 to 1945, they fought in Northwest Europe.
A special moment happened in April 1940. The 1st Battalion of the Toronto Scottish Regiment guarded the King at Buckingham Palace in London. This was a great honour! The 2nd Battalion stayed in Canada, serving in the reserve army.
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Soldiers of The Toronto Scottish Regiment guarding Buckingham Palace in London, 1940.
From Post-War to Today
In 2000, the regiment added a special part to its name. They became "The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's Own)." This was to honour Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. She had been their special leader, called the Colonel-in-Chief, since 1938. The regiment even helped escort her funeral in 2002. Their official uniform pattern, called a tartan, is Hodden Grey.
In 2009, the regiment moved its headquarters to the Captain Bellenden Seymour Hutcheson VC Armoury. This building is shared with the Toronto Police Service. It's also a "green building," designed to be good for the environment. Another part of the regiment, the 75th Company, moved to a new facility in Mississauga in 2012.
The regiment's soldiers have also served in more recent conflicts. Many members volunteered for missions in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2014. In 2015, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, presented the regiment with the Afghanistan battle honour. This recognized their brave service.
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The Toronto Scottish Regiment marching past during a special ceremony.
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The Toronto Scottish Regiment marching off after a ceremony.
Special Connections
Battle Honours
Battle honours are special awards given to military units for their bravery in important battles. The Toronto Scottish Regiment has many battle honours from the First and Second World Wars, and from Afghanistan. The honours shown in bold are displayed on the regiment's flag, called the regimental colour.
- First World War: They fought in famous battles like Somme, 1916, Vimy, 1917, and Passchendaele.
- Second World War: Key battles include Dieppe, Falaise, and The Scheldt.
- South-West Asia: They earned the honour for Afghanistan.
Alliances with Other Regiments
The Toronto Scottish Regiment has special friendships, called alliances, with other regiments. These are:
United Kingdom - The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) in the United Kingdom.- United Kingdom - The London Scottish in the United Kingdom.
Toronto Scottish Regiment Museum
The regiment has its own museum! It was first opened in 1984 by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. In 2009, the museum moved to the Captain Bellenden Seymore Hutcheson VC Armoury. It officially reopened in 2010.
The museum displays many interesting items. You can see old uniforms, weapons, and other military artifacts. It's a great place to learn about the regiment's history. The museum is open by appointment or during special regimental events.
Images for kids
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The regimental flag, called the colour, of The Toronto Scottish Regiment. It shows their battle honours.
