The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment

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The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment is a reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Armed Forces. The regiment is headquartered in Belleville, Ontario, with companies in Peterborough and Cobourg.

The regiment traces its roots back to the 1st Regiment of Prince Edward Militia, formed in 1800 and the 1st Regiment of Hastings Militia formed in 1804 by United Empire Loyalists who settled in Hastings County and Prince Edward County. Both these regiments served in the War of 1812 and the Rebellion of 1837-38. In the 1860s independent infantry companies were raised to respond to the Fenians. A number of these companies were gathered in Belleville, forming the 15th Argyllshire Light Infantry 1863. That same year, the 1st Prince Edward became the 16th Battalion of Volunteer Militia, and then the 16th Prince Edward Battalion of Infantry in 1867. In 1866, the 1st Hastings became the 49th Regiment (Hastings Rifles). In 1885 the 15th Argyll saw service during the Northwest Rebellion, earning the regiment's first battle honour.

The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment was formed in 1920 from the units mentioned above.

Although the regiment did not exist as a unit during the First World War, it perpetuates the battle honours of several battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment found itself in Europe during the Second World War. The regiment saw service in the Allied invasion of Sicily, the Italian Campaign, the Battle of France and the liberation of The Netherlands from the German Army.

1 Battle honours
2 Customs and Traditions
3 The Regiment Today
4 Notable soldiers
5 Alliances
6 Order of precedence

[edit] Battle honours

NORTH-WEST CANADA 1885
First World War: Mount Sorrel, SOMME 1916, ARRAS 1917, 1918, HILL 70, YPRES 1917, AMIENS, HINDENBURG LINE, PURSUIT TO MONS
Second World War: Landing in Sciliy, Grammichele, Valguarnera, ASSORO, Agira, Adrano, Regalbuto, SICILY 1943, Landing at Reggio, Motta Montecorvino, Campobasso, Torella, THE MORO, San Leonardo, The Gully, Ortona, CASSINO II, Gustav Line, Liri Valley, HITLER LINE, GOTHIC LINE, Lamone Crossing, Misano Ridge, RIMINI LINE, SAN FORTUNATO, Bulgaria Village, Naviglio Canal, Fosso Vecchio, ITALY 1943 - 1945, Apeldoorn, NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1945

[edit] Customs and Traditions

Fallen members of the Regiment are said to have transferred to the White Battalion.

The Regiment's mascot is a wooden Indian named Chief Petawawa-Much, who was taken on strength to replace Little Chief, a massive pewter Indian taken from the roof of a canning factory in Picton prior to the Regiment's departure for England in 1939. Little Chief was lost during the Battle of France while the Regiment evacuated. An unknown individual, in the interest of securing Chief Petawawa-Much's future, got him a Social Insurance Number.

In the Senior Ranks Mess in Belleville, the footprints of Commanding Officers can be found on the ceiling of the Games Room. After a Change of Command, a pyramid is formed with junior officers on the bottom to hoist the new CO up to the ceiling to make his mark.

The Regimental Colour was stolen from its case in the Belleville Armouries in 1960. The staff for it was laid up with the Queen's Colour at Saint Mary Magdelene Anglican Church in Picton on 4 October 1964. The CO at the time, Lieutenant Colonel Angus Duffy, refused to wear his cap badge after the theft up until his death, as the Colours were his personal responsibility. To date, the Regimental Colour has never been located.

[edit] The Regiment Today

Currently the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment is part of 33 Canadian Brigade Group, one of four Brigade Groups of Land Force Central Area. The Regimental Headquarters is located at 187 Pinnacle Street in Belleville, Ontario, and there are companies at Peterborough and Cobourg. The Current Commanding Officer is Lt. Col. R. C. McGill, CD. The Acting Regimental Sergeant Major is Master Warrant Officer C.G. Radway, CD. The Colonel-in-Chief is HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex; who visited the Regiment in June 2005.

[edit] Notable soldiers

Private Harold Joseph Pringle was the only soldier of the Canadian Army to be executed for a service offence during the Second World War.
Canadian Author Farley Mowat served as an officer with the regiment during the Second World War.

Renowned Golf Course Architect Geoffrey Cornish served as an officer during the second world war.