| The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment | |
|---|---|
The cap badge of the Essex and Kent Scottish |
|
| Active | 12 June 1885 - |
| Country | Canada |
| Branch | Militia |
| Type | Line Infantry |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Size | One battalion |
| Part of | Royal Canadian Infantry Corps |
| Garrison/HQ | Windsor, Ontario |
| Nickname | Eeks and Squeaks |
| Motto | Semper Paratus (Always Ready) |
| March | Highland Laddie, A Hundred Pipers |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
LCol Brause |
| Colonel in Chief | HRH Prince Michael of Kent |
| Insignia | |
| Tartan | Based upon the MacGregor |
The Essex and Kent Scottish is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces.
The regiment was formed in 1954 by the amalgamation of The Essex Scottish Regiment and The Kent Regiment.
Its Colonel-in-Chief is HRH Prince Michael of Kent. The Commanding Officer is LCol Morris W. Brause, and the Deputy Commanding Officer is Maj John Hodgins. The Regimental Sergeant Major is CWO Cyril Cheng.
There are two standing platoons within the regiment: One Platoon based in Windsor, Ontario; and Two Platoon, based in Chatham-Kent, Ontario.
Contents |
On June 12, 1885, The Essex Scottish Regiment was created as a part of the Canadian militia, then named The 21st Essex Battalion of Infantry. It would be composed of five infantry companies, which were formed between the years 1860 and 1885 in Essex County. Over the long history of the Regiment, it was renamed a total of four times. It was first redesignated as the 21st Battalion Essex Fusiliers on February 4, 1887.
Then as the 21st Regiment Essex Fusiliers on May 8, 1900. From there it was redesignated to simply The Essex Fusiliers on April 1, 1920. And finally, to The Essex Scottish Regiment on July 15, 1927.
This regiment was formed on January 1, 1901. It was given the title of the 24th Kent Regiment, with the headquarters stationed in Chatham, Ontario, Canada. As with many regiments in the Canadian Forces, the 24th Kent Regiment was renamed, and more than once. In December 1936, the regiment was redesignated as The Kent Regiment (MG) when it amalgamated with B Company, 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC. Eventually it was named The Kent Regiment on April 1, 1941.
During the Great War details of the 21st Regiment Essex Fusiliers and 24th Kent Regiment were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protection duties. The 18th Battalion, CEF, was authorized on 7 November 1914 and embarked for Great Britain on 18 April 1915 and arrived in France on 15 September 1915. The battalion fought as part of the 4th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war and was disbanded on 15 September 1920. The 99th Battalion was authorized on 22 December 1915 and embarked for Great Britain on 31 May 1916 where its personnel were absorbed by the '35th Reserve Battalion, CEF' to provide reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field on 6 July 1916. The battalion was disbanded on 1 September 1917. The 186th Battalion was authorized on 15 July 1916 and embarked for Great Britain on 28 March 1917 where on 7 April 1917, its personnel were absorbed by the 4th Reserve Battalion, CEF, to provide reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field, with the battalion sisbanding on 15 September 1917. The 241st Battalion was authorized on 15 July 1916 and embarked for Great Britain on 29 April 1917 where on 7 May 1917 its personnel were absorbed by the 5th Reserve Battalion, CEF, to provide reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field. The battalion disbanded on 1 September 1917.
During the Second World War, The Essex Scottish mobilized the The Essex Scottish Regiment, CASF, for active service on 1 September 1939. It embarked for Great Britain on 16 July 1940 and was redesignated the 1st Battalion, The Essex Scottish Regiment, CASF, on 7 November 1940. The battalion took part in the raid on Dieppe on 19 August 1942 and returned to France on 5 July 1944, as part of the 4th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. The battalion fought in North-West Europe until the end of the war and was disbanded on 15 December 1945. The Kent Regiment (Machine Gun) mobilized The Kent Regiment, CASF, for active service on 24 May 1940 and was redesignated the 1st Battalion, The Kent Regiment, CASF, on 7 November 1940.40 It served in Canada as part of the 14th Infantry Brigade, 8th Canadian Infantry Division, part of Pacific Command. The battalion was disbanded on 30 March 1946.[1]
The Essex and Kent Scottish perpetuate the 18th Battalion (Western Ontario), CEF, 99th (Essex) Battalion, CEF, 186th (Kent) Battalion, CEF, and 241st Battalion (Canadian Scottish Borderers), CEF.
On October 1, 1954, almost one-hundred years after Chatham-Kent, Ontario and Windsor, Ontario decided to first have an operational militia, The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment was formed. It occurred when The Kent Regiment and The Essex Scottish Regiment decided to unite as a single regiment. On March 7, 1962, the regiment's two battalions were officially formed. The 1st Battalion's Headquarters was in Windsor, while 2nd Battalion was stationed in Chatham.
In the year 1964, The Canadian Forces Headquarters decided to make certain reductions and amalgamations within the Canadian Military structure. Many units in the Province of Ontario were affected by this decision, including The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment. So, following new orders and protocol, the two battalions of the regiment amalgamated on March 31, 1965. This is the current structure of the regiment.
(Those battle honours in capital letters are emblazoned on the regimental colour).
YPRES, 1915, '17; FESTUBERT, 1915; MOUNT SORREL; SOMME, 1916, '18; Flers-Courcelette; Thiepval; Ancre Heights; ARRAS, 1917, '18; Vimy, 1917; HILL 70; Passchendaele; AMIENS; Scarpe, 1918; HINDENBURG LINE; Canal du Nord; Cambrai, 1918; PURSUIT TO MONS; FRANCE AND FLANDERS, 1915-18.
===The Second World date Dieppe; BOURGUÉBUS RIDGE; St. André-sur-Orne; FALAISE; Falaise Road; Clair Tizon; Forêt de la Londe; THE SCHELDT; Woensdrecht; South Beveland; THE RHINELAND; Goch-Calcar Road; The Hochwald; Xanten; Twente Canal; Groningen; Oldenburg; NORTH-WEST EUROPE, 1942, 1944-1945.
There are four Cadet Corps affiliated to the regiment
| Preceded by The Royal Winnipeg Rifles |
The Essex and Kent Scottish | Succeeded by 48th Highlanders of Canada |
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