The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)

Perpetuations

• 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish), CEF
• 48th Battalion (British Columbia), CEF, later the 3rd Pioneer Battalion, CEF
• 67th Battalion (Western Scots), CEF
• 88th Battalion (Victoria Fusiliers), CEF
• 103rd Battalion, CEF
• 143rd Battalion (British Columbia Bantams), CEF

Motto

There are two English translations of the regiment's Gaelic motto Deas gu cath. Regimental histories^[3] and sources close to the regiment itself translate it as "Ready for the Fray"^[4][5] However, the Canadian Forces' Directorate of History and Heritage^[2] and the federal government's terminology database translate it as "Ready to sting".^[6]

Operational History

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

The Great War

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

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

The 50th Regiment Gordon Highlanders and the 88th Regiment Victoria Fusiliers were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protection duties.^[2]

The 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish), CEF, was authorized on 1 September 1914 and embarked for Britain on 28 September 1914. It disembarked in France on 15 February 1915, where it fought as part of the 3rd Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The battalion was disbanded on 30 August 1920.^[2]

The 48th Battalion (British Columbia), CEF, was authorized on 7 November 1914 and embarked for Britain on 1 July 1915, where it was converted to a pioneer battalion and redesignated as the 3rd Canadian Pioneer Battalion, CEF, on 6 January 1916. It disembarked in France on 9 March 1916, where it served as part of the 3rd Canadian Division in France and Flanders until 17 April 1917, when its personnel were absorbed by the Canadian Corps in the field. The battalion was disbanded on 30 August 1920.^[2]

The 67th Battalion (Western Scots), CEF, was authorized on 20 April 1915 and embarked for Britain on 1 April 1916 where it was converted to a pioneer battalion and redesignated as the 67th Canadian (Pioneer) Battalion, CEF, on 15 May 1916. It disembarked in France on 14 August 1916, where it served as part of the 4th Canadian Division in France and Flanders until 28 April 1917, when its personnel were absorbed by the Canadian Corps in the field. The battalion was disbanded on 30 August 1920.^[2]

The 88th Battalion (Victoria Fusiliers), CEF, was authorized on 22 December 1915 and embarked for Britain on 31 May 1916. It provided reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field until 18 July 1916, when its personnel were absorbed by the 30th Reserve Battalion, CEF.^[2]

The 103rd Battalion, CEF, was authorized on 22 December 1915 and embarked for Britain on 23 July 1916, where it provided reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field until 7 January 1917, when its personnel were absorbed by the 16th Reserve Battalion, CEF. The 88th and 103rd Battalions were disbanded on 1 September 1917.^[2]

The 143rd Battalion (British Columbia Bantams), CEF, was authorized on 22 December 1915 and embarked for Britain on 17 February 1917, where its personnel were absorbed by the 24th Reserve Battalion, CEF, and the Canadian Railway Troops Training Depot on 15 March 1917 to provide reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field. The battalion was disbanded on 4 April 1918.^[2]

The Second World War

Details from the 1st Battalion were called out on service on 26 August 1939 and then placed on active service on 1 September 1939, under the designation 1st Battalion, The Canadian Scottish Regiment, CASF (Details), for local protection duties. Details from the 2nd Battalion were placed on active service on 1 September 1939, under the designation 2nd Battalion, The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Machine Gun), CASF (Details), for local protection duties. Details from the 62nd Field Battery, RCA were placed on active service on 1 September 1939, under the designation 62nd Field Battery (H), RCA, CASF (Details), for local protection duties. These details were disbanded on 31 December 1940.^[2]

The regiment mobilized the 1st Battalion, The Canadian Scottish Regiment, CASF, on 24 May 1940. It embarked for Britain on 25 August 1941. On D-Day, 6 June 1944, it landed in Normandy, France, as part of the 7th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, and it continued to fight in North-West Europe until the end of the war. The overseas battalion was disbanded on 15 January 1946.^[2]

The regiment subsequently mobilized the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion as the 2nd Battalion, The Canadian Scottish Regiment, CASF, on 1 January 1941. It served in Canada in a home defence role as part of the 13th Infantry Brigade, 6th Canadian Infantry Division. The battalion was disbanded on 15 October 1943.^[2]

On 1 June 1945, a third Active Force component of the regiment, designated the 4th Battalion, The Canadian Scottish Regiment, CIC, Canadian Army Occupation Force, was mobilized for service in post-war Germany. The battalion was disbanded on 29 April 1946.^[2]

The 62nd Field Battery, in conjunction with the 44th Field Battery, RCA, mobilized the 44th/62nd Field Battery, RCA, CASF, for active service on 24 May 1940. This unit was reorganized as two separate batteries on 1 January 1941, designated the 44th Field Battery, RCA, CASF, and the 62nd Field Battery, RCA, CASF. It was redesignated the 62nd Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA, CASF, the same day. The battery provided light anti-aircraft artillery support as part of the 11th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA, CASF, 1st Canadian Anti-Aircraft Brigade in Great Britain. The overseas battery was disbanded on 1 March 1944.^[2]

Post-War:Korea and NATO

On 4 May 1951, the regiment mobilized two temporary Active Force companies designated "E" and "F" Company. "E" Company was reduced to nil strength when its personnel were incorporated into the 1st Canadian Highland Battalion (later the 1st Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada) for service in Germany with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It disbanded on 29 July 1953. "F" Company was initially used as a reinforcement pool for "E" Company. On 15 May 1952, it was reduced to nil strength when its personnel were absorbed by the newly formed 2nd Canadian Highland Battalion (later the 2nd Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada) for service in Korea with the United Nations. "F" Company disbanded on 29 July 1953.[7]

Afghanistan

The regiment contributed an aggregate of more than 20% of its authorized strength to the various Task Forces which served in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2014.^[7]

Battle honours

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

In the list below, battle honours in capitals were awarded for participation in large operations and campaigns, while those in lowercase indicate honours granted for more specific battles. Those battle honours in bold are emblazoned on the regimental colour. The retired regimental colours of the 16th Battalion CEF, 1st Battalion The Canadian Scottish Regiment and The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) are "laid up" in Christ Church Cathedral (the regiment's kirk) Victoria, British Columbia. The retired regimental colours of the 2nd Battalion The Canadian Scottish Regiment are laid up in St. Paul's Anglican Church, Nanaimo, British Columbia.

First World War

• 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

Honorary distinction: oak leaf shoulder badge for the actions of the 16th "Overseas" Battalion, CEF, at Kitcheners' Wood on 22/23 April 1915

Second World War

• 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^[2]

South-West Asia

Afghanistan^[8]

History

Following the Great War, on 12 March 1920, the 50th and 88th Regiments were amalgamated and redesignated The Canadian Scottish Regiment, organized as a five battalion regiment with the 1st Battalion (16th Battalion, CEF) on the Non-Permanent Active Militia order of battle and the 2nd Battalion (48th Battalion, CEF), 3rd Battalion (67th Battalion, CEF), 4th Battalion (88th Battalion, CEF), and 5th Battalion (143rd Battalion, CEF) on the Reserve order of battle. On 1 August 1930, The Canadian Scottish Regiment was reorganized as a six battalion regiment with the 1st Battalion (16th Battalion, CEF) and 2nd Battalion (88th Battalion, CEF) (see below) on the Non Permanent Active Militia order of battle and the 3rd Battalion (67th Battalion, CEF), 4th Battalion (48th Battalion, CEF), 5th Battalion (143rd Battalion, CEF), and 6th Battalion (103rd Battalion, CEF) on the Reserve order of battle. The reserve units were disbanded on 14 December 1936.^[2]

On 1 April 1946, The Canadian Scottish Regiment was reorganized as a one battalion regiment and on 29 April 1948, the Regiment was redesignated The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's).^[2]

On 4 May 1951, the regiment mobilized two temporary Active Force companies designated "E" and "F" Company. "E" Company was reduced to nil strength upon its personnel being incorporated into the 1st Canadian Highland Battalion (which later became the 1st Battalion The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada) for service in Germany with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. "F" Company was initially used as a reinforcement pool for "E" Company. On 15 May 1952, it was reduced to nil strength, upon its personnel being absorbed by the newly formed 2nd Canadian Highland Battalion (which later became the 2nd Battalion The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada) for service in Korea with the United Nations.^[2]

On 31 December 1954, the regiment was amalgamated with the 66th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA, and the 62nd Anti-Tank Battery (Self-Propelled), RCA, retaining its designation.^[2]

The 66th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA originated in Nanaimo, British Columbia on 1 August 1930, when the 2nd Battalion, The Canadian Scottish Regiment was authorized to be formed. On 15 December 1936, it was amalgamated with A Company, 11th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC, and redesignated the 2nd Battalion (Machine Gun), The Canadian Scottish Regiment. On 1 April 1946, it was converted to artillery and redesignated the 66th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (Canadian Scottish Regiment), RCA. On 31 December 1954, it was amalgamated with The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) and the 62nd Anti-Tank Battery, RCA.^[2]

The 62nd Anti-Tank Battery (Self-Propelled), RCA originated in Duncan, British Columbia on 2 February 1920, when the 62nd Field Battery (Howitzer), CFA, was formed. It was redesignated the 62nd Field Battery, CA, on 1 July 1925, the 62nd Field Battery (Howitzer), RCA, on 3 June 1935, the 62nd (Reserve) Field Battery (Howitzer), RCA, on 7 November 1940 and the 62nd Anti-Tank Battery (Self-Propelled), RCA, on 1 April 1946. On 31 December 1954, it was amalgamated with The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) and the 66th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (Canadian Scottish Regiment), RCA.^[2]

• 

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

• 

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

• 

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

• 

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

• 

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

Armoury

Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) Regimental Museum

The Museum presents, researches and preserves items of historic significance to the Regiment and to the Infantry Branch. The artifacts assist military historians and serve as a training aid to teach regimental history.^[11] (48°26′07″N 123°21′50″W / 48.4352°N 123.3639°W / 48.4352; -123.3639 (Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) Regimental Museum)), with displays of weapons, uniforms, medals and other items. The museum features a collection of small arms and regimental artifacts. The Museum is open in June, July and August on Tuesdays to Fridays from 10am to 4pm. From September to May the Museum is open on Tuesdays from 10am to 2pm.

The museum is affiliated with: CMA, CHIN, OMMC and Virtual Museum of Canada.

Freedom of the City

The Freedom of the City was exercised by the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) in Victoria, British Columbia on June 6, 1964 and in 2012. A brass plaque on the south face of the British Columbia Maritime Museum in Victoria, B.C. commemorates the granting of this honour.^[12] It was also exercised in Nanaimo, British Columbia on October 5, 1974; May 20, 1990 and September 16, 2012.^[13]

Cadet Corps

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

Cadet Corps affiliated to the Canadian Scottish are entitled to wear traditional regimental accoutrements on their uniforms and receive modest support from the Regiment and its Association.

Alliances

•  United Kingdom - The Royal Scots Borderers This regimental alliance dates to 1927 when the Canadian Scottish Regiment was formally allied to The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment), the senior regiment of infantry in the British Army

Media

• 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)

See also

• The Canadian Crown and the Canadian Forces
• List of Canadian organizations with royal patronage
• Military history of Canada
• History of the Canadian Army
• Canadian Forces
• List of armouries in Canada

Order of precedence

External links

• Official website
• Juno Beach - The Canadian Scottish on D-Day
• Canadian Scottish Regiment Collection at University of Victoria, Special Collections
• Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) Regimental Museum

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's).

Canadian Army infantry regiments in order of precedence Canadian Forces Regular Force The Royal Canadian Regiment Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Royal 22e Régiment Canadian Forces Primary Reserve Governor General's Foot Guards The Canadian Grenadier Guards The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada Les Voltigeurs de Québec The Royal Regiment of Canada The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment) The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment The Lincoln and Welland Regiment The Royal Canadian Regiment The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada The Grey and Simcoe Foresters The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment) The Brockville Rifles The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders Les Fusiliers du St-Laurent Le Régiment de la Chaudière Royal 22e Régiment The Princess Louise Fusiliers Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal The Royal New Brunswick Regiment The West Nova Scotia Regiment The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment The Nova Scotia Highlanders Le Régiment de Maisonneuve The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh's Own) The Royal Winnipeg Rifles The Essex and Kent Scottish 48th Highlanders of Canada Le Régiment du Saguenay The Algonquin Regiment The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's) The Lake Superior Scottish Regiment The North Saskatchewan Regiment The Royal Regina Rifles The Rocky Mountain Rangers The Loyal Edmonton Regiment (4th Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry) The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada Royal Westminster Regiment The Calgary Highlanders Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) The Royal Montreal Regiment The Irish Regiment of Canada The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's Own) Royal Newfoundland Regiment

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