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History
The Royal Canadian Regiment
Prepared by: Capt Michael O'Leary, CD (2011, updated 2013)
The Royal Canadian Regiment (The RCR) was authorized as a unit of Canada’s Permanent Force, now known as the Regular Force, on 21 December 1883. Created for the purpose of instructing the Canadian Militia, the Regiment was originally known as the Infantry School Corps. The Regiment’s first garrisons, each occupied by a company plus the supported Instructional Cadre, were at Fredericton, St Jean (PQ) and Toronto. A fourth Company was established in London, Ontario, in 1888.
Shortly after its formation, “C” Company of the Regiment saw action in the North-West Rebellion of 1885. In 1898, the Regiment provided men to the Yukon Field Force, which assisted with the policing of the Yukon Territory during the gold rush.
During the 1890s, the Regiment saw three changes to its title:
In November 1901, the Regiment changed its name one more time, becoming “The Royal Canadian Regiment.”
At the outbreak of the First World War, The RCR was assembled at Halifax where Regimental Headquarters and six of the Regiment’s ten companies had been located since 1905, having replaced the last British Army garrison in Canada. The RCR was brought up to wartime strength in late 1914 as it started its first task which was to serve for a year as the garrison battalion in Bermuda until August 1915. The RCR then proceeded to England and onward to France as a battalion of the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division.
The RCR was awarded 16 battle honours for its actions during the First World War, including the Somme 1916, Vimy Ridge and the Pursuit to Mons. One member of The RCR, Lieutenant Milton Fowler Gregg, was awarded the Victoria Cross.
In 1919, the Regiment received a singular honour when King George V granted the Regiment the right to wear Queen Victoria’s cypher – “VRI” – on its buttons and badges in perpetuity in recognition of its service in the First World War. This made the RCR the only Commonwealth regiment to wear a deceased sovereign’s cypher with no requirement to change cyphers following the coronation of a new King or Queen.
The RCR sailed for England shortly after the start of the Second World War where it trained for three years as a battalion of the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division. The Regiment entered combat when it landed on the beaches of Sicily on 10 July 1943 – a date still commemorated within the Regiment as “Pachino Day.” The RCR fought their way through Sicily and Italy over almost 18 months including participation in the battles at Ortona, the Hitler Line at Pontecorvo and the Gothic Line on the Adriatic coast.
In February, 1945, The RCR joined the final push to liberate Northwest Europe, fighting their last battle at Apeldoorn, Holland. In the closing days of the war, a second battalion of the Regiment was created in Canada, its planned employment being in the Pacific Force. With the capitulation of Japan, this requirement disappeared and, following the return and disbandment of the overseas battalion, the newly created 2nd Battalion became the single battalion of The Royal Canadian Regiment in the post-war Canadian Army.
On the outbreak of the Korean War, The RCR still consisted of a single Regular Force battalion. During the three years of the war, two new battalions would be formed for the Special Force which fought in Korea, and all three battalions would serve in Korea in turn. The 2nd Battalion deployed in 1951, the 1st Battalion in 1952 and the 3rd Battalion in 1953. Following the Korean War, the 3rd Battalion was disbanded and the 2nd Battalion remained a unit of the Regular Force.
In July 1954, The Royal Canadian Regiment gained a Reserve Force battalion, formed by the amalgamation of The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Machine Gun) and The Oxford Rifles. This new unit was designated the London and Oxford Fusiliers (3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment).
The Oxford Rifles
The Oxford Rifles originated in Woodstock, Ontario, on 14 August 1863, when the '"Twenty-second Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles, Canada" or "The Oxford Rifles"' was authorized. In its early years, the unit was called out for service on the St Clair frontier during the Fenian Raids in 1866. The unit also provided some soldiers to the Canadian Contingents for South Africa.
From 1920 until 1936, the unit briefly had a two-battalion structure, with one battalion part of the Non-Permanent Active Militia and the second battalion on the Reserve establishment (i.e, without personnel). During the Second World War, the 1st Battalion, The Oxford Rifles, CASF, was mobilized for active service in March 1942. It served in Canada in a home defence role until January 1945 when it embarked for Britain where it was disbanded in England later that month.
Having undergone several changes in naming, the regiment was redesignated The Oxford Rifles on 1 June 1945. On 1 October 1954, it was amalgamated with 'The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Machine Gun) and redesignated 'The London and Oxford Fusiliers (3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment)'.
The Oxford Rifles perpetuated the 71st and 168th Canadian Infantry Battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and carried the honours, awards and accomplishments of those units into the regimental history of The RCR.
The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Machine Gun)
The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Machine Gun) originated in London, Ontario on 27 April 1866 as the 7th Battalion Infantry, "Prince Arthur's Own". During the regiment’s early years, two companies were called out on active service in April 1870 during the Fenian Raids, serving on the St. Clair frontier. The unit also mobilized in 1885, serving in the Alberta column of the North West Field Force and provided troops to the Canadian Contingents in the South African War.
Undergoing several changes of name, including a brief period as a three-battalion regiment titled the Western Ontario Regiment during the early 1920s, the unit was designated The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) on 1 August 1924.21 On 15 December 1936 it was amalgamated with the 'Headquarters' and 'A Company' of the 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC, and redesignated The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Machine Gun). During the Second World War, the regiment formed a second battalion; the 1st Battalion served as part of the Canadian Active Service Force (CASF) and the 2nd Battalion remained in the Reserve establishment.
The 1st Battalion, The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), CASF, was mobilized in 1942 and served on home defence duties as part of Pacific Command, taking part in the August 1943 expedition to Kiska, Alaska, with the 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group. The unit arrived in Britain in May 1944 where it was redesignated the 2nd Canadian Infantry Training Battalion, Type A (Canadian Fusiliers), CASF, and remained so until being disbanded in August 1945.
Following the Second World War, the Reserve battalion of the Canadian Fusiliers regained its single-battalion designation: The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Machine Gun). On 1 October 1954, it was amalgamated with 'The Oxford Rifles.
The Canadian Fusiliers perpetuated the 1st, 33rd and 142nd Canadian Infantry Battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and carried the honours, awards and accomplishments of those units into the regimental history of The RCR.
2nd Machine Gun Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps (CMGC)
The 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC, of the Canadian Militia originated when the 2nd Machine Gun Brigade, CMGC was authorized on 1 June 1919. The battalion was disbanded on 14 December 1936 with its HQ and companies amalgamating with a number of Militia units.
The 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC, of the Canadian Militia perpetuated the 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC, of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and carried the honours, awards and accomplishments of this unit into the regimental history of The RCR.
CEF Perpetuations
Through the amalgamations with The Canadian Fusiliers and The Oxford Rifles, the following units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (1914-1919) are perpetuated by The Royal Canadian Regiment:
One of the most significant effects these perpetuations had on The RCR was to increase the list of battle honours carried by the Regiment for the First World War. The combined awards of First World War battle honours for The Royal Canadian Regiment, the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion and the 2nd Battalion, CMGC, represent 49 separate unit battlefield actions and are represented by the 25 battle honour names carried today by The RCR for the Great War. (Additionally, The Oxford Rifles were awarded eight Great War battle honours in 1930. These, however, are not related directly to the perpetuated CEF battalions and likely based on the total number of soldiers from the perpetuated units who were known to be at these battles, though possibly dispersed between a number of units.)
One member of the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Frederick William Campbell, was awarded the Victoria Cross. Although chronologically earlier than Milton Gregg’s award, it was through the amalgamation of Regiments in 1954 that this became the second such award to be commemorated with the history of The RCR. In addition to the recognition of Campbell’s VC by The RCR, the Regiment maintains an equal responsibility to recognize all other honours and awards received by members of the perpetuated units.
The 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (London and Oxford Fusiliers) was established in 1954 with garrisons in London and Woodstock. A third location in Stratford was established in 1965, followed five years later with the close of the Woodstock garrison in 1970. In 1970, with a major reorganization of the Army, the Reserve battalion was re-designated as the 4th Battalion, The RCR, when a new 3rd Battalion was created in the Regular Force establishment. Since 1970, the Reserve Battalion has maintained its garrisons in London and Stratford, Ontario.
Throughout the 1960s, 70s and 80s, and into the 1990s, the Regular Force battalions of The Royal Canadian Regiment served in Canada, Germany and on 13 separate unit rotations in Cyprus. Between 1977 and 1995, the 3rd Commando of the Canadian Airborne Regiment was also a regimental unit of The RCR. As well, a regimental Battle School which trained new infantry soldiers for the Regular Force battalions existed as a separate CF unit between 1978 and 1997.
In 1983, the Regiment marked its centenary with events in all battalions and a major reunion gathering in London, Ontario. In July of that year the Colonel-in-Chief, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, reviewed and addressed the Regiment on parade in London during a trooping of the colours from all four battalions and the affiliated 3 (Airborne) Commando.
The Royal Canadian Regiment has served Canada at home and abroad; including domestic operations ranging from assistance to civil authority during the FLQ Crisis (1970), Akwesasne (1990) and Oka (1990) to emergency response at the Manitoba Floods (1997), the Ice Storm (1998), and Hurricane Juan in Halifax (2003). It was for Op RECUPERATION, the response to the Ice Storm in 1998, that formed elements of all four battalions of the Regiment were deployed simultaneously on a single operation.
Since the 1990s, the Regular Force battalions of The RCR have provided formed units and sub-units to Canada’s missions in the first Gulf War, the Former Yugoslavia, Africa and Afghanistan. All four battalions and the Regiment’s extra-regimentally employed (ERE) personnel have provided individual augmentation to many of Canada’s UN and NATO missions. The Afghanistan mission has included the deployment of formed battle groups based on each of the three Regular Force battalions, and the 4th Battalion has seen the deployment of up to 30 of its officers, NCOs and soldiers at a time depending on available tasks in each operational cycle.
The Royal Canadian Regiment is Canada’s senior Regular Force infantry regiment. Through its amalgamated regiments, the regimental lineage of The RCR dates from 14 August 1863; although 21 December 1883, the creation of the Infantry School Corps, is celebrated as the regimental birthday by regimental tradition.
In 2012, the Canadian Government decided to create battle honours for the War of 1812 and award perpetuations of the recipient War of 1812 units to current units of the Canadian Army. Federal Government announcements identifying awards and the units receiving the perpetuations were made in August and September 2012. As a result of these ammouncements, The Royal canadian Regiment added the Battle Honours “Detroit” and Niagara”, as well as the Honorary Disticntion “Fefence of Canada 181-1815” to its list of honours. These honours represent the perpetuations of the following units of that conflict:
The four battalions of The Royal Canadian Regiment continue to serve Canada, with regimental garrisons at ASU London (Home Station and 4RCR), CFB Petawawa (Regimental HQ, 1RCR and 3RCR) and CFB Gagetown (2RCR). Extra-Regimentally Employed Royal Canadians serve in units, training establishments and headquarters across the Canadian Forces, both in Canada and abroad.
Pro Patria
Prepared by: Capt Michael O’Leary, CD (2011, updated 2013)
"An eight-pointed diamond cut star; upon the star a raised circle surmounted by the crown; within the raised circle, the block letters "VRI", the Imperial Cypher of Queen Victoria."
Regimental Affiliation:
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| Wars and Operations | Battle Honour | Date |
| War of 1812 |
Detroit Niagara Defence of Canada – 1812-1815 Défense de Canada |
15 Aug 1812 19 Dec 1813 to Sept 1814 |
| North-West Rebellion |
Saskatchewan North West Canada 1885 | |
| South African War |
Paardeberg South Africa 1899-1900 | |
| First World War | ||
| Summer Operations, 1915. (March-October) |
Ypres, 1915 Gravenstafel Ridge St Julien Festubert, 1915 |
22 April – 25 May 1915 22-23 April 1915 24 April – 4 May 1915 15-25 May 1915 |
| Local Operations, 1916. (Previous to the Allied Offensive) |
Mount Sorrel |
2-13 June 1916 |
| Operations on the Somme. (1 July – 18 November, 1916) |
Somme, 1916 Pozieres Ridge Flers-Courcelette Ancre Heights |
1 July – 18 November 1916 23 July – 3 September 1916 15-22 September 1916 1 October – 11 November 1916 |
| The Arras Offensive (9 April – 15 May, 1917 |
Arras, 1917 Vimy, 1917 Arleux Scarpe, 1917 Hill 70 |
9 April – 4 May 1917 9-14 April 1917 28-29 April 1917 3-4 May 1917 15-25 August 1917 |
| The Flanders Offensive (7 June – 10 November, 1917) |
Ypres, 1917 Passchendaele |
31 July – 10 Nov. 1917 12 October 1917 and/or 26 October – 10 November 1917 |
| The Advance in Picardy (8 August – 3 September, 1918) |
Amiens Arras, 1918 Scarpe, 1918 |
8-11 August 1918 26 August – 3 September 1918 26-30 August 1918 |
| The Breaking of the Hindenburg Line (26 August – 12 October, 1918) |
Drocourt-Quéant Line Hindenburg Line, Battles of Canal du Nord Cambrai, 1918 |
2-3 September 1918 12 September – 9 October 1918 27 September – 2 October 1918 8-9 October 1918 | Picardy (17 October – 11 November). | Pursuit to Mons | 11 November 1918 | FRANCE AND FLANDERS, 1914-18 | FRANCE AND FLANDERS, 1914-18 |
| Second World War | ||
| LANDING IN SICILY | LANDING IN SICILY | 9-12 Jul 43 |
| Agira | 24-28 Jul 43 | |
| ADRANO |
ADRANO Regalbuto |
29 Jul – 7 Aug 43 29 Jul - 3 Aug 43 |
| SICILY 1943 |
SICILY 1943 Landing at Reggio Motta Montecorvino Campobasso Torella San Leonardo The Gully Ortona |
9 Jul 43 – 17 Aug 43 3 Sep 43 1-3 Oct 43 11-14 Oct 43 24-27 Oct 43 8-9 Dec 43 10-19 Dec 43 20-28 Dec 43 |
| CASSINO II | CASSINO II Gustav Line |
11-18 May 44 11-18 May 44 |
| LIRI VALLEY |
LIRI VALLEY Hitler Line |
18-30 May 44 18-24 May 44 |
| GOTHIC LINE |
GOTHIC LINE Misano Ridge |
25 Aug-22 Sep 44 3-5 Sep 44 |
| RIMINI LINE |
RIMINI LINE San Martino – San Lorenzo Pisciatello |
14-21 Sep 44 14-18 Sep 44 16-19 Sep 44 |
| LAMONE CROSSING |
LAMONE CROSSING Fosso Vecchio |
2-13 Dec 44 16-18 Dec 44 |
| ITALY 1943-45 | ITALY 1943-45 Apeldoorn | 3 Sep 43 – 22 Apr 45 11-17 Apr 45 |
| NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1945 | ||
| Korean War | ||
| United Nations Operations - Korea, 1950-1953 | KOREA, 1951-1953 | |
| Afghanistan War | Pashmul, - 2006 |
Why Does Canada Celebrate Victoria Day?By Gwyn Evans - May 22, 2022 / 4:00 am | Story: 369589 (Gwyn Evans is the research and communications co-ordinator with the Museum and Archives of Vernon.)The Victoria Day Long Weekend is long-standing tribute to Queen Victoria and has been celebrated in Vernon for decades LONG LIVE THE QUEEN
Although many of us now think of the May Long Weekend as the beginning of camping season in B.C., the history of Victoria Day is a bit more complicated. In 1845, the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada decided to officially recognize the birthday of Queen Victoria on May 24 with public celebrations. But it wasn’t until 1901, following the Queen’s death, that May 24 became officially known as “Victoria Day” in her memory. At the turn of the 20th century, the settler population in Vernon eagerly celebrated Queen Victoria’s birthday, as well as her reign in general. On June 22, 1897, Vernon celebrated the Diamond Jubilee with a series of sporting events, including baseball, lacrosse, trap shootings and tug-of-war. Other outlying communities, including Enderby, came to compete in the day’s activities, and it is noted that Vernon won all events except the tug-of-war. May Long Weekends in Vernon were also marked with sporting events and special activities in celebration of the queen’s birthday. On May 24, 1895, a cricket match was held between Kelowna and Vernon, with the SS Fairview offering special trips between the two cities for individuals who wished to attend. In 1900, Enderby hosted Vernon and other nearby communities for a series of foot, horse and canoe races. A football match was also held between the community of Lumby and employees of the Coldstream Ranch, followed by a grand ball in Morand’s Hall. Queen Victoria’s passing in 1901 was announced in large font on the front page of the January 24th edition of the Vernon News, as the City mourned the loss of its “Most Respected Sovereign.” Later that year, Vernon officially celebrated “Victoria Day” for the first time, with — you guessed it — sporting events, including three-legged and ladies races.Queen Victoria: The woman who redefined Britain’s monarchyA headstrong head of stateQueen Victoria restored the reputation of a monarchy tarnished by the extravagance of her royal uncles. She also shaped a new role for the Royal Family, reconnecting it with the public through civic duties. At just 4ft 11in tall, Victoria was a towering presence as a symbol of her Empire. She and her husband Albert and their nine children came to symbolise a new, confident age. Read more |
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4RCR COUNCIL
Terms of Reference
Overview
Prior to 2014 it was known as the 4 RCR Board of Governors.
Role |
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4RCR COUNCIL
Membership List
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| Last Name | First Name | Rank | Phone | Posn | |
| Anderson | Martin | LCol | martin_anderson@rogers.com | Member | |
| Bassarab | Rusty | LCol | rbassarab@cogeco.ca | Member | |
| Bell | Dave | Capt | davidbell@tcc.on.ca | Webmaster | |
| Boon | Art | CWO | 190 Queen St, Stratford, ON,N5A 4N7 | Member | |
| Burke | Jeff | CWO | burkeja54@outlook.com | Member | |
| Campbell | Mark | BGen | mcamp@rogers.com | Member | |
| Cook | John | Lcol | John_cook_9@yahoo.ca | 519-668-7595 | Member |
| Denne | Don | Col | djdenne@msn.com | Assn Rep | |
| Ellyatt | David | CWO | dellyatt@police.london.ca | Member | |
| Graham | Barry | Lcol | barrygraham533@hotmail.com | Member | |
| Griffin | Declan | Lcol | dgriffin@wightman.ca | Member | |
| Hutton | Geoff | Maj | geoff.hutton@sympatico.ca | Member | |
| Klausnitzer | Henry | CWO | hklaosni@london.ca | Member | |
| Lucas | Curtis | MWO | curtis_is@rogers.com | Member | |
| Mombourquette | John | Capt | fj3@rogers.com | Secretary | |
| O'Brien | Gary | Bgen | gary.obrien@hotmail.com | Chairperson | |
| O'Leary | Mike | Capt | m.m.oleary@gmail.com | Museum rep | |
| Olglesby | John | Lcol | Member | ||
| O'Quinn | John | Maj | johnandglad@rogers.com | Cadet rep | |
| Prince | Matt | Maj | matt.a.prince@gmail.com | Member | |
| Rennie | Bob | CWO | bobandninaare@gmail.com | Member | |
| Reintjes | Pete | LCol | peter.reintjes@forces.gc.ca | CO | |
| Robinson | Joseph | Lcol | jwrobins2@gmail.com | Member | |
| St. George | Gary | CWO | 519-453-5321 | Member | |
| Stapleton | Mike | MWO | mstaple362@rogers.com | Member | |
| Talach | Rob | CWO | rtalach@ledroitbeckett.com | Member | |
| Weldon | Doug | Lcol | doug.weldon@yahoo.ca | Member | |
| Willaert | Gary | Lcol | rcrgary@yahoo.ca | Member |
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Former Serving Members
4RCR Council is continually updating its former members database to provide former serving members with social events, re-unions, mailings and to provide a means for former members to keep in contact with each other.
NEW FORMER SERVING MEMBERS:
All former members who have served with The London and Oxford Fusiliers, 3RCR(M) or 4RCR are invited to REGISTER for publication in the Former Serving Members List.
Only your Name, Rank and E-mail Address and phone number (if supplied) will be published on our Former Serving Members List. You will be sent a password to enter the Former Serving Members List once your application has been approved. CURRENT FORMER SERVING MEMBERS:
For The 4RCR Council to keep you updated on coming events such as The RCR Reunion events and newsletters it is important that you verify
your Email address annually to keep our records up to date.
Please send us the following by clicking on the link below:
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Former Serving Members List
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New Commander-in-Chief: King Charles III
 Photo by Mishall Rehman Canadian Military Family Magazine With the grandeur that is to be expected, King Charles III was officially proclaimed sovereign of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in a ceremony that dates back hundreds of years. The ceremony, which took place Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, at St. James’s Palace in London, called upon the Accession Council to acknowledge the new monarch on behalf of the British government, a process carried out according to the constitution.
With this declaration, King Charles is now not only the sovereign of the United Kingdom but also the head of the Commonwealth, which comprises 2.4 billion people and 54 countries. |
Regular Force and Primary Reserve Personnel: Have Your Say!2022-09-15
If you have thoughts or opinions on military personnel programs and policies that affect you, then now is the time to share your thoughts in the 2022 Your Say Survey. This survey is currently open to Regular Force and Primary Reserve members. “The Your Say Survey (YSS) looks at the effectiveness of the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) from the perspective of individual CAF members. “The YSS allows members to communicate their experience with a variety of personnel programs and services; and senior leaders use the results to evaluate existing and proposed policies, procedures and programs in the CAF,” said Carina Daugherty, Defence Scientist at Director General Military Personnel Research and Analysis (DGMPRA).
Covering a Range of Topics
Questions about the Your Say Survey can be addressed to Carina Daugherty here, Defence Scientist at Director General Military Personnel Research and Analysis (DGMPRA). This research has been approved by the DND/CAF Social Science Research Review Board (SSRRB) in accordance with DAOD 5062-0 and 5062-1. The SSRRB approval # is 2033/22F. |
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4RCR Council Report
Dear Fellow Royal Canadians, You are requested to join your comrades in attending the Annual Remembrance Day Parade in front of the RCR Cenotaph. The parade will be conducted by The 4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment will hold a Remembrance Service on 11 Nov starting at 10:35 am. The RCR Association is invited to provide a guard and If able, your attendance in the parade would be both appropriate and appreciated. If unable to march, you may watch from the audience. Dress: Regimental Blazer with medals and berets.
Timings: 10:30 AM to fall in for parade.
Afterward there will be receptions in the messes and at the Victory Branch Legion. See attached for details. Hope to see you there!
Pro Patria,
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Subject: Remembrance Day at Victory Branch Legion
Dear Member and Guest(s) When: November 11, 2022 (Friday) Time: 10:00 doors open service starts at 10:45 Where: 311 Oakland Ave, London Ontario A light lunch of soup and sandwiches will be offered (by donation) at 11:45, followed by an opportunity to Meet and Greet. Our mission is to serve Veterans, including serving military and RCMP members and their families, to promote Remembrance, and to serve our communities and our country, come help us do this on November 11, 2022. Thank you for your continued support of the Branch, Sincerely yours,
Al Miller |
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4RCR CO's Report
NTR |
Monthly Social Events Calendar
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| Date | Time | Event | Dress | Locn | Remarks |
| Fri 11 Nov 2022 | 1030 | Remembrance Day Service | business suit or regt blazer w/medals | Wolseley Barracks | 4RCR | Sat 17 Dec 2022 | 1130 for 1200 | Regimental Birthday(2) | TBA | (TBA)Victory Branch RCL | Stapleton/Graham |
| NOTES: (1) Denotes meal preceded by AGM. (2) Denotes meal served (3) Locations are as yet "To Be Confirmed" as the Legion venue may not be dsesired by membership based on prices for meals, however Victory Branch has been tentatively booked. |
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The RCR Regimental Museum
RCRM DIGITAL We are very happy to welcome everyone from everywhere to our community! We continue to remain active online while observing the restrictions recently enforced by the Province of Ontario. Our website offers interactive activities, online or printable games, as well as lessons for elementary and secondary levels. The online guided tours and drop-in Wednesday live streaming will resume once the Province of Ontario rescinds the current stay-at-home order. Until then, educational videos are available through the museum's Youtube channel. Stay connected and become a Subscriber. The museum is not charging membership fees, but financial donations are appreciated (payments by cheque preferred, credit cards also accepted). COLLECTIONS Stories from the Collection highlight artifacts in our holdings, as well as the fascinating stories they bring to light. This month's story features The Royals of CFB Baden-Soellingen. It was 3RCR's hockey team, and they competed in the Canadian Forces Europe Hockey League (CFEHL) from 1977 to 1984. The team won the CFEHL championship in 1980 and 1981. Were you or someone you know involved in this league? We would love to hear your story, just email us! EVENTS Season 2 of the RCRM Speakers Series was launched on 21 Jan, with Professor Gord Heath and his reflections on The Trauma of War and the Rise of Religious Pacifism in the Interwar Years, 1919-1939. This season will explore various aspects of loss in the context of military conflict. Complex facets of the dynamic between mourning and commemoration, deprivation and rejection or disposal of war by-products surface. PODCAST All 10 episodes of the RCRM Speakers Series Season 1 are now available via Simplecast, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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The RCR Association
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November NewsletterFrom: Sandy McQuarrie2022-11-08 Remembrance WeekAs our annual Remembrance Day approaches, I encourage all Royal Canadians to spend a few moments on 11 November to remember that the sacrifice and service of members of The Royal Canadian Regiment is not forgotten!You can view The Regiment’s Honour Roll on-line and our List of Departed Comrades on-line. PRO PATRIA 2022 - REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT The Regimental Journal of The RCR is a review of the preceding calendar year. Often, we of The RCR, adhere to our practice of quiet professionalism. Many great deeds go undocumented and memorable moments unheralded. Through Pro Patria, we can record these accomplishments for future generations of Royal Canadians. It is requested of all Regimental Family members that submissions be forwarded depicting life on operations and any Regimental celebrations or activities. It is the editors’ intent to capture as many accomplishments as possible by members of the Regimental Family from coast to coast and on operations around the globe as we again place our Regimental footprint in Canadian history. The due date for articles to the undersigned for the 2022 issue of PRO PATRIA will be Friday, 27 January 2023. To distribute PRO PATRIA in a timely manner, all addressees are requested to respect this deadline. In the past, late submissions have caused a delay in publication until close to year's end. Articles may be submitted and are welcome prior to this date. Electronic submission is preferred along with a selection of suggested photos scanned at 300 dpi or greater. Attribution of authors and photographers and the full captioning of photographs are requested. Please indicate where you feel that photos should be placed in the article, but do not embed the photos in the article document as this complicates preparation for publication. All submissions may be mailed to Regimental Headquarters, attention the Regimental Adjutant, or sent to Scott.Robinson2@forces.gc.ca. Reunion 2023 - The 140th CelebrationPreparations for this event are proceeding! Significant effort to support us will be provided by faculty and students of Fanshawe College. Early in 2023 (Late Jan/Early Feb), a reunion website will be opened that will permit you to register, select your meal preferences and secure accommodations. As we get closer, more information will be forthcoming. Mark your calendar to block Friday to Sunday (4 to 6 August) for the reunion. It promises to be a great event.Regular Membership Subcategories According to Article 3.02, Membership Classes of the Association’s By-Laws, “There shall be three (3) classes of Members in the Association consisting of Regular Members, Life Members and Honorary Members.” During the setup of our membership management application (Member365), it was decided to use three subcategories for the Regular membership category, called “Regular(A), Regular(P), and Regular(VCP).” At the time, the rationale for using these subcategories had to do with how the annual fee was paid. Members who paid a yearly amount ($25) were classified as Regular(A) (for annual), those who paid a one-time fee (of $225) were classified as Regular(P) (for paid up) and serving members who contributed to the Regiment’s Volunteer Contribution Program were known as Regular(VCP). Since we no longer charge a fee to belong to the Association, the Board has agreed that keeping the three sub-categories is no longer useful or necessary. This means that we will now be identifying members using the categories in the By-Laws. We are fully aware that some of you are proud to be identified as a Paid-Up Member. But in reality, it only identifies how the fees were collected. We will be able to continue to identify the sub-categories using “Tags” (as shown below) in your membership data. Annual RenewalWe ask members to review their contact information annually to ensure that the Association’s membership records are current. This process involves a series of email “reminders” for the three Regular subcategories (60, 30, 7 days before and 7, 14, 30, 60, 90 and 365 days after their membership lapses). Each member has a renewal date based on the day they joined. If they don’t “renew” their application within one year, their status changes from ‘Active’ to ‘Lapsed.’ Our membership reports show the number of active and lapsed members that vary daily due to the renewal schedule. For example, on 09 October, we had 274 lapsed members and 1206 active members. Technically that means our total membership is 1480 members. This renewal process involves both the members and our membership secretary. The member has to login, review their information and submit their renewal. The membership secretary then must check the renewal application and approve it. While this is a relatively simple process, it does involve time and effort. As most of our members are former-serving, changes to contact information for members are infrequent. As well, several complaints have been submitted asking, “Why do we need to do this? My membership details have not changed in years.” This subject was also discussed during the Board meeting and the consensus was it is no longer necessary to seek an annual renewal of the contact information. To this end, we will soon be “turning off” the renewal reminders. What this means is that the onus is on you to ensure that your contact information is current if it changes.Minutes of the Latest Board MeetingYour Association Board held a Meeting/Planning Session on 29 October. You can access the Minutes HEREMilton F Gregg, VC DocumentaryAll of us are very aware of the hard times brought about by the increasing inflation rates. Asking for donations during this time may seem to be inappropriate, but this is an important addition to our regimental history. If you can, go on-line to add to our fundraising campaign Pro Patria |
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Coming Events |
Pictorial |
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31 Canadian Brigade Group - 31e Groupe-Brigade Du Canada, Meaford, On,
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31 Canadian Brigade Group - 31e Groupe-Brigade Du Canada is feeling ready at Camp Grayling.
Grayling, MI, United States ·
4th Bataillon, The Royal Canadian Regiment conducted Exercise ROYAL SHOOTER at Camp Grayling, Michigan, from March 11-13, 2022.
The exercise included small arms and medium support weapons live-fire ranges, including 84mm Carl Gustaf anti-tank shoots.
PRO PATRIA! |
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 31 Canadian Brigade Group - 31e Groupe-Brigade Du Canada is feeling proud at 4 CDTC - CI 4 Div C.
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 .jpg) .jpg) 31 Canadian Brigade Group - 31e Groupe-Brigade Du Canada is feeling strong in Cedar Springs.
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4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (#4RCR) held Exercise ROYAL LANDING at Cedar Springs Range & Training Area on July 16, 2022.
Ex ROYAL LANDING was this year’s iteration of an annual unit event celebrating Pachino Day, which recognizes the RCR’s battle honour earned as the first unit to capture an airfield in Sicily during the Second World War.
The event consisted of a four-team timed competition combining a Kim’s game, 4km march, confidence course, falling-target shoot, and an evening BBQ for members to bond and celebrate their history.
The troops also had an opportunity to say hello to neighbours in the area, as the ruck march route travelled through the local community.
Thanks to the residents of Cedar Springs, Ontario for the warm welcome, and BZ to the troops who participated in the competition!
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 Military inspections are a family affair
Note: The CO at the front, the troops in column of two and the Sergeant Major bringing up the rear in true military fashion.
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| In Hospital |
| Recent Passings |
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A Soldier Died Todayby A. Lawrence Vaincourt
He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise, © 1987 A. Lawrence Vaincourt
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John Fullick
From: John Cook
Hi All; With heavy hearts, the family announces the passing of John Charles Fullick, (father, husband, and friend). John passed peacefully, in the early hours of Sunday morning, with his family around him. Funeral arrangements are being made through Westview Funeral Chapel, and more details will be shared when they have been finalized. Thank you all for your love, support, and prayers for our family during this difficult time. Jane |
| In Memorium | NTR |
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Member Submissions
We Are Canadian
The following link takes you to the song We Are Canadian recently composed by Ellis Craig, an 83-year-old resident of a retirement home in Perth, Ontario. Note From Webmaster:
This is YOUR page to keep informed on members health, welfare and happenings. |
The following is the Executive Summary from a lengthy RUSI UK report on just how much the tactical air war has changed over Ukraine. Beyond drones and stand-off strikes,
the conventional tactical air war, just isn't!!! Here's RUSI UK's summary. It has, or, at least should have basic implications for today's would-be warriors:
enemy Tac Air sp can be neutered.; so can ours.
Further Western support is needed to ensure that Kyiv can counter Moscow's updated approach to the air war in Ukraine.submitted by: Brian Colgate/Barry Graham2022-11-26 Executive Summary
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Putin with his Obsessive Insanity is doing more to destroy Russia from within than Ukraine could ever wish to accomplishPutin 'will announce massive new mobilisation and martial law' in desperate move that could hasten coup to dump ailing leader
Submitted by: David Bell 2022-11-19 A desperate Vladimir Putin will seek to massively boost mobilisation by sending more troops to fight in Ukraine, and impose martial law in many Russian cities, it was forecast today. Yet the draconian moves could trigger a coup from within the elite even before his 'poor health' incapacitates him, says one expert. And he is now using body doubles who are so like him, it is impossible to tell the difference, it is claimed. The 70-year-old Kremlin leader - who is believed to be suffering from cancer and possibly other ailments - is actively discussing a new forced enlistment to swell yet further the size of the Russian army fighting in Ukraine. Putin's new scheme comes as Russian troops were forced to pull back from the strategic stronghold of Kherson last week as Ukrainian forces reentered to liberate the city. Continued... |
cbc.ca
'The least they could do': Veterans push Canada to award its first Victoria Cross
By:Murray Brewster -cbc.ca During the U.S. Civil War, soldiers reported witnessing a peculiar phenomenon that later became known as "acoustic shadows" — a place where the sound and fury of a battle went to die in a great, unseen void. Because of the way the din of cannon and rifle fire reflected off the contours of the surrounding countryside — aided by air temperature and the direction of the wind — great battles could rage in front of them in almost complete silence. That image aptly describes an impassioned, ongoing debate in this country over how to define military valour, and what a Canadian soldier must do to win the country's highest battlefield honour. That debate has raged furiously but almost imperceptibly this year among veterans, and even in the halls of Parliament. At its centre is a growing sense of dismay among some former Canadian soldiers over the military's refusal to recognize some acts of heroism in Afghanistan with the modern version of the Victoria Cross (VC). The military says that while it handed out more bravery medals per capita than Canada's allies did during the Afghan mission, no single act by a Canadian soldier unquestionably met the "extremely rare standard" needed for the highest honour. Canada is alone among its major allies in not having honoured any military member with its most prestigious medal. Many with ties to the military community — including former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole — wonder if the VC has been put out of reach for soldiers, sailors and aircrew today. Continued... |
Remembering “Maple Leaf City,” Belgium Honours Canadian Soldiers During Canada Week
Submitted by: David Bell Every year since the Second World War, a small coastal town in Belgium is adorned with thousands of Canadian flags. Even though it’s thousands of miles away, the town of Knokke-Heist, Belgium, pays homage to Canada every year because the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade liberated it on Nov. 1, 1944, during The Battle of The Scheldt. Knokke-Heist was one of the last towns liberated in Belgium. To pay gratitude to the Canadian soldiers who liberated them from the Nazi occupation every year, from Oct. 30 to Nov. 6, the town celebrates Canada Week.Continued... |
If You had any doubt about Putin's sanity, read this...Smirking Putin jokes about the prospect of nuclear Armageddon
Smirking Putin jokes about the prospect of nuclear Armageddon
By: Daily Mail ...and we thought Hitler was a dangerous nut case |
Ombudsman slams military's treatment of injured reservists, rangers
'There are 9 recommendations out of the 4 reports, and none have been fully implemented,' Gregory Lick says
By: Lee Berthiaume · The Canadian Press · Posted: Oct 25, 2022 8:05 AM ET | Last Updated: October 25
Canadian Armed Forces ombudsman Gregory Lick is criticizing the military's treatment of ill and injured reservists and Canadian Rangers, saying the organization is failing to address long-standing gaps for Canada's part-time soldiers. The gaps were first identified by the ombudsman's office during four separate investigations between 2015 and 2017, at which time the military promised to take action by implementing nine watchdog recommendations. But in a new report released late Monday, the ombudsman's office found that none of the nine recommendations has been fully implemented over the past five-plus years. "Certainly, I'm disappointed that they haven't been able to action or make progress on all the recommendations," Lick said in an interview. "There are nine recommendations out of the four reports, and none have been fully implemented."
Continued... |
A Reuters Special ReportAbandoned Russian base holds secrets of retreat in UkraineWhen Russian troops fled the Ukrainian town of Balakliia last month, they left behind thousands of documents that detail the inner workings of the Russian war machine.
By MARI SAITO, MARIA TSVETKOVA and ANTON ZVEREV BALAKLIIA, Ukraine – The Russian soldiers had fled weeks before. But they left their traces everywhere. Concrete steps led into the basement of their hastily abandoned headquarters in this small riverside town in eastern Ukraine. A bunker smelling of damp lay behind a steel door marked “Command Group.” Papers, some charred, were stuffed into a furnace. Others were scattered across the floor. In a floral notebook, an unnamed staff officer left a sketch of a cartoon soldier and mused about going home. The book’s 91 handwritten pages contained other information, too: coordinates of Russian intelligence units, records of calls from commanders, details of battles, men killed and equipment destroyed. And accounts of a breakdown in morale and discipline.
In all, the bunker yielded thousands of pages of documents. Reuters reviewed more than a thousand of them. They detail the inner workings of the Russian military and shed new light on events leading up to one of President Vladimir Putin's most stinging battlefield defeats: Russia’s chaotic retreat from Ukraine’s northeast in September.
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Lesson of The Month
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Famous Quotes of the Month
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Humour in Uniform |
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Poetry Corner
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Wake Not The Weary
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Submissions to Poetry Corner
We are eagerly seeking submissions of a military nature to our Poetry Corner. Send submissions to: |
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4RCR Recruiting
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 Wolseley Barracks, London |
 Stratford Armoury, Stratford |
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Join Our Team
Looking for full-time or part-time work? We are hiring and provide excellent career opportunities. Please do not hesitate to call or email our recruiter who will be pleased to answer any questions you may have and provide direction on how to apply to our Regiment. Our Team Recruiter
Name: London Reserve Recruiting Garrison Or contact
Phone: 1-800-856-8488 When We Train September to June:
Thursday evenings |
Trades In Our Unit
Infantry Soldier Equipment Weapons: Browning 9-mm Pistol C6 7.62-mm Medium Machine Gun C7A2 5.56-mm Automatic Rifle C9A2 Light Machine Gun Carl Gustav 84mm Short Range Anti-armour Weapon (Medium) Grenade Vehicles:
Medium Support Vehicle System (MSVS)
Militarized Commercial Off-The-Shelf (MilCOTS)
Light Support Vehicle Wheel (LSVW)
See a list of Canadian Army weapons and vehicles.
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Who We Are 4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (4 RCR) is a Primary Reserve Infantry unit based in London and Stratford, ON. The RCR was founded on 21 December 1883 as Canada's first truly-professional regiment of infantry and has fought gallantly in every conflict Canada has been involved in. 4 RCR, specifically, has drawn its soldiers from the London, Woodstock and Stratford area for more than 150 years. Today, 4 RCR is a proud and active unit that strives to set the example in all matters of leadership and soldiering. 4 RCR’s role is to rigourously train its soldiers and officers, as part of 31 Canadian Brigade Group, to be ready for operations both domestically and around the world. The unit, in the past, committed more than 20% of its strength to Canadian operations in Afghanistan and nowadays actively augments operations domestically and in Europe. The role of the infantry is to close-with and destroy the enemy: often under challenging conditions. While the job of an infantryman is a demanding one, it is also a highly rewarding, exciting and fun career and the battalion offers a highly supportive and close-knit family network to all its members. Benefits of Joining When you join our unit, you will receive competitive pay for your part time or full time work as well as be eligible for on the job training that could benefit you in civilian life. Also, there are medical, dental and educational benefits available to Army Reservists. Here are all the details:
London
4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
Telephone: 519-660-5275, Ext. 5259 Stratford
4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
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4RCR Contacts London
4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
Telephone: 519-660-5275, Ext. 5259 Stratford
4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment |
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Contact 4RCR Council
BGen (ret'd) O'Brien, GJP, Chairperson,
Capt (Ret'd) Mombourquette, JV, Secretary,
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Contact Webmaster
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Regimental Contacts
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The RCR Regimental Site
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The RCR Association 
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The RCR Regimental Warehouse 
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The RCR Museum 
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