Note 23 — APPENDIX REGIMENTAL COLOURS OF CANADIAN INFANTRY BATTALIONS

The Royal Canadian Regiment is the only regular unit in the Canadian Forces. It was first raised in December, 1883, for the purpose of instructing the Canadian Militia, and was called the Infantry School Corps. Since then it has been known as the Royal Regiment of Canadian Infantry, then the Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry, and later by its present title. In 1894 H.M. Queen Victoria gave her Imperial Cypher V.R.I. as a badge. The Regiment was increased during the South African War by the raising of a 2nd and 3rd Battalion; these were afterwards disbanded. In 1885 the Regiment took part in the suppression of the North West Rebellion under General Middleton at Batoche and Cut-Knife Creek. In 1896 it formed part of the Expedition sent up to police the New Yukon District, where it remained for two years. In 1899–1900, the 2nd Battalion fought in South Africa with the 19th Brigade, doing particularly good service at Paardeburg. In 1905 the establishment was increased, when the Imperial Troops handed over the garrisoning of the fortresses at Halifax and elsewhere to Canadian Troops. In 1914, on the outbreak of war, the Battalion relieved the 2nd Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment at Bermuda, where it remained for eleven months. It landed in France in November, 1915, and took part in the battle of Ypres of June, 1916, Somme, September, 1916, and Vimy, 1917. It particularly distinguished itself on the Somme and Vimy. H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught is Colonel of the Regiment. In 1901, H.R.H. the Duke of Cornwall and York (now H.M. King George V.) presented Colours to the Regiment at Toronto. In 1904, H.E. Lord Minto, Governor-General of Canada, presented at Ottawa a special Banner given by H.M. King Edward VII. for service in South Africa.