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REGIMENTAL CATECHISM
APRIL 2007
THE ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT
REGIMENTAL CATECHISM
1. WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE REGIMENT?
The Royal Canadian Regiment.
The short title is The RCR.
2. WHAT UNITS COMPRISE THE REGIMENT?
There are four battalions, and a Regimental Headquarters located as follows:
- Regimental Headquarters – Wolseley Barracks, ASU London
- 1st Battalion – Victoria Barracks, CFB Petawawa, ON
- 2nd Battalion – Gregg Barracks, CFB Gagetown, ON
- 3rd Battalion – Foulkes Barracks, CFB Petawawa, ON
- 4th Battalion – Wolseley Barracks, ASU London, and Stratford, ON
3. WHO HOLDS THE FOLLOWING REGIMENTAL APPOINTMENTS?
a. The Colonel-In-Chief of the Regiment.
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b. The Colonel of the Regiment.
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c. The Regimental Colonel (R Col)
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d. The Regimental Chief Warrant Officer (RCWO)
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e. Your Commanding Officer (CO)
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f. Your Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM)
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4. WHEN WAS THE REGIMENT FIRST FORMED?
On 21 December 1883. It was then called the "Infantry School Corps". In 1892 it was renamed "Canadian Regiment of Infantry", and on 24 May, 1893, Queen Victoria's birthday, the honour of a "Royal" prefix was granted and the name changed to "The Royal Regiment of Canadian Infantry". Again in 1899, the name was altered to "The Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry", and finally, in 1901 to "The Royal Canadian Regiment". The Regiment is the oldest Regular Force infantry unit of the Canadian Forces. It was decided on amalgamation of the Reserve Battalion in 1954 that the Regiment would continue to celebrate 21 Dec 1883 as the Regimental birthday.
5. WHAT IS THE REGIMENTAL PRAYER?
Almighty God; we humbly implore Thy blessing on The Royal Canadian Regiment and all of us who serve therein.
Help us to prove worthy to accept the high ideals and traditions of the past; to honour and revere the memory of those who have gone before us; to face our responsibilities in the future, in both peace and war, with courage, justice, love, honest, and faithfulness.
Remove all greed, hatred, selfishness, and envy from our thoughts that may render true service to the Regiment and for Thee our God; for our fellow man, and "For Country".
Amen.
6. WHAT IS THE MOTTO OF THE REGIMENT?
"Pro Patria", a Latin motto meaning: "For Country".
7. WHAT IS THE REGIMENTAL SLOGAN?
"Never pass a fault."
8. WHERE HAS THE REGIMENT SERVED IN PEACE AND WAR?
- 1883 – 1899 Canada including North West Canada and the Yukon
- 1899 – 1900 South Africa & England
- 1900 – 1914 Canada
- 1914 – 1915 Bermuda
- 1915 – 1919 England, France and Belgium
- 1919 – 1939 Canada
- 1939 – 1945 England, France, Sicily, Italy, Belgium, Holland & Germany
- 1945 – 1950 Canada
- 1951 – 1953 Korea
- 1953 – Present; Canada, Germany, Norway, Cyprus, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bosnia, Croatia, Macedonia, Somalia, Kosovo, Ethiopia & Eritrea, Haiti, and Afghanistan.
Individual members of the Regiment have served on many UN taskings and missions throughout the world.
9. IN WHAT CAMPAIGNS HAS THE REGIMENT TAKEN PART?
- North-West Canada Rebellion; 1885 (C Coy)
- South African War; 1899 – 1902
- orld War I; 1914 – 1919W
- World War II; 1939 – 1945
- Korean War; 1951 – 1953
- Gulf War; 1990 – 1991 (C Coy 1 RCR and M Coy 3 RCR).
- Afghanistan; 2003 - ____
10. HOW MANY BATTLE HONOURS HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO THE REGIMENT?
The Regiment has been awarded or perpetuates 57 battle honours for specific distinguished actions and general actions on active service. Of these, twenty-five battle honour names have been approved for emblazonment on the Regimental Colour. (Battle Honours in bold capitals are those emblazoned on the regimental colour.)
11. WHAT ARE THE BATTLE HONOURS OF THE REGIMENT?
| Battle Honour | Dates | | Northwest Canada | | | | 1 | SASKATCHEWAN | | | 2 | NORTH-WEST CANADA, 1885 | | | South Africa | | | | 3 | PAARDEBERG | 18-27 Feb 1900 | | 4 | SOUTH AFRICA, 1899-1900 | | | First World War | | | | 5 | YPRES, 1915 | 22 Apr – 25 May 1915 (Note 1) | | 6 | Gravenstafel | 22-23 Apr 1915 | | 7 | St. Julien | 24 Apr – 4 May 1915 | | 8 | Festubert, 1915 | 15-25 May 1915 | | 9 | MOUNT SORREL | 2-13 Jun 1915 | | 10 | SOMME, 1916 | 1 Jul – 18 Nov 1916 | | 11 | Pozieres | 23 Jul – 3 Sep 1916 | | 12 | Flers-Courcelette | 15-22 Sep 1916 | | 13 | ANCRÉ HEIGHTS | 1 Oct - 11 Nov 1916 | | 14 | Arras, 1917 | 9 Apr – 4 May 1917 (Note 2) | | 15 | VIMY, 1917 | 9-14 Apr 1917 | | 16 | Arleux | 28-29 Apr 1917 | | 17 | Scarpe, 1917 | 26-30 Aug 1918 (Note 3) | | 18 | HILL 70 | 15-25 Aug 1917 | | 19 | YPRES, 1917 | 31 Jul – 10 Nov 1917 (Note 1) | | 20 | PASSCHENDAELE | 26 Oct - 10 Nov 1917 | | 21 | AMIENS | 8-11 Aug 1918 | | 22 | Arras, 1918 | 26 Aug – 3 Sep 1918 (Note 2) | | 23 | Scarpe, 1918 | 26-30 Aug 1918 (Note 3) | | 24 | Drocourt-Queant | 2-3 Sep 1918 | | 25 | HINDENBURG LINE | 12 Sep – 9 Oct 1918 | | 26 | Canal du Nord | 27 Sep – 9 Oct 1918 | | 27 | Cambrai, 1918 | 8-9 Oct 1918 | | 28 | PURSUIT TO MONS | 4-11 Nov 1918 | | 29 | France and Flanders, 1915-1918 | | | Second World War | | | | 30 | LANDING IN SICILY | 9-12 Jul 1943 | | 31 | Valguarnera | 17-19 Jul 1943 | | 32 | Agira | 24-28 Jul 1943 | | 33 | Adrano | 29 Jul – 7 Aug 1943 | | 34 | Regalbuto | 29 Jul – 3 Aug 1943 | | 35 | Sicily, 1943 | 9 Jul – 17 Aug 1943 | | 36 | Landing at Reggio | 3 Sep 1943 | | 37 | MOTTA MONTECORVINO | 1-3 Oct 1943 | | 38 | Campobasso | 11-14 Oct 1943 | | 39 | Torella | 24-27 Oct 1943 | | 40 | SAN LEONARDO | 8-9 Dec 1943 | | 41 | The Gully | 10-19 Dec 1943 | | 42 | ORTONA | 20-28 Dec 1943 | | 43 | Cassino II | 11-18 May 1944 | | 44 | Gustav Line | 11-18 May 1944 | | 45 | Liri Valley | 18-30 May 1944 | | 46 | HITLER LINE | 18-24 May 1944 | | 47 | GOTHIC LINE | 25 Aug – 22 Sep 1944 | | 48 | LAMONE CROSSING | 2-13 Dec 1944 | | 49 | Misano Ridge | 3-5 Sep 1944 | | 50 | RIMINI LINE | 14-21 Sep 1944 | | 51 | San Martino-San Lorenzo | 14-18 Sep 1944 | | 52 | Pisciatello | 16-19 Oct 1944 | | 53 | Fosso Vecchio | 16-18 Dec 1944 | | 54 | ITALY, 1943-1945 | 3 Sep 1943 – 22 Apr 1945 | | 55 | Apeldoorn | 11-17 Apr 1945 | | 56 | NORTH-WEST EUROPE, 1945 | 6 Jun 1944 – 5 May 1945 | | Korea | | | | 57 | KOREA, 1951-1953 | |
Notes:
1. "Ypres, 1915" and "Ypres, 1917" are normally combined and written as "Ypres '15, '17".
2. "Arras, 1917" and "Arras, 1918" are normally combined and written as "Arras '17, '18".
3. "Scarpe, 1917" and "Scarpe, 1918" are normally combined and written as "Scarpe '17, '18".
12. WHAT ARE THE COLOURS?
Each Battalion of the Regiment has two colours. They are: the Queen's Colour, signifying allegiance to the Queen, and the Regimental Colour, signifying loyalty to the Regiment.
“Colours are a unit's most prized possession. They are presented personally by the Sovereign or by an individual, normally the Governor General, nominated to act on the Sovereign's behalf. Historically, Colours marked and provided a rallying point for army regiments in the line of battle. Today, they are no longer carried in action or held by a unit in a theatre of war. They continue, however, as visible symbols of pride, honour and devotion to Sovereign and country.” (A-AD-200-000/AG-000; The Honours, Flags and Heritage Structure of the Canadian Forces.)
The Queen's Colour is carried on the right of the Regimental Colour. It is described as the Canadian Flag with a circle, centered on the red Maple Leaf, inscribed “The Royal Canadian Regiment” surmounted by the Royal Crown. In the center of the circle is a Roman numeral which denotes the number of the Battalion. The Colour is bordered with a gold and crimson fringe and is carried on a pike capped with a lion holding a Maple Leaf in its dexter paw and surmounted with the Crown.
The Regimental Colour is Royal Blue with a blue and gold fringe. In the center, a crimson circle inscribed "The Royal Canadian Regiment", surmounted with the crown encompassing the Royal Cypher of the reigning monarch.
The circle is embraced by twelve autumnal coloured Maple Leaves. This complete center adornment is encompassed by a wreath of Laurel Leaves on which are emblazoned twenty-five Battle Honours.
In addition, each corner bears a white fleur-de-lis between two gold Maple Leaves. In the upper left canton, a Roman numeral designates the number of the Battalion. The Regimental Colour is carried on a pike capped with a lion holding a Maple Leaf in its dexter paw and surmounted with the Crown.
13. WHAT VICTORIA CROSSES HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT?
a. Lt. Milton F. Gregg, VC (Cambrai, 27 September to 1 October 1918).
b. Lt Frederick Campbell, VC (GIVENCHY, 15 June 1915; while serving with the 1st Cdn Inf Bn, CEF, during the First World War. The 1st Cdn Inf Bn is perpetuated by The RCR.)
14. WHAT IS THE QUEEN'S SCARF OF HONOUR?
The Queen's Scarves of Honour, which were knit by Queen Victoria and considered to rank with the VC as an individual honour, were awarded to four soldiers of the Colonial Forces who fought in the South African War (four other Scarves were awarded to NCOs of the British Army). The Canadian recipient of the Queen’s Scarf was Private Richard Rowland Thompson, 2nd (Special Service) Bn, The RCR. The original scarf is on permanent loan to the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. A replica is displayed in the Regimental Museum in London, Ontario.
15. WHO WAS THE REGIMENT’S FIRST OPERATIONAL CASUALTY?
Private Arthur J. Watson was the Regiment's first operational casualty. He was killed at Fish Creek during the North West Rebellion on the 24th of April, 1885.
16. WHAT CANADIAN CITIES HAVE REGULAR AND RESERVE BATTALIONS OF THE RCR GARRISONED THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY?
- Fredericton, NB
- St Jean, PQ
- Toronto, ON
- London, ON
- Quebec City, PQ
- Halifax, NS
- Esquimault, BC
- Brockville, ON
- Ipperwash, ON
- Petawawa, ON
- Oromocto, NB
- Borden, ON
- Stratford, ON
18. WHAT IS THE HOME STATION OF THE RCR?
The Home Station of The RCR is London, ON.
19. ON HOW MANY OCCASIONS HAS THE REGIMENT HAD MORE THAN ONE BATTALION?
Twice:
First, in 1900 The Royal Canadian Regiment consisted of three battalions:
The Permanent Force Battalion remained in its normal role, but supplied officers and men for the Yukon Field Force, the 2nd (Special Service) Battalion in South Africa and the 3rd (Special Service) Battalion garrisoning Halifax.
Second, since 1950 the Regiment has been a multi-battalion organization comprised of two to four Battalions. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions served in Korea during the hostilities between 1951 and 1953. In May 1954, the 3rd Battalion became the 1st Battalion, Canadian Guards reducing the Regiment to two regular battalions. In October 1954, the Canadian Fusiliers and the Oxford Rifles were amalgamated and redesignated “The London and Oxford Fusiliers (3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment)” thus raising the Regiment again to three battalions. The Reserve battalion was later renamed 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (London and Oxford Fusiliers) and then as 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment. In 1970 the 1st and 2nd Battalions, the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada were disbanded, and the soldiers of those units were reorganized as the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment. The 2nd Battalion, Canadian Guards was also disbanded, its soldiers becoming the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment. The Reserve Battalion was then designated the 4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, thus attaining a regimental organization of three Regular Force battalions and one Reserve Force Battalion. In 1993, 3 RCR was designated a 10/90 Battalion, with rifle companies manned by various Ontario based Militia Regiments. In 1996, 3 RCR was again reorganized as a Regular Force light infantry battalion with one company assigned a parachute role.
20. WHAT UNITS OF THE CANADIAN MILITIA AND THE CANADIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE DOES THE ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT PERPETUATE?
Units of the Canadian Militia:
a. The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), which started as the "7th Infantry Battalion, 'Prince Arthur's Own'" in 1866,
b. The Oxford Rifles, which started as the "22nd Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles, Canada" in 1863, and
c. 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps (1919-1938).
Units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) for the First World War:
a. 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF,
b. 33rd Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF,
c. 71st Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF,
d. 142nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF,
e. 168th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF,
f. 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, CEF
21. WHAT ARE THE ALLIED REGIMENTS?
- The Rifles.
- The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
- The Jamaica Regiment.
22. WHAT IS THE OFFICIAL MARCH PAST OF THE REGIMENT?
"The RCR March" composed by Band Corporal George Offen in the period 1905 to 1907.
23. WHAT IS THE OFFICIAL REGIMENTAL SLOW MARCH?
"Pro Patria" composed by Band Sergeant Claude W. Keast in 1956.
24. WHAT DO THE LETTERS VRI ON YOUR CAP BADGE MEAN?
Victoria Regina Imperatrix", which is Latin for "Victoria, Queen, Empress". The right to wear the Imperial Cypher and Crown was granted by Queen Victoria in 1893. When a Royal or Imperial Cypher forms part of the badge of a regiment it is normal for it to change with each succeeding sovereign and badges with the cyphers of King Edward VII and King George V were the officially authorized badges from 1901 to 1919. Throughout this period, “VRI” badges were also in continuous use within the Regiment as authority was sought for an official return to the “VRI” cyphered badges. In 1919, King George V granted The Royal Canadian Regiment permission to wear "VRI" in perpetuity, a unique privilege.
25. WHAT ARE THE BADGES WORN ON THE LEFT BREAST OF THE REGIMENT BLAZERS?
- Officers & CWOs – VRI surmounted by Crown.
- MWOs, WOs & Sgts – The Cap Badge.
- Rank and File – The Collar Badge.
- The RCR Association – The Regimental Cypher with the word “Association” below.
26. WHAT DAYS ARE CELEBRATED AS REGIMENTAL DAYS AND WHAT OCCURS ON THOSE DAYS?
- Paardeberg Day – 27 February, celebrated in honour of the key role played by The RCR in the surrender of General Cronje's force to the British on 27 February1900 during the South African War. This day may be highlighted by a sports competition between representative teams of Officers, Warrant Officers and Sergeants, and Corporal/Privates. Formal mixed social functions may be held that night in the various messes, or an all-ranks ball.
- Pachino Day – 10 July, celebrated in honour of the Regiment's landing at Pachino Peninsula, Sicily on 10 July 1943. This day is often highlighted by sports, either inter-company or between teams grouped by rank followed by an all ranks gathering where spaghetti and red wine are served.
- Kowang-San Day – 23 October, in honour of the 1st Battalion’s defence of Hill 355, 23 October 1952. This date may be celebrated by sports events and/or Battalion parades. (Observed by 1RCR.)
- Mons Day – 10 November, celebrated in honour of the Regiment's entry into the City of Mons immediately prior to the end of the First World War. Battalion parades may be held in commemoration.
- Regimental Birthday – 21 December, celebrated in honour of the founding of the Regiment on 21 December 1883. Where possible, all ranks of the Regiment gather to commemorate the Regimental Birthday, often at the Soldiers’ Christmas Dinner, which signals the commencement of relaxed duties over the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Mess dinners may also be held by the Officers and by the Warrant Officers and Sergeants to mark the Regimental Birthday.
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27. WHAT IS THE ORTONA TOAST?
On 20 November 1993, the Regimental Executive Committee (REC) approved a motion to toast the Regiment on Regimental Birthday observances with the same mixture as used at the Ortona Crossroads on 21 December 1943. The Toast consists of a rum punch, made from rum, sugar and water, and is taken from plain white china mugs. The Ortona Toast symbolizes the Regimental spirit of our predecessors in the face of the enemy and reminds us of their sacrifice. The Ortona Toast is drunk only at Regimental Birthday events, at other times the Regiment may be toasted with port or any available drink.
28. WHAT IS REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS (RHQ)?
RHQ is responsible for the management of regimental business that is not executed by the Battalions or financed by the Crown. Among other things, RHQ looks after regimental publications, finances, supervision of The RCR Museum and support to the Colonel of the Regiment
29. WHAT IS THE RCR ASSOCIATION?
The Association is a brotherhood of serving, former serving and retired members of the Regiment with a common purpose to foster and maintain the well being of the Regiment. All serving Royal Canadians are members of The RCR Association through their participation in the VCP. Members of other Corps and CF branches who were attached to any unit of the Regiment at any time and members of any units amalgamated into the Regiment or who served with any affiliated unit may also join the Association.
30. WHAT IS THE RCR TRUST?
The RCR Trust manages regimental investments on behalf of the Regiment. Each year, the Trust disperses earned interest in accordance with the conditions for a variety of Regimental Trust accounts to assist with the funding of a wide range of regimental activities and programs.
31. WHAT IS THE VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS PROGRAM (VCP)?
The Voluntary Contributions Program (VCP) provides funding for Regimental initiatives benefiting individual members of the Regiment as well as major regimental projects and operations. A portion of the contributions received is invested to aid in the financing of long-term projects to ensure that the Regiment retains the capability to preserve historical traditions and to define and promote the distinctiveness of the Regiment. The VCP is pro-rated by rank with Privates paying the lowest VCP rates. Benefits include Pro Patria, accoutrements, PT shell, Sergeants’ sashes, floral tributes, and regimental departure gifts on release.
32. WHAT ARE THE REGIMENTAL JOURNAL AND WEBSITE?
The Regimental Journal Pro Patria is published each spring covering the preceding year. Contents include submissions from Battalions and Extra-Regimental Employed (ERE) Royal Canadians, The RCR Association and its Branches, and individual submissions from serving and retired Royal Canadians. The Regimental website The Connecting File – http://thercr.ca - provides an online resource for Royal Canadians and anyone else with an interest in our Regiment.
33. WHO CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE REGIMENT’S PUBLICATIONS AND WEBSITE?
Any Royal Canadian, serving or retired, is welcome to contribute captioned photographs and/or text articles on regimental events or historical research for the Regimental journal Pro Patria. Items not published at the time of submission will be added to the Regiment’s archives at The RCR Museum for use in future projects and research. Every Royal Canadian has a responsibility to help record our Regiment’s story. Contributions may be sent directly to the Regimental Adjutant at RHQ.
34. WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU AS A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT?
Courage, Obedience, Physical Fitness, Efficiency and Pride in yourself and in your Regiment. You must have courage to face battle and boredom. You must be obedient to all in authority over you so that The Royal Canadian Regiment can depend on this obedience. You must be physically fit to stand the hard conditioning under which you must live and so you can fight in the field. You must be efficient at your job and with your weapons. If you don't know, find out. Your life and your comrades' lives depend on it. You must have pride in yourself and in your Regiment. It has been said that it takes "Blood and sweat and money to make a regiment", but it takes more than that, it takes SOLDIERS. A regiment is made up of the soldiers in it; that is why there are good and bad regiments. Think of the past history of The Royal Canadian Regiment. It is your privilege to make present and future regimental history every bit as glorious, perhaps even more so; it depends on you, for
YOU ARE "THE ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT"
35. WHAT ARE THE THREE GREAT TRADITIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT?
Chivalry, Gallantry, and Dash.
- Chivalry – is the embodiment in one person of those qualities such as dignity, courtesy, bravery, truth, duty and valour.
- Gallantry – is a brave and dashing spirit, splendour of appearance, nobleness and polite attention to others.
- Dash – is simply speed of thought and action.
36. WHAT ARE THE THREE RULES OF CONDUCT THAT APPLY TO ALL ROYAL CANADIANS UNDER ALL CONDITIONS OF SERVICE?
First – No leader will order a subordinate to carry out a task he is not prepared to do himself.
Second – Speed of thought and action is the prime requirement. Speed of action without thought can be both dangerous and valueless.
Third – No wounded member of the Regiment will ever be left on the battlefield.
37. Always remember A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
PRO PATRIA
Revised April 2007 by RHQ.
Approved by The Chairman of the REC.
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