Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada
The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. It is part of the 3rd Canadian Division's 38 Canadian Brigade Group and is headquartered at the Minto Armoury in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is the oldest highland regiment in Western Canada.
The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada
1910–present
Canada
Ullamh (Scottish Gaelic for 'ready')
"The Piobaireachd of Donald Dhu" and "March of the Cameron Men"
- Regimental birthday, 1 February 1910
- Shankland's VC, 26 October 1917
- Dieppe, 19 August 1942
See #Battle honours
Vacant
-_Infantry_(NATO_APP-6).svg)
Camerons of C
The regimental colour
The camp flag
Operational history[edit]
Great War[edit]
Details of The 79th Cameron Highlanders of Canada were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protection duties.[2]
The 79th Cameron Highlanders of Canada contributed one company to the 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish), CEF (perpetuated by the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's).[3]
The 43rd Battalion (Cameron Highlanders of Canada), CEF, which was authorized on 7 November 1914 and embarked for Great Britain on 1 June 1915. It disembarked in France on 22 February 1916, where it fought as part of the 9th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The battalion disbanded on 15 September 1920.[4]
The 174th Battalion (Cameron Highlanders of Canada), CEF was authorized on 15 July 1916 and embarked for Great Britain on
29 April 1917. There, on 7 May 1917, its personnel were absorbed by the 14th Reserve Battalion, CEF to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. The battalion disbanded on 1 September 1917.[5]
The 179th Battalion (Cameron Highlanders of Canada), CEF was authorized on 15 July 1916 and embarked for Great Britain on
3 October 1916. There, on 21 October 1916, its personnel were absorbed by the 17th Reserve Battalion, CEF to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. The battalion disbanded on 17 July 1917.[6]
History[edit]
Formation[edit]
As early as 1905 the local Scottish community in Winnipeg, led by the St Andrew's Society of Winnipeg, began lobbying the government to raise a Highland regiment. Under increasing pressure from the Scottish lobbyists the government relented and the initial steps taken to form Western Canada's first Highland regiment. On 29 September 1909, the prospective officers met and committees dealing with finances, uniforms and the band were formed. As the government grant did not cover the entire cost of uniforms and equipment, the Scottish societies and the officers undertook to raise the money themselves managing an initial amount of $25,000.00. Almost all of the original accoutrements were manufactured in Scotland, obtained from William Anderson & Sons Ltd. On 1 February 1910, the 79th Cameron Highlanders of Canada were officially gazetted, headquartered in the former Dominion Lands Office at 202 Main Street. On 9 October 1910, the regiment received its first stand of Colours, presented by Mrs D. C. Cameron, wife of the honorary lieutenant-colonel.
The availability of the number "79" was fortuitous and enabled the new Canadian regiment to adopt the regimental number of a famous regiment in Scotland, the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders who had been raised in 1793 as the 79th (Cameron Highlanders) Regiment of Foot. Along with the regimental number the new Canadian regiment chose to also perpetuate the uniform of the Imperial Camerons.[10] This association with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders became official on 31 January 1911, when His Majesty, King George V authorized the alliance of the two Highland regiments. On 22 June 1911, a contingent of 61 Camerons, parading with their allied regiment, participated in the coronation of King George V.
The regimental colour of The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada.
In the list below, battle honours in small capitals were awarded for participation in large operations and campaigns, while those in lowercase indicate honours granted for more specific battles. Battle honours in bold type are emblazoned on the regimental colour.[15]
