20210416_HRH Memorial

Condolences from the Colonel of The Regiment “On behalf of The Royal Canadian Regiment, the Right Honourable David Johnston, 28th Governor General of Canada and Colonel of the Regiment, we share our deep sadness on the passing of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, a man who personified service before self. We wish to extend our sincerest condolences to Her Majesty The Queen, the entire Royal family, as well as His Royal Highness’ friends and colleagues, in this most difficult time.” In Memoriam 1921 - 2021 Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, K.G., K.T., O.M., GBE, GCL, A.C., ONZ, CC, CMM, QSOI, CD, PC Colonel-in-Chief, The Royal Canadian Regiment This is an abbreviated version of the original article written by Captain Ross Appleton, CD (Retired).

On 8 December 2020, His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, celebrated 67 years as Colonel- in-Chief of The Royal Canadian Regiment. The Royal Canadian Regiment had been without a Colonel-in-Chief since Field Marshal HRH Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught (the Regiment's first-ever Colonel-in-Chief), died on 16 January 1942. Following the Second World War, Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth was asked that she consider filling this appointment. Unfortunately, given her many other commitments, this was just not possible. However, once Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne, it became clear that HRH Prince Philip would be prepared to accept this honour. Thus, on 08 December 1953, HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, officially became Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Canadian Regiment. From 1951 through 2013, HRH Prince Philip officially visited Canada on more than 60 separate occasions, more than 20 of which he accompanied Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Official interactions over the years between The RCR and its Colonel-in-Chief were many and varied. On 10 August 1954, HRH Prince Philip inspected a 130-man Guard of Honour from 1 RCR commanded by Captain W. Snell at the northern RCAF station at Fort Churchill. The 1 RCR Guard carried the Queen's Colour on this occasion. The CO of 1 RCR, Lieutenant-Colonel T.R. McCoy, presented HRH with a silver cigarette box. On 17 October 1955, the Colonel-in-Chief arrived by helicopter at Fort York, Soest, West Germany, to present 2 RCR with the Battalion's first stand of Colours before the Battalion returned to Canada the next month. In 1956, HRH Prince Philip instituted the Duke of Edinburgh Trophy, which was to loom large in the Regiment's imagination and future efforts. The competition was an annual event involving all regiments and corps in which Prince Philip held an honourary appointment. Initially, this involved some 21 British, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Gurkha units. Each team consisted of 12 soldiers - one captain, two lieutenants, three sergeants, three corporals, and three privates. The competition required both marksmanship and physical fitness. From 1962-1964, 2nd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment won the Pte Al Legoff, LSgt John O’Quinn, Lt Joe Aitchison, Capt Des Dean, Cpl Trophy for an unprecedented three Raymond O’Quinn, HE Lionel Chevrier (High Commissioner), Sgt Ed Laporte. years in a row. On 11 March 1964, LtCol JWP Bryan (CO 2 RCR), LCpl CS Nickerson, 2Lt Dave Morkem, LCpl Ken the winning team from 2 RCR was Burrill, Sgt Stu Tremblay, Sgt Ken Dans, Pte Tom Mombourquette

presented with the Trophy by HRH Prince Philip himself at Buckingham Palace. On 11 June 1957, HRH Prince Philip insisted on spending an informal day with 1 RCR at Fort York during the Battalion's two-year tour in Germany. HRH attended a significant event at the Home Station 02-03 July 1959. Arriving at Crumlin Airport in London, the Colonel-in-Chief inspected a Guard of Honour made up of soldiers from all three battalions, including a militia battalion, the 3rd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment (London and Oxford Fusiliers); and the Regimental Depot. At Wolseley Barracks, HRH Prince Philip unveiled the new Regimental War Memorial (also known as the Old Comrades Memorial) Following lunch in the Officers Mess, the Trooping of the Colours took place. This event was the first occasion on which all three battalions were together on parade. The Colours of the 1st and 3rd Battalions were marched off the parade and replaced with new Colours. Present on parade were the Colonel-in-Chief; the Colonel of the Regiment – General Charles Foulkes; the Honourary Lieutenant-Colonel of 3 RCR – Lieutenant-Colonel D.B. Weldon; and all four Commanding Officers: Lieutenant-Colonel F. Klenavic (1 RCR), Lieutenant-Colonel D.E. Holmes (2 RCR), Lieutenant- Colonel S.G. Heaman (3 RCR); and Major W.J. Jewell (Regimental Depot). Each Battalion provided four Guards for a total of twelve. The old Colours of 1 RCR were subsequently laid up at Wolseley Barracks in St. Mark's Chapel; those of 3 RCR in St. Paul's Cathedral at London, Ontario. On 03 July, the soldiers of The RCR lined the route at the University of Western Ontario when HM Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by HRH Prince Philip, officially visited London. HRH Prince Philip returned to London for a triple Trooping of the Colours on 22 May

1962. He was received at Crumlin Airport by an Honour Guard composed of soldiers from 3 RCR and the Regimental Depot. At Wolseley Barracks, Prince Philip laid a wreath at the Regimental Memorial. He then was the Reviewing Officer at the Trooping of the Colours by all three battalions of the Regiment. On 26 May 1965, HM Queen Elizabeth visited the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade at Fort York in Soest, West Germany. Soldiers from 1 RCR, then stationed in Germany, were included in the joint army/air force Canadian Guard of Honour. The Battalion then took part in a Brigade mounted roll past. On 16 July, HRH Prince Philip returned to Fort York to review a Trooping of the Colour conducted by 1 RCR. The recently appointed Colonel of the Regiment, Major-General Daniel Charles Spry, was also present as the Duke of Edinburgh took the salute. That evening all three Messes of the Battalion entertained in style in marquee tents set up for the occasion. Throughout the 1960s, HRH Prince Philip often took advantage of Royal Canadians serving in Germany to visit his Regiment. These visits were, on occasion, slightly more social than ceremonial. On 30 November 1967, HRH, arriving by helicopter at Fort York, Soest, spent an enjoyable day visiting 2nd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment. After reviewing a 100-man Guard of Honour and enjoying lunch in the Officers Mess, he was able to watch a Battalion Sports Day that included a game of push ball and then an ice hockey match. HRH Prince Philip's afternoon was concluded with a visit to the Sergeants Mess. The Colonel-in-Chief paid another flying visit to the 2nd Battalion in Germany the following year in December 1968. He was greeted at Fort York by a 21-gun salute and a 100- man Guard of Honour. Following his inspection of the Guard, Prince Philip presented CD’s to soldiers of 2 RCR. There followed a more relaxed social round as the Prince met members of the Battalion in turn at the Beaver Club, the Corporals Mess and the Sergeants Mess. In the evening, he attended a Dining-In at the Officers Mess. The following day, a Sunday, HRH

Prince Philip participated in a Church Parade at St. Mark's Chapel, where he read the Lesson. Over the subsequent years, HRH Prince Philip continued to maintain close ties with The Royal Canadian Regiment. He was on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on 02 August 1973 to present 3rd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment with its first-ever stand of Colours; an event of tremendous Regimental importance. The 3rd Battalion had been disbanded on 21 July 1954, shortly after its return from Korea, to become the 2nd Battalion Canadian Guards. 3 RCR was only re-constituted as a regular battalion on 06 July 1970, when the Canadian Guards were reduced to nil strength. On 22 March 1975, while returning from Latin America to London, a planned overnight stop in Fredericton, N.B. facilitated a visit with 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment and he dined with them that evening. During the Regiment's Centennial celebrations and reunion at Wolseley Barracks, London, Ontario in June/July 1983, HRH Prince Philip was very much in attendance throughout. From 30 June until 03 July, the Colonel-in-Chief participated in Centennial events on each day. The commemorations included a historic Trooping of the Colours by all four battalions of the Regiment on 01 July 1983 at the University of Western Ontario. HRH Prince Philip took the salute on this occasion. In attendance were the CoTR LGen Jack Vance, Home Station Commander and Parade Commander Col Phil Spencer, and the

Commanding Officers of the four battalions LCol AD McQuarrie (1RCR), LCol M O’Brien (2RCR), LCol JP Thompson (3RCR) and LCol B Graham (4RCR). He had both opened this landmark Centennial on Thursday 30 June and concluded it on Sunday 03 July following an open-air Church Service. HRH Prince Philip arrived on 15 July 1984 in Gagetown, N.B. to present new colours to 2 RCR (This engagement had originally been planned to occur during the Royal Visit which was postponed for 1984 General Elections). On 16 May 1990 during an overnight stop in Fredericton, New Brunswick the Colonel-in- Chief visited with 2 RCR at CFB Gagetown. From 23 June until 02 July 1997, Her Majesty The Queen and HRH Prince Philip conducted a State Visit to Canada. Taking time from a very demanding schedule, the Prince travelled to CFB Petawawa on 01 July to visit with his Regiment. On this memorable occasion, he presented 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, with a new Queen's Colour. Prince Philip additionally presided over the Change of Appointment of the Colonel of the Regiment between the outgoing Colonel Richard M. Dillon and Lieutenant-General J.E. Vance. In tribute to his remarkable tenure as Colonel-in-Chief, HRH Prince Philip received the third bar to his CD. Soldiers and Colour Parties from all four battalions of the Regiment were on parade. HRH took time to attend an all-ranks social function following the parade. In 2000, an event of great significance and rich symbolism represented the long connection between The Royal Canadian Regiment and the monarchy. In September of that year, 2 RCR mounted the Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace, and undoubtedly, the Colonel-in-Chief was instrumental in making this happen. The Detachment Commander was Major John S. Fife. The 2 RCR detachment also provided the Guard for the Queen Mother at St. James Palace and the Crown Jewels at H.M. Tower of London. This occasion (known as Operation Parapet) coincided with the centennial of the Regiment's involvement in the South African War. Our Colonel-in-Chief remained a pillar of the Royal Family and an enduring symbol of steadfast dedication and service. When Prince Philip reached 90 years old on 10 June 2011, Queen Elizabeth appointed her husband to be \"Lord High Admiral of the Navy,\" a title she had borne since 1964. This award was especially fitting as Prince Philip had had a very distinguished career in the Royal Navy before, during and after the Second World War. In Canada, the Prince was appointed to Admiral and General's honorary ranks, the first time such honours had ever been bestowed.

27 April 2013 marked the 200th anniversary of the Battle of York, which took place in the second year of the War of 1812. Following his arrival in Toronto, His Royal Highness stands before a guard of honour presenting the Royal Salute. Governor-General David Johnston and Colonel Joe Aitchison were present. The 100-person honour guard comprised members of The Royal Canadian Regiment. HRH Prince Philip is speaking with Capt (Ret'd) Sheridan \"Sherry\" Atkinson at the reception. Sherry was a Veteran of the Sicily Campaign landing on Pachino Day, and HRH Prince Philip was offshore with the Royal Navy during the same action at the age of 21, as First Lieutenant of HMS Wallace, supporting the Allied invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky, 10 July 1943). Top three photos on this page taken by Cpl Roxanne Shewchuk Photo Taken By Col McQuarrie On 27 April 2013, during the Royal Visit to Canada, Prince Philip presented a new Regimental Colour to 3 RCR at Queen's Park in Toronto.

On 23 March 2016, then Colonel of The Regiment, MGen J. I. Fenton, OMM, CD (Ret'd), was granted an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he had the pleasure of presenting HRH with his CD5. From 29 August – 18 November 2018, members of the Regiment were tasked with U.K. Public Duties and mounted the Guards at St. James Palace, Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, and Windsor Castle. The Guard was led by Maj Ben Lacey and MWO Donnie Crawford. This occasion was the first time since 2000 that the Regiment had mounted the Guard. Maj Lacey was also given an audience with HRH Prince Philip – who was as interested and knowledgeable about the Regiment as he had always been.

Prince Philip passed peacefully at the age of 99 years on 9 April 2021. Your Watch is Over! Rest in Peace, Sir.