Regimental Birthday

The date of August 10th is celebrated as the Regimental birthday of PPCLI. This celebration commemorates the anniversary of the formation of the Regiment. The Regiment was born in Ottawa in August 1914, as a result of the offer of Captain Andrew Hamilton Gault to provide $100,000 to finance and equip a battalion for overseas service.

On 6 August 1914, Captain Gault's offer was accepted by the Canadian Government. Authority was granted on 10 August to raise and equip an infantry battalion, with the remainder of the cost being covered by the department of Militia and Defence. On 10 August, 1914, the Charter of the Regiment was signed, constituting the authority for the existence of the Regiment, and approved by His Royal Highness, The Duke of Connaught, Governor-General of Canada.

Mobilization of the Regiment began on August 11th and eight days later it was completed as soldiers flocked to Ottawa from every part of Canada. In just over a week since it's birth the Regiment grew to 1,098 all ranks, with 1,049 of those members having seen previous service in South Africa or in the forces of the British Empire.

LCol Francis D. Farquhar, DSO, an officer of the Coldstream Guards who was the Military Secretary to His Royal Highness, The Governor-General of Canada, was selected to command the new battalion. LCol Farquhar, suggested that the Regiment bear the name of the Duke's youngest daughter, Her Royal Highness Princess Patricia of Connaught. The request was made to the Princess, who graciously consented to the Regiment bearing her name. The Light Infantry came about because Captain Gault, a veteran of the South African Campaign liked the "Irregular Feel" it gave the Regiment.

The Regiment's first formal parade was held on 23 August 1914 at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa. It was here that Princess Patricia presented her Regiment with a Camp Colour, which she designed and worked by hand. The Ric-A-Damm-Doo, as it later became known, was affixed to a staff cut from a Maple tree growing on Parliament Hill. This Camp Colour was to be carried with the Regiment to France and, after the second battle of Ypres, was officially recognized as our Regimental Colour

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History

Brigadier General Andrew Hamilton Gault

The Regiment was born in Ottawa in August, 1914 as a result of the offer of Captain Andrew Hamilton Gault on the 3rd of August, to provide $100,000 to finance and equip a Battalion for overseas service.

On the 6th of August, 1914 Captain Gault's offer was provisionally accepted by the Canadian Government. Authority was formally granted on the10th August, 1914 (by way of a Report to the Privy Council of Canada (PC 2112)) to raise and equip an infantry battalion, with the remainder of the cost being defrayed by the Department of Militia and Defence.

On the10th of August, 1914 the Charter of the Regiment was signed and on the next day mobilization began. Eight days later, it was completed, as old soldiers flocked from every part of Canada. Out of 1,098 all ranks accepted into the new Regiment, 1,049 had seen previous service in South Africa or in the regular forces of the British Empire. In addition to personnel from the Royal Navy and Marines, almost every unit in the British Army had its representation.

L. Col Francis D.Farquhar, DSO, an officer of the Coldstream Guards who was Military Secretary to His Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught and Stathearn, The Governor-General of Canada, was selected to command the new battalion.

L. Col Farquhar suggested the the Regiment bear the name of the Duke's youngest daughter, Her Royal Highness Princess Patricia of Connaught. The request was made to the princess, who graciously consented to the regiment bearing her name. The Light infantry came about because Captain Gault, a veteran of the South African War, liked the "Irregular feel" it gave the regiment.

The full title of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Mobile Infantry was too long for everyday use, and the new unit became known as "PPCLI", with "PP's" or "Pip Pip's", the most common variants. The Regiment was best known to the public as "Princess Pats" or merely the "Pats", but this partial abbreviation is discouraged within the regiment, which now prefers to be known as the "Patricia's".

The Edmonton City Police Pipe Band had enlisted in Ottawa under a gallant old Highlander, Pipe Major C. Colville. Reporting in full Highland Kit with the Hunting Stewart tartan, they announced to the Colonel that they had come "to pipe you to France and back again" Colonel Farquhar was able to take them on establishment and they lightened many a march for the Regiment and proved stouthearted stretcher bearers in action as well.