The Essex and Kent Scottish

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment


caption=
dates=31 March 1954-
country=Canada
branch=Militia
type=Line Infantry
role=Light Infantry
command_structure=Royal Canadian Infantry Corps
size= One battalion
motto="Semper Paratus" (Always Ready)
nickname="Eeks and Squeaks"
march="Heilan Laddie"
current_commander= LCol Brause
garrison= Windsor, Ontario
ceremonial_chief= HRH Prince Michael of Kent
ceremonial_chief_label=Colonel in Chief
colonel_of_the_regiment=
identification_symbol_2= [http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb309/hammersfan_01/Tartans/MacGregor.gifMcGregor]
identification_symbol_2_label=Tartan

The Essex and Kent Scottish is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces formed in 1954 by the amalgamation of The Essex Scottish Regiment and The Kent Regiment. Its Colonel-in-Chief is HRH Prince Michael of Kent. The Commanding Officer is LCol Brause, and the Deputy Commanding Officer is Maj Mark Douglas. The Regimental Sergeant Major is CWO Sean Wilkins. There are two standing platoons within the regiment: One Platoon based in Windsor, Ontario; and Two Platoon, based in Chatham-Kent, Ontario.

Early history

The roots of the regiment date back to the 18th Century, when United Empire Loyalists and local populations were faced with relentless attacks by Americans, the French, and Native-Americans. It wasn't until the Fenian Raids in 1866 when the establishment of a militia was needed in the areas in and surrounding Chatham and Windsor, Ontario. Then, on September 14, 1866, the 23rd Essex Volunteer Light Infantry and The Essex County Militia were formed. However, neither unit remained in the militia on a long-term basis.

On March 11, 1870, The Essex County Militia was officially disbanded. The Kent County Militia remained long after, but was also disbanded in the late months of 1892.

The Essex Scottish Regiment

On June 12, 1885, The Essex Scottish Regiment was created as a part of the Canadian militia, then named The 21st Essex Battalion of Infantry. It would be composed of five infantry companies, which were formed between the years 1860 and 1885 in Essex County. Over the long history of the Regiment, it was renamed a total of four times. It was first redesignated as the 21st Battalion Essex Fusiliers on February 4, 1887.

Then as the 21st Regiment Essex Fusiliers on May 8, 1900. From there it was redesignated to simply The Essex Fusiliers on April 1, 1920. And finally, to the name it held to the end of its existence, The Essex Scottish Regiment on July 15, 1927.

The Kent Regiment

This Regiment was formed on January 1, 1901. It was given the title of the 24th Kent Regiment, with the Headquarters stationed in Chatham, Ontario, Canada. As with many Regiments in the Canadian Forces, the 24th Kent Regiment was renamed, and more than once. In December 1936, the Regiment was redesignated as The Kent Regiment (MG) when it amalgamated with B Company, 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC. And eventually it was named The Kent Regiment on April 1, 1941.

The Forming of The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment

On October 1, 1954, almost one-hundred years after Chatham-Kent, Ontario and Windsor, Ontario decided to first have an operational militia, The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment was formed. It occurred when The Kent Regiment and The Essex Scottish Regiment decided to unite as a single Regiment. On March 7, 1962, the Regiment's two Battalions were officially formed. The 1st Battalion's Headquarters was in Windsor, while 2nd Battalion was stationed in Chatham.

In the year 1964, The Canadian Forces Headquarters decided to make certain reductions and amalgamations within the Canadian Military structure. Many units in the Province of Ontario were affected by this decision, including the The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment. So, following new orders and protocol, the two battalions of the Regiment amalgamated on March 31, 1965. This is the current structure of the Regiment.

Battle Honours

World War I

* Ypres
* Hill 70
* Festubert
* Passchendaele
* Mount Sorrel
* Amiens
* Somme
* Scarpe
* Flers-Courcelette
* Hindenburg Line
* Thiepval
* Canal Du Nord
* Ancre Heights
* Cambrai (1918)
* Arras
* Pursuit To Mons
* Vimy
* Flanders

World War II

* Dieppe
* South Beveland
* Bourguebus Ridge
* The Rhineland
* St. Andre-sur-Orne
* Goch-Calcar Road
* Verrières Ridge
* Falaise
* The Hochwald
* Falaise Road
* Xanten
* Clair Tizon
* Twente Canal
* Foret de la Londe
* Groningen
* The Scheldt
* Oldenburg
* Woensdrecht
* North-West Europe

Victoria Cross Recipients

* L/Sgt Ellis Wellwood Sifton
* Major Frederick Albert Tilston

Alliances

*GBR - The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires)
*GBR - The Royal Anglian Regiment

Order of precedence

External links

* [http://www.army.dnd.ca/Essex_Kent_Scottish_Regt/ekscots/main_e.html Official DND website]
* [http://www.regiments.org/regiments/na-canada/volmil/on-inf/954ExKnt.htm Regiments.Org - The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment]
* [http://www.ciaccess.com/~59army/ekscot.html Details and history]