Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada | |
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Scottish Gaelic for 'Aid the king') | |
March | "The Piobaireachd of Donald Dhu" |
Engagements |
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Battle honours | See #Battle honours |
Website | seaforthhighlanders |
Commanders | |
Colonel-in-chief | Vacant |
Insignia | |
Tartan | Seaforth MacKenzie |
Abbreviation | Seaforth of C |
The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada is a
The regiment was formed in 1910 and served overseas in both World War I and World War II. Members of the Seaforth Highlanders have deployed on many missions since World War II including Korea, Egypt, Cyprus, Croatia and most recently in Afghanistan.
Lineage
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The regimental colour of The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.
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The camp flag of The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.
The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
- Originated 24 November 1910 in Vancouver, British Columbia as the 72nd Highlanders of Canada
- Redesignated 15 April 1912 as the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
- Redesignated 16 December 1912 as the 72nd Regiment "Seaforth Highlanders of Canada"
- Redesignated 12 March 1920 as The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
- Redesignated 7 November 1940 as the 2nd Battalion, The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
- Redesignated 1 November 1945 as The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada[1]
Lineage chart
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Perpetuations
The Great War
- 72nd Battalion (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada), CEF
- 231st Battalion (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada), CEF[1]
Operational history
The Great War
The 72nd Battalion (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada), CEF was authorized on 10 July 1915 and embarked for Britain on 23 April 1916. It disembarked in France on 13 August 1916, where it fought as part of the 12th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The battalion disbanded on 30 August 1920.[1]
The 231st Battalion (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada), CEF was authorized on 15 July 1916 and embarked for Britain on 11 April 1917, where, on 22 April 1917, its personnel were absorbed by the 24th Reserve Battalion, CEF to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. The battalion disbanded on 11 April 1918.[1]
The Second World War
The regiment mobilized The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, CASF for active service on 1 September 1939. It was redesignated as the 1st Battalion, The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, CASF on 7 November 1940. It embarked for Britain on 20 December 1939. The battalion landed in Sicily on 10 July 1943 and in Italy on 4 September 1943 as part of the 2nd Brigade,
On 1 June 1945, a second Active Force component of the regiment was mobilized for service in the Pacific theatre of operations designated as the 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion (The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada), CASF. The battalion disbanded on 1 November 1945.[1]
Post-War:Korea and NATO
On 4 May 1951, the regiment mobilized two temporary Active Force companies designated "E" and "F" Company. "E" Company was reduced to nil strength when its personnel were incorporated into the 1st Canadian Highland Battalion (later the 1st Battalion,
Afghanistan
The regiment contributed an aggregate of more than 20% of its authorized strength to the various Task Forces which served in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2014.[3]
Alliances
- The Highlanders
Battle honours
In the list below, battle honours in small capitals are for participation in large operations and campaigns, while those in lowercase indicate honours granted for more specific battles. Those battle honours in bold type are emblazoned on the regimental colour.[1]
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The regimental colour of The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.
- First World War
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- Ypres, '17
- Festubert, 1915
- Somme, 1916
- Ancre Heights
- Ancre, 1916
- Arras, '18
- Vimy, 1917
- Passchendaele
- Amiens
- Scarpe, 1918
- Drocourt–Quéant
- Hindenburg Line
- Canal du Nord
- Valenciennes
- Sambre
- France and Flanders, 1915–18
- Ypres,
- Second World War
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- Landing in Sicily
- Agira
- Adrano
- Troina Valley
- Sicily, 1943
- Monte San Marco
- Baranello
- The Moro
- San Leonardo
- The Gully
- Ortona
- Liri Valley
- Hitler Line
- Gothic Line
- Pozzo Alto Ridge
- Rimini Line
- San Martino–San Lorenzo
- San Fortunato
- Savio Bridgehead
- Naviglio Canal
- Fosso Munio
- Granarolo
- Italy, 1943–1945
- Apeldoorn
- North-West Europe, 1945[1]
- South-West Asia
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Afghanistan[4]
History
Foundations
In 1909, members of Vancouver's Scottish community sought to raise a highland regiment in Vancouver. The question was first put to the Gaelic societies and the idea was received favourably. A meeting was held on 11 May 1909, in the St. Andrews and Caledonian Societies rooms to discuss the issue.
The topic continued to be discussed in the Scottish circles of the city. The delegates met again on 17 January 1910, and it was reported that an application had been sent to the Minister of Militia to raise a highland regiment in Vancouver. It had been decided to apply for the number 72, that of the Seaforth Highlanders in Scotland, and that number being vacant on the Canadian Militia List.
On 24 November 1910, authorization was received from the Militia Department for the formation of a new regiment in Vancouver bearing the number 72, and wearing the same uniform and tartan as the Seaforth Highlanders of the Imperial service. In a letter dated April 11, 1911, consent to use the name Seaforth Highlanders of Canada was received from the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Imperial Seaforth Highlanders.
On 22 June 1911, the years of hard work culminated in the first parade of the regiment on the parade ground in downtown Vancouver, at Larwill Park, later the bus depot of Pacific Coast Stage Lines and now a parking lot, between the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and the Beatty Street Drill Hall.
The Seaforths first saw active service the next year in the summer of 1912 when rallies by striking coal miners in the area around Nanaimo led to rioting. The miners were striking because of workplace safety concerns, such as lethal gas explosions that had already killed hundreds.[5] A company from the Seaforths was sent to garrison the area and maintain the peace. Though not a shot was ever fired, peace was restored and maintained until the unit was called back to mobilize for war in August 1914.
The Great War
Upon hearing of the proclamation of war with Germany on 4 August 1914 Lieutenant Colonel Edwards-Leckie, commanding officer of the Seaforth Highlanders, immediately offered the regiment for overseas service. His request was denied, and instead the regiment provided 25 officers and 514 men for the
Finally on 18 July Major J.A. Clark was appointed as the commander of the 72nd Battalion (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada), CEF and ordered to begin training for overseas service. The regiment travelled east through Ottawa to the United Kingdom and on 18 August 1916, the Seaforths were in France. Receiving the number 72nd Battalion made the Seaforths the only Canadian regiment in World War I to deploy with its traditional regimental number as its CEF battalion number.
The Seaforths were involved in some of the bloodiest battles of the war including Ypres, the Somme, and
One of the most notable actions in the history of the Seaforths was the capture of Crest Farm during the Battle of Passchendaele on 30 October 1917. A dispatch from the Commander-in-Chief, after the battle, stated in part that "the unit which took Crest Farm had by this action accomplished a feat of arms which would go down in the annals of British history as one of the greatest achievements of a single unit."
At 10:25 a.m. on 11 November 1918, the Seaforths received the following message while resting in Valenciennes. "Canadian Corps 06.45... Hostilities will cease at 11:00 hours on November 11th... Troops will stand fast on the line reached at that time which will be reported to Corps Headquarters... Strictest precautions will be maintained... There will be no intercourse of any description with the enemy... Further instructions follow...
The Seaforths would not leave France for home until May 1919 for there was still much work to be done. While they waited it was decided that the regiment should be presented with its new
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The distinguishing patch of the 72nd Battalion (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada), CEF.
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James C. Richardson of The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Cadets. He would go on to win a Victoria Cross with the 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish), CEF.
World War II
In the spring of 1939 it looked as if Canada would soon be at war again. Unlike the First World War this time The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada were among the first to deploy. On September 1, 1939, nine days before the Canadian declaration of war, the Seaforths were ordered to mobilize. In just one week the regiment recruited up to its full war-time strength and filled its first line of reinforcements. By Christmas 1939 they were aboard the UK troopship RMS Andes crossing the Atlantic to Scotland.
After the withdrawal from Dunkirk the Seaforths were one of the few fully equipped regiments in England. During the
The Seaforths however as part of the
When the Seaforths crossed into Italy on 4 September 1943 they found themselves and the rest of 1st Division pursuing the Germans north. The Germans had decided not to defend the south of Italy but to fight only occasionally, buying time for them to build up their defences further north. By 25 October the Seaforths had fought their way over 300 miles from the landings in Reggio Calabria to the town of Baranello.
After a rest in Baranello the Seaforths were back into action. They had reached the
Amidst the fighting on the night of 25 December the Seaforth's quartermaster arranged a Christmas dinner for the soldiers at the front. One at a time the four companies of the regiment were rotated off the line to the Church of Santa Maria di Constantinopoli. As they sat down to a fresh meal of roast pork and mashed potatoes one soldier, a corporal, played the church's organ over the roar of the battle just a few hundred yards to the north. A few days later on 28 December the Germans pulled out of Ortona during the night, leaving the town to the Allies. Every year the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada commemorate this battle with the Ortona Dinner. This commemorative dinner takes the place of the regiment's annual Christmas dinner. Veterans from the battle along with the unit's serving and former members sit down to a Christmas dinner with the same menu served in the church in 1943.
From Ortona the Seaforths continued to move north fighting through the Liri Valley and breaking through the Hitler Line, the Germans' second defensive line. This was the hardest fought battle for the Seaforths of the entire Italian campaign. At one point on the afternoon of 23 May 1944, the Seaforths, having taken the line, repelled a German counterattack, and when the Germans pulled off only eight soldiers remained, commanded by C Company Sergeant Major J.M. Duddle, who was the senior man left on the line. By the end of the day the Seaforths had taken 210 casualties including 52 killed.
The regiment continued fighting in Italy through
The Seaforths travelled through Germany and entered The Netherlands on April 7 through the town of
Post-war
The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada has not served overseas as a regiment since the end of World War II but the regiment continues to contribute reserve soldiers to operations around the World. Between 1950 and 1953 many Seaforths volunteered to join the regular force in order to serve in the Korean War. Between 1951 and 1953 Seaforths could join the full-time army as members of the 27th Canadian Infantry Brigade's, 1st Canadian Highland Battalion, E Company (Seaforth Highlanders), which served in Germany until becoming part of The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada in 1953.[7] Members of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada since 1953 have been able to volunteer for overseas and domestic operations as individual augmentees. These augmentees fill vacant positions in regular force units while the unit is deployed overseas and then return to their reserve regiments upon the end of the deployment. Seaforths have volunteered for operations in Egypt, Cyprus, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kuwait, and Afghanistan.
In 1967, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was appointed the regiment's colonel-in-chief, a position he held until his death in 2021.
In September 1993, members of the regiment augmenting 2nd Battalion
Since January 2006, members of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada have deployed to Afghanistan in roles varying from training the
Modern day
As a Primary Reserve unit most members of The Seaforth Highlanders are part-time soldiers. They train one night a week (currently Wednesdays) and one weekend per month. The rest of the time they work in civilian jobs or attend school. Often members will volunteer for full-time training or deployment opportunities. Their weekly training nights involve going to the Seaforth Armoury and training for three hours in the various skills required to be an infantry soldier.
The monthly weekend training exercise involves members reporting to the armoury on Friday night and going to one of the training areas in British Columbia or Washington state. There the soldiers combine and practice the skills they have learned during the weekly training nights before returning to the armoury on Sunday afternoon for dismissal.
Members of the Seaforth Highlanders can volunteer to deploy full-time on operations around the world. In the last 15 years Seaforths have deployed on operations in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Afghanistan.
Centenary
2010 marked the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. Three public events were held to commemorate the regiment's achievements.
On May 29 the Seaforths hosted a
On November 27 new
On April 16, 2011, the regiment held a ceremony to lay up their old colours at Vancouver's
Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Museum & Archives
Vancouver, British Columbia | |
Website | seaforthhighlanders |
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The mission of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Regimental Museum and Archives is to collect, preserve and share material relating to the history of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.
The Museum was established in 1972 and it is now an official Canadian Forces Museum. There are currently displays throughout the Seaforth Armoury, as well as archival storage and research spaces on the second floor. The museum can be visited by appointment by contacting the regiment through their website, seaforthhighlanders.ca
The museum is a member of or affiliated with
Traditions
Cap badge
A
Battle cry
Tuloch Ard (The High Hill) From the rallying cry of the Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's Own), a British Army unit long since amalgamated into The Highlanders. The cry is derived from the name of the gathering place of the Clan Mackenzie, a mountain near Kintail in Ross Shire, Scotland.[10]
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The pipes and drums of the regiment during a Remembrance Day parade in Vancouver, November 2014.
Notable members of the regiment
- Bertram Meryl Hoffmeister (1907-1999), soldier, businessman and conservationist.
- Henry Pybus Bell-Irving (1913-2002), soldier, businessman and Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.
- Charles Cecil Ingersol Merritt, VC (1908-2000), soldier, lawyer and politician.
- Eric Werge Hamber (1879-1960), soldier, businessman and Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.
- John Arthur Clark (1886-1976), soldier, lawyer and politician.
- Harry Rankin (1920-2002), soldier, lawyer and politician.
- William Sampson (1959-2012) biochemist, author, rights activist.
- Charles Trevor Greene (1965-), soldier and author.
- Ven Begamudré (1956-), Canadian author and professor.
- Garnett Weston (1890-1980), Canadian author and screenwriter.
Victoria Cross recipients
World War II
- Private (later Sergeant) Ernest Alvia ("Smokey") Smith 21–22 October 1944 in Italy.
- Lt Colonel Charles Cecil Ingersoll Merritt19 August 1942, at Dieppe, France. This was after long service with the Seaforths, and while commanding the South Saskatchewan Regiment. He later returned to the Seaforths as the Commanding Officer 1951-1954.
Cadet units
There are several
Corps | Website | Location | Meeting Times |
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72nd RCACC | https://72armycadets.com/ | Vancouver | Tues. 6:30 - 9:00 pm |
2812 RCACC | https://www.2812rcacc.com/ | Surrey | Tues. 6:15 - 9:00 pm |
2893 RCACC | https://www.facebook.com/2893Seaforth/ | Port Coquitlam | Mon. 6:45-9:30 pm |
2963 RCACC | https://www.facebook.com/2963seaforthhighlanders | Sechelt | Tues. 6:00 - 9:00 pm |
2277 RCACC | https://www.facebook.com/groups/2277rcacc/ | Langley | Mon. 6:00 - 9:00 pm |
1867 RCACC | https://www.facebook.com/1867rcacc/ | Delta | |
135 Sqn RCACS | http://www.135air.ca | Vancouver |
Cadet units affiliated to the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada receive support and also are entitled to wear traditional regimental accoutrements on their uniforms.
Media
- A Narrative of War: From the Beaches of Sicily to the Hitler Line with the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, 1943 by Robert L. McDougall (Sep 1 1996)
- The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada 1919–1965 by Roy Reginald H. (1969)
- History of the 72nd Canadian Infantry Battalion. Seaforth Highlanders of Canada by McEvoy, Bernard & Finlay, H. (1920)
See also
Notes
References
- Barnes, RM, The Uniforms and History of the Scottish Regiments, London, Sphere Books Limited, 1972.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.
- ^ "The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada". www.canada.ca. 8 November 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ "South-West Asia Theatre Honours". Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ^ "South-West Asia Theatre Honours". Office of the Prime Minister of Canada. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ "Vancouver Island Coal Strike". The Canadian Encyclopedia, Lynne Bowen, 02/07/2006
- ^ McEvoy, B (1920). History of the 72nd Canadian Infantry Battalion Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. Vancouver [BC] : Cowan
- ^ a b Roy, RH (1969). The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, 1919–1965. Vancouver [BC]: Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
- ^ http://www.army.dnd.ca/2PPCLI/RH-United_Nations.asp [dead link]
- ^ "Freedom of the City".
- ^ MacKinnon, C.R. (1995). The Scottish Highlanders. New York [NY]: Barnes & Noble
Order of precedence
External links
- Official website
- The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Regimental Association website
- The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada official centenary website
- Bernard McEvoy and Capt. A. H. Finlay, History of the 72nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, Vancouver: Cowan & Brookhouse, 1920.
- Chris Madsen, "Victims of Circumstance: The Execution of German Deserters by Surrendered German Troops Under Canadian Control in Amsterdam, May 1945," Canadian Military History, Vol. 2 (1993): Issue 1, pages 93–114.