The PEI Regiment - 150 Years Strong

05/18/2025

🎉 GIVEAWAY TIME! 🎉

We’re celebrating 150 years of the PEI Regiment by giving away 5 of our limited-edition PEIR 150 patches!

These are military-standard 3"x3" embroidered patches with Velcro backing – the exact ones currently being worn under the Canada flag on the uniforms of serving members.

To enter:

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🪖Have you served? For an extra entry post a comment of the years you served and which branch or unit(s) you served with the Canadian Armed Forces! 🪖

Winners will be drawn on May 31st and can pick up their patch at the PEI Regiment Orderly Room or have it mailed right to you 📬

Don’t wanna chance not winning?

A limited number of patches are available for purchase at the Regiment Kit Shop, located in the PEIR Orderly Room at the LCol. J. David Stewart Armoury in downtown Charlottetown. Stop by during the work week from 0900–1600 to grab yours!

Own a piece of living regimental history!

05/16/2025

We’re proud to unveil our brand new 150th Commemorative Patch — now being proudly worn by members of the PEI Regiment on our uniforms as we mark this incredible milestone in our history.

This limited-edition patch is more than just a piece of fabric — it’s a symbol of 150 years of service, sacrifice, and strength.

Want to own a piece of the legacy? Patches are embroirded with a velcro backing and haveavailable for purchase through the Regiment Kit Shop in the Orderly Room for $10 each.

Wear it with pride — whether you served, supported, or simply want to celebrate this historic year with us.

05/04/2025

We are proud to share this tribute to the other half of the unit command teams – The Regimental Sergeants Major (RSMs).

The RSM is the link connecting the soldiers with the Commanding Officer and is the key advisor to the Commanding Officer when it comes to dress, deportment, drill and discipline as part of the command and leadership team.

Each name is a key contributor to every chapter in our story and represents a commitment to excellence and duty that continues to this day.

04/27/2025

It’s back!

The PEI Regiment collab brew is back for a limited time!

The Regiment is partnering with Bogside to bring back the limited-edition beer to commemorate The 150th Anniversary of the PEI Regiment.

Battle Honour Blonde – Pre-Sale ON NOW!

Our limited edition collab with The PEI Regiment is back!

🍺 5% ABV | Flats only (24 x 473mL) for special price of $100
📅 Order by April 30 | Pick-up June 15 at our Brewery in Montague
⚠️ Limited run – pre-order now at our website!

https://bogsidebrewing.com/collections/beer/products/battle-honour-blonde-ale

The PEI Regiment - 150 Years Strong

04/12/2025

On April 1st, 1946, the Prince Edward Island Highlanders were converted from infantry to armour and amalgamated with the 17th (Reserve) Armoured Regiment (Prince Edward Island Light Horse). The new unit was redesignated the 17th (Prince Edward Island) Reconnaissance Regiment.

Lieutenant-Colonel W.W. (Bill) Reid, DSO, ED, was appointed the first Commanding Officer of the newly formed regiment. Born in Charlottetown in February 1913, he joined the PEI Highlanders in June 1929 as a Second Lieutenant at just 16 years old—having lied about his age.

In April 1942, he transferred to the Princess Louise Fusiliers (PLF) as a Major and shipped overseas to England. By 1943, the PLF was in Italy. In February 1944, he joined the Irish Regiment of Canada as Second-in-Command. He was wounded during the Battle of the Liri Valley and Mentioned in Dispatches for his service.

While recovering in August 1944, he was transferred to the Perth Regiment of Canada, promoted to Acting Lieutenant-Colonel, and appointed Commanding Officer. His leadership during the assault on the Gothic Line earned him the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). His battalion was the first to gain a successful foothold—earning him a reputation as one of the most highly regarded Canadian infantry officers in Italy.

In December 1944, he became Commanding Officer of the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR)—the first time a militia officer led a Permanent Force unit in active operations.

In 1970, he was named the first Honourary Colonel of The Prince Edward Island Regiment (RCAC) and served in that role until his death on October 8th, 1987. He would finish his career as Brigadier-General W.W. Reid, DSO, CM, ED, CD.

A true legend of Canadian military history.

04/05/2025

The "Parva Sub Ingenti", from humble beginnings to greatness, saga continues.

In 1974, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Bernie Connolly, the Regiment was awarded the Worthington Trophy 🏆 in annual competition as the best armoured unit in Canada. 🇨🇦

Under his leadership, the Regiment went on to win this coveted award for an unprecedented 3 years in a row , while also winning the Buchanan Trophy 🏆 as the best armoured unit in both Quebec and the Atlantic Region for 5 years in a row.

03/30/2025

⚔️Parva Sub Ingenti⚔️

It's not only is it the motto of our province but it is also our Regimental motto, which translated from its full context in Latin suggests nurtured growth from small or humble beginnings to greatness.

In previous posts we witnessed both the Charlottetown Engineer Company and the Island Garrison Artillery win national competitions in the late 1800s and early 1900s. We also had the brief story of J. David Stewart, originally from the small community of Georgetown, then later Charlottetown, who has been described as one of the greatest Canadian battalion commanders of the Second World War.

This week we turn our attention to our Regiment as we know it today.

Under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur H. Peake, the Regiment was awarded, for the first time in 1956, with the Ross Memorial Trophy (pictured here), as runner-up of the armoured units in Quebec and Atlantic Region in annual competition. From 1956 to 1993, the Regiment was awarded the Ross Trophy for a total of 13 times.

In 1973, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Bernie Connolly, the Regiment was awarded the Buchanan Trophy as the best armoured unit in Quebec and Atlantic Region for the first time. The Regiment would win the Buchanan Trophy for five years in row until 1977 and be awarded it for a 6th time in 1989 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Denny Hopping.

03/09/2025

Since the year 1780, there has always been an artillery presence on PEI.

In March 1882, the PEI Provisional Brigade of Garrison Artillery was formed. It consisted of 3 artillery batteries formed from the 3 independent batteries that were authorized in 1875.

From 1880 – 1904, the Island Garrison Artillery batteries garnered an impressive run of awards (20 in total) in annual Dominion Artillery Association competitions for both General Efficiency and Shifting Ordnance. The Brigade would give rise to the 2nd, 5th and 8th Siege Batteries that distinguished themselves on the battlefields of the First World War and the 2nd and 8th Medium Batteries during the Second World War.

The post-Second World War 28th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment was amalgamated with and absorbed by the PEI Regiment (17th Reconnaissance Regiment) in 1955.

The PEI Regiment has continued with the ceremonial artillery tasks of firing gun salutes ever since and is the only Armoured (cavalry) unit in Canada to have howitzers.

02/22/2025

125 years ago, in February 1900, both Private Roland Dennis Taylor and Private William Alfred Riggs of the Charlottetown Engineers were killed during the Battle of Paardeburg, South Africa.

The men were both members of the First Prince Edward Island Contingent that left for service in South Africa on 25 October 1899. On that day, approximately 4000 people assembled at the train station on Weymouth Street in Charlottetown as the Island contingent boarded a train and headed for Quebec prior to arriving in Cape Town, South Africa.

During the course of the war in South Africa, approximately 125 Islanders would have served in this campaign. As a result of this contribution to the war effort, the PEI Regiment was awarded its first battle honour “SOUTH AFRICA 1900”.

Alfred Riggs and Roland Taylor, both 21- years of age at the time of their death, are buried in Paardeberg, South Africa and their monuments are located in the Vendusiedrift Garden of Remembrance. Their names are also located on the Boer War Memorial that was dedicated on July 6, 1903 and located in Queen’s Square adjacent to Province House and the Coles Building in Charlottetown.

02/16/2025

Lieutenant-Colonel Earle Grady MacLeod from Charlottetown, Commanding Officer of the PEI Regiment from 1965 – 1967, spent two years at Royal Military College in Kingston before enlisting in the Canadian Army in August 1940.

MacLeod went overseas as a Lieutenant and was a troop leader for 2 Troop, ”A” Squadron with 8th Canadian Reconnaissance Regiment (14th Canadian Hussars) as part of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. He served with this unit for the duration of the war in England, Northwest Europe, France, Holland and Germany.

In February 1945, he was awarded the Military Cross as a result of his actions during the bloody Battle of the Scheldt. He was discharged from the Regular Force in 1954 and returned to Charlottetown where he joined The Prince Edward Island Regiment (17th Reconnaissance Regiment) as a Major.

LCol MacLeod would later be appointed as the 7th Commanding Officer of the Regiment following the amalgamation of the PEI Lighthorse and PEI Highlanders in 1946,

02/09/2025

Lieutenant-Colonel J. David Stewart, DSO, ED, CD, Mayor of the City of Charlottetown was appointed as the first Honourary Lieutenant-Colonel of The PEI Regiment (17th Reconnaissance Regiment) from 1951 – 1965.

He was born in the small community of Georgetown, PE on the 21st of August, 1910 and later moved to Charlottetown where he attended West Kent School. In 1928 he joined the Prince Edward Island Highlanders as a Private and was later commissioned.

In 1940 he was promoted to Major and was in command of “D” Company, PEI Highlanders when it became part of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders. He deployed overseas with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders eventually becoming the Second-in-Command. In September of 1943 he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and became the Commanding Officer of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada.

In September of 2021, the Regimental Home of The PEI Regiment (RCAC) was renamed in his honour.

12/15/2024

Saluting Sunday #4: Modern-Day Contributions

📅 2002-2014 - The Prince Edward Island Regiment continued its proud service by reinforcing Canadian Armed Forces units deployed to Afghanistan. This modern chapter in its history highlights the regiment's ongoing commitment to peacekeeping and operational excellence in the face of global challenges. We honour their service and dedication to the protection of Canada and our allies.

Photo: 14 Oct 2007 His Royal Highness inspecting the cadets on parade before he gave medals to Cpl. Roy Good, Cpl. Calvin Arsenault, Cpl. Jerry Landry, Cpl. Anthony MacLean and Cpl. Benjamin Miller for their Afghanistan deployments.



Note:
We invite current serving, retired members, and friends and family of members, past and present, of the PEI Regiment to send us their stories. These stories will be featured in our "Soldier Stories" series on our social media page. Share your experience and help us honor the legacy of those who serve!