BRANTFORD, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sept. 8, 2014) - Approximately 50 soldiers from 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) arrived in Brantford on Monday as part of the Regiment's Memorial Baton Relay recognizing 100 years of service to Canada for the Regiment.
The Memorial Baton Relay (MBR) is a team of soldiers running with a baton containing the names of 1,866 PPCLI members who have fallen in active service to Canada. The MBR team is running the symbolic route taken by the Originals as they marshaled for service in 1914 on the eve of the First World War. The Memorial Baton departed Edmonton on August 10, 2014, and is being relayed to Ottawa where it will arrive on September 18, 2014.
An Ottawa Commemoration will be held September 18 to 21, and will include closing ceremonies to mark this historic event.
Quick Facts
- The Colonel-in-Chief of the PPCLI is currently The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, PC, CC, CMM, COM, CD, appointed to the position on 17 March 2007. The honour was originally held by Princess Patricia of Connaught, after whom the Regiment is named, and was succeeded by her cousin, Lady Patricia Ramsay, Countess Mountbatten of Burma in 1974.
- The Memorial Baton Relay will be making 21 stops between Edmonton, Alberta and Ottawa, Ontario travelling as far east as Montréal, Québec.
- Before arriving in Brantford, the team was in Port Credit. The next stop for the MBR Team is Brampton.
- NHL Alumni Dave 'Tiger' Williams and Actor/Director Paul Gross will be acting as Honorary Team Captains at various locations along the run.
- Beyond the activities in Brantford, PPCLI centennial celebrations will continue in Ottawa in mid-September. The PPCLI will exercise the Freedom of the City of Ottawa and participate in a joint sunset ceremony on Parliament Hill with the Royal 22e Régiment (R22eR) who also celebrates their centennial this year.
- The Canada Army Run has designed commemorative running shirts for this year's 5 km and half-marathon, giving special recognition to the PPCLI and the R22eR.
Quotes
"This was one of many events for the PPCLI this year as the Regiment commemorates its 100th Anniversary. The baton that the soldiers from 2 PPCLI are carrying to Ottawa from Edmonton bears the names of 1,866 PPCLI soldiers that have fallen in service to Canada.
The Memorial Baton Relay team is replicating the route travelled by their predecessors in 1914 as they went to Ottawa to enlist in the newly formed PPCLI to fight in the First World War. Canadians are invited to see our Centennial Display Team in action and cheer soldiers carrying the baton."
Lieutenant-Colonel Bob Ritchie, Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
"Being here in Brantford, and being able to visit the grave of a fallen Patricia, one that many of us served with, is truly an honour. Knowing that Captain Richard Leary's name is written on the scroll contained within the baton, and visiting his grave has such a deep meaning and helps to solidify why we are travelling across the country. It's not just to connect with Canadians and teach them about our history, but for us to meet that history face to face."
Major Bob Barker, Officer Commanding, A Company, 22nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
"The dedication of a memorial in honour of Capt Richard Leary on the Dunsdon Legion property was outstanding. The hard work of Bev McCraw and Brent Schriner from Canadian Heroes Foundation on this project was impressive. It is remarkable, but at the same time unfortunate that 100 years after the start of World War One that we are still creating monuments in memory of soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice. Richard will never be forgotten."
Paul Hale, President South West Ontario Branch Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.
Associated Links
https://twitter.com/Patricias100th
Contact Information:
Public Affairs Officer
1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group
(780) 700-2197
Christine.Salt@forces.gc.ca
Grant Cree
Director of Public Relations
PPCLI 100th Anniversary Office
(780) 940-3228
grant@grantcree.ca