Lanark & Renfrew Scottish Regimental History

Posted by Diane Duncan on January 30, 2018 in Community & Family History, Featured Flag | 13 comments

As an addendum to the previous post I wanted to share this article found in the Perth Courier of 14 Feb 1946. I was unsuccessful in getting a readable download of this article so decided it merited transcription. I am also sharing update info (with link) to the official web site for this Regiment.

Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Canada Officer Cap Pin and Badge

Lanark & Renfrew Regimental History Bound Up with Perth

Transcribed by Diane Miller Duncan from Perth Courier, 14 Feb 1946

The proposal, announced on Sunday Feb. 3, under the reorganization of the Reserve Army, to change the status of the Lanark and Renfrew Scottish from an infantry regiment to an anti-aircraft unit and to relegate Perth, long the headquarters of the regiment to a sub-unit in the Army Services Corps has dumbfounded many who have served in the old regiment through its long and proud history. Pressure is being put on military headquarters in Ottawa to preserve the status of the regiment and to reconsider cutting it up as has been indicated.

Early settlement in the Ottawa Valley really began with the disbanding of British regiments in this area early in the nineteenth century, and many soldiers who had served in the units which were formed locally in those early days.

The Militia Act authorized formation of volunteer militia companies and in Renfrew and Lanark the following companies were formed: Almonte, Dec. 5, 1862; Brockville, Dec. 11, 1862; Perth, Jan. 15, 1866; and Smiths Falls, June 22, 1866. On Oct. 5, 1866 these independent companies were concentrated into one unit, the 42^nd Brockville Battalion of Infantry commanded by Lieut.-Col. Jacob D. Buell, and the Pembroke company was attached and later absorbed in 1871.

In Fenian Raids

Contingents from companies in Lanark and Renfrew counties were detailed for duty along the St. Lawrence when threats of raids by the Fenians were serious, and for the next few years training drill sheds being erected at Lansdowne, Fitzroy, Almonte, Carleton Place, Smiths Falls and Perth.

The regiment was again called out in 1870, supplying 24 officers and 273 other ranks to quell the Fenian raiders. It is interesting to note that in 1877 No. 7 Company, Pembroke, was called out to aid civil powers in repressing riotous raftsmen.

Lieut.-Col. Buell retired in 1866 after 20 years of service in command of the regiment and he was replaced by Lieut.-Col. A.J. Matheson, who remained in command until 1898, when he was succeeded by Lieut.-Col. J. McKay. Lieut.-Col, Lennox Irving took over in 1901, and during his tenure the 42^nd was selected as the rural regiment to take part in the ceremony of review on the visit to Canada of the Duke and Duchess of York, winning the compliment “Well done, 42^nd, it was splendid” from General Otter.

Record in the Great War

In 1906 Lieut.-Col. H.J. Mackie assumed command and in 1913 he was succeeded by Lieut.-Col. J.M. Balderson, who remained in command until 1920, through some of the most momentous years in the history of the regiment. Records show that the regiment enlisted and transferred to the Canadian Expeditionary Force a total of 2,936 recruits, excluding men supplied to non-combatant formations such as the Forestry Corps, Labor Battalions, and Railway Construction Corps.

For its service in the Great War the Lanark and Renfrew Regiment was awarded the following battle honours: Somme, 1916; Amiens, Arras, 1917-18; Hindenburg Line, Ypres, 1917; Pursuit to Mons.

Lanark and Renfrew Scottish – 130 Battalion Leaving Perth, Ontario

The 130^th Lanark and Renfrew Battalion was raised in June 1916, at Perth, under Lieut.-Col. J.E. de Hertel, who died here early this year, and the 240^th Lanark and Renfrew Overseas Battalion was mobilized in June 1916, at Renfrew, under Lieut.-Col. E.J. Watt. Lieut.-Col. J.R. Caldwell took over in 1922 and reorganization took place as follows: Bn. H.Q., Perth; A. Coy., Pembroke; B. Coy., Renfrew and Arnprior; C. Coy., Carleton Place; D. Coy., Perth.

Brilliant Local Soldier Commands

Lieut.-Col. J.A. Hope, D.S.O., M.C., V.D., now Mr. Justice Hope, took command in 1925 and during his tenure the name was changed to the Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment (Highlanders), and became affiliated with the Black Watch. Headquarters were at Perth, on the Tay River, and it is interesting to record that a Lieut.-Col. Hope also commanded the 42^nd Black Watch, in Scotland, with headquarters at Perth, on the Tay River in Scotland.

The command passed to Lieut.-Col. E.H. Wilson, V.D., now practising dentist here, in 1931 and in 1933 he was succeeded by  It is L/Col Pearce H. Gardner, who had the honour of being present at the coronation of King George VI.

Lieut.-Col. J. McL. Beatty assumed command in 1938 and the regiment served in both Ottawa and Kingston on the occasion of the visit to Canada of the King and Queen, in 1939.

Many officers and men from the Lanark and Renfrew Regiment were supplied for active service with other units during the early years of the late war and a complete company of some 250 officers and men were supplied to the G.G.F.G.’s under Major Harold F. Baker. In March 1942, the First Battalion, Lanark and Renfrew Scottish, was mobilized and the unit saw service on the east and west coasts, until it was disbanded, along with other 6^th Division units in October 1943. The First Battalion was commanded by Lieut.-Col. Gardiner and Lieut.-Col. Beattie remained in command of the Second (Reserve) Battalion until his retirement, effective October 31, 1942.

Major Alan Bathgate took over command from November 1942, until February 1943, when he relinquished his command and was succeeded by Major D.W. Boyd, of Smiths Falls, now commanding as Lieut.-Col. Boyd. The present D. Company, Perth, is commanded by Capt. G. R. Dulmage and B. Company, Carleton Place, by Capt. C.R. Ryan.

This is the record of the old 42^nd one of the most famous units in the Canadian Army, whose men have served on all fronts and cherish the traditions and infantry record of the old Forty Two. They ask why the regiment must cease to be a line regiment and why the traditional headquarters (in the) town of Perth must disappear altogether from the regimental area. It is not in keeping with military tradition which fosters pride of unit.

Update on 42nd Field Artillery Regiment (Lanark and Renfrew Scottish)

42nd Field Artillery Regiment (Lanark and Renfrew Scottish), RCA, is an artillery regiment located in Pembroke, Ontario.  It is one of two artillery units in 33 Canadian Brigade Group, the Army Reserve formation in eastern and northern Ontario.  The Regiment is comprised of full-time and part-time soldiers from both the Regular Force and Reserve Force.

UBIQUE

“Everywhere”

QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT

“Whither right and glory lead”

Current Unit identification for the Lanark and Renfrew Regt.

Our History

The Regiment was formed on 5 October 1866, as the 42nd Brockville Battalion of Infantry with companies in Almonte, Brockville, Perth, Fitzroy, Landsdowne (sic) and Smiths Falls. In 1871, the Pembroke Infantry Company became the Battalion’s seventh company. In 1870, the Battalion (with its attached Brockville and Ottawa Battery (Railway) of Garrison Artillery) was called out on active service during the Fenian Raids. In the same year, a small detachment deployed with the Red River Expedition. The Battalion was reorganized in 1897, as the 42nd Lanark and Renfrew Battalion of Infantry located in the counties of Lanark and Renfrew. The Battalion was renamed the 42nd Lanark and Renfrew Regiment in 1900.

During World War I, the 130th Battalion, CEF (1915) and the 240th Battalion, CEF (1916) were formed, and proceeded to England where they were absorbed into Reserve Units. In addition, men were sent to the 1st Contingent (2nd Bn CEF), the 21st, 38th, 77th, 80th and Forestry Battalions of the CEF. Following the war, the Regiment was re-organized in 1922, as The Lanark and Renfrew Regiment. In 1927, the Regiment was designated as a highland infantry unit and named The Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment. It was allied to the Imperial Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) in 1928.

During World War II (1942), the Regiment was divided into two battalions. The 1st Battalion was mobilized for active service and was employed on home defence on the East and West coasts, until disbanded in October of 1943. Meanwhile, in July 1944, 1st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment in Italy was reorganized and became the 1st Light Anti-Aircraft Infantry Battalion. On 11 November 1944, it was announced that the Battalion would be re-designated The Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment. The Regiment served in the Italian Campaign and landed in France on 5 Mar 1945. Shortly thereafter, it was re-designated 1st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (Lanark and Renfrew Scottish).

In 1946, the Regiment was re-roled as a Light Anti-Aircraft Unit and became the 59th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (Lanark and Renfrew Scottish). The Regiment returned to its Infantry roots in 1959, becoming The Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment. The Regimental Birthday of 1992 saw the Regiment becoming Air Defence (Anti-Aircraft) again. Its new name became 1st Air Defence Regiment (Lanark and Renfrew Scottish), RCA, and regimental personnel came from both the Regular and Reserve Force (it became a “Total force Unit”).

In 2006, 1st Air Defence Regiment (The Lanark and Renfrew Scottish), RCA was converted to field artillery. The new name of the Regiment became 42nd Field Regiment (Lanark and Renfrew Scottish), RCA. This change was officially authorized in 2010. The Regiment was allied to the The Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2009.

My personal link to the Lanark and Renfrew Scottish  is my son who spent two summers in militia camp at Camp Borden.

1991 Summer in the Militia, Camp Petawawa, Lanark and Renfrew Scottish

My son received permission to wear the Lanark & Renfrew Dress Uniform to his high school graduation 1992.