The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment

The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
Unit name	The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
Caption	Cap badge of The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
Dates	1863–present
Country	Canada
Branch	Canadian Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Light infantry, reserve
Size	One battalion (Primary Reserve)
Garrison	Belleville Armouries, Belleville, Ontario
Motto	"Ne Obliviscaris"
March	"Here's to the Maiden"

The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army based in Belleville, Ontario. The regiment traces its origins to 19th‑century militia units raised in Hastings County and Prince Edward County and has served in home defence, overseas expeditionary warfare and domestic operations. It maintains links with Canadian, British and Commonwealth military institutions and preserves a regimental heritage reflected in its traditions, insignia and museum.

History

The regiment's antecedents began with 19th‑century militia formations in Hastings County, Ontario, Prince Edward County, Ontario and communities such as Belleville, Ontario and Picton, Ontario. Throughout the Second Boer War, volunteers from Ontario served with units like the Canadian Mounted Rifles, influencing later militia organization. The regiment formally emerged through amalgamations influenced by the Stanley Committee reforms and post‑First World War reorganization under the Otter Commission. During the Second World War, the regiment mobilized for active service, contributing to operations in the European theatre alongside formations such as the 1st Canadian Infantry Division. In the post‑war era the regiment adapted to the Canadian Army Reserve structure established after the Unification of the Canadian Armed Forces, participating in NATO and United Nations peacekeeping commitments by providing individual augmentations to regular units. In the 21st century members have served in international missions in Afghanistan and domestic responses to natural disasters coordinated by Canadian Forces Northern Area and regional task forces.

Lineage and perpetuations

The regiment perpetuates the infantry battalions raised in Ontario for the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War, including battalions that served on the Western Front and at battles such as Vimy Ridge and the Hundred Days Offensive. Its formal lineage records are established within the Canadian Armed Forces lineage system and documented alongside other Ontario militia regiments like The Royal Regiment of Canada and The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada. The regiment's antecedent units include numbered militia companies and battalions created under the Militia Act frameworks of the 19th and early 20th centuries and later reorganized after reports such as the Stanley Report and commissions that shaped the Canadian Militia.

Operational service

Members of the regiment served in the South African War as part of Canadian contingents attached to British formations. In the First World War, perpetuated CEF battalions provided drafts to divisions on the Western Front, serving alongside formations like the Canadian Corps, participating in engagements including Somme (1916), Passchendaele, and Amiens. During the Second World War, the regiment mobilized and took part in home defence and eventually overseas deployments, contributing to campaigns in Northwest Europe after the Normandy landings. In the Cold War era, reservists supported regular force commitments to NATO in West Germany and peacekeeping missions under United Nations mandates in locations such as Cyprus and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the 2000s, personnel deployed on operations in Afghanistan alongside units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (Afghanistan) and supported domestic operations during emergencies like floods and ice storms coordinated with provincial authorities in Ontario.

Organization and structure

Organized as a single battalion in the Primary Reserve, the regiment's structure follows Canadian infantry norms with companies and support elements comparable to other reserve regiments such as The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada and The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment. Headquarters elements are garrisoned at the Belleville Armouries, with training conducted in partnership with regional brigade groups including formations under 16 Canadian Brigade Group and higher command echelons like 4th Canadian Division. The regiment trains in light infantry tactics, marksmanship, fieldcraft and leadership development aligned with standards from the Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre and integrates reservist career pathways compatible with the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group.

Traditions and insignia

Regimental traditions include the cap badge and colours emblematic of its Ontario roots, a regimental march shared with local ceremonial units, and the Latin motto "Ne Obliviscaris" reflecting remembrance customs observed on Remembrance Day. Insignia elements reference antecedent militia badges and Commonwealth iconography seen in regiments such as The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada and include distinctions awarded for battle honours granted after conflicts like the First World War and Second World War. Ceremonial dress and inspections follow patterns consistent with Canadian Army reserve regiments and are displayed during civic parades in Belleville and regional commemorations with organizations such as the Royal Canadian Legion.

Battle honours

The regiment holds battle honours perpetuating CEF actions on the Somme (1916), Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, Amiens, and the Hundred Days Offensive, and Second World War honours from campaigns in Northwest Europe post‑D‑Day. These honours are emblazoned on regimental colours and commemorated during annual observances alongside national ceremonies like Battle of Britain Day and Remembrance Day services. Honours are verified and promulgated through the Canadian Armed Forces battle honours system and the Governor General of Canada as representative of the Crown.

Museum and memorials

The regimental museum, located in the Belleville Armouries and associated with local heritage institutions, preserves uniforms, medals, diaries and artefacts connected to conflicts such as the South African War, First World War, and Second World War. Exhibits are coordinated with municipal museums in Quinte West and archives like the Archives of Ontario and displayed during commemorations with partners such as the Royal Canadian Legion and local historical societies. Memorials to fallen soldiers are sited in cemeteries and civic squares in Belleville and Picton, Ontario and are incorporated in national registers maintained by institutions like Veterans Affairs Canada.

Category:Infantry regiments of Canada Category:Military units and formations of Ontario