Honourary Military Appointments
The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, Canada.
The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment can claim a very old history they were formed from the Prince Edward local Militia organised in 1800. The Hastings Militia was formed in 1804. These regiments served in the war of 1812 an the McKenzie Rebellion of 1837-1838.
The above Regiments provided units which served in the War of 1812 and the McKenzie Rebellion of 1837-8. During the 1860's, the Canadian Government authorized the formation of new independent infantry companies. The militia was reorganised under the Canadian military. They were reunited under the 15th Argyllshire Light Infantry in 1863. In 1863 the 1st Prince Edward was re-designated as the 16th Battalion of Volunteer Militia (Infantry) of Canada. In 1866 1st Hastings was re-designated the 49th Regiment (Hastings Rifles).
There were few Canadian Regiments that served in World War II A number of men from other groups, like the 1st Hastings and 1st Prince Edwards' enlisted. These men formed the 39th, 80th, 136th, 155th, and 254th Infantry Battalions as well as the 21st and 77th Infantry Battalions and the 1st Forestry Battalion. Their valor in action earned them various Battle Honours.
In 1920 the he 16th Prince Edward Regiment and The 49th Hastings Rifles were amalgamated to form The Hastings & Prince Edward regiment. During World War II, the regiment was part of the Allied forces. They trained in the United Kingdom and made several hits on German occupied France. They formed part of the Canadian landing on July 10, 1943 at Green Beach, Sicily and earned eight Battle Honours. They continued their push of the German occupied forces into the Italian peninsula. In 1945 the Hasty P's changed fronts and joined the 1st Canadian Regiment to help with the liberation of Holland. Among the regiment achievement was their recapturing of the Summer Palace at Apeldoorn.
In 1951 the regiment provided two companies for NATO services in West Germany as part of the 27th Brigade. The same year saw a radical military cut back in Canada and reforming of the regiments. The Hasty P's absorbed the Midland Regiment, the 34th Battery and the Argylls. It was also decided that they be awarded with 31 Battle Honours fro World War II. In 1969 further military cutbacks saw the closing of the 50th Field Regiment and the 28th RCEME, their personnel were set up as the B 'Coy' of the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment. In 1992 the Cobourg Armoury became the 'C' Coy of the Hastings & Prince Edward Regiment.
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