The Loyal Edmonton Regiment (4th Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry)


The Loyal Edmonton Regiment, or LER, is a Primary Reserve infantry unit of the Canadian Forces based in Edmonton, Alberta. The LER is part of 3rd Canadian Division's 41 Canadian Brigade Group. They are colloquially known as "The Loyal Eddies".

Armourial description

The badge features a coyote, named Lestock, who was adopted by the 49th Infantry Battalion, CEF, in Lestock, Saskatchewan, on its way east to embark for Europe during the First World War. The coyote is centred in front of a windmill sail surrounded on its sides by maple leaves; above the coyote's head is the red rose of Lancashire, symbolizing the unit's affiliation with The Loyal Regiment of the British Army; below the coyote's head and resting on a scroll inscribed THE LOYAL EDMONTON REGIMENT, are the numerals 49; the whole is surmounted by the Crown.

Lineage

Lineage chart:

Perpetuations

The Great War

The Great War

The 49th Battalion, CEF was authorized on 7 November 1914 and embarked for Great Britain on 3 June 1915. It disembarked in France on 9 October 1915, where it fought as part of the 7th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The battalion disbanded on 15 September 1920.
The 51st Battalion, CEF was authorized on 7 November 1914 and embarked for Great Britain on 1 April 1916. There it provided reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field until 13 November 1916, when it was reorganized as a Garrison Duty Battalion. On 22 June 1916, its personnel were absorbed by the various regimental depots. The battalion disbanded on 15 September 1920.
The 63rd Battalion, CEF was authorized on 20 April 1915 and embarked for Great Britain on 22 April 1916. There it provided reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field until 7 July 1916, when its personnel were absorbed by the 9th Reserve Battalion, CEF. The battalion disbanded on 1 September 1917.

The Second World War

The regiment mobilized The Edmonton Regiment, CASF for active service on 1 September 1939. It was redesignated as the 1st Battalion, The Edmonton Regiment, CASF on 7 November 1940; and as the 1st Battalion, The Loyal Edmonton Regiment on 7 July 1943. On 22 December 1939, it embarked for Great Britain. "D" Company participated in the expedition to the Norwegian island of Spitzbergen on 25 August 1941, and the battalion landed in Sicily on 10 July and Italy on 3 September 1943, as part of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division. The unit landed in France on 15 March 1945 as part of OPERATION GOLDFLAKE, on its way to the North West Europe theatre of operations, in which it fought until the end of the war. The overseas battalion disbanded on 15 October 1945.
On 1 June 1945, a second Active Force component of the regiment was mobilized for service in the Pacific theatre of operations, as under the 3rd Canadian Infantry Battalion, CASF. The battalion disbanded on
1 November 1945.

Post-War: Korea and NATO

On 4 May 1951, the regiment mobilized two temporary Active Force companies designated "E" and "F" Companies. "E" Company was reduced to nil strength when its personnel were incorporated into the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion for service in Germany with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It disbanded on
29 July 1953. "F" Company was initially used as a reinforcement pool for "E" Company. On 15 May 1952, it was reduced to nil strength, when its personnel were absorbed by the newly formed 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion for service in Korea with the United Nations. "F" Company disbanded on 29 July 1953.

Afghanistan

The regiment contributed an aggregate of more than 20% of its authorized strength to the various Task Forces which served in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2014. It suffered three dead and numerous injured during this war.

Battle honours

In the list below, battle honours in capitals were awarded for participation in large operations and campaigns, while those in lowercase indicate honours granted for more specific battles. Those battle honours followed by a "+" are emblazoned on the regimental colour.

The Great War

1st Commander
Edmonton Bulletin 7 Dec 1907
Colonel E.B. Edwards came to Edmonton about a year and a half ago from Peterboro, Ont., where he was born and spent his
early life. He is a graduate of Toronto University with the degrees of M.A. and LL.B. He was admitted to the bar of
Ontario and practiced law with W.E. Scott brothers of Mr. Justice Scott, of Alberta. For twenty years he was city solicitor
of Peterboro, a city which is now sixth in the Dominion for manufacturing output, and has thus a close insight into the
management of municipal affairs. Colonel Edwards is now brigadier of the 7th Infantry with headquarters at Kingston. This
battalion comprised the 14th, 46th 47th, 49th and 57th regiments. He is a past president of the Ontario Curling Association, one of the largest sporting organizations in the world. He was chairman of the special committee which received the touring
Scotch curlers in Ontario two years ago. He has also occupied the office of commodore of the American Canoe Association.
Military Matters 24 Apr 1909N04P0767
Edmonton Bulletin
24 Apr 1909
N04P0767
MILITARY MATTERS
During the past year there has been a marked increase in the interest taken in military matters in Edmonton and the next few months should see even greater activity in military circles, not only in this city, but throughout the whole of western Canada. The Dominion government has been hampered by lack of funds in their efforts to raise military units in the west. They have done good work in this respect in the past and are every year making many, much-needed improvements. This is a new country, however, and a pretty extensive one and it takes time to introduce all the modern conveniences and equipment so necessary to the maintenance of an ideal volunteer military system in the west. Officers and men who have been connected with military organizations in eastern Canada and in the old country realize to the fullest extant the difficulties under which they are laboring in the west and it speaks volumes for their patriotism and deep interest in the work of establishing a creditable volunteer system that they almost invariably take hold in a whole-hearted manner and endeavor to surmount the obstacles. There are dozens of examples of this right here in Edmonton, and it is due largely to the efforts of such men that Edmonton is now the centre for two first class military units.
The outstanding feature in the military world of Edmonton during the past year has been the organization of a new infantry regiment known as the 101st Edmonton Fusiliers. Lt. Colonel Edwards is in command of this new regiment and is very enthusiastic over the way the organization work has been carried forward. He has associated with him an excellent staff of officers with considerable knowledge of military affairs. They are all very enthusiastic and are energetically carrying forward the work.
Shortly after the organization of the 101st had been authorized classes were opened in the city for officers and non-commissioned officers. These were continued for six weeks and were well attended. Thirty three officers and twenty-six non-coms. qualified and obtained certificates. They were assigned to the eight companies of the regiment as follows:—A Co.—Captain Osborne, Lieutenants Flint, Meneeley and Brown, Sergeants Gillespie, Ritchie, LeBlanc and Mohr.
B Co.—Captain Weeks, Lieutenants Mulvey and Morris, Sergeants Gregory, Brunlees, Sherwood and Dredge.
C Co.—Captain Harwood, Lieutenants Keefer, Delevault and Powley, Sergeants McRae, Hodson and Berry.
D Co.—Captain Anderson, Lieutenants Crumb and McDonald, Sergeant Adams.
E Co.—Captain Fisher, Lieutenants Bradburn, Stewart and Rix, Sergeants Balfour, Davies and Wilson.
F Co.—Captain Carpenter, Lieutenants Stark, Higman, Spratt and Chadwick, Sergeants Weaver, Campbell and McDonald.
G Co.—Captain Strong, Lieutenants McKenzie, Bellamy and Gorman, Sergeants Howland, Hawkins and Claassen.
H Co.—Captain McLeod, Lieutenants Gillespie, Whittaker and Kelly, Sergeants Baty, E. J. Hazard, Porter and B. Hassard.
No attempt was made until very recently to enroll the rank and file of the regiment. Recruiting has been carried forward during the past month however and fully one half of the total strength of the regiment has been enrolled.
The total strength of the regiment will be 405, of whom 33 are officers and 372 non-commissioned officers and men. The formation of a regimental band with a total strength of 25 has been authorized. It is probable that arrangements will be made for the Citizens' band to become the regimental band. A signal corps will be formed consisting of two men from each company. A supernumerary lieutenant of each company has been appointed to fill any vacancies which might occur.
In the first 150 enrolled in the 101st, over one-third have been members of military organizations in eastern Canada or the old country, and a number have seen active service in South Africa.
A splendid class of men are being enrolled. A large number of these still retain the accent of bonny Scotland. There are a number from Ireland, several having been members of the famous Royal Irish Constabulary. England and Eastern Canada furnish a large number. There are a few Americans and French and two or three Ruthenians. The minimum height of the men enrolled in the 101st has been fixed at 5 feet, 7 inches. The standard minimum height for militiamen in England and elsewhere is 5 feet, 4 inches. In Canada the minimum height of the Governor General's Foot Guards has also been placed at 5 feet, 7 inches. The number of men enrolled in the 101st who are 5 feet, 10 and 11 inches, and even 6 feet high, is surprisingly large.
D Company is being recruited in Strathcona, and drill is held there. Regular drill is being held in the city twice a week, on Tuesday and Friday evenings. A number of the companies are also holding extra drills. Drill is being held at the Separate school hall at the present time, but as soon as the evenings lengthen open air drill will be commenced possibly on the exhibition grounds or Hudson Bay flats.
A bugle band is being organized in connection with the regiment. Allowance in age and height is being made for buglers. A number of young fellows who have a taste for this are required to complete the bugle band.
Although there are now two strong military organizations in the city there is still no armory. The militia department planned to erect a large armory here this summer, but up to the present the appropriation required for this purpose has not been authorized.
The 101st Fusiliers are endeavoring to secure temporary quarters in the curling rink and the waiting room is being used at the present time for the quartermaster's stores. If the rink is secured, as is expected, it will mean that a number of rooms will be built along the west side of the building on the space occupied in the past by the No. 4 loe. Eight rooms for the companies in the regiment will be built and also a band room, quarter master's store room, buglers' room and a sergeants' room. The officers will use the present waiting room and the room above it.
A large quantity of equipment for the new regiment has been received. Sixteen large cases of clothing have arrived and are being issued. Three hundred and seventy-two Ross rifles have also arrived, which with the 75 used in the training school will be used for drill. The clothing received included serge jacket and trousers, a set of blue linen for fatigue dress, a full dress tunic, peak caps of a naval pattern, helmets for ceremonial drill and warm weather work, and chevrons and badges for the staff sergeants, sergeants, corporals, bandsmen and buglers.
Rifle practice at the ranges is going to prove a very attractive part of the drill this summer. The ranges are located on the south bank of the river and some little distance east. They will be put in proper condition at the earliest possible moment. A ferry will be installed on the river opposite the ranges as soon as the ice on the river goes out and rifle shooting should become very popular this year. In the 101st there are already a large number of expert shots, and they will not only be able to make a good showing for themselves, but will be able to instruct new men.
The 101st is the first Canadian regiment to be armed throughout with the mark 2 Ross rifle. These rifles have been declared by experts to be far superior to the old rifles used. One of the great advantages is the low trajectory of the rifle. With the old Snyder-Enfield rifle a man on a load of hay could drive midway between the marksman and a 500-yard target, provided his head was not more than 26 feet from the ground, and be uninjured. With the Ross rifle, however, a man 5 feet 6 inches in height, crossing between the marksman and target at the 500 yard range would be in danger of being shot through the neck. The muzzle velocity of the mark 2 Ross rifle is 200 feet per second greater than any other rifle. The variations in elevation are not so great and the bullet as a consequence, is less affected by the wind.
There was a large attendance at drill last night, some of the companies taking their first out-of-door drill. The following regimental orders by Lieut. Col. E. B. Edwards, commanding the 101st regiment, with headquarters at Edmonton, were read:
1—To be orderly officer for the week ending, April 24, Captain F. A. Osborne; next for duty, Captain W. S. Weeks.
2—To be battalion orderly sergeant for the week ending April 24, Color Sergeant Howland; next for duty, Color Sergeant Weaver.
3—To be orderly bugler, E. Baty.
The names of the men enrolled up to the present were read.
The coming summer promises to be an active one also for the 19th Alberta Mounted Rifles with headquarters at Edmonton. This regiment will be stronger than ever this year. In Edmonton, which is the headquarters for A squadron, many new men are being enrolled. They are a better class than formerly and are picking up the drill very rapidly.
A few months ago arrangements were made whereby A squadron would commence drill. All Saints school room was secured for this purpose and every Tuesday evening rifle and bayonet drill was held. A large number of new men joined the squadron and entered enthusiastically into the work of reorganization. Interesting lectures were delivered on military topics throughout the winter and it is the intention to hold a number of smokers and social functions in order to keep the men together. New uniforms have been ordered for the men and are expected to arrive at an early date.
The 19th is laboring under the same difficulties as the 101st through lack of a suitable armory or proper equipment. A squadron armory is located on Eighth street, but the officers and men will all gladly welcome the erection of a new and up-to-date armory in the city.
The mounted regiments in the west go into camp every year for two weeks during the summer. This year camp opens on June 29, two weeks later than in former years. In this way it is hoped to escape much of the wet weather. The place of the camp has not yet been definitely decided. It is possible that brigade camp for military district No. 13 will be held in Calgary again this year. The 19th A. M. R., however, may hold regimental camp at Edmonton. An effort is being made to hold brigade camp here in the future. It is now three years since a training camp was held in Edmonton. Six weeks training school will be held at Edmonton prior to camp.
Army signalling will likely be pushed forward briskly in the city this year as both the 101st and the 19th are planning to raise signal corps. Sergeant Major Hopkins, of A squadron, 19th A. M. R., has been appointed supernumerary lieutenant and will have charge of the signal corps. Recruits for the 19th signal corps are now being called for and active drill will start shortly. The 101st are also planning to form a signal corps, although their signal officer has not yet been appointed. Sergeant Major Baty is a qualified signaller and will doubtless assist in the instruction of the corps.
The Fusiliers have organized a strong athletic club in connection with the regiment and sports of all kinds will flourish this year. It is the intention to organize amateur baseball, football and cricket teams this year and to enter men from this organization in almost every line of athletics. The following are the officers of the 101st Athletic club:—Hon. president—Col. E. B. Edwards.
Hon. vice-president—Major Carstairs.
Hon. chaplain—Rev. Dr. McQueen.
President—Capt. Dr. Strong.
Vice-president—Capt. Geo. B. McLeod.
Secretary-treasurer—Lieut. A. C. Gillespie.
Executive committee—Sergt. Major Baty, Color Sergt. Howland, Color Sergt. Adams, Sergt. Hodson and Pte Mahoney.

Recent activities

The unit continues to carry out individual and small unit training. The unit celebrated its 100th anniversary in April 2008.
In September 2011 the Eddies sent a number of soldiers on a decentralised basic parachute course with 3 PPCLI.
The regiment expanded to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, with the establishment of C Company, The Loyal Edmonton Regiment, in August 2009.

Alliances

The Loyal Edmonton Regiment Military Museum is located in Edmonton in the Prince of Wales Armouries
Heritage Centre, the building where the regiment was based from 1920 to 1965. The building also houses the City of Edmonton Archives and the Telephone Historical Centre. The museum features two galleries and several smaller exhibits, and displays include historic firearms, uniforms, souvenirs, memorabilia, military accoutrements, and photos. The museum features an exhibit on the role of the 49th Battalion, CEF in Canada's Hundred Days Offensive.

Media