By Ian Scottpublished by The Voice for Island Seniors, The Guardian, August 2008
One hundred years ago an enduring Island symbol was born, with the presentation of regimental colours to an Island regiment. The ceremony in Victoria Park on July 4, 1908 saw the pair of military flags sent from London unveiled to the public.
The papers of the day were full of the news.
“The new colors of the 82nd Regiment Abegweit Light Infantry have arrived . . .The Kings Colors is a magnificent piece of work. It consists of Union Jack surmounted with a crown in blue and gold in the centre surmounted with a crown in blue and gold in the centre handsomely embroidered by hand. . . The Regimental flag is a beauty. It is all blue with heavy gold the same as the King’s colors. The Island Crest occupies the centre and is surrounded with a wreath of maple leaves entwined with rose, thistle and shamrock.”
Lieutenant Governor D. A. MacKinnon and Premier Haszard participated, with Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Stewart in command of the Regiment; the colours were presented and consecrated in a stirring public ceremony.
The Regiment’s forerunner, the 82nd Queens County Provisional Battalion of Infantry, sent a contingent of volunteers to the Boer War in 1899 earning a battle honour in South Africa. With this background, the Prince Edward Island Regimental Colours began to gain significant as an Island symbol.
Public officials like Regimental Chaplain Thomas Fullerton, a prominent Charlottetown figure had gone with the Island group to South Africa. Fullerton’s lengthy connection as minister of the Kirk of St. James in Charlottetown until 1921, likely led to the Regimental Colours being formally placed there for safe keeping on August 6, 1922. On July 16, 1925 the colours were officially presented to the Prince Edward Island Regiment as the successor unit, before being returned to the church.
In 1908 when Canada’s role internationally in the 20th Century was still evolving, respect for the service of Prince Edward Islanders prepared for times of conflict or crisis was important. The granting of regimental colours, acknowledged pride in a collective ability to serve and make a difference in important causes.
Soon disasters like the near annihilation of the 1st Newfoundland Regiment at Beaumont-Hamel, France on July 1, 1916 changed forever the way that military units from small communities were configured for active duty and thus service for many Islanders since, has been through combined efforts within other units, as part of Canadian Expeditionary Forces.
Restructured as the Prince Edward Island Highlanders in 1927, by WW II, one combined unit known locally as "D" Company North Nova Scotia Highlanders/Prince Edward Island Regiment, kept the name current. Presently the Prince Edward Island Regiment lives on proudly as the 17th Reconnaissance Regiment, with a headquarters and two militia squadrons. Members continue to serve overseas, volunteering for United Nations peacekeeping operations in the Middle East, Cyprus, and Bosnia in recent decades.
Among the multiple allegiances of Islanders in 1908 were continuing ties to the British Empire, the Crown, as well as ethnic origin, and denominationalism. The presentation of regimental colours was more than just a local ceremony for one militia corps, it was symbolic of ‘a coming of age’ on a larger stage—a world stage—which showed that modern Islanders of the 20th Century despite any differences, were united and prepared to serve when needed.
In the years ahead, that service would be called upon. St. Peter’s Bay alone saw 117 dedicated men and women serve their country in WW I, and 183 in WW II, while all Islanders learned the high cost in lives lost and altered, that war can bring.
Over time, various units have borne the Prince Edward Island Regiment’s mantle, yet on July 4, 1908, amid vice-regal splendour, a local regiment was recognized as a standard bearer, having achieved an honoured place in Island life.
Symbols serve many purposes; on a beautiful summer day in Charlottetown, proud Islanders in raising a banner that showed their preparedness to serve, would also signal that this would be a part of Island identity for those who followed.
