The Essex & Kent Scottish Regiment has been issued new Colours by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. These will replace the current Colours which were issued to the Regiment in 1994.
The “Colours” are the Regiment’s flags; the Canadian Flag (with the Crown in the middle of the maple leaf) is the “Sovereign’s Colour”; and the Regiment’s flag, which is embroidered with its historical battle honours earned by the Regiment’s actions over the past two centuries.
The new Colours will include four new battle honours, three for the War of 1812 (Maumee, Detroit, and Niagara), and a more recent battle honour, Afghanistan.
New Colours may only be issued every 50 or so years, depending on wear, so it is for many a “once-in-a-lifetime” event.
The new Colours will be presented to the Regiment at a special parade – The Trooping of the Colours - in Windsor, on Saturday, May 13th, by His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, who is the Regiment’s Colonel-in-Chief.
Prince Michael will also attend a special Church Service in Chatham Sunday morning May 14, where the “old Colours” will be officially “laid up” at Christ Church in Chatham, joining the “retired” Colours of the original Kent Regiment. It is quite an honour to have these original Colours of the E&K Scots now displayed in perpetuity in Chatham-Kent.
After the Church Service, the Regiment will march from Christ Church to the Chatham-Kent Civic Center, where the Commanding Officer will request the Mayor to “exercise the Freedom of the City,” as it was previously granted to the Regiment in 1985. Historically the local militia Regiment, made up of volunteers from the local community, would “parade” on occasion through the city, where citizens had the opportunity to “thank” the volunteer soldiers for their service, by feting (maybe use the word honouring) them with food and drink for the day.
When the Mayor allows them to exercise the “Freedom of the City” the Regiment will begin its march down King Street with their new “colours flying and bayonets fixed”, stop and lay a wreath at the Cenotaph, and end their march at the old Armouries, where a reception for the troops, the Regimental Family, and community officials will be held.
The public is welcome to attend the Civic Center in Chatham on Sunday, May 14th at 1:00 p.m., to see the “Freedom of the City” march past and the ceremonies associated with it in front of “City Hall.”
“It is with great pride and excitement that we welcome Prince Michael of Kent to our community as we celebrate the Regiment's receipt of its new Colours,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff. “This is a momentous occasion for us all, as we recognize and honour the dedication and sacrifice of the men and women who serve our country. We are grateful for the opportunity to show our support and appreciation for our local Regiment and all that they do to protect our freedoms and way of life. Congratulations to the Essex & Kent Scottish Regiment on this well-deserved recognition, and we wish them continued success and safety in their ongoing missions to serve and protect Canada."
For more information contact:
Event Contact:
Dennis Poole
Delta Company
THE ESSEX & KENT SCOTTISH
519-350-3753
dpoole@cogeco.ca
Media Contact:
Amy Wilcox
Manager, Corporate Initiatives & Communications
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
519-360-1998 x 3055
amyw@chatham-kent.ca
