COLONEL-IN-CHIEF

Adrienne Clarkson became the first Canadian Colonel-in-Chief of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) at a ceremony in Edmonton, on March 17 2007. Madame Clarkson, whose predecessor was the Right Honourable Lady Patricia Brabourne, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, becomes the third Colonel-in-Chief in the regiment's 93-year history. While acting as Governor General, Adrienne Clarkson also established the “Commander-In-Chief’s Unit Commendation.” Created in July 2002, it recgonizes the outstanding service of Canadian Forces in times of conflict under direct enemy fire. 2PPCLI is the second unit commendation to be presented by our Commander-in-Chief, the first being received by the 1R22eR Battle Group for their actions in Sarajevo in 1992.

History of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI)

The Regiment was born in Ottawa in August 1914, as a result of the offer of Captain Andrew Hamilton Gault to provide $100,000 to finance and equip a battalion for overseas service. On 6 August 1914, Captain Gault's offer was accepted by the Canadian Government. Authority was granted on 10 August to raise and equip an infantry battalion, with the remainder of the cost being covered by the department of Militia and Defence. On 10 August, 1914, the Charter of the Regiment was signed, constituting the authority for the existence of the Regiment, and approved by His Royal Highness, The Duke of Connaught, Governor-General of Canada.

Mobilization of the Regiment began on August 11th and eight days later it was completed as soldiers flocked to Ottawa from every part of Canada. In just over a week since it's birth the Regiment grew to 1,098 all ranks, with 1,049 of those members having seen previous service in South Africa or in the forces of the British Empire.

LCol Francis D. Farquhar, DSO, an officer of the Coldstream Guards who was the Military Secretary to His Royal Highness, The Governor-General of Canada, was selected to command the new battalion. LCol Farquhar, suggested that the Regiment bear the name of the Duke's youngest daughter, Her Royal Highness Princess Patricia of Connaught. The request was made to the Princess, who graciously consented to the Regiment bearing her name. The Light Infantry came about because Captain Gault, a veteran of the South African Campaign liked the "Irregular Feel" it gave the Regiment.

The Regiment's first formal parade was held on 23 August 1914 at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa. It was here that Princess Patricia presented her Regiment with a Camp Colour, which she designed and worked by hand. The Ric-A-Damm-Doo, as it later became known, was affixed to a staff cut from a Maple tree growing on Parliament Hill. This Camp Colour was to be carried with the Regiment to France and, after the second battle of Ypres, was officially recognized as our Regimental Colour