The Essex and Kent Scottish

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The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment
Active	31 March 1965-
Country	Canada
Branch	Army
Type	Militia
Role	Light Role
Size	Two battalions
Garrison/HQ	Windsor, Major F.A. Tilston Armouries
Commanders
Current commander	LCol Phil Berthume
Colonel in Chief	Queen Elizabeth II

The Essex and Kent Scottish is a reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces formed in 1954 by the amalgamation of The Essex Scottish Regiment and The Kent Regiment. Its Colonel-in-Chief is HRH Prince Michael of Kent. The Commanding Officer is LCol Phil Berthume, and the Deputy Commanding Officer is Maj Mark Douglas. The Regimental Sergeant Major is Kirk Drew. There are two standing platoons within the regiment: One Platoon based in Windsor, Ontario; and Two Platoon, based in Chatham-Kent, Ontario.

It is one of Canada's most decorated military units, with thirty-six prestigious battle honors.

1 Early History
2 The Essex Scottish Regiment
3 The Kent Regiment
4 The Forming of The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment
5 Battle Honours
6 Victoria Cross Recipients
7 Alliances
8 Order of precedence
9 External links

[edit] Early History

The roots of the Regiment date back to the 18th Century, when United Empire Loyalists and local populations were faced with relentless attacks by Americans, the French, and Native-Americans. It wasn't until the Fernian Raids in 1866 when the establishment of a militia was needed in the areas in and surrounding Chatham and Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Then, on September 14th, 1866, the 23rd Essex Volunteer Light Infantry and The Essex County Militia were formed. However, neither unit remained in the militia on a long-term basis.

On March 11th, 1870, The Essex County Militia was officially disbanded. The Kent County Militia remained long after, but was also disbanded in the late months of 1892.

[edit] The Essex Scottish Regiment

On June 12th, 1885, The Essex Scottish Regiment was created as a part of the Canadian militia, then named The 21st Essex Battalion of Infantry. It would be comprised of five infantry companies, which were formed between the years 1860 and 1885 in Essex County. Over the long history of the Regiment, it was renamed a total of four times. It was first redesignated as the 21st Battalion Essex Fusiliers on February 4th, 1887.

Then as the 21st Regiment Essex Fusiliers on May 8th, 1900. From there it was redesignated to simply The Essex Fusiliers on April 1st, 1920. And finally, to the name it held to the end of it's existance, The Essex Scottish Regiment on July 15th, 1927.

[edit] The Kent Regiment

This Regiment was formed on January 1st, 1901. It was given the title of the 24th Kent Regiment, with the Headquarters stationed in Chatham, Ontario, Canada. As with many Regiments in the Canadian Forces, the 24th Kent Regiment was renamed, and more than once. In December of 1936, the Regiment was redesignated as The Kent Regiment (MG) when it amalgamated with B Company, 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC. And eventually it was named The Kent Regiment on April 1st, 1941.

[edit] The Forming of The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment

On October 1st, 1954, almost one-hundred years after Chatham-Kent, Ontario and Windsor, Ontario decided to first have an operational militia, The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment was formed. It occured when The Kent Regiment and The Essex Scottish Regiment decided to unite as a single Regiment. On March 7th, 1962, the Regiment's two Battalions were officially formed. The 1st Battalion's Headquarters was in Windsor, while 2nd Battalion was stationed in Chatham.

In the year 1964, The Canadian Forces Headquarters decided to make certain reductions and amalgamations within the Canadian Military structure. Many units in the Province of Ontario were affected by this decision, including the The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment. So, following new orders and protocol, the two battalions of the Regiment amalgamated on March 31st, 1965. This is the current structure of the Regiment.

Canadian Forces Corporal Anthony Joseph Boneca belonged to a Scottish Infantry Regiment similar to the Essex and Kent Scottish. He was killed during operations in Afghanistan , July 2006.