NARHFThe Elgin Regiment
The Elgin Regiment Room is located in the Historic Duncombe House section of the Museum.
A Short History of the Elgin Regiment
In the first days of the Talbot Settlement, military forces consisted of British soldiers augmented by local settlers and natives. The first locally organized unit was the 1st Volunteer Rifle Company, formed in St. Thomas in 1856. This was followed in 1862 by units in Port Stanley and Vienna, and in 1866 these were consolidated into 25th Battalion of Infantry - the Elgin County Regiment.
While the regiment did not see service in the Boer War, several of its members did join the forces sent to South Africa, and served with distinction.
In 1903, the 25th Elgin Regiment, as it had become in 1900, moved into the just completed armouries on Wilson Avenue in St. Thomas, only to disband the unit in August of that year. However, by May of 1904, it was reformed.
In 1915, members of the Regiment answered the call of King and Empire. The 91st Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force consisted primarily of the members of the Elgin Regiment,with over 75% of the Regiment's members volunteering for service.
As is customary in the Canadian military, the Elgin Regiment developed an affiliation with a British unit, and in 1929, approval was received to officially authorize the affiliation of the Elgin Regiment with the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, a very distinguished regiment of the Royal Army. This was followed in 1931 by authorization for the Elgin Regiment to incorporate the image of St. George and the Dragon, Patron Saint of the Fusiliers, into their cap badge.
The "Elgins" as they were known, became active with the outbreak of World War II, and in 1940, was brought up to strength as a member of the Canadian Active Service Force with the addition of companies from the Middlesex and Huron Regiment and the Oxford Rifles. In July 1941, the Second Battalion of the Elgin Regiment was formed in St. Thomas to act as a training unit preparing men for overseas service.
During 1942, the 1st Battalion (CASF) was changed from an infantry unit to a member of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps, and went overseas as the 25th Armoured Regiment. In 1943, they were retasked again as the 25th Canadian Tank Delivery Regiment, and then the 27th Armoured Delivery Regiment. This was a role they would continue until the end of the war, although always known by their contemporaries as the "Elgins."
The 1st Battalion returned to Canada in 1946, and was disbanded, and the 2nd Battalion was reorganized as an Infantry Regiment.
In September, 1954, the regiment was again reorganized as the 27th Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment, a role it continued for many years.
In 1997, the Regiment became a unit of the Canadian Engineers, designated as " 31 Combat Engineer Regiment." However, in recognition of the long and distinguished service of the regiment, special allowances were made, and the Regiment continues to be known throughout the Canadian military as "The Elgins."
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