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150th Anniversary of The Royal Regiment of Canada
The Royal Regiment of Canada will celebrate its 150th Anniversary on 14 March, 2012. Join us from 11 – 13 May, 2012, as we celebrate the past, present and future of The Regiment. Ich Dien.
The Regimental Reunion at Fort York Armoury – 11 May, 2012. Register now by filling out the form here.
The Royal Regiment of Canada 150th Anniversary Ball – 12 May, 2012. Click here for details or buy your tickets by clicking the link below.
Aerial Photos of Afghanistan
Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF-Afg) is the Canadian Forces (CF) contribution to the international effort in Afghanistan. Its operations focus on working with Afghan authorities to improve security, governance and economic development in Afghanistan. JTF-Afg comprises more than 2,750 CF members.
Brigadier-General Gary Stafford, OMM, CD
Brigadier-General Gary Stafford, OMM, CD, in Afghanistan.
In 1970, Brigadier-General Stafford joined The Royal Regiment of Canada as a Private and progressed to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer in 1983. He held the position of Regimental Sergeant Major from 1983 to 1987.
In 1988, Brigadier-General Stafford commissioned from the ranks, promoted to Captain and posted to Toronto Militia District Headquarters as the Recruiting Officer for one year. He returned to The Royal Regiment of Canada where, in 1992, he was promoted to Major.
In 1999, he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel and appointed Commanding Officer of The Royal Regiment of Canada.
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, KO, KT, GCB, CD, PC
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales is the Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Regiment of Canada.
Like all members of the Royal Family, The Prince of Wales has close personal links to the Armed Services. In addition to his own career in the services, he holds a number of appointments as Colonel-in-Chief and Royal Colonel.
His Royal Highness’s first Colonelcy-in-Chief was of the Royal Regiment of Wales, to which he was appointed on 1st July 1969 – the day of his investiture as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle. He was appointed as the Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Regiment of Canada on June 11th, 1977.
Exercise Stalwart Guardian 2005
Soldiers from 32 Canadian Brigade Group attack an enemy bridge during Exercise Stalwart Guardian.
Exercise Stalwart Guardian ran from August 20-28, 2005, at CFB Petawawa and involved 3,200 Army reservists from across Ontario conducting raids and airmobile assaults. This was part of a series of exercises training soldiers for domestic and overseas missions. Two hundred Ontario reservists deployed to Afghanistan the year after.
“A true warrior and professional, Joe Ryan epitomized courage, sacrifice, dedication and above all service to his country and his community. His legacy will live on.”
- Lieutenant-Colonel Cliff A. Trollope
Remembrance Day 2009
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and Governor General Michaelle Jean speak with veterans following a Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa, November 11, 2009.
Adrian Wyld, The Canadian Press
Exercise Royal Grenadier – Mar 2008
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, joins The Royal Regiment of Canada for Exercise Royal Grenadier in March, 2008.
Joseph Anthony Ryan
For decades Joe Ryan was the face of The Royal Regiment of Canada. Joe Ryan was born in Montréal, Quebec, January 2, 1920. One year later, he moved to Ontario, where he later became a dental technician.
At 19 years old he enlisted for wartime service in Toronto in September 1939. His twin brother also served in the army and their younger brother was a member of the sea cadets.
While Mr. Ryan was a member, during the summer and autumn of 1940, the regiment was garrisoned in Iceland (a strategic submarine and air base) against possible attack. In October, the regiment moved to England in anticipation of a German invasion. Two years later, the Royals were part of the ill-fated Dieppe raid, when the regiment suffered the highest casualties of any of the participating units.
With The Royal Regiment of Canada #1 platoon signals, Mr. Ryan said their duty in Dieppe was to land at Blue Beach and try to “stay alive.” During the raid he was taken prisoner of war for two years and eight months.
Mr. Ryan maintained affiliation with the Royal Regiment since his return to Canada. He organized, raised funds for and designed a memorial plaque that was placed in the Fort York Armoury honouring all those who had paid the supreme sacrifice in Dieppe. This plaque was unveiled in 1992 by His Royal Highness Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Regiment of Canada. With the assistance of the Royal Regiment of Canada Foundation, he was instrumental in raising funds to send 26 Dieppe veterans back to France for the 50th anniversary of the battle. Along with his wartime medals, he was the recipient of the Dieppe medal, the Dieppe Combat Recognition citation (the only combat citation given to the Canadian Forces in WWII), the Canada 125 Medal, the Queens Golden Jubilee Medal and the 60th Anniversary Dieppe Medallion. He was also awarded the Founders Award which is the Highest award given by the Royal Army Cadet League of Canada.
Mr. Ryan was President of the Royal Regiment of Canada Association for five years. He was also Director of the Dieppe Veterans and Prisoners of War Association, as well as liaison officer for 400 cadets in the Royal Canadian Army Cadet League in Ontario.
Joseph Ryan died peacefully at Trillium Hospital in Mississauga on 16 May 2009, at the age of 89.
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales – April, 1979
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales inspects The Royal Regiment of Canada – April, 1979.
The Toronto Regiment Baldric – June 8, 1931
The Toronto Regiment Baldric – June 8, 1931. A baldric was a wide, usually ornamental belt worn over one shoulder.