Canadian Scottish titles questions

[lettman]

Is the top title complete or a cut-down of something larger? If complete is it meant to be Donal Sexton's #382b? When was the bottom title introduced and worn?
Thanks for any information.

[Bill A]

Morning. The titles top to bottom are to the 2nd Battalion Canadian Scottish, the 1st Bn Canadian Scottish, both wartime titles, and the bottom title is the post war Canadian Scottish. The Canadian Scottish was one of the few militia units that was organized on a two battalion basis before the Second World War broke out. The 1st Bn perpetuated the 16th Bn CEF and the 2nd Bn perpetuated the 88th Bn CEF.
How did this relate to the titles? The 16th Bn CEF had participated in the battle at Kitcheners' Wood in 1915. This battalion was perpetuated in the post-war army by the Canadian Scottish. A dress distinction in the form of an oak leaf shoulder title had been awarded to the Canadian Scottish circa 1934, as they perpetuated the 16th Bn. (The stylized oak leaf and acorn was representative of the oak tress in the wood) Two more militia units, the Winnipeg Light Infantry and the Calgary Highlanders, that perpetuated the 10th Bn CEF, the sister battalion that also fought at Kitchener's Wood were granted the same distinction. When the Canadian army (Active Force) adopted cloth titles early in the Second World War, the 1st Bn Canadian Scottish argued that their design should incorporate the oak leaf/acorn motif in the title. They proceeded overseas wearing that pattern of shoulder title. The 2nd Battalion Canadian Scottish had been formed in 1930, perpetuating the 88th Bn CEF. It was mobilized for service in the home defence divisions. When the Active Force in Canada was approved coloured embroidered shoulder titles, NDHQ developed a policy that the pattern of shoulder titles worn by all active force battalions of the same regiment should be the same pattern. Under this, 2nd Bn Canadian Scottish were to adopt the 1st Bn oak leaf title, but it was pointed out that the title was a dress distinction awarded to the unit perpetuating the 16th Bn. The 2nd Battalion could not wear it. The result was a new design, the one reading "THE/CANADIAN SCOTTISH" without the oak leaf/acorn. The 2nd Bn (Active) was subsequently disbanded when the home defence forces were reduced in size in 1943. (Footnote 1. The OC of the 2nd Bn was not enthused with the 1st Bn title either. His opposition factored in to the approval of a different title for the 2nd Bn. Footnote 2. It was "discovered" that the overseas Bn title included the oak leaf and acorn design, likely as a result of the issue with the 2nd Bn title. Attempts were made to have the 1st Bn title revised to exclude the oak leaf and acorn. It appears the question of keeping the distinction made its way to ministerial level, and no official action was taken to have the design changed. Footnote 3. There was a 3rd (Reserve) Battalion Canadian Scottish. They wore the worsted slip-on.)
The design of the post war title reflected an honour granted to the Canadian Scottish in 1948. The new designation "Princess Mary's"was added to the regimental name at the same time as the Canadian army was reviewing all cloth titles. The Canadian Scottish had also been re-organized on a single battalion basis, with the 2nd Bn becoming an artillery unit. The design of the new title for the regiment recognized the service of both the 1st and 2nd Battalions by incorporating their title designs in the new pattern. And the honour was added as the last line of the title. It was authorized in 1949.

[Phillip Herring]

Regarding the disbandment of the 2nd Battalion. In 1946, the 2nd Battalion was converted to artillery and became 66 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment RCA. In the 1950s it was amalagated (along with 62 Anti Tank Battery) with The Canadian Scottish Regiment.

Phil

[lettman]

Many thanks, Bill, for taking the time to provide such a comprehensive response.