Perth Regiment (UK – 1943)

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally posted by Norm Cromie
Mark: Can you possibly explain to me why when the 48th Highlanders was the truly superior regiment in the first brigade that we were assigned 57 instead of 55? : :

Norm......is this a trick question or what .....

1. - The Royal Canadian Regiment was the senior Permanent Active Militia infantry regiment at the time of the C.A.S.F. mobilization

2. - The 48th Highlanders were a Non-Permanent Active Militia infantry regiment at the time of the C.A.S.F. mobilization

and

3. - The 'Plough Jockeys' (Hasty P's), even though they were also an N.P.A.M. infantry regiment at the time of the C.A.S.F. mobilization, they are senior to the 48th in the Order of Precedence of Canadian Infantry Regiments (Hasty P's: 16 Jan 1863 - 48th: 16 Oct 1891)

4. - Hence:

'55' - The Royal Canadian Regiment
'56' - The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
'57' - 48th Highlanders of Canada

5. - Having been posted to Toronto on Regular Support Staff, to one of the Reserve Infantry Regiments there and having seen the 48th up close and personel, I'd have to say that the Arm of Service serial '57' was quite appropriate for the 48th, kind of like a 'Heinz 57' variety mix.....

Norm;

All kidding aside, when it came to the allotment of Arm of Service serials, ie: Canadian 1st Infantry Brigade, the numbers '55', '56' and '57' were assigned according to the placement in the Order of Precedence of Canadian Infantry Regiments, that the three infantry battalions that were to make up the brigade, held at that time.

The same can be said for all the other infantry brigades of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Infantry Divisions and of the 4th and 5th Armoured Divisions (including the 12th Inf Bde).

Cheers