The Queen's and Regimental Colours of the Carleton and York Regiment

The Carleton York Regiment was formed in 1937 by the amalgamation of two New Brunswick Regiments, the Carleton Light Infantry and the York Regiment.

The Carleton York Regiment traces its origins back through the 67th Battalion Carleton Light Infantry and the 71st York Battalion of Infantry, to the various local regiments and companies raised for the defence of the province of New Brunswick.

When the Loyalists arrived in 1783, many of the men had served in the provincial regiments raised in America. For the safety of the settlements, land was granted by grouping settlers as rar as possible by regiments. This plan, although modified considerably, was the beginning of the militia in New Brunswick.

The 71st Battalion evolved from the York County Militia consisting of three battalions: the first battalion, with headquarters at Fredericton raised in 1787; the second battalion raised later at Kingsclear and the third battalion in 1822 at Douglas.

The 67th Battalion came from the Carleton County Militia, a regiment of two battalions, the first organized at Woodstock in 1834 and the second in the same year at Wicklow.

Training in those days consisted of drills at local centres and from time to time the militia was called up on active service due to the unsettled state of the Maine New Brunswick boundary dispute and later during the Fenian raids.

An 1863 report of the inspecting officer noted that the two companies of the York Regiment at Fredericton were the best in the province and the company of the Carleton Regiment at Woodstock was extremely efficient.

The York Regiment perpetuated the 12th and 140th Canadian Infantry Battalions and the Carleton Light Infantry the 44th and 104th Battalions, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1914-1918. The Regiment is now affiliated with the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment and the East Yorkshire Regiment, the principal features of whose badges are incorporated in the badge of the Carleton and York Regiment, the white horse of Kent superimposed on the Star of Brunswick.

The "colours"presented to the unit were the gift of the late Hon. Murray MacLaren, P.C., C.M.G., V.D., M.D., LL.D., F.R.C.S., Honourary Colonel of the Regiment and Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of New Brunswick.

According to former Lieutenant-Governor Hon. George F.G. Stanley, "All through history, Colours were the rallying point for the regiment. In the thick of battle, as long as the Colours could be seen, it meant that the regiment was still fighting and winning. If they disappeared, then it meant they had been captured by the enemy."

The designs were drawn up by the Inspector of Regimental Colours at the College of Arms, London, and approved by the Garter King-of-Arms. Made by Messrs Hobson & Sons Ltd of London, the official description reads:

Kings Colour

The Great Union, on the double circle, the title "The Carlton & York Regiment" and the Roman numeral "I" within.

The Regimental Colour

Field, blue. In the dexter canton the Roman numeral "I." Within the double circle the following device: "On an eight -pointed star" or The White Horse of Kent above a scroll inscribed "Invicta" all Argent. Eleven battle honours: Ypres 1915, 1917; Somme 1916; Vimy 1917; Passendale; Hindenburg Line; South Africa, 1900; Festhubert 1915; Arras 1917, 1918; Hill 70; Amiens, and Canal du Nord.

The Carleton-York Regiment mobilized at Woodstock, New Brunswick at the outbreak of the war September 1, 1939, as a unit of the Third Brigade, First Canadian Division, and proceeded overseas December 10, 1939, arriving in Great Britain December 17, 1939. During World War II, the regiment participated in the Sicilian, Italian and Northwestern campaigns in Europe.

The Stand of Colours was presented by His Majesty King George VI at Caterham, Surrey, England July 1, 1941. That same day, King George VI presented Colours to the Edmonton Regiment. In presenting the colours, His Majesty King George VI noted:

Today is Dominion Day and I am very glad to be spending it among my Canadian Troops.
Many of you, maybe, have never before been out of Canada on your National Day; you will all, I know, be thinking of those near and dear to you whom you have left at home.

With all my heart I hope that it may not be long before you are with them again. Meanwhile, remember that wherever you may be called on to meet, and beat, the enemy, you will be defending your own homes as surely as if you were fighting on the very soil of New Brunswick or Alberta.

Your two regiments perpetuate no less than seven battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force which, a quarter of a century ago, went out to win immortal fame under the inspiring leadership of Lord Bynd and Sir Arthur Currie. The traditions then established, the high honour wich was then won, are also perpetuated in the Colours that I now present to you. I am very proud to do so, for I know that you will ever hold them safe and will sustain the great ideals of which they are the outward symbols.
I wish you the best of luck.

A plaque located in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick at 706 Queen Street in Parliament Square reads:

THE QUEEN'S
AND
REGIMENTAL COLOURS
OF THE
CARLETON AND YORK REGIMENT
LAID UP IN THE
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
10 FEBRUARY 1955
THIS STAND OF COLOURS WAS PRESENTED BY
HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE VI
AT
CATERHAM, SURREY ENGLAND
1 JULY 1941

Note: Through the cooperation of Members of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, the Canadian Conservation Institute, the Canadian War Museum, the Commanding Officer at Base Gagetown, and a highly qualified textile conservator, the Carleton York Colours were transported to Ottawa, removed from their staffs, affixed to fabric covered stretchers and enclosed in plexiglass boxes which afford the environmental protection necessary in a public building. They are viewed by young and old, visitor and resident, soldier and civilian, for through the threads of these Colours, runs the history of the farmers, woodcutters, store clerks, accountants, lawyers, carpenters and those in a variety of trades and professions from this province who fought so proudly with the Carleton York Regiment.