The 100th (Prince of Wales's Royal Canadian) Regiment of Foot was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, active from 1858 to 1881. It was raised in the Province of Canada in response to the Indian Rebellion of 1857, when there was a surge of loyalty to Britain in Canada and a desire to contribute a Canadian-raised unit to imperial defence. The regiment was named after Prince Albert Edward, the future King Edward VII.
Origins and early service
Recruiting began in Canada in early 1858, drawing personnel primarily from the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Initial enlistment was for ten years, not to exceed twelve. By the time the regiment was ready to embark, the Indian Mutiny had already been suppressed, so the unit sailed for England instead of India. It arrived in England later in 1858 and was posted to Shorncliffe Camp.
Deployments
The regiment served in Gibraltar from 1859 to 1863 and was then transferred to Malta. It returned to Canada in 1866 and participated in the ceremonies inaugurating the Dominion of Canada on 1 July 1867, on which occasion it decorated its headdress with maple leaves, the national symbol of Canada. The regiment returned to England in 1868 and subsequently served at various stations in Britain and Ireland. From 1877, it was stationed in India as part of the garrison of the Punjab.
Succession and battle honours
In 1875, the regiment was officially recognised as the successor to the earlier 100th Regiment of Foot (Prince Regent's County of Dublin Regiment), which had been raised in Ireland in 1804, served in Canada for thirteen years, and was disbanded in 1818. As its successor, the 100th (Prince of Wales's Royal Canadian) Regiment of Foot was permitted to use the battle honour "Niagara," won during the War of 1812.
Amalgamation
As part of the Cardwell Reforms of the 1870s, the 100th was linked with the 109th Regiment of Foot (Bombay Infantry) and assigned to district no. 67 at Birr Barracks in Birr, County Offaly, Ireland. Under the Childers Reforms, which took effect on 1 July 1881, the two regiments amalgamated to form the Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians).
Distinctive features
The regiment maintained pride in its Canadian origins, with a tradition of decorating its Colours with maple leaves and featuring a maple leaf on its cap badge. Its motto was "Ich Dien," and its facings were blue. The regiment was nicknamed "The Beavers," a reference to its Canadian origins.
Colonels of the Regiment
- 1858–1862: General Henry Dundas, 3rd Viscount Melville, GCB
- 1862–1872: Lieutenant-General Sir Edward Macarthur, KCB
- 1872: Major-General Charles Rochfort Scott
- 1872–1881: General the Honourable Sir Alexander Hamilton-Gordon, KCB
