Sunday 10 August 2014

AUGUST 10TH, 1914, CHARTER OF PRINCESS PATRICIA'S CANADIAN LIGHT INFANTRY SIGNED

Seven days after Gault brought his proposal to Ottawa, the Regiment was founded. 



August 10th marks the centennial anniversary of the founding of PPCLI. 100 years ago today Minister Sam Hughes signed the Regimental charter formally establishing the new Regiment as Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. The Charter of the Regiment was embodied in a report from the Committee of the Privy Council of Canada underlining Hamilton Gault’s contribution to finance and equip an infantry battalion. 

"As regards the expense entailed in raising, clothing, equipping, pay, transportation, feeding, maintenance and all other expenditure connected with this Battalion in and out of Canada, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars will be provided by Captain Hamilton Gault of Montreal. The remainder will be defrayed by the Department of Militia and Defence for Canada." 

The Paymaster General was authorized to pay personnel at the Canadian Expeditionary Force rate "from the date each Officer is gazetted and each soldier is attested." 

The Regiment would have special status, distinct from all other Canadian units. Neither as Militia nor with the Canadian Expeditionary Force, PPCLI would serve as a Canadian Regiment within the British Army. No provisions were made, however, for the supply of reinforcements to maintain the battalion at full strength. 

On this same day, Farquhar worked to set-up recruiting stations in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton. Mobilization of the Regiment was to begin immediately.