Ottawa – His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander–in–Chief of Canada, will mark the 100th anniversary of service to Canada by Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). He will be joined by the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Colonel–in–Chief of the PPCLI and 26th governor general of Canada, and Lieutenant–General Ray R. Crabbe, Colonel of the Regiment. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, September 18, 2014, at 11 a.m., at Rideau Hall.
On this occasion, the Governor General and Mrs. Clarkson will address former and current members of the PPCLI in the Tent Room. Mrs. Clarkson, joined by the Governor General and Lieutenant–General Crabbe, will then proceed to the grounds of Rideau Hall to plant a commemorative maple tree in honour of the regiment’s 100 years of service. The tree will replace one that was cut down and used as the staff for the camp colour during the First World War, in September 1914.
On August 6, 1914, the Government of Canada accepted the offer from Captain Andrew Hamilton Gault of Montréal to raise and equip a battalion for overseas service. PPCLI was named after the daughter of The Duke of Connaught, the first member of the Royal Family to become governor general of Canada (1911–1916). Princess Patricia maintained close ties with the regiment throughout her life, and hand–sewed the original regimental colour, the Ric–a–Dam–Doo, which was carried into every First World War battle in which the PPCLI fought. Over the last century, the infantry regiment has been part of Canadian efforts in, among others, the Second World War, Korea, Cyprus, the Balkans and Afghanistan. Mrs. Adrienne Clarkson became the first Canadian Colonel–in–Chief of PPCLI on March 17, 2007.
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Media wishing to cover the event are asked to confirm their attendance with the Rideau Hall Press Office, and must arrive at the Princess Anne Entrance no later
than 10:45 a.m.
Julie Rocheleau
Rideau Hall Press Office
613–998–7280
julie.rocheleau@gg.ca
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