The Newsletters of the Friends of the Green Howards Regimental Museum

Issue 15. APRIL 2003.
With the Green Howards in Canada

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Details of the contents of Issue Number 15 are shown below.

Issue 15. April 2003
With the Green Howards in Canada

The Green Howards served two tours of duty in Canada in the 19th century. The first from May 1848 until
June 1851, and the second from November 1880 until February 1884. They were the beginning of a long association between the Green Howards and the Dominion of Canada; an association which continues
today through our allied Canadian Regiments: The Queen's York Rangers and The Rocky Mountain Rangers.
This newsletter fills in some of the gaps in our regimental history in Canada, and goes some way to show the respect the Green Howards have for their allied Canadian Regiments. It also pays tribute to those
Canadians - on the CANLOAN scheme - who served with the Green Howards in WWII, Green Howards who have married Canadians, and those who have made Canada their final home. Above all, it confirms our countries' belief in the regimental system within the armed forces, and our loyalty to HM The Queen.

The Green Howards in Canada, - Introduction

A very brief narrative outlining the history of the British Army in Canada and its garrisons, from 1759 through to 1906.

1848 to 1851, the Green Howards in Montreal and Quebec

The 19th Foot arrived in Canada from the West Indies on 15 May 1848, and left for the UK on 26 June 1851. Their years in Canada in this time are described with reference to the British army of the day, and Montreal of the 1840's, - where they were garrisoned.

A Soldier's Life in the mid-Nineteenth Century

From the Standing Orders of the 19th Foot, published in 1844, a picture is drawn of the soldier's daily life, - how he lived, his daily routine, and his pay and spending.

Women and Children, the Irish, and Cholera

A comment on the wives and children of the regiment, and the high percentage of Irish men in the regiment.
A brief comment is made on the cholera epidemic in Montreal in1849.

Officers of the 19th Foot

A description of the officers of the 19th Foot in Canada in 1849, and their regimental life, - including their pay and social life.

The Events of 1849

How the 19th Foot were utilised in Montreal in 1849.

The Between Years

The transformation of the British Army between 1870 - 1881, most notably through the Cradwell Reforms, is described. However, organisational and social reforms are also considered, and, - in the case of the 19th Foot, the formation of the Richmond Depot.

The Second Tour of Duty

In November 1880, the regiment - now The Princess of Wales Own Yorkshire Regiment, arrived in Halifax. A description is given of their arrival and life in Wellington Barracks, Halifax.

The Officer Corps, 1880 - 1884

A comparison between the officers of the regiment in these years, compared to those of the earlier period (1848 - 1851).

Sporting and Social Life in Halifax

Garrison life in Halifax was largely dominated by sport, and in contrast with thrity years earlier in Montreal, NCOs and men were also involved.

Life for Other Ranks in Halifax

The pay and punishment, - mainly for drunkeness and desertion, of other ranks is described.

Canada at War

The contribution of Canadians in the Crimean War (1854-56), the Sudanese War (1870), Boer War (1899-1900), World War 1, World War 2, and the Korean War is recorded.

Canadians and the Green Howards

The first Canadian to serve with the Green Howards was commissioned in the 19th Foot on 8 January 1795. Since then, Canadians and Green Howards fought sid-by-side in World War 1, and following this war an Alliance was formed between the Ontario-based York Rangers (Canadian Militia) and the Green Howards. When the York Rangers were amalgamated with the Queen's Rangers (1st American Regiment) the association was continued.
After World War 2 a further Alliance between the Green Howards and the Rocky Mountain Rangers was formed.

CANLOAN

In 1943, 623 Canadian Infantry officers and 50 Ordnance officers volunteered to serve with British regiments. The officers who served with the Green Howards are described.
Of the above officers 75% were killed or wounded, with 128 killed or who died of wounds.
Among the many awards were 41 Military Crosses.

Bob and Helen Metcalfe

88-year-old Major Bob Metcalfe, a Green Howard, is shown on the Canadian 10 dollar note standing to attention in front of the Canadian War Memorial representing all the veterans of Canada.
Although Bob Metcalfe fought throughout World War 2 with the Green Howards, it was towards the end of the war that he married a young Canadian physiotherapist from Montreal. Bob followed Helen back to Canada, where he is now a naturalised Canadian.

Issue No.15