The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces . The regiment is headquartered in Belleville , Ontario , with companies in Peterborough and Cobourg . Currently the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment is part of 33 Canadian Brigade Group , one of four Brigade Groups of 4th Canadian Division . The Regimental Headquarters and one company ( A Coy / Assoro Coy ) are located at 187 Pinnacle Street in Belleville , with additional companies in Peterborough and Cobourg . The Peterborough Armoury houses what was traditionally " B Company " or " Moro Company " , and " C Company " or " Cassino Company " is housed in an industrial mall unit on Wilmott Street in Cobourg . Normally the Regiment deploys as a composite , Ortona Company , while the HQ / Admin forms Somme Company . The current Commanding Officer is LCol Shawn McKinstry , who took over for LCol Ross Cossar in March 2013 . Commanding Officers normally hold the position for a term of three years . The Regimental Sergeant Major is Chief Warrant Officer D . J . Hulan , C . D . The Colonel - in - Chief is HRH The Prince Edward , Earl of Wessex ; who visited the regiment in June 2005 and received a guard of honour from the regiment during his visit to Old Fort Henry in Kingston in June 2008 . History . The Fenian Raids The 15th Battalion Volunteer Militia ( Infantry ) , Canada was called out on active service during the 1866 raids by the Fenian Brotherhood on 8 March 1866 . The Battalion was removed from active service on 27 March 1866 at the conclusion of the emergency North West Rebellion The 15th Battalion Argyll Light Infantry , the 40th Northumberland Battalion of Infantry , the 46th East Durham Battalion of Infantry and The 49th Hastings Battalion of Rifles mobilized a company each for active service with The Midland Battalion on 10 April 1885 . The Midland Battalion served in the Alberta Column of the North West Field Force until it was demobilized on 24 July 1885 . The Great War The 9th Brigade , Canadian Field Artillery , CEF , which was authorized on 20 January 1916 and embarked for Great Britain on 15 February 1916 . The Brigade arrived in France on 14 July 1916 , where it fought as part of the 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery in France and Flanders until the end of the war . The brigade was disbanded on 1 November 1920 . The 39th Battalion , CEF , which was authorized on 7 November 1914 and embarked for Great Britain on 17 June 1915 . It provided reinforcements to Canadian units in the field until 4 January 1917 , when its personnel were absorbed by the 6th Reserve Battalion , CEF . The 80th Battalion , CEF , was authorized on 10 July 1915 and embarked for Great Britain on 20 May 1916 . It provided reinforcements to Canadian units in the field until 30 September 1916 , when its personnel were absorbed by units of the 4th Canadian Division . The 155th Battalion , CEF , was authorized on 22 December 1915 and embarked for Great Britain on 17 October 1916 , where it provided reinforcements to Canadian units in the field until 8 December 1916 , when its personnel were absorbed by the 154th ( Stormont - Dundas - Glengarry ) Battalion , CEF . The 39th , 80th and 155th Battalions were all disbanded on 17 July 1917 . The 136th ( Durham ) Battalion , CEF was authorized on 22 December 1915 and embarked for Great Britain on 25 September 1916 , where its personnel were absorbed by the 39th Reserve Battalion , CEF on 6 October 1916 to provide reinforcements to Canadian unitsin the field . The 136th Battalion was disbanded on 22 May 1917 . The 139th ( Northumberland ) Battalion , CEF , was authorized on 22 December 1915 and embarked for Great Britain on 27 September 1916 where its personnel were absorbed by the 36th Reserve Battalion , CEF on 6 October 1916 to provide reinforcements to Canadian units in the field . The battalion was disbanded on 21 May 1917 . The 254th Battalion ( Quinte ' s Own ) , CEF , was authorized on 1 May 1917 and embarked for Great Britain on 2 June 1917 , where its personnel were absorbed by the 6th Reserve Battalion , CEF , on 10 June 1917 to provide reinforcements to Canadian units in the field . The battalion was disbanded on 15 September 1917 . On 12 March 1920 the 16th Battalion Volunteer Militia ( Infantry ) Canada was amalgamated with the 49th Regiment Hastings Rifles to form The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment . The Second World War The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment , CASF , mobilized for active service on 1 September 1939 and was redesignated the 1st Battalion , The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment , CASF , on 7 November 1940 . The unit embarked for Great Britain on 22 December 1939 , and on 13 June 1940 it went to France as part of the Second British Expeditionary Force , reaching a point beyond Laval before being ordered back to the United Kingdom . It landed in Sicily on 10 July 1943 , and in Italy on 3 September 1943 , as part of the 1st Infantry Brigade , 1st Canadian Infantry Division . On 10 March 1945 , the battalion moved with the 1st Canadian Corps to North West Europe , where it fought until the end of the war . The overseas battalion was disbanded on 15 October 1945 . On 1 June 1945 , a second Battalion of the regiment was mobilized for service in the Pacific theatre of operations as the 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion ( The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment ) , CASF . The 2nd Battalion was disbanded on 1 November 1945 . 91 Details from The Midland Regiment were called out on service on 26 August 1939 and then placed on active service on 1 September 1939 , for local protection duties under the designation The Midland Regiment ( Northumberland and Durham ) , CASF ( Details ) . These details were disbanded on 31 December 1940 . The regiment then mobilized The Midland Regiment ( Northumberland and Durham ) , CASF , for active service on 24 May 1940 and was redesignated the 1st Battalion , The Midland Regiment ( Northumberland and Durham ) , CASF , on 7 November 1940 . The 1st Battalion served in Canada in a home defence role as part of the Prince Rupert Defences , 8th Canadian Division . The Battalion embarked for Great Britain on 10 January 1945 , where it was disbanded on 18 January 1945 to provide reinforcements to the Canadian Army in the field . The 34th Field Battery , RCA , and the 32nd ( Kingston ) Field Battery , RCA , mobilized the 32nd / 34th Field Battery , RCA , CASF , for active service on 24 May 1940 . This unit was subsequently reorganized as two separate batteries on 1 January 1941 , designated as the 32nd ( Kingston ) Field Battery , RCA , CASF , and the 34th Field Battery , RCA , CASF . On D - Day , 6 June 1944 , it landed in Normandy , France , as part of the 14th Field Regiment , RCA , CASF , which fought as a unit of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division in North - West Europe until the end of the war . The overseas battery was disbanded on 2 November 1945 . The battery later mobilized the 2nd / 34th Field Battery , RCA , CAOF , on 1 June 1945 for service with the Canadian Army Occupation Force in Germany . This battery was disbanded on 28 March 1946 . The Cold War On 4 May 1951 , the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment mobilized two temporary Active Force companies designated " E " and " F " . " E " Company was reduced to nil strength upon its personnel being incorporated into the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion for service in Germany with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization . It was disbanded on 29 July 1953 . " F " Company was initially used as a reinforcement pool for " E " Company . On 15 May 1952 , it was reduced to nil strength , upon its personnel being absorbed by the newly formed 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion for service in Korea with the United Nations . " F " Company was disbanded on 29 July 1953 . In 1953 , the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion became the 3rd Battalion , The Canadian Guards , and the 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion became the 4th Battalion , The Canadian Guards . Customs and traditions . Fallen members of the regiment are said to have transferred to the White Battalion . The regiment ' s mascot is a wooden Indian named Chief Petawawa - Much , who was taken on strength to replace Little Chief , a massive pewter Indian taken from the roof of a canning factory in Picton prior to the regiment ' s departure for England in 1939 . Little Chief was lost during the Battle of France while the regiment evacuated . An unknown individual , in the interest of securing Chief Petawawa - Much ' s future , got him a Social Insurance Number . The Regiment celebrates Pachino Day on 10 July every year with a spaghetti dinner , traditionally served with the cheapest red wine available . This is to commemorate the unit ' s participation in the landings in Sicily on 10 July 1943 as part of Operation HUSKY . In the Senior NCO ' s and Warrant Officers ' Mess in Belleville , the footprints of Commanding Officers can be found on the ceiling of the Games Room . After a Change of Command , a pyramid is formed with junior officers on the bottom to hoist the new CO up to the ceiling to make his mark . The Regimental Colour was stolen from its case in the Belleville Armouries in 1960 . The staff for it was laid up with the Queen ' s Colour at Saint Mary Magdalene Anglican Church in Picton on 4 October 1964 . The CO at the time , Lieutenant Colonel Angus Duffy , refused to wear his cap badge after the theft up until his death , as the Colours were his personal responsibility . The Regimental Colour has never been located . Media . " The Regiment " ( 1955 ) is an account of the Hastings and Price Edward Regiment written by Canadian author Farley Mowat , who served as an officer with the regiment during the Second World War . Battle honours . Battle honours listed in CAPITALS are emblazoned on the Regimental Colour . The North - West Rebellion , 1885 NORTH - WEST CANADA 1885 The Great War Mount Sorrel , SOMME 1916 , ARRAS 1917 , 1918 , HILL 70 , YPRES 1917 , AMIENS , HINDENBURG LINE , PURSUIT TO MONS The Second World War Landing in Sicily , Grammichele , Valguarnera , ASSORO , Agira , Adrano , Regalbuto , SICILY 1943 , Landing at Reggio , Motta Montecorvino , Campobasso , Torella , THE MORO , San Leonardo , The Gully , Ortona , CASSINO II , Gustav Line , Liri Valley , HITLER LINE , GOTHIC LINE , Lamone Crossing , Misano Ridge , RIMINI LINE , SAN FORTUNATO , Bulgaria Village , Naviglio Canal , Fosso Vecchio , ITALY 1943 – 1945 , Apeldoorn , NORTH - WEST EUROPE 1945 Lineage . The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment originated in Belleville , Ontario on 16 January 1863 , when The 15th Battalion Volunteer Militia ( Infantry ) Canada was authorized . It was redesignated as the 15th Battalion or the Argyll Light Infantry on 2 June 1871 , the 15th Regiment Argyll Light Infantry on 8 May 1900 , The Argyll Light Infantry on 12 March 1920 , The Argyll Light Infantry ( Tank ) on 15 December 1936 and The ( Reserve ) Argyll Light Infantry ( Tank ) on 7 November 1940 . On 1 April 1946 , it was amalgamated with the 44th ( Reserve ) Field Regiment , RCA , converted to artillery , and redesignated the 9th Anti - Tank Regiment ( Self - Propelled ) ( Argyll Light Infantry ) , RCA . On 1 September 1954 , it was amalgamated with the 34th Anti - Tank Battery ( Self Propelled ) , RCA , The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment and The Midland Regiment , converted to infantry , and redesignated The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment . The 16th Battalion Volunteer Militia ( Infantry ) Canada was formed in Picton , Ontario , on 6 February 1863 . It was redesignated as the 16th Prince Edward Battalion of Infantry on 30 November 1866 , the 16th Prince Edward Regiment on 8 May 1900 . On 12 March 1920 , it was amalgamated with the 49th Regiment Hastings Rifles to form The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment . It was redesignated the 2nd ( Reserve ) Battalion , The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment on 7 November 1940 and The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment on 1 November 1945 . On 1 September 1954 , it was amalgamated with the 9th Anti - Tank Regiment ( Self Propelled ) , RCA , 34th Anti - Tank Battery ( Self Propelled ) , RCA , and The Midland Regiment , retaining its designation . The 44th ( Reserve ) Field Regiment , RCA , originated in Gananoque , Ontario on 1 June 1905 as the 9th Brigade , Canadian Field Artillery was authorized . It was redesignated the 9th Field Brigade , Canadian Artillery on 1 July 1925 then as the 9th Field Brigade , RCA , on 3 June 1935 , as the 9th ( Reserve ) Field Brigade , RCA , on 7 November 1940 and finally the 44th ( Reserve ) Field Regiment , RCA , on 24 June 1942 . On 1 April 1946 , it was amalgamated with The ( Reserve ) Argyll Light Infantry ( Tank ) . The 34th Anti - Tank Battery ( Self - Propelled ) , RCA , originated in Belleville , Ontario on 1 April 1912 , when the 34th Battery , CFA , was authorized . It was redesignated as the 34th Field Battery , CA , on 1 July 1925 , then the 34th Field Battery , RCA , on 3 June 1935 , then as the 34th ( Reserve ) Field Battery , RCA , on 7 November 1940 and finally as the 34th Anti - Tank Battery ( Self - Propelled ) , RCA , on 1 April 1946 . On 1 September 1954 , it amalgamated with the 9th Anti - Tank Regiment ( Self Propelled ) , RCA , The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment and The Midland Regiment . The 49th Regiment Hastings Rifles originated in Stirling , Ontario on 14 September 1866 , when the 49th Hastings Battalion of Infantry was authorized . It was redesignated as the 49th Hastings Battalion of Rifles on 6 April 1871 and the 49th Regiment Hastings Rifles on 8 May 1900 . On 12 March 1920 , it was amalgamated with the 16th Prince Edward Regiment . The Midland Regiment originated in Cobourg , Ontario on 5 October 1866 , when the 40th Northumberland Battalion of Infantry was authorized . It was redesignated as the 40th Northumberland Regiment on 8 May 1900 , as The Northumberland ( Ontario ) Regiment on 12 March 1920 and as The Northumberland Regiment on 15 May 1924 . On 15 December 1936 , it was amalgamated with The Durham Regiment and redesignated as The Midland Regiment ( Northumberland and Durham ) . It was redesignated as the 2nd ( Reserve ) Battalion , The Midland Regiment ( Northumberland and Durham ) on 7 November 1940 , as The Midland Regiment ( Northumberland and Durham ) on 1 June 1945 and finally as The Midland Regiment on 1 April 1946 . On 1 September 1954 , it was amalgamated with the 9th Anti - Tank Regiment ( Self Propelled ) , RCA , 34th Anti - Tank Battery ( Self Propelled ) , RCA and The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment . Perpetuations . The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment perpetuates the 9th Brigade , Canadian Field Artillery , CEF , the 39th Battalion , CEF , the 80th Battalion , CEF , 136th ( Durham ) Battalion , CEF , 139th ( Northumberland ) Battalion , CEF , 155th ( Quinte ) Battalion , CEF and 254th Battalion ( Quinte ' s Own ) , CEF . Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment Museum . The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment Museum is located in the Belleville Armoury in Belleville . The museum preserves the history of the militia , specifically the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment , through the collection and preservation of military artifacts and documents of historical significance to the Regiment and its antecedent units . The museum displays and illustrates in an appropriate manner the dress , weapons , and military equipment , and customs of the Regiment ’ s heritage . It serves as a training medium to teach regimental history and to provide a scholarly basis for those studying the history of the militia , the Regiment and its antecedent units , and their historical significance in the Midland District of Ontario . The museum fosters in the local community an interest and sense of pride in the Regiment and its accomplishments . The museum focuses on the history of the regiment , its activities in different wars , and the effect on area counties . Exhibits include uniforms , weapons , medals , equipment , photographs , and other military and regimental memorabilia . The museum is open several days a week . The museum is affiliated with : CMA , CHIN , OMMC and Virtual Museum of Canada .