The Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) Association
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About Us
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The Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) Association
About Us |
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Following the creation of the then "Irish Free State" (Now Ireland) the original Association formed by the officers and men of the Regiment continued strongly for over seventy years following the disbandment of the Leinster Regiment in 1922. Inevitably time brought its impact and the Association's numbers dwindled as the last soldiers who served with the regiment passed away. Thus the Leinster Regiment became one of only two Irish infantry regiments that were disbanded in 1922 not to maintain a Regimental Association; (the other is the Royal Irish Regiment). However the soul of a regiment is not permitted to die because if it did the honour due to the soldiers who served, and their descendents, would no longer be recognised. Therefore after a few interval years, and after the funds of the original Association had been distributed to charity, the Association was re-formed on 15 February 2003 with an Inaugural meeting held on 12 April 2003 in London. Membership was initially derived from ex-servicemen of the British and Irish armies as well as a few who had relatives serve with the regiment. Membership continues to grow with more members having family links with the Leinster Regiment, and as the Association continues its work we also encourage any person who has the interests of our Association at heart to join us. The Association is the sum of its members and together we will maintain the spiritus intus of the Prince Of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians). All members of the Association are permitted to wear the Regimental badge, whether as a blazer badge or Brooch; male members also wear the Association tie that is based upon the former colours of the Regiment. The Association produces a Journal, the 40/10, that is provided to all members twice a year. Membership of the Association is for a calendar year, an annual small subscription is charged to cover administration costs. Commemoration visits are also organised by the Association, details being published on the web site and in the 40/10. Association Activities.In October 2004 the association held a ceremony to rededicate the grave of Sgt John O'Neill VC MM, whose grave had become somewhat dilapidated over time. By September 2006 membership had exceeded 145, an excellent start for a new Association and the same year the Association was privileged to participate in the liberation commemoration ceremony held by the inhabitants of Guillemont and Ginchy in France. In March 2007 the Association held a parade in Ypres and members marched to the Menin Gate for the ceremony of the Last Post. Each November members of the Association parade at Horse Guards for the Remembrance March in Whitehall. The Association provides a presence at the annual Garden of Remembrance, held at Westminster Abbey in November, when all members are encouraged to support the planting of poppy crosses in the Leinster Regiment garden plot. Meetings are also held in London and Dublin. As part of our objective of continuing the memory of the Regiment, the Association is working closely with the Council of Co. Offaly in Ireland, to develop a Leinster Regiment Collection to be housed in the County Library in the town of Birr. This collection currently houses copies of the WW1 War Diaries for the Regiment, as well as selected books, pamphlets and a photo collection on CD ROM. Our objective is to encourage descendents of Leinster soldiers to donate or loan memorabilia to the collection housed in Birr. Please support the Association in its endeavours to commemorate the memory of those who served in the Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment. |
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