A HISTORY OF THE COLOURS OF THE RECREATED KING’S ROYAL YORKERS

by Gavin K. Watt

On May 24, 1982, a set of Colours was presented to the 1^st Battalion, King’s Royal Regiment of New York in a formal ceremony held at historic Fort York in Toronto. The Colours were fashioned in silk with a painted centerpiece to a pattern researched by the noted historian, and regimental member, Private John A. Houlding, Colonel’s Company, the author of the much-acclaimed book on the British Army in the late 18^th Century entitled, “Fit for Service.”

Ironically, no record had been found to confirm that a set of Colours was carried by the original KRR NY. Edward Anderson, one of the unit’s founders, recalled finding a reference to Governor Guy Carleton criticizing the regiment’s Lieutenant-Colonel, Sir John Johnson, for purchasing Colours before the completion of his battalion; however, this document has never seen the light of day again.

Consequently, Houlding researched a number of Colours carried during the Revolutionary War period. The fundamental elements of the King’s and Regimental Colours were dictated in the Royal Warrant of 1768; however, there was a great deal of latitude taken in the design of the decorative wreaths and cartouches which formed the centrepieces of many Colours. Houlding measured and sketched the Colours of the 9^th, 12^th, 33^rd, 55^th, 93^rd, 103^rd and the Queen’s Rangers, 1^st American Regiment, which had been presented over the years 1771 to 1786. From his extensive examination, Houlding made specific recommendations which were adopted.

The complex work of cutting and piecing the silk material was skillfully performed by Deborah Mills, a noted seamstress and reenactor from Toronto. While Mills was completing her work, a pair of 9’9″ staves, with the requisite brass fittings, was custom manufactured by James Alexander of Toronto. After the Colours were assembled, the demanding painting of the wreaths and cartouches on both sides of each Colour was undertaken by Royal Yorker Drummers, Mike Wylie and Garth Armstrong, two talented artists employed by the Toronto Historical Board at historic Fort York.

Although the original 1^st Battalion of the Royal Yorkers had been headquartered in and about Montreal during the Revolution, the recreated regiment was without a base in that city, so it was decided that the presentation would be in Toronto at historic Fort York where the unit had enjoyed a particularly warm welcome from the staff over the seven years of its existence.

Of course, with Regular Force and Reserve regiments, the presentation of Colours is always a gala event with support from Defence Headquarters, the regimental family, the local community and media and often a representative of the Crown. Naturally, the recreated Royal Yorkers wished to stage a similarly grand event, but the reality of only being an amateur military formation dictated otherwise. Many members of the United Empire Loyalists’ Association had become staunch friends and supporters. Two of their Dominion Executive members, who were descendants of the original regiment and honorary officers of the recreated regiment, were invited to make the presentation. The Honorary Major, Colonel Judge John R. Matheson UE, a former Federal cabinet minister, represented the Crown and presented the King’s Colour. Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Mrs. Elizabeth Blair UE, past UEL Dominion Genealogist, presented the Regimental Colour. Special guests were Mary Beacock Fryer UE, a noted author of several books about the loyalists, and her husband Geoffrey and Judge Matheson’s son Murdock.

The conduct of the ceremony was researched with the Director of Ceremonial at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa by Captain Robert Anglin, 2RCR, a Serjeant in the Colonel’s Company.

The ceremony was held on Sunday, May 23, 1982. A record turnout of sixty-one troops and eighteen regimental followers and refugees were under the command of Captain-Lieutenant Gavin K. Watt. Nine soldiers were Light Infantrymen led by 1^stLieutenant William Severin, thirty-seven were Hatmen of the Colonel’s Company led by 1^st Lieutenant Edward Anderson and thirteen composed a superb Drum corps under the direction of Drum Major William Henry.

The very next day was a holiday and featured the annual Military Festival at Fort York where the Royal Yorkers’ new Colours were given their first public exposure in Vice-Regal style when Ontario’s Lieutenant-Governor, John Black Aird inspected the troops.

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Over the following two decades, the Royal Yorkers’ Colours were flown at a great number of historical celebrations and venues, but none were more important than two appearances for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1984 – Ontario’s bicentennial year. The first of these occurred at mid-week at Fort Wellington in Prescott and saw a new record turnout of seventy-five troops and twenty-five followers, including a battalion 3 pounder brass ‘Grasshopper’ Gun and 4.2″ ‘Cohorn’ flatbed mortar. Regimental members were deeply honoured when Her Majesty rose to greet the Colours during a formal march past. Shortly thereafter, the regiment was caught entirely off guard (and delighted) when the Royal party made an unscheduled inspection. The second appearance occurred two days later in Toronto at a massive Reserve Army Tattoo at Exhibition Stadium. Once again, the men were flattered when the Queen and her Consort waved most specifically in their direction as they were driven out of the stadium in a carriage.

In keeping with historical precedent, the KRR Colours have not been fielded with small detachments, unless they were required for a Colour guard. For several years, in the spirit of maintaining the absolute maximum number of bayonets in the line, the regiment’s junior officers – the Ensigns – who were responsible for carrying the Colours – were appointed on a temporary basis. More frequently, they served in the ranks as Gentlemen Volunteers in the absence of the Colours. In more recent times, the permanently appointed Ensigns have stepped back into the line as required.

The following is a list of the regiment’s Ensigns who have served since the 1982 presentation of the Colours. Historically, as there were no Ensigns in the Grenadier Company, the company’s Second Lieutenant has been assigned to that role. It should be noted that the Colours have often been carried by senior commissioned officers, Serjeants and Volunteers in the absence of the Ensigns.

By 1999, the Colours had become extremely frail. The King’s Colour had torn edges along the fly, which were readily repaired by Watt, but the body of the flag exhibited stress separations. The same was also true of the Regimental Colour and its lower left canton had separated from the staff sleeve. Again, Watt made repairs, but these were recognized as temporary only. Due to this general deterioration, it was decided to commission a new set of Colours and, in the interim, not to field the old set except on particularly important occasions.

Through the assistance of Radford Polinsky, officer commanding the 33^rd Regt of Foot (British Brigade) and confirmed by Duncan’s Company Serjeant, Eric Fernberg, a curator of the Canadian War Museum, that our 1981 choice of weave of silk cloth had been incorrect. Radford was particularly helpful in locating a source of proper silk faille and a quantity was imported from California.

SOME IMPORTANT EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF THE COLOURS
(names of the men who carried the Colours are in brackets)

• 23 May 82 – Colours’ Presentation and Dedication, Historic Fort York, Toronto, ON. Strength – 61 troops, 18 followers. (1Lieut William Severin, Ensign Denis Bourget)
• 24 May 82 – Inspection of Regiment by Lieutenant-Governor John Black Aird, Historic Fort York, Toronto, ON. Strength – 50 troops, 16 followers. (1Lieut Edward Anderson, Ensign Denis Bourget)
• 17 Jul 82 – Brigade of the American Revolution Event: Inspection of Regiment by the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, Joe Clark, Fort Wellington, Prescott, ON. Strength – 56 troops, 6 followers. (1Lieutenant William Severin, Ensign Denis Bourget)
• 30 Jul 83 – Freedom of the City of Kingston, ON. Strength – 48 troops, 8 followers. (1Lieutenant William Severin, Ensign Denis Bourget)
• 24 Dec 83 – 200^th Anniversary, Disbandment of the 1^st Battalion, KRR NY, Historic Fort York, Toronto, ON. Strength – 34 troops, 5 followers. (Captain-Lieutenant Edward Anderson, Ensign Ian Anderson)
• 23 Jun 84 – Annual Convention of the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada on the occasion of the bicentennial of Ontario, MacDonald Park, Kingston, ON. Strength – 50 troops, 6 followers. (1Lieutenant Denis Bourget, Ensign Ian Anderson)
• 22 Jul 84 – Bicentennial March marking the Founding of Cornwall, ON. Strength – 64 troops, 16 followers. (Captain-Lieutenant Edward Anderson, 1Lieutenant Denis Bourget)
• 08 Sep 84 – Ontario Bicentennial event, Trenton, ON. Strength – 48 troops, 13 followers. (A/Ensign Syl Haase, A/Ensign Dan Moreau)
• 27 Sep 84 – The Royal Visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Inspection of Royal Yorkers, Fort Wellington, Prescott, ON. Strength – 76 troops, 19 followers. (1Lieutenant Denis Bourget, Ensign Ian Anderson)
• 29 Sep 84 – The Royal Visit: “A Royal Salute” – a military tattoo coordinated by Central Militia Command, Exhibition Stadium, Toronto, ON. Strength – 16 troops. (1Lieutenant Denis Bourget, Ensign Ian Anderson)
• 15 Jun 85 – 10^th Anniversary of the recreated King’s Royal Yorkers, Black Creek Pioneer Village, North York, ON. Strength – 71 troops, 12 followers. (A/Ensign Syl Haase, A/Ensign Dan Moreau)
• 30 May 87 – Provincial Historic Plaque Dedication to the King’s Royal Regiment of New York and exercising of Freedom of the City of Kingston, ON. Strength – 61 troops, 18 Followers. (Ensign Syl Haase, Ensign Dan Moreau)
• 28 Aug 87 – British Brigade/Continental Line Event: Tour of England, Dover Castle. Strength – 42 troops, 10 Followers. (Ensign Moreau, A/2Lieutenant Duff Steele UE)
• 31 Aug 87 – British Brigade/Continental Line Event: Tour of England, Audley End Estate, Saffron Waldon. Strength – 42 troops, 10 Followers. (Ensign Moreau, A/2Lieutenant Duff Steele UE)
• 23 Apr 88 – Museum of Applied Military History Event: Visit by Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel William Tower at the Museum’s Winter Party, Kingston, ON. (Ensign Syl Haase)
• 01 Jul 88 – Museum of Applied Military History Event: Parade for the Duke of Wellington, Fort Wellington, Prescott, ON. Strength – 76 troops, 32 Followers. (Captain Ed Anderson, 2Lieutenant Duff Steele UE)
• 29 Jul 89 – Filming of “Divided Loyalties” – the life of Joseph Brant, Kleinberg, ON. Strength – 58 troops, 18 Followers. (2Lieutenant Duff Steele UE, Ensign Syl Haase)
• 06 Oct 90 – BVMA Event: 210^th Anniversary, Burning of the Valleys – Skirmish at Middle Fort, Middleburg, NY. Strength – 58 troops, 27 followers. (2Lieutenant Duff Steele UE, Ensign Dan Moreau)
• 08 Oct 90 – BVMA Event: 210^th Anniversary, Burning of the Valleys – Battle of Stone Arabia, Stone Arabia, NY. Strength – 58 troops, 27 followers. (2Lieutenant Duff Steele UE, Ensign Dan Moreau)
• 15 Jun 91 – Black Creek Pioneer Village, North York, ON. The retirement of Ensign Syl Haase upon his transfer to von Barner’s Brunswick Light Infantry. Strength: 77 troops, 33 followers. (2Lieutenant Duff Steele UE, Ensign Syl Haase, Ensign Dan Moreau)
• 25 May 92 – Queen’s Birthday Parade, Toronto, ON. Strength – 32 troops, 4 followers. (Captain Reg James, Serjeant John Moore)
• 04 Jul 92 – The Commemoration of the Landing of Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe in Upper Canada. Strength – 93 troops, 38 followers. (2Lieutenant Duff Steele UE, Serjeant John Moore)
• 01 May 93 – Northern Brigade: Battle of Conhocton, Bath, NY. Strength – 41 troops, 14 followers. (Ensign Dan Moreau, Serjeant Andy Weston)
• 01 Aug 93 – Northern Brigade: Support of Queen’s York Rangers at Skydome, Toronto, ON as the opener for a Blue Jays game. Strength – 34 troops. (1Lieutenant Ted Visser, 2Lieutenant Duff Steele UE)
• 08 Aug 93 – Northern Brigade & Guests: The Commemoration of the Founding of York by Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe. In attendance at Simcoe’s landing on the waterfront – Lieutenant-Governor Henry Jackman. Strength – 92 troops, 34 followers. (2Lieutenant Duff Steele UE, Ensign Dan Moreau, Ensign John Moore)
• 09 Oct 95 – Northern Brigade: 215^th Anniversary, Burning of the Valleys – Battle of Stone Arabia, Stone Arabia, NY. Strength – 43 troops, 14 followers. (1Lieutenant Dan Moreau, Volunteer Steve Sandford)
• 12 May 96 – Northern Brigade & guests: Drumhead Memorial Service to mark the 200^th Anniversary of the Death of Lieutenant-Colonel John Butler of Butler’s Rangers at Butlers’ Cemetery, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON. Strength – 39 troops. (1Lieutenant George Howse, Ensign John Moore)
• 19 Jun 98 – Northern Brigade: The inaugural celebration and flag raising for Loyalist Day, Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON. Strength – 24 troops, 9 followers. (2Lieutenant Duff Steele UE, Ensign John Moore)
• 20 Jun 98 – Northern Brigade: Black Creek Pioneer Village, North York, ON. The folding of the Colonel’s and Major’s Companies into Captain Richard Duncan’s Company. Strength – 69 troops, 39 followers. (2Lieutenant Duff Steele UE, Ensign John Moore)
• 15 Aug 98 – Big 3 Event: Defence of Quebec City, Plains of Abraham, Quebec City, QC. Strength – 52 troops, 30 followers. (2Lieutenant Duff Steele UE, Ensign John Moore)
• 17 Jul 99 – Brigade of the American Revolution Grand Encampment: Sackett’s Harbor, NY. Strength – 48 troops, 24 followers. (1Lieutenant Dan Moreau, 2Lieutenant Duff Steele UE)
• 13 Aug 00 – RCMP Musical Ride 2000, Dickson Park, Cambridge, ON. Strength – 28 troops. (1Lieutenant Ted Visser, 1Lieutenant George Howse)
• 03 Aug 02 – Northern Brigade & Guests: 225^th Anniversary of the Siege of Fort Stanwix, Rome, NY. Strength – 33 troops. (2Lieutenant Duff Steele UE, Ensign John Moore)
• 11 Jul 03 – Northern Brigade & Guests: Crysler’s Farm Battlefield Park and Upper Canada Village. Strength – 69 troops, 40 followers. (2Lieutenant Duff Steele UE)
• 05 Jun 04 – Northern Brigade: Historic Fort York for the Last Trooping of the Old Colours and the Consecration and Presentation of the New Colours and their First Trooping. Strength – 85 troops, 28 followers. (Old Colours: Captain Jeff Paine, 2Bn, 1Lieutenant Dan Moreau) (New Colours: 2Lieutenant Duff Steele UE, Ensign John Moore)

Extensive photo collection to follow – please check back shortly.

PHOTO CAPTIONS