GENERAL ORDERS

1928

G.O. 6 / 1928

CONDITIONS OF AWARD OF BATTLE HONOURS FOR THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919

(1)     Regiments and Corps of the Permanent and Non-Permanent Active Militia will have awarded to them and recorded in the Militia List, in addition to those already shown, the honours due to them in respect to campaigns and battles enumerated in list "A" issued as an annexure to this order. The geographical and chronological limits of battles are defined in General Order No.7 of 1928.

The term "Regiments and Corps" shall comprise Regiments of Cavalry or Mounted Troops; Regiments or Battalions of Infantry; Motor Machine Gun Brigades; Cavalry Machine Gun Squadrons and Machine Gun Battalions.

(2)     Honours awarded to Militia Corps for services previous to the Great War shall pass to the reconstituted Militia Regiment and shall be emblazoned on all Regimental Standards, Guidons or Colours.

(3)     There will be one Honours List for each Cavalry or Infantry regiment or Machine Gun unit of the Militia.

(4)     Honours will be awarded to Militia Regiments by virtue of services rendered by:-

(a)     The unit itself in the field:

(b)     Perpetuated C.E.F. regiments, battalions and Machine Gun units which fought in France:

(c)     Detachments contributed on organization to C.E.F. regiments or battalions which fought in France:

(d)     Reinforcements contributed to units at the front by perpetuated C.E.F. continued regiments or battalions which proceeded to England but did not proceed to France as units: subject to the conditions laid down below.

(5)     Following the honours previously earned and at the head of the list of honours granted for the Great War to be recorded in the Militia List, will be placed "THE GREAT WAR". The honours, including group names, will follow chronologically. In addition to those for earlier campaigns already carried, the number of honours to be selected from this list of Honours for the Great War for emblazonment on the Colours of Militia regiments may not exceed ten, and these will be shown in the Militia List in thicker type. Should a regiment select for emblazonment on its Colours the honours for battles or groups of battles of the same name fought in the same or different years, that name, followed by the appropriate year-dates shall constitute one battle honour. For example, "YPRES, 1915, '17" would constitute one Honour.

(6)     Honours will be awarded to Militia regiments which had, or which perpetuate C.E.F. units which had headquarters and 50 per cent of the effective strength (exclusive of drafts- which although in the theatre of war had not actually joined the unit), within the prescribed area of a battle during the prescribed period as laid down in G.O. No.7 of 1928, vide para. 1, above. The Theatre of War Honour "FRANCE AND FLANDERS", with appropriate year-dates up to 1918 inclusive, will also be awarded to Militia regiments which served, or which perpetuate C.E.F. units which served as units in the campaign, and will be available for selection as one of the honours to be emblazoned on the Standards, Guidons or Colours.

(7)     Honours will be awarded to Militia Cavalry regiments which provided Divisional Cavalry Squadrons and squadrons in the Corps Cavalry Regiment. For the period prior to May 1916 these regiments will receive honours according to the services of the individual squadrons furnished by them. Names of battles in which the squadrons attacked or were attacked will be available for selection to be emblazoned on the Standards or Guidons. For the period May 1916 to November 1918, each of the Militia Cavalry regiments which provided squadrons in the Corps Cavalry Regiment will receive honours according to the services of the Corps Cavalry Regiment. Names of battles in which the Corps Cavalry Regiment attacked or were attacked will be available for selection to be emblazoned on the Standards or Guidons. The Theatre of War Honour "FRANCE AND FLANDERS", with appropriate year-dates up to 1918 inclusive, will also be awarded to these Militia cavalry regiments and will be available for selection as an honour to be emblazoned on the Standards or Guidons.

(8)     A Motor Machine Gun Brigade, Machine Gun Squadron or Machine Gun Battalion shall receive honours only from the date of organization or the perpetuated unit.

(9)     The Honours earned by a C.E.F. unit during the first seven months after its arrival in France will be awarded also (in addition to those to which they may be entitled for other services) to regiments of the reconstituted Militia replacing those Militia Corps which contributed not less than 200 all ranks to the C.E.F. unit on mobilization, except that in the case of battles falling within a group such honours shall be restricted to the group name only. Subject to this restriction, the names of battles in which the C.E.F. unit attacked or was attacked will be available for selection as honours to be emblazoned on the Standards, Guidons or Colours of the Militia regiment.

(10)     A Militia regiment, perpetuating one or more C.E.F. units which left Canada but which did not reach France, will be awarded honours (in addition to those to which it may be entitled for other services) in respect to battles where not less, than 250 men originally in the perpetuated unit were present; except that in the case of battles falling within a group such honours shall be restricted to the group name only. If these men were in units which attacked or were attacked, the names of the battles (subject to the restriction to group names, wherever such exist) will be available for selection as honours to be emblazoned on the Colours of the Militia regiment. If, however, none of the honours so earned are available for the Colours, that battle in which the largest number of men were present shall be emblazoned on the Colours, subject to the restriction to the use of the group name when the battle falls within a group.

(11)     A Militia regiment referred to in para. 10 which does not comply with the conditions for honours as laid down therein may be granted an Honour for that battle in which the largest number of men were continued present; provided that not less than 250 men of the perpetuated C.E.F. unit were taken on the strength of C.E.F. Cavalry regiments or Infantry battalions in France. Such honour shall be carried on the Colours of the Militia regiment, except that in the case of battles falling within a group such honour shall be restricted to the group name only.

(12)     A Militia regiment, perpetuating a C.E.F. unit which sent reinforcements from Canada or England prior to its own arrival in France, will be awarded honours (in addition to those to which it is entitled for other services} in respect to battles where not less than 250 men originally in the perpetuated unit were present; except that in the case of battles falling within a group such honours shall be restricted to the group name only. Subject to this restriction, if these men were in units which attacked or were attacked, the names of the battles will be available for selection as honours to be emblazoned on the Colours of the Militia regiment.

(13)     A Militia regiment perpetuating a C.E.F. unit which was disbanded in France will be awarded honours (in addition to those to which it is entitled for other services} in respect to battles, subsequent to the disbandment of the perpetuated unit, where not less than 250 men originally in the perpetuated unit were present, except that in the case of battles falling within a group such honours shall be restricted to the group name only. Subject to this restriction, if these men were in units which attacked or were attacked, the names of the battles will be available for selection as honours to be emblazoned on the Colours of the Militia regiment.

(14)     Lists of honours for which Militia regiments are eligible have been compiled at National Defence Headquarters from War Diaries and records and will be forwarded to Districts for distribution to the regiments concerned. For the purpose of selecting from these lists the honours to be borne on the Standards, Guidons or Colours, District Officers Commanding shall issue instructions for the formation of Regimental Committees of not less than five members for each Cavalry, Mounted Rifles, and Infantry Regiment concerned within their District. The Commanding Officer of the Militia regiment shall be a member, and all surviving ex-commanding officers of perpetuated units shall be invited to be members. In any case at least one representative of each perpetuated unit shall be on the Committee. The Chairman of each Committee shall forward to National Defence Headquarters, through the usual channel, the list of honours selected to be borne on the Colours of the regiment. No reimbursement from public funds can be made for expenses incurred in connection. with these Committees.

(15)     In the case of C.E.F. units which no longer exist the following rules as to emblazonment of Battle Honours on Colours will apply:-

(a)     Upon the Colours of units which fought in France will be emblazoned honours for battles in which the units served and the Theatre of War Honour "FRANCE AND FLANDERS” with year-dates; to a. total of ten, inclusive of the Theatre of War Honour. Should a unit select for emblazonment on the - Colours the honours for battles or groups of battles of the same name fought in the same or different years, that name, followed by the appropriate year-dates, shall constitute one honour. The year-dates to follow the Theatre of War Honour will be determined by the calendar years, up to 1918, inclusive, during .any portion of which the unit served as a unit in France or Belgium.

(b)     Upon the Colours of battalions of the C.E.F. which served in Siberia will be emblazoned "SIBERIA 1918-19".

(c)     Upon the Colours of units which proceeded to England but did not reach France will be emblazoned "THE GREAT WAR", followed by year-dates. The year-dates will be determined by the calendar years, up to 1918, inclusive, during any portion of which the unit served as a unit out of Canada.

(16)     The selection of honours to be emblazoned on the Colours of C.E.F. battalions, under para. 15(a) shall be left to the surviving members of the battalions. District Officers Commanding in the District where the unit is perpetuated will communicate with the President of Battalion Associations, where such exist, with a view to the matter being decided by these organizations. When no Battalion Associations exist the District Officers Commanding will communicate with surviving ex-commanding officers with a view to a committee of the battalion being formed or a meeting of ex-members being held. District Officers Commanding must use their best endeavours to ensure that the list of honours selected represents the wishes of the majority of the surviving members of the battalion.

LIST “A” Battle Honours

(Battles of a group are spaced to the right of the group name).

YPRES, 1915

GRAVENSTAFEL
ST. JULIEN
FREZENBERG
BELLEWAARDE

FESTUBERT, 1915

LOOS

MOUNT SORREL

SOMME, 1916

ALBERT
RAZENTIN
POZIERES
GUILLEMONT
GINCHY
FLERS-COURCELETTE
THIEPVAL
LE TRANSLOY
ANCRE HEIGHTS
ANCRE, 1916

ARRAS, 1917

VIMY, 1917
ARLEUX
SCARPE,1917

HILL 70

MESSINES, 1917

YPRES, 1917

PILCKEM
LANGEMARCK, 1917
MENIN ROAD
POLYGON WOOD
BROODSEINDE
POELCAPPELLE
PASSCHENDAELE

CAMBRAI, 1917

SOMME, 1918

ST. QUENTIN
BAPAUME, 1918
ROSIERES
ARRAS, 1918
AVRE

LYS

ESTAIRES
MESSINES, 1918
BAILLEUL
KEMMEL

AMIENS

ARRAS, 1918

SCARPE, 1918
DROCOURT-QUEANT

HINDENBURG LINE

CANAL DU NORD
ST. QUENTIN CANAL
BEAUREVOIR
CAMBRAI, 1918

YPRES, 1918

VALENCIENNES

SAMBRE

PURSUIT TO MONS

Theatre of War Honours

(With appropriate year-dates according to the service in each Theatre of the unit concerned).

FRANCE AND FLANDERS
MACEDONIA
GALLIPOLI
EGYPT
PALESTINE
PERSIA
MURMAN
ARCHANGEL SIBERIA
THE GREAT WAR*

*Units disbanded in England only.

H.Q. 903-13
P.C. 151 or 31-1-28

AMENDING ORDERS:

G.O. 161 / 1928

CONDITIONS OF AWARD OF BATTLE HONOURS FOR THE GREAT WAR

General Order 6 of 1928 is amended as under:-

(1)     In list "A " appended to the Order, for:--

SOMME, 1918
ARRAS, 1918
SCARPE, 1918
DROCOURT-QUEANT"

substitute

“ARRAS, 1918
SCARPE, 1918
DROCOURT-QUEANT"

(2)     Under group head "HINDENBURG LINE" insert "BEAUREVOIR" immediately above "CAMBRAI, 1918."

H.Q. 903-13
Approved by Gov.-in-Council-P.C. 1637 of 10-9-28

G.O. 162 / 1928

CONDITIONS OF AWARD OF BATTLE HONOURS FOR THE GREAT WAR

General Order 7 of 1928 is amended as under:-

(1)     Under “The Battles of Arras, 1917” opposite “(iii) Battle of Arleux”, in last column, for “Vimy, (exclusive)” substitute “Vimy (inclusive)”

(2)     Under “The Battle of the Hindenburg Line” after “(ii) Battle of the St. Quentin Canal” insert—

(iii) Battle of the Beaurevoir Line 3-5 October Road Sequehart – Belleuglise – Pontru – Epehy – Vendhuille – Villers-Ou-treaux

For “(iii)” against Battle of Cambrai, 1918, substitute “(iv)”.

H.Q. 903-13
Approved by Gov.-in-Council—P.C. 1637 of 10-9-28

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