[Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Regiment Returns to Canada] (1919)

This film is a heritage item from Library and Archives Canada and is only available in English.
On March 19, 1919, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) detrain in Ottawa after 4 years 6 months and 16 days of service overseas in the First World War. The film opens with a wreath honouring the dead and a portrait of Princess Patricia. The troop ship Carmania, loaded with the PPCLI, docks. Colonel Hamilton Gault watches his men disembark. The troops then board trains for Ottawa. The Mayor of Ottawa and other city officials welcome the regiment at the train station. The men then leave the station and parade through the downtown streets. The Governor General (the Duke of Devonshire) reviews them and gives a speech which is cheered by the troops. He then meets the regiment's officers. The men parade through the streets again as thousands cheer. The PPCLI's Black Watch and Machine Guns are seen observing Remembrance Day at the Toronto Cenotaph. Captain Sidney Lambert of the PPCLI officiates.
Source: Library and Archives Canada. J. Sowman fonds, 1969-0029. IDC: 51630.

[@PhilipAndrewEmerson]

At 10 min / 8 seconda to 10 min / nine seconds, My Grandfather Sargent John McDonald Ritchie, marches past, on the left ( Their right ) playing his Pipes, waxed mustache, Kit & Kilt....Marched all 5 years of WWI and got home to Busby, Alberta, where my Uncle was born in the cabin 1920, and my Dad was born, 1922....Our family still owns the land. A Big shout out to my Grandpa...a real deal warrior...like they ALL were. Phil Emerson

[@miklmiklmtrcycl6009]

Awesome. Great comment. Thanks. Did he go over with the entire Edmonton police service pipes and drums of become a piper overseas? Mike PPCLI retired.

[@BarryFreeman63]

Very glad to see these films of our history digitized and made available for all to see. Great job Library and Archives Canada, great job!

[@miklmiklmtrcycl6009]

Amazing to see this now having served the regiment and read the accounts of our return. Exceptional document. Fine bloody regiment.

[@vintoxi8534]

Thank you for posting this, Hami Gault is in fact a direct relative of mine, never seen this footage before, it's very interesting I only recently found out about my family history and was looking further into it.

[@miklmiklmtrcycl6009]

I served with a Cpl Gault in the third Bn in 1984 and he was the spitting image of Hammy.

[@RobertPaterson]

At 12.44 we see Lt Col Agar Adamson on Gault's left as G talk to the Duke of Devonshire. On Devonshire's staff is a young British officer who had just recovered from terrible wounds - Harold MacMillan - later PM of England

[@rpm1796]

Brilliant old boy..super

[@rpm1796]

Once A Patricia.

[@ryanhuntrajput474]

Always a Patricia.

[@mcaddicts]

They did us proud.

[@bigboyblue7181]

I was PPCLI 87-05. VP.

[@miklmiklmtrcycl6009]

1983-2019

[@bigboyblue7181]

Some Regimental marches would have been nice.

[@RobertPaterson]

Pearson who was their last Lt Col had been a Lance Corporal at the outset PPCLI tried as much as posit;e to promote from within. Hamm Gault had his left leg off high above the knee and so his awkward gait here is because of that.

[@10toMidnight]

I was looking hard to find a lesbian or a muslim. No luck...

[@miklmiklmtrcycl6009]

I can assure you there were many gays. Always has been, always will be. It’s normal. Edmonton has canadas oldest mosque which is where 2 of our BNS are now? If you served perhaps you wouldn’t be so ignorant? PPCLI 1983-2019