In a Guards regiment, Battle Honours are displayed on both the Queen’s Colour and the Regimental Colour. A Parliamentary Committee determined that Battle Honours borne on Colours would be limited to ten from each of the World Wars, in addition to those awarded for other campaigns. Although the Regiment has been awarded 34 Battle Honours, it is entitled to display 22 of them on the Colours.
When the Regiment carries the Colour(s) on the anniversary of a Battle Honour, it is traditional for the Colours to be decked with a wreath of laurels. This wreath draws attention to the anniversary and serves as a reminder of the supreme sacrifice made by members of the Regiment in times of conflict.
The following Battle Honours have been awarded to, or are perpetuated by, the Regiment. Those borne on the Colours are noted accordingly.
In 1884, Canada sent a contingent of boatmen with the Nile Expedition to assist in navigating the Nile River in an effort to relieve General Gordon at Khartoum. Among these volunteers was Captain Telmont Aumond, second-in-command of the contingent, along with four other soldiers who were members of the Regiment.
Awarded to the Regiment in 1919 for service during the North West Rebellion. Seven officers and 50 other ranks participated; two were killed and two wounded. In 1885, the Regiment sent a company—selected for their expert marksmanship and known as “The Sharpshooters”—to North West Canada as part of Colonel Otter’s column, which relieved Battleford on 24 April 1885. Members of the Regiment first came under fire at the Battle of Cut Knife Hill on 2 May, where the Regiment suffered its first fatalities: Privates William Osgoode and John Rogers.
Awarded to the Regiment in 1933 for service during the South African War. Six officers and 85 other ranks participated; two were killed and two wounded.
Awarded to the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, for service during the Great War. These Battle Honours are perpetuated by the GGFG. A total of 242 officers and 5,084 other ranks served in the Iron Second, of whom 1,279 were killed and/or wounded.
Battle Honours:
Awarded to the 77th Battalion, C.E.F. for service during the Great War. The 77th Battalion was mobilized in 1915 under Lieutenant Colonel D.R. Street, a former Commanding Officer of the Regiment. In 1916, while awaiting orders to proceed to France, the battalion was broken up to provide reinforcements to other units. This Battle Honour was awarded in recognition of that service. As it was awarded to a non-combatant force, it is not perpetuated by the GGFG.
Awarded to the 21 Canadian Armoured Regiment (GGFG) for service during the Second World War. A total of 165 officers and 2,339 other ranks served, of whom 515 were killed and 178 wounded.
Battle Honours:
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