Dates: 1881 -
The Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) was an Ireland infantry regiment of the line in the British Army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 100th (Prince of Wales’s Royal Canadian) Regiment of Foot and the 109th Regiment of Foot (Bombay Infantry). The 100th Foot was first raised in 1763 and the 109th was first raised in 1761.
In March 1858, authority was granted to raise, in Canada, a regiment for imperial service to be known as the 100th Royal Canadian Regiment. The “New 100th” considered itself a reactivation of the “Old 100th”.
The Regiment served in the War of 1812-14 against the United States. The Regiment was in Quebec, Canada from 1866 to 1868 as part of the Montreal garrison. The regiment paraded with its headdress decorated with maple leaves on the first “Dominion Day”, 1 July 1867. The 1st Battalion was in Canada in 1898 as part of the Imperial garrison of Halifax, Nova Scotia. From Nova Scotia the Battalion went off to the South African War. The regiment was in Aldershot, Shornecliffe, Malta, and Gibraltar. In 1875, the Regiment was authorized to carry the Battle Honour, “Niagara”, on its Colours. Battle Honours borne on the colours prior to WW1 also included "Central India" during the Indian Mutiny; "South Africa 1900-02". The Regiment was involved in the colonial service in Aden, the Mediterranean, and the West Indies in the 19th century.
It was one of eight Irish regiments raised and garrisoned in Ireland. Militarily, the whole of Ireland was administered as a separate command within the United Kingdom with Command Headquarters at Parkgate (Phoenix Park) Dublin, directly under the War Office in London.
The regiment served the counties of Longford, Meath, Westmeath, Offaly (King’s County) and Laois (Queen’s County), with its garrison depot at Crinkill, near Birr. Prior to World War I (WW1) there were 5 Battalions, two regular battalions, the 1st and 2nd with 3 Militia battalions. The 3rd was The King’s County Militia, the 4th was The Queen’s County Militia and the 5th was The Royal Meath Militia.
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving Leinster Regiment
" Can anyone help I have located by grandfathers birth cert. George Frederick Pearce Nov 1886 at Crinkill Ireland his father was Joseph Robert Pearce a soldier in 2nd Leinster Regiment Birr try as I might I can not find his marriage to Mary Anne Payne or any other record of him. Family history is ..."
Click For More
" I am very interested in finding some info on my grandfather James Joseph Kelly, born 13th January 1879 The Prince of Wales’ Leinster Regiment. not sure what Battalion possible the 1st, He married Helena Hyatt from Athlone Co Westmeath in 1905. He was stationed in Raglan bks Devonport in July ..."
Click For More
" My Grandfather James Joseph Kelly I am very interested in finding any info on my grandfather James Joseph Kelly, born 13th January 1879.The Prince of Wales’ Leinster Regiment. Not sure what Battalion possible the 1st, He married Helena Hyatt from Athlone Co Westmeath on ..."
Click For More
