From the War of 1812, through the First and Second World Wars, to conflict in Afghanistan and other parts of the world, members of the Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment have been there to fight for freedom.
Essex and Kent counties produced Ontario’s first militia organization – 1793 in Essex County and 1794 in Kent County – and were the first units to engage in combat outside Canada at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in Maumee, Ohio in 1794.
The long and storied history of service by the regiment, especially during the First and Second World Wars, continues to be remembered in European countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium and France.
While the federal government funds operations and training, former Essex and Kent Scots Commanding Officer, (Retired) Lt.-Col. Michael Robinson said, “Anything that has to do with tradition, history, ceremony, community outreach, monuments. . . we have to pay for that.”
An issue often encountered by the regiment when they are invited to attend special memorial events overseas, is they have to scramble to raise the funds to send a delegation.
During 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of Europe, Robinson said, “We received four invitations from communities in Belgium and Holland, but we could only raise enough money to send a delegation to one community.”
Even today’s generations of Dutch, Belgians and French citizens know of the sacrifices of Canadian soldiers, including members of the Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment.
Dennis Poole, who is in command of the Delta Company, a group of 40 civilian volunteers committed to support the regiment, said these European citizens continue to care for the graves of fallen soldiers.
“Those cemeteries are kept in immaculate shape by the people of those communities who have never forgotten,” he said.
In an effort to ensure delegations can go to these important events as well as provide local support for the regiment, the Scottish Borderers Foundation is launching a fundraising campaign on Thursday, a day the Dutch celebrates the country’s liberation from Nazi Germany, thanks to Canadian soldiers , including members of the Essex and Kent Scots.
The fundraising goal is $600,000.
“This is a one-time ask,” Robinson said, who chairs the foundation that supports the regiment.
He added the foundation plans to invest the $600,000 and use the income to cover future costs not funded by the government.
“We’re just trying to get to a level that is sustainable so we can plan further ahead and do things,” Robinson said.
Representation at commemorative events is just one area the funds are planned for. They will also be used to support the regiment’s Pipes & Drums, providing maintenance of uniforms, musical instruments, and cover expenses for out-of-town ceremonial appearances, parades and other performances.
The foundation will also use funds to invest in buildings and maintaining monuments, here and in European cities and at key battlefields.
Money is also earmarked for preserving the regiment’s records and historical artifacts, which includes digitizing military archives enabling online public access and sponsoring an annual military history symposium.
Although this is a fundraising campaign, Robinson said it is also missionary work and community education about the regiment, because “there’s going to be enough attention focused on this campaign that it should linger, the understanding should stay there awhile.”
Retired MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington, Dave Van Kesteren, whose private member’s bill resulted in the establishment of Dutch Heritage Day on May 5 across Canada, is pleased the campaign is launching on this day.
Noting the regiment is “near and dear to me,” he said, “If we can honor them in the way that they honored us in the liberation, what a great tribute that would be.”
Looking at what’s happening today as Russia invades Ukraine, Poole said many have taken our peaceful existence for granted for the last generation.
He said there is a lot of human misery and destruction in that part of Europe that hasn’t been seen since the Second World War.
“This serves us as a reminder that we need to remember this – Lest we forget.”
Details about the fundraising campaign can be found online at www.servicesacrificeduty.ca or by email at [email protected].