Regiment Named in the Constitution of Canada

[Bill Smy]

Newfoundland and Labrador's Terms of Union with Canada are a schedule to the Newfoundland Act, 12-13 Geo. VI, c. 22 (U.K.). The Newfoundland Act forms part of the Constitution of Canada.

http://www.gov.nf.ca/royalcomm/resources/nf_act.htm

Section 44 states:-

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'Defence Establishments

44. Canada will provide for the maintenance in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador of appropriate reserve units of the Canadian defence forces, which will include the Newfoundland Regiment."

The Royal Newfoundland Regiment is the successor of the pre-confederation British colonial regiment, and I believe it has the unique distinction of being the only military unit to be named in the Constitution, thus, even if it is reduced to nil strength, it cannot be removed from the Order of Battle without a constitutional amendment. In fact, even the NDA does not name individual units.

 

[lostmuskrat]

I'm surprised that the document says "Newfoundland Regiment" and not "Royal Newfoundland Regiment"
The title "Royal" was granted in 1918 (from what I understand).

 

[Michael OLeary]

From The Regiments and Corps of the Canadian Army (published by the Army Historical Section, 1964) the Regiment was authorized on 24 Oct 1949 as "The Newfoundland Regiment." It was redesignated "The Royal Newfoundland Regiment" on 14 Dec 1949.

The Regiment perpetuates "The Royal Newfoundland Regiment" of 1914-1919, so I suspect the redesignation of "Royal" in 1949 is in reference to re-establishing the entitlement granted while under British command during the First World War for the newly Canadian establishment of the Regiment.

To have the constitutional paperwork declare that the Canadian Army would incorporate "The Royal Newfoundland Regiment" when, as a unit of the Canadian Army, it lacked the Assent necessary for the Royal title at the time of the transfer would have been presumptuous. Kudos to those who so quickly navigated the bureaucracy to see the "Royal" title restored so quickly after the transfer of authority to the Canadian Army.

 

[Spr.Earl]

Now that is a neat bit of info.