The Grey and Simcoe Foresters
Colonel-in-Chief: Her Royal Highness The Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, GCVO
March: The 31st Greys
Origin and Lineage
While many regiments of fusiliers, grenadiers and highlanders may be found in the armies of the Commonwealth, only two regiments of foresters exist - The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters of the British Army, and The Grey and Simcoe Foresters of the Canadian Army. The Canadian Foresters have had a unique history that has lived up to its rural versatility and spirit. The Foresters have enjoyed one of the most diverse roles in the Canadian Army, serving as infantry, armoured and artillery.
Foresters are a very old form of infantry finding its antecedents in Robin Hood’s Sherwood Forest. The Grey and Simcoe Foresters were formed from the 1936 amalgamation of the 31st Grey Regiment and the 35th Simcoe Foresters both originally gazetted on September 14, 1866.
Armorial Description
A Maltese Cross surmounted by the Crown; in the centre a circular medallion bearing a stag lodged on the ground, within a wreath of maple leaves; on the lwft arm of the Cross and upon the left branch of the wreath a half scroll inscribed GREY &; on the right arm of the cross and right branch of the wreath, a half scroll inscribed SIMCOE, below the Cross a scroll inscribed FORESTERS.
Official Abbreviation: Grey & Sim For Motto: Tenacious and Versitile
Battle Honours (7)
Early History
- NORTH-WEST CANADA, 1885
First World War
- ARRAS, 1917, '18
- AMIENS
- Hill 70
- HINDENBURG LINE
- YPRES, 1917
- PURSUIT TO MONS
Order of Precedence: 13