A History of the PPCLI Association

Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry Association

No one knows for sure when Patricias started to gather in informal groups but we do know that it started shortly after the first men were wounded. Because the Regiment was so closely knit, they sought each other out in hospital. Rank was not important but being a brother Patricia meant the world.

We do know that at Cooden Camp in England, some Patricias started a newsletter at the hospital covering the whereabouts of men in hospital, sent home and those still at the front. Men who were sent home to Canada and released because of their wounds corresponded with those still at the front and those in hospitals. Once home, they sought out their comrades, forming loose groups that met on a regular basis discussing the war, their wounds and how best to try and fit into the regular world again. They did not forget those still in conflict and kept in touch by letter and what they could find in the papers.

Soon after a dress code was in effect to distinguish Patricia’s from other veteran groups; Blazer and tie, an arm band worn on the right sleeve and a beret with a Patricia crest, this was followed by a formal name, “The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Service Club”.

Over 5000 men served in the Regiment during those first five years.

The Patricia veterans were in Ottawa to welcome the Regiment home on 19 March 1919. The date and location is unknown, but the first annual dinner of the Patricia Club took place during 1919. The second Annual Dinner of the Patricia Club took place on 28 February1920 in Ottawa. Soon Branches of Patricia Clubs were formed across Canada.

The members of the Patricia Clubs kept in contact with the serving members of the Regiment through attendance at the annual 8 May battle of Frezenberg memorial, and by taking part in The Trooping of the Colours, Regimental sports days and other events that the Regiment was involved in. Many members of the Patricia Club belonged to the National Rifle Association and fired many rounds of ammunition along side serving Patricias in sport and competition shooting. Members of the Patricia Club opened their homes to serving Patricias passing through on leave or on course. And job offers were there for those who sought retirement or release from the service.

With the outbreak of World War Two, the Patricia Clubs saw the Regiment off to war including sons of First World War Patricias who now wore the red and white shoulder flash of the Regiment. In Windsor Ontario on 31 August1942, the Patricia Clubs became more official, instituting an official uniform for the Association, and in the raising of funds for the war effort and the Regiment to help provide better aid to wounded Patricias returning home.

As the Regiment has always said that we are a family which does include wives and children, the wives took a very active part in supplying comforts for the boys overseas. By 1945, the six Branches of the Wives Club raised $27886.75, 1625,00 cigarettes, and 38397 knitted articles for the troops overseas. Both the Patricia Clubs and Wives Clubs continued long after the war.

Finally in 1947, the Founder of the Regiment organized the service and wives clubs together and officially formed the PPCLI Association.

At 11:00 o’clock, on the 24 October 1947, at Calgary Alberta, Major MacDougald, representing the Regiment, officially recognized the Association stating that a closer bond between the Regiment and the Association would be welcomed.

The new Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Association was accepted by all ranks, retired and serving. It continued to be the home of the Patricias who have served the Colours and the home of those still serving the Colours.

The Association has and continues to be a large part of the Regimental family.
On 1 September 1953, the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Association was incorporated and remains so to this day.

The Association’s goal is to maintain the Regimental spirit and to continue to support retired and serving Patricias and their families. This support ranges from peer support through beer calls and buddy checks to assistance accessing government and non-governmental support services, financial support to students and cadets and maintenance of our Regimental history.

In October 2022, the Association celebrated its 75th anniversary. It looks forward to the next 75 years and more, continuing to uphold the motto of “Once a Patricia, Always a Patricia”.

Contributions from Bob Zubkowski and Ted Giraldeau