Ireland Monument

The Irish Regiment of Canada The Regiment was organized in Toronto on 15 October 1915, commanded by Lt.Colonel Boyd Magee, formerly of The Royal Munster Fusiliers. The impetus came from the Irish Club of Toronto and the Irish Rifle Club. As was common in the First World War the Regiment recruited two numbered battalions, the 180th and the 208th.Irish.  By the time the war ended the 58 officers and 1519 men had suffered over 60% casualties. They had ten battle honours, including Arras, Ypres and the Pursuit to Mons.     In World War II the Regiment was almost continually in action in Italy from November 1943 until February 1945 when all Canadian troops in Italy joined the rest of the Canadian Army in Belgium. The Regiment then took part in the liberation of Holland. The “Irish” won twelve battle honours, including the Liri Valley, the Gothic Line and Coriano, among the greatest battles of that war. They had fifty three awards for bravery in action.  Seven hundred and twenty were killed or wounded.  The Regiment wore the saffron kilt from 1931. Their pipe band accompanied them throughout World War II, both as a band and as medical staff.  They were reconstituted in 1965 in Sudbury, Ontario, where they operate as a militia unit. Their motto if FIOR GO BAS (Faithful unto Death).  Their Quick March is GARRY OWEN and their Slow March ENDEARING YOUNG CHARMS.