The Saga of the Insignia of the 31st (Alta.) Recce. Regt.

Bill Alexander ©2014

During the Second World War, the 31st (Alta.) Recce. Regt. embarked on what can only be described as an odyssey in their efforts to acquire an officially approved embroidered title. The new unit was organized on March 18, 1942 and drew heavily on volunteers from the 15th Alberta Light Horse and the 19^th Alberta Dragoons. Discussions between the two reserve regiments and the Officer Commanding the 31st resulted in a request that the 31st be granted permission to wear the 15^th Alberta Horse cap badge, while the 19^th Dragoons cap badge would be worn in the manner of cavalry units, on the chevrons or sleeves of the senior NCOs. By established policy, the shoulder title would be based on the authorized unit designation. It appears the rationale behind unit designations and insignia had not been clearly communicated at all senior levels. In February, 1943, Maj.-Gen. J.V. Young , Master General of the Ordnance (MGO), noted that the unit designation did not reflect the parent regiments, and suggested that the designation be changed to the 31^st (15^th/19^th Alberta) Reconnaissance Regiment. This would connect the cap badges to the unit, and this designation would be the basis for shoulder insignia.[1]

A sergeant of the 31st (ALTA) RECCE REGT wearing the first pattern shoulder title, the Pacific Command formation sign, with imposed blue over red circle, and the 19th Alberta Dragoons cap badge on his sergeant’s chevrons. Author’s collection. May not be used without permission.

The suggested designation was met with less than enthusiasm. The Officer Commanding (CO), 31^st Recce indicated: “It is felt that the suggested name “31^st (15^th/19^th Alberta) Reconnaissance Regiment” is too lengthy and cumbersome, and it is desired the present name be retained.” [2] Both the designations and the desire to associate the unit to the reserve regiments caused consternation in the offices of Director Ordnance Services (Administrative). DOS (A) was concerned that there was no obvious connection between the existing unit designation and the regimental cap and sleeve badges the 31^st would wear. And, there was still a possibility one or both of the reserve units could be mobilized, duplicating demand for regimental badges. Lt.-Col. Tosland, Officer Administering the Canadian Armoured Corps, added his opinion, nominating the use of “31^st Recce (15/19 ALTA.) REGT.”, noting his designation was not any longer than “20^th Army Tank Regt (16/22^nd SASK. HORSE)”. After this recommendation, the MGO stepped back into the discussion, and suggested the unit designation be 31^st (15/19 Alta) Recce. Regt. C.A.C. In his opinion this was not unduly long, and it was similar to the designation recently adopted by the 18^th Manitoba Armoured Car Regiment. A further variation was suggested, which added “H” and “D”, for Hussars and Dragoons, after the regimental numbers. The OC of the 31^st Recce did not respond to any of these proposed designations.[3]

The question of the proper unit designation continued to elicit responses from various sources. The Director of Administration, after some research, suggested the designation “31^st Reconnaissance Regiment 15/19 Alberta (Dragoons)”. After some discussion about the use of brackets, the new designation made its way through official channels. The Adjutant General’s office waded in with their opinion, suggesting the CO 31^st Recce accept the revised designation proposed by the D of Admin. Lt.-Col. Hudson, from DOS (A), noted “as the question of provision of badges is entirely contingent upon the title of the Regiment, it is recommended that action be taken to have the title finally decided upon and authorized first.”[4] His advice had little effect. The CO of the 31st was away on course, and no decision could be made on the revised designation until his return. In the middle of June a cable to NDHQ indicated the CO would not accept DRAGOONS in the designation, and it was suggested that “Alta” be removed. Over six months had passed, and still the question of the designation remained unresolved.

Frustration was growing in army administrative circles. Lt.-Col. Tosland, now in the office of the Director of Organization noted the matter had been “dragging along for some considerable time”, and in a June memo suggested yet another designation, 31st RECCE REGT. (15/19 ALTA) C.A.C. The D. of Admin, in a very frank response, noted:

1. Like you I am getting very bored with this argument. It appears that the C.O. of the 31^st Recce. Regt. knows very little about army history. A Recce Regt is obviously of a cavalry nature and to put 15/19 without any qualifications seems stupid.

2. The war must go on and we have not got time to teach people very much. Therefore any decision you make will not be objected to by this Directorate.

3.In any event, I imagine the unit will be disbanded in the post-war reorganization and probably become known as the Alberta Tommy Gun Fusiliers. [5]

In the interim, the 31^st had taken the matter into their own hands, and purchased shoulder titles using regimental funds. Employing the original designation, “31st (ALTA.) RECCE. REGT.”, the titles were embroidered in red lettering on a navy field, sewn on a second layer of gray melton material, creating a gray margin. These were acquired and issued to the personnel of the regiment without official authorization.

The first pattern shoulder title, regimentally procured. Note the two piece construction and flat topped “3”. Author’s collection, not to be used without permission.

On June 21, Lt.-Col. Tosland finally submitted an official re-designation for the unit reading, “31^st Recce. Regt. (15/19 Alta) C.A.C.”. The next day, a memorandum from DOS (A) requested that the regimentally procured embroidered title be approved and contracts let. An example had already been submitted as a pattern to DOS (A). In a marginal note on the same memo, Tosland indicated:

It is considered preferable that the shoulder titles conform with the unit title (sic) and it is suggested that GOC in C Pacific Command be asked to submit alternative designs based on the proposed title of 31^st Recce Regt (15/19 Alta) CAC. [6]

The proposed change continued to cause ire in official circles. A memo addressed to the Deputy Adjutant General from DOS (A) argued the proposed designation was meaningless, and requested the designation remain unchanged. The regiment also protested, arguing an embroidered title was already in use, and an inventory existed which had been acquired at regimental expense. If NDHQ required a change, compensation would be required for these outlays. Common sense finally prevailed, and the original designation, 31^st (ALTA.) RECCE. REGT. was deemed the official designation. The request to keep the existing design was accepted and the embroidered title submitted by the regiment was approved. [7]

With the designation question finally settled, the 31^st (Alta.) Recce argued that their titles acquired at regimental expense should be considered a government issue, and therefore the unit should be reimbursed for their cost. For 2,128 titles, the unit had paid $1,038.40. NDHQ balked at the submission. In a letter, the MGO noted:

It is considered that the price paid (Approximately 48 cents per pair) is excessive and, as these badges were purchased prior to NDHQ approval being obtained, authority cannot be granted.[8]

A General Allowance Claim for $320.00 was granted, which compensated the unit at a rate of 15¢per pair. It was noted that the reimbursement was in line with regular contract prices for titles. It was the middle of November before the cheque was cut.

The second pattern title made by Stanley A.Grant Toronto. One piece construction with an embroidered white border. Note the rounded “3”. Author’s collection, not to be used without permission.

Despite the approval, action to obtain sealed samples had not been initiated. Having a supply of insignia on hand had precluded immediate procurement action. But the inventory was quickly run down, and it was discovered that after the July approval, no further steps had been taken to acquire insignia. In December, an urgent request for six samples of the 31^st title was sent to the Inspection Board. The manufacturer, Stanley A. Grant of Toronto, returned six samples, but they differed significantly from the pattern submitted by the regiment. The Grant samples were made on one layer of material, reading “31^st (ALTA.) RECCE. REGT.”, in red on a dark blue field with a white embroidered border. The spectre of another prolonged debate about proper insignia loomed, and the decision was referred to the CO of the 31^st. With a degree of relief, these titles were finally accepted by Lt.-Col. H.H. Riley, CO of the 31^st, on January 19, 1944. An indent was let for a production run, and the second pattern of title was taken into wear. The Grant pattern title continued in wear until the 31^st (ALTA.) RECCE. REGT. was disbanded in the United Kingdom on February 15, 1945. There, the personnel of the unit were allocated to the reinforcement depots. [9]

The saga of the 31^st Recce Regiment shoulder title was atypical of procurements. Most shoulder title authorizations moved through the system in a timely fashion. The attempt to please all parties with an acceptable designation had only led to confusion, frustration and long delays. As predicted, the regiment was not perpetuated in the post war army re-organization, and the 31^st (ALTA.) RECCE. REGT. disappeared into the annals of history. Their shoulder titles remain as the only artefact to mark their contribution to Canada’s war effort: no Alberta Tommy Gun Fusiliers were raised to perpetuate the unit.

[1] Potts A.E. Maj.Gen. GOC 6^th Canadian Division, Letter, Regimental Dress, 31 (Alta) Recce Regt C.A.C., December 5, 1942. Young J.V. Maj.-Gen. MGO Reply to GOC 6^th Canadian Division, January 8, 1943. LAC RG 24 Vol. 2266, File HQ 54-28-1299-2. The use of the 15^th ALH cap badge was based on seniority of the two units involved. Within months the use of the 19^th Alberta Dragoons badges was forgotten. The 15th ALH and the 19^th Alberta Dragoons only had slip-on titles authorized during the war. The 19^th Alberta Dragoons coloured embroidered title was not authorized until post war.

[2] Presont J.F. Brig. Fortress Commander, Esquimalt Fortress, Letter Regimental Insignia Dress Regulations 31^st (Alta) Recce Regt C.A.C., CA. March 12, 1943. The 31^st was under command of the Fortress Commander at this time.

[3] Tosland A.L. Lt.-Col. OA CAC, Memorandum, Dress 31^st (Alta.)Recce Regt. C.A.C., to DOS (A), March 27, 1943. LAC RG 24 Vol 2266. Unidentified Lt.-Col., for the MGO, Letter, Regimental Dress, 31^st (Alta) Recce. Regt. C.A.C., March 30, 1943. The variations for the designation were all upper case. The post numeric D and H were to represent Dragoons and Hussars. It is unclear where the Hussar affiliation came from.

[4] It was argued that Dragoons should be an acceptable designation, as the D of Admin believed the 15^th ALH had at one time a Dragoon regiment in their lineage.

[5] Unidentified Colonel, D. of Admin, Memorandum Regimental Dress, 31^st (Alta) Recce. Regt., to D. Org., June 18,1943. LAC RG 24 Vol 2266.

[6] Saunders R.P. Col. DOS (A), Memorandum to Dir. of Org., June 22, 1943. LAC RG 24 Vol 2266.

[7] Tosland A.L. Lt.-Col. for Adjutant General, Telegraph to GOC in C Pacific Command. July 10, 1943. LAC RG 24, Vol. 2266. It was also agreed that the cap badge of 15 Alberta Light Horse would be worn by the 31^st. The 19^th Dragoon badge was worn unofficially as a sleeve badge

[8] Young J.V. Maj.-Gen. MGO, Letter to GOC in C Pacific Command, September 25, 1943. LAC RG 24 Vol. 2266.

[9] Various memoranda and letters, 31^st (Alta) Recce Regt. LAC RG 24 Vol. 2266. The Inspection Board of the United Kingdom and Canada was a wartime agency that monitored the contracts and quality of goods and materials ordered by the governments of the two nations.

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