The Royal Westminster Regiment gathered in Queen’s Park on Sunday to commemorate one of the most significant battles in Canadian military history.
While folks from around the world travelled to France to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, community members joined The Royal Westminster Regiment, affiliated cadets and the regimental association in Sunday’s ceremonial battalion review at the Queen’s Park Stadium.
The event began with The Royal Westminster Regiment marching onto the parade ground, followed by an inspection by the reviewing officer, the Honourable Judith Guichon, the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, a march past and speeches to commemorate the Battle of Vimy Ridge by the commanding officer and lieutenant governor.
The Regimental Band provided music at the event held at Queen’s Park on Sunday afternoon.
Col. Karen Baker-MacGrotty, honorary colonel of The Royal Westminster Regiment, said that following the parade in Queens Park, The Royal Westminster Regiment “exercised its Freedom of the City” of New Westminster, which was granted in 1963, by marching back to its Armoury with drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed. She said the last time the regiment exercised the freedom of the city was in 2013 during its 150th anniversary year.
“The Regiment’s parade was a wonderful commemoration to honour those who fought so valiantly at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, many of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice,” she said in an email to the Record. “It is also important to remember these pivotal moments in Canadian history. I was very pleased to see so many community members attending the commemoration.”
Photos by Jennifer Gauthier/The Record
