Kensington Veterans Memorial Military Museum

Visit the Kensington Veterans Memorial Military Museum Website

VM.2008.005.001


PPCLI Uniform

(click image to enlarge)

Object Name

Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Uniform

Catagory

Personal Artifact

Sub-Category

Clothing, Outerwear

Date

Early: 1950 Late: 1970

Materials

Serge, ribbon, melton, and brass

Object History

This PPCLI Uniform possibly belonged to Evan Soniers F59792 of Water Street Summerside, who served in both WWII & the Korean War. The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry was named for Lady Patricia Ramsay, formerly her Royal Highness Princess Patricia of Connaught. The regiment was founded in 1914. The VP on the button id her royal cipher V= Victoria P= Patricia. She was Queen Victoria’s granddaughter. Her father Field Marshall HRH Prince Arthur, was Governor General of Canada in 1911.

The bugle horn was incorporated into all badges of Light Infantry and Rifle Regiments as a reminder of its original role to convey orders to troops. St. Edwards crown was used after Queen Elizabeth the second became Queen in 1952.

Ribbons:

1939-1945 Star- Three equal stripes of dark blue, red and light blue representing navy, army and air force. The star awarded for six months service on active operations for Army and Navy 02 Sept 1939 and 08 May 1945 (Europe) 02 1945 (Pacific)

The War Medal 1939-1945- Seven colored stripes; red, dark blue, white, narrowed (center), white, dark blue, and red. Was issued 16 August 1945. Awarded to full time personnel of the armed forces and merchant marines for serving 28 days between 03 Sept 1939 and 02 Sept 1945.

Canadian Korea Medal- Five equal stripes: yellow, blue, yellow, blue and yellow. The medal was instituted in 1951 for service from 02 July 1950 to 27, July 1953.

United Nations Service Medal Korea- Seventeen alternating striped of blue and white with blue on each edge. Serving one day under United Nations command in Korea or adjacent areas including Japan and Okinawa. The medal could also be awarded for an aggregate of 30 days, which need not be consecutive, spent on official visits of inspection to qualifying area. Qualifying period was 27, June 1950 - 27 July 1954.

Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal- Crimson ribbon with white stripes at each end.

Description

PPCLI uniform; light olive green, dark green, gold, silver, red, blue and yellow. Shoulders have epaulets held by button; pin on epaulets PPCLI; all buttons have “VP” and a crown; collar is V shaped, has collar badges; collar badge is crown with rays going downward to “PATRICIA’S” bottom center is a bugle; green lanyard attach left shoulder to breast pocket; four silver buttons 3cm diameter, 9cm apart; two breast pockets with single brass button; pockets has center pleat; above left breast pocket is a five ribbon bar; two hidden hip pockets only top flaps visible with brown cotton twill; belt loops on back of jacket; sleeves center three chevrons in gold thread on rifle green melton fabric with brown background; St. Edwards crown above chevrons indicate staff sergeant; bottom right jacket “TIP TOP TAILORS LTD/ ARMY JACKET/ SUMMER DRESS/ 1951-53/ SIZE NO. 5/ HEIGHT 5'5 TO 5'6 BREAST 37/ 1949 PATTERN”