The Way It Was: Semper Paratus — A Tradition Of Loyalty Pride And Continuity

The Standard That Distinguishes The Windsors

By Andrea Grimes

History shows that our local militia has deep roots throughout Windsor and Essex County.

As such, military bearing and traditions span generations of Canadians from all walks of life who “joined the ranks” because they knew it was the right thing to do!

With the emergence of political instability making its way across Europe, Canada restructured its army reserve (national defence) in preparing for the inevitable.

With five of the six regiments already established, the sixth was the only new unit raised as a Tank Regiment.

On December 15, 1936 the Essex Regiment (Tank) was established in Windsor, Ontario with its headquarters at the Windsor Armouries.

When Hitler dropped the other boot, the Regiment conducted a “Roll Onto Victory” recruiting fair on Ouellette Avenue, June 13, 1942, where the Regiment’s Carden Loyd machine gun carrier drew the attention of another generation of patriotic lads who readily “rallied to the colours.”

When the active unit was “stood down” April 6, 1944, many Windsors (members of the Essex Regiment Tank) became reinforcements for other Canadian regiments serving throughout the Mediterranean, Pacific and Middle East theatres of war.

On May 19, 1958, the Essex Regiment Tank changed its regimental title and was named the Windsor Regiment, Royal Canadian Armoured Corps (RCAC).

An article in The Windsor Star June 17, 1963 stated: “The Regiment presented its first Colours (Guidon) at a ceremony at Windsor Stadium June 16, 1963, to a crowd of over 2,000 people. The large crowd paid tribute to the regiment by giving them a standing ovation for their display of precision marching.”

“Every Canadian unit possesses a Regimental Colour (flag),” says Lieutenant Colonel Allan Finney, Commanding Officer the Windsor Regiment (RCAC). “The word Guidon derives from the old French Guyd-homme and translates as Guide Man. In action, a Commander seeing a Guidon, would know where a particular regiment was located on the battlefield, and a cavalryman seeing his regimental Guidon would know where to rally following an attack. For these reasons, a Guidon carried specific colours and designs intended to quickly identify its unit to an observer.”

In 2022, the Windsor Regiment (RCAC) celebrates its 86th year as the only armoured regiment in Canada having its origins strictly as an armoured regiment.

“From WWII through the UN Peacekeeping missions, Kosovo and Afghanistan, the Windsors have led from the front,” says Finney. “On September 24, 2022, the Windsor Regiment’s new Guidon, with its Afghanistan Battle Honour emblazoned upon it, will be presented to the Regiment and the community during the Windsor Regiment’s parade.”

Reflecting upon all who had the privilege to serve — who gave up a piece of

Bob Casterson, Warrant Officer II, received the Windsor Regiment Guidon from William Earl Rowe, PC, Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, on June 16, 1963 at Windsor Stadium, while Jim Burnham, Regimental Second-in-Command, watched closely. Photo courtesy of the Windsor Regiment Association.

individuality to become part of something larger than themselves — and recognizing all who continue the esteemed Windsors’ tradition “Semper Paratus” (motto meaning Always Prepared), drives the unequivocal commitment to preserve Canada’s fundamental values of freedom and those liberties that are often denied to so many the world over.

To quote the late R.W. (Ralph) West, former Honourary Colonel of the Windsor Regiment: “You have to love our citizen soldiers — the Militia — who do not ask for much, but they deliver in spades.” As a civilian Veterans Advocate, Andrea Grimes was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Governor General’s Medal, for her volunteer service to Veterans and a number of nonprofit organizations supporting Windsor’s military families’ network.