Irish Regiment receives the Freedom of the City

The 2nd Battalion, the Irish Regiment of Canada, received the Freedom of the City on Saturday morning, a ceremony that gave the regiment permission to march through the streets carrying their swords and bayonets.

The regiment, which is marking its 100th anniversary this year, and 50 years being based in Sudbury, was formally given permission to march by Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger in a ceremony held at Tom Davies Square.

"Generations of our citizens have been proud to serve in the 2nd Battalion, The Irish Regiment of Canada, which has provided loyal and devoted service to Canada," Bigger said. "You are granted freedom to march through the streets of the City Greater Sudbury with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating and colours flying."

While rainy weather prevented the unit from actually marching, the commanding officer said receiving permission is an important symbol of the regiment's role in Greater Sudbury.

"It's part of the relationship that a serving force has with the community in which it serves, or, in the past, would protect," said Lt.-Col. Kenrick Sproul. "In an effort to instill a sense of confidence, being granted permission to march through the streets with armed bared is meant as a show of, 'We are here, we're a part of the community and not a threat.'

"As you can imagine, if an opposing force was marching through your city with weapons bared, it would be cause for concern. The purpose of exercising the freedom of the city, again, is to familiarize both the serving units, as well as the community that we are one, and that we are here together."

Sproul also said the ceremony and the anniversary is a testament to the regiment's enduring role in protecting Canadians.

"We have weathered the ebbs and flows of our numbers going up and down, but we continue to contribute to this country's requests for soldiers to step forward in both domestic operations ... as well as international operations," he said. "We continue to do that, right up until the present day."

Also on Saturday, it was announced that Prince Charles is now the regiment's Colonel-in-Chief.

“While they do not have operational roles, as patrons of the regiment, Colonels-in-Chief are kept informed of all important activities of the regiment, and pay occasional visits to their units,” said a release from the Department of National Defence.

“Many Canadian Army regiments are honoured by having members of the Royal Family as their Colonel-in Chief.”

The 2nd Battalion, The Irish Regiment of Canada, is a reserve force infantry regiment belonging to 33 Canadian Brigade Group, based in 4th Canadian Division. It has a long history of service dating back to the First and Second World Wars, “distinguishing itself with 23 battle honours for campaigns through Italy and northwest Europe,” the release said. “In more recent years, (it) has contributed to Canadian Armed Forces’ efforts in Cyprus, the Golan Heights, the Balkans and Afghanistan.

 The release also quotes Bigger as saying Greater Sudbury is proud of its 50-year long relationship with the regiment.
“
Having His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, serve as Colonel-in-Chief underscores the vital role that this celebrated regiment plays in defending Canada at home and away.”