An other ranks helmet plate of the 1894 pattern. This particular example is of the one-piece, flat variation of the 1894 helmet plate. Convex one-piece versions, as well as two-piece versions (the cypher is separate) are also known. The officers' helmet plate was in three pieces (star, cypher and laurel) with a gilt washed finish.



The RCR » How You Can Help

The Connecting File -
The Regimental Website of The Royal Canadian Regiment


How You Can Help

This website for The Royal Canadian Regiment, like many others, is dependent upon the availability of appropriate content for its ongoing expansion.  This focus on content over form has supported the use of a simplified layout and elimination of 'active' components such as flash, java and asp. 

While suggestions of what should be brought on line are welcome, each such suggestion only adds to the list of potential additions for the website maintainers. But the provision of ready material, whether that be digital images and comprehensive captions, or written content in any digital text format, means that the site maintainers' work is one of creating the page, rather than researching and creating the content, digitizing it, and then creating the page.

Corrections, amendments and expansion of existing material is always welcome.

Regimental History

It is not the intention of The Connecting File to present a comprehensive regimental history, for those seeking such detail the published volumes of the History are available from the Regimental Store. Rather, it is desirable to offer glimpses into Regimental life and the personalities within each of the periods of the Regiment's history. Well-crafted anecdotes, brief descriptions of memorable occasions, and photographs (properly attributed, of course) accompanied by detailed captions serve this purpose best, and each such contribution can be used to create a new page for the site.

Honours and Awards

This section of The Connecting File has been started with those lists in the appendices to the two volumes of the Regimental History. Where possible additional notes have been added based on the content of The London Gazette which provided the official announcement of such awards and Regimental sources. In time, this section will be expanded to include more recent honours. The assistance of all members of the Regimental family in identifying omissions and errors, and to help fill in the obvious blanks, is welcome.

The CEF War Diary

The War Diary files are the transcription work of the Captain Michael. M. O'Leary (Regimental Adjutant, 2005-2008). You will note at the bottom of each file there is space to insert the name of a verifying reviewer. Any Royal Canadians willing to assist with this verification process on one or more files should contact the Regimental Adjutant. Hard copies of the files, annotated with required corrections can be sent to Regimental Headquarters. The files, once updated, will then have the reviewers name added to the file. The page images for the War Diary can be found in the database here by searching on "Royal Canadian Regiment".

Photo Gallery

The Connecting File seeks the best photos that capture the spirit and activities of The Royal Canadian Regiment. Submitted photographs, whether posted to TheRCR.ca or not, will be added to the Regimental Archive at the Regimental Museum and will become part of the regiment's historical record. Images should be annotated with the identity of the photographer, the time and place the photo was taken, and a brief (or lengthy) description of the event or activity represented. Submission of a photo infers granting of permission to The RCR to use the image on this website or for other regimental purposes, in original or altered (ex. cropping of image) form. Each photo will be attributed by author, and will be "branded" with a regimental crest or banner to establish it's connection to the Regiment. Where applicable, images will be "branded" for association with individual battalions.

Individual Submissions

We all have our favourite stories. The ones about the sternest Sergeant Major, the best Company Commander, the toughest course or the most outrageous escapade that missed (or didn't miss) the RSM's (or Adjutant's) crime sheet. They're the stories we tell whenever we find ourselves with other Royal Canadians. If you're not sure which stories they are, ask your wife, she knows, she's heard you tell them more than anyone else. As you consider this, think about why it is that we find Strome Galloway's writings are so engaging. It is because he doesn't focus on the "tactical situation", he talks about the people involved. The War Diaries and the Annual Historical Reports can give a researcher a timeline - but only the anecdotal stories of experiences (however brief each story might be) and linking of individual names to events put the human side on the Regiment's story.

The Vignette Boxes

In the upper right of each web-page is a "Vignette Box" containing a small image and a related caption. Where possible, these have been selected to accompany the page content. If you have a suggestion for a more appropriate vignette for any particular page, please provide the image and recommended caption to the Regimental Adjutant, along with identifying the page in question).