5-2, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Cap Badge
2 lugs to the rear.
Brown finish
On the outbreak of WWI a number of wealthy and patriotic Canadian businessmen offered their financial support to the Canadian Government by financing military units. This precedent had been previously established during the Boer War when Donald A. Smith, Lord Strathcona, the self made Scottish born Canadian railroad baron, raised and financed the 531 all ranks Strathcona’s Horse. Andrew Hamilton Gault, a wealthy private citizen traveled to Ottawa August 5th 1914 where in a brief meeting with Sir Sam Hughes, offered $100,000 to raise and equip a regiment for service in the Great War. His patriotic gesture was accepted and effective August 8th 1914 authorization was given to raise the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. The name being suggested by Lieutenant Colonel Francis D. Farquar DSO who served as the military secretary to the Governor General, the Duke of Connaught, the regiment being named in honour of the Duke’s youngest daughter the Princess Patricia of Connaught. Command of the new regiment was given to Lieutenant Colonel Farquar, formerly of the Grenadier Guards, Andrew Hamilton Gault, who served in the militia as a Captain in the 5th Royal Highlanders, accepting a Majority becoming second in command. Notices were posted in early August 1914 announcing the formation of the PPCLI and over 3000 applications were received mainly from ex- British servicemen who had emigrated to Canada. Almost every Regiment in the British Army as well as Royal Marines and the Royal Navy being represented, over 85 different battle clasps were represented on the campaign medals previously awarded to the volunteers. By August 18th 1914 the battalion was at full strength with 1098 all ranks.
