The RMR’s Missing Battle Flag: Can You Help Solve a Decades-Old Mystery?

Sketch of the 14th Battalion Battle Flag. Photo credit: RMR Museum.

Westmount, Quebec – 15 January 2025: The Royal Montreal Regiment (RMR) has always cherished its storied history. From its origin story of valiant efforts during the First World War to its enduring commitment to Canada’s defense, the regiment’s legacy is enshrined in artefacts, symbols, and traditions passed down through generations. One such artefact, however, remains conspicuously absent: the RMR’s original battle flag.

A Flag That Told a Story: The RMR’s battle flag served as a rallying point for soldiers of the 14th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, during the First World War (1914-1918). This distinctive flag bore a bold red background, a white circle at its center, and a dark blue dome surmounted by a red rectangle — each element steeped in meaning. It symbolized unity, identity, and the indomitable spirit of the regiment amidst the chaos of war. It’s said that the flag accompanied the battalion through key battles and stood as a silent witness to their sacrifices and victories.

A Vanishing Act: Regrettably, this important piece of RMR history has been missing for decades. Records suggest the battle flag was last housed at the RMR Armoury, where it was displayed as a tribute to the regiment’s contributions during the First World War. However, at some point in the 1930s, the flag disappeared without a trace. Despite inquiries and efforts to locate it over the years, its whereabouts remain a mystery.

Why This Matters: For serving soldiers and veterans, the battle flag represents more than just fabric. It is a tangible connection to those who came before us, who forged the regiment’s identity through grit, courage, and sacrifice. For members of the public interested in Canadian military history, it offers a window into the shared heritage of a nation shaped by the service of its citizens.

HRH Prince Arthur of Connaught taking the Salute after the RMR received their Colours from him. Behind HRH is Maj-Gen Sir A.C. Macdonnell (wearing light coloured riding britches). Leading the Regiment in its march past as they salute is Lt-Col Dick Worrall, followed by Capt. Donald MacRitchie, Adjt., then RSM Alfred Cummings and an NCO bearing the Regiment’s Battle Flag carried on a lance. This Battle Flag consisted of the Regt’s Patch in a white circle on a red field. Photo credit: RMR Museum.

Can You Help? The RMR is reaching out to the community in the hopes of solving this mystery. Do you have any information about the flag’s disappearance or current whereabouts? Did a relative or friend ever mention the flag? Could it have found its way into a private collection, storage, or perhaps even an attic, waiting to be rediscovered?

The regiment is eager to uncover any leads, no matter how small. Whether you are a historian, collector, or someone with a family connection to the RMR, your input could be invaluable in bringing this piece of history back to its rightful home.

How to Contact Us: If you have any information about the RMR’s missing battle flag, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact the regiment directly via email at info@royalmontrealregiment.com. Any tips or insights will be treated with the utmost respect and confidentiality.

Let’s work together to bring the RMR’s battle flag back into the fold, where it belongs. This is not just about recovering a historical artefact — it’s about reconnecting with a proud legacy that continues to inspire those who wear the RMR badge today.

Your Help Makes History: The RMR has always been a community, built on the collective strength of its members, past and present. By coming together to solve this mystery, we ensure that the regiment’s remarkable story is preserved for generations to come. Thank you for helping us keep history alive.

2 Comments

Join the discussion and tell us your opinion.

Tim Reidreply
February 1, 2025 at 4:34 pm

I guess that you have already done a thorough search through the Museum’s and the Regiment’s storage, CO’s office, etc. As I understand, the flag would be based on the 14th Battalion’s identifying patch, for ex. SEE http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/insignia/formations/cefform.htm or http://www.regimentalrogue.com/misc/researching_first_world_war_soldiers_part17.htm I assume also that you have already reached out to the Canadian War Museum and other museums, especially those of our founding regiments the CGG, Fusiliers Mont Royal [then called the Carabiniers Mont Royal] and the collection of the Victoria Rifles [wherever that may be…]. As I recall, Scully’s used to have some artifacts of the Victoria Rifles hanging about in their shop [such as the Regimental Drums], so they may have something [if not necessarily the one that used to hang in the Armoury…]. I wonder also about the old Regimental Church on Dorchester. Could this battle flag have been hanging there before. According to the Regimental website: ” The regiment also used St. Stephen’s Church, corner Dorchester and Atwater. In March, 1940, the RMR deposited its colours there for safekeeping during the Second World War.” So, quite possibly, the loss is somehow related to that whole procedure. It is also mentioned that: “During the 1930s, the RMR held some church parades at Trinity Memorial Church, on Sherbrooke Street West, corner Marlowe.” Honi soit qui mal y pense

Christopher Dunleavyreply
February 4, 2025 at 12:10 pm

Chris Dunleavy (served with RMR 72 – 74). Tim, good job. you spin an interesting yarn. I believe you’re on the right track to solving the disappearance of the regimental battle flag. It more than likely got presented to a past member; presented to an institution; stored accidentally in the churches archives or stored in the armoury. For example, back in the 70’s, articles were stored in the crawl space in and around the foundation of the armoury. As for locating where and what was archived from St. Stephan’s Church perhaps Bishop Mary can assist.

Leave a reply