The Queen’s York Rangers Regimental Council

Ontario Day - The Queen’s York Rangers - Early builders of the Province

The Queen’s York Rangers hold a distinguished place in Canadian history not only because they fought, but because they built.

From the earliest days of Upper Canada, the regiment’s role extended beyond defence. The Rangers helped create the physical and civic foundations of the province, shaping the ground on which communities, institutions, and government would take root. Their legacy is not confined to the battlefield; it is equally found in the enduring works of building the settlements and lines of communication that made lasting growth possible.

Reflecting John Graves Simcoe’s vision of the citizen-soldier, the Queen’s Rangers were disciplined soldiers capable of bearing arms when required, but equally capable of clearing land, opening roads, constructing works, and advancing the common good. The new province he envisioned could not be secured by force of arms alone; it would first have to be built. In this respect, Simcoe’s thinking drew on an older tradition, one that understood military service, civic duty, and statecraft as inseparable. The soldier was not apart from society, but one of its makers.

Check out our new blog for Ontario Day by former CO, LCol Phil Halton CD on our website via the link:
https://www.qyrang.ca/blog/2026/6/1/more-than-soldiers-the-builders-of-early-ontario

Celebrating York County Day with The Queen’s York Rangers at the family Barbecue!

See you tomorrow at York County Day!

Join The Queen’s York Rangers, our Regimental Family and the local community for a day of celebration

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, May 30th 2026
Time: 1100 to 1500 hours
Location: John Graves Simcoe Armoury, Aurora

Proudly Supported By:
- The Royal Canadian Legion - 385
- Aurora Lions Club & North Newmarket Lions Club
- The Queen’s York Rangers Regimental Council
- Bank of Montreal

HISTORY IN COLOUR: Rangers Colouring Pages for All Ages

To celebrate York County Day on May 30, 2026 at the John Simcoe Armoury in Aurora, The Queen’s York Rangers Regimental Council is sharing a collection of colouring pages for all ages. These will be available at the YCD colouring table on Saturday—we can’t wait to see how you bring them to life.

A special shout-out to teachers across Ontario as June 1 approaches. These pages are a great way to bring local history into the classroom, spark curiosity, and connect students with the stories that helped shape our province.

The images highlight different eras and emblems of the Regiment—from John Graves Simcoe, who helped lay the foundations of Ontario, to the modern Rangers who continue to serve Canada today.

The first set of colouring pages includes:

The Queen’s York Rangers Guidon on Parade
The Crescent Moon on a Queen’s Ranger’s Hat
A Regimental Cap Badge Worn by All Rangers
John Graves Simcoe and the Queen’s Rangers Building Yonge Street
The Queen’s York Rangers Prepare for Inspection

Follow the link to download and print the pages at home or for your classroom: https://www.qyrang.ca/blog/2026/5/28/history-in-colour-rangers-colouring-pages-for-all-ages

This is just the beginning. With over 250 years of history, there are many more stories to come—stay tuned!

RANGERS RELICS - 20th CEF Insignia

These relics from the Fort York Armoury Museum in Toronto are a set of cap and collar badges from the 20th Battalion CEF, dating back to the First World War.

In the first photo, the cap badges are the two on the outside, and the three in the middle are collar badges.

The cap badge on the left was the 20th Regiment’s badge for most of the war until it was replaced by the one on the far right that uses Roman numerals to represent the 20th.
Second from the left is the 20th collar badge that indicates the Regiment and country.
In the middle, the smaller version of the cap badge was worn on the collar.

The 20th CEF, which The Queen’s York Rangers perpetuates, served in Europe from 1914-1919. The 20th CEF were disbanded in 1920 after returning from Europe. The soldiers were recruited from The 12th, York Rangers and other militia regiments from Central Ontario. The Battalion fought throughout the War in several of the most famous battles, including the Somme, Passchendaele, Hill 70, and Vimy Ridge.

Throughout World War One, members of the 20th were awarded almost 400 different awards and distinctions, including two posthumous Victoria Crosses, the highest award given by the British military and later the Canadian military. The first to be awarded was given to Sgt. Frederick Hobson in 1917 for actions undertaken in the Battle of Hill 70, where he single-handedly defended a machine gun position that was dealing with a jam, using only a bayonet and the butt of a rifle before being killed by a rifle shot.

The other was awarded in 1918 to Lt. Wallace Lloyd Algie after he fell undertaking actions in Iwuy, near Cambrai, France. Algie led a group of volunteers and captured two machine guns, which were then used against the Germans. He helped to capture an officer and 10 enemies before heading back to the line for reinforcements and was killed leading them back to the front.

In case you missed it, check out the Spring 2026 edition of the Rangers newsletter.

To find the newest issue of the newsletter, visit the link:
linktr.ee/QYRangers

RANGERS ROADS - McGill Street - A Loyalist Legacy in Downtown Toronto

McGill Street runs East-West and is located North of Gerrard between Yonge and Church Streets. It intersects with Church Street but does not extend to Yonge Street, as the two are separated by a small green space called Turko Park or McGill Parkette.

McGill Street is named for John McGill, a Scottish-born soldier who fought in the American Revolution. Born in 1752, McGill was deployed to Virginia in 1773. He became a Lieutenant in the Queen’s Own Loyal Regiment after its creation in 1775; a year later, his regiment merged with the Queen’s Rangers, where he served for the rest of the Revolution.

Following the conflict, McGill, like many other Rangers and loyalists, moved to New Brunswick, where many were granted land. He later followed his former Queen’s Ranger Commander, John Graves Simcoe, to York after Simcoe was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada.

After Fort York was established in 1793, McGill was appointed Commissary of stores and provisions. Around the same time, he entered local politics. He joined the Executive Council of Upper Canada in 1796 and the Legislative Council in 1797. In 1801, he was appointed the Inspector General of the province and from 1813 to 1818, served as the Auditor General/ Receiver General.

John McGill died on December 31st, 1834, six months after the Town of York became the City of Toronto. His estate was inherited by his nephew, the Hon. Peter McGill (who changed his name from McCutcheon).

Peter McGill became the President of the Bank of Montreal and the second mayor of Montreal. In Montreal, there is a Metro station called McGill, near the university that shares the name. In that station, there is a stained glass window which depicts Peter McGill (not James McGill of the University), founder of one of the first railway companies in Canada.

The McGill’s Toronto estate was sold in 1868. Buildings that now sit on the land include notable landmarks such as Metropolitan United Church, Kerr Hall of Toronto Metropolitan University, and the Mattamy Athletic Center/ Maple Leaf Gardens, the former home of the Toronto Maple Leafs

Free Veterans & Allies Lunch — June 20, 2026 - Markham Community Gathering

Veterans, serving members, allies, caregivers, and friends — you’re invited.

Join us for a FREE Canadian Veteran & Allies Luncheon hosted by the Markham District Veterans Association (MDVA), Helping Heroes Heal, and Calabria Bakery. Come connect, share a meal, and spend time with community members.

When: Saturday, June 20 | 12:00–2:00 PM (1200–1400h)

Where: Markham District Veterans Association, 7 Washington Street, Markham, ON L3P 2R3

Enjoy an Italian hot lunch featuring lasagna, pizza, gourmet sandwiches, salad, desserts, and coffee or tea. A cash bar will be available, with one complimentary drink courtesy of the MDVA President.

Dress: Casual

Caregivers are warmly welcome. Please invite fellow veterans and friends.

SAVE YOUR PLACE RSVP now: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/veteran-outreach-lunch-markham-mdva-tickets-1989235276260

Questions/more information: [email protected]

Buckingham Palace Garden Party 19th May 2026

The Royal Yorkshire Regiment and several branches of the Green Howards Association sent a combined party of over 30 veterans and family members to participate. By extension The Queen’s York Rangers, as their allied Canadian unit, was also invited and Lt Col Morrissey MBE CD represented the Rangers.

Some photos from the event show HRH Princess Anne mingling with guests, a group of Green Howards veterans assembling outside Buckingham Palace, the leadership of the Green Howards Association London Branch with Colonel Liam, and a Beefeater.

To read the full blog, visit our website via the link: https://www.qyrang.ca/blog/2026/5/20/buckingham-palace-garden-party-19th-may-2026

RANGERS RELICS - Under today’s waxing Crescent Moon - Where Artemis meets the Rangers.

The Moon in our Ontario sky is a waxing Crescent toward a full moon later this month.

Since the 1700’s command of John Graves Simcoe the Regiment has proudly displayed the crescent moon as a symbol of The Queen’s York Rangers.

The Crescent moon is an ancient symbol representing Artemis (to the Greeks) or Diana (to the Romans), one of the 12 main Olympians of the Ancient pantheon. In the past, the Rangers wore light infantry hats that prominently depicted the moon as a Regimental badge.

Artemis is the Greek Goddess associated with hunting, the wilderness and wild animals. The crescent moon symbol is seen on statues and artwork depicting Diana such as this statue housed in the Vatican Museum. Along with a Crescent moon as a crown or headband, the statue of Diana holds a bow and is accompanied by a dog representing hunting. This style of wearing a moon on a headdress is seen in early depictions of the Queen’s Rangers. The moon points up towards the sky.

The use of the Crescent moon by the Rangers continues to reflect the tasks that the Rangers undertake. Like Artemis, long-range reconnaissance is one of the signature duties of the Rangers and it ties in closely with Artemis’ hunting aspects. Under Robert Rogers during the 7 Years’ War, the Rangers were tasked at multiple different times to forage through the wilderness at any time of year to scout for the enemy or their camps, like the Goddess of the wilderness.

Rogers is well-known for his 28 Rules of Ranging, which he created as a guideline while leading his Rangers during the 7 Years’ War. Many of these rules pertain to surviving and serving in the wilderness, whether it be scouting for the enemy, how to create a safe camp or what to do when in the field in/around certain terrains, “such as avoiding passing lakes too close to the edge, as the enemy could trap you against the water’s edge”.

The moon may wax and wane, but the Rangers’ crescent has remained for nearly 250 years.

The first image is, A Light Infantry Man and Huzzar of the Queen’s Rangers, a reproduction of the original from c. 1780