drawing, The Royal Canadian Regiment at Kensington Palace, 5th Dec 1900
Report a Mistake- Object Number 20060139-001
- Event 1899-1902 South African War
- Affiliation --
- Artist / Maker / Manufacturer Duncan
- Date Made 1900/12/05
- Category Communication artifacts
- Sub-category Art
- Department Art and Memorials
- Museum CWM
- Earliest 1900/12/05
- Latest 1900/12/05
- Inscription (drawing/dessin): THE DUKE CONDUCTS THE MEN TO THE ROOM IN WHICH HER MAGISTY WAS NORN,; LADY STRATHCONA CHATS WITH BUGLE STEVENS; PRINCESS LOUISE DESCRIBES THE FURNITURE; SERGEANT MCHARG SINGS "THE LAND OF THE MAPLE" AT THE REQUEST OF THE PRINCESS; LADY MAUD ROLLESTON; PRINCESS LOUISE; COL OTTER CALLS FOR THREE CHEERS & A "TIGER"; THE DIKE REPLIES; LORD STRATHCONA; (mat/passe-partout): THE ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT AT KENSIGNTON PALACE, 5th DEC. 1900.
- Medium penink
- Support paper
- Materials Not applicable
- Service Component Canadian Militia
- Unit Royal Canadian Regiment
- Person / Institution Associated institution, Daily GraphicSubject, Princess Louise Caroline AlbertaSubject, Otter , K.C.B., C.V.O., V.D., General Sir William DillonSubject, Smith , GCMG GCVO PC DL FRS, The Right Honourable Donald AlexanderSubject, McHarg, Sergeant HartSubject, Hardisty, Isabella SophiaSubject, Rolleston, Lady MaudSubject, Cavendish, Sir Victor Christian William
- Measurements Height 31.6 cm, Width 39.0 cm
- Caption Lieutenant-Colonel William D. Otter (1843-1929)
- Additional Information Commanding Officer, 2nd (Special Service) Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry Otter was the foremost Canadian professional soldier of his day, both in terms of seniority and experience. He began his military career in the militia in Toronto in 1864. In 1866, he served at the battle of Ridgeway where Fenian Irish nationalists from the United States defeated a Canadian force. He joined the Permanent Force infantry when it was established in 1883, and in 1885 commanded the Battleford Column during the Northwest Campaign. As commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry in South Africa, his no nonsense, no frills approach to soldiering brought him into conflict with the less disciplined ways of his officers and men, most of whom were volunteers from the militia or from civilian life. Otter was uncompromising, his convictions having been set by his memory of young militiamen fleeing in panic at Ridgeway. He was grimly determined that Canadian troops would not again fall into confusion on the battlefield. Otter was steady and courageous under fire. However unpopular with his men, his 'austere professionalism' got results. The 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry was considered by many British officers to be the best infantry battalion in South Africa. He became the first Canadian-born officer to command this country's military, and he retired in 1910 as General Sir William Otter KCMG, CVO. During the First World War he came out of retirement to command operations for the internment of enemy nationals resident in Canada.