Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment Receives New Colours 

At a ceremony on September 21, 2002, Peter Milliken M.P. presented Second Lieutenant P. Neptupsky of the P.W.O.R. with the Regiment's new colours.

In a ceremony at Old Fort Henry National Historic Site on September 21, 2002, The PWOR was presented with new colours.  The colours of a regiment symbolize the duty of the regiment towards its country and its sovereign, and commemorate the tradition of courage and commitment of the regiment to service in times of    conflict. 

During the PWOR’s history, it has received new colours on several occasions: prior to leaving for duty overseas in 1914, at the time of the regiment’s reorganization in 1920, upon amalgamating with 3 other companies in 1936, and on the occasion of the regiment’s 100th birthday in 1964. 

Peter Milliken, M.P. had the honour of presenting the regiment with its new colours at the traditional ceremony. The new colours include a “D” on each  corner of the insignia, in honour of Diana, the late Princess of Wales and former colonel-in-chief of the Regiment.

The PWOR was created in 1863 as the 14th Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles of Canada.  It became the Princess of Wales’ Own Rifles following the marriage of the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) to Princess Alexandra of Denmark. The regiment was designated with its current title in April, 1921. Since its inception, the Regiment has served both in Canada and overseas. Presently led by Commanding Officer Lt. Col. W.A. Leavey, the PWOR is an effective component of the “total force” army.  Its 135 members have served with the regular force on many peace keeping operations around the world, carrying on the proud tradition of the regiment.

Kingston Hosts G-8 Speakers’ Conference 

Peter Milliken, M.P., hosted the inaugural meeting of the Presiding Officers of the G-8 countries in Kingston September 8-10, 2002.  During the two-day meeting, the   Presiding Officers discussed a number of topics, including parliamentary diplomacy, energizing parliamentary committees, and democracy and terrorism.  Senior officials from Kingston assisted in welcoming the international guests at an opening reception. Pictured here, from left to right, are: (Back row) Mr. Jean-Louis Debré, President of the National Assembly of France, the Rt. Hon. Michael J. Martin, M.P., Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, the Hon. J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States, the Hon. Peter Milliken,  M.P. and Speaker of the House of Commons, Mr. Tamisuke Watanuki, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan, Mr. Pier Fernando Casini, President of the Chamber of  Deputies of Italy, Mr. Vladimir Lukin, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, and  Col. Guy Thibault, Commanding      Officer of CFB Kingston. Front Row: John Gerretsen, M.P.P., Mayor Isabel Turner, Queen’s University Principal and Vice-Chancellor Bill Leggett, and Volker Thomsen, President and CEO of St. Lawrence College.