Name/Title
1895 - Original Swagger stick attributed to Major William George McVicar Stuart (1st Prince of Wales Regt. Fusiliers) with the emblem of the Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) circa 1880Description
For Museum records only - Part of the Lieutenant Michael A. Hayes-Rivet (MHR) Trust Collection
*** FOR ARCHIVE PURPOSES ONLY - ARTIFACT NOT PART OF MUSEUM COLLECTION ***
1895 - Original Swagger stick attributed to Major William George McVicar Stuart (1st Prince of Wales Regt. Fusiliers) with the emblem of the Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians)
ABOUT THE LEINSTER REGIMENT
The Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) was an infantry regiment of the line in the British Army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 100th (Prince of Wales's Royal Canadian) Regiment of Foot and the 109th Regiment of Foot (Bombay Infantry). The 100th Foot was first raised in 1858 and the 109th was first raised in 1853. Between the time of its formation and Irish independence, it was one of eight Irish regiments raised largely in Ireland, with its Birr Barracks home depot in Birr. It was disbanded with the Partition of Ireland following establishment of the independent Irish Free State in 1922 when the five regiments that had their traditional recruiting grounds in the counties of the new state were disbanded.
ABOUT THE CGG OFFICER
Born in Montreal on 5 November 1872, Major William George McVicar Stuart was educated at the Sherbrooke Street School and at an early age joined the storage firme of J.M. Douglas 7 Co.. He later joined his fathers storage Co. (James Stuart Co.). In 1895 at age 23, he entered partnership with his brother Frank E. Stuart in the conduct of Customs Brokerage under the name of James Stuart & Sons Ltd located on St. Paul street near McGill University close to the old Montreal Customs House. In 1890, At the age of 21, he became a 2nd Lieutenant with the 1st Prince of Wales Regiment. He went to St.Johns Quebec on 16 June 1894 to complete his certificate of military instruction and passed with a first class grade A and received his Officers Commission Scroll. He bacame a 1st Lieutenant of the Prince of Wales Regiment in 1895 and married Ms. Arabella Risdale Potter (21 Argyle Street, Montreal) on 23 June 1897. The moved into their home located at 773 St. Denis Street, Montreal. In 1898 he became a Captain with the newly formed 1st Prince of Wales Regiment Fusiliers. He was a co-founder of the Highland Cadet Corps after Major Fred Lydon went to him to help start and organize the Montreal cadet corps. Two full companies were organized with Captain Stuart in Command as their first CO. It was called the Highland Cadets of Montreal. Their distinctive badge was that of the St.Andrews Cross, surmounted by a Scottish Lion rampant, within a wreath of thistles and maple leaves. the binding ribbons bearing "Highland Cadets of Montreal". In 1904, Capt. Stuart moved to Outremont where he was the first to build a house on the Heights at 366 Cote St. Catherine Road. He was a City Counsillor and advisor to Outremont form 1909-1915. In 1910, he became Senior Major of the 1st Prince of Wales Regiment fusiliers (age 38) and in 1920 he started to organize a Customs & Brokerage Association, becoming the first President of the Dominion Chartered Custom house Brokers Association. At the time of his death on 9 October 1936, (age 51) he had been in retirement for 7 years.Created By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Create Date
January 27, 2026Updated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Update Date
July 15, 2026
