The Spirit of Lestock

Once again, peacetime brought old as well as new and unexpected challenges. During the remaining decades of the 1900s, political and economic changes in the world were dramatic and frequent. Cutbacks, restructuring, and changing and sometimes unclear roles had their effect on the regiment. In the 2000s, however, world events began to bring new and challenging roles for the Canadian military. In the spirit of Lestock, the coyote pup adopted as the unit's mascot in 1915, the regiment has once again made it through hard and uncertain times and can look forward to active participation in the defence of Canada in the new century.

City of Edmonton Archives, Loyal Edmonton Regiment Collection.

Young Lady and Lestock, 1915

On 30 May 1915 a well-wisher from Lestock, Saskatchewan gave the 49th Battalion a coyote pup. The train carrying the 49ers was making a stop at the Saskatchewan town. The Regiment, which was en route to England, adopted the pup as the unit's mascot and named it "Lestock." Lestock was turned over to a London zoo before the 49th went into combat. To this day, Lestock's face appears in the centre of the unit badge.

Highlights include the Second Battalion, The Edmonton Regiment (Reserve) training at home during the war and the death of General Griesbach.

Follow the story of The Loyal Edmonton Regiment in the late 1940s and early 1950s, including participation in NATO and Korea, and affiliation with the PPCLI.

The story focuses on the ups and downs of the regiment including the Young Soldiers Training Plan, the move to Ortona Armoury, new colours presented, parachute training, and the move to Hamilton Gault Barracks.

Highlights include the further struggles and successes of the regiment, the founding of the museum, the 75th anniversary, and Jefferson Armoury.