We now know why the QYR are “Warriors of the Crescent Moon”.  As I recall, it has something to do with owls riding fiery steeds while shooting arrows during the Battle of Brandywine; but let’s move on.  What is this nonsense about moving fast and fighting dirty?  Another good question!

Remember the last blog?  We had a tie (no, not that kind of tie!) in our “Quotes for Tees” contest so the CO declared two winners.  Well the other winner was Julian Forbes with his submission of the “move fast” motto.  You can certainly see why the CO could not decide; this motto describes us today and reminds us of our past.  This takes a bit of explanation.

Like all military units, the Queen’s York Rangers (1st Americans) proudly continues a heritage from days gone by.  Traditionally, Rangers were intrepid souls who were wanderers and protectors of certain territories, of “ranges”.  They lived off the land, were loyal to their lords and could appear out of nowhere be it forest, mountain or meadow.  Such was the reputation of rangers already in the early 18th century when Major Robert Rogers, our first CO, formed his Rangers in the 1750s and then later led them against those unruly colonists who opted to leave His Majesty and form their own republic.  Just as all Rangers before and since, they have had a symbolic attachment to the crescent moon; we are all “warriors of the crescent moon”. But why?  Good question!

He spent a satisfying stretch with the regular forces, even winning special praise for peacekeeping duties in Bosnia but for LCol Phil Halton, his experience with the Queen’s York Rangers stands above.

“It’s been the most rewarding thing I’ve done in my life,” said LCol Halton.