Regimental Colonel in Chief
from 22 February, 1918 to 12 January, 1974.
Princess Victoria Patricia Helena Elizabeth of Connaught and Strathearn, was born 17 May, 1886 at Buckingham Palace, London, England. She was the daughter of Arthur Saxe-Coburg, Duke of Connaught (son of Queen Victoria) and Louise Margaret (daughter of Prince Frederick Charles of Prussia).
She resided in Canada with her father, the Duke of Connaught, during his term as Governor General from 1912 to 1916. During the illness of the Duchess of Connaught, Princess Patricia acted as hostess at Rideau Hall, Ottawa. She endeared herself to Canadians by her simple, natural manners, her lack of stiff etiquette, and her love of our Canadian games and outdoor sports. The Princess won all hearts by her charm.
Princess Patricia, after consenting to the use of her name by the Regiment, made a "camp" color of her own design and which incorporated her personal cipher. This color was presented to the Regiment on 23 August, 1914 at a parade in Landsdowne Park, Ottawa. On 28 January, 1919 it was consecrated as the PPCLI Regimental Color. The Color is commonly referred to as the RIC-A-DAM-DOO (gaelic for "cloth of thy mother") and is now located in The Hall of Honor in the Regimental Museum within the Museum of the Regiments in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
At a farewell parade at Bramshot, England, on the 21 February, 1919 Princess Patricia decorated her Color with a wreath of laurel in silver gilt (known as the "Wreath of Immortelles"). A facsimile of the wreath of laurel is now carried on the pike of all three Regimental Colors. The original wreath of laurel is on display with the RIC-A-DAM-DOO in the Regimental Museum in Calgary.
Princess Patricia was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the Canadian Regiment on 22 February, 1918 an appointment which she retained until her death on the 12th of January, 1974 om Windlesham, Surrey, England,
On her marriage to Commander, the Honourable Alexander R.M. Ramsay, GCVO, KCB, DSO, RN, the Princess was granted authority to relinquish her titles and adopt the new title of Lady Patricia Ramsay.
Princess Patricia was a Lady of the Imperial Order of the Crown of India, a member of the Royal Order of Victoria and Alberta and a Dame of Justice of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. She was also awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration in recognition of her services to the Canadian Army and the Patricias in particular.
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Princess Pat
Chorus:
"A Ric-a-dam-doo, pray what is that?
It was made at home by the Princess Pat,
It's red and gold, and purple-blue
That's what we call The Ric-a-dam-doo, dam-doo, dam-doo"
The Princess Pat (Egyptian hand movement & hips)
Lived in a tree (Arms up over heads, making a tree bow)
She sailed across (wave hands over water)
The seven seas (Seven fingers, wave hands over water)
She sailed across (Repeat hand wave over water)
the Channel too (thumb and finger channel, two fingers)
and took with her (sling bag over shoulder)
a Ric-a-dam-doo (hands wave down move hips)
(chorus)
A Ric-a-dam-doo (hands wave down)
Now what is that
Its something made
For the Princess Pat (repeat Egyptian move)
Its red and gold (hand on right hip)
and purple too (hand on left hip)
That's why its called
a Ric-a-dam-doo (repeat motion)
(chorus)
Now Captain Dan (stand at Alert)
and loyal crew (salute)
They sailed across the channel too (as above)
but their ship sank (hold noses and move body down)
and your's will too (point out and finger two)
if you don't take (sling bag over shoulder)
a Ric-a-dam-doo (hands wave down)
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