With its roots in the 1850’s, The Grey and Simcoe Foresters was formed with the amalgamation of the 31^st Grey Regiment and the 35^th Simcoe Foresters, in 1936 – both units were originally gazetted on September 14, 1866. Throughout its history to date, the Foresters have enjoyed one of the most diverse roles in the Canadian Army, serving as infantry, armoured and artillery.

While many regiments of fusiliers, grenadiers, highlanders, for example, can be found in the armies of the Commonwealth, only two regiments of foresters exist – The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters of the British Army, and The Grey and Simcoe Foresters of the Canadian Army. This very old form of infantry finds its antecedents in England’s Sherwood Forest in the days of Robin Hood. In 1970, The Sherwood Foresters were amalgamated with The Worcestershire Regiment. The Princess Royal is Colonel-in-Chief of both the Canadian and British regiments of foresters.

Receiving its first battle honour for Northwest Canada 1885, the Regiment’s first call to action was years earlier during the Fenian Raids. Since then, the Foresters participated in the South African (Boer) War, the First World War (four battalions raised, 147^th, 157^th, 177^th, 248^th), the Second World War (two battalions raised), and United Nations augmentation from the Korean War onwards, including the Middle East, Golan Heights, Cyprus, and the former Yugoslavia.

At the Battle of Paardeburg in 1900, Private James Findlay from the 35^th Simcoe Foresters became one of the first Canadians to be killed-in-action during this famous battle. In 1917, during the Battle of Passchedaele, Private Tommy Holmes of the 147th Grey Battalion, became Canada’s youngest winner of the coveted Victoria Cross, while assigned to the 4^th Canadian Mounted Rifles. By the end of the war, the peoples of Grey and Simcoe counties had contributed over 6,000 soldiers, of whom several hundred were killed-in-action.

World War I brought with it the creation of Camp Borden. Consequently, the Barrie and Collingwood companies of 157^th Simcoe Foresters were ordered to begin construction of the new camp. In May 1916, these Foresters arrived on what was then known as the Simcoe Pines Plain to begin building what would shortly be coined "Camp Horror," and would eventually become Canada’s largest training base. In July 1916, the 157^th and 177^th Simcoe Foresters were turned out with bayonets fixed to suppress the so-called mutiny following the Camp’s official opening. One 157^th Simcoe Forester would later become the Premier of Ontario – The Honourable Leslie Frost of Orillia. Today, the Regiment has the proud distinction of being the founding unit of CFB Borden, with the Borden Pipes and Drums wearing the Regiment’s tartan in recognition of this.

During the Second World War the 1^st Battalion became an armoured unit overseas, while the 2^nd Battalion remained in Canada as an infantry unit. The Regiment mobilized on June 1^st, 1940, arriving at Camp Borden with 24 officers and 936 other ranks on June 28^th, 1940. Originally slated as the 3^rd Battalion, 12^th Infantry Brigade, the Foresters would begin their on-again-off-again membership in the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps, on January 26^th, 1942. On this date, they became the 26^th Army Tank Battalion (later Regiment). The 1^st Battalion embarked for England on June 16^th, 1943, having served as local protection forces in Ontario and Nova Scotia since mobilization. Unfortunately, on November 1^st, 1943, this battalion was broken up for reinforcements – a bitter pill to swallow for its veterans. Consequently, Foresters found themselves represented in almost every theatre of conflict.

Following the war, the 2^nd Battalion was converted to artillery, becoming the 45^th Anti-Tank Regiment on April 1^st, 1946, with the designation "(Self-Propelled)" being added on June 19^th, 1947. On October 1^st, 1954, the unit was amalgamated with the 55^th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA. The Foresters returned to the armoured corps on May 19^th, 1958, as the 28^th Armoured Regiment.

Reverting to its original infantry role in 1970, the Regiment was part of London District (now 33 Brigade) until transferring to 32 Brigade on June 19th, 1995. Just prior to this, a proposal was under consideration to task the Foresters as the dedicated Armoured Personnel Carrier unit for Land Force Central Area - along the lines of the Canadian Kangaroo Regiment of Second World War fame. While estimates, staff checks and feasibility studies were done to accomplish this proposal, changing priorities cancelled the tasking.

In peacetime at home, the Foresters have responded to assistance to civil authority during Hurricane Hazel (1954), the Barrie Tornado (1985), the Manitoba Flood (1997), and the Ice Storm (1998), as well as to forest fires over the years.

Throughout its long history, Canada’s Foresters have lived up to their motto of being "Tenacious and Versatile."