Authors and Contributors this page: T.F. Mills
Page created 15 March 1999. Corrected and updated 21.03.2006
 
 

Mottoes of the
Regiments and Corps

 

See Also:

    Introduction to Tradition
    Major Badge Motifs
    Introduction to Colours
    History of Military Tartans
    Index of Military Tartans

    Index of Mottoes
   
Regimental Alliances
    Weapons & Equipment

 

 

  [please pardon the construction]
 
A mari usque ad mare
From sea even unto sea (L.)
Canadian Guards
Acer
The maple tree (L.)
RCIC
Acer acerpori
As the maple, so the sapling (L.)
RCACC
Action from knowledge
Can Intelligence Corps
Adsum
I am present (L.)
Trois Rivières, WinnipegGren
Advance
Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, QOCHofCan
Aere perennius
Truer than steel (L.)
Chaudiere
Airaghardt
Onward (Gael.)
KOCR, Calgary Highlanders
Air son ar duthchais
For our altars and our homes (Gael.)
Lorne Scots
Ake ake kia kaha
Forever, forever be strong (Maori)
2 RNZIR, 2nd Canterbury (NMWC) BnGp
Albainn gu brath
Scotland forever (Gael.)
A&SHofCan
Amor patriae
For love of country (L.)
18 Can LH, Bruce
Animo et fide
Courageously and faithfully (L.)
AGC and its Staff&PersBranch and Educ&TrgBranch
Arma pacis fulcra
Armed strength for peace (L.)
HAC
Arte et marte
By skill and by fighting (L.)
REME
EME
Aucto splendore resurgo
I rise again with greater splendour (L.)
Light Infantry, KSLI, 85 Foot
CMR(Colonial)
Audax et cautus
Bold and wary (L.)
Perth
Auspicium melioris aevi
Token of a better age (L.)
Motto of the Order of St. Michael & St. George.
 
Aut cursu, aut cominus armis
Either in the charge, or hand to hand (L.)
16/5 QRL, 16 QRL
Bon coeur et bon bras
Good heart and strong arm (Fr.)
Maisonneuve
Bydand
Stand fast (Gael.)
Gordon Highlanders, 92 Highlanders
Cabar feidh
The antlers of the deer (Gael.)
72 Highlanders
Carry on
Toronto Scot
Cede nullis
Yield to none (L.)
Light Infantry, KOYLI
Halifax, North Saskatchewan
42nd Bn
Celer et audax
Swift and bold (L.)
KRRC
Celer et fortis
Swift and strong (L.)
BCR
Certa cito
Swift and sure (L.)
Royal Signals
Cos Cheum Nach Gabh Tilleadh
Our footsteps will not allow us to go backwards (Gael.)
Cumberland Hlders, North Nova Scotia Hlders
Courage
2Cav
Cuidich 'n Righ
Help to the King (Gael.)
Orthography changed 1869 by WO Order from "Cuidich 'n Rhi". According to legend, Colin , Lord Kintail, ancestor of Mackenzies of Seaforth, creid this while saving Alexander III from an angry stag.
Highlanders, QO Hlders, Seaforth, 78 Hlders
Seaforth of Canada
Cymru am Byth
Wales forever (Welsh)
Welsh Guards
Deas gu gath
Ready for the fray (Gael.)
CanScot
Death or glory
[see also: Or glory]
24 LD
Defence not defiance
HLIof Can, Middlesex&Huron
Dieu et mon droit
God and my Right (Fr.)
1 KDG
Dieu et patrie
God and country (Fr.)
Saguenay
Dileas gu bas
Faithful unto death (Gael.)
SDGH
Dileas gu brath
Faithful forever (Gael.)
48 Highlanders
Discipline by example
 
Can Provost Corps
Droit au but
Straight to the point (Fr.)
Fus Sherbrooke
Ducimus
We lead (L.)
RCIC
Esprit d'initiative
Spirit of initiative (Fr.)
Sask Dgns
Et princeps cura nostra
Our country and our ruler are our concern (L.)
GGFG
Ex coelis
From the clouds (L.)
CAR
Ex dentibus ensis
From the teeth a sword (L.)
RADC
Exemplo ducemus
We lead by example (L.)
RMP
Fac et spera
Do and hope (L.)
Lanark&Renfrew
Facta non verba
Deeds not words (L.)
Fort Garry Horse JTF2
Faithful
 
DLI
Faugh-a-ballagh
Clear the way (Gael.)
Royal Irish Rangers, Royal Irish Fusiliers, 87 Foot
Irish Fus of Can
SA Irish
Fear naught
RTR
Fiat justicia
Let justice prevail (L.)
Legal Services Branch
Fide et fiducia
In faith and trust (L.)
RAPC
Fidelis et paratus
Faithful and ready (L.)
Ontario
Fidelis patrice
Faithful to the fatherland (L.)
York
Fideliter
More faithful (L.)
PLF
Fidus et audax
Faithful and bold (L.)
Gloucestershire Volunteer Arty
Fior go bas
Faithful until death (Gael.)
IrishofCan
Firm
WSFR, Worcestershire, 36 Foot
Force a superbe mercy a foible
Violence to the strong, mercy to the weak (Fr.)
Voltigeurs de Quebec
Fortiter et fideliter
Boldly and faithfully (L.)
Cape Corps
Free and fearless
14 Can Hussars
Gwell angau na chywilydd
Better death than dishonour (Welsh)
RRW, Welch
Hodie non cras
Today not tomorrow (L.)
1 Hussars
Honi soit qui mal y pense
Evil be to him who evil thinks (Fr.)
Motto of the Order of the Garter
Life Guards, R Horse Gds, Blues and Royals, 1 KDG, 6 DG, 6 Innisk Dgns, 7 Queen's Hussars, 9/12 Royal Lancers, 9 Queen's Royal Lancers, 14/20 King's Hussars, 14 King's Hussars, 19 Royal Hussars, 21 Lancers, Grenadier Guards, East Surrey, Royal Sussex, KORBR, KORR, Border, RRF, Royal Warwickshire, Royal Fusiliers, Manchester Regt, Royal Anglian, Royal Norfolk, Royal Lincolnshire, Bedforshire and Hertfordshire, Somerset LI, East Yorkshire, Green Howards, RSF, Gloucestershire, Sherwood Foresters, Royal Hampshire, Staffordshire, South Staffordshire, QOCH, RGJ, OBLI
RRC, RMontreal, RCOC, RCAPC
Honneur et devoir
Honour and duty (Fr.)
St. Hyacinthe
Hostie acie nominati
Named by the enemy in battle (L.)
R Winnipeg Rifles
Ich dien
I serve (Ger.)
Motto of the Prince of Wales
3 PoW DG, 3rd Carabiniers, 10 Royal Hussars, Royal Hussars, 12 Royal Lancers, Middlesex, Cheshire, RWF, South Lancashire, 82 Foot, North Staffordshire, DERR, Royal Berkshire, Wiltshire, York and Lancaster
RRC, Princess of Wales's Own, Lanark&Renfrew
4/19PWLH
Imperium et libertas
Empire and liberty (L.)
Light Horse
In arduis fidelis
Faithful in adversity (L.)
RAMC
RCAMC, Medical Branch
In hoc signo stabilitas
Steadfast by this sign (L.)
Sherbrooke Hussars
In hoc signo vinces
In this sign conquer (L.)
Sherbrooke, Chaplains Branch
In pace paratus
In peace prepared (L.)
QOR
Inter pericula intrepidi
Fearless amidst danger (L.)
LSSR
In this sign conquer
(see also In hoc signo vinces)
RAChD
RCAChD
In veritate religionis confido
In the truth of religion I trust (L.)
KOSB
Invicta
Unconquered (L.)
Buffs, QORWK, 50 Foot
Je me souviens
I remember (Fr.)
R22R
Je suis prest
I am ready (Fr.)
Motto of Clan Fraser
Fraser's Highlanders Lovat Scouts
Justicia in armis
Justice in arms (L.)
ALC
J'y suis en garde
I am on guard (Fr.)
Fus St. Laurent
Kaphar hunnu bhanda marnu ramro
Better to die than live a coward (Gurkhali)
Brigade of Gurkhas
Kia mate toa
Fight unto death (Maori)
4th Otago and Southland BnGp
Kia pono tonu
Ever faithful (Maori)
13th (North Canterbury and Westland) Regt
Kia toa
Be brave (Maori)
7th Wellington (CWO) and Hawke's Bay BnGp
Kloshe nanitch
Look out (Native American)
Rocky Mountain Rangers
Labor omnia vincit
Work overcomes all (L.)
RPC
Loyally I serve
QLR
Loyauté m'oblige
Loyalty binds me (Fr.)
Loyals
Manui dat cognitio vires
Knowledge gives force to the arm (L.)
Intell Corps
Mens sana in corpore sano
A sound mind in a sound body (L.)
APTC
Mente et manu
With mind and hand (L.)
4 QOH, QRIH
Merebimur
We shall be worthy (L.)
15 Hussars, 15/19 KRH, Light Dgns
Montis insignia Calpe
In the sign of Mount Calpe (L.)
Motto of Gibraltar, Calpe being its original name. The arms of Gibraltar (Castle and Key with motto) were awarded as a badge and battle honour to regiments for defence of the Rock during various sieges. See also Major Badge Motifs.
Suffolk, Northamptonshire, 58 Foot, Essex, HLI
Mox surgere victor
Soon to rise as victor (L.)
81 Foot
Ne obliviscaris
Do not forget (L.)
Motto of the Dukes of Argyll
A&SH, 91 Highlanders
Nec aspera terrent
Not even hardships deter us (L.)
QOH, 3 King's Hussars, Duke of Lancaster's Regt, King's Regt, King's Regt (Liverpool), POWORY, West Yorkshire, RWF, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 27th Foot
RRC
Ne kah ne tah
We lead others follow (Algonquin)
Algonquin
Nemo me impune lacessit
Nobody assails me with impunity (L.)
Motto of Scotland, and the Order of the Thistle.
RSDG, RSG, Scots Guards, Royal Scots, Cameronians, Black Watch, 42 Highlanders
Black Watch of Canada, Lanark&Renfrew
Nemo nos impune lacessit
Nobody assails us with impunity (L.)
RHF
Nerth Mewn Undod
Strength through Unity (Welsh)
RWelshRegt
Nil sine labore
Nothing without work (L.)
RASC RCT
RCASC
Nisi Dominus frustra
Unless the Lord be with us all is in vain (L.)
KOSB
Non nobis sed patriae
Not for ourselves but for our country (L.)
RCanH, Lincoln&Welland
Nulla vestigia retrorsum
No step backwards (L.)
6 Fusiliers
Nulli expugnabilis hosti
Conquered by no enemy (L.) [motto sometimes appearing with Arms of Gibraltar]
R Gibraltar Rgt
Nulli secundus
Second to none (L.)
Coldstream Guards
GGHG, CGG
2nd Battalion
Pretoria Regt
Nunquam cede
Yield to none (L.)
Princess of Wales's Own
Nunquam retrorsum
No one shall cause our retreat (L.)
Fus Mont Royal
Officium primum
Duty first (L.)
Elgin
Omnia audax
In all things daring (L.)
Lancashire Fusiliers
On ne passe pas
No one shall pass (L.)
Hull
One and all
DCLI
Onward
RNZIR
Or Glory
(displayed with a death's head, i.e. "death or glory")
QRL, 17/21 Lancers, 17 Lancers
Paratus
Ready (L.)
HPER
1Armd
Paratus et fidelis
Ready and faithful (L.)
Lambton
Paratus et volens
Ready and willing (L.)
18 Prescott Bn
Paratus pugnare pro patria
Always prepared to fight for our country (L.)
NB Regt
Parva sub ingenti
The small protected by the great (L.)
PEIR
Per ardua
Through adversity (L.)
RAFregt
Per ardua ad astra
Through adversity to the stars (L.)
RFC
Perseverance
LdSH(RC)
Pervias rectas
Constantly alert (L.)
Dufferin&Haldimand
Primus in Indis
First in India (L.)
Devon & Dorset, Dorset
Pristinae virtutis memor
Mindful of former virtue (L.)
Queen's Royal Regt
Pristinae virtutis memores
Mindful of former valour (L.)
8 KRIH, QRIH
Pro aris et focis
For our altars and our homes (L.)
E Suffolk Militia Middlesex Yeomanry
4PLDG, Victoria Rifles, 80 Nicolet 24 Bn CEF
Pro patria
For country (L.)
RCR, Norfolk
Pro rege et patria
For King and country (L.)
1 QDG, Queen's Bays
Westminster
Pro rege, pro lege, pro patria
For king, for law, for country (L.)
BSAP
Pro rege, pro lege, pro patria conamur
For king, for law, for country we strive (L.)
13/18 Royal Hussars, 18 Royal Hussars
Quansem ilep
Always first (Chinook)
BCDgns
Quem timebo
Whom shall I fear (L.)
Joliette
Quicquid aut facere aut pati
Whatever is to be performed or endured (L.)
motto found on bonnet badge of all Highland regiments in mid-18th century, e.g. Fraser's Highlanders, 84 Highlanders
Quid nobis ardui
What is hard for us (L.)
Motto of the Borough of Kensington (1901)
Kensington
Quinque iuncta in uno

Five joined in one (L.)
see Tria iuncta in uno

Quis separabit?
Who shall separate [Great Britain from Ireland]? (L.)
Motto of the Order of St. Patrick, which usually appears with its founding date as 'Quis Separabit MDCCLXXXIII', hence regimental usage of other significant regimental dates in roman numerals.
4/7 DG, 4 DG, 5 RIrishL, Irish Guards, Royal Ulster Rifles London Irish
POW Rangers
Quit you like men
RSR
Quo fas et gloria ducunt
Whither right and glory lead (L.)
RA, RE, QORWK, 97 Foot
RCA, RCE
RAA, RAE
RNZA, RNZE
Quo fata vocant
Whither the fates lead (L.)
7th DG, RNF
Ready aye ready
RRC
Regi patriaque fidelis
Faithful to King and Country (L.)
8 Hussars
Rex vocat
The King calls (L.)
109 Regt
Sagittari
Steadfast (L.)
2/10 Dragoons
Sanitas in ore
Oral health (L.)
RCDC
Sans peur
Without fear (Fr.)
Motto of the Dukes of Sutherland
A&SH, 93 Highlanders
Securitas
Security (L.)
Security Branch
Semper alacer
Always swift (L.)
SALH
Semper fidelis
Always faithful (L.)
Devon & Dorset
West Novas
Semper paratus
Always ready (L.)
Windsor, RHamLI, Brockville, St John Fus, Essex&Kent, 55 MeganticLI, Manitoba Rangers
Semper vigilantes
Always vigilant (L.)
West Riding Artillery
Septem iuncta in uno

Seven joined in one (L.)
see Tria iuncta in uno

Servire armatis
Serve the soldier (L.)
RCPC
Servitium nulli secundus
Service second to none (L.)
Logistics Branch
Siol na fear fearail
A breed of manly men (Gael.)
NS Highlanders
Si sisit prudentia
If there be prudence (L.) [motto of Lord Auckland]
3rd Auckland (CRO) and Northland BnGp
Spectamur agendo
By our deeds we are known (L.)
East Lancashire, 30 Foot
Spectemur agendo
Let us be known by our deeds (L.)
Royal Dragoons
Simcoe Foresters
Spem reduxit
Hope returns (L.)
RNBR
Steady
112th Regt
7/11 Hussars
Sua tela tonanti
His missiles thundering (L.), but in RAOC translated as "To the warrior his arms"
RAOC
Suaviter in modo,
fortiter in re
Gentle in manner, resolute in deed (L.)
WRAC
Sub cruce candida
Under the white cross (L.)
QARANC
Teevra chaukas
Swift and sure (Hind.)
Corps of Signals
Tez o sahih
Swift and sure (Hind.)
Indian Corps of Signals
Tez o yaqini
Speed and reliability (Urdu)
Corps of Signals
Toujours prêt
Always ready (Fr.)
Chateauguay
Treu und Fest
Staunch and steadfast (Ger.)
11 Hussars, Rifle Brigade
Tria iuncta in uno
(Tria juncta in uno)
Three joined in one (L.)
Motto of the Order of the Bath. A modified Star of the Bath with the motto and three crowns serves as the star ("pip") rank badge in most of the British Army.
Brigade of Guards (i.e. Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards). Although the Brigade was augmented in 1900 by the Irish Guards, and in 1915 by the Welsh Guards, the Brigade motto and badge was not modified to Quinque juncta in uno until 1949. This was modified again in 1959 to encompass the whole Household Brigade (i.e. including the Life Guards and Royal Horse Guards) as Septem juncta in uno.
Truth, duty, valour
Royal Military College
Ubique
Everywhere (L.), meaning that the artillery and engineers have served everywhere the army has been, too many places to name in battle honours
RA, RE
RCA
RAA
RNZA
Ubique honor et equis
Everywhere honour and equality (L.)
12 Manitoba Dgns
Ullamh
Ready (Gael.)
QOCHofCan, 43rd Bn CEF
Unconquered I serve
Queen's
Usiba njalo nga pambili
Feathers to the front (Zulu)
SALH
Ut irruant omnes
Aggressive in attack (L.)
ManMR
Utrinque paratus
Ready for anything (L.)
Para
Vel exuviae triumphant
Even in defeat triumphant (L.)
Queen's Royal Regt
Velox, versutus, vigilans
Swift, skilled, alert (L.)
RCSigs
Veni et vici
I came and I conquered (L.)
Leicester
Vestigia nulla retrorsum
We do not retreat (L.)
5 R Innisk DG, 5 DG
Veteri frondescit honore
Ever green with ancient honour (L.)
Buffs
Vigilans
Watchful (L.)
Pacific Coast Rangers
Viret in aeternum
It flourishes forever (L.)
13 Hussars, 13/18 Royal Hussars, Light Dgns
Virtus in arduis
Courage in difficulties (L.)
21 Light Horse, 7/21 Australian Horse
Virtutis fortuna comes
Fortune is the companion of bravery (L.)
DWR, 33 Foot
Wellington
Volens et valens
Willing and strong (L.)
RRiflesC
Vota vita mia
My life is devoted (L.)
KCH
Watch the front, watch weel
60th Missisquoi Bn
We sustain
ACC, RLC
Whakatangata kia kaha
Acquit yourselves like men, be strong (Maori)
6th Hauraki BnGp
Where duty leads
Victoria&Haliburton
Who dares wins
SAS
SASR
NZSAS