‘Once A Patricia, Always A Patricia’:
The origins & a brief history of the PPCLI
Once a Patricia, Always a Patricia explores the legacy, sacrifice, and unbreakable spirit of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry; from its birth in the mud of Flanders to its defining stand on a Korean hillside nearly four decades later.
In this episode, we trace the Regiment’s identity back to its earliest days, when French‑ and English‑speaking Canadians fought side by side in the trenches of the First World War, forging a unity the young nation had not yet achieved. We revisit the haunting legacy of Frezenberg; a battle that became a ghost walking with the Regiment for a century, shaping what it meant to be a Patricia: you did not leave your post, you did not yield to fear or fire, and if the world didn’t end, you stood up and prepared to do it again.
The episode then moves to Korea and the desperate night at Kapyong, where 600 Patricias held Hill 677 against overwhelming odds. Here, we tell the extraordinary story of Major Mike Levy: escapee, commando, survivor, whose courage under fire became part of Regimental legend. Through archival voices and vivid storytelling, we bring to life the men who held the line when no one else could.
This is an episode about identity, endurance, and the quiet, stubborn courage that has defined the Patricias for more than a century. It’s about the men who wore the red patch—and why, once you become a Patricia, you remain one for life.
Book Release Announcement — Once a Patricia, Always a Patricia
https://www.amazon.com/author/samanthamccreahistorybooks
Once a Patricia, Always a Patricia is a powerful journey through the history, identity, and enduring spirit of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. From the mud of Flanders to the desperate stand at Kapyong, this book brings to life the soldiers who held the line when no one else could—and shows why being a Patricia is not just a role, but a lifelong bond.