31 CER perpetuates the Provincial Corps of Artificers, a unit associated with the War of 1812.

In 1915 the 91st Battalion (Elgin), CEF was raised in St. Thomas, Ontario, and went to fight in the First World War.

[3] The honours "Arras" and "Amiens" were selected to be borne on colours and appointments.

After the conversion to an engineer regiment in 1997, these honours became dormant, being replaced by the CME's honorary distinction ubique (Latin for 'everywhere').

During Canadian combat operations in Afghanistan, 31 CER sent members to augment Regular Force units for deployments while also acting as a "feeder" unit, training Reserve Force members who could then take full-time contracts with Regular Force combat engineer regiments.