The Stratford Volunteer Rifle Company was formed in 1856, elected its own officers, and carried on entirely at the expense of its members for two years, before it was officially recognized in 1858.

A general order of the Militia Department of the Province of Canada, dated 14 September 1866 authorized a regimental headquarters.

Other companies were in Listowel and St. Marys The principle of Militia units was voluntary service and year-round training while carrying on with civilian life.

On 6 August 1914, during events which led to the First World War, details of the regiment were placed on active service for local protection duties.

The Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) was organized in 1914 and 1915 using numbered battalions, which had little connection with the existing militia regiments.

It returned home under command of a Perth militia officer, Lt Col MW Andrew and was disbanded on January 31, 1946.

[3]: Part II, Appendix A, Annex 2 On 28 February 1965, The Perth Regiment was reduced to nil strength and placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle.

[1] At the time it was inactivated, The Perth Regiment consisted of a company in Stratford and a support platoon in St Marys.