The Royal Canadian Dragoons ( RCD ) is the senior armoured regiment of the Canadian Army by precedence. It is one of three armoured regiments in the Regular Force and forms part of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps .
77-485: The colonel-in-chief of The RCD is Charles III , King of Canada . The colonel of the regiment is Major-General Dean Milner, CMM, MSC, CD (Retired). The commanding officer is Lieutenant Colonel C. Summerfield, and the regimental sergeant major is Chief Warrant Officer J. Nickerson. The regiment is composed of Regimental Headquarters, "A", "B", "C", "D" and Headquarters Squadrons . "A", "B" and "D" Squadrons, based at CFB Petawawa , are light cavalry squadrons. "C" Squadron
154-400: A captain-general instead of a colonel-in-chief, but the posts are essentially the same. The position of colonel-in-chief is distinct from the other ceremonial regimental posts of colonel of the regiment and honorary colonel , which are usually retired military officers or public figures with ties to the regiment. Colonels-in-chief are appointed at the invitation of the regiment. While it
231-454: A king penguin named Sir Nils Olav as a colonel-in-chief. Historically a colonel-in-chief was the ceremonial head of a regiment , usually a member of a European country's royal family. The practice extends at least back to 1740 in Prussia when Frederick II held that position ( German : Regimentschef ) in the newly created Garde du Corps , an elite heavy cavalry regiment. By
308-589: A springbok in recognition of the regiment's service in South Africa. In the Second Boer War (1899–1902) during the advance to Pretoria , the RCD set up camp in a field. Regimental legend has it that one of the sentries noticed that some springbok were behaving erratically, and alerted the officers, who ordered a stand-to. This resulted in the defeat of Boer forces that had been trying to sneak up through
385-535: A change in Canadian army doctrine in the early 2000s away from heavy armour to more infantry-centred operations, Lord Strathcona's Horse was for several years the only regular armoured regiment to operate MBTs. This was until the 2006 announcement that the Royal Canadian Dragoons would be re-equipped with a squadron of Leopards. Blazon: "Lord Strathcona's coat of arms, without supporters , being
462-757: A confusion with the Strathcona Mounted Troop. In light of this, the regiment authorized a hybrid uniform custom designed for the band. The band uniform consists of a midnight blue patrol jacket, kilts (in the pattern if the official MacKenzie tartan ) and a sporran that is similar to that of the Pipes and Drums of the Royal Tank Regiment . One of the predecessors of the pipe band was the regimental brass and reed military band consisting of approximately 50 to 70 professional musicians during its 12-year existence from 1956 to 1968. The band
539-544: A dismounted role as infantry. In March 1945 the regiment moved with the I Canadian Corps to North-West Europe as part of OPERATION GOLDFLAKE, and the regiment resumed its role as the I Canadian Corps armoured car regiment. The regiment was heavily engaged in operations in the Netherlands and Germany until the end of the war. The RCD was the first Allied unit to advance through Holland to the North Sea, famously liberated
616-502: A scroll bearing the motto "perseverance", and the whole surmounted by the Crown". This badge commemorates Lord Strathcona's role in the fur trade and in the settlement of North West Canada (as the province of Alberta was called prior to 1905) by its representation of a Hudson's Bay Company trade canoe, the flag 'NW' (for "North West"), and the representation of the railway construction tools. The latter mark Lord Strathcona's direct role in
693-478: A second Active Force component of the regiment mobilized for service in the Pacific theatre of operations designated as the 2nd-1st Armoured Car Regiment (The Royal Canadian Dragoons), RCAC, CASF. It was redesignated as the 2nd-1st Armoured Regiment (The Royal Canadian Dragoons), RCAC, CASF, on 15 November 1945; and as the 1st Armoured Regiment (The Royal Canadian Dragoons), RCAC, CASF, on 1 March 1946. On 27 June 1946
770-453: A shield surmounted by a maple tree inclined to the left, and cut through by a beaver working at the base; in the chief a demi-lion rampant ; in the centre a railroad spike and hammer crossed; in the base a canoe bearing a flag inscribed "NW" and containing four men; the whole surrounded by a riband which is encircled by a wreath of roses, thistles, shamrocks and maple leaves, and inscribed "Lord Strathcona's Horse Royal Canadians", surmounted by
847-410: A static gallery of 2,500 square feet (230 m ) that tells the history of the regiment from 1900 to present, with a rotating selection of special exhibits and displays. The regimental collection holds thousands of artifacts and relics, while the archives has photographs, records, documents and diaries with which it conducts research for personal and professional institutions around the world. The museum
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#1732772774463924-520: Is "Perseverance". The colonel-in-chief of the regiment is King Charles III , while the colonel of the regiment is Colonel Jamie Cade (Retired). The current commanding officer is Lieutenant-Colonel D. Gray, and the regimental sergeant major is Chief Warrant Officer N. Mills. The regiment is composed of a regimental headquarters (RHQ), three sabre (tank) squadrons (A, B, and C Sqns), and headquarters squadron which provides service support. In September 2006, B Squadron deployed to Afghanistan using
1001-686: Is a regular armoured regiment of the Canadian Army and is Canada’s only tank regiment. Currently based in Edmonton, Alberta , the regiment is part of 3rd Canadian Division 's 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group . Members of the regiment are commonly called Strathconas or Strats as a short form. It was one of the last regiments in the British Empire to be created and raised by a private individual, Donald Alexander Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal . The regimental motto
1078-614: Is based at CFB Gagetown , and the squadron consists of both Dragoons and members of 12 Régiment blindé du Canada . Headquarters Squadron, based in Petawawa, provides first-line combat service support to the regiment. Formed on December 21, 1883 as the Cavalry School Corps , The Royal Canadian Dragoons is the senior cavalry regiment in the Canadian Army and was Canada's first professional, full-time cavalry unit. It
1155-492: Is said to have replied "My apologies, sir. I combed all of Canada and these are the smallest I could find." After the war, the regiment boarded ship at Cape Town on 20 January 1901 and arrived in London on 14 February. Here they met Lord Strathcona for the first time and were presented their medals by King Edward VII personally. On its return to Canada on 9 March 1901, the regiment was disbanded. The name "Strathcona's Horse"
1232-424: Is staffed by full-time Regular Force soldiers, as of 2023 a captain, a sergeant and a corporal, with additional volunteers assisting in research, outreach and design. On average, the museum hosts approximately 40,000 visitors annually and educates the public with stories of cavalry history and traditions from Western Canada's only Regular Force armoured unit. The LdSH(RC) Museum and Archives are mandated to assist
1309-532: Is traditional for a royal personage to hold the position, it is at the discretion of each regiment whom they invite. As of 2024 , most colonels-in-chief in the British Army are members of the British royal family . However, one foreign monarch holds the position: In the past non-royal persons have held, or been invited to hold, the post of colonel-in-chief. The Duke of Wellington was colonel-in-chief of
1386-768: The 7th Dragoon Guards and the 15th The King's Hussars . The Cavalry School Corps mobilized A Troop on 10 April 1885 for active service during the North-West Rebellion . It served with the Alberta Column of the North-West Field Force until it was removed from active service on 18 September 1885. A Troop patrolled the Touchwood Hills in Saskatchewan to secure lines of communication and saw no active combat. The regiment
1463-645: The AVGP Cougar armoured car. Other deployments include two six-month missions in Bosnia : 1994 with the United Nations and 1997 with NATO . The Strathconas contributed several tank squadrons as well as reconnaissance personnel to the various Canadian task forces that served in Afghanistan from 2002 to 2014. Trooper Michael Yuki Hayakaze was killed in action in Afghanistan on 2 March 2008. In 2002
1540-600: The Canadian Cavalry Brigade , part of the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division ), 1st Canadian Division. On 27 January 1916, the regiment remounted and resumed its cavalry role as part of the 1st Canadian Cavalry Brigade, with whom it continued to fight in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The overseas regiment disbanded on 6 November 1920. At the outbreak of the First World War , the regiment
1617-460: The Komati River basin. The Boers had recently captured a quantity of British artillery ammunition and aggressively pressed the rear guard in an attempt to capture the two D Battery guns, even conducting a very rare mounted charge. In the end, the guns and the column were saved. Three Victoria Crosses were awarded to members of The Royal Canadian Dragoons for their actions during the course of
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#17327727744631694-587: The Leopard C2 , the first NATO deployment of main battle tanks to Afghanistan. Each year the squadron that distinguishes itself with the highest efficiency rating in the regiment earns the title "Prince of Wales Squadron" for the year. The regiment has seven affiliated cadet corps in Alberta and British Columbia . As of 2014 , Lord Strathcona's Horse operated with 40 Leopard 2s (20 A4s, 9 A4Ms and 11 2A6Ms) and 12 Coyote Reconnaissance Vehicles . Due to
1771-638: The 1st Canadian Motorcycle Regiment, CASF (RCD/LSH(RC)). It was redesignated as Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), CASF, on 21 September 1940; as the 2nd Armoured Regiment (Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)), CASF, on 11 February 1941; as the 2nd Armoured Regiment (Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)), CAC, CASF, on 15 October 1943; and as the 2nd Armoured Regiment (Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)), RCAC, CASF, on 2 August 1945. The regiment embarked for Britain on 13 November 1941 and landed in Italy on 8 November 1943, where it fought as part of
1848-519: The 1st Troop leader, Lieutenant CC Van Straubenzee, and the 3rd Troop leader, Lieutenant F.G. Woodrow, as well as half of the NCOs and soldiers were Strathconas. Two members of 56 Reconnaissance Squadron died: Lieutenant Charles C. Van Straubenzee on 10 May 1957 and Trooper George E. McDavid on 29 Nov 1957. Other squadrons of the regiment served there and in Cyprus. Trooper Reginald J. Wiley died on UN duty in
1925-578: The 25th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group, 1st Commonwealth Division . The squadrons were equipped with M4A3E8 Sherman tanks. Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), along with The Royal Canadian Dragoons , contributed troops to 56 Reconnaissance Squadron for duty with the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) from March 1957 to January 1959, equipped with Ferret armoured cars . The battle captain, Captain Norman A. Shackleton,
2002-689: The 5th Armoured Brigade, 5th Canadian Armoured Division. On 16 February 1945 the regiment moved with the I Canadian Corps to North-West Europe as part of Operation Goldflake , where it fought until the end of the war. During the Second World War , the regiment mobilised an armoured regiment for overseas service, which joined the First Canadian Armoured Division (renamed the 5th Canadian Armoured Division ). During an inspection in England, King George VI noticed that
2079-496: The 5th Canadian Armoured Division and embarked for Britain on 13 November 1941. The RCD landed in Sicily on 8 November 1943 and moved to mainland Italy on 5 January 1944. There it fought as the armoured car regiment for I Canadian Corps until being transferred to the 1st Canadian Infantry Division as the divisional armoured car regiment on 14 July 1944. Due to the mountainous terrain of Italy, the regiment fought much of its time there in
2156-835: The Canadian Forces ceased conducting regimental rotations to 4 CMBG, going instead to a man-for-man individual rotation system. During the 1990s, the regiment conducted deployments to the Former Yugoslavia with the UN as part of United Nations Protection Force , and with NATO as part of Implementation Force , Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Kosovo with Kosovo Force . Corporal James William Ogilvie died in Bosnia on 30 August 1998. The Royal Canadian Dragoons contributed both reconnaissance and tank crews to
2233-737: The Canadian task forces that served in Afghanistan from 2002 to 2014. The following Dragoons died in Afghanistan: Operation Unifier , also known as Canadian Armed Forces Joint Task Force-Ukraine, is Canada's military mission to provide assistance to the training and professionalization of the Ukrainian Armed Forces . The Royal Canadian Dragoons contributed officers and soldiers to various rotations pre-Russia's February 2022 large-scale illegal invasion, including mounting and leading Rotation 5, and continue today to contribute to various ongoing missions to train
2310-799: The OC "A" Company, Major Jack Mahony and forged a long-standing association between the two regiments. The advance up the boot of Italy bloodied the regiment but also forged their identity as a Canadian tank unit, second to none. The regiment left Italy in February 1945, and fought in the North West Europe campaign to liberate the Netherlands and the Lowlands. In 1946, the regiment returned to Canada and except for two operational tours in Germany, called Calgary its home garrison. The overseas regiment
2387-652: The Reconnaissance Squadron participated as part of the Canadian battle group during the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan . The squadron returned to Kabul, Afghanistan for a six-month rotation in 2004 as part of Canada's ongoing commitment to the International Security Assistance Force . Since September 2006, various squadrons of Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) served continuously in Afghanistan , forming
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2464-527: The Security Forces of Ukraine to defend their homeland. On 10 November 1983 Canada Post issued 'The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, The Royal Canadian Dragoons as part of the Canadian Forces, Regiments, 1883–1983 series. The stamps were designed by Ralph Tibbles, based on a painting by William Southern. The 32¢ stamps are perforated 13.5 x 13 and were printed by Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited. The cap badge of The Royal Canadian Dragoons since 1913 features
2541-695: The Sinai on 7 September 1961. The Strathconas' last deployment to Cyprus took place from August 1988 to March 1989. The regiment served two tours of duty in Germany as part of Canada's contribution to NATO, equipped with Centurion tanks. During the 1990s, the regiment deployed to the Former Republic of Yugoslavia twice as part of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) and once as part of NATO's Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR), largely equipped with
2618-801: The United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) from March 1957 to January 1959, equipped with Ferret scout cars. The Officer Commanding, Major R. Barry Tackaberry, the Second-in-Command, Capt. J.A. Beament, the 2nd Troop Leader, Lt J.G.H. Ferguson, and the 4th Troop Leader, Lt J.B. Long, as well as half of the NCOs and soldiers, were Dragoons. Other squadrons of the regiment served there and in Cyprus. Two members of 56 Recce Squadron died: Lt Charles C. Van Straubenzee on 10 May 1957 and Trooper George E. McDavid on 29 November 1957. The regiment contributed several other recce squadrons to UNEF until its demise in 1967. Trooper Ronald H. Allan
2695-546: The authorized pipe band of the regiment. The pipes and drums was created in 1980 through the advocacy of Warrant Officer P. Peters, who acted as the unofficial regimental piper. In 1998, when the official Land Force Western Area Band was dissolved, Peters immediately formed a pipe band consisting of seven Strathconas to perform at regimental functions. Its first official appearance was at the Californian home of former Prime Minister of Canada Kim Campbell . Since then,
2772-542: The basis of every tank squadron to serve as part of Task Force Kandahar . In 2000, to commemorate the centenary of its original foundation, a mounted detachment of eighteen members from Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) was invited to London, where, in ceremonial full-dress, they mounted the Queen's Life Guard at the Horse Guards on seven days between 8 and 23 September. This was a very great honour, as they were
2849-581: The church at CFB Petawawa or at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa. During the Second Boer War on November 7, 1900, The Royal Canadian Dragoons were engaged in the Action at Leliefontein . The regiment, operating in concert with the two 12 Pounder guns of the Left Section of D Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery, was acting as the rear guard for Major-General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien's column as it withdrew from
2926-628: The city of Leeuwarden and fought off an attempted German amphibious assault. The fighting was so intense and chaotic that two of the squadron sergeants-major, WOII Deeming and WOII Forgrave, were separately awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (second in precedence to the Victoria Cross) for dismounting the members of their supply convoys and fighting through enemy infantry positions to get fuel, ammunition, water and rations forward to their squadrons. On 1 September 1945
3003-446: The colonel-in-chief of a regiment is its (usually royal) patron , who has a ceremonial role in the life of the regiment. They do not have any operational role, or the right to issue orders, but are kept informed of all important activities of the regiment and pay occasional visits to its units. The chief purpose of the colonel-in-chief is to maintain a direct link between the regiment and the royal family. Some artillery regiments have
3080-529: The construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway . The uniform shoulder titles are "STRATHCONA'S'" (brass DEU); "LdSH(RC)" ( CADPAT ) Strathcona's Horse was authorized on 1 February 1900 and embarked for Africa on 17 March 1900. There it fought as part of the 3rd Mounted Brigade and 4th Infantry Brigade, II Division, until its departure from the theatre of operations on 20 January 1901. The unit disbanded on 9 March 1901. The regiment
3157-410: The day: Colonel-in-chief Colonel-in-chief is a ceremonial position in a military regiment . It is in common use in several Commonwealth armies, where it is held by the regiment's patron , usually a member of the royal family. Some armed forces take a light-hearted approach to the position, appointing animals or characters as colonel-in-chief. The Norwegian Army , for example, appointed
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3234-411: The divisional patches on the sleeves of the troopers bore the legend "LSH". He remarked to a Strathcona's officer that he had always thought the proper abbreviation of "Lord" was "Ld". The regiment promptly changed its formation patches and have used the correct designation ever since. One of the many dramatic changes World War I introduced into military organisation and technology was the introduction of
3311-533: The end of the war. The overseas regiment disbanded on 6 November 1920. At the start of the Second World War, The Royal Canadian Dragoons were still horse cavalry and would remain so until the regiment finally dismounted in August, 1940. On 24 May 1940, the regimental headquarters and one squadron mobilized together with the headquarters and one squadron of Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) to form
3388-422: The fields to attack the Canadian force. However, there is no documentary evidence of this incident. The Commanding Officer at that time, Lt.-Col. Louis Lessard, makes no mention of it in his personal papers or his official reports. The commander of the RCD then put a request to King Edward VII , the reigning monarch, to officially have their cap badge changed to the springbok, which was finally accepted in 1913. In
3465-793: The first overseas unit to mount the Queen's Life Guard at the Horse Guards. Freedom of the city was exercised by Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) in St. Albert, Alberta , on June 11, 2011. This was followed by the Freedom of the City being offered by Strathcona County in Sherwood Park , Alberta, on August 24, 2013. In the list below, battle honours in capitals were awarded for participation in large operations and campaigns, while those in lowercase indicate honours granted for more specific battles. Those battle honours in bold type are emblazoned on
3542-513: The late 19th century the designation could be given to the children of royalty; there are pictures of the daughters of Russian Czar Nicholas II in the uniforms of their regiments. The German Kaiser Wilhelm II carried the title to an extreme, holding it in dozens of German and (by diplomatic courtesy) Austro-Hungarian (called Inhaber ), British, Russian, and Portuguese regiments. His mother, wife, son, and daughters were also full or deputy colonels-in-chief of various units. In modern usage,
3619-502: The list below, battle honours in capitals were awarded for participation in large operations and campaigns, while those in lowercase indicate honours granted for more specific battles. Those battle honours in bold type are emblazoned on the regimental guidon . On 9 December 2022, Governor General Mary Simon presented the regiment with a guidon that includes the battle honour Afghanistan . The regiment has possessed five regimental guidons in its history. Some retired guidons are laid up at
3696-662: The new regiment sailed from Halifax on 18 March 1900 and arrived in Cape Town on 10 April. Along with The Royal Canadian Dragoons , the regiment won renown for their scouting skills.Rumour exists that members of the North-West Mounted Police serving with the regiment during the Boer War preferred the boots the regiment wore, and adopted them as their own – hence the name "Strathcona boots" for Royal Canadian Mounted Police high brown boots. Another legacy of
3773-549: The official kit is the huge popularity of the distinctive Stetson Campaign Hat worn by all Canadians serving in Africa during the Second Boer War . After seeing Canadian troops in this attire at the Relief of Mafeking , British Officer Robert Baden-Powell ordered 10,000 of the hats for his own troops. Supposedly General Kitchener was astonished at the size of the newly arrived Canadian soldiers. Their commander, Sam Steele ,
3850-404: The operational activities of the regiment in Afghanistan resulted in a decision to cease all activities, an arrangement that lasted until it was reconstituted in 2011. The following served as drum majors for the band: The following served as pipe majors for the band: Despite the cavalry traditions of the regiment, the pipes and drums does not perform in full dress uniform due to concerns of
3927-531: The pipe band has taken part in regimental events such as military parades and provincial state funerals in Edmonton . In 2000, major international events such as the 100th birthday of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother saw the band travel to South Africa , the Netherlands , and the United Kingdom . A year later, it performed at the celebrations Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II in the U.K. In 2008,
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#17327727744634004-534: The public-at-large with research on their family connections to the regiment as well as to perform educational outreach to the regiment, its members and the city of Calgary. Participating in displays at Spruce Meadows , Canada Day and the Calgary Stampede , members from the LdSH(RC) Museum are familiar sight around Calgary and they aim to educate, train and inform the public about the history of
4081-571: The regiment earned its third Victoria Cross. On 31 March 1918, in what is known as "the last great cavalry charge" at the Battle of Moreuil Wood , Lieutenant Gordon Flowerdew was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for leading the charge in a successful engagement with entrenched German forces. Nearly three-quarters of the Canadian cavalry involved in the attack against German machine-gun positions were killed or wounded. Unable to break
4158-525: The regiment mobilized The Royal Canadian Dragoons, CEF, which embarked for England on 3 October 1914. On 5 May 1915 it disembarked in France, where it fought dismounted in an infantry role as part of Seely's Detachment (really the Canadian Cavalry Brigade), 1st Canadian Division. On 24 January 1916, it remounted and resumed its cavalry role as part of the 1st Canadian Cavalry Brigade with whom it continued to fight in France and Flanders until
4235-587: The regiment saw action as cavalry during the defence of the Somme front. It was during this fighting that Lieutenant Frederick Harvey won the Victoria Cross for rushing a German machine gun post and capturing the gun position. In spring 1918 during the last great German offensive, called by the Germans Operation Michael , when the Imperial and French armies were on the verge of being split,
4312-758: The regiment that bore his name . The Governor General of Canada Adrienne Clarkson was invited to be colonel-in-chief of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry , while the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps decided to ask the Governor-General of Australia to serve as its colonel-in-chief. The role has spread to other armies in the Commonwealth of Nations , at least in countries which have royal families. Lord Strathcona%27s Horse (Royal Canadians) Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) (LdSH[RC])
4389-586: The regiment was embodied in the Permanent Force. D Squadron, equipped with M4A3E8 Sherman tanks rented from the U.S. Army, served in Korea following the armistice in 1954. Lieut Frank Sidney Stilwell died in a vehicle accident while deployed to Korea on 25 January 1954. “Dog Squadron”, so-called because Dog was the word for the letter D in the old phonetic alphabet, were the last Canadians to operationally employ Sherman tanks. The Royal Canadian Dragoons, along with Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) , contributed troops to 56 Reconnaissance Squadron for duty with
4466-417: The regiment's most noteworthy battles in Italy was the Melfa River Crossing. During this desperate battle the Strathcona RHQ reconnaissance troop established a bridgehead in conjunction with "A" Company, The Westminster Regiment (Motor) on the Melfa River and held it against determined German tank and infantry attacks until reinforcements could arrive. The action resulted in a Victoria Cross being awarded to
4543-432: The regiment. There are several Royal Canadian Army Cadets units spread across Alberta , British Columbia and the Northwest Territories which are affiliated to the Lord Strachcona's Horse (Royal Canadians). Cadets are not soldiers; they are part of an organization dedicated to developing citizenship and leadership among young men and women aged 12 to 18 years of age with a military flavour, and are not required to join
4620-408: The regimental guidon . The Strathcona Ceremonial Mounted Troop is the mounted ceremonial cavalry unit of the regiment. It is currently the last surviving military mounted troop in the country. Lord Strathcona's Horse is one of the few non- Canadian-Scottish regiments to maintain a pipe band. Although the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (2RCR), maintains the only pipes and drums in
4697-406: The regular army, Lord Strathcona's Horse also maintains its own pipes and drums. The difference between the two is that the 2RCR Pipes and Drums is funded directly by the Battalion, while the LdSH (RC) pipes and drums is funded by the regimental society. As such, the Strathcona Pipes and Drums is a voluntary band that consists of both members of the regiment and outside volunteers, all of whom serve in
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#17327727744634774-401: The short-lived 1st Canadian Motorcycle Regiment, CASF (RCD/LSH (RC)). On 21 September 1940, this regiment was redesignated as Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) CASF and the Dragoons returned to the regiment. The regiment subsequently mobilized as an armoured car regiment, The Royal Canadian Dragoons (Armoured Car Regiment), CASF, on 21 September 1940. It was initially earmarked to serve in
4851-607: The tank, however, Canada would persist with horse cavalry until the Summer of 1940. The regiment did have a Ford and a Chevrolet armoured car, representing 50% of Canada's entire armoured strength at the start of the Second World War. In July 1940, LdSH(RC) along with The Royal Canadian Dragoons , were mobilized as the 1st Canadian Motorcycle Regiment . Later that year, the Strathcona's became 2nd Armoured Regiment, Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians). The Regiment trained in England for two years with Canadian built Ram tanks and saw its first action in an armoured role in Italy. One of
4928-515: The theatre of operations on 13 December 1900. The nucleus of each squadron was provided by the experienced regular officers, non-commissioned officers and men from The Royal Canadian Dragoons. For this reason on 1 August 1900, at the unit's own request, the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles were renamed the Royal Canadian Dragoons. By 12 November 1900 the regiment's strength was down to three officers and 83 other ranks. Two famous Dragoon casualties of South Africa were Lieutenant Harold Lothrop Borden , son of
5005-399: The then-Minister for Militia and Defence Frederick William Borden and Major A.L. "Gat" Howard , formerly the regiment's Machine Gun Officer, who remained behind in South Africa to command "Howard's Canadian Scouts." Gat Howard was captured and murdered while a prisoner. During the regiment's service in South Africa every junior officer, except for one, was killed in action, died of disease or
5082-457: The trench deadlock and of little use at the front, cavalry remained behind the lines for much of the war. During the German offensives of March and April 1918, however, the cavalry played an essential role in the open warfare that temporarily confronted the retreating British forces. On 24 May 1940, Regimental Headquarters and one squadron were mobilized together with the Regimental Headquarters and one squadron of The Royal Canadian Dragoons to form
5159-471: Was a member of this band. In the wake of its disbandment, a voluntary drum and bugle corps was established by Warrant Officer Mucker Langan in 1971, whose volunteers primary duties were with the regiment's Assault Troop. Both of these bands performed in the regimental full dress uniform , all of which were transferred to the Ceremonial Mounted Troop in 1974. The Regimental Museum and Archives are at The Military Museums in Calgary , Alberta. The museum has
5236-414: Was disbanded on 1 March 1946. On 1 September 1945 a second Active Force component of the regiment was mobilized for service in the Pacific theatre of operations designated as the 2nd–2nd Armoured Car Regiment (Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)), RCAC, CASF. It was redesignated as the 2nd Armoured Regiment (Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)), RCAC, CASF) on 1 March 1946 and on 27 June 1946 it
5313-464: Was embodied in the Permanent Force. During the Cold War , the regiment was deployed on several rotations to West Germany , and three squadrons fought in rotation in the Korean War as part of the 1st Commonwealth Division . Originally intended to be equipped with M-10 tank destroyers , the Strathconas in Korea went into action with M4A3E8 Sherman tanks . A, B and C Squadrons fought independently in Korea from 19 April 1951 to 27 July 1953 as part of
5390-718: Was killed by Egyptian machine gun fire on 28 November 1959. The regiment was part of the initial deployment to Cyprus as part of OPERATION SNOW GOOSE, Canada's long contribution to UNFICYP, and conducted other squadron-sized tours as well as a regimental deployment from March to September 1989. Trooper. Joseph H. "Fess" Campbell died in Cyprus on 31 July 1964. The regiment served at Fort Beausejour, Iserlohn , Germany, from November 1957 to November 1959 The regiment served at CFB Lahr , West Germany, as part of 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group from 1970 to 1987 equipped with Centurion , rented German Leopard 1 and Leopard C1 tanks and Lynx tracked reconnaissance vehicles. During this time,
5467-428: Was mobilised and began its training in England. In 1915, Lord Strathcona's Horse served as infantry in the trenches in France. On 16 February 1916, the Strathcona's were reconstituted as a mounted force and, as an Imperial Service Regiment , served in the Canadian Cavalry Brigade attached to the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division , which in November 1916 became the 5th Cavalry Division of the British 4th Army . In March 1917,
5544-425: Was mobilized for service in South Africa during the Second Boer War as the 1st Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles , and composed of 19 officers and 371 men and their horses, organized into two squadrons. The battalion embarked for South Africa on 21 February 1900, where it fought as part of the 1st Brigade, 1st Mounted Infantry Corps and as part of Major-General Horace Smith-Dorrien 's column until its departure from
5621-691: Was one of seventeen joint-service bands to take part in the 1967 Canadian Armed Forces Tattoo celebrating the Canadian Centennial of that year. Allan Rae , a Canadian composer who was known most notably for being a former board member of the Canadian League of Composers , was a member of the band in the 70s. Derek Stannard, who later became the director of the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces , also
5698-610: Was one of the last in the British Empire to be created and raised by a private individual, Donald Alexander Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal . During the Boer War , Lord Strathcona recruited and equipped the cavalry regiment at his own expense for service in South Africa . Many skilled horsemen ( cowboys and North-West Mounted Police members) enlisted, allowing for a short training period and rapid deployment to Africa. The 537 officers and men, as well as 599 horses, of
5775-529: Was originally organized as a troop (the then-company-sized British Army cavalry maneuver sub-unit, today regarded as a squadron) and was commanded by Captain (Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel) J.F. Turnbull of Quebec City's Queen's Own Canadian Hussars . The first Regimental Sergeant-Major was Sergeant-Major George Baxter, recruited by Lt.-Col. Turnbull from the British Army's 4th Dragoon Guards at Aldershot along with two other British Army Sergeant-Instructors from
5852-834: Was revived in 1909 when the Royal Canadian Mounted Rifles (which had been created in the Permanent Force in 1901) was renamed "Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)". The word Lord was prepended to the regimental title in 1911. The regiment was placed on active service at the start of the Great War on 6 August 1914 for instructional and camp administration duties. On 14 September 1914 the regiment mobilized Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), CEF, which embarked for England on 3 October 1914. On 5 May 1915 it disembarked in France, where it fought dismounted in an infantry role with Seeley's Detachment (really
5929-466: Was wounded, the regiment marched more than 2700 kilometers (1700 miles) and had been in action on 41 separate days. Three Dragoons were awarded the Victoria Cross for the gallant stand at Leliefontein on 7 November 1900, a feat of arms never surpassed by Canadians. The regiment was placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for instructional and camp administration duties. On 14 September 1914
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