The Regimental Manual Second Edition.pdf - Lord Strathcona's Horse

GENERAL CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONSREGIMENTAL MANUALIn 1903, the unit was designated “The Royal Canadian Mounted Rifles” when the title “Royal” wasawarded and “A Squadron” dropped from its designation (General Order 153/1903). 135. In 1909, the name of The Royal Canadian Mounted Rifles was simply altered to that of“Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians))” (General Order 111/1909) 14 to perpetuate “the striking exampleof patriotism by Lord Strathcona” and the service of the corps raised by him for service in South Africa. 15The Royal Canadian Mounted Rifles in Winnipeg was chosen because it was a unit of the PermanentForce and, although the unit did not individually represent any unit that served in South Africa, many ofthe officers and men of the Regiment did serve with Strathcona’s Horse. It was also the only appropriatePermanent Force unit that could be so designated: the others had longer histories. The lineage of theRegiment is therefore that of A Squadron Canadian Mounted Rifles. This perpetuation, but not formallineage, of the original Strathcona’s Horse was further guaranteed when the Regiment was awarded theBattle Honour “South Africa 1900 – 1901” in 1912.6. The issue of the 1885 birth date discussion is complicated by the fact that many of the originalpersonnel who formed A Squadron Canadian Mounted Rifles in Winnipeg in 1901 were “posted in” fromthe Dragoons. B Squadron The Royal Canadian Dragoons, who had been previously been amalgamatedwith the School of Mounted Infantry, had been stationed in Winnipeg in various designations until theywere moved to Toronto in 1901 (Militia Order 110/1901). The discussion of lineage in 1934 mentionedthat “Permanent Force Mounted Troops have been stationed at Winnipeg, and while they have hadvarious designations, they have eventually evolved into the present Lord Strathcona’s Horse, [sic] (RoyalCanadians).” 16 The presence of mounted troops in Winnipeg, however, amounted to personnel transfersfrom one unit to another. In reality, many officers, men and horses of the Dragoons stayed in the samelocation to establish the new unit, thus appearing to be the same unit with the 1885 lineage. Whilepersonnel transfers do not constitute formal changes to the origins of the Regiment, they certainly add tothe Regiment’s unique and rich Western Canadian mounted heritage.7. The official birth date of the Regiment is 1 July 1901. The Regimental Birthday, however, isconsidered to be 1 February 1900. The regimental birthday is not celebrated in any special way.ARTICLE 2302 - MOREUIL WOOD1. In 1926, Lieutenant-General Macdonell, then Honorary Colonel of the Regiment, proposed that aday be set aside for commemoration and thanksgiving. The intent was to have a full dress inspection,followed by a church parade, a sports day and a regimental dance. The day was to be shared by allStrathconas, serving and former serving.2. Although most members of the Regiment preferred to set aside a day in the summer for theannual celebration, camps, courses, and training commitments to the Militia dictated an earlier time beselected. The Regiment chose to honour the Battle of Moreuil Wood because of the courage shown by13 General Order 153/1903, October 1903.14 General Order 111/1909, October 1909.15 Colonel F.L. Lessard, Adjutant General Canadian Militia, Letter to the D.O.C. Military District No. 10, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 3March 1909, Regimental Museum Archives, Calgary. The letter explained that no increase to the Permanent Force could bemade that year.16 Cover letter to Lieutenant-Colonel Page’s request signed by Brigadier H.H. Matthews, District Officer Commanding, MilitaryDistrict # 13, May 23, 1934.2-6