Canadian Cavalry on the Western Front, 1914-1918

Western University Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository 4-9-2013 12:00 AM "Smile and Carry On:" Canadian Cavalry on the Western Front, 1914-1918 Stephanie E. Potter The University of Western Ontario Supervisor Dr. B. Millman The University of Western Ontario Graduate Program in History A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree in Doctor of Philosophy © Stephanie E. Potter 2013 Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd Part of the Military History Commons Recommended Citation Potter, Stephanie E., ""Smile and Carry On:" Canadian Cavalry on the Western Front, 1914-1918" (2013). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 1226. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/1226 This Dissertation/Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarship@Western. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository by an authorized administrator of Scholarship@Western. For more information, please contact [email protected]. “SMILE AND CARRY ON:” CANADIAN CAVALRY ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1918 by Stephanie Elizabeth Potter Graduate Program in History A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies The University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada Stephanie Elizabeth Potter 2013 Abstract Although the First World War has been characterized as a formative event in Canadian History, little attention has been paid to a neglected and often forgotten arm of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, the Cavalry. The vast majority of Great War historians have ignored the presence of mounted troops on the Western Front, or have written off the entire cavalry arm with a single word – ‘obsolete.’ However, the Canadian Cavalry Brigade and the Canadian Light Horse remained on the Western Front throughout the Great War because cavalry still had a role to play in modern warfare. This thesis addresses the expected role of Cavalry in the Great War, and the role that Canadian Cavalry was able to play on the Western Front between 1914 and 1918. Cavalry was an arm of exploitation and protection. The primary responsibilities assigned to the mounted arm were reconnaissance, shock, and pursuit. Cavalry was never expected to perform mass charges through entrenchments. Rather, it was expected to use its superior mobility to perform reconnaissance, delaying actions, and pursue the retreating enemy. Cavalry also had several important roles to play in rear areas, such as traffic control, escort duties, mounted police work, and any duties that required the mobility of a mounted force. A thorough examination of the role of cavalry in operations and in reserve reveals that Canadian Cavalry was able to perform as expected on the Western Front according to prewar doctrine. When mobility was possible, Cavalry was tactically effective on a local scale, conducting pursuit, delay, and reconnaissance with great effect. When the Front was stagnant, cavalry was still capable of fulfilling its intended role in rear areas. ii Cavalry was valuable on the Western Front because of its superior mobility, as mounted troops were capable of arriving at a decisive point of action quickly without exhausting men or resources, and could advance where other vehicles could not. Despite conditions on the modern battlefield, Canadian Cavalry still had a role to play on the Western Front. Key Words: Canadian Cavalry, Western Front, Canadian Cavalry Brigade, Canadian Light Horse, Royal Canadian Dragoons, Lord Strathcona’s Horse, Fort Garry Horse, 1st Hussars, 19th Alberta Dragoons, 16th Light Horse. iii This study is dedicated to my Dad, for giving me my love of history, my Mom, for making sure I pursued it, and to Matt, for making it possible. iv Acknowledgements This study would not have been possible without the assistance and support of many people. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of the History Department at Western University, as the faculty and staff have been extremely helpful and supportive throughout this process. First and foremost, I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to my wonderful advisor, Dr. Brock Millman. I feel incredibly privileged to have worked with him for so many years, and will be eternally grateful for his wise council, unfailing confidence, and seemingly endless patience. Particular thanks must also be given to Dr. Margaret McGlynn, Dr. Alison Meek, Dr. Frank Schumacher, Dr. Aldona Sendzikas, Dr. Anne Skoczylas, and Dr. Jonathan Vance for their kind and helpful advice over the years. I would also like to thank my examining committee, who provided valuable feedback that will be used to improve the quality of this work. I also extend sincere thanks to Graduate Program Assistant Chris Speed and Administrative Officer Brenda Hutcheson for their patient and helpful answers to my many questions. My research would not have been possible without the help of all the archivists and museum curators who were incredibly generous with their time and guidance. Special thanks to the 1st Hussars Museum Association for helping me find such excellent material, and for essentially paying me to do my own research by employing me for three summers. I owe Weldon’s subject librarian for history, Elizabeth Mantz, a large debt of gratitude for her incredible research skills and remarkable patience. My sincere thanks to the Geography Department’s Cartographic Specialist, Karen Van Kerkoerle, who, at the eleventh hour, created the wonderful maps that have enhanced this study immensely. My friends and colleagues in the History Department at Western have been an excellent source of support, encouragement, empathy, humour, and advice throughout this v process. In this regard, I would like to give particular mention to Dr. Cynthia Brown, Dr. Dylan Cyr, Dr. Brandon Dimmel, Rachael Griffin, and Dr. Dorotea Gucciardo. Very special thanks must be given to Dr. Richard Holt for being incredibly supportive and helpful, and for providing me with much valuable research material, including but not limited to the nominal rolls used in this study. Particular thanks must also be given to my dear friend and co-worker at the 1st Hussars Museum, Heather Stephenson, who has given me tireless support in every way – from empathizing with good humour to teaching me to pronounce the names of French villages before every presentation. Finally, special thanks to my computer-savvy friend, Paola Gracile, for converting this project into its proper PDF format, and for making sure I spent enough time at Barneys over the years. I have also been incredibly fortunate to have the endless support and understanding of my amazing family and friends throughout this process. Thank you all for your constant motivation and interest in my project, it really made all the difference. Very special thanks to my incredible parents Kim and Jane Potter and my amazing grandmother Alice Grannen for their selfless support and encouragement. Particular thanks must also be given to my wonderful cousins and best friends Matt Hicks and Julia Nunes for being constant sources of inspiration and reassurance. I am also incredibly grateful to all my friends and family who kept me company during my research trips. Special thanks to all the wonderful people who gave me a place to stay while I was away – my aunt Pat Patterson, my cousins Beth Potter, Scott Macklin, and Kelley Potter, and my dear friends Michael Hernden and Sarah Gil. Finally, a very special thank you to my incredible husband Matt Burns, who’s tireless understanding throughout this process has been better than anyone deserves – thank you for selflessly supporting me in every way. In the end, I feel I would be remiss if I did not thank the brave men of the Canadian Cavalry for their sacrifice. I have enjoyed telling their story immensely. vi Table of Contents Abstract………………………………………………………………...…………………………ii Dedication……………………………………………..………………………………………….iv Acknowledgements………………………………...………………………………………..……v Table of Contents...……………………………………………………………………………...vii List of Appendices.………………………………………………………..……………………viii List of Abbreviations………………………………………………..……………………….…...x Chapter 1: Introduction and Historiography.…………...………………………...……………1 Chapter 2: Cavalry Doctrine and Reform, 1900-1914…………….....…………….…………17 Chapter 3: The Outbreak of the Great War, 1914-1915….…………………….……..……...52 Cavalry Recruitment, Training, and Embarking for the Front Chapter 4: The Western Front, 1915……….……….………………………………….……...84 Canadian Cavalry Brigade Dismounted, May-December 1915; 1st and 2nd Divisional Cavalry, 1915 Chapter 5: Remounting, Reorganization, and The Somme, 1916…………...………..…….116 Canadian Cavalry Brigade and Canadian Divisional Cavalry Chapter 6: Spring 1917……………………………………………………...…………..……160 Canadian Cavalry Brigade – Retreat to the Hindenburg Line; Canadian Light Horse – Vimy Ridge Chapter 7: The Battle of Cambrai, November 1917…………………………………………200 Canadian Cavalry Brigade Chapter 8: The Spring Offensive and Moreuil Wood, March-April 1918……….………...232 Canadian Cavalry Brigade Chapter 9: The Hundred Days Offensive, August-November 1918….….………………….268 Canadian Cavalry Brigade Chapter 10: The Hundred Days Offensive, August-November 1918....…..…………..…….305 Canadian Light Horse Chapter 11: Conclusion and The Future of Cavalry……………………...…………………341 Appendix………………………………………………………………………………….…….354 Bibliography………………………………………………………...………………………….386 Curriculum Vitae………………………………………………………………………………403

Load more