LORD STRATHCONA’S HORSE (ROYAL CANADIANS) REGIMENTAL MANUAL Second Edition (First Edition 1990) © Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) Regimental Society, 2004 REGIMENTAL MANUAL AMENDMENT RECORD AMENDMENT RECORD Amendment Date of Amendment Amendment Number 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. REGIMENTAL MANUAL FOREWORD FOREWORD The purpose of the Regimental Manual is to record the customs and traditions of the Regiment with a view to providing a source of corporate memory for Strathconas of all generations: serving, retired and future. The Regimental Manual, then, provides a record for all to show how we should conduct ourselves as Strathconas and the reasons why we do so. Our customs and traditions embody attention to the historical roots of the Regiment and the underlying principles that we feel are important and that should guide our conduct. As such, our customs and traditions contribute in a positive way to the esprit de corps of the Regiment and the extended Strathcona family. It must be recognized, however, that while many of the underlying principles do not change, customs and traditions cannot prevent the normal healthy development of the Regiment and its members. Change must be accepted to ensure that the Regiment and the wider family continue to be contemporary and to attract the same high quality members and devotion in the future as we have in the past. This Second Edition of the Regimental Manual builds on the excellent foundation provided by the First Edition and together the editions reflect considerable effort by a large number of individual Strathconas whom I thank on behalf of all. Two aspects of this edition deserve particular note. First, the environment in which the Regiment serves at the turn of the century has changed significantly from earlier times. The Canadian Forces and the Army are changing; the most dramatic result for Strathconas being that the home of the Regiment is now Edmonton. A number of customs and traditions have had to be adjusted as a consequence. Second, the advent of more advanced production capabilities has provided improved opportunities to present the Manual and its material. These capabilities should also assist us in keeping the document current, as amendments will be easier to incorporate. I hope that this Manual serves to help focus interest and involvement in maintaining, promoting and discussing our customs and traditions. By generating active interest in our customs and traditions we will help ensure that we stay both connected to our roots and vibrant. J.A. Fox Lieutenant-General (Retired) Colonel Commandant Royal Canadian Armoured Corps REGIMENTAL MANUAL INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION The Regimental Manual is written by Strathconas for Strathconas. It represents who we are and what we do. Although this type of knowledge may otherwise be gained through experience, without a regimental manual it would take time. Without a written record, some of the collective knowledge might be lost over the years. Colonel Keith Eddy (Retired) and everyone involved in the publication of the First Edition of the Regimental Manual should be commended for achieving a very important milestone in documenting the customs and traditions of the Regiment. The First Edition acted as an outstanding guide for all Strathconas and provided a solid foundation on which to expand for this edition. Many Strathconas answered the call to update the Regimental Manual in 1995. Thanks must be given to all who replied and to Mrs Shelly Blackmore (Martin) who initially consolidated those comments. Colonel Des Deane-Freeman, CD (Retired) and Master Warrant Officer Bob Caughill, CD (Retired), who conducted in-depth reviews of those comments on behalf of the Regimental Society Board of Directors, must also be thanked for their diligent and dedicated work. Unfortunately, much research was required to fully implement all the suggested alterations and to incorporate the magnitude of change that resulted from the Regiment’s move to Edmonton in 1996. One of the main challenges in writing the Second Edition was to establish the Regimental Manual as the primary reference for regimental customs and traditions without repeating information that could be found in other published sources. The main approach, however, was to ensure that the manual contained as much background information as possible in order to prevent unnecessary changes and to allow deviations from the norm to be done so consciously. Most of the information in this edition can be found at the Regiment. The information can be read off the various plaques, paintings, artefacts and trophies or can be observed in regimental practices. Other information resides solely with the soldiers and officers, or in their perceptions of past events, because those events have not always been well documented or passed on during handovers. A significant amount of the proof did, however, come from the Regimental Archives. Sadly, there are notable gaps because original information and photographs have not always been recorded or preserved. Where there were gaps in information, Strathconas everywhere rose to the task. Many more people need to be given credit for details contained this manual. Serving and retired Strathconas have tracked down memorials, taken or scanned photos, faxed and emailed information or shared recollections about particular events. Each tidbit of information was extremely valuable and all assistance was most appreciated. The information that did make it to the Archives has been priceless when conducting research for the manual. The Regimental Museum has flourished under the care and hard work of Warrant Officers Daryl Crowell and Ted MacLeod, Corporal Lee Ramsden, and Master Corporal Todd Giberson. I owe each one of them my sincere appreciate for faithfully responding to endless requests for more detailed information and photographs during the past few years. As the Regimental Museum Archivist, Lee Ramsden has organized seemingly insignificant boxes of paper and old photo albums into a top-notch archive of all things regimental. There remain, however, several obvious gaps in the information that is held in the Archives. Certain issues, such as the origin of the regimental blazer or the reason for specifying myrtle green as a regimental colour in the period following the First World War, for example, remain unclear. There are few source documents dealing with the Regiment during the Korean War or rotations to Germany, Cyprus and Egypt. Equally, little seems to be available on the subjects of the reorganization of the Regiment in INTRODUCTION REGIMENTAL MANUAL the 1970s, the Rendezvous series of exercises, or some of the more recent United Nations and NATO missions. Individual stories of the same are at risk of remaining untold. All official regimental records need to be archived properly, a difficult task in our “semi-digital” age, and individual memoirs, poems/songs and photos for any period would also be most useful. For many personal reasons, researching, writing and editing this edition of the Regimental Manual was a most enjoyable and educational experience, although, at times my family may have disagreed. I thank them for their love and patience. I hope you enjoy the Second Edition and that some detail, footnote, hyperlink or thread of an idea takes you down a new avenue. There are many unanswered questions about our history and numerous projects that could be taken on by anyone so inclined or interested. While perceptions may differ, what remains constant is the concept of doing the right thing for the good of the Regiment. On reading this manual, I hope the uninitiated soon appreciate that the Regiment is a great deal more than the 500 or so people on regimental strength. The Regimental Society will be responsible for keeping the Regimental Manual up to date and for publishing amendments as approved by the Board of Directors. Comments on the Regimental Manual should be sent to the Regimental Society Secretary, c/o Regimental Second in Command, Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians), Steele Barracks, P.O. Box 10500 Station Forces, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 4J5. Other contact information can be found at the Regimental Society website at www.strathconas.ca. Perseverance, V.J. Fagnan Major June 2004 REGIMENTAL MANUAL TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................................................... VIII LIST OF TABLES......................................................................................................................................................X CHAPTER 1 - HISTORY OF THE REGIMENT................................................................................................ 1-1 ARTICLE 1100 - The Birth of the Regiment ..................................................................................................... 1-1 ARTICLE 1101 - Post South Africa .................................................................................................................. 1-2 ARTICLE 1102 - The First World War............................................................................................................. 1-3 ARTICLE 1103 - Between the Wars.................................................................................................................. 1-5 ARTICLE 1104 - The Second World War ......................................................................................................... 1-6