The Saskatchewan Dragoons

The Saskatchewan Dragoons

The Saskatchewan Dragoons badge
Active 1913 – present
Country Canada
Branch Army, Primary Reserve (Militia)
Type Armoured reconnaissance
Size One squadron
Part of 38 Canadian Brigade Group
Garrison/HQ LCol D.V. Currie, VC Armoury

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

Motto Esprit d'initiative (Spirit of initiative)
March "Punjaub"
Battle honours Mount Sorrel; Somme, 1916; Ancre Heights; Ancre, 1916; Arras, 1917, '18; Vimy, 1917; Hill 70; Ypres, 1917; Passchendaele; Amiens; Scarpe, 1918; Drocourt-Quéant; Hindenburg Line; Canal du Nord; Valenciennes; France and Flanders, 1916–18.
Website http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/Saskatchewan_Dragoons/
Commanders
Colonel-in-chief Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex

The Saskatchewan Dragoons is a Primary Reserve armoured regiment of the Canadian Forces. The unit is based in Moose Jaw. Their primary job is to assist the Regular Force in meeting Canada's military commitments. Their training and equipment closely follow that of the Regular Force, which the Reserves are called upon to assist increasingly often. The Saskatchewan Dragoons are part of Land Force Western Area's 38 Canadian Brigade Group.

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, became colonel-in-chief of the regiment on visiting Saskatchewan in 2003, when he congratulated the regiment on its "contribution to Canada's proud tradition of citizen-soldiers in the community". Involved in peacekeeping operations in Cyprus, the Golan Heights, Bosnia and Croatia, members of the regiment have also provided aid during floods and forest fires in the prairies.

Their role is that of a reconnaissance squadron. They examine an area in preparation for the advance of a main body of troops. They go forward, sometimes many miles, and gather information on enemy strength, equipment, movements, and intentions. They pass this information, together with other helpful information on such things as bridges, blocked roads, and areas of potential danger, back to higher command so the advance can take place as safely as possible. At the same time they deny such information to the enemy. In the withdrawal, they maintain contact with the enemy while the main body pulls back. Thus, they often speak of their role as "first in last out".

Contents

History

Originally formed in 1913 as The 60th Rifles of Canada, the regiment went through numerous name changes, including the King's Own Rifles of Canada, before acquiring its current name in 1958.

Lineage of the Saskatchewan Dragoons[1]
1905 Regt of inf. authorized
1907 95th Regt
1909 95th Saskatchewan Rifles
1912 95th Saskatchewan Rifles 105th Regt
1913 60th Rifles of Canada
1914 46th Bn, CEF
1915 128th "Overseas" Bn, CEF
1917 Absorbed by 19th Reserve Bn, CEF
 
1920 1st Bn, The South Saskatchewan Regt Disbanded 2nd Bn, The South Saskatchewan Regt 3rd Bn, The South Saskatchewan Regt 4th Bn, The South Saskatchewan Regt 5th Bn, The South Saskatchewan Regt
1924 The Regina Rifle Regt The South Saskatchewan Regt The Weyburn Regt The Assiniboia Regt The Saskatchewan Border Regt
The King's Own Rifles of Canada
B Coy, 12th Machine Gun Bn, CMGC
1936 The King's Own Rifles of Canada (MG)
1942 1st Bn, The King's Own Rifles of Canada, CASF 2nd Bn, The King's Own Rifles of Canada
1946 Disbanded 20th (Saskatchewan) Armoured Regt, RCAC
1949 20th Saskatchewan Armoured Regt
1954 The Saskatchewan Dragoons (20th Armoured Regt)
1958 The Saskatchewan Dragoons
1970 Restricted to one sqn
2012

Order of precedence

Preceded by
The South Alberta Light Horse
The Saskatchewan Dragoons Succeeded by
The King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC)

References

  1. ^ "The Saskatchewan Dragoons". Official Lineages: Volume 3, Part 1: Armour, Artillery and Field Engineer Regiments – Armour Regiments. Directorate of History and Heritage. June 11, 2010. http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/his/ol-lo/vol-tom-3/par1/arm-bli/SD-eng.asp. Retrieved November 10, 2011. 

External links