Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
Encyclopedia
The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery is the name given to the regular field artillery units of the Canadian Army. RCHA units are the senior units of the Canadian land field force, with a history dating back to the birth of Canada
as a nation. 'A' and 'B' Batteries of Garrison Artillery were formed as the first units of Canada's permanent military force in 1871 in Kingston
and Quebec City
respectively, with a third ('C' Battery) authorized in 1883 and formed in 1887 in Esquimalt
. These bore the name of the Regiment of Canadian Artillery, with the Royal Canadian Artillery being formed as the militia
element in 1895. In 1905, to distinguish between the regular force and militia, the regulars were given the title Royal Canadian Horse Artillery.
Today, the regular force encompasses three RCHA regiments:
In addition to the three regiments currently serving, two further regiments have served in the past prior to being disbanded:
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
as a nation. 'A' and 'B' Batteries of Garrison Artillery were formed as the first units of Canada's permanent military force in 1871 in Kingston
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
and Quebec City
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
respectively, with a third ('C' Battery) authorized in 1883 and formed in 1887 in Esquimalt
Esquimalt, British Columbia
The Township of Esquimalt is a municipality at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. It is bordered to the east by the provincial capital, Victoria, to the south by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, to the west by Esquimalt Harbour and Royal Roads, to the northwest by the...
. These bore the name of the Regiment of Canadian Artillery, with the Royal Canadian Artillery being formed as the militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
element in 1895. In 1905, to distinguish between the regular force and militia, the regulars were given the title Royal Canadian Horse Artillery.
Today, the regular force encompasses three RCHA regiments:
- 1st Regiment, RCHA: this is the descendant of the original batteries of artillery formed in 1871, and is thus the senior Regular unit in the Canadian army. Currently, this regiment is part of Land Force Western AreaLand Force Western AreaLand Force Western Area is one of four operational commands of the Canadian Army. LFWA is responsible for all Canadian Army administration and operations in western Canada from the Pacific Ocean to Thunder Bay, Ontario...
's 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group is a Canadian Forces brigade group that is part of Land Forces Western Area of the Canadian army...
. - 2nd Regiment, RCHA: 2 RCHA was formed in 1950 for service in the Korean WarKorean WarThe Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. 2RCHA is part of Land Force Central AreaLand Force Central AreaLand Force Central Area is responsible for the administration of the Canadian Army in the province of Ontario, from the Quebec border to the northern Lakehead region...
's 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group is a Canadian Forces brigade group that is part of Land Forces Central Area of the Canadian army. It is currently based in CFB Petawawa...
. - 5e Régiment d'artillerie légère du Canada: 5 RALC is the francophoneFrancophoneThe adjective francophone means French-speaking, typically as primary language, whether referring to individuals, groups, or places. Often, the word is used as a noun to describe a natively French-speaking person....
element of the regular artillery, and was formed in 1968. 5 RALC is part of Land Force Quebec AreaLand Force Quebec AreaLand Force Quebec Area is responsible for all Canadian army operations and administration in the region within the province of Quebec. LFQA is headquartered in Montreal.- Regular Force :* Land Force Quebec Area Training Centre - Courcelette...
's 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group is a Canadian Forces brigade group that is part of Land Forces Quebec Area of the Canadian army. It is based at CFB Valcartier, near Quebec City in Quebec, Canada...
.
In addition to the three regiments currently serving, two further regiments have served in the past prior to being disbanded:
- 3rd Regiment, RCHA: originally formed as 79th Field Regiment, RCA, this regiment received its name in 1953 during the reorganization of the Canadian Army as a result of Canada's NATO commitments. 3 RCHA was reduced to nil strength in 1992 following the downsizing of the Land Force, and was replaced at CFB ShiloCFB ShiloCanadian Forces Base Shilo is an Operations and Training base of the Canadian Forces, located east of Brandon, Manitoba. During the 1990s, Canadian Forces Base Shilo was also designated as an Area Support Unit, which acts as a local base of operations for south-west Manitoba in times of military...
by 1 RCHA on its return from Germany. - 4th Regiment, RCHA: originally 81st Field Regiment, RCA, this regiment became part of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery at the same time as 3 RCHA in 1953. 4 RCHA was primarily stationed at CFB PetawawaCFB PetawawaCanadian Forces Base Petawawa, commonly referred to as CFB Petawawa, or simply "Pet", is a Canadian Forces Base located in Petawawa, Ontario. It is operated as an army base by Canadian Forces Land Force Command.-Base facts:...
until 1970 when, following the formation of 5 RALC, it was reduced to nil strength and replaced by 2 RCHA.
Affiliations
- Royal Horse ArtilleryRoyal Horse ArtilleryThe regiments of the Royal Horse Artillery , dating from 1793, are part of the Royal Regiment of Artillery of the British Army...
See also
- The Canadian Crown and the Canadian ForcesThe Canadian Crown and the Canadian ForcesThe place of the Canadian Crown in relation to the Canadian Armed Forces is both constitutional and ceremonial, the sovereign of Canada being the supreme commander of the forces, while he or she and the rest of the Canadian Royal Family hold honorary positions in various branches and regiments,...
- List of Canadian organizations with royal patronage
External links
- History and Uniform of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, 1871 to 1970
- 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (Royal Canadian Artillery site)
- 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (Royal Canadian Artillery site)
- 5e Régiment d'artillerie légère du Canada (Royal Canadian Artillery site)