The Royal Canadian Hussars (Montreal)
Encyclopedia
The Royal Canadian Hussars (Montreal) (RCH) is a Primary Reserve armoured
regiment
of the Canadian Forces
. The unit is based in Montreal
.
and one armoured units: the Royal Montreal Cavalry, the 5th Dragoons, the 6th Duke of Connaught's Royal Canadian Hussars (6th DCRCH), the 11th Argenteuil Rangers, the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars (17th DYRCH), and the 1st Motor Machine Gun Brigade.
, No. 1 Troop of Montreal Cavalry was raised to augment the regular forces and to perform screening and liaison duties. Based on its performance, the force was increased and authorized to assume the title The Royal Montreal Cavalry, which it continued to bear until it was absorbed into the newly formed Canadian Militia in 1855 as the Montreal Squadron of Cavalry. The regiment's first guidon
(the oldest in Canada) was presented in 1828 by the Earl of Dalhousie
and currently resides in the RCH armoury.
After Canadian Confederation
, No. 2 Troop and the Royal Guides Troop of the Montreal Squadron were disbanded leaving No. 1 Troop as the sole militia cavalry unit in Montreal
. In 1877, the Dominion government grouped the independent troops positioned along the U.S.
border. The 5th Dragoons (5th Provisional Regiment of Cavalry) was formed, the first cavalry regiment in Quebec
. In 1879, a second regiment, the 6th Regiment of Cavalry (Hussars), which incorporated No. 1 Troop, detached to become an independent squadron, which in 1898 was redesignated the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars.
The South African War of 1899-1902 saw the 6th and 17th Hussars dispatch volunteer cadres which formed the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles, subsequently winning the regiment's first battle honour
.
, which saw service in France. Meanwhile, the nature of the Western Front
gave rise to the need for motorized machine gun
units. Canada's first armoured unit, 1st Motor Machine Gun Brigade, was formed and equipped with armoured cars. By the war's end it had earned 21 battle honours.
In 1926 HRH the Duke of York
(later to become King George VI
) consented to become the colonel-in-chief of the regiment. In 1934, the present RCH armoury was built for the 17th DYRCH. It was to be the only cavalry armoury in Canada
to incorporate both stables and a riding school. In 1936, the Canadian Militia was reorganized. The 6th DCRCH (inactive since 1920) was resurrected and amalgamated with the 1st Motor Machine Gun Brigade, to form an armoured car regiment.
.
In 1941, the 6th DCRCH were called upon to furnish the Headquarters Squadron of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division and were designated 15th Armoured Regiment (6th DCRCH). In October 1943, the 5th Canadian Armoured Division landed in Italy and went into action in mid-January 1944. The 6th later moved to France
in February 1945.
In 1944, the 7th Recce participated in D-Day
when members of B Squadron, tasked as beach exit parties and brigade contact detachments, landed on the Normandy
beaches. The 7th campaigned through Europe
earning 11 battle honours.
An amalgamation of the 6th DCRCH and the 17th DYRCH took place on September 16, 1958, when the newly formed regiment was given the current title of The Royal Canadian Hussars (Montreal).
Since the amalgamation, the regiment itself has not been involved in any hostilities but has constantly provided individuals to augment the Regular Force in both NATO and United Nations
peacekeeping
duties as well as domestic operations such as Operation RECUPERATION during the Ice Storm of 1998.
The regiment received its second guidon on December 3, 1974, the 100th anniversary of regimental status and its 135th year as a Canadian cavalry unit.
One of the Hussars' former Commanding Officers, Lieutenant-Colonel (Retd) Roman Jarymowycz
, O.M.M., C.D., later became Dean and Director of the Militia Command and Staff Course, serving as an instructor for 15 years.
During the period 1986 to 1990 the regiment won the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps
Buchanan Trophy (the best armour unit in the Eastern and Atlantic Areas) a total of five times and the Worthington Trophy
(the best armour unit in Canada) a total of three times.
In August 1990 the regiment commanded and formed the headquarters and one complete squadron for the first-of-its-kind Militia brigade-level exercise. Exercise En Guard was held in CFB Gagetown
and included the four armoured units of Secteur de l'Est (RBSE). Shortly afterwards, in September 1990 the regiment sent a 21-man contingent to Cyprus
augmenting the 12e Régiment blindé du Canada
on its United Nations peacekeeping tour of duty.
Since 1990 the regiment has deployed troops on UN missions in both Haiti
and Bosnia
, as well as providing personnel during the Oka crisis
and the ice storm of 1998
. The unit has also continued to participate in the Noble Lion exercises as part of Land Force Quebec Area
. On April 1, 1997, The Royal Canadian Hussars (Montreal) became the establishment armoured regiment (tank) for the newly formed 34 Canadian Brigade Group
.
In late 2003, the mission of the RCH was changed to fit the restructuring plan of the Canadian Forces Land Force Command
. The troop
s were converted back to a role of armoured reconnaissance
. The regiment comprises two squadrons; B Squadron (combat troops) and C&S Squadron (command and support). On May 1, 2005, the RCH received its third guidon.
In 2007 seven members of the RCH were deployed to Afghanistan
as part of Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF AFG) Rotation 4, which included approximately 2330 Canadian Forces members from the Quebec region.
The regimental song is Men of Harlech
.
Armoured warfare
Armoured warfare or tank warfare is the use of armoured fighting vehicles in modern warfare. It is a major component of modern methods of war....
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
. The unit is based in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
.
Lineage
The Royal Canadian Hussars (Montreal) trace a direct lineage from the Montreal Volunteer Cavalry formed in the late eighteenth century. The present regiment perpetuates five cavalryCavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
and one armoured units: the Royal Montreal Cavalry, the 5th Dragoons, the 6th Duke of Connaught's Royal Canadian Hussars (6th DCRCH), the 11th Argenteuil Rangers, the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars (17th DYRCH), and the 1st Motor Machine Gun Brigade.
19th century
During the War of 1812War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, No. 1 Troop of Montreal Cavalry was raised to augment the regular forces and to perform screening and liaison duties. Based on its performance, the force was increased and authorized to assume the title The Royal Montreal Cavalry, which it continued to bear until it was absorbed into the newly formed Canadian Militia in 1855 as the Montreal Squadron of Cavalry. The regiment's first guidon
Colours, standards and guidons
In military organizations, the practice of carrying colours, standards or Guidons, both to act as a rallying point for troops and to mark the location of the commander, is thought to have originated in Ancient Egypt some 5,000 years ago...
(the oldest in Canada) was presented in 1828 by the Earl of Dalhousie
George Ramsay, 9th Earl of Dalhousie
General George Ramsay, 9th Earl of Dalhousie GCB , styled Lord Ramsay until 1787, was a Scottish soldier and colonial administrator...
and currently resides in the RCH armoury.
After Canadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation was the process by which the federal Dominion of Canada was formed on July 1, 1867. On that day, three British colonies were formed into four Canadian provinces...
, No. 2 Troop and the Royal Guides Troop of the Montreal Squadron were disbanded leaving No. 1 Troop as the sole militia cavalry unit in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. In 1877, the Dominion government grouped the independent troops positioned along the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
border. The 5th Dragoons (5th Provisional Regiment of Cavalry) was formed, the first cavalry regiment in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. In 1879, a second regiment, the 6th Regiment of Cavalry (Hussars), which incorporated No. 1 Troop, detached to become an independent squadron, which in 1898 was redesignated the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars.
The South African War of 1899-1902 saw the 6th and 17th Hussars dispatch volunteer cadres which formed the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles, subsequently winning the regiment's first battle honour
Battle honour
A battle honour is an award of a right by a government or sovereign to a military unit to emblazon the name of a battle or operation on its flags , uniforms or other accessories where ornamentation is possible....
.
World War I & inter-war
During the Great War, the two cavalry regiments of Montreal incorporated to form the 5th Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles5th Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles
The 5th Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles were a mounted infantry unit of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during World War I. The unit was raised from volunteers of the 7th and XIth Hussars from the Eastern Townships of Quebec. Formed in 1915, they were transported to England later that year...
, which saw service in France. Meanwhile, the nature of the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
gave rise to the need for motorized machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
units. Canada's first armoured unit, 1st Motor Machine Gun Brigade, was formed and equipped with armoured cars. By the war's end it had earned 21 battle honours.
In 1926 HRH the Duke of York
Duke of York
The Duke of York is a title of nobility in the British peerage. Since the 15th century, it has, when granted, usually been given to the second son of the British monarch. The title has been created a remarkable eleven times, eight as "Duke of York" and three as the double-barreled "Duke of York and...
(later to become King George VI
George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
) consented to become the colonel-in-chief of the regiment. In 1934, the present RCH armoury was built for the 17th DYRCH. It was to be the only cavalry armoury in Canada
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...
to incorporate both stables and a riding school. In 1936, the Canadian Militia was reorganized. The 6th DCRCH (inactive since 1920) was resurrected and amalgamated with the 1st Motor Machine Gun Brigade, to form an armoured car regiment.
World War II
In 1939, the 17th DYRCH paid off their horses (the last Canadian cavalry unit to do so) and were mobilized, becoming successively the 3rd Canadian Motorcycle Regiment and the 7th Reconnaissance Regiment (17th DYRCH) of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division3rd Canadian Infantry Division
The Canadian 3rd Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Canadian Army from 1940 to c.1945.- History :The formation of the division was authorized on 17 May 1940...
.
In 1941, the 6th DCRCH were called upon to furnish the Headquarters Squadron of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division and were designated 15th Armoured Regiment (6th DCRCH). In October 1943, the 5th Canadian Armoured Division landed in Italy and went into action in mid-January 1944. The 6th later moved to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in February 1945.
In 1944, the 7th Recce participated in D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
when members of B Squadron, tasked as beach exit parties and brigade contact detachments, landed on the Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
beaches. The 7th campaigned through Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
earning 11 battle honours.
Post-war
In 1945, a reconnaissance regiment was required for the occupation troops remaining in Europe. This unit was designated as the Second 7th (17th DYRCH) and consisted of volunteers from several other units. The original 7th Recce returned to Montreal.An amalgamation of the 6th DCRCH and the 17th DYRCH took place on September 16, 1958, when the newly formed regiment was given the current title of The Royal Canadian Hussars (Montreal).
Since the amalgamation, the regiment itself has not been involved in any hostilities but has constantly provided individuals to augment the Regular Force in both NATO and United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
duties as well as domestic operations such as Operation RECUPERATION during the Ice Storm of 1998.
The regiment received its second guidon on December 3, 1974, the 100th anniversary of regimental status and its 135th year as a Canadian cavalry unit.
One of the Hussars' former Commanding Officers, Lieutenant-Colonel (Retd) Roman Jarymowycz
Roman Jarymowycz
Lieutenant-Colonel Roman Jarymowycz, OMM, CD, Ph.D. is a decorated Canadian soldier and military educator. He is also a student of Canadian military history and has made important contributions to the contemporary debate about Canada and the Normandy campaign in World War II.- Background :Roman...
, O.M.M., C.D., later became Dean and Director of the Militia Command and Staff Course, serving as an instructor for 15 years.
During the period 1986 to 1990 the regiment won the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps
Royal Canadian Armoured Corps
The Royal Canadian Armoured Corps is the armoured branch of service of the Canadian Army, including regular force and reserve regiments.-History:...
Buchanan Trophy (the best armour unit in the Eastern and Atlantic Areas) a total of five times and the Worthington Trophy
Worthington Trophy
The Worthington Trophy is awarded annually to the best armoured unit in the Canadian Land Forces. It is named after Major-General F. F. Worthington....
(the best armour unit in Canada) a total of three times.
In August 1990 the regiment commanded and formed the headquarters and one complete squadron for the first-of-its-kind Militia brigade-level exercise. Exercise En Guard was held in CFB Gagetown
CFB Gagetown
Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, referred to as CFB Gagetown is a large Canadian Forces Base located in southwestern New Brunswick.- Construction of the base :...
and included the four armoured units of Secteur de l'Est (RBSE). Shortly afterwards, in September 1990 the regiment sent a 21-man contingent to Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
augmenting the 12e Régiment blindé du Canada
12e Régiment blindé du Canada
The 12e Régiment blindé du Canada is a Canadian Forces armoured regiment based in CFB Valcartier, on the outskirts of Quebec City...
on its United Nations peacekeeping tour of duty.
Since 1990 the regiment has deployed troops on UN missions in both Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
and Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
, as well as providing personnel during the Oka crisis
Oka Crisis
The Oka Crisis was a land dispute between a group of Mohawk people and the town of Oka, Quebec, Canada which began on July 11, 1990 and lasted until September 26, 1990. At least one person died as a result...
and the ice storm of 1998
North American ice storm of 1998
The North American ice storm of 1998 was a massive combination of five smaller successive ice storms which combined to strike a relatively narrow swath of land from eastern Ontario to southern Quebec to Nova Scotia in Canada, and bordering areas from northern New York to central Maine in the...
. The unit has also continued to participate in the Noble Lion exercises as part of Land Force Quebec Area
Land Force Quebec Area
Land 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...
. On April 1, 1997, The Royal Canadian Hussars (Montreal) became the establishment armoured regiment (tank) for the newly formed 34 Canadian Brigade Group
34 Canadian Brigade Group
34 Canadian Brigade Group is part of Land Force Quebec Area, under Land Force Command of the Canadian Forces. It is headquartered in Montreal, Quebec.-Brigade Units:...
.
In late 2003, the mission of the RCH was changed to fit the restructuring plan of the Canadian Forces Land Force Command
Canadian Forces Land Force Command
The Canadian Army , previously called Land Force Command, is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Forces. The current size of the Army is 19,500 regular soldiers and 16,000 reserve soldiers, for a total of around 35,500 soldiers...
. The troop
Troop
A troop is a military unit, originally a small force of cavalry, subordinate to a squadron and headed by the troop leader. In many armies a troop is the equivalent unit to the infantry section or platoon...
s were converted back to a role of armoured reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
. The regiment comprises two squadrons; B Squadron (combat troops) and C&S Squadron (command and support). On May 1, 2005, the RCH received its third guidon.
In 2007 seven members of the RCH were deployed to Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
as part of Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF AFG) Rotation 4, which included approximately 2330 Canadian Forces members from the Quebec region.
The regimental song is Men of Harlech
Men of Harlech
"Men of Harlech" or "The March of the Men of Harlech" is a song and military march which is traditionally said to describe events during the seven year long siege of Harlech Castle between 1461 and 1468. Commanded by Constable Dafydd ap Ieuan, the garrison held out in what is the longest known...
.