Royal Alberta Museum: Past Exhibitions and Events: Retrospective 2000: Strathcona's Horse

Strathcona's Horse: A Western Heritage

May 17 to July 30 2000

The year 2000 is the centenary of one of Canada's most distinguished military regiments - Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians). In an exhibition of paintings, military honours and regimental artifacts, Strathcona's Horse: A Western Heritage is a celebration of its 100 years of service. Donald Smith, later Lord Strathcona, raised the regiment from among the west's cowboys in 1900. Commanded by Sam Steele, it shipped out to support the Empire in its dispute with the Boers, the Dutch settlers of South Africa. Since then, Lord Strathcona's Horse has seen distinguished service in the First and Second World Wars, Korea, and various peacekeeping missions overseas. They have worked during national crises as well, such as the Ice Storm and the Winnipeg floods.

Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) History

The Raising of the Regiment and the Boer War

1lb Quick Firing Gun
A weapon similar to those used in South Africa during the Boer War.

In 1900 Donald Smith (Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal) offered to raise and equip the first Canadian military mounted troop to serve in the South African or "Boer" War. He believed that ranchers, cowboys, prospectors and former members of the North West Mounted Police would be a match for the Boers. Sir Samuel B. Steele of the North West Mounted Police was given the responsibility of forming the Regiment and making preparations for the trip to South Africa. After almost a month at sea the Regiment arrived in Cape Town, South Africa to fight in the Boer War.

Spirit of the Regiment
Troops from the Regiment were employed as scouts and often made first contact with the enemy. It was here in battle that the skills demonstrated by the troops became invaluable to the British Army. The spirit and perseverance of the Strathcona's was recognized by King Edward VII who presented the Regiment with the King's Colour, an honour normally awarded to infantry units. The recognition and glory did little to keep the Regiment from being disbanded upon its return to Canada on the 9th March 1901. In 1911 the final change in the now famous "Strathcona's Horse" name came when the Regiment was reformed and redesignated Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians).
The First World War (1914-1918)

A Canadian Trooper and his Horse
This is an unfinished piece, the completed canvas was stolen from the Regiment around 1920.

At the outbreak of the First World War, in 1914, the Regiment was mobilized. At this time in France, there was greater urgency for infantry than cavalry so the Regiment was sent into the trenches to serve as infantry. On 16th February 1916, the Regiment was once again reconstituted as a mounted force. In March 1917, the Regiment was called out of winter quarters to the Somme front. It was here in the pursuit of the retreating enemy that Lieutenant (Lt.) F.M.W. Harvey won the Victoria Cross for rushing a machine gun post and capturing it. During the last great German offensive, in March 1918 at Moreuil Wood, Lt. G.M. Flowerdew lead his 100 man squadron on a charge that defeated a superior German force of 300 strong supported by machine guns. Lt. G.M. Flowerdew died from wounds he had received that day and was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

Between the Wars

Winnipeg, Fort Osborne Garrison
When the regiment returned to Canada in 1919, it was demobilized in Winnipeg which became the Regiment's first home.

When the Regiment returned to Canada in 1919, its headquarters were moved to Mewata Armoury in Calgary with one squadron remaining in Winnipeg. Between the Wars the Regiment was reorganized as a unit of the Permanent Forces and in 1940 moved from its traditional role as a Mounted Troop to an armoured regiment where, alongside the Royal Canadian Dragoons, it temporarily became the 1st Canadian Motorcycle Regiment.

The Second World War (1939-1945)
Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) received orders to proceed to England where two years of training as an armoured regiment took place using the first Canadian built "Ram" and Sherman tanks. Strong and prepared, the Regiment was called to Italy where its most notable battle took place on 24th May 1944 at Melfa River Crossing. The advance forged the Regiment's identity as a second-to-none tank unit.
Departing from Italy to Europe in February 1945, the Regiment joined forces with the 8th New Brunswick Hussars and liberated Holland and the Lowlands. In 1946 the time came to return home to Canada.
The Peacekeepers
Adopting the role of peacekeepers from May 1951 to May 1954, "C", "B" and "A" Squadrons successively spent a year providing armoured support to the 1st Commonwealth Division during the Korean conflict. The Regiment also served in various Peacekeeping roles in Egypt and Cyprus. In 1994 the Regiment led the Strathcona Battle Group during a dangerous United Nations tour in Bosnia. They were called upon in 1997 to lead a Battle Group as part of the NATO Stabilization Force. Both tours were noted as highly successful. Individual members of the Strathcona's have served on virtually all of the Canada's peacekeeping missions. The Regiment recently returned from Kosovo but its presence as a peacekeeping force continues in war torn countries like Bosnia where a squadron is presently stationed.
Strathcona Mounted Troop

Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians ) Mounted Troop
Public demonstration of cavalry skills given by the Regiment.

In 1974, the Regiment formed a ceremonial mounted troop to sustain its heritage as a Cavalry Regiment born and bred from the prairies. The original troop was disbanded in 1939 when the Regiment moved to armoured vehicles as Canada joined the world in preparations for the Second World War. The Strathcona Mounted Troop performs mounted rides in ceremonial dress of the nineteen twenties and thirties in demonstrations across Western Canada.
Strathcona's Spirit Continues
Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) continues its mission to provide tank and reconnaissance forces to the 1st Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in Western Canada. For nearly a century, the Strathcona's have guarded Canada and in doing so, have greatly added to our Canadian heritage. The Regiment will continue to serve Canada in keeping with its motto "Perseverance".