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Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
File:RCHA.gif
Garter badge of the RCHA
Active 1871–present
Country Canada
Branch Canadian Army
Type Field artillery
Size 3 regiments
Part of Royal Canadian Artillery
Garrison/HQ

1st Regiment: CFB Shilo
2nd Regiment: CFB Petawawa

5e Régiment: CFB Valcartier
Motto(s)

Ubique (everywhere)

Quo fas et gloria ducunt (whither right and glory lead)
March "British Grenadiers"
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Brigadier General William Henry Pferinger Elkins CB, C.B.E., DSO
Abbreviation RCHA

The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery is the name given to the regular field artillery units of the Canadian Army.

History[]

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.[1]

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 Shilo 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 Petawawa until 1970 when, following the formation of 5 RALC, it was reduced to nil strength and replaced by 2 RCHA.

The Freedom of the City was exercised by the 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in Kingston in 1983; 1996 and May 26, 2012.[2]

Commemorations[]

The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery badge (1968) by Robert McCausland Limited is a stained glass memorial to 2517 Colonel E. Geoffrey Brooks DSO OBE CD (RMC 1952), who served as the Royal Military College of Canada’s staff adjutant 1948-1950 and as Director of Artillery, Royal Canadian Artillery in August 1960. He is remembered in the Geoffrey Brooks Memorial Essay Competition - 2,000 to 3,000 words on any topic of military history or specific military interest that pertains to The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. The contest (1st Prize -$500; 2nd Prize -$300; and 3rd Prize – $200) is open to all DND military (Regular and Reserve) and civilian personnel and students attending post-secondary educational institutes.[3]

Location Date Description Manufacturer Inscription Window
Sir Arthur Currie Hall, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario 1968 1 light Royal Canadian Horse Artillery badge Robert McCausland Limited
  • In memory of Colonel Edward Geoffrey Brooks DSO OBE CD 1918-1964 staff adjutant 1948-1950 by classes of 1948-52
  • features badge of Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
Col E G Brooks DSO OBE CD 1918-1964 staff adjutant 1948-1950 stainglass Currie Hall

Organization[]

File:2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Horse in Korea.jpg

Canadian artillery during the Korean War.

M777 Howitzer Helmand April2007

Canadian soldiers fire an M777 howitzer in Afghanistan.

Today, the regular force encompasses three RCHA regiments:

Affiliations[]

File:RCHA CCB Flash.jpg

The RCHA's Great War Canadian Cavalry Brigade identifying flash.

See also[]

References[]

  1. Major G.D. Mitchell, MC, CD RCHA - Right of the Line
  2. Freedom of the City
  3. Geoffrey Brooks Memorial Essay

External links[]

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The original article can be found at Royal Canadian Horse Artillery and the edit history here.