The Fort Garry Horse
Encyclopedia
The Fort Garry Horse is a Canadian Army Reserve Armoured
Regiment
based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is currently part of Land Force Western Area
's 38 Canadian Brigade Group
.
In the First World War, volunteers from the regiment helped form the 6th Battalion, CEF, later Canadian Cavalry Depot, then later The Fort Garry Horse for active service in France.
Harcus Strachan
of the regiment was awarded the Victoria Cross
for his actions at the battle of Cambrai on November 20, 1917 in France.
In 1920 the regiment was named The Fort Garry Horse in order to perpetuate The Fort Garry Horse of the CEF. In 1936 the regiment absorbed The Manitoba Horse.
During the Second World War the regiment was mobilized as the 10th Canadian Armoured Regiment (The Fort Garry Horse). It was in the vanguard on Juno Beach
on D-Day, serving in the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade
.
After the war, in 1946, the regiment was reconstituted in the militia.
In 1949 the regiment was renamed The Fort Garry Horse (10th Armoured Regiment). In 1958 a Regular Force component, 1st Fort Garry Horse was formed the Militia was titled 2nd Fort Garry Horse. The titles were changed shortly afterward to The Fort Garry Horse and The Fort Garry Horse (M). In 1970 the Regular Force component was disbanded and the Militia regiment retained the title The Fort Garry Horse.
In 2003, the regiment began hosting personnel to help create a new unit of the Canadian Military Engineers
. It is planned that these personnel will eventually form 31 Field Engineer Squadron. The engineers in this unit have the distinction of being the only reservists in Canada to wear the black beret of the Armoured Corps
with the cap badge of the Canadian Military Engineers.
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...
based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is currently part of Land Force Western Area
Land Force Western Area
Land 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 38 Canadian Brigade Group
38 Canadian Brigade Group
38 Canadian Brigade Group is composed of all Canadian Forces' Primary Reserve Army units in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Western Ontario East to Thunder Bay. 38 CBG is part of Land Force Western Area. Geographically, 38 CBG is Canada's largest brigade group.-Brigade Units:-External links:* official...
.
History
The regiment was formed in 1912, as the 34th Regiment of Cavalry. In 1913 it was renamed 34th Fort Garry Horse. In 1914, a new armory was specially built on Maryland Street in Winnipeg.In the First World War, volunteers from the regiment helped form the 6th Battalion, CEF, later Canadian Cavalry Depot, then later The Fort Garry Horse for active service in France.
Harcus Strachan
Harcus Strachan
Harcus Strachan VC MC was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
of the regiment was awarded the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
for his actions at the battle of Cambrai on November 20, 1917 in France.
In 1920 the regiment was named The Fort Garry Horse in order to perpetuate The Fort Garry Horse of the CEF. In 1936 the regiment absorbed The Manitoba Horse.
During the Second World War the regiment was mobilized as the 10th Canadian Armoured Regiment (The Fort Garry Horse). It was in the vanguard on Juno Beach
Juno Beach
Juno or Juno Beach was one of five sectors of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944, during the Second World War. The sector spanned from Saint-Aubin, a village just east of the British Gold sector, to Courseulles, just west of the British Sword sector...
on D-Day, serving in the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade
2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade
-History:Soon after 3rd Canadian Tank Brigade assumed the designation in summer 1943 of the original 2nd Canadian Tank Brigade, the new 2nd Tank was redesignated and reorganized as 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade. Although reorganized as an armoured brigade, no motor battalion served under its command...
.
After the war, in 1946, the regiment was reconstituted in the militia.
In 1949 the regiment was renamed The Fort Garry Horse (10th Armoured Regiment). In 1958 a Regular Force component, 1st Fort Garry Horse was formed the Militia was titled 2nd Fort Garry Horse. The titles were changed shortly afterward to The Fort Garry Horse and The Fort Garry Horse (M). In 1970 the Regular Force component was disbanded and the Militia regiment retained the title The Fort Garry Horse.
In 2003, the regiment began hosting personnel to help create a new unit of the Canadian Military Engineers
Canadian Military Engineers
The Canadian Military Engineers is the military engineer branch of the Canadian Forces.-Mission:The mission of the Canadian Military Engineers is to contribute to the survival, mobility, and combat effectiveness of the Canadian Forces...
. It is planned that these personnel will eventually form 31 Field Engineer Squadron. The engineers in this unit have the distinction of being the only reservists in Canada to wear the black beret of the 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:...
with the cap badge of the Canadian Military Engineers.
Other information
- Facings: Yellow
- Colours: Regimental GuidonColours, standards and guidonsIn 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...
, presented to the 2nd Fort Garry Horse (Militia) in 1963 and 1st Fort Garry Horse (Regular) in 1964. When the regular force unit was disbanded, their Guidon was presented to the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba for safekeeping. It remains on display in the Manitoba Legislative Building. The Guidon presented in 1963 is kept and still used by the unit.
Order of precedence
See also
- Winnie-the-PoohWinnie-the-PoohWinnie-the-Pooh, also called Pooh Bear, is a fictional anthropomorphic bear created by A. A. Milne. The first collection of stories about the character was the book Winnie-the-Pooh , and this was followed by The House at Pooh Corner...
was inspired by the bear acquired by Lt. Harry Colebourn, Veterinary Officer of the FGH before the war. See Winnipeg the Bear.
External links
- The Fort Garry Horse regimental website.
- The Fort Garry Horse Official web site
- Juno Beach - The Fort Garry Horse on D-Day