|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
South Alberta Horse
From Province of Alberta Official Highway Map - 1938 as published by the Department of Public Works
Field Force Contributions
In April 1932 the Canada Gazette announced that the
Rocky Mountain Rangers raised in 1885 for the North-west Rebellion
(and not to be confused with the regiment of the same name) was also
to be perpetuated by the South Alberta Horse.4
History
The regiment was commanded on redesignation by Lieutenant-Colonel
W.W. Henderson, and had an honorary lieutenant-colonel,
Lieutenant-Colonel W.A. Lyndon, RO.5
The regiment inherited a name for efficiency as the
predecessor unit won the cavalry efficiency cup for MIlitary
District 13 in the two years prior to the redesignation.6
The unit's social calendar did not suffer, and "B"
Squadron under Major C.A. Lyndon held their seventh annual regimental
ball in early 1931.7
"A"
Squadron hosted an annual Armistice Dance in a joint venture with
the Pincher Creek Legion and British Empire Service League at Framas
Hall in Pincher Creek on Wednesday, 11 Nov 1931, which was described
as "the event of the season."8 The Orderly Officer for 7 Jan 1932 was a Lieutenant W.D. Heyland.
"Dalt" Heyland later served in the 1st Battalion, Calgary
Highlanders and commanded the battalion in 1945 as a
lieutenant-colonel, bringing it home to Calgary.9
The 8th Annual Military Ball of "B" Squadron, South Alberta Horse
was held on Friday, 5 Feb 1932 and was described in the local
newspaper:
The Eighth Annual Military Ball...was a successful and enjoyable
affair as its predecessors have always been. The hall was decorated
in the regimental colors, accentuated with colored lighting effects,
which was much appreciated by the large crowd in attendance. Supper
was announced with the mess call sounded by two visiting members of
the Lord Strathcona Horse. The supper committee served lots of eats
and accomplished the service with the despatch of veterans.
Music was furnished by the Len Davis Orchestra. "Len" can sure
hand out some hot steps. The night was all too short. One could hear
throughout the hall expressions ofregret when the last number was
played, followed by "God Save the King" and the "Last Post", blown
by two trumpeters from the L.S.H.
Amont the guests present were noted Col. W.A. Lyndon, Major E.G.
Studd, Major and Mrs. T.A. Murray, Lieut and Mrs. J. English, Sergt.
and Mrs. Broadribb, twenty-one members, NCOs and men of the Lord
Strathcona Horse, Calgary, sixteen members, NCOs and men of
Headquarters Wing, Group No. 1, (South Alberta Horse)....10
Summer camp in 1932 was planned to be a 10-day period of training at
Macleod, Alberta, where the unit was expected to concentrate with
the 1st Alberta Mounted Rifles. A number of camps were located
around the province for unit training and schools of instruction in
July and August.11 Strength was not to exceed 65 men and
50 horses. Training commenced on the weekend of 2-3 July at Sarcee
Camp, and the unit was formally inspected on 8 July at Sarcee.12
Officers Commanding squadrons at this time were: "A" Squadron (Pincher
Creek): Major H. Jenkins "B" Squadron
(Claresholm): Captain W.E. Atkinson "C" Squadron (High
River): Captain Keith Nelson13
The 9th Annual "B" Squadron Ball went off successfully in Claresholm
in January 1933 with a similar guest list to the year before.14
The regiment's schedule had settled into a routine and Summer Camp
in 1933 was spent at Sarcee Camp from 1 to 8 July.15
In November of that year it was announced Major E.G. Studd of
Claresholm would take command of the regiment with the rank of
lieutenant-colonel with W.W. Henderson of Pincher Creek to retire
with the rank of colonel. Studd had left Canada to serve in the
British Army's cavalry in the First World War, in both France and
Salonika, Greece.16
In 1934, "B" Squadron's 10th Annual ball was held in Claresholm on
January 19th with about 350 in attendance at the squadron's drill
hall.17 Honorary Captain
Reverend J.S. Orton of High River transferred to the regiment from
the 20th Field Brigade, Canadian Artillery in March 1934.18
An "A" Squadron scheme received attention in the Calgary press on 7
Jun 1934:
"A" Squadron, South Alberta Horse, went on mounted march Sunday
and bivouacked for the day on the P. Garreau ranch, seven miles west
of (Pincher Creek). Lieut. D. Watson was in charge. Protective
duties were performed in the march to and from the ranch. A small
tactical scheme was carried out, and mounted drill and mounted
sports staged. Prior to lunch the squadron was inspected by Major
F.H. Jenkins, officer commanding the squadron. RQMS Kemp and
assistants served dinner and supper at the bivouac. About twenty men
of all ranks are planning to spend some ten days or so with the
(regiment) at Sarcee Camp, Calgary, July 1.19
High River Cenotaph
The regiment provided a firing party for the unveiling of a war
memorial in High River on Sunday, 11 Nov 1934, under the command of
Major Keith Nelson, MM.20
Nelson was a rancher who had been born in York, England, in 1886 and
served in the Yeomanry before moving to High River before the First
World War to work as a rancher. He enlisted in the 12th Canadian
Mounted Rifles at Calgary, transferred overseas to the 7th Brigade
Machine Gun Company, was awarded the Military Medal in the summer of
1916 and ended the war as a sergeant in the 3rd Battalion, Canadian
Machine Gun Corps. In August 1918 he was injured trying to stop a
runaway team of horses, when one of the animals fell on and crushed
his foot.21
The cenotaph was created as a memorial for soldiers from High River
and District, Alberta, who died in the First World War. It was built
of Tyndall stone 1.6 metres high, sitting on a base 1.83 by 1.07
metres. The monument bears an inscription reading TIME WILL NOT DIM
THE GLORY OF THEIR DEEDS. The monument is further described:
A cast bronze replica of an open volume on top of the monument
carries the names of 81 men and women who gave their lives in
service to Canada in World War I. An interesting feature of the
stonework is that shell fossils are visible on some of the surfaces.
The monument originally stood beside the High River Post Office on
3rd. Ave. W. It was moved to the front of the Highwood Memorial
Centre after World War II. The Highwood Memorial Centre was built in
1947 in memory of the men and women of the district who lost their
lives in World War II. A plaque in the rotunda inside the main
entrance lists the names of these 50 service personnel.22
Final Months
A typical parade night is hinted at by the Regimental Orders
published by Lieutenant-Colonel E.G. Studd, the commanding officer,
on 12 April 1935. The Regimental Headquarters and "B" Company were
to parade on Tuesday the 16th at 20:00 hours in Claresholm. Troops
were to wear Service Dress, Bandoliers and Spurs, for periods of
Troop Drill, a Lecture, Lewis Gun instruction, and Recreation.24
Soldiers of the regiment paraded to St. John's Church in Claresholm
on Sunday, 5 May 1935 to mark the Silver Jubilee of King George V
for a service by the regimental chaplain, Reverend J.S. Orton.25
King George V Silver Jubilee Medals (as pictured at right) were
awarded to: Lieutenant-Colonel E.G.
Studd (Claresholm) Regimental Sergeant Major
G. Best (Claresholm) Regimental Quarter-Master
Sergeant (Warrant Officer Class II) J.E. Kemp (Pincher Creek) Corporal A. Wood (High
River) Corporal V.O. Bowen
(Pincher Creek) - Bowen was RSM of the 1st Battalion, Calgary
Highlanders when they returned to Canada in 1945 under the
command of "Dalt" Heyland.26
The medals to the CO and RSM were presented at the "B" Squadron
drill hall in Claresholm on Monday 6 May 1935 in a "blinding
blizzard" that smashed plans for an outdoor celebration of the
King's Jubilee. With much of the squadron assembled in uniform, the
decision was made to parade inside rather than cancel, though only a
"small crowd" was present to witness the presentations and
feu-de-joie staged by the regiment. The squadron's horses, too,
had been assembled and outfitted for an outdoor parade but were
unable to participate in the indoor event.27
Annual Summer camp was held at Sarcee in July 1935. Headquarters and
"B" Squadron departed Claresholm on Friday, June 28th under
Lieutenant-Colonel Studd and the adjutant, "Dalt" Heyland, spending
the night at Nanton and then holding a drumhead service on the
Sunday in Okotoks. "A" Squadron was represented by 3 officers and 18
men of Pincher Creek under Major H. Jenkins which departed for camp
on horseback on 27 June, linking up with "C" Squadron at High River
for the final march to Calgary.28 The regiment won the
Fifth Mounted Brigade efficiency trophy for the fifth time in seven
years, proudly displaying the trophy at the Lowan's jewellery store
window in High River. The unit attributed their accomomplishment by
the experience they gained in marching their horses from the
outlying squadron garrisons to the camp in Calgary.29
The honorary colonel appointment held by Lieutenant-Colonel W.A.
Lyndon, VD of Claresholm, was extended in December 1935 to expire 14
February 1940. A rancher in civilian life, Lieutenant-Colonel Lyndon
was also president of the Claresholm Canadian Legion.30
Lieutenant-Colonel James Walker, also holding honorary
rank with the regiment, also had his appointment extended, to 18
July 1940, according to orders issued by Military District 13 in
March 1936.31 Just days
after that announcement, it was further announced that the South
Alberta Horse would amalgamate with the 15th Canadian Light Horse,
under the new name 15th Alberta Light Horse, to be headquartered in
Calgary with "A" Squadron at Innisfail, "B" Squadron at Claresholm
and "C" Squadron at High River.32
The reorganization done as part of the Army-wide
1936
reorganization which was intended to modernize Canada's ground
forces.33 The army was going to experiment with
mechanized cavalry, such as the newly reorganized 19th Alberta
Dragoons, alongside conventional horsed cavalry units, which the
South Alberta Horse remained.34 Lieutenant-Colonel H.
Studd assumed command of the 15th Alberta Light Horse.35
The regiment likely used 2nd Alberta Mounted Rifles insignia until
new badges could be approved and minted - newspapers also continued
to use the old badge when publishing regimental orders.
General Order 113/1932 authorized cap, collar and shoulder badges.
S.A.H. shoulder titles were approved for all ranks. The collar
badges were slightly smaller versions of the cap badge, and mirrored
so the (wearer's) right badge faced inward while the animal faced to
the left on the cap and left collar badge.36
"Alberta's Crack Cavalrymen Are Given New Name,"
Calgary Herald, 8 Jan 1931
"Localets," Claresholm Local Press, 13
Feb 1931
Guide to Sources Relating to Units of the Canadian
Expeditionary Force - Canadian Mounted Rifles.
Canadian Mounted Rifles (bac-lac.gc.ca) Also "Battle Honours
are Awarded," Victoria Daily Times, 18
Jun 1931 "Will
Perpetuate Rocky Mountain Rangers Force," The
Calgary Albertan, 4 Apr 1932. The Claresholm Local
Press noted the unit perpetuated the 23rd Alberta Rangers on 10
Jun 1932.
"Alberta's Crack Cavalrymen Are Given New Name,"
Calgary Herald, 8 Jan 1931 "Name
of Regiment Changed," Claresholm Local Press,
9 Jan 1931 "Card
of Thanks," Claresholm Local Press, 6 Feb 1931
"Impressive Ceremony Marks Armistice Day Celebration, Pincher,"
Calgary Herald, 14 Nov 1931
Claresholm Local Press, 25 Dec 1931
"Large Crowd at Military Ball," Claresholm Local
Press, 12 Feb 1932
"Military Units To Go To Camp," The Calgary Albertan,
8 Jun 1932
"Outing Success for Battalion Despite Rains," The
Calgary Albertan, 4 Jul 1932. "Inspection of
Alberta Units Starts at Camp," Calgary Herald,
6 Jul 1932
"Cavalry Units to Train at Macleod," Claresholm
Local Press, 10 Jun 1932
"Squadron Dance of So. Alberta Horse Marked by Success,"
Calgary Herald, 30 Jan 1933
"Summer Training in District Announced From Headquarters,"
Calgary Herald, 6 May 1933 "E.G.
Studd Gazetted to Command of S. Alberta Horse,'
Claresholm Local Press, 17 Nov 1933
"Annual Military Ball Jan. 19th.," Claresholm Local
Press, 5 Jan 1934, "Military Ball is Held,
Claresholm," Calgary Herald, 26 Jan
1934
"Named Chaplain," Calgary Herald, 13
Mar 1934
"Cavalry Parades at Pincher Creek," Calgary Herald,
7 Jun 1934
"Unveil War Memorial at High River," Calgary Herald,
13 Nov 1934
Personnel Record, Keith Nelson, Library and Archives Canada
Record Group 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 7269 - 36, Item
558547. "175
Dancers Brace 35 Below Night for the Military Ball,"
Claresholm Local Press, 25 Jan 1935
"Regimental Orders," Claresholm Local Press,
12 Apr 1935.
Claresholm Local Press, 3 May 1935
"Calgarians Attend Stirring Ceremony at City Armouries,"
Calgary Herald, 7 May 1935 "Too
Much Snow for Outdoor Celebration," Claresholm Local
Press, 10 May 1935
"Squadron Goes to Sarcee Camp," The Calgary Albertan,
2 Jul 1935
Claresholm Local Press, 19 Jul 1935
"Extension of Office Approved," The Calgary Albertan,
20 Dec 1935
"Extend Appointment," Calgary Herald,
11 Mar 1936
"Reorganize Units of Active Militia," Calgary Herald,
26 Mar 1936. The official lineage document online gives an
"official" date of February, per General Order 34 of 1936.
The South Alberta Light Horse - Canada.ca "Long
list of MIlitia Changes Given," Saskatoon
Star-Phoenix, 17 Jul 1936 "With
Edmonton Militia Units," Edmonton Journal,
25 Jul 1936
Edmonton Journal, 19 Dec 1936
Mazeas, Daniel. Insignes Canadiens 1920-1950
(Revised Edition) Les Presses Bretonnes,
Saint-Brieuc, 1985. p.37 |
The
"B" Squadron Military Ball in January 1935 attrached 175 guests,
about half of what was expected, due to temperatures of -35
Fahrenheit. Once again the regimental colours of red and white were
used to light the ball.
Insignia