The British Columbia Dragoons

The British Columbia Dragoons

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= The British Columbia Dragoons


caption=
dates= 1908 - Present
country=Canada
branch= Royal Canadian Armoured Corps
Primary Reserve (Militia)
type=Line Cavalry
role=Armoured Reconnaissance
size= One regiment
command_structure=Land Force Western Area
39 Canadian Brigade Group
current_commander=
garrison=RHQ - (Kelowna)
A Squadron - (Vernon)
B Squadron - (Kelowna)
C Squadron - (Penticton)
ceremonial_chief=
ceremonial_chief_label=Colonel in Chief
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
motto= "Quansem Ilep" (Always First)
colors=
march= Quick: "Fare Thee Well Inniskilling"
mascot=
battles=
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=
identification_symbol_4=BCD
identification_symbol_4_label=Abbreviation

The British Columbia Dragoons (BCD) is a Primary Reserve armoured reconnaissance regiment of the Canadian Forces. It is based in Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton, British Columbia. The British Columbia Dragoons are part of Land Force Western Area's 39 Canadian Brigade Group.

Regimental March: "Fare Ye Well Inniskilling"; "Scotland the Brave" (for pipe bands)

Detatchments

*Regimental Headquarters (Kelowna)
*A Squadron (Vernon)
*B Squadron (Kelowna)
*C Squadron (Penticton)

History

The British Columbia Dragoons trace their origins to the formation of the Canadian Mounted Rifles, two independent squadrons of horse in Kamloops and Vernon in 1908. In 1910 two additional squadrons were raised and the regiment was renamed the British Columbia Horse. In 1912 the unit was renamed again as the 30th Regiment, British Columbia Horse. 1914 saw the formation of the Victoria Independent Squadron on Vancouver Island.

During the First World War the regiment formed the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles regiment, which fought with great luck and success on the western front. Despite being trained as cavalry and then deployed as infantry, the regiment managed the war well. Two members of the regiment won the Victoria Cross over the course of the war. Captain "Jock" MacGregor for actions taken during the battle at Cambrai on September 29, 1918; and Major George Randolph Pearkes, who was on loan to the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles at Passchendaele. The actions and awards of the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles are perpetuated now by the British Columbia Dragoons, their direct descendants.

In the post war reorganization, the regiment was renamed The British Columbia Mounted Rifles in 1920, and then to the name still carried today, The British Columbia Dragoons in 1929. Part of the reason for the change was to forever divorce the regiment from infantry duties. When World War Two loomed, the regiment once again stepped forward.

The regiment was designated the 5th Motorcycle Regiment (BCD), and later an armoured car unit. Finally made into an armoured regiment, the 9th Armoured Regiment (BCD), they were deployed to Italy as part of the 2nd Armoured Brigade, 5th Canadian Armoured Division. The regiment saw heavy action in the Liri Valley, were the first unit to break through the Gustav Line in Italy, 1944, and helped smash the Gothic Line, holding Point 204 right in the center of the line. Part of the "Spaghetti League", a term used by soldiers fighting in Italy after D-Day, they continued to fight until orders were given to move the regiment to the North West Europe area. They served with distinction until the end of the war, at which point the regiment was demobilized and returned to Militia service.

The regiment has since seen many ups and downs, with losses of manpower and funding, hostile popular attitudes, and the ever changing nature of Canada. The 1970's and 80's saw the deployment of individual members to Cyprus as part of the UN operations there as part of larger Canadian formations. The 1990's and the new century has seen numerous members deploy to Bosnia as part of NATO operations with IFOR and SFOR. With the new Global War on Terror, members are now serving overseas as part of NATO operations with ISAF in Afghanistan.

Battle honours

*World War One: Mount Sorrel, Somme, 1916; Flers-Courcelette; Ancre Heights; Arras, 1917,'18; Vimy, 1917; Hill 70; Ypres, 1917; Passchendaele; Amiens; Scarpe, 1918; Hindenburg Line; Canal du Nord; Cambrai, 1918; Pursuit to Mons; France and Flanders, 1915-18.
*World War Two: Liri Valley; Melfa Crossing; Gothic Line; Pozzo Alto Ridge; Lamone Crossing; Naviglio Canal; Fosso Munio; Conventello-Comacchio; Italy, 1944-1945; Ijsselmeer; Delfzijl Pocket; North-West Europe, 1945.

Cadet Units

There are several Royal Canadian Army Cadets units spread across British Columbia which are affiliated to the British Columbia Dragoons. Cadets are not soldiers; they are part of an organization dedicated to developing citizenship and leadership among young men and women aged 12 to 18 years of age with a military flavour, and are not required to join the Canadian Forces.Cadet units affiliated to the British Columbia Dragoons receive support and also are entitled to wear traditional regimental accourtments on their uniforms.

Alliances

*GBR - The Royal Dragoon Guards

References

External links

* [http://www.army.dnd.ca/bcdragoons/ British Columbia Dragoons, Department of National Defence website]
* [http://www.bcdragoon.ca/history.asp British Columbia Dragoons, Regimental Website]

Order of precedence


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