Royal Canadian Horse Artillery


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 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.
In addition to the three regiments currently serving, two further regiments have served in the past prior to being disbanded:
The Freedom of the City was exercised by the 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in Kingston in 1983; 1996 and May 26, 2012.
Lineage of Royal Canadian Horse Artillery units.
class="wikitable"
+ Abbreviations used in the chart
! Abbreviation !! Phrase
Bde Brigade
Bn Battalion
Btys Batteries
CASF Canadian Active Service Force
CEF Canadian Expeditionary Force
CFA Canadian Field Artillery
Div. Division
RCA Royal Canadian Artillery
RCFA Royal Canadian Field Artillery
RCHA Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
Regt Regiment
Régt Régiment

Commemorations

The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery badge by Robert McCausland Limited is a stained glass memorial to 2517 Colonel E. Geoffrey Brooks DSO OBE CD, 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 is open to all DND military and civilian personnel and students attending post-secondary educational institutes.
LocationDateDescriptionManufacturerInscriptionWindow
Sir Arthur Currie Hall, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario19681 light Royal Canadian Horse Artillery badgeRobert 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

Organization

Today, the regular force encompasses three RCHA regiments:
; 1st Regiment, RCHA: this is the descendant of the original batteries of artillery formed in 1871, and is thus the senior Regular unit in the Canadian army. 1 RCHA was forward deployed in Germany as part of Canadian Forces Europe for 25 years between 1967, and the final Canadian withdrawal from Europe in 1993. Currently, this regiment is part of 3rd Canadian Division's 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group.
; 2nd Regiment, RCHA: 2 RCHA was formed in 1950 for service in the Korean War. 2 RCHA is part of 4th Canadian Division's 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group and is located in Garrison Petawawa. It is composed of two Gun Batteries, one Surveillance and Target Acquisition Battery, a Forward Observation Battery, and its Headquarters Battery.
; 5e Régiment d'artillerie légère du Canada: 5 RALC is the francophone element of the regular artillery, and was formed in 1968. 5 RALC is part of 2nd Canadian Division's 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group. It is composed of two Gun Batteries, one Surveillance and Target Acquisition Battery, a Forward Observation Battery, and its Headquarters Battery..

Affiliations

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