Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) (LdSH[RC]) is a regular armoured regiment of the Canadian Army and is Canada’s only tank regiment. Currently based in Edmonton, Alberta, the regiment is part of 3rd Canadian Division's 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group. Members of the regiment are commonly called Strathconas or Strats as a short form. It was one of the last regiments in the British Empire to be created and raised by a private individual, Donald Alexander Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal.
The regimental motto is "Perseverance". The colonel-in-chief of the regiment is King Charles III, while the colonel of the regiment is Colonel Jamie Cade (Retired). The current commanding officer is Lieutenant-Colonel D. Gray, and the regimental sergeant major is Chief Warrant Officer N. Mills.
Regimental structure
The regiment is currently composed of a regimental headquarters and three sabre squadrons: two tank squadrons (A and B), and a light cavalry squadron, in addition to a headquarters squadron which provides service support. In September 2006, B Squadron deployed to Afghanistan using the Leopard C2, the first NATO deployment of main battle tanks to Afghanistan.
Each year the squadron that distinguishes itself with the highest efficiency rating in the regiment earns the title "Prince of Wales Squadron" for the year. The regiment has seven affiliated cadet corps in Alberta and British Columbia.
Role
Lord Strathcona's Horse operates with 40 Leopard 2's (20 A4's, 9 A4M's and 11 2A6M's) and 12 Coyote Reconnaissance Vehicles. Due to a change in Canadian army doctrine in the early 2000s away from heavy armour to more infantry-centred operations, Lord Strathcona's Horse was for several years the only regular armoured regiment to operate MBTs. This was until the 2006 announcement that the Royal Canadian Dragoons would be re-equipped with a squadron of Leopards.
Heraldry
Badge
Description
Armorial Description: Lord Strathcona's Coat of Arms, without supporters, being a shield surmounted by a maple tree inclined to the left, and cut through by a beaver working at the base; in the chief a demi-lion rampant; in the centre a railroad spike and hammer crossed; in the base a canoe bearing a flag inscribed NW and containing four men; the whole surrounded by a riband which is encircled by a wreath of roses, thistles, shamrocks and maple leaves, and inscribed LORD STRATHCONA'S HORSE, ROYAL CANADIANS, surmounted by a scroll bearing the motto PERSEVERANCE, and the whole surmounted by the Crown.
Symbolism
This badge commemorates Lord Strathcona's role in the fur trade and in the settlement of North West Canada (as the province of Alberta was called prior to 1905) by its representation of a Hudson's Bay Company trade canoe, the flag 'NW' (for "North West"), and the representation of the railway construction tools. The latter mark Lord Strathcona's direct role in the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Shoulder title
STRATHCONA'S (brass DEU); LdSH(RC) (CADPAT)
Lineage
Originated 1 July 1901 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, as an independent Permanent Active Militia corps of mounted rifles, designated as A Squadron, The Canadian Mounted Rifles Redesignated 1 October 1903 as The Royal Canadian Mounted Rifles Redesignated 1 October 1909 as Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) Redesignated 1 May 1911 as Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) Redesignated 16 October 1946 as the 2nd Armoured Regiment (Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)), RCAC Redesignated 2 March 1949 as Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) (2nd Armoured Regiment) Redesignated 19 May 1958 as Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
Lineage chart
Perpetuation
South Africa
Strathcona's Horse of 1900–1901
Operational history
South African War
Strathcona's Horse was authorized on 1 February 1900 and embarked for Africa on 17 March 1900. There it fought as part of the 3rd Mounted Brigade and 4th Infantry Brigade, II Division, until its departure from the theatre of operations on 20 January 1901. The unit disbanded on 9 March 1901.