Introduction
The 19th Alberta Dragoons were formed from 4 independent mounted rifle squadrons in 1908. Originally called the 19th Alberta Mounted Rifles, the Regiment’s name was changed in 1911 to the 19th Alberta Dragoons.
The 19th Alberta Dragoons was one of the first units called up for service in WW1. It was the first Canadian cavalry unit to serve in France, and did so as the Divisional Reconnaissance Squadron for the First Canadian Division. Unlike many other Canadian cavalry units, the 19th Alberta Dragoons remained mounted throughout the War. In 1916, the Squadron joined with the other divisional reconnaissance squadrons to form the Canadian Light Horse. The Regiment retained its well-known badge and Stetson hat throughout the war.
During WW2, the Regiment was not initially called up for active service for a variety of political reasons. The 19th Alberta Dragoons contributed a company to the fledgling South Alberta Regiment, and Edmonton contributed soldiers to this famous unit throughout the war. The Dragoons also contributed to the 31st Alberta Reconnaissance Regiment. This unit was employed on domestic duties and did not embark until 1945. The unit was broken up in England to provide reinforcements in early 1945.
Following WW2, the Dragoons amalgamated with Edmonton's oldest infantry Regiment, the 101st Edmonton Fusiliers. This site contains some information of the Fusiliers which can be accessed throughout or by clicking here.
The 19th Alberta Dragoons was placed on the supplementary order of battle in 1965. While the Regiment was not officially disbanded, it was reduced to zero-strength. Many of the serving members were to transfer to other local Edmonton Militia units.
The Regiment was officially amalgamated with the South Alberta Light Horse in 2006 and as such, the Dragoons live on!
Commanding Officers of the 19th Alberta Dragoons
The Canadian Mounted Rifles (1906-1908)
A Sqn 1906 Major SC Paton
B Sqn 1906 Major FC Jamieson
C Sqn 1906 Major P Aylen
E Sqn 1907 Major Deblois Thibaudeau
The 19th Canadian Mounted Rifles (1908-1911)
1908 LCol Belcher
The 19th Alberta Dragoons (1911-1941)
1911 LCol R Belcher
1914 LCol FC Jamieson
Aug 1914 Maj LJ Whittaker
CLH Apr-Jun 1916 LCol L Elmsley
CLH Jun 1916 – Feb 1917 LCol CC Von Straubinzie
CLH Feb 1917 – Nov 1918 LCol I Leonard
CLH Nov 1918 – demob LCol SF Smith
1919 – 1923 LCol C.Y. Weaver, DSO
1923 LCol PE Bowen
1927 LCol H de N Watson
1931 LCol WL Oliver, MC
1936 LCol E.A. Pitman
1939 LCol MH Wright, MM
1941 LCol WJ Cubitt
The 19th Armoured Car Regiment (Edmonton Fusiliers) (1946-1949)
1946 LCol J Proctor, OBE
The 19th Alberta Armoured Car Regiment (1949-1954)
1949 LCol J Proctor, OBE
1950 LCol N Hughes
1952 LCol A Lavoie
The 19th Alberta Dragoons (1954-1964)
1954 LCol ES Bryant, CD
1957 LCol DF Cameron, CD
1959 LCol RA Cawsey, CD
1961 LCol RH Summersgill
The 19th Alberta Dragoons (1965 - 2006)
Inactive - Supplementary Order of Battle
The South Alberta Light Horse (2006 - present)
2006 LCol MW Johnson, CD
2008 LCol WA Lockhart, CD
2011 LCol CC Michaud, CD
2014 LCol T Steele, CD
2017 LCol S Thirlwell, CD
Honourary Colonels of the 19th Alberta Dragoons
MGen WA Griesbach, CB, CMG, DSO, CM (20 Jul 1928 extended to 19 Jul 1943)
Col H.R. Milner 31 Mar 1948
Col Bohomolec
Col F.C. Jamieson, VD
The Badge of the 19th Alberta Dragoons
Description: A horse standing on a prairie; below a scroll inscribed "ALBERTA DRAGOONS", encircled by the scroll and the prairie the Arabic numeral "19".
The Motto of the 19th Alberta Dragoons
"Pro Aris et Focis - "For Hearth and Home"
The Regimental colours of the 19th Alberta Dragoons
Green and Gold
The Regimental Marchpast of the 19th Alberta Dragoons
"John Peel"
Do ye ken John Peel
With his coat so gay
Do ye ken John Peel
At the break of day
Do ye ken John Peel
When he's far, far, away,
With his hounds and his horn
In the morning.
For the sound of his horn
Got me from my bed
And the sound of his hounds
Which he oft times led
Peel's view hallo
Will waken the dead
Or the fox from it's lair
In the morning.
It should be noted that some sources mention Lili Marlene as the march past of the 19th Alberta Dragoons.
CEF Units Perpetuated by the 19th Alberta Dragoons
3rd Canadian Mounted Rifles
9th Battalion, CEF
66th Battalion, CEF
138th Battalion, CEF
202nd Battalion, CEF
The Battle Honours of the 19th Alberta Dragoons
(Those in bold are entitled to be borne on the Regimental Guidon)
Ypres 1915,'17, Gravenstafel, St Julien, Festubert 1915, Mount Sorrel, Somme 1916, Flers-Courcelette, Ancre Heights, Arras 1917, '18,
Vimy 1917, Hill 70, Amiens, Scarpe 1918, Drocourt-Queant, Hindenburg Line, Canal du Nord, Cambrai 1918, Pursuit to Mons, France and Flanders 1915-1918
The Colours and Banners of the 19th Alberta Dragoons
Click here to read about them and see some pics!
Mascots of the 19th Alberta Dragoons
Ogema ("Big Chief" in Cree) - Siberian Husky, WW1
Photo from Edmonton Journal (29 Aug 1914)
Trophies Won by the 19th Alberta Dragoons
(Note: Competitions were not always conducted annually…in some cases large gaps occurred)
The Worthington Trophy
First Year: 1954
Competition: The best RCAC Militia Unit
Terms: The RCAC Unit which wins the greatest number of Association trophies.
1956 – Tie – 19th Alberta Dragoons and 8th PL (NB) Hussars
1960 – Tie – 19th Alberta Dragoons, 8th PL (NB) Hussars, and Royal Canadian Hussars
The Murphy Trophy
First Year: 1953
Competition: Summer Camp – Western Command
1955 – 19th Alberta Dragoons
1960 – 19th Alberta Dragoons
The Westby Trophy
First Year: 1938
Competition: Presented in 1938 for Annual Competition by LCol EB Westby, CO the BC Hussars (Armoured Cars)
1954 – 19th Alberta Dragoons
The Rawlinson Trophy
First Year: 1938
Competition: Presented in 1939 for Annual Competition in signaling by LCol Walter Rawlinson, MC, VD., President 1937-38
1956 – 19th Alberta Dragoons
The White Challenge Trophy
First Year: 1954
Competition: Presented in 1934 for annual competition by BGen JB White, DSO, ED, RO, HCol 17th Duke of York’s Royal Canadian Hussars, President 1933-35
1954 – 19th Alberta Dragoons
1955 – 19th Alberta Dragoons
1956 – 19th Alberta Dragoons
1957 – 19th Alberta Dragoons
The Stockwell Challenge Trophy
First Year: 1954
Competition: Presented in 1933 for annual competition by Col. The Hon RF Stockwell, BA, BCL, KC, VD, President 1930-31
1938 – 19th Alberta Dragoons
1960 – 19th Alberta Dragoons