Pre-WW1 1905-1914

At the turn on the century, the requirement for a military presence in the West was at the point of becoming a reality. While the idea of a militia presence had been contemplated prior to 1900, the reality was that only irregular forces had been created and invariably stood back down.

Beginning in 1901, the creation of 12 independent mounted rifle squadrons changed this. Independent squadrons A through L were stood up across Canada. For Alberta, which was not yet a province, the following squadrons were formed: “G” Squadron in Calgary, “H” Squadron in Fort Macleod, and “I” Squadron in Medicine Hat. All three squadrons were officially sanctioned on 1 June 1901.

Alas, poor Edmonton, a growing town to the north (second in size only to Calgary), was left out of the spoils. It would not be until 1905 that the militia would come to the Edmonton area. On 1 December 1905, three new independent squadrons of mounted rifles were formed. These squadrons were “A” Squadron in Edmonton, “B” Squadron in Strathcona, and “C” Squadron in Fort Saskatchewan.

From June 19^th to June 30^th 1906, the three squadrons participated in their first joint training exercise in Edmonton in the area of what is now the Victoria Park and Municipal Golf Course. Commanding “A” Squadron was Major S.C. Paton and accompanying him was a young Lieutenant William Griesbach who had served in the 2^nd Canadian Mounted Rifles during the Boer War. In total, 67 soldiers from “A” Squadron attended the training under the watchful eye of Squadron Sergeant Major J.E. Lee. From “B” Squadron, 69 all ranks attended training. Officer commanding “B” Squadron was then Major F.C. Jamieson. The Squadron Quarter Master Stores was J. Carmichael. Lastly, “C” Squadron had 59 all ranks attend training. The Officer Commanding “C” Squadron was Major P. Aylen, and Sergeant Major “C” was G. Montgomery. In total, the three independent squadrons of Mounted Rifles numbered 195 strong!

Summer training the following year was held at Camp Sarcee outside of Calgary from 25 June to 6 July 1907 under the watchful eye of Colonel Sam Steele. Amazingly, despite the distance required to travel, the three independent squadrons from up north fielded 178 all ranks. Training included a church parade and inspection and was capped off with a tactical scheme on July 5th.

On 1 June 1907, a fourth squadron, E Sqn, was formed at St Albert and Morinville (I Squadron from Medicine Hat being renamed D Squadron on 1 Dec 05) . Almost all soldiers from the new squadron were francophone. The first Officer Commanding was Major Deblois Thibaudeau and the first Squadron Sergeant Major was J. Lessard. The new squadron held local training independently from the other squadrons. According to the Edmonton Bulletin of 25 June 1907:

The E squadron, Canadian mounted rifles, marched into camp at 8 o'clock this morning, 74 strong, under command of Major Thideaudeau (sic), All the other squadron officers are on duty, viz, Capt. P.E. Lessard, Liet L.J.A. Lambert, Lieut. Fleury Perron, Lieut. A. Borieau (sic), Lieut J. Bourgeois. The camp is situated one and a half miles west of St. Albert, west of Big Lake, which is an ideal spot. On account of the uniforms not arriving in time, the squadron received orders to camp at St. Albert and have turned out in blue overalls, belts and bandoliers

The military command of Major Thideaudeau is the most northerly in Canada, and the honor belongs to a French-Canadian squadron. All friends of the soldier boys will receive a warm welcome whenever they visit the camp.

On 1 February 1908 under General Order 18, these four squadrons were regimented to form the 19^th The Alberta Mounted Rifles. Nine months later, on 5 October 1908, Edmonton would have it’s own infantry regiment, the 101^st Regiment (later to be renamed the 101^st Edmonton Fusiliers). The Fusiliers began parading in MacKay School and also at the "separate school" on 103rd Street in Edmonton. An "unbiased" account of the pre-war Edmonton Fusiliers was penned in 1913 and the text excerpts can be found here.

This was followed on 1 Oct 1909 by a full Regimental parade as part of the laying of the corner stone for the new Provincial Legislature Building. On the auspicious occasion, the regiment was formed up at 1:30pm at the corner of Kinistino and Jasper Avenues in Squadron columns. Dress consisted of Stetson hats, scarlet Serges, blue riding breeches, black boots, black leggings or blue puttees, spurs and all arms. For officers, Sam Browns were worn with the above dress.

In 1910, the Regiment sent several members to Winnipeg to participate in a Cavalry School offered at the Royal School of Instruction. The year was also consumed with preparations for the funeral of Edward VII. Ceremonies were held in the Thistle Rink on May 20th.

For the summer concentration of 1910, the Dragoon squadrons assembled at the Strathcona train station on 13 June 1910. The Edmonton Bulletin noted that a special CPR train was laid on for their departure (which occurred at 23:00hrs) and their horses followed on a separate train 30 minutes later that evening. The preliminary report for the summer camp was later presented in the Edmonton Daily Bulletin of 9 July 1910. The strength of the summer camp, held in Calgary, was given as 220 all ranks with 200 horses. LCol Belcher commanded three full squadrons (C and D merging to form a single entity) with Major BJ Saunders serving as acting 2IC. Maj Jamieson, the Regimental 2IC served with the Brigade staff. Squadron commanders were: A Squadron - Captain WA Griesbacgh; B Squadron - Major GW Mariott; C and D Squadron - Major LJ Whitaker. The Bulletin indicated that riding and shooting was reported as "very good" and further noted that discipline was "well maintained."

On 3 January 1911, the Regiment was renamed the 19^th Alberta Dragoons. This designation would largely remain unchanged right until the unit was placed on the supplementary order of battle on 31 March 1965. It was also in 1911 that the Conservative Party came to power and along with it, the appointment of Sir Sam Hughes as Minister of National Defence. Under Sam Hughes, the squadron establishments were increased in size. “B” Squadron in Edmonton increased from 69 all ranks to 104 with 96 horses. The traditional scarlet uniforms were re-vamped under Hughes. The Dragoons were issued Bedford cord riding-breeches and khaki shirts. Later, the khaki 7-button tunic would also be added. Along with the summer concentrations, numerous militia courses took place both at Military District 13 Headquarters in Calgary and in Ottawa. Troops were equipped with the Ross rifle and carried what appear to be 1890 pattern sabres. As such, they trained using both cavalry and mounted rifle tactics. As explained by Major William Griesbach in his memoirs I Remember,

“We, therefore, trained our men to seek for the opportunity of a cavalry charge,

such an opportunity presenting itself, the men slung their rifles, drew their swords

and rode at top speed to strike the enemy when he was shocked by artillery fire

or surprised by our action, and when he presented to us a favorable target.

On the other hand, we endeavoured to train our men for mounted rifle action

and practiced, in particular, rapid changes of position to enable us to escape

shell-fire and confuse the enemy as to where we were or what we were going to

do next.”

On 22 June 1911, the Venerable Archdeacon Gray, chaplain of the Dragoons, was called upon to consecrate the newly presented colours of the Edmonton Fusiliers. Later the same year on November 1, the Vegreville Observer proudly announced that C Squadron was to be transferred from the Fort to Vegreville.

The year 1912 commenced with the official change in command of the Regiment from LCol Belcher to LCol Jamieson. Under G.O. 17, LCol Belcher assumed command of the 5th Cavalry Brigade. A traveling escort was also arranged for the Lieutenant Governor upon the occasion of the closing of the Provincial Parliament on 16 Feb 1912. Continuing to strengthen the relationship of Edmonton's two Militia units, the fall of 1912 witnessed Major B.J. Saunders, ex of the 19^th Dragoons, accept the appointment of Honourary Lieutenant-Colonel of the 101^st Regiment, Edmonton Fusiliers. The Dragoons were once again called upon to provide an escort to the HRH the Duke of Connaught on 28 Aug 05 for the opening of the Parliament Building.

Annual training continued to be held in Calgary in 1913 and 1914. Staff of the Dragoons at the summer camp held in Calgary for 1913 were listed as:

A list of officers who served with the Dragoons is listed as an attachment at the bottom of this page for the years 1906-1939.

For the 1913, reference is made to the Stony Plain Troop which was part of A Squadron. and by 1914, the stench of war was in the air. “A” Squadron was commanded by Major William Griesbach and “B” Squadron by Major G.W. Marriot. “C” Squadron in Vegreville was now the command of Major Frank Fane. A provisional School of Cavalry was held commencing on 4 May 1914 and for four weeks thereafter at Vegreville. For the summer training in this pivotal year, 1 non-commissioned officer and 7 men from Lord Strathcona’s Horse were attached to the Dragoons.

The Dragoons continued to increase their presence in Edmonton, and the Regiments Musical Ride continued to improve and carry-out public spectacles.

As late as the 11 August 1914, the Edmonton Daily Bulletin was toting the Dragoons Musical Ride as being a major performer in the Military Tattoo which was planned as the highlight of the Edmonton Exhibition of 1914.

It is unknown if this fair ever took place. Less than three weeks later, LCol Jamieson and the first contingent of Dragoons were to be boarding trains at the Strathcona station and were bound for the front!