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The story of the Colours of the 19th Alberta Dragoons is an interesting anomaly. Theoretically entitled to carry as guidon, for an unknown reason, the Dragoons never were issued with one. The protocol and design of a cavalry guidon is a very specific process and it is perhaps for this reason that a pattern was never realized.
At the outbreak of the war, the 19th Alberta Dragoons were presented with a Union Jack flag which became their unofficial colours. These "colours" were presented by Col Harwood of the Edmonton Fusiliers (later to take command of the 51st Battalion) in 1914 prior to the departure of the Special Service Squadron to Valcartier. It was noted by the Edmonton Journal in 1964 that among the Regiment's mementos was "a flag Carried in the Boer War." It is thus believed that this flag presented by Col Harwood was the one that ultimately became the Dragoons' unofficial colours. The picture at left shows the presentation of this flag to the Dragoons.
During the war, a pennon was fashioned and carried by the Canadian Light Horse orderly. Cpl Goodland of the 19th Dragoons reportedly carried this pennon behind Brigadier General Sir Arthur Currie on all official occasions commencing in 1917 at Hersin-Coupigny. The pennon was carried on a captured Uhlan lance and was also borne behind the Corps Commander on his entry into Mons. The pennon was noted to have been presented to the Regimental Association in 1931 but its whereabouts following the second world war became unknown.
Interestingly, the First Hussars (who in WW1 formed "B" Squadron of the CLH) currently have in their possession a pennon in CLH colours that was reportedly carried by the orderly to the adjutant of the Canadian Light Horse, Capt Walter de Mayhew King. King originally departed overseas as a member of the 19th Dragoons holding the rank of sergeant-major. Whilst overseas, he was commissioned and rose to the position of Adjutant before being killed by a shell burst. It is likely that this pennon which Cpl Goodland carried was the same pennon which was near Capt King when he was killed and is now in possession of the First Hussars.
Following the war, the Union Jack presented by Col Harwood continued to be accepted as the de facto "Colours" for the Regiment until 1942 when the Regiment was made dormant. A "Laying up" ceremony was held at 1400hrs on May 3rd, 1942 and upon approval from higher headquarters, the "Colours" were placed in the Holy Trinity Church under the care of the Regimental Padre, Honourary Captain WM Nainby. The Holy Trinity had been the Church of Choice for the Dragoons since inception. To read a bit more about the historic connection between the Dragoons and the Holy Trinity, click here!
It should be noted that the amalgamation of the Dragoons and Fusiliers also brought the perpetuation of the 66th, 138th, and 202nd Battalion CEF into the Dragoons lineage via the Edmonton Fusiliers. The colours of both the 66th Battalion and 202nd Battalion CEF are located in the Alberta Legislature. The Regimental and King's Colour of the 138th Battalion are located in the First Presbyterian Church in Edmonton. It is unknown at this time as to the whereabouts or existence of the Colours for the 3rd CMR and 9th Bn CEF.
At the end of the Second World War and the amalgamation with the 101st Edmonton Fusiliers in 1946, the Regiment found itself in the position of having a stand of infantry colours and the "Harwood flag." The "Harwood flag" was retrieved from the Holy Trinity church in an official ceremony in 1950 and all three were carried together on formal occasions (including a Trooping in 1952).
The above photo was taken during a church parade in the 50's and shows (from left to right) Lt's Kruper, Meadows and Quarton carrying the colours with the guard being RSM Malcolm Jack and SSM Bert Lane.
Sadly, the Regiment was placed on the supplementary order of battle in 1964. At this time, all three colours were laid up in the Holy Trinity Church in Edmonton and they remain in this church until today.
Despite the placement of the Regiment on the supplementary order of battle, it appears that there were some ex-members of the Regiment who still desired to see a Guidon developed for the Dragoons. In the late 1970's or early 80's (possibly even the early 60's), Lt RSO Johnson, commissioned a painting of a 19th Alberta Dragoon standard based on designs which had been proposed with the Regiment. Although not strictly in accordance with protocol (only select cavalry units are entitled to a Standard) a painting was completed. Their are two known paintings of this Standard in existence.
It was hoped that a Regimental guidon could be designed and authorized prior to the proposed amalgamation of the 19th Alberta Dragoons with the South Alberta Light Horse. Unfortunately, it has been made clear by the authorities that this will not be entertained as they consider the Regiment dormant. Without any serving Dragoons to present the guidon to, they will not allow a guidon to be produced.
With the recent amalgamation with the South Alberta Light Horse, the Dragoons now have a guidon, namely that of the South Alberta Light Horse.
As the majority of the battles in WW1 were also witnessed by the 31st Alberta Battalion, the honours earned by the Dragoons are almost all accounted for on the SALH guidon. It is anticipated that the SALH guidon will be re-designed when it is next due for replacement. Perhaps to incorporate a quadrant device which recognizes the Dragoons?
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