The Fort Garry Horse (Canadian Army Regular) Historical
The Fort Garry Horse (Canadian Army Regular)
Although The Fort Garry Horse (Canadian Army Regular) trace their lineage to 15 April 1912, in Winnipeg, it was on 11 October 1958 when the Minister of National Defence authorized the formation of a Regular Regiment of the Fort Garry Horse. The Regular unit was formed and located in Camp Petawawa, while the Militia Regiment remained in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Regular unit was known as The 1st Fort Garry Horse until 1960 when it became The Fort Garry Horse. The Militia Regiment became The Fort Garry Horse (Militia).
Shortly after the formation of the Regiment, a Reconnaissance Squadron was dispatched to Egypt to serve as part of the United Nations Emergency Force. It was a year long task, from February 1960 to February 1961 in the Sinai and Gaza Strip.
In December 1962, the Regiment was rotated to Northern Germany, to form part of the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group. They remained in Germany for three years, garrisoned in Fort Beausejour outside Iserlohn in Westphalia.
In December 1965, the Regiment returned to Canada and Sarcee Barracks in Calgary. While in Calgary, the Regiment provided three separate squadrons for the United Nations Force in Cyprus, between the period of October 1966 and September 1968.
On 19 September, 1969, the Minister of National Defence announced that the Regular Regiment of The Fort Garry Horse would be retired from the Regular Order of Battle. To mark the retirement of the Regiment, the honour of the Freedom of the City of Calgary was granted to The Fort Garry Horse on 20 November 1969. The final Trooping of the Guidon was conducted by the Regiment at Sarcee Barracks on the 21st of November 1969. On 6 June 1970, the Guidon was laid up in the Province of Manitoba's Legislative Building in Winnipeg.
On 15 June 1970, in the middle of a concentration exercise at Camp Wainwright, Alberta, the Regiment was rebadged to Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians). There were still Regular Force soldiers and officers wearing the hat badge of The Fort Garry Horse (Canadian Army Regular) in the late 1970's as they were ERE and had never returned to a Regiment. They were allowed to maintain their Regimental Affiliation to The Fort Garry Horse until such time as they were posted to another Regiment.
