Royal Canadian Horse Artillery

Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
Garter Crest of the RCHA
Active	1871–present
Country	Canada
Branch	Land Force Command
Type	Field artillery
Size	3 regiments
Part of	Royal Canadian Artillery
Garrison/HQ	1st Regiment: CFB Shilo 2nd Regiment: CFB Petawawa 5e Régiment: CFB Valcartier
Motto(s)	Ubique (everywhere) Quo fas et gloria ducunt (whither right and glory lead) Honi soit qui mal y pense (shame be to him who thinks evil of it)
March	"British Grenadiers"
Commanders
Notable commanders	Brigadier General William Henry Pferinger Elkins CB, C.B.E., DSO
Abbreviation	RCHA

The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery is the name given to the regular field artillery units of the Canadian Army. RCHA units are the senior units of the Canadian regular forces, with a history dating back to the birth of Canada as a nation. 'A' and 'B' Batteries of Garrison Artillery were formed as the first units of Canada's permanent military force in 1871 in Kingston and Quebec City respectively, with a third ('C' Battery) authorized in 1883 and formed in 1887 in Esquimalt. These bore the name of the Regiment of Canadian Artillery, with the Royal Canadian Artillery being formed as the militia element in 1895. In 1905, to distinguish between the regular force and militia, the regulars were given the title Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. Today, the regular force encompasses three RCHA regiments:

• 1st Regiment, RCHA: this is the descendant of the original batteries of artillery formed in 1871, and is thus the senior unit in the Canadian Armed Forces. Currently, this regiment is part of Land Force Western Area's 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group.
• 2nd Regiment, RCHA: 2 RCHA was formed in 1950 for service in the Korean War. 2RCHA is part of Land Force Central Area's 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group.
• 5^e Régiment d'artillerie légère du Canada: 5 RALC is the francophone element of the regular artillery, and was formed in 1968. 5 RALC is part of Land Force Quebec Area's 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group.

In addition to the three regiments currently serving, two further regiments have served in the past prior to being disbanded:

• 3rd Regiment, RCHA: originally formed as 79th Field Regiment, RCA, this regiment received its name in 1953 during the reorganization of the Canadian Army as a result of Canada's NATO commitments. 3 RCHA was reduced to nil strength in 1992 following the downsizing of the Land Force, and was replaced at CFB Shilo by 1 RCHA on its return from Germany.
• 4th Regiment, RCHA: originally 81st Field Regiment, RCA, this regiment became part of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery at the same time as 3 RCHA in 1953. 4 RCHA was primarily stationed at CFB Petawawa until 1970 when, following the formation of 5 RALC, it was reduced to nil strength and replaced by 2 RCHA.

Affiliations

• United Kingdom: Royal Horse Artillery

See also

• The Canadian Crown and the Canadian Forces
• List of Canadian organizations with royal patronage

External links

• History and Uniform of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, 1871 to 1970
• 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (Royal Canadian Artillery site)
• 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (Royal Canadian Artillery site)
• 5^e Régiment d'artillerie légère du Canada (Royal Canadian Artillery site)