The Saskatchewan Dragoons

Colonel-in-Chief: His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex KG, KCVO, SOM, ADC

Badge

Description

The Arms of the Province of Saskatchewan (Vert three garbs in fess Or, on a chief Or a lion passant guardant Gules) ensigned by the Royal Crown proper, supported on either side by the Roman numerals "X" Argent all above a scroll Or inscribed ESPRIT D'INITIATIVE in letters Sable.

Symbolism

The Crown represents service to the Sovereign. The arms of the Province of Saskatchewan represent the geographical basis of the regiment. The Roman numerals "XX" represent the regiment's heritage as the 20th Saskatchewan Armoured Regiment."ESPRIT D'INITIATIVE" is the motto of the regiment.

Motto

ESPRIT D'INITIATIVE (Spirit of initiative)

March

Punjaub

Guidon

Camp flag

Battle honours

The First World War

MOUNT SORREL; SOMME, 1916; Ancre Heights; Ancre, 1916; ARRAS, 1917, '18; Vimy, 1917; HILL 70; YPRES, 1917; Passchendaele; AMIENS; Scarpe, 1918; Drocourt-Quéant; HINDENBURG LINE; Canal du Nord; VALENCIENNES; FRANCE AND FLANDERS, 1916-18.

The Second World War

Lineage

This Reserve Force regiment originated on 3 July 1905 and incorporates the following regiments.

The Saskatchewan Dragoons originated in Regina, Saskatchewan on 3 July 1905, when a 'regiment of infantry' was authorized to be formed in the districts of Assiniboia and Saskatchewan.^{Footnote 1} It was redesignated: '95th Regiment' on 2 April 1907;^{Footnote 2} and '95th Saskatchewan Rifles' on 1 June 1909.^{Footnote 3} On 1 April 1912 the regiment was reorganized as two separate regiments, designated the '105th Regiment' (now 'The North Saskatchewan Regiment') and the '95th Saskatchewan Rifles'.^{Footnote 4} On 15 March 1920, it was amalgamated with the '60th Rifles of Canada' (see below) and redesignated 'The South Saskatchewan Regiment'.^{Footnote 5} On 15 May 1924, 'The South Saskatchewan Regiment' was reorganized into five separate regiments, designated: 'The Assiniboia Regiment' (now the '10th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA); 'The Regina Rifle Regiment' (now 'The Royal Regina Rifles'); 'The Weyburn Regiment' (now 'The South Saskatchewan Regiment'); 'The Saskatchewan Border Regiment' (now 'The South Saskatchewan Regiment'); and 'The South Saskatchewan Regiment'.^{Footnote 6} It was redesignated 'The King's Own Rifles of Canada' on 15 September 1924.^{Footnote 7} On 15 December 1936, it was amalgamated with 'B Company' of the '12th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC' (now 'The Royal Regina Rifles') and redesignated 'The King's Own Rifles of Canada (MG)'.^{Footnote 8} It was redesignated: '2nd Battalion, The King's Own Rifles of Canada' on 29 January 1942;^{Footnote 9} and upon conversion to armour, '20th (Saskatchewan) Armoured Regiment, RCAC' on 1 April 1946;^{Footnote 10} '20th Saskatchewan Armoured Regiment' on 4 February 1949;^{Footnote 11} 'The Saskatchewan Dragoons (20th Armoured Regiment)' on 31 July 1954;^{Footnote 12} and 'The Saskatchewan Dragoons' on 19 May 1958.^{Footnote 13}

Perpetuations

'46th', and '128th "Overseas" Battalion(s), CEF'

Headquarters Location

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

Operational history

The First World War

Details of the 60th Rifles of Canada were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protective duty.^{Footnote 15}

Details of the 95th Saskatchewan Rifles were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protective duty.^{Footnote 16}

The 46th Battalion, which was authorized on 7 November 1914 as the '46th Battalion, CEF',^{Footnote 17} embarked for Britain on 23 October 1915.^{Footnote 18} On 11 August 1916 it disembarked in France,^{Footnote 19} where it fought with the 10th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war.^{Footnote 20} The battalion was disbanded on 30 August 1920.^{Footnote 21}

The 128th Battalion, which was authorized on 22 December 1915 as the '128th "Overseas" Battalion, CEF',^{Footnote 22} embarked for Britain on 15 August 1916.^{Footnote 23} The battalion provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field until 13 February 1917, when it was allotted to the 13th Infantry Brigade, 5th Canadian Division in England.^{Footnote 24} On 27 May 1917 its personnel were absorbed by the 19th Reserve Battalion, CEF'.^{Footnote 25} The battalion was disbanded on 30 August 1920.^{Footnote 26}

The Second World War

The regiment mobilized the '1st Battalion, The King's Own Rifles of Canada, CASF' for active service on 29 January 1942.^{Footnote 27} The unit served in Canada in a home defence role as part of the 14th Infantry Brigade, 8th Canadian Division.^{Footnote 28} The battalion was disbanded on 30 March 1946.^{Footnote 29}

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