12th Manitoba Dragoons facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 12th Manitoba Dragoons
XII Manitoba Dragoons cap badge
Active	1903–1964
Country	Canada
Branch	Canadian Army
Type	Line cavalry
Role	Armoured reconnaissance
Part of	Supplementary Order of Battle
Garrison/HQ	Virden, Manitoba
Motto(s)	Latin: Ubique honor et equis, lit. 'Everywhere honour and by horse'
March	"Colonel Bogey"
Engagements	North-West Rebellion Second Boer War First World War Second World War
Battle honours	See #Battle honours

The 12th Manitoba Dragoons was an armoured regiment (a type of military unit) in the Canadian Army. It was active for many years before being placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle, which means it's no longer an active unit but its history is preserved.

The History of the 12th Manitoba Dragoons

The 12th Manitoba Dragoons started on July 1, 1903, in Brandon, Manitoba. It was first called the "12th 'Manitoba Dragoons'". Over the years, the unit changed its name several times.

In 1935, it joined with another unit called The Border Horse. Even after joining, it kept the name 12th Manitoba Dragoons. The unit's name changed again in 1940 to the 12th (Reserve) Manitoba Dragoons. After World War II, it became the 18th Armoured Car Regiment (12th Dragoons), RCAC in 1946. It went through a few more name changes until 1958, when it returned to being simply the 12th Manitoba Dragoons.

Finally, on December 31, 1964, the unit was officially stopped from being active. Its history and traditions were then moved to the Supplementary Order of Battle.

The Border Horse: A Partner Unit

The Border Horse was another military unit that joined the 12th Manitoba Dragoons. It began in 1908 in Estevan, Saskatchewan, as the 20th Mounted Rifles. It also changed its name a few times, becoming the 20th Border Horse and then The Border Horse, before joining with the 12th Manitoba Dragoons in 1935.

Carrying on the Legacy: Perpetuations

The 12th Manitoba Dragoons carried on the history and traditions of some older units. This is called "perpetuation."

• North-West Rebellion, 1885: They carried on the legacy of the 95th Battalion, Manitoba Grenadiers.
• The Great War (World War I): They also continued the history of the 6th Battalion (Fort Garrys), CEF and the 32nd Battalion, CEF.

The Dragoons in Action: Operational History

The 12th Manitoba Dragoons and its related units took part in several important conflicts.

North West Rebellion (1885)

The 95th Battalion Manitoba Grenadiers was called into action on April 10, 1885. This unit was part of the North West Field Force, which helped during the North-West Rebellion in Canada. They finished their active service on September 18, 1885.

South African War (1900)

During the Second Boer War in South Africa, many brave volunteers from The Manitoba Dragoons joined Canadian groups fighting overseas.

The Great War (World War I)

In World War I, the Regiment formed two special battalions for the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

• The 6th Battalion (Fort Garry Horse), CEF was formed in August 1914. They traveled to Britain and helped train new soldiers. This battalion was recognized with the battle honour "THE GREAT WAR 1914-15."
• The 32nd Battalion, CEF was formed in November 1914 and also went to Britain. Their job was to provide new soldiers to other Canadian units already fighting. This battalion earned the battle honour "THE GREAT WAR 1915-17."

The Second World War (World War II)

During World War II, the Regiment formed the 18th (Manitoba) Reconnaissance Battalion. This unit was later renamed the 18th Armoured Car Regiment (12th Manitoba Dragoons).

They went to Great Britain in 1942. In July 1944, they landed in Normandy, France, as part of the II Canadian Corps. They fought bravely in North-West Europe until the war ended in 1945.

After 1945

The active part of the unit was stopped in 1946. However, the local militia (reserve) part of the regiment was reactivated. It continued until December 31, 1964, when it was officially placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle. This means it is no longer an active fighting unit.

Unit Structure: Organization

Over its history, the 12th Manitoba Dragoons had different groups, often called "squadrons," located in various towns in Manitoba. These squadrons were like smaller teams within the larger regiment.

For example, when it started in 1903, the regiment had its main office in Brandon, Manitoba. It also had squadrons in places like Virden, Manitoba, Souris, Manitoba, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Minnedosa, Manitoba, and another in Brandon. The locations of these squadrons changed over the years as the unit evolved.

Working Together: Alliances

The 12th Manitoba Dragoons had special connections, or "alliances," with British military units. This meant they shared traditions and a bond with these regiments:

• The 12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales's) (until 1960)
• The 9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales's) (from 1960 to 1964)

Recognitions: Battle Honours

Battle honours are special awards given to military units for their bravery and success in battles or campaigns. The 12th Manitoba Dragoons earned many of these honours. The ones marked with a "+" were proudly displayed on the unit's special flag, called a guidon.

Keeping the Name Alive: Cadet Corps

Even though the 12th Manitoba Dragoons is no longer an active military unit, its name and traditions live on through the 2528 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps.

This cadet corps was formed in 1954 in Virden, Manitoba. It was originally connected to the 12th Manitoba Dragoons and used their symbols. After the regiment stopped being active, the cadet corps changed its affiliation for a while. However, in 1994, it proudly returned to its original connection and was renamed the XII Manitoba Dragoons Cadet Corps. Today, young people from Virden and nearby communities continue to be part of this corps, learning leadership and citizenship skills while honoring the history of the Dragoons.

Photo gallery

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  T17E1 Staghound armoured cars of the 18th Armoured Car Regiment (12th Manitoba Dragoons) crossing the Seine River.

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  T-17E1 Staghound armoured car of the 12th Manitoba Dragoons crossing a Bailey bridge, Elbeuf, France, 28 August 1944. Soldiers are offloading railway ties to reinforce or smooth out the road surface.

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  T-17E1 Staghound armoured cars of "A" Squadron, 12th Manitoba Dragoons, in the Hochwald, Germany, 2 March 1945. The first car has tire chains on all four wheels.

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  Shoulder Flash

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  Memorial Stained Glass window, 2770 LCol KL Jefferson is wearing a pre-1914 brass spiked helmet of the 12th Manitoba Dragoons, Royal Military College of Canada.

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  Memorial of the liberation of Zeebrugge (Belgium) on 3 November 1944 by the 12th Manitoba Dragoons.

Notable People

Some important people who were part of the 12th Manitoba Dragoons include:

• Colonel Sir Daniel Hunter McMillan
• Donald MacKeen Smith
• David Berman (mobster)
• Lieutenant-General Robert Moncel
• Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon Churchill
• Lieutenant Frank Crean

See also

• List of regiments of cavalry of the Canadian Militia (1900–1920)

Media

• Regimental History of the 18th Armored Car Regiment (XII Manitoba Dragoons) by C. E. Henry (1945)