REGIMENT CATECHISM
OVERVIEW
The Regimental Catechism is presented here in order to educate the general public with respect to the Royal Canadian Dragoons and the traditions that the Regiment observes.
A printed version is given to every new trooper upon joining the Regiment – they must study it and know it by rote as they are quizzed on its contents throughout their military career.
The Regimental Motto
AUDAX ET CELER: Latin for “Bold and Swift”.
Dragoon
noun: druh-GOON. Taken from French origin
Definition:
1. In European armies of the 17th and 18th centuries, a mounted infantryman armed with a carbine.
2. In armies of the late 18th and 19th centuries, a cavalryman, especially a heavily armed cavalryman was mounted and fought mounted.
3. The word is retained in the names of some modern regiments that were originally cavalry regiments.
The Regiment is composed of Regimental Headquarters (RHQ), Headquarters Squadron (HQ Sqn), and A, B, and C Squadrons. D Squadron was recently de-activated.
RHQ, HQ, A, and B Sqns are located at the Regiment’s homestation in Garrison Base Petawawa. C Sqn is based out of CFB Gagetown.
RHQ provides command and control as well as synchronization of the Regiment as part of Second Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2CMBG). HQ Sqn provides first-line combat service support to the Regiment while the three sabre squadrons are medium cavalry. They are primarily equipped with the LAV 6 Armoured Fighting Vehicle platform, and are supplemented by the TAPV. The Regiment is currently in the process of converting C Squadron from Heavy Tank to Medium Cavalry. To do this, C Sqn is tasked with supporting the trial of the Light Armoured Vehicle Reconnaissance Surveillance (LRSS) platform in January 2025.
The Regimental Title
The Royal Canadian Dragoons
Abbreviation
RCD: Members of the Regiment maybe known and referred to as Dragoons.
Role of Armoured Cavalry
To find, shape, and defeat the enemy through the aggressive use of firepower and battlefield mobility.
Role of The Royal Canadian Dragoons
To provide armoured cavalry support and reconnaissance to 2 CMBG operations.
Symbols
THE REGIMENTAL CYPHER
THE SPRINGBOK
The Springbok. The second badge of the Regiment is the Springbok, rooted in the Boer War, adopted in 1913 and still in use today. This current badge depicts a Springbok bounding on a velt (grassed) surface. The cap badge also has this surmounted on a scroll reading “ROYAL CANADIAN DRAGOONS”.
The SPRINGBOK STORY
The question is often asked why The Royal Canadian Dragoons, a Canadian Cavalry Regiment, wear the “Springbok” (an animal native to South Africa) as their unit cap and collar insignia. This distinctive badge was awarded to the Regiment after the South African Campaign (Boer War) as official recognition of the splendid service rendered by the unit during their operations. As with all units with long and storied histories, facts concerning the exact reason that the unit adopted the Springbok have been muddied and become myth over time.
The earliest record of the story currently avaialble is told in the first edition of the Regimental publication “The Goat” in March 1923: “While the Regiment was performing an outpost duty one night a sentry heard some noise to his front, his challenge to ‘Halt’ being ignored and thinking it was some wily Boer crawling up to surprise him, he fired, thus alarming the pickets, which immediately had to ‘stand to’. There was no return of fire but the sentry was confident he had heard movement. When dawn came, a patrol was sent out to investigate and a short distance in front of the post, a Springbok was found lying dead.”
While research continues, members of the Regiment have adopted their own version of why the Springbok got adopted as our. Although unsubstantiated, it seems to be based on the same base story with some variations: “In July 1900 while a troop of the Regiment was on outpost duty in South Africa, all seemed quiet but a sentry reported to his officer that a number of Springboks, South African gazelle, were bounding frequently into the air as though alarmed. The officer immediately ordered a stand-to in time to drive off an attack by a large party of Boers who had managed a stealthy approach to the outpost.”
Members of the Regiment have adopted their own version of why the Springbok got adopted as our cap badge. Although unsubstantiated, it seems to be based on the same base story with some variations: “In July 1900 while a troop of the Regiment was on outpost duty in South Africa, all seemed quiet but a sentry reported to his officer that a number of Springboks, South African gazelle, were bounding frequently into the air as though alarmed. The officer immediately ordered a stand-to in time to drive off an attack by a large party of Boers who had managed a stealthy approach to the outpost.”
It is said that the Commanding Officer, LCol Lessard, on hearing of this event, requested authority to take the Springbok bounding as the Regimental Badge. Unfortunately, at this time no records are currently avaialble to confirm which story was put forward!
Anniversaries
Special Anniversaries are dates that commemorate important dates in Regimental history.
Leeuwarden Liberation Day – 15 April
Leeuwarden Day celebrates the liberation of the town of Leeuwarden. It is observed by raising the flag of the city Leeuwarden at the home of the Regiment, located at CFB Petawawa as well as operational locations. A similar ceremony takes place in Leeuwarden, Holland, with the raising of the Regimental flag to commemorate their Liberation on the 15th of April 1945.
Action at Leliefontein Day – 7 November
The celebration of Leliefontein commemorates the actions of The Royal Canadian Dragoons during the Boer War and their achievement of 3 Victoria Crosses in one day. It is observed by the reunion of present and former Dragoons, Regimental dinners and a Regimental remembrance parade.
The Regimental Birthday – 21 December
The Regimental Birthday is celebrated by holding small social functions across the country. This includes in the Regiment Lines as well as wherever Dragoons can gether on or around the 21st of December each year.
Prayers & Hymns
REGIMENTAL PRAYER 1
Grace
May we be strong in virtue,
Firm in time of trouble,
And always ready to help others in time of need.
May we be blessed by God,
As we share this food,
And as we live and work together,
For the good of all.
AMEN
REGIMENTAL HYMN
(to the tune Ethelwald)
Solders of God! Arise
Lift up you battle cry,
In armour strong, in action wise
Prepare to die.
Rise o’er a fallen world
Your banner to the sky;
The Honours of your God Unfurl’d
The righteousness of fly!
In his great cause be brave!
Defend against the foe!
You go in Jesus’s name to save
The world from sin and woe.
The risen Lord of all
Preserve you from ill,
You shall find peace to hear the call,
And trust in God’s own will.
REGIMENTAL PRAYER 2
Blessed and Eternal God,
In whose providence our days are constantly surrounded,
We thank you for the challenge of life.
We praise you for the good we may do.
Help us to lay hold on every opportunity to serve others.
Inspire us to give our best in the cause of truth and righteousness.
When we carry the torch of enlightenment,
Or wear the cloak of privilege,
Or stand in the place of honour,
Enable us to dedicate ourselves to the welfare of humanity,
And the preservation of justice and love.
We thank you for the renewing of hope
That brightens the present and lightens the future.
Through this hope, make us not ashamed to defend your laws
And extend your kingdom.
Help us to improve the extent of our gratitude to you
By the depth of our devotion.
Use us as instruments of good will:
While there is doubt, or despair, or oppression:
Teach us to communicate faith and hope and courage.
Let the beauty of the Lord be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands in
righteousness and peace.
AMEN
First used when the Regimental Window was donated by BGen Bell in memory of all fallen Dragoons
Affiliated Units
ALLIED REGIMENTS
- The Household Cavalry* (United Kingdom)
- 1-71 Cavalry Squadron of the 1st BCT, 10th Mountain Division* (America)
CANADIAN MILITIA AFFILIATION
- The Governor General’s Horse Guards
* The former affiliation was the 1st Royal Dragoons which amalgamated
with The Royal Horse Guards (The Blues) in 1969, to become the Blues and Royals.
Battle Honours
A Battle Honour is an award of a right by a Government or Sovereign to a military unit to emblazon the name of a battle or operation on its flags ("colours"), uniforms or other accessories where ornamentation is possible.
In the case of The Royal Canadian Dragoons the Battle Honours can be found on our Guidon which is held with the unit at Garrison Petawawa.
The Battle Honours awarded to the Regiment are as follows:
- North West Canada, 1885
- South Africa, 1900
- Festubert, 1915
- Somme, 1916, ’18
- Bazentin
- Pozières
- Flers-Courcelette
- Cambrai, 1917, ’18
- St Quentin
- Amiens
- Hindenburg Line
- St. Quentin Canal
- Beaurevoir
- Pursuit to Mons
- France and Flanders, 1915-18
- Liri Valley
- Gothic Line
- Lamone Crossing
- Misano Ridge
- Sant’Angelo in Salute
- Fosso Vecchio
- Italy, 1944-45
- Groningen
- Bad Zwischenahn
- North West Europe, 1945
- Afghanistan
Those names not in boldface are not emblazoned on the Guidon
regimental music
DISMOUNTED MARCH
Light Of Foot
Used at all ceremonial parades for the march past in quick time and whenever the Guidon is marched on or off parade.
MOUNTED MARCH
Monsieur Beaucaire
Used for all March Pasts in slow time and for all Roll Past in vehicles.
FANFARE
Royal Canadian Dragoons
A piece composed for Leliefontein in 1976 by the Bandmaster of the 21st Lancers, P.D. Conibear.
Standards & Guidons
Originally, Dragoons had two orders of precedence: in the field they took precedence as “horse” but in garrison they took less precedence as “foot”. Dragoons were originally mounted Infantry.
Introduction
The carrying of colours into battle goes back into the dimmest of distant history. The Israelites carried their sacred standard into battle. The Eagles of Rome, in comparison, are almost modern in the passage of time.
It is through more or less the knights of medieval days that the British Army and subsequently the Common Wealth Armies trace the tradition of individual regimental colours. Knights flew their armourial bearing on their pennants so that their own following of bowmen and men-at-arms would know their location and where to ally in the heat of battle.
A cavalry regiment carried as its banner a Guidon which is derived from the French Guydhomme or guideman, who was formerly the carrier of the cavalry regiment’s banner. Ever since, Guidons have been carried by cavalry in the British Army.
King’s Banner (Union Flag)
This was presented to the Regiment by His Excellency, The Earl of Minto. The Governor General of Canada in Toronto on 12 November 1904. Although a cavalry regiment, but having served in South Africa as mounted rifles, the Regiment was so honoured by the King who became Colonel-in- Chief of the Regiment. The King’s Banner is currently held in the Regimental Archives at Garrison Petawawa.
Standard (Blue Guidon)
This was presented to the Regiment by King George V (then the Duke of Cornwall and York) in Toronto on 11 October 1901. The battle honours “North- West Canada 1885” and “South Africa 1900” were emblazoned on this standard as was also the badge of that time, The Royal Cypher and in gold on crimson “Royal Canadian Dragoons”. The Standard is currently held in the Garrison Petawawa museum.
Second Guidon
This was delivered to the Regiment in Belgium and was first carried on parade at Amiens when a detachment of the Regiment dedicated a memorial tablet in the Cathedral of that city. It was officially presented to the Regiment at Bramshott Camp, England, by His Royal Highness Prince Arthur of Connaught in 1919. The Springbok was emblazoned on this Guidon. In January 1931, the ten additional battle honours of the First World War were approved for emblazonment on the Guidon. The second Guidon is currently layed up in St. George’s Chapel, Garrison Petawawa.
Third Guidon
This was presented to the Regiment by His Excellency The Governor General of Canada, General G.P. Vanier, at Camp Gagetown, NB on 23 May 1964. It carries the battle honours of the Regiment including those approved for emblazonment from the Second World War. The Third Guidon was hung at Beechwood National Cemetary on 27 April 2012.
Fourth Guidon
The new Guidon was presented to the Regiment during the summer of 1998. It is a replacement of the third Guidon which was worn from operations in Germany, Cyprus, and the former Republic of Yugoslavia. Retired in December 2022, it is stored at the Regiment at Garrison Petawawa waiting for the reconstruction of the Regimental display at the Petawawa Base Museum.
the Guidon's significance and protocols
Today, because of its historic and sentimental value, it is no longer carried in action or by a unit in a theatre of war. However, it continues to be a visible symbol of pride, honour, and devotion to sovereign and country. When presented, Guidons are consecrated by the Chaplain General assisted by the unit chaplain(s). Through these means, the Guidon is sanctified and devoted to service as a symbol of honour and duty and all members of the unit, regardless of classification, dedicate themselves to constancy in the maintenance of these qualities. Once consecrated, Guidons are closely guarded and, when uncased, they are honoured by the appropriate compliment. Every effort must be made to prevent the loss of the Guidons to enemy forces. Any regiment serving overseas at the outbreak of hostilities shall return their Guidons to Canada. It is to be destroyed on threat of capture by hostile elements instead of falling into enemy hands.
In cavalry regiments, the Guidon is carried by the senior MWO and escorted by the two senior WOs with a Sgt as Guidon Orderly. In the past, when cavalry soldiers had to provide their own horses, the class of private soldiers which any cavalry regiment attracted were generally of much higher standing than those who would gravitate to regiments of foot.
This superior breed of soldier led to superior Non-Commissioned Officers and Warrant Officers. As a tangible symbol of the trust placed in Warrant Officers and Sergeants within the cavalry, the honour of carrying and escorting the Guidon was relinquished by the officers.
The only personnel allowed to handle the Guidon are the Guidon Bearer, COs of the regiment, Colonels and former Honorary Colonels of the Regiment and the RSM.
Once the Guidon is requested, be it a parade or social function, an appointment is to be made with the Regimental Adjutant who unlocks the case so the Bearer can retrieve the Guidon.
On return, the Adjutant must be informed and after the Guidon is returned to its case, the Guidon Party will proceed with the Adjutant to have the traditional glass of sherry with the CO and toast the regiment.
Once drawn and until it is placed back in the case, the Guidon Party is responsible at all times for the security and safe keeping of the latter and will not leave it unguarded.
Guidon Protocol
New Guidons will not be carried on parade until they have been consecrated and no compliments are to be paid until consecration has been done. Once consecrated and presented, they shall be accorded the highest honours at all times and treated with the greatest respect and care. When a Guidon replaces a Guidon that is declared non-serviceable, they are presented and consecrated in the same manner as a new Guidon. Because of their symbolism and purpose, Guidons belong in a separate class from flags and are not paraded with other flags in any colour party. Guidons are not uncased after retreat or before sunrise unless the location of the parade is illuminated. Guidons are never uncased in inclement weather. If the Guidon is wet, it shall be hung to dry before returning to it’s case.
Custody
Commanding Officers are responsible for the safeguarding, care, maintenance, and appropriate manner of display of the Guidon. When at rest, the current Guidon will be displayed in the RCD main foyer in a secure case under guard 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.