1st Hussars
| 1st Hussars | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1872–Present |
| Country | Canada |
| Branch | Canadian Army |
| Type | Line Cavalry |
| Role | Armoured Reconnaissance |
| Size | One regiment |
| Part of | Royal Canadian Armoured Corps |
| Garrison/HQ | London, Sarnia |
| Motto(s) | Hodie Non Cras (Today Not Tomorrow) |
| March | Bonnie Dundee |
| Engagements | Juno Beach, Le Mesnil-Patry |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Lieutenant-Colonel Bernard Scheid (eff Sept 2015) |
| Honorary Colonel | Barry A Hogan (eff. May 2016) |
The 1st Hussars is an armoured Primary Reserve regiment of the Canadian Forces, currently based in London and Sarnia, Ontario.
The 1st Hussars traces its roots to the formation of the St. Thomas Troop of Volunteer Militia Cavalry in March 1856 and the First Troop of Volunteer Militia Cavalry of London in July of the same year. In 1863, these units were redesignated the St. Thomas Troop of Cavalry and the London Troop of Cavalry, respectively. Both troops were put on active duty in southwestern Ontario in response to the Fenian raid of 1866, but neither had contact with the invading forces.
The two troops were consolidated under one headquarters, forming the St. Thomas and London Squadron of Canada in January 1867. Both troops were again called into active service during the 1870 Fenian invasion, but again neither saw action.
In May 1872, the squadron was expanded with four additional cavalry troops, for a total of six, to become the 1st Regiment of Cavalry, headquartered in St. Thomas. Subunits included:
No. 5 and No. 6 Troops disbanded in 1874. In 1880, regimental headquarters moved to London, where it has remained to this day. The 1st Regiment of Cavalry was redesignated the 1st Regiment of Cavalry Hussars in 1888, and 1st Hussars in 1892. In 1896 and 1897, the remaining four troops' numbered designations were replaced with letters and the troops were renamed as squadrons.
In February 1905, the regiment moved into the newly built London Armouries at the corner of Dundas and Waterloo Streets, which it used until 1977. By 1913, 'A' Squadron had moved to London from St. Thomas, 'C' Squadron had moved from Mooretown to Courtright, where it was disbanded, and 'D' Squadron had moved from Kingsville to Amherstburg, where it was renamed 'C' Squadron after the disbandment of the Courtright squadron.
October 1899 saw the outbreak of the Second Boer War between the British Empire and the Boer republics of the Orange Free State and the Transvaal Republic.
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Wikipedia