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Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
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| The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery | |
|---|---|
| Le Régiment royal de l'Artillerie canadienne (French) | |
 Regimental badge | |
| Active | 1871–present |
| Country | Canada |
| Branch | Canadian Army |
| Type | Artillery |
| Role |
|
| Home station | CFB Shilo |
| Patron | St. Barbara |
| Mottos | Quo fas et gloria ducunt (Latin for 'whither right and glory lead') |
| Colours | The guns of the RCA themselves |
| March |
|
| Anniversaries |
|
| Current weapon systems | |
| Battle honours | The word ubique (Latin for 'everywhere'), takes the place of all past and future battle honours in recognition of the artillery's widespread service in all battles and campaigns since its creation |
| Website | rca-arc |
| Commanders | |
| Captain General | King Charles III |
| Colonel commandant | Brigadier-General (Ret'd) D. Patterson (23 October 2021-present) |
| Acting/Senior Serving Gunner | Brigadier-General S.Hunter (2021-present) |
| Director RCA | Colonel K.L.A Bouckaert (2021-present) |
| Regimental Colonel | Colonel David Grebstad (June 2022–present) |
| Commander home station | Lieutenant-Colonel C.A. Wood (July 2021-present) |
| Regimental sergeant-major | Chief Warrant Officer (MrGnr) Sean McGowan (2024-present) |
| Insignia | |
| Abbreviation | RCA (for Royal Canadian Artillery, the former regimental designation of 3 June 1935) |
| Headdress | Dark blue beret |
The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery (French: Le Régiment royal de l'Artillerie canadienne), formerly and commonly known as the Royal Canadian Artillery, is the artillery personnel branch of the Canadian Army.
History
[edit]Many of the units and batteries of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery are older than the Dominion of Canada itself. The first artillery company in Canada was formed in the province of Canada (New France) in 1750.
Volunteer Canadian artillery batteries existed before 1855 but their history is mostly unknown. Seven batteries of artillery were formed after the passage of the Militia Act of 1855 which allowed Canada to retain a paid military force of 5,000 men. One of the pre-1855 volunteer batteries formed in Saint John, New Brunswick, in 1793 was called the "Loyal Company of Artillery" and exists today as the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, RCA.
After Confederation
[edit]On 20 October 1871, the first regular Canadian army units were created, in the form of two batteries of garrison artillery; thus, that date is considered the regiment's birthday. "A" Battery in Kingston, Ontario, and "B" Battery in Quebec City, Quebec, became gunnery schools and performed garrison duties in their respective towns. They are still active today as part of the 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (RCHA).
The Royal Canadian Artillery was granted its 'Royal' prefix by Queen Victoria on May 24, 1893.
The Royal Canadian Artillery has participated in every major conflict in Canada's history.[citation needed]
Riel Rebellions
[edit]In 1870, in response to the Red River Rebellion led by Louis Riel, Colonel Garnet Wolseley led a force of British regulars and Canadian Militia across Northern Ontario to quell the uprising. The force never partook in any combat. Following the establishment of Manitoba in May 1870, the militia portion of the force was garrisoned along the Red River. After 1872 this included the newly formed Manitoba Demi-Battery, which was composed of Regular gunners of "A" and "B" Battery.
In 1885, when Riel led the North-West Rebellion in the District of Saskatchewan, A and B Batteries, as well as several militia batteries, including the Winnipeg Field Battery, were dispatched to quell the uprising. Upon arriving in Saskatchewan, "A" Battery and Winnipeg Field fought at Fish Creek and Batoche. "B" Battery moved west to Swift Current where they participated in the Battle of Cut Knife, which saw the first use by Canadian soldiers of the machine gun, and the last time in Canadian history that bows and arrows were used in battle.
In 1886, the Regular Gunners of A & B Batteries returned east, transferring their guns to the North-West Mounted Police.[1]
Boer War
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During the war in South Africa, Canada contributed the Brigade Division of the Canadian Field Artillery. It consisted of three batteries, named "C", "D" and "E", each of six 12-pounder field guns. Each battery consisted of three sections of two guns each, and was manned by a core of Permanent Force soldiers, with additional members from the Militia. The militia for "C" and "D" batteries came from Ontario and Winnipeg, while "E" battery had militia from Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.[2]
"D" and "E" Batteries arrived in Cape Town aboard the SS Laurentian in February 1900,[2] and were soon sent north to form part of a column based at Victoria West under Colonel Sir Charles Parsons. In March and April they took part in an operation in the Kenhardt district, covering 700 miles (1,100 km) in six weeks, seeing little action, but much heavy rain. On 29 May, "E" battery was part of another operation under Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Warren, when it was attacked at Faber's Put. The Boers were eventually driven off, though the battery had one man killed and eight wounded. In his subsequent despatch Warren particularly mentioned "E" Battery's Major Ogilvie and Captain Mackie. By the end of June "E" Battery had been split up into sections and was stationed along the Kimberley–Mafeking Railway.[3]
In July 1900 "D" Battery moved to Pretoria to operate in the Transvaal in a column commanded by Colonel Ian Hamilton,[3] and saw much action, with a section particularly distinguishing itself at the battle of Leliefontein,[2] when 100 men of the Royal Canadian Dragoons and 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles, bolstered by a single Colt machine gun and the two 12-pounders of the battery, repelled an attack by 200 mounted Boers while covering the withdrawal of the main column. Three Victoria Crosses were won during the engagement.[4]
"C" Battery arrived at Cape Town aboard the SS Columbian in March 1900, but within two weeks were re-embarked to sail to Beira, from where they travelled by train, cart, and forced march to join Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert Plumer's column 70 miles (110 km) south of Otse by mid-April to take part in the relief of Mafeking. Colonel Baden-Powell, the garrison commander at Mafeking, sent a telegram to the Canadian Government stating : Mafeking relieved today, and most grateful for invaluable assistance of Canadian Artillery, which made record march from Beira to help us. From the end of May the battery operated with Plumer's column in the Zeerust district until November, seeing action regularly.[3]
The unit never operated as a whole, with the batteries, and sometimes even sections, operating independently, often for months at a time, and it was only reunited when it regrouped to return to Canada in June 1901.[2]
World War I
[edit]
The Canadian Artillery and the Garrison Artillery were the designations of the Non-Permanent Active Militia as of 1 January 1914. The Canadian Artillery and the Garrison Artillery were collectively re-designated the Royal Canadian Artillery on 3 June 1935.
| Formation | Sub-Units |
|---|---|
| By November 1918, the 1st Canadian Division had expanded to the following artillery units: | |
| 1st Brigade, C.F.A. |
|
| 2nd Brigade, C.F.A. |
|
| By November 1918, the 2nd Canadian Division had expanded to the following artillery units: | |
| 5th Brigade, C.F.A. |
|
| 6th Brigade, C.F.A. |
|
| By November 1918, the 3rd Canadian Division had expanded to the following artillery units: | |
| 9th Brigade, C.F.A. |
|
| 10th Brigade, C.F.A. |
|
| By November 1918, the 4th Canadian Division had expanded to the following artillery units: | |
| 3rd Brigade, C.F.A. |
|
| 4th Brigade, C.F.A. |
|
| Canadian Corps Troops – Corps Heavy Artillery | |
| 1st Brigade, C.G.A. |
|
| 2nd Brigade, C.G.A. |
|
| 3rd Brigade, C.G.A. |
|
| 5th Divisional Artillery | |
| 13th Brigade, C.F.A. |
|
| 14th Brigade, C.F.A. |
|
| Army Service Corps |
|
| Canadian Cavalry Brigade – Artillery |
|
| Army troops – Attached to the British Expeditionary Force – Artillery | |
| 8th Army Brigade, C.F.A. |
|
World War II
[edit]
The R.C.H.A. and R.C.A. expanded tremendously during the war to contribute the following units to the European theater:
| Formation | Regiments |
|---|---|
| 1st Canadian Infantry Division |
|
| 2nd Canadian Infantry Division |
|
| 3rd Canadian Infantry Division |
|
| 4th Canadian (Armoured) Division |
|
| 5th Canadian (Armoured) Division |
|
| I Canadian Corps Troops |
|
| II Canadian Corps Troops |
|
| First Canadian Army Troops |
|
Other regiments included the 9th Anti-Tank Regiment (Self-Propelled) (Argyll Light Infantry), RCA.
Coastal defences Pacific coast
[edit]The RCA was also responsible for the defence of Canada on both the west and east coasts. In 1936 a review was done by Major Treatt of the Royal Artillery of the existing defences and potential sites for new forts. Efforts to improve the existing fortifications and build new ones were well underway by 1939.
There were approximately 10 armed forts and gun positions established along the Pacific west coast. The ones in the Strait of Juan de Fuca were integrated with the U.S. coastal defences. As the war progressed and the threat of attack diminished, the forts were gradually drawn down and demobilized. The last active coastal defence fort on the west coast, Fort Rodd Hill,[5] was deactivated in 1958.
A list of forts and gun positions on the West Coast section
[edit]Korean War
[edit]![[icon]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (December 2014) |
Cold War
[edit]The Regular and Reserve components of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, Royal Canadian Artillery and Royal Canadian Garrison Artillery were collectively re-designated the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery on 29 October 1956.
Afghanistan
[edit]"F" Battery, 2nd Regiment, RCHA, fired the first Canadian artillery rounds in Afghanistan in February 2004 as part of Operation Athena's first rotation. The mission was shot with a 105 mm LG1 and consisted of illumination rounds shot in a range spread to identify a potential rocket launching site used by insurgents.
In December 2005, 1st Regiment, RCHA, conducted an inaugural firing of its first 155 mm M777 towed howitzers. The first six guns delivered were supplied by the United States Marine Corps under a foreign military sales (FMS) contract between the U.S. and Canada. The Canadian guns were first fired by "A" Battery, 1 RCHA, at CFB Shilo and then were deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Archer, and were put into service in the Canadian theatre of operations around Kandahar in early 2006. This marked the first use by any nation of the M777 in combat operations. Regular RCHA units, reinforced by volunteers from Reserve units, continued to support operations until Canada completed its combat mission in Afghanistan in March 2014.
Since Afghanistan
[edit]In June 2017, the Royal Canadian Artillery Band, one of only two Regular bands in the Canadian Army, provided musical support for a contingent of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry which provided the Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace and the Tower of London, as well as Windsor Castle. In October–November 2018, the Band again deployed to England to provide musical support for a contingent from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, which provided the Queen's Guard.
Units
[edit]The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery is composed of both regular and reserve (militia) forces. The regular force component is composed of five units, four of which are front line operation units; of these, three are field artillery regiments while the fourth is a low level air defence unit. The fifth regular unit is the Royal Canadian Artillery School. Additionally, while the three field artillery regiments are on the RCA's order of battle, they are badged as regiments of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery.
Regulars
[edit]| Regiment | Headquarters | Batteries |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery | CFB Shilo |
|
| 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery | CFB Petawawa |
|
| 4th Artillery Regiment (General Support), RCA[note 1] | CFB Gagetown |
|
| 5e Régiment d'artillerie légère du Canada.[9] | CFB Valcartier |
|
| The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery School | CFB Gagetown |
|
Reserves
[edit]Regiments
[edit]| Regiment | Headquarters | Batteries |
|---|---|---|
| 1st (Halifax-Dartmouth) Field Artillery Regiment, RCA | Halifax, Nova Scotia |
|
| 2nd Field Artillery Regiment, RCA | Montreal, Quebec |
|
| 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, RCA | Saint John, New Brunswick |
|
| 5th (British Columbia) Field Artillery Regiment, RCA[10] | Victoria, British Columbia |
|
| 6th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA | Lévis, Quebec |
|
| 7th Toronto Regiment, RCA | Toronto, Ontario |
|
| 10th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA | Regina, Saskatchewan |
|
| 11th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA | Guelph, Ontario |
|
| 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA | Vancouver, British Columbia |
|
| 20th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA | Edmonton, Alberta |
|
| 26th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA | Brandon, Manitoba |
|
| 30th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA | Ottawa, Ontario |
|
| 42nd Field Artillery Regiment (Lanark and Renfrew Scottish), RCA | Pembroke, Ontario[10] |
|
| 49th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA | Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario |
|
| 56th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA | Brantford, Ontario |
|
| 62nd Field Artillery Regiment, RCA | Shawinigan, Quebec |
|
Independent batteries
[edit]| Independent Battery | Headquarters |
|---|---|
| 20th Independent Field Battery, RCA | Lethbridge, AB |
| 84th Independent Field Battery, RCA | Yarmouth, Nova Scotia |
| 116th Independent Field Battery, RCA | Kenora, Ontario |
Since spring 2005, 10th Field Regiment, 26th Field Regiment and 116th Independent Field Battery have been grouped together as 38 Canadian Brigade Group's (38 CBG) Artillery Tactical Group (ATG).
Bands
[edit]Current:
| Band | Headquarters | Formation |
|---|---|---|
| The Royal Canadian Artillery Band | Edmonton, AB | Regular Force |
| The Band of the 5th (BC) Field Regiment, RCA | Victoria, BC | Reserve Force |
| The Band of the 7th Toronto Regiment, RCA | Toronto, ON | Reserve Force |
| The Band of the 15th Field Regiment, RCA | Vancouver, BC | Reserve Force |
Former:
| Band |
|---|
| RCA 11th Field Regiment Trumpet Band |
| RCA 44th Field Regiment Trumpet Band |
| RCA 30th Field Regiment Trumpet Band |
| RCA 8th Field Regiment Trumpet Band |
| RCA 56th Field Regiment Trumpet Band |
| RCA 7th Field Regiment Trumpet Band |
Supplementary Order of Battle
[edit]Regiments on the Supplementary Order of Battle legally exist but have no personnel or materiel.
Order of precedence
[edit]RCHA on parade with guns:
RCHA on dismounted parades:
RCA units:
Despite not being the senior component of the Canadian Army, the honour of "the right of the line" (precedence over other units), on an army parade, is held by the units of the RCHA when on parade with their guns. On dismounted parades, RCHA units take precedence over all other land force units except formed bodies of Officer Cadets of the Royal Military College of Canada representing their college. RCA units parade to the left of units of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. The Royal Canadian Artillery does not carry colours. Its guns are its colours and are saluted on parade.
Affiliations
[edit]
Royal Canadian Artillery Museum
[edit]As the principal artillery museum in Canada, the Royal Canadian Artillery Museum presents, acquires, preserves, researches and interprets the contributions of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery and the Canadian military to the heritage of Canada.[11] The museum is affiliated with: CMA, CHIN, OMMC and Virtual Museum of Canada.
Key Information
Memorials
[edit]A memorial wall and an artillery field gun, were erected on 21 September 1959 by the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, which is dedicated to the memory of the members of the regiment killed in the service of Canada. It was relocated from its original location at Major's Hill Park to Green Island Park in Ottawa, Ontario and rededicated on 24 May 1998.[12]
Recognition
[edit]The freedom of the city was accepted by the 5th (British Columbia) Field Battery, Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery in Victoria, British Columbia on 4 November 1979.[13]
Armoury
[edit]| Site | Date(s) | Designated | Location | Description | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colonel D. V. Currie VC Armoury, 1215 Main Street North. | 1913–14 | 1998 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings | Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan |
|
Popular culture
[edit]- James Doohan was a lieutenant in the 14th Field Regiment, RCA, during World War II. During D-Day he was wounded by friendly fire, and his right middle finger was amputated. He later played Montgomery Scott on Star Trek.
- The Royal Canadian Artillery is playable force featured heavily in the video game Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts.
- The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery are playable units in the Wargame franchise in "Wargame: Airland Battle" and "Wargame: Red Dragon" by Eugen Systems.
- The Royal Canadian Artillery are also playable unites featured in both Steel Division: Normandy 44 and its sequel Steel Division 2 by Eugen Systems.
See also
[edit]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "RCA Concise History" (PDF). canadianartillery.ca.
- ^ a b c d "South African War – Brigade Division, Royal Canadian Field Artillery". Canadian War Museum. 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ a b c Biggins, David (2014). "Royal Canadian Artillery". The Anglo-Boer War. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ Milner, John M. (2014). "The Boer War – Canada's First "Foreign War"". Victoria Park. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ "Fort Rodd Hill". Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site Victoria. 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ a b "4th Air Defence Regiment, RCA". Canadian Armed Forces. 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.. The Canadian Gunner/L'Artilleur Canadian 2014, p 35.
- ^ The Canadian Gunner/L'Artilleur canadien 2020, p 45 and The Canadian Gunner/L'Artilleur canadien 2019, 40.
- ^ The Canadian Gunner/L'Artilleur canadien 2019, p 40.
- ^ Canadian Gunner/L'Arilleur Canadian 2010, p. 27
- ^ a b A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces, Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments. Department of National Defence. 15 January 2010.
- ^ A-AD-266-000/AG-001 Canadian Forces Museums – Operations and Administration. 3 April 2002.
- ^ "Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery Memorial". DND Directorate of History and Heritage. 2014. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ "5th (British Columbia) Field Artillery Regiment". Canadian Army. 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- Bibliography
- Barnes, Leslie (1979). Canada's Guns; an Illustrated History of Artillery. Ottawa: Canadian War Museum.
- Camp, A. D. (1966). 7th Toronto Regiment, Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, 1866–1966. Toronto.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - Fromow, D. L. (March 2004). Canada's Flying Gunners: A History of the Air Observation Post of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery.
- Jackson, Harold McGill (1952). The Royal Regiment of Artillery, Ottawa, 1855–1952; a history. Ottawa.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - Macdonald, Reginald James (1899). The history of the dress of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, 1625–1897. London: H. Sotheran. ISBN 9780665092701.
{{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help) - Mitchell, George Duncan; Reid, B. A. & Simcock, W. (1986). RCHA – Right of the Line: An Anecdotal History of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery from 1871. Ottawa: RCHA History Committee.
- Nicholson, G. W. L. (1967). The Gunners of Canada: The History of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery Volume I: 1534–1919.
- Nicholson, G. W. L. (1972). The Gunners of Canada: The History of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery Volume II: 1919–1967.
- Nicholson, G. W. L. (1967–72). The Gunners of Canada; the History of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart.
- "11th Field Artillery Regiment, Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery : Canada's oldest artillery regiment." (Guelph, Ontario : The Regiment), 1966.
- "Presence of the Royal Artillery regiment at Quebec from 1759 to 1871" (Canada. Dept. of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. National Historic Parks and Sites Br. National government publication 1978.)
External links
[edit]
Media related to Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website
- Canadian Forces and Department of National Defence
- History and Uniform of the 3rd "Montreal" Field Battery, 1855 to 1970
- 4th Artillery Regiment (General Support)
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Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Overview
Role and Responsibilities
The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery serves as the artillery branch of the Canadian Army, delivering essential capabilities including indirect fire support, air defence, and surveillance and target acquisition to enhance operational effectiveness in combat environments.[8] This branch operates under the overarching command of the Canadian Army, with the Colonel Commandant acting as the ceremonial and honorary head, currently held by Brigadier-General (Ret’d) D.A. Patterson MSM CD since 2021.[9] Complementing this leadership, the Regimental Sergeant Major provides enlisted guidance and representation, with Chief Warrant Officer S.A. McGowan MMM CD appointed to the role in 2024.[9] Key responsibilities encompass field artillery for precise indirect fire to neutralize threats, air defence artillery to counter aerial dangers, and advanced surveillance systems for target acquisition and battlefield awareness.[8] These functions ensure the regiment supports the defeat of enemy forces via coordinated firepower and defensive shielding.[10] As of recent assessments, the regiment maintains a strength of more than 4,300 all ranks, comprising both regular and reserve personnel, enabling sustained readiness for domestic and international commitments.[11] It integrates seamlessly into joint and multinational operations, providing artillery expertise to NATO commitments, such as enhanced forward presence in Latvia, and United Nations missions where required.[12] This alignment underscores the regiment's role in advancing Canada's defence posture through collaborative alliances.[13]Motto, Symbols, and Insignia
The official motto of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery is "Ubique", Latin for "Everywhere", symbolizing the regiment's omnipresence and widespread service across battlefields in recognition of its participation in all major campaigns.[14] This motto was adopted on 24 May 1893, concurrent with Queen Victoria granting the "Royal" designation to the Canadian Artillery.[2] A secondary motto, "Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt" (Whither Right and Glory Lead), is also used, reflecting the regiment's guiding principles of duty and honor.[15] The regimental cap badge depicts a 9-pounder smoothbore field gun facing left on a green mount, with a rammer resting against the wheel, surmounted by St. Edward's Crown and flanked by scrolls bearing "CANADA" below the gun and "UBIQUE" inscribed above.[16] Officers wear an embroidered or bullion version of the badge, while other ranks use a metal version, both emphasizing the regiment's historical ties to the British Royal Artillery.[17] The gunner trade badge, featuring crossed field guns, is worn by qualified artillery personnel to denote their specialization.[18] The regimental flag is a crimson standard bearing the gold-embroidered artillery badge at its center, with "UBIQUE" above and "Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt" below, and select battle honors embroidered along the edges to commemorate key engagements. Dress distinctions for the regiment follow Royal Artillery traditions, including a dark blue uniform with scarlet facings on collars, cuffs, and lapels, gold buttons, and black boots for ceremonial occasions.[19] In the Canadian Army's order of precedence, the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery ranks third overall, positioned after armoured regiments and ahead of the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers.[20]History
Origins and Early Development
The origins of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery trace back to the pre-Confederation period, when volunteer militia artillery units were established in British North America to support local defense. In 1793, following the passage of Militia Acts in Upper and Lower Canada, the first organized artillery formations emerged, including companies attached to fortifications such as Fort York in Upper Canada, where a formed artillery presence was created to man early defensive works.[21][22] Similarly, in New Brunswick, residents of Saint John formed the Loyal Company of Artillery that same year, providing coastal and garrison support amid tensions with the United States.[23] These early militia units operated under British colonial oversight, focusing on basic training and equipment maintenance with limited resources, laying the groundwork for a more structured artillery capability.[24] Following Confederation in 1867, Canada sought to build a self-reliant defense force as British troops withdrew, leading to the formal establishment of a Permanent Force artillery in 1871. On October 20, 1871, Militia General Order No. 24 authorized the creation of the first regular units: "A" Battery at Fort Henry in Kingston, Ontario, and "B" Battery at the Quebec Citadel, both organized as garrison artillery batteries responsible for fortification maintenance and coastal defense.[25][24] These batteries marked Canada's initial shift toward professional, full-time military units, initially equipped with smoothbore guns and trained in siege and harbor protection roles.[26] By the 1880s, reforms expanded and formalized the artillery's structure. In 1883, the Permanent Active Militia was reorganized, authorizing the formation of the Regiment of Canadian Artillery on August 10, comprising garrison companies for fixed defenses and emerging field batteries for mobile operations, aligned with British artillery organization and training doctrines to ensure interoperability.[2][24] Initial armouries and training centers were established at key coastal sites, including the Royal Artillery Park in Halifax for Nova Scotia militia brigades and the Quebec Citadel for eastern operations, serving as hubs for gunnery instruction and equipment storage.[24] In recognition of its growing professionalism, Queen Victoria granted the "Royal" prefix to the Regiment of Canadian Artillery on May 24, 1893, redesignating it the Royal Canadian Artillery and affirming its ties to the British Royal Artillery tradition.[2] This honor elevated the unit's status, enabling it to adopt royal insignia and further standardize doctrines for field and garrison roles that would influence its contributions in subsequent conflicts.[27]19th and Early 20th Century Conflicts
The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery's first major combat deployment occurred during the North-West Rebellion of 1885, when A and B Batteries were mobilized to suppress the Métis uprising led by Louis Riel in Saskatchewan.[2] On 27 March 1885, the batteries were ordered from Renfrew, Ontario, to Qu’Appelle by rail, with A Battery joining Sir Frederick Middleton’s column and B Battery attaching to Lieutenant-Colonel William D. Otter’s force at Swift Current; each unit manned a Gatling gun and served in Garrison Divisions as infantry support.[28] A Battery engaged at Fish Creek on 24 April, firing over infantry lines, and played a key role at Batoche from 9-12 May, where its Gatling gun protected the field guns on the first day of battle.[28] Meanwhile, B Battery repelled attacks at Cut Knife on 2 May using North-West Mounted Police 7-pounder guns and its Gatling gun to hold off the enemy.[28] The batteries suffered 6 killed and 18 wounded overall, including Gunner William Cook, the first Canadian artilleryman killed in action.[28] The regiment's artillery units saw their first overseas service in the Second Boer War (1899-1902), contributing three batteries—C, D, and E—of the Royal Canadian Field Artillery, drawn from permanent force personnel and militia units across Canada.[29] Each battery was equipped with six 12-pounder breech-loading guns, organized into three sections of two guns each, though these weapons were outranged by Boer field artillery.[30] D and E Batteries arrived in Cape Town in February 1900 and suppressed Boer rebellions in the western Cape Colony, while C Battery, arriving in March, joined the Rhodesian Field Force to aid the relief of Mafeking; a section of D Battery distinguished itself at the Battle of Leliefontein in November 1900.[30] The batteries operated semi-independently throughout the campaign before reuniting at the war's end, with total casualties of 13 killed and 11 wounded, E Battery incurring the heaviest losses at Faber's Putt.[29] These experiences prompted post-war reforms, including the expansion of militia field batteries to enhance Canada's defensive capabilities and the adoption of quick-firing guns to improve mobility and firepower.[24] By the early 1900s, the militia integrated 18-pounder quick-firing guns, while the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery received 13-pounder variants, reflecting a shift toward more responsive field artillery tactics in preparation for potential imperial conflicts.[24] The Boer War service earned the regiment its first distinguished honors, including a Distinguished Service Order for D Battery's Lieutenant Morrison at Leliefontein and two royal banners from King Edward VII for overall gallantry.[29] Following the war, Canadian artillery began transitioning from horse-drawn to mechanized towing systems, incorporating early motor vehicles for ammunition and gun transport to address the limitations of animal traction observed in South African terrain.[31] This modernization, accelerated in the pre-World War I era, laid the groundwork for more agile deployments amid growing militia expansions.[24]World Wars
During the First World War, the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery underwent significant expansion as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, forming the artillery component of the Canadian Corps. This included divisional artilleries for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Canadian Divisions, each consisting of field artillery brigades equipped primarily with British-supplied 18-pounder guns and 4.5-inch howitzers, alongside heavy and medium batteries for corps-level support. By 1917, the Corps artillery had grown to include over 480 18-pounders, which played a pivotal role in major offensives, providing creeping barrages and counter-battery fire to neutralize German positions.[32] A defining moment came at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917, where Canadian gunners fired more than 190,600 rounds in preparatory bombardments, enabling the infantry to capture the strategic high ground with unprecedented coordination between artillery and troops. Similarly, at Passchendaele later that year, the artillery's sustained fire supported advances through mud-choked terrain, though at great cost, contributing to key victories in the Ypres Salient and on the Somme. The regiment earned numerous battle honors, including Amiens, Arras, and Cambrai, reflecting its critical role in the Corps' successes. Overall, Canadian artillery units suffered 2,565 fatalities and 8,066 wounded, representing about 28% of those who served overseas.[32][33][32] In the interwar period, the regiment faced sharp reductions following demobilization, shrinking from wartime peaks to a small permanent force nucleus that included the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Brigade (A, B, and C Batteries), a medium battery, coastal defense batteries, and training schools. By the 1920s, this core comprised limited permanent batteries focused on maintaining expertise for potential mobilization, amid broader cuts to Canada's military establishment.[34][35] The Second World War saw the Royal Regiment mobilize dramatically, expanding to over 89,000 personnel and more than 1,000 guns across field, anti-aircraft, and coastal units, with 57,170 serving in Europe and other theaters. Early involvement included the Dieppe Raid in August 1942, where elements of the 2nd Division's artillery, such as the 3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, provided defensive fire support despite the operation's heavy losses. In the Italian Campaign from 1943, the 1st Canadian Division's field artillery regiments supported landings in Sicily and advances up the mainland, using 25-pounder guns for close infantry support. Meanwhile, home defense units manned Pacific coastal fortifications at Victoria and Esquimalt to counter potential Japanese threats.[36][37][36] The Normandy campaign in 1944 marked a peak of operational intensity, with the 3rd Canadian Division's artillery employing self-propelled 105mm howitzers during D-Day landings before transitioning to towed 25-pounders for the push inland, culminating in the destruction of German forces in the Falaise Gap. Innovations during the war included the adoption of the Sexton self-propelled gun, based on the Ram tank chassis, and radar-directed fire control systems that enhanced accuracy in adverse conditions, alongside Air Observation Post squadrons for aerial spotting. The regiment's efforts earned battle honors such as Scheldt and Rhine, but at a cost of 2,073 killed and 4,373 wounded.[36][38][36]Post-World War II Engagements
Following the end of World War II, the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery (RCA) transitioned to new operational demands, beginning with its involvement in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. The 81st Field Regiment, RCA, was mobilized and deployed to support United Nations forces, arriving in Korea in early 1951 equipped with 25-pounder field guns.[39] During the Battle of Kapyong in April 1951, the regiment provided critical fire support to the 25th Canadian Infantry Brigade, firing over 4,300 rounds in response to intense Chinese assaults, which helped halt the enemy advance.[39] For its actions at Kapyong, the 81st Field Regiment, as part of the 27th British Commonwealth Infantry Brigade, was awarded the United States Presidential Unit Citation in recognition of the collective stand against overwhelming odds.[40] The regiment continued operations until April 1953, when it was redesignated as the 4th Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery (4 RCHA), and rotated out shortly before the armistice.[41] During the Cold War from 1947 to 1991, the RCA shifted focus to deterrence and alliance commitments, particularly through NATO deployments in Europe. The 4 RCHA served as the primary artillery regiment for the 4th Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (4 CMBG) in West Germany starting in 1967, based initially in Soest and later relocating to Lahr in the Black Forest by 1970 to act as a reserve for the Central Army Group.[42] Rotations by 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Regiments, RCHA, from the 1950s through the 1960s supported NATO's forward defense strategy against potential Warsaw Pact incursions, including nuclear-capable Honest John rocket batteries operated by 1st Surface-to-Surface Missile Battery from 1960 to 1970.[42] In North America, RCA air defense units contributed to NORAD's continental air defense mission by manning anti-aircraft positions and radar-supported systems to counter Soviet bomber threats.[43] Domestically, Pacific coast fortifications, part of the Victoria-Esquimalt defenses established in 1878, were progressively decommissioned by 1956 amid declining naval threats from surface raiders, marking the end of fixed coastal artillery roles for the RCA.[44]| Decommissioned Pacific Coast Fortification | Location | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Rodd Hill | Colwood, BC | 6-inch disappearing guns; active 1895–1956 |
| Fort Fisgard | Colwood, BC | Lighthouse and battery positions; part of 1878 defenses |
| Mary Hill Battery | Victoria, BC | Searchlight and gun emplacements; closed 1956 |
| Signal Hill | Victoria, BC | Anti-motor torpedo boat battery; decommissioned mid-1950s |
| Macaulay Point | Esquimalt, BC | 12-pounder quick-firing guns; phased out by 1956 |