Royal Canadian Horse Artillery

Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
Garter badge of the RCHA
Active	1871–present
Country	Canada
Branch	Canadian Army
Type	Field artillery
Size	3 regiments
Part of	1st Regiment: 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group 2nd Regiment: 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group 5^e Régiment: 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group
Garrison/HQ	1st Regiment: CFB Shilo 2nd Regiment: CFB Petawawa 5^e Régiment: CFB Valcartier
Motto(s)	Ubique (everywhere) Quo fas et gloria ducunt (whither right and glory lead)
March	Slow march: "Royal Artillery Slow March" Quick march: "British Grenadiers" Trot past: "Keel Row" Gallop past: "Bonnie Dundee"
Commanders
Notable commanders	Brigadier General William Henry Pferinger Elkins CB, C.B.E., DSO
Abbreviation	RCHA

The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery is the name given to the regular field artillery units of the Canadian Army.

History

RCHA units are the senior units of the Canadian land field force, with a history dating back to the birth of Canada as a nation. 'A' and 'B' Batteries of Garrison Artillery were formed as the first units of Canada's permanent military force in 1871 in Kingston and Quebec City respectively, with a third ('C' Battery) authorized in 1883 and formed in 1887 in Esquimalt. These bore the name of the Regiment of Canadian Artillery, with the Royal Canadian Artillery being formed as the militia element in 1895. In 1905, to distinguish between the regular force and militia, the regulars were given the title Royal Canadian Horse Artillery.^[1]

In addition to the three regiments currently serving, two further regiments have served in the past prior to being disbanded:

• 3rd Regiment, RCHA: originally formed as 79th Field Regiment, RCA, this regiment received its name in 1953 during the reorganization of the Canadian Army as a result of Canada's NATO commitments. 3 RCHA was reduced to nil strength in 1992 following the downsizing of the Land Force, and was replaced at CFB Shilo by 1 RCHA on its return from Germany.
• 4th Regiment, RCHA: originally 81st Field Regiment, RCA, this regiment became part of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery at the same time as 3 RCHA in 1953. 4 RCHA was primarily stationed at CFB Petawawa until 1970 when, following the formation of 5 RALC, it was reduced to nil strength and replaced by 2 RCHA.

The Freedom of the City was exercised by the 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in Kingston in 1983; 1996 and May 26, 2012.^[2]

Lineage of Royal Canadian Horse Artillery units.^{[3][4][5][6][7]}