The British Columbia Dragoons The British Columbia Dragoons ( BCD ) is a Primary Reserve armoured reconnaissance regiment of the Canadian Forces . It is based in Kelowna and Vernon , British Columbia . The British Columbia Dragoons are part of 3rd Canadian Division ' s 39 Canadian Brigade Group . The British Columbia Dragoons perpetuate the 2nd Battalion , Canadian Mounted Rifles and the 11th Regiment , Canadian Mounted Rifles , of the Canadian Expeditionary Force . History . The British Columbia Dragoons trace their origins to the formation of the Canadian Mounted Rifles , two independent squadrons of horse in Kamloops and Vernon in 1908 . In 1910 two additional squadrons were raised and the regiment was renamed the British Columbia Horse . In 1912 the unit was renamed again as the 30th Regiment , British Columbia Horse . 1914 saw the formation of the Victoria Independent Squadron on Vancouver Island . In the First World War the regiment was not mobilized , but in December 1914 many volunteers from the regiment joined the newly formed 2nd Regiment Canadian Mounted Rifles . After some limited service in France as cavalry , the unit was reroled to infantry as 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion on January 1 , 1916 . The battalion became part of the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade , and fought with great luck and success on the Western Front . Despite being trained as cavalry but deployed as infantry , the regiment managed the war well . Captain " Jock " MacGregor was awarded the Victoria Cross for actions taken in the battle at Cambrai on September 29 , 1918 . The actions and awards of the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles are perpetuated today by the British Columbia Dragoons , their direct descendants . In the post war reorganization , the regiment was renamed The British Columbia Mounted Rifles in 1920 , and then to the name still carried today , The British Columbia Dragoons in 1929 . Part of the reason for the change was to forever divorce the regiment from infantry duties . When the Second World War loomed , the regiment once again stepped forward . The regiment was designated the 5th Motorcycle Regiment ( BCD ) , and later an armoured car unit . Finally made into an armoured regiment , the 9th Armoured Regiment ( BCD ) , they were deployed to Italy as part of the 2nd Armoured Brigade , 5th Canadian ( Armoured ) Division . The regiment saw heavy action in the Liri Valley , were the first unit to break through the Gustav Line in Italy , 1944 , and helped smash the Gothic Line , holding Point 204 right in the centre of the line . Part of the " Spaghetti League " , a term used by soldiers fighting in Italy after D - Day , they continued to fight until orders were given to move the regiment to the northwest Europe area . They served with distinction until the end of the war , at which point the regiment was demobilized and returned to Militia service . The regiment has since seen many ups and downs , with losses of manpower and funding , hostile popular attitudes , and the ever changing nature of Canada . The 1970s and 1980s saw the deployment of individual members to Cyprus as part of the UN operations there as part of larger Canadian formations . The 1990s and the new century has seen numerous members deploy to Bosnia as part of NATO operations with IFOR and SFOR . With the Global War on Terror , members are now serving overseas as part of NATO operations with ISAF in Afghanistan . Lineage of the British Columbia Dragoons : Recognition . The Freedom of the City was exercised by The British Columbia Dragoons in Vernon , British Columbia on 10 May 2008 . Cadet units . There are several Royal Canadian Army Cadets units spread across British Columbia which are affiliated to the British Columbia Dragoons . Cadets are not soldiers ; they are part of an organization dedicated to developing citizenship and leadership among young men and women aged 12 to 18 years of age with a military flavour , and are not required to join the Canadian Forces . Cadet units affiliated to the British Columbia Dragoons receive support from the regiment and also are given permission to wear traditional regimental accoutrements on their uniforms .