17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars
The 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars was a light cavalry regiment of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of the Canadian Militia (now the Canadian Army). First organized in 1879 as "A" Squadron of the 6th Duke of Connaught's Royal Canadian Hussars, it became an independent squadron in 1897 and a full regiment in 1907. In 1958, the regiment was Amalgamated with the 6th Duke of Connaught's Royal Canadian Hussars to form The Royal Canadian Hussars (Montreal). History. Early History. On 1 July 1897, "A" Squadron, 6th Duke  of Connaught's Royal Canadian Hussars (first authorized on 27 September 1855) was detached from that regiment and was designated as the Montreal Hussars. In 1898, the squadron was subsequently Redesignated as The Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars. South African War. During the South African War, The Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars contributed volunteers for the Canadian contingents in the field. Most notably, volunteers from both the 6th Duke of Connaught's Royal Canadian Hussars and the Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars formed the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles. Early 1900s. In 1907, the Duke  of York's Royal Canadian Hussars achieved full regimental status as the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars. On 15 July 1912, "B" Squadron was transferred to the 33rd Vaudreuil and Soulanges Hussars and was replaced in the 17th by personnel from the disbanded 11th Argenteuil Rangers. The regiment was then Redesignated as The 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars (Argenteuil Rangers). The First World War. On 6 August 1914, Details of the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars "Argenteuil Rangers" were placed on active service for local protection duties. With the formation of  the Canadian Expeditionary Force, volunteers from both the 6th Duke of Connaught's Royal Canadian Hussars and the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars "Argenteuil Rangers" would help form the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles which served on the Western Front. The Second World War. On 26 August 1939, Details of the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars were called out on service and then on 1 September 1939, placed on active service under the designation as the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars, CASF, for local protection duties. With the outbreak of WWII, the  17th Hussars would become the last Canadian Cavalry regiment to pay off their horses and become mechanized. On 31 December 1940, those details called out on active service were disbanded. 7th Reconnaissance Regiment (17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars). On 24 May 1940, the 17th Hussars mobilized the 3rd Canadian Motorcycle Regiment, CASF (17 H) for active service. On 1 February 1941, the regiment was Redesignated as the 17th (Active) Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars, CASF and again on 11 February 1941, as the 7th Reconnaissance Battalion (17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars), CAC , CASF. On 23 August 1941, the regiment embarked for Great Britain. On 8 June 1942, the regiment was Redesignated as the 7th Reconnaissance Regiment (17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars), CAC, CASF and became the Reconnaissance Regiment for the 3rd Canadian Division. On 6 June 1944, Detachments of the regiment's "B" Squadron landed on June Beach in Normandy as part of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division and were later followed by the remainder of the regiment from between June to July, 1944. The regiment fought in North West Europe in support of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division  until the end of the war. On 15 January 1946, the 7th Reconnaissance Regiment (17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars) was disbanded. Canadian Army Occupation Force. On 1 June 1945, a 2nd/7th Reconnaissance Regiment, CAC, CAOF was mobilized for service with the Canadian Army Occupation Force. On 2 August 1945, the regiment was redesignated as the 2nd/7th Reconnaissance Regiment, RCAC, CAOF. On 24 May 1946, the 2nd/7th Reconnaissance Regiment, RCAC was disbanded.