12th Manitoba Dragoons
The 12th Manitoba Dragoons is an armoured regiment of the Canadian Army that is currently on the Supplementary Order of Battle. Operational history. North West Rebellion. The 95th Battalion Manitoba Grenadiers was mobilized for active service on 10 April 1885, when "a Battalion at Winnipeg" was authorized to be formed. The battalion served in the Alberta Column of the North West Field Force and was removed from active service on 18 September 1885. The battalion was retained on the Non-Permanent Active Militia order of battle. South African War. The Manitoba Dragoons contributed volunteers for the Canadian  contingents in the field. The Great War. During the Great War, the Regiment raised two battalions for the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The 6th Battalion (Fort Garry Horse), CEF was authorized on 10 August 1914, and embarked for Britain on 29 September 1914. It formed the nucleus of the Remount Depot on 20 January 1915, and the remainder of the battalion's personnel were absorbed by the Canadian Cavalry Depot, CEF, on 6 March 1915 to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. The battalion was disbanded on 5 April 1918. The battalion recruited in Portage la Prairie, Roblin , Pipestone and Winnipeg, Manitoba, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan and Pincher Creek, Alberta, and was mobilized at Camp Valcartier, Quebec. The 6th Battalion was awarded the battle honour "THE GREAT WAR 1914-15." The 6th Battalion was commanded by Lt.-Col. J.G. Rattray The 32nd Battalion, CEF, was authorized on 3 November 1914 and embarked for Britain on 23 February 1915. It was redesignated the 32nd Reserve Battalion, CEF, on 18 April 1915 and on 4 January 1917 its personnel were absorbed by the 15th Reserve Battalion, CEF, to provide reinforcements for Canadian Corps units in the field. The battalion recruited in Manitoba and  Saskatchewan and was mobilized at Winnipeg. The 32nd Battalion had three officers commanding: The battalion was awarded the battle honour "THE GREAT WAR 1915-17." The Second World War. During the Second World War the Regiment mobilized the 18th (Manitoba) Reconnaissance Battalion, CAC, CASF, for active service on 10 May 1941. It was redesignated the 18th (Manitoba) Armoured Car Regiment, CAC, CASF, on 26 January 1942; the 18th Armoured Car Regiment (12th Manitoba Dragoons), CAC, CASF, on 16 December 1942; and 18th Armoured Car Regiment (12th Manitoba Dragoons), RCAC, CASF on 2 August 1945. It embarked for Great Britain on  19 August 1942. On 8 and 9 July 1944 it landed in Normandy, France as a unit attached directly to II Canadian Corps, where it fought in North-West Europe until the end of the war. Post-1945. The active unit was disbanded on 31 January 1946. The militia regiment was re-activated and was designated the 18th Armoured Car Regiment (12th Dragoons), RCAC on 1 April 1946. The regiment was reduced to nil strength and transferred to the Supplementary Order of Battle on 31 December 1964. As of 1964, the regiment's Order of Battle was: Battle honours. In the  list below, battle honours in capitals were awarded for participation in large operations and campaigns, while those in lowercase indicate honours granted for more specific battles. Those battle honours followed by a "+" are emblazoned on the regimental guidon. Cadet corps. 2528 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps is the only organization that perpetuates the name and insignia of the regiment. The cadet corps formed October 19, 1954, as the Virden Collegiate Cadet Corps affiliated to and using the insignia of the 12th Manitoba Dragoons. When the regiment disbanded the corps affiliation changed to that of the 71st Field Battery and  shortly after the 26th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery. Branch Number 8 of Royal Canadian Legion became sponsor of the corps May 26, 1975, and housed the unit on its premises. October 3, 1994, the corps resumed its original affiliation and was renamed the XII Manitoba Dragoons Cadet Corps. The corps continues to parade in the Virden Legion Hall and is composed of youth from many surrounding communities.