1940 - 1945
Former CO's
Former RSM's
Honourary Appts
The Regiment was not immediately mobilized at the outbreak of war in September 1939, but was concentrated in Winnipeg the following January. One squadron was sent to London, Ontario, to become part of the 1st Canadian Cavalry Regiment (Mechanized) along with squadrons of The Royal Canadian Dragoons and the 1st Hussars. On 6 July 1940, orders were received for the mobilization of the Strathcona's and The Royal Canadian Dragoons to form a composite unit called the 1st Canadian Motorcycle Regiment. It was at this time that the Regiment said farewell to its horses for the last time. Late in 1940 the previous mobilization orders were changed; the Strathcona's were to become an armoured Regiment and the detached squadron was recalled.
Training began in Listowel, Ontario, and continued in Camp Borden until orders were received to proceed to England. Now a unit of the 1st Armoured Brigade, the Regiment sailed from Halifax on 12 November 1941. The Regiment trained for two years, receiving its first Canadian built Ram tanks in march 1942. In May, as a result of a remark made by his Majesty King George VI while inspecting the Regiment, the time honoured and traditional "LSH ( RC )" was replaced by "LdSH ( RC )", ( the King had remarked that the proper abbreviation for "LORD" was capital L, small d ).
As a unit of the 5th Armoured Brigade, 5th Armoured Division, the Strathcona's landed at Naples, Italy, on 1 December 1943. They were in a defensive line at Ortona by 19 January 1944, where they were to get their first taste of battle before being withdrawn in late February. Of the battles that the Strathcona's fought in Italy one of the most notable, and the one whose anniversary is celebrated annually, took place on the Melfa River on 24 May 1944. Crossing the river ahead of the main force, the reconnaissance troop commanded by Lt. Edward James Perkins established a bridgehead on the other side.
The position was held against a number of German tank and infantry attacks with nothing heavier than machine guns and hand held anti-tank weapons. The troop was reinforced later in the day by a company of the Westminster Regiment ( Motor ) commanded by Major J.K. Mahony. On the other side of the river, meanwhile, the remainder of the Regiment was engaged in a merciless battle that resulted in the destruction of more than thirty enemy tanks and guns. Lt. Perkins was awarded the DSO, as was the commanding officer, LCol. P.G. Griffin, whose battle cry "Push On" was familiar to every man in the Regiment by the end of the day. Sgt. Macey and Tpr. Funk of the reconnaissance troop were awarded the DCM and MM respectively, while Maj. Mahony of the Westminsters won the Victoria Cross.
After Melfa, the Regiment participated in a number of major battles in Italy, including the breaching of the Gothic Line on 1 September, Misano Ridge on 3 September, Coriano on 12/13 September, the Lamone Crossing on 12 December and Fosso Munio on 19 December. In the latter battle the LAD officer Capt. Whittle demonstrated in full measure the spirit of "Perseverance" when he recovered under heavy fire a bogged tank that was holding up the Regiment's advance. For this action he was awarded the MC and his driver the MM.
The Regiment left Italy on 18 February 1945, landing in southern France a few days later to proceed to the front in North West Europe. Arriving in Holland on 2 April, the Strathcona's along with the 8th New Brunswick Hussars participated in operation "Dutch Cleanser", making a long dash from Arnhem to the Zuyder Zee to cut off the remaining Germans in western Holland.
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1900 - 1901
1902 - 1913
1914 - 1918
1919 - 1939
1940 - 1945
1946 - 2000
Moreuil Wood
Melfa River
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