1912 - Formation

The formation of the Fort Garry Horse began with the ambition of Major R.W. Paterson of "A" Squadron, 18th Mounted Rifles, to form a Cavalry Regiment based in Winnipeg. He began correspondence with Ottawa in 1910 and finally received permission to organize the 34th Regiment of Cavalry on 15 April 1912. "A" Squadron, 18th Mounted Rifles provided the necessary personnel. In 1913, the Regiment consisted of four Squadrons covering the areas of Stonewall, Teulon and Balmoral (A Sqn), Selkirk (B Sqn), St. Norbert, Niverville and Otterburn (C Sqn), and along the CPR line to Marquette (D Sqn).

In the winter of 1912/13 it was decided that the Regiment would be named after the historic Upper Fort Garry in Winnipeg. The full name chosen was The 34th Fort Garry Horse. The badge selected was the gate of the old fort with the motto "FACTA NON VERBA" (Deeds Not Words).

Headquarters were set up in the Carson Dairy Building on Maryland Street and the Regiment attended summer concentration in Sewell Camp (later Camp Hughes) in June 1913 and 1914. The original uniform consisted of a scarlet tunic with yellow facings, khaki breeches with narrow black stripes and brown leather leggings.

1914 - War, Mobilization

On August 4th, 1914 Great Britain declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary to uphold treaties with France and Belgium which were under German attack. The next day the Regiment held a parade on Maryland Street with a total of about 250 all ranks. Recruiting began immediately and within a few weeks the ranks had swelled to over 500.

On 30 August the Regiment entrained for Valcartier, Quebec. On arrival the men were told the disappointing news that Cavalry were not needed and they would be transferred to the newly organized 6th Canadian Infantry Battalion. Men were transferred in from other Cavalry units in Valcartier, notably the 18th Mounted Rifles, 20th Border Horse, 22nd Saskatchewan Light Horse, and 32nd Manitoba Horse 2E. Although made up of many Western Cavalry units and some Infantry units, the 6th Battalion was generally known as the "Fort Garrys" and remained under command of Lt. Col Paterson.

By 28 September, when the 6th Battalion embarked for France on the S.S. Lapland it numbered a strength of 1,223 all ranks The cap badge chosen for the 6th Battalion was the Fort Garry gate superimposed on a bronze maple leaf with the number "6" below and the scroll that read "WESTERN CANADA".

1914

The S.S. Lapland docked in Plymouth, England on 14 October 1914 after an uneventful crossing. The Lapland was a ship of the Belgian "Red Star" line. During the voyage the bandmaster found a library of music left by the ship's former German orchestra. He picked out a stirring march titled "El Abinico" and had the band learn it. It was adopted as the Regimental March of the 6th Battalion and later of the Fort Garry Horse.

The Regiment moved from Plymouth to Salisbury Plain, the main training ground of the British Army, and moved into a tent city. On 30 October it began to rain and turned the area into a sea of mud. Soldiers trained all day in pouring rain trying to sleep at night in wet blankets. The wet and cold conditions continued till Christmas when as many men as possible were granted leave.

In January 1915 Canada's two Permanent Force Cavalry Regiments, Lord Strathcona's Horse and the Royal Canadian Dragoons, having also trained as Infantry, were given back their horses and with the British 2nd King Edward's Horse and the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, formed the Canadian Cavalry Brigade for service in France. The 6th Battalion, being composed of Cavalrymen, was selected to become the Remount Depot for the Brigade. On the 22nd of January, the Fort Garry Horse was re-formed and Cavalry training began immediately. The 6th Battalion was disbanded and the members were transferred to the Garrys or to the 8th and 10th Infantry Battalions.

In April 1915 the Fort Garry Horse moved to Canterbury to form the Canadian Cavalry Depot. For the next nine months they trained and furnished drafts of men to reinforce the Canadian Cavalry Brigade then fighting in France. The Regiment adopted a new cap badge consisting of the maple leaf and gate of the 6th Battalion, with the scroll changed to read "FORT GARRY HORSE".

1916 - With the Canadian Cavalry Brigade in France

In December 1915 it was decided the replace the 2nd King Edward's Horse in France with a Canadian Regiment. The Fort Garry Horse was selected to become the third Regiment in the Canadian Cavalry Brigade. It had been kept up to strength in England with reinforcements provided by the 34th Fort Garry Horse, still operating as a Militia unit in Winnipeg. The 34th FGH continued to recruit and train Cavalrymen throughout the war in Winnipeg and Camp Hughes, sending them overseas as required by the Regiment.

On 25 February 1916 the Regiment landed in France and began to train with the Brigade. On 13/14 July "B" Squadron saw the first action for the Regiment when they were tasked to lay bridges for the Infantry advance. They used special collapsible bridges that had been designed by Lt. Col H.I. Stevenson, then second in command of the Garrys.

The Squadron was then sent forward to attack High Wood in support of the Infantry. The attack was highly successful, the trenches dug by the Garrys were not re-captured for two weeks. The Regiment was later employed building roads, railways and trenches. Throughout the winter of 1916-1917 they took their turn relieving Infantry in the trenches, staying two weeks in the front line alternating with one weeks "rest", maintaining their cavalry skills and assisting in moving stores and munitions to the front.

1917 - Guyencourt, Saulcourt, the Trenches

On a cold and snowy day, 27 March 1917, The Regiment, with the rest of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade, took part in the attack on German positions in the Guyencourt-Saulcourt area. The Germans had withdrawn to straighten out a bulge in their line and the 4th British army scrambled to regain contact. The Infantry could not keep up so the Cavalry was called in. The town of Saulcourt was captured in a three - pronged attack by the Garrys, while the Strathcona's attacked Guyencourt.Lt. F.W. Harvey, of the Strathcona's was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery during this action.

The attack was successful, making contact with the Germans at the new Hindenburg line. The Infantry moved up to consolidate the Cavalry's gains. It was the first major action involving the entire brigade mounted. In May the Regiment returned to the front line trenches relieving the tired Infantry. Trench Raids were conducted in the area of Somerville and Max Wood many decorations being won by members of the Regiment. Lt. Harcus Strachan, later to win the Victoria Cross, was awarded a Military Cross for his actions at Somerville Wood.

1917 - Cambrai

The plan for the attack on the German Hindenburg Line relied on a massed tank and infantry breakthrough to be exploited by the Cavalry, which were to push forward and isolate the city of Cambrai. The Fort Garry Horse, as part of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade, 5th Cavalry Division, was given the task of leading as advance guard for the Division. "B" Squadron, commanded by Captain Campbell, was given the special mission of capturing a German Corps Headquarters in the town of Escadouvres. The Remainder of the Regiment was held up by a bridge which had collapsed under the weight of a tank, but "B" Squadron managed to cross on a temporary bridge constructed over a damaged lock gate.

Shortly after the crossing, the CO, Lt. Col. R. W. Paterson, received orders to cancel the entire Cavalry advance but "B" Squadron was already on the way to their objective. The Squadron came under heavy machine gun fire, killing Captain Campbell. Lt. Harcus Strachan immediately took command. He led the squadron forward and came upon a German artillery battery which was destroyed by a charge with swords drawn.

The Squadron continued forward and halted to rest under cover in a sunken road, where Lt. Strachan found that only 43 men and horses were left from the start of 129 men and 140 horses.

Realizing that the Squadron could not accomplish their mission, Lt. Strachan and Lt. W Cowen led the remaining men back in two groups through the German lines at night, bringing in 15 prisoners.

For his gallantry and leadership, Lt. Strachan was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour.

Other Decorations awarded were the Military Cross, to Lieuts. Fleming and Cowen, and the Distinguished Conduct Medal to Sergeant J. Bernas and Trooper W. Morrall.

The Military Medal went to Acting Sergeant T.P. Tebburt and Troopers J.E. van Wilderode, T. Gibbons, and W. Hall, while Corporal J. McKay and Lance Corporal F. Fitzgerald were awarded bars to Military Medals previously received.

The Medical Officer, Captain E.C. Whitehouse, also received the Military Cross for conspicuous service during the day.

As well as destroying the artillery battery, "B" Squadron was credited with widespread disruption behind the German lines.

Other Information

Prior to winning the V.C. Harcus Strachan was initiated into freemasonry, at the Douglas Lodge (Lodge 409) Bo'ness, on 22^nd January 1917.

It seems that Harcus Strachan also served as a Colonel in WW II with the 1st Bn Edmonton Fusiliers.

From the National Archives of Canada
Section: Soldiers of the First World War — Canadian Expeditionary Force
Names:                           STRACHAN , HARCUS
Regimental number:         15585
Rank:                              MAJOR
Reference:                      RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 9371 - 1

Compiled by: Ken Wright