Unit Name: | 16th Canadian Light Horse |
Dates: | 1905-1936 |
Country: | Canada |
Branch: | Canadian Militia |
Type: | Light cavalry |
Role: | Cavalry |
Size: | One regiment |
Command Structure: | Non-Permanent Active Militia |
Garrison: | Regina, Saskatchewan |
Battles: | First World War |
Battle Honours: | See
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The 16th Canadian Light Horse was a light cavalry regiment of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of the Canadian Militia (now the Canadian Army). First formed in 1905 as the 16th Mounted Rifles, the regiment was Redesignated in 1908 as the 16th Light Horse and again in 1920 as the 16th Canadian Light Horse. In 1936, the regiment was amalgamated with The Saskatchewan Mounted Rifles to form the 16th/22nd Saskatchewan Horse (now part of The North Saskatchewan Regiment).[1] [2] [3] [4]
On 24 April 1885, The Moose Mountain Scouts were raised for active service for The North West Rebellion. This unit served with the Line of Communication Troops as part of the North West Field Force. On 18 September 1885, the unit was disbanded.
On 3 July 1905, the 16th Mounted Rifles was authorized. Its regimental headquarters was at Regina, and the regiment had squadrons at Moosomin, Moose Jaw and Regina.[5]
On 1 October 1908, the regiment was redesignated as the 16th Light Horse.[6]
On 6 August 1914, Details of the 16th Light Horse were placed on active service for local protection duties.
In December 1915, the 16th Light Horse recruited the 3rd Divisional Cavalry Squadron for service with the 3rd Canadian Division along with personnel from the 10th Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles. On 19 May 1916, the Canadian Corps Cavalry Regiment was from by the amalgamation of the 3 Divisional Cavalry Squadrons: the 1st Divisional Cavalry Squadron (19th Alberta Dragoons), the 2nd Divisional Cavalry Squadron (1st Hussars), and the 3rd Divisional Cavalry Squadron (16th Light Horse); with each squadron becoming “A” Squadron, “B” Squadron and “C” Squadron respectively of the new regiment. On 19 March 1917, the regiment was redesignated as the Canadian Light Horse. The Canadian Light Horse was part of the Canadian Corps in France and Flanders until the end of the war on 11 November 1918. On 15 November 1920, the Canadian Light Horse was disbanded.[7]
On 15 March 1920, as a result of the reorganization of the Canadian Militia following the Otter Commission, the 16th Light Horse was redesignated as the 16th Canadian Light Horse.[8]
On 15 December 1936, as a result of the 1936 Canadian Militia Reorganization, the 16th Canadian Light Horse was amalgamated with The Saskatchewan Mounted Rifles (formerly the 22nd Saskatchewan Light Horse) to form the 16th/22nd Saskatchewan Horse (now part of The North Saskatchewan Regiment).[9] [10]
The full dress uniform consisted of a scarlet tunic with yellow facings.