A unique relationship
forged in service.
The South Alberta Light Horse
and
The Holy Trinity Anglican Church
in 1908, the Dragoons were asked to provide their Regimental chaplain to consecrate the newly acquired Regimental colours of the 101st Edmonton Fusiliers. These Colours were duly consecrated by the Venerable Archdeacon Gray in 1911. Training for the Dragoons continued to be conducted in the local Edmonton area and included numerous church parades at the Holy Trinity Church. With the outbreak of the War in 1914, the Dragoons were mobilised and departed Edmonton for Camp Valcartier and ultimately France. The prior year saw the appointment of Regimental Chaplain assumed by the Reverend C Carruthers.
By 1911, a Regimental Armoury was built at 10310 - 85th Avenue. This proximity to the Holy Trinity Church established a long-standing relationship to this day and is reflected by the two Regimental colours and one Regimental flag which have been laid up in this church since 1964.
Following the First World War, the Dragoons continued parading at the Connaught Armouries in Strathcona and at various other locations in Northern Alberta. The depression resulted in a decrease in Federal spending and a resulting decrease in Regimental activities. The Regiment continues to conduct its training on horseback and in 1939, provided the guard and escort for the visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. With war again on the horizon, thought turned to mobilisation and recruiting up to strength but ultimately the Dragoons were to be made dormant and not called up. As a result, on May 3rd, 1942, the Regimental Flag of the 19th Alberta Dragoons placed safely in the Holy Trinity at a "Laying Away of the Colours" service under the direction of the Regimental Chaplain, Honourary Captain WM Nainby. During the period between the outbreak of the war and 1942, the Regiment recruited over 75 officers and 1000 other ranks for service with the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
In 1946, the Dragoons were brought back to life and joined with Edmonton's infantry regiment, the Edmonton Fusiliers. The Regiment was to retrieve its Regimental flag in 1950 from Holy Trinity with Reverend Caption Nainby overseeing their retrieval. Training continued with the Dragoons being charged with maintaining security on the Alaska Highway as an armoured car regiment. The three Regimental Colours were also trooped down Whyte Avenue in an official parade in 1952.
By mid-1950s, the post-war peace dividend had arrived and in 1964, the Dragoons were notified that they were to be once again made dormant. While not struck off the order of battle, the Regiment was to be reduced to zero strength. In November 1964, the King's Colour of the 19th Alberta Dragoons, along with the Regimental Colours and King's Colour of the 101st Edmonton Fusiliers, were laid up once more in Holy Trinity Church. The Regimental Chaplain, Captain the Reverend Canon T.L. Leadbeater oversaw this ceremony.
In 1978, the Federal Government recognized that Edmonton required its armored soldiers. B Squadron, the South Alberta Light Horse was duly stood up to fulfill this requirement. The 2006 amalgamation of the 19th Alberta Dragoons and the South Alberta Light Horse officially linked the history and heritage of these two fine units under its current name. While the Dragoons were dormant for over 40 years, their exceptional history and close ties to the Holy Trinity are now a part of the South Alberta Light Horse lineage.
