Members of the Canadian military community are marking the 100th anniversary of a key battle of the First World War.

The Battle of Moreuil Wood took place during the First World War in France in the spring of 1918. That battle featured the final cavalry charge in Canadian military history and one of the last in British and Commonwealth military history.

Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) Regiment — an historic regiment that was founded in 1900 and continues to this day — played a key role in defeating German forces in the Battle of Moreuil Wood, which took place on March 30, 100 years ago. Lord Strathcona’s Horse Regiment saw 53 of 75 of their cavalry unit killed or injured in the battle. Squadron leader, Lt. Gordon Flowerdew, was awarded the Victoria Cross after being wounded and succumbing to his injuries during the battle.

Since the end of the First World War, March 30 is celebrated as a "Regimental Day" for the Strathconas.

Col. Spike Hazleton is a former Base Commander of CFB Kingston. He is a proud member of Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) Regiment and acted as an organizer for commemoration events in Kingston last weekend.

Close to 200 retired and serving Strathcona’s assembled in Kingston on March 24 to mark the centennial anniversary of the key battle that solidified Lord Strathcona’s Horse as an esteemed regiment in Canada’s military.

"There is a group of us retired Strathcona’s in Kingston, and where there is a group of us, large or small, we form an association," Hazleton said.

The dinner hosted Strathconas from across Ontario and was a special event to mark 100 years of history for the Strathconas.

"It’s a bonding thing," he said. "We’re all friends, we consider ourselves in the regimental family, and we get together to see each other and keep connected. [It’s about] renewing old friendships and seeing people we haven’t seen for a while."

As a special commemoration for the 100-year anniversary, members of Lord Strathcona’s Horse Regiment traveled to France for ceremonies on March 30 and 31.

According to a release from the Canadian government, 20 mounted Strathconas galloped on horseback with members of the Regimental Society of Moreuil, France to re-enact the famous cavalry charge that happened 100 years earlier at the Battle of Moreuil Wood.

"[On March 31], the Mayor of Moreuil, Pierre Boulanger, granted Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) Freedom of the City as a sign of gratitude for their heroic actions in France during the First World War," a media release from the Government of Canada said. "This ceremony represented an affirmation of the bond between the Regiment and the citizenry of Moreuil."

Hazleton said that Lord Strathcona’s Horse is an active regiment to this day, and one that commands respect in its members.

Raised for the Boer War, it won the first Victoria Cross for Canada. It began as a cavalry regiment and today is a tank regiment.

"It was a regiment of cowboys from the west," Hazleton described. "They were nicknamed ‘the Queen’s Cowboys.’"

Lord Strathcona’s Horse was present in all major campaigns in the Second World War. It has been involved in every peace keeping mission that the Canadian Armed Forces has undertaken, and was present in Afghanistan.

"It’s a very active regiment, like all of our regiments in the army," Hazleton said.

Hazleton and other members of The Strathcona’s are proud to be part of that military history.

"We’re proud," he said. "No matter where we are, the regiment and our associations across Canada recognize and celebrate this same day. It’s a history. I’m proud to be a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces. I served for 35 years. The majority of people in our association have at least 30 years plus in service, and when we retire we like to give back to the community, and to the regiment itself. It keeps it going, the accomplishments of the regiment."

mbalogh@postmedia.com

The Kingston Whig-Standard 2018 ©