The Battle of Moreuil Wood

The Battle of Moreuil Wood was part of the wider Allied effort to stem the German Offensive (Operation Michael) of Spring 1918 in the area of Amiens, France. Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians), as part of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade, encountered and defeated a large German force at Moreuil Wood on 30 March 1918, in what was to be the last great cavalry charge in Canadian Army history, and among the last of such actions in British and Commonwealth warfare. Losses to men and horses were extremely high with 53 of 75 Strathcona’s of the charging Squadron, killed or wounded; but the mission was accomplished.

Major Tanya Grodzinski, The Battle of Moreuil Wood (LdSH(RC), 1993, 19-20.

Since the end of the First World War, March 30th has been recognized and celebrated as the ‘Regimental Day’ by successive generations of Strathcona’s. An ‘Official Ceremony’ took place at the battle site in France on the 30th of March 2018, involving a delegation of serving soldiers and officers, with representation from the Regimental Veterans Association and the seven Strathcona’s (Army) Cadet Corps. Here in Kingston a programme of events took place, in order to celebrate the Regiment’s storied past within the history and heritage of Canada. The Regimental flag flew at City Hall on 24 March 2018 and at the main gate of the base 23-25 March.