ON DESIGNATIONS – RCHA AND RCA

Prepared in the office of the Chief of Artillery
                On 16 Jun 67 an artillery conference was held at Headquarters Mobile Command under the direction of the Senior Regular Gunner, Lt Gen W.A.B. Anderson OBE, CD. The aim of the direction of the conference was to discuss the RCA titling system and on the basis of this discussion to select appropriate titles for all RCA units and, if possible, to establish a titling system that would meet the dictates of the future. The titles and system selected were to meet the following criteria:

1. Be compatible with Bill C 243 (Canadian Forces Reorganization Act);
2. Be consistent with the requirements of the Mobile Command Force Structure Study of 15Aug 66;
3. Be a system capable of expansion to meet the dictates of a mobilization plan;
4. Permit retention of the Canadian Gunner Traditions established over the past 112 years; and
5. Meet the personal demands of the modern Canadian Soldier.

The conference participants were the Commander Mobile Command, Chief of Artillery, Senior Staff Officer Chief of Artillery Division, the current and immediate-past regimental commanding officers at present in Canada. Each officer attending the conference was given an opportunity to present his views and the views of his subordinates. In addition, those officers who were invited but were unable to attend submitted proposals which were presented to the conference by the Chief of Artillery.
The conference examined in detail the pertinent historical factors. Without elaboration, the key historical events considered were:

1. 1855 – The Militia Act;
2. 1871 – The formation of A and B Batteries;
3. 1887 – The formation of C Battery;
4. 1889 – The formation of D Battery;
5. 1905 – The authorization of the title RCHA;
6. 1914-18 – World War I;
7. 1919-39 – Canada’s Permanent Force;
8. 1939 – 45 – World War II;
9. 1950 – The formation of 2 RCHA;
10. 1953 – The renaming of 79 and 81 Field Regiment as 3 and 4 RCHA respectively; and
11. 1966 – Mobile Command Force Structure Study.

On the completion of the historical analysis of the RCA, an exacting study of the many aspects of this somewhat complex problem was conducted. The discussions that evolved were kept on a level that precluded emotional and personal prejudicial digressions. Factors which could not be substantiated were discounted. Only the most valid considerations which arose during the conference will be recorded here.
                Probably the most apposite point raised during the entire conference was the need to ensure that unnecessary changes, especially at this time, should not be contemplated just for the sake of change. There are no significant pressures, either internal or external to the RCA, that are capable of forcing unwarranted changes on the Regiment. At no time should the Regiment permit irrational changes to be implemented without due consideration being given to all aspects of the requested change and the ramifications of its implementation.
The discussion progressed from this point to the RCHA identity problem. Although the RHA is considered the elite of the RA, this is not the case in the RCA. Membership in the RCA is the primary consideration and once within the Regiment each member should be employed according to his individual talents. It is only as a strong cohesive corps that the RCA can perform its many functions to the standard expected. Since 1905 RCHA has been the identity given to the field artillery regiments of Canada’s professional army, while the other regular artillery units, the Militia and the wartime regiments used the RCA titling system. The continuation of this system permits an easy understanding of the roles and employment of all RCA components.
If alterations were made to the existing RCA nomenclature several disadvantages would accrue. Firstly, it would be relatively costly to both units and individuals. When one considers that the investment now in band uniforms, mess crystal and china, pennants, ciphers etc would essentially be lost, one is inclined to weigh decisions carefully. Secondly, the present four field regiments have all established unit traditions and histories based on current titles. A change now would negate anywhere from 14 to 62 years’ endeavours. Thirdly, RCHA dress regulations lend themselves to more distinctive uniforms in the use of chain mail and ball buttons. Fourthly, RCHA units have precedence on parade and the loss of the privilege of “the right of the line” should never be self-generated. The 4 CIBG unit rotation policy is undergoing drastic alterations. It is envisaged that in the future 1 RCHA will remain in Europe. Hence, all reinforcements will be on an individual basis with each of the regiments in Canada being responsible for a specified number of replacements annually. With this being the case then most personnel proceeding to Europe will require no re-badging prior to posting if all field regiments remain RCHA.
Units with no distinctive roles and/or equipment such as airborne, missiles and locating obtain suitable identity by virtue of their specialization. At the command and staff levels corps affiliation is the prime consideration and when employed in such appointments individuals loyalty must be corps-oriented, not directed to any one unit within the corps.
One the basis of these discussions the system of titling in the RCA will remain as it is now. That is, close-support artillery of the regular force will be RCHA and all other units, components and elements will be RCA. The titles for the artillery units in Mobile Command will be:
1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (1 RCHA)
2nd Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (2 RCHA)
3rd Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (3 RCHA)
4th Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (4 RCHA)
1st Airborne Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery (1 AB Bty). This unit will be organic to the Canadian Airborne Regiment.
1st Surface to Surface Missile Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery (1 SSM Bty)
2nd Surface to Surface Missile (Training) Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery (2 SSM (Trg) Bty)
1st Air Defence Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery (1 AD Bty)
2nd Air Defence Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery (2 AD Bty)
1st Command and Control Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery (1 C&C Bty)
1 Loc Bty will be redesignated, re-equipped and reorganized to form this unit
The Canadian Gunner, Volume 3, December 1967, page 65
 

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