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Sherman tank on display at
Patterson Armoury, Medicine Hat.
The South Alberta Regiment first used
Shermans in WW2 but this particular tank
is Korea-vintage.
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World War 2
It was under these two main designations that the Regiment entered World War 2 in 1939. Though their names were later changed, it was these two units that served to perpetuate the lineage. The 15th Alberta Light Horse had recruited for the 31st Alberta Reconnaissance Battalion for active duty and was later incorporated into the unit in 1942 and remained in the Calgary area until 1945. The Alberta Regiment which had changed to the South Alberta Regiment recruited an active force of the same name in the Medicine Hat area in 1940. This infantry unit trained in the area until 1942 when it was re-designated a tank unit and renamed the 29th Armoured Regiment. It was moved to England in August of the same year.
The Regiment's participation in World War II, from which it emerged with 15 more Battle Honours, can be attributed mainly to the action of the 29th Armoured Regiment. This unit was designated as divisional Reconnaissance (29th Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment) and chosen by Maj-Gen Worthington to be his recce because he wanted "keen-eyed prairie men" as his scouts. The 29th was again converted to tanks in 1944 and sent to France in July of that year. It fought through Belgium, Netherlands and Germany until May 1945. Of particular note is the fact that Major David Currie won the Commonwealth's highest military award for bravery, the Victoria Cross while serving in France during the battle to close the Falaise gap.
The medals and awards the South Alberta Regiment amassed was stunning. A full walkthrough is presented here.
An extensive presentation of the South Alberta Regiment's history is available here.
( *** Please note that both SAR presentations are very large and will take a few minutes to load, they are well worth the wait. It is with the greatest of respect and gratitude that we thank the SARVA website people, and especially Mr. Ben McDougall, Mr. Jack Porter and Mr. Mike Crawford for allowing us to provide this information to you via the SALH site. ***)
Meanwhile the 31st Reconnaissance Battalion had served in the Calgary area until January 1945 when it was shipped to England. It was disbanded a month later and fed as reinforcements to different Canadian Units.
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