RCD Guidon
HONOURS OF PRECEDENCE OF REGIMENTAL STANDARDS AND GUIDONS
Originally, Dragoons had two orders of precedence: in the field they took precedence as "horse" but in garrison they took less precedence as "foot". Dragoons were originally mounted infantry. With their superior speed and carbine firepower they were the shock troops of their day. Gradually their role was assimilated to that of the Cavalry proper and consequently followed the rules of precedence in that arm of service. The precedence continues in the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps, The Royal Canadian Dragoons having the honour of precedence in the Corps.
STANDARDS AND GUIDONS
INTRODUCTION
The carrying of colours into battle goes back into the dimmest of distant history. The Israelites carried their sacred standard into battle. The Eagles of Rome, in comparison, are almost modern in the passage of time.
It is through more or less the knights of medieval days that the British Army and subsequently the Commonwealth Armies trace the tradition of individual regimental colours. Knights flew their armorial bearings on their pennants so that their own following of bowmen and men-at-arms would know their location and where to rally in the heat of battle.
A cavalry regiment carried as its banner a guidon, which is derived from the French Guydhomme - the guideman or leader of horse who carried the banner into battle. Eventually the word referred to the banner, rather than to the officer who carried the banner. Ever since, guidons have been carried in the British Army.
The Royal Canadian Dragoons are currently in possession of their Fourth Guidon.
THE GUIDON
Traditions
Today, because of its historic and sentimental value, it is no longer carried into action, or by a unit in a theatre of war. The RCD were the last Canadian Forces Unit to do so, when they returned to Canada from their UNPROFOR deployment to the Former Republic of Yugoslavia, on 7 May 1995. The Guidon still continues, however, to be a visible symbol of pride, honour and devotion to sovereign and country.
When presented, guidons are consecrated by the Chaplain General assisted by the unit chaplains. Through this means, the guidon is sanctified and devoted to service as a symbol of honour and duty and all members of the unit, regardless of classification, dedicate themselves to constancy in the maintenance of these qualities. Once consecrated, guidons are closely guarded and, when uncased, they are honoured by the appropriate compliment. Every effort must be made to prevent the loss of the guidon to enemy forces. Any regiment serving overseas at the outbreak of hostilities shall return their guidon to Canada. It is to be destroyed on threat of capture by hostile elements.
In cavalry regiments, the guidon is carried by the senior MWO and escorted by the two most senior WOs with a Sgt as Guidon Orderly. In the past, when cavalry soldiers had to provide their own horses, the class of private soldiers which any cavalry regiment attracted were generally o much higher standing than those who would gravitate to regiments of foot. This superior breed of soldier led to superior Non-Commissioned Officers and Warrant Officers. As a tangible symbol of the trust placed in Warrant Officers and Sergeants within the cavalry, the honour of carrying and escorting the guidon was relinquished by the officers.
The only personnel allowed to handle the guidon are the Guidon Bearer, COs and former COs of the Regiment, Colonels and former Honourary Colonels of the Regiment, and the RSM.
Once the guidon is requested, be it a parade or social function, an appointment is to be made with the Regimental Adjutant who unlocks the case so the Bearer can retrieve the guidon. Once drawn, and until it is placed back in the case, the Guidon Party is responsible at all times for the security and safe keeping of the guidon and will not leave it unguarded. On return, the Adjutant must be informed and after the guidon is returned to it's case, the Guidon Party will proceed with the Adjutant to have the traditional glass of sherry with the CO and toast the Regiment.
Guidon Protocol
New guidons will not be carried on parade until they have been consecrated and no compliments are to be paid until consecration has been done. Once consecrated and presented, they shall be accorded the highest honours at all times and treated with the greatest of respect and care.
Guidons are transported to and from parades 'cased' in a cover. The Guidon is 'uncased' at the parade, with the Guidon Orderly responsible for the 'case', and then the Guidon is 'Marched On' Parade. When the Guidon is 'Marched off' Parade the Guidon Orderly will replace the Guidon case, for transport.
Guidons are not to be uncased after retreat or before sunrise, unless the location of the parade is illuminated.
Guidons are never uncased in inclement weather. If the guidon is wet, it shall be hung to dry before returning to it's case.
When a guidon is declared non-serviceable, they are 'laid up' and put on public display where they will 'rot on their staff'. In the past, the old Guidons would be 'laid up' in a Church. Today, it is becoming more customary to find them in museums.
Custody
Commanding Officers are responsible for the safeguarding, care and maintenance, and appropriate manner of display of the guidon. When at rest, the guidon will be displayed in the RCD main Foyer, in a secure case, under guard 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
STANDARD (or Blue Guidon)
The Standard (or Blue Guidon) was the Regiments First Guidon. It was presented to the Regiment by King George V, when he was still the Duke of Cornwall and York, in Toronto on 11 October 1901. The Battle Honours "North-West Canada 1885" and "South Africa 1900" were emblazoned on this standard as was the badge of that time, The Royal Cypher and in gold on crimson "Royal Canadian Dragoons". The Standard is currently held in the CFB Petawawa Military Museum.
KING'S BANNER (or Union Flag)
The King's Banner was presented to the Regiment by His Excellency, The Earl of Minto, The Governor General of Canada, in Toronto on 12 November 1904. Although a cavalry regiment, but having served in South Africa as mounted rifles, the Regiment was so honoured by the King who became Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment. The King's Banner is currently held in the museum at CFB Petawawa.
SECOND GUIDON
The Second Guidon was delivered to the Regiment in Belgium and was first carried on parade at Amiens when a detachment of the Regiment dedicated a memorial tablet in the Cathedral of that city. It was officially presented to the Regiment at Bramshott Camp, in England, by His Royal Highness Prince Arthur of Connaught in 1919. The Springbok was emblazoned on this red guidon along with the two Battle Honours of North-West Canada 1885 and South Africa 1900.
The Second Guidon was presented to the Regiment a second time, in January 1931, when ten additional Battle Honours for the First World War were approve for emblazonment on the Guidon. The Second Guidon is currently residing in the CFB Petawawa Military Museum.
THIRD GUIDON
The Third Guidon was presented to the Regiment by His Excellency The Governor General of Canada, General G.P. Vanier, in Camp Gagetown, on 23 May 1966, in the name of Queen Elizabeth II. It includes Battle Honours approved for emblazonment from the Second World War. It now resides in the CFB Petawawa Military Museum.
FOURTH GUIDON
The Fourth Guidon, is actually the Fifth Guidon. The Fourth Guidon was stolen from the offices of DHH, along with six other Regimental Colours. A Fifth Guidon was produced, and then presented to the Regiment by His Excellency The Governor General of Canada, The Right Honourable Romeo Leblanc, in CFB Petawawa, on 19 June 1998. It replaces the Third Guidon which was worn from operations in Germany, Cyprus, and the Former Republic of Yugoslavia.
In the meantime, the original "Fourth Guidon" and the other stolen Colours, were recovered from a Surplus Store in Alberta, and returned to DHH, where they await presentation to their Units. That Guidon will replace the current Guidon, once it is worn out and will then be the Regiment's Fifth Guidon.
The Current Guidon, the "Fourth Guidon", resides at the Regiment under guard twenty-four hours a day.
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