Fonds med-7 - South Alberta Light Horse fonds

The earliest predecessor of the The South Alberta Light Horse Regiment was the Rocky Mountain Rangers, an active cavalry unit. It had been established at Fort MacLeod on April 10, 1885, in order to protect the southern portions of Alberta, extending from High River to the international boundary, and from the Rockies to Medicine Hat, during the North West Rebellion. The unit, in conjunction with the NWMP, patrolled and ensured that the region would remain peaceful during the impending rebellion. The unit disbanded later in 1885, following the rebellions end. Over time and through both world wars, various militia/cavalry units were established, converted, disbanded or amalgamated throughout southern Alberta. The units' role was to recruit members to either see active service overseas, or to continue to maintain the local unit. Members were drawn from former Canadian and British soldiers, but also included civilians lacking any previous military experience. Potential recruits needed to pass medical and aptitude tests, and those accepted into the reserves, went through 29 days of training. As many as nine battalions were established in the southeastern corner of the Province between 1915 and 1924, and a number of units formed at other points in the province, eventually lead to the creation of The South Alberta Regiment, a militia infantry unit which existed from 1924 to 1954. This Regiment continued as a military infantry unit at Medicine Hat until it was once again converted and amalgamated with another regiment, to become the South Alberta Light Horse at Calgary. In 1960, the South Alberta Light Horse was transferred to Medicine Hat from Calgary, and was redesignated as an armoured reconnaissance unit in 1968. Now the South Alberta Light Horse is based in Edmonton and Medicine Hat and is known as a Pan-Alberta Regiment.