Regimental Headquarters

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Customs and Traditions

Drill and Ceremonial

         The Right of the Line

         Drill

         Artillery Gun Salute

         Wedding Ceremonies

         Military Funerals

Artillery Change of Command Parades

         Change of RSM Ceremonies  

The honour of “The Right of the Line”, on an army parade, is held by the units of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery when on parade with their guns. On dismounted parades, RCHA units take precedence over all other land force units except formed bodies of Officer Cadets of the Royal Military College representing their college. RCA units parade to the left of units of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps.

The artillery company of the Troupes de la Marine (formed in Quebec in 1750) was considered a “corps d’élite” and on parade took the position of honour at the right of the line. At about this time, the Royal Artillery was officially accorded the same honour.

It has not been clearly established exactly when the Royal Artillery was first given its position on the right of the line but it was very likely in Flanders about 1742-1748. It is recorded that in 1742, at a camp at Lexden Heath near Colchester, “The Artillery on its own authority, moved from the left of the camp to the right, which was its customary place.”

In 1756, the matter was brought to official notice on a complaint by a Capt Pattison, whose company of artillery was denied its usual place on the right during a parade to witness the execution of a deserter. He based his claim on the custom in Flanders. The claim was upheld and the official letter on the subject concluded as follows:

“It is the Duke of Cumberland’s order that Colonel Bedford write to Capt Pattison and acquaint General Bland, it is His Royal Highness’ command that the Artillery take the right of all foot on all parades and likewise of Dragoons when dismounted”.

In 1773, at Gibraltar, the Commander Royal Artillery protested that the governor had changed the accepted order of precedence in parading the Guards. The protest was then taken to His Majesty, who upheld the Gunners’ claim. The custom was again upheld in 1787 when it was questioned whether the Royal Irish Artillery should parade on the right or left of the Royal Military Artificers who were the next in order of precedence after the Royal Artillery. The answer to this question was: “The Royal Artillery to be on the right, either English or Irish, there is no exception.”

From its formation in 1793, the Royal Horse Artillery took precedence over all cavalry including the Household Cavalry, following the established precedence of the Foot Artillery over all infantry including the Foot Guards. This precedence was confirmed in 1804 but was modified by Queen Victoria in 1868 so that the Royal Horse Artillery when on parade with their guns would take precedence over the Household Cavalry, who otherwise held the right of the line as part of the Body Guard of the Sovereign.

Instructions for both mounted and dismounted drill for all units of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery are contained in A-PD-201-000/PT-000 Canadian Forces Manual of Drill and Ceremonial. The following traditional artillery drill practices will, however, be observed within the Regiment:

An artillery parade is always handed over “at ease”.

Artillery sub-units, units and formations will receive an inspecting officer at “attention”.

This practice dates from the period before recoil mechanisms when guns had to be run back by hand into firing position. After hours of sponging, loading, firing and running the guns back into battery, the gunners were exhausted. Commanders extending their congratulations to gunners for their contribution to victory granted them the privilege of receiving these accolades “at ease” rather than “attention”.

Officers and men serving the weapons and equipment of the Regiment will carry out their duties at the double unless orders to the contrary are issued and except when handling ammunition; and

Bayonets will be carried by Artillery personnel who are issued with rifles and bayonets. The artillery does not, as a matter of routine, fix bayonets except when ordered for ceremonial parades or when on guard, etc, with members of other branches or corps carrying fixed bayonets.

When gun salutes are fired by The Royal Regiment in conjunction with Royal or General salutes, they should commence as the final movement of the “Present Arms” is performed. On all other occasions the firing shall be controlled and timed by the firing troop commander.

The saluting troop should consist of four guns commanded by a Troop Commander with a Gun Position Officer and a Troop Sergeant Major.

Kneeling gun drill shall be employed.

The saluting troop should be deployed, if possible, in a prominent position and should be inspected by the Reviewing Officer during the parade.

Military uniform is appropriate for wear by either or both of the marriage partners and members of the wedding party. Service dress (1 or 1A) may be worn. Members of the wedding party may wear swords in the church. 

A sword arch is a traditional accompaniment for the wedding of a serviceperson, whether the wedding party is in uniform or not.

The sword party consists of three or four pairs of fellow officers with one named to command the sword party.

The sword party lines both sides of the departure walk in facing pairs with swords drawn. On the command “Form arch”, the sword is brought to the recover position and, after a regulation pause, the right arm is extended fully upward at a 45 degree angle.

As the arm is extended, the wrist is rotated 270 degree counter-clockwise into the final position with the back of the sword facing down, the edge of the blade and the guard facing up. Following the passage of the wedding party, the movements are repeated in reverse order on the command “Attention”. Instructions for the drill movements for a sword arch are contained in A-PD-201-000/PT-000 Canadian Forces Manual of Drill and Ceremonial.

It is traditional for the bride and groom, after having passed under the arch of swords, to ride on a waiting gun limber from the church to the reception.

Wedding receptions take the usual form but the bride and groom may use a sword to cut the cake.

Two current funeral customs are held by The Royal Regiment.

The rider-less horse - A black horse saddled but with spurred boots reversed in the stirrups symbolized the soldier who will ride into battle no more. As a mounted corps, it is an appropriate custom for any artillery funeral.

Gun carriage as a hearse- Gun carriages with a special platform for accepting the casket have long been used at funerals. The gun may be with or without limber and drawn by hand, horse or vehicle.

The most popular guns for this purpose are the 25 pounder and the 105-mm C1 because they have excellent stability and a reasonable height for the casket bearing platforms.

Pallbearers march on either side of the gun carriage in the funeral procession.

The use of a gun carriage for a hearse is not restricted to gunners but is customary for all military funerals.

Artillery Change of Command Parades