25-Pounder Field Gun/Howitzer
Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Memorial
Kingston, Ontario

This British-designed Howitzer is one of the world's classic artillery pieces. The 1.8 ton piece was issued early in the Second World War as a replacement for the earlier 18-pounder of First World War vintage. During its service, in addition to barrage, the gun was used in an anti-tank role and as a self-propelled unit. The crew of one Non-Commissioned Officer and five men could fire four rounds per minute and the piece would hurl a shell up to 13,400 yards.

This gun is mounted by the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Memorial and considered the "Flag Gun" by the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Brigade Association. As such, the Association has maintained the gun with tactiacal signs (Tac Signs) indicating it as the senior gun (AA) of the senior battery of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Regiment (42).

FALLEN GUNNERS
BY R.C.H.A. BRIGADE ASSOCIATION
AND KINGSTON GUNNERS
ON THE OCCASION OF
125TH ANNIVERSARY ROYAL
REGIMENT OF CANADIAN ARTILLERY
1871 - 1996

THIS 25 POUNDER GUN USED
BY CANADIAN ARTILLERY
1943 - 1955

The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Brigade Association has also fixed plaques to commemorate the recognition that was bestowed on the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery during combat operations.
During the Korean War, the Royal Canadian Regiment requested, and received permission, to have their Regimental Cipher displayed on the guns of "A" Battery, 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery as a mark of distinction to the esteem that the Royal Canadian Regiment felt in A Battery, 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery during the Korean War.

The Afghanistan conflict has once again demonstrated the rapport that can be built between the Artillery and their supported element. In 2006, the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry sought a means to recognize the intimate close support that was provided by "A" Battery, 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery during their deployment. The Korean tradition was deemed as a means to convey their respect in a lasting method and "A" Battery now has the distinction of carrying two Infantry ciphers on its guns during ceremonial occasion.

In 2002, the 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment was deployed in Afghanistan with "E" Battery, 2nd Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. Once again, the gunners provided the level of close, intimate artillery support that the Infantry required. Hearkening back to the days of Korea, the Royal Canadian Regiment saw fit to, once again, honour an artillery battery with the wearing of their cipher.

Please note: The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery is seeking additional enhancements to this article. If you have higher quality photographs or additional historic facts, please do not hesitate to contact us through the Heritage board on our discussion forum.

Photos and text provided by LCol L. Jensen