Standing Orders - Appendix 3, Annex A, Chapter 10
5e Régiment d’artillerie légère du Canada
Valcartier, QC

Being the only francophone horse artillery unit on the continent, 5e Régiment d’ artillerie légére du Canada (5 RALC) share French originally, then British, and finally Canadian traditions. 5 RALC contributed notably to NATO, to United Nations Peacekeeping missions throughout the world, to territory defence, aid to civil power and to the community in general. Its history takes root from Canadian military history.

The authority to form 5 RALC was granted on 6 May 1968. The original manning was done primarily by members of 3 RCHA “X” Battery to form the first battery of the same name (three C1 105mm howitzers). “X” Battery fired its first round on 6 February 1969. During the ceremony for the presentation of the new colors to the regiment, on 13 February 1969, it officially took its place within the Canadian Army. During this spectacular ceremony, the new mountain howitzer, the 105mm L5, was consecrated at the Grande-Allée Drill Hall, in the presence of the Honorable Hughes Lapointe, Lieutenant-Governor and Lieutenant-General W.A.B. Anderson, OBE, CD, Commander of Mobile Command. “Q” Battery joined “X” Battery and by August 1969, the regiment was approaching full strength. Its manning came also partially from RCHA, plus some members from “X” Battery.

Following the kidnapping of Sir James Richard Cross, British Commerce Commissary, and Pierre Laporte, Quebec labour minister, by a Front de Libération du Québec cell, (a terrorist organization), 5 RALC participated at the “October Crisis”, in October 1970. The regiment’s task was to protect Quebec City and its vicinity.

On 26 January 1973, 5 RALC received confirmation of its official designation as a Royal Canadian Horse Artillery unit. In 1976, during the Montreal Olympic Games, 5 RALC supported the security of this international event.

A new battery was formed in 1977: “V” Battery (air defence). Equipped with the “Blowpipe” surface to air missile, “V” Battery also had several 40mm “Boffins”. This battery became 58th Air Defence Battery, 6 RAC on 19 September 1992.

On two occasions, 5 RALC deployed in Cyprus, first, October 1980 to March 1981 and September 1987 to March 1988. Also, on three more occasions, we sent a battery to Cyprus with other units.

On 9 July 1983, the regiment celebrated its 15th Anniversary and was granted Freedom of Quebec City. It was exercised for the first time in 1984. That year saw the regiment’s involvement in several activities such as the opening of Fort No 1 de la Pointe Lévis, arrival of the Tall Ships, and Corporation Quebec 84. “X” Battery fired the Gun Salute for his Holiness, the Pope John Paul II. During that year, “R” Battery was created and 5 RALC became the largest artillery unit within The Royal Regiment.

The replacement of the regiment’s 105mm C1 howitzers by the M109A3 self-propelled howitzers was finalized during the period 1985-86. From 27 August until 2 September 1986, 5 RALC traveled to Norway for Exercise BRAVE LION.

1988 was the culmination of 20 years of hard work and the regiment celebrated its 20th anniversary with several grand ceremonies. In 1989, the regiment took part in the ceremonies celebrating the formation of 1st Canadian Division.

The troubles that brought the “OKA Crisis” in 1990, also saw the involvement of 5 RALC into Operation SALON. “X” and “R” Batteries were restructured into infantry companies, while “W” Battery, from the Field Artillery School joined the regiment and deployed with “Q” Battery in Blainville, with 105mm C1 guns.

5 RALC celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1993, and had a 235 page book published about its first 25 years. During the fall that same year, 5 RALC sent a mortar platoon with GT 12e RBC to the Former Yugoslavia, taking part in OP CAVALIER for 6-months.

5 RALC is involved actively within the community of the Greater Quebec City region, for instance, with the Cystic Fibrosis organization and Maison Partage. We are proud of our roots, French and British, and of our place within The Royal Regiment.