5th Battalion (Western Cavalry), CEF


The 5th Battalion, CEF, known as "Tuxford's Dandys," was an infantry battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the Great War.

History

The 5th Battalion was authorized on 10 August 1914 and embarked for Great Britain on 29 September 1914. It entered the theatre of operations in France on 14 February 1915, where it fought as part of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The battalion was disbanded on 15 September 1920.
The 5th Battalion recruited in Brandon, Manitoba; Saskatoon, Regina and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Red Deer, Alberta and Merritt and Vernon, British Columbia and was mobilized at Camp Valcartier, Quebec.
The battalion fought in the attack on Vimy Ridge with 14 officers and 350 other ranks killed or wounded.
The 5th Battalion had five officers commanding:
  • Lieutenant-Colonel George Tuxford, 22 September 1915-January 11, 1916
  • Lieutenant-Colonel H.M. Dyer, DSO, 11 January 1916 – 29 June 1917
  • Lieutenant-Colonel L.P.O. Tudor, DSO, 29 June 1917 – 8 March 1918
  • Lieutenant-Colonel L.L. Crawford, DSO, 8 March 1918 – 4 April 1918
  • Lieutenant-Colonel L.P.O. Tudor, DSO, 4 April 1918-Demobilization
Sgt. Raphael Louis Zengel of the 5th Battalion was awarded the Victoria Cross for his action on 9 August 1918 at Warvillers, France. He had previously been awarded the Military Medal.

Battle honours

The 5th Battalion was awarded the following battle honours in 1929:

Perpetuation

The perpetuation of the 5th Battalion, CEF, was initially assigned in 1920 to 1st Battalion, The [North Saskatchewan Regiment (1920–1924)|The North Saskatchewan Regiment], and has been passed down through the following units: