The Canadian Cavalry Brigade was raised in December 1914, under its first commanding officer Brigadier-General J.E.B.

The brigade's units arrived in England in 1914, then left as a dismounted formation for France in April 1915.

The brigade remained serving as infantry until the end of January 1916, when it was re-formed as a cavalry force.

[1] It was held in reserve during the Battle of the Somme, its first mounted operation being during the German retreat to the Hindenberg Line.

[1] The painter Alfred Munnings was assigned as a war artist to the brigade and produced numerous paintings of the unit's men and horses.