It was one of the last regiments in the British Empire to be created and raised by a private individual, Donald Alexander Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal.

Blazon: "Lord Strathcona's coat of arms, without supporters, being a shield surmounted by a maple tree inclined to the left, and cut through by a beaver working at the base; in the chief a demi-lion rampant; in the centre a railroad spike and hammer crossed; in the base a canoe bearing a flag inscribed "NW" and containing four men; the whole surrounded by a riband which is encircled by a wreath of roses, thistles, shamrocks and maple leaves, and inscribed "Lord Strathcona's Horse Royal Canadians", surmounted by a scroll bearing the motto "perseverance", and the whole surmounted by the Crown".

[1][4] The regiment was one of the last in the British Empire to be created and raised by a private individual, Donald Alexander Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal.

During the Boer War, Lord Strathcona recruited and equipped the cavalry regiment at his own expense for service in South Africa.

Many skilled horsemen (cowboys and North-West Mounted Police members) enlisted, allowing for a short training period and rapid deployment to Africa.

Another legacy of the official kit is the huge popularity of the distinctive Stetson Campaign Hat worn by all Canadians serving in Africa during the Second Boer War.

The regiment was placed on active service at the start of the Great War on 6 August 1914 for instructional and camp administration duties.

On 14 September 1914 the regiment mobilized Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), CEF, which embarked for England on 3 October 1914.

During the German offensives of March and April 1918, however, the cavalry played an essential role in the open warfare that temporarily confronted the retreating British forces.

On 16 February 1945 the regiment moved with the I Canadian Corps to North-West Europe as part of Operation Goldflake, where it fought until the end of the war.

During an inspection in England, King George VI noticed that the divisional patches on the sleeves of the troopers bore the legend "LSH".

One of the many dramatic changes World War I introduced into military organisation and technology was the introduction of the tank, however, Canada would persist with horse cavalry until the Summer of 1940.

The Regiment trained in England for two years with Canadian built Ram tanks and saw its first action in an armoured role in Italy.

During this desperate battle the Strathcona RHQ reconnaissance troop established a bridgehead in conjunction with "A" Company, The Westminster Regiment (Motor)[8] on the Melfa River and held it against determined German tank and infantry attacks until reinforcements could arrive.

The action resulted in a Victoria Cross being awarded to the OC "A" Company, Major Jack Mahony and forged a long-standing association between the two regiments.

It was redesignated as the 2nd Armoured Regiment (Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)), RCAC, CASF) on 1 March 1946 and on 27 June 1946 it was embodied in the Permanent Force.

A, B and C Squadrons fought independently in Korea from 19 April 1951 to 27 July 1953 as part of the 25th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group, 1st Commonwealth Division.

The squadron returned to Kabul, Afghanistan for a six-month rotation in 2004 as part of Canada's ongoing commitment to the International Security Assistance Force.

The following served as drum majors for the band:[citation needed] The following served as pipe majors for the band:[citation needed] Despite the cavalry traditions of the regiment, the pipes and drums does not perform in full dress uniform due to concerns of a confusion with the Strathcona Mounted Troop.

The band uniform consists of a midnight blue patrol jacket, kilts (in the pattern if the official MacKenzie tartan) and a sporran that is similar to that of the Pipes and Drums of the Royal Tank Regiment.

In the wake of its disbandment, a voluntary drum and bugle corps was established by Warrant Officer Mucker Langan in 1971, whose volunteers primary duties were with the regiment's Assault Troop.

The museum has a static gallery of 2,500 square feet (230 m2) that tells the history of the regiment from 1900 to present, with a rotating selection of special exhibits and displays.

The regimental collection holds thousands of artifacts and relics, while the archives has photographs, records, documents and diaries with which it conducts research for personal and professional institutions around the world.

The museum is staffed by full-time Regular Force soldiers, as of 2023[update] a captain, a sergeant and a corporal, with additional volunteers assisting in research, outreach and design.

[19] On average, the museum hosts approximately 40,000 visitors annually and educates the public with stories of cavalry history and traditions from Western Canada's only Regular Force armoured unit.

Cadet units affiliated to the LdSH(RC) receive support and also are entitled to wear traditional regimental accoutrements on their uniforms.