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Here you will find an ever-expanding collection of documents and images pertaining to Canada’s senior cavalry regiment, The Royal Canadian Dragoons.
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Happy 102nd Birthday
to
Lieutenant-Colonel John E. Beswick, MBE, CD
Lieutenant-Colonel John E. Beswick, MBE, CD (Retired) served as the Regimental Quartermaster of the 1st Canadian Armoured Car Regiment (Royal Canadian Dragoons) in Italy and North-West Europe during the Second World War, along with his brother Lt Arthur F Beswick, who served as a Troop Leader with the Regiment. For his outstanding work both on and off the battlefield and for his considerable personal bravery, John was made a Member of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of The British Empire in 1945.
“During the Gothic Line battle when a squadron echelon was put out of action through heavy casualties, Capt BESWICK immediately reorganized and led this group through enemy held territory, under fire, for three miles to bring urgently required supplies to the squadron. Later during the crossing of the LAMONE RIVER, this officer repeated this very brave performance by taking supplies to a squadron which was pinned down by heavy fire in a very exposed position.”
The MBE Citation of Captain John Ernest Beswick
“Capt John Ernest BESWICK as Quartermaster of the Royal Can Dragoons during the period of 6 Jun 44 to 8 May 45 successfully carried out three major reorganization and re-equipment programs which had been ordered fit the regiment for varying roles. In each case, though notice was short, these task were quickly completed without any dislocation of the regiment’s activities and though large quantities of major types of equipment and controlled stores were involved.
In the North West European theatre the regiment has had on many occasions very long lines of communication; by unremitting effort and often very little sleep, Capt BESWICK insured at all times a steady flow of supplies to forward squadrons. This enabled the speed of the advance to be maintained and contributed in very large measure to many successes against a strong and well-organized enemy. By his exceptional qualities of character, cheerfulness, energy and knowledge of his duties this officer has rendered to his regiment and the Army as a whole inestimable services over a long and arduous period.”
In addition Capt BESWICK was responsible for normal maintenance and supply during all the regimental actions of this period, both mounted and dismounted, under the most trying conditions. During the Gothic Line battle when a squadron echelon was put out of action through heavy casualties, Capt BESWICK immediately reorganized and led this group through enemy held territory, under fire, for three miles to bring urgently required supplies to the squadron. Later during the crossing of the LAMONE RIVER, this officer repeated this very brave performance by taking supplies to a squadron which was pinned down by heavy fire in a very exposed position.
Audax et Celer.