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Description

The Canadian Cavalry in Cambrai, France - The Stampede of the Fort Garry Horse, 1917 signed and dated lower left "LE 917" pen and ink and wash 36 x 54cm

Footnote: The Fort Garry Horse, a Canadian Regiment of horsed cavalry, was originally formed in 1912. In February 1916, it was sent to the Western Front as part of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade. During its time in France, two of its officers were awarded the Victoria Cross. One was won by Lieutenant Henry Marius ‘Harcus’ Strachan VC MC (1884-1982) during the Battle of Cambrai on 20 th November 1917. The citation for his Victoria Cross tells the story: Lieutenant Strachan took command of the Squadron of his Regiment when the Squadron Leader, approaching the enemy front line at a gallop, was killed. Lieutenant Strachan led the Squadron through the enemy line of machine-gun posts, and then, with the surviving men, led the charge on the enemy Battery, killing seven of the gunners with his sword. All the gunners having been killed and the Battery silenced, he rallied his men and fought his way back at night through the enemy’s line, bringing all unwounded men safely in, together with 15 prisoners. The operation – which resulted in the silencing of an enemy Battery, the killing of the whole Battery personnel and many infantry, and the cutting of three main lines of telephone communication two miles in rear of the enemy’s front line – was only rendered possible by the outstanding gallantry and fearless leading of this officer. What the citation omits is the event illustrated in the present painting. After charging the German Battery, Strachan and his men were trapped behind enemy lines. In order to confuse the Germans, Strachan deliberately cut loose his horses prior to withdrawing his remaining troops on foot back to his own lines. We are grateful to Christopher Joll for his assistance with the catalogue entry.

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