Military communications as a specialization became a reality in Canada with the formation of the Signalling Corps on the 24th of October 1903. Independent sections were located in various cities throughout Canada. A military communication presence in Alberta can be traced back to 1905.
Our documented history begins with General Order 96, 4 June 1913, which reorganized the Canadian Signal Corps “to establish the service of communication on a basis in conformity with the organization of the militia generally, and to render that service more effective for the duties it is called on to perform in the field.” The Order stationed Number 13 Section, as an independent signal section, at Calgary, Alberta, which was the Headquarters of Military District Number 13 of the Province of Alberta and the Territory of MacKenzie.
This early military communication presence is perpetuated today by 41 Signal Regiment 3 Squadron Calgary (26 July 2011) formerly 746 (Calgary) Communication Squadron of the Communication Reserve (21 June 1971). Military communications came to Edmonton when General Order 24 of 16 February 1914 authorized the transfer of the Headquarters of Number 13 Section to that city. This tradition is perpetuated by 41 Signal Regiment 1 Squadron Edmonton (26 July 2011), formerly 745 (Edmonton) Communication Squadron of the Communication Reserve (1 October 1970). A Communication Reserve Unit was established in Red Deer in January of 1974. This presence is perpetuated today by 41 Signal Regiment 2 Squadron Red Deer (26 July 2011), formerly 749 (Red Deer) Communication Squadron (4 July 1978). As the military presence in Alberta expanded, so did the requirement for communications. At present, military communication establishments of both the Regular Force and the Reserve Force exist in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Wainwright, Cold Lake and Suffield.
Our documented history begins with General Order 96, 4 June 1913, which reorganized the Canadian Signal Corps “to establish the service of communication on a basis in conformity with the organization of the militia generally, and to render that service more effective for the duties it is called on to perform in the field.” The Order stationed Number 13 Section, as an independent signal section, at Calgary, Alberta, which was the Headquarters of Military District Number 13 of the Province of Alberta and the Territory of MacKenzie.
This early military communication presence is perpetuated today by 41 Signal Regiment 3 Squadron Calgary (26 July 2011) formerly 746 (Calgary) Communication Squadron of the Communication Reserve (21 June 1971). Military communications came to Edmonton when General Order 24 of 16 February 1914 authorized the transfer of the Headquarters of Number 13 Section to that city. This tradition is perpetuated by 41 Signal Regiment 1 Squadron Edmonton (26 July 2011), formerly 745 (Edmonton) Communication Squadron of the Communication Reserve (1 October 1970). A Communication Reserve Unit was established in Red Deer in January of 1974. This presence is perpetuated today by 41 Signal Regiment 2 Squadron Red Deer (26 July 2011), formerly 749 (Red Deer) Communication Squadron (4 July 1978). As the military presence in Alberta expanded, so did the requirement for communications. At present, military communication establishments of both the Regular Force and the Reserve Force exist in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Wainwright, Cold Lake and Suffield.
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The LCol H. Pryde CollectionWith the generous donations of Mrs. Helen Black, the daughter of LCol Harry Pryde, we are able to present this virtual collection of photographs and documents of one of the founding leaders of Reserve Signals in Alberta.
LCol Pryde was born on 6 August 1886 in Strathmigle, Scotland and died in Calgary on 10 July 1949. He enlisted into the 3rd Divisional Royal Canadian Engineers in 1914 as the Artillery and Infantry brigade Signal Officer. LCol Pryde saw action at Amiens, Arras, Irocourt, Querre and Mons during the First World War. LCol Pryde commanded the 13th District (Reserve) Royal Canadian Corps of Signals for the unprecedented space of twenty years from 1925 to 1944. As Commanding Officer, LCol Pryde brought much distinction and merit to the unit and the City of Calgary; during his tenure, this unit was honoured with the Dominion of Canada Efficiency Trophy in 1937-1938, and again in 1939-40. LCol Pryde himself was awarded the Great War Medal, Service Medal, Victory Medal, Jubilee Medal for King George V, Coronation Medal for King George VI and the Canadian Efficiency Decoration. |
