​With 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 Army 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. 

Mention in Dispatches

For his "gallant and distinguished services" during The Great War, then Lt Pryde was mentioned in dispatches on 16 March, 1919. The dispatch originated from Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig, and the certificate was signed by then Secretary for War, Sir Winston Churchill.

Medals

 LCol  Pryde  himself  was  awarded  (from left-to-right): the British War Medal, Victory Medal (with oak leaf to denote mention-in-dispatches)  Jubilee  Medal  for  King  George  V,  Coronation  Medal  for  King  George  VI  and  the  Dominion  Efficiency Decoration. 

Training at Sarcee

LCol Pryde would oversee training at the Sarcee training area to the West of Calgary and what is now part of the city. Photographs show hard work and training, as well as games the soldiers would play. LCol Pryde would often bring his children on horseback to visit the training.

Commissioning Scroll

Life in Calgary

Prior to the Great War, as a telegrapher, H. Pryde was active in the labour movement. After the war, he continued his involvement in local politics.

The LCol Pryde Trophy

​In  honour  of  LCol  Pryde's  contributions  to  Army  Signals  in  Western  Canada,  the  LCol  Pryde  Trophy  was  donated  by  Honorary  Lieutenant  Colonel,  His  Honour,  Judge  H.S.  Patterson  with  the  assistance  of  Captain  Oberhofer,  a  former  Commanding  Officer.  The  trophy  is  awarded  annually  to  the  most  proficient  unit  member  below  the  rank  of  Sergeant.    

Courses and Qualifications

Personnel File

More documents from LCol Pryde's service file can be found in the Government of Canada's digital archive. These include Certificates of Service, various medical records, promotions and pay records.