The BC Dragoons and their Origins in Vernon 

​Okanagan Mounted Rifles

The origins of the British Columbia Dragoons date back to the formation of the Okanagan Mounted Rifles on April 1, 1908.
Two independent squadrons of OMR  were formed, one in Kamloops and one in Vernon. 
The first Commanding Officer, Major H.A. Perry, assumed command on May 9, 1908.  The unit grew continually from its origins in Vernon, with squadrons being established in Lumby, Kelowna, and  Armstrong during the period 1908 to 1911. 
​​These squadrons amalgamated on April 1, 1911, as the 1st Regiment, British Columbia Horse, only to become the 30th British Columbia Horse some five months later. 

30th Regiment, British Columbia Horse

After the unit was renamed the 30th Regiment, it continued with the role of peacetime soldiering until August 4, 1914, with the declaration of war.
During the First World War, the Regiment as a whole was not mobilized, but on August 10 1914, it was mobilized for local protective duties.​  The Unit contributed a number of volunteers to the 5th Battalion, C.E.F., as well as recruiting later for the 2nd and 11th Regiments, Canadian Mounted Rifles, CEF. 
 Read more about the 2nd Regiment Canadian Mounted Rifles 

Cavalry Unit in Vernon 1915, Photo from BC Archives #J-02859

The inter‑war years saw the formation of the British Columbia Rifles in 1920, with the name changing to the British Columbia Dragoons in April of 1929. The regiment continued to train in Vernon along side the Rocky Mountain Ranges and other non-permanent active militia units.

In 1939, as the Second World War was declared, the unit remained non-permanent active militia cavalry until 1940. For a short time  in early 1940 the formation of the 5th Canadian Motorcycle Regiment (BCD) was formed. Subsequently, the unit was designated as the 9th Canadian Armoured Regiment (BCD), and continued their training in England with tanks from 1940 to 1943. Under the latter designation the regiment was involved in numerous World War Two campaigns including the advance through Italy, and the fighting in Northwest Europe.

William Douglas Middleton, known as “Doug”, enlisted with the BC Dragoons – 9th Armoured Regiment and later in the Royal Canadian Airforce. After several successful missions, he safely returned to in 1946. Middleton Mountain is named after his family.

For further information on the British Columbia Dragoons please visit their website at bcdragoons.army 

Sources
The BC Militia before the First World War - UBC Library; History.com; City of Vancouver Archives ; GVMA; Okanagan Military Museum; Library and Archives Canada; ​DND Canada