Lieutenant-Colonel Pat Black
12th Manitoba Dragoons

 As a result of your training, teamwork, loyalty and fine qualities as soldiers, you have established the Regiment. We cannot look into the future of the months to come, nor will I try to predict what it holds for us. Wherever we may be, whatever the task, whatever the conditions, I know you will live up to the highest expectations.

(The Staghound, 8 Dec 1945)

Born in Ottawa on 26 August 1915, Patrick Cameron Rooke Black graduated from Queen’s University and joined the permanent force shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War. In 1943, he transferred from the Royal Canadian Dragoons to the 18th Armoured Car Regiment (12th Manitoba Dragoons) under command of former RCD officer, Lieutenant-Colonel J.A. Roberts. As part of II Canadian Corps, the Dragoons deployed to Normandy in July 1944 with Black as second-in-command.

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