Royal Canadian Dragoons celebrated by Dutch city it liberated 80 years ago

On April 15, 1945, the Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD) liberated the city of Leeuwarden, Netherlands. As they entered the city, rain and the sound of isolated gunfire echoed through empty streets. Though there was not a big battle, Noakes points out that no one knew at the time that this was the tail end of the war. Everyone was still on high alert. Though there were still German troops present, the sight of Canadian armoured vehicles was a sign to them that Leeuwarden was liberated. When the Germans withdrew, crowds began to cheer and wave flags as they welcomed the Canadians. Now, 80 years to the date, the SC Cambuur football club is celebrating the town’s liberation with the unveiling of a special jersey inspired by the Dragoons’ classic uniform. The uniform features the Canadian Maple Leaf pattern design and the Dragoon’s badge — a springbok antelope running through a grassy plain, symbolizing the regiment’s involvement in the South African War.

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The announcement comes from X , where SC Cambuur revealed a short video narrated by 100-year-old veteran Jim Parks, a veteran of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. The RCD is a senior armoured regiment of the Canadian Army and Canada’s first full-time cavalry unit, forming one-third of the Regular Force and part of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. It originated as the “Cavalry School Corps” on Dec. 21, 1883, and amalgamated with the Canadian “Mounted Rifle Corps” in June 1892, and was redesignated as the “Royal Canadian Dragoons” on May 24, 1893. Dr. Jeff Noakes, a Second World War Historian at the Canadian War Museum, described the Dragoons as a reconnaissance regiment. “An important part of the work is intelligence,” Noakes said. They are on the ground to see what the situation is, where the enemies are, and to look for potential obstacles that can delay their advance, he said.

Gekomen als bevrijders. Gegeven wat onbetaalbaar is. Geëerd voor altijd. pic.twitter.com/OaOHkLOPcS— SC Cambuur (@SCCambuurLwd) April 9, 2025

The liberation of Leeuwarden began in April 1945, when the Dragoons were tasked to disrupt German communications and assist in the liberation of the Friesland Province in the Netherlands. On April 10, the Dragoons continued through the province and toward its capital, Leeuwarden, with the task of cutting off main communication routes coming to and from the city and to capture it if possible. Leading up to April 14, the Dragoons advanced northwest of Leeuwarden and liberated small Dutch villages along the way. They managed to cut German communications in Leeuwarden and established a connection with the Dutch resistance within the city. On Sunday, April 15, 1945, the Dragoons liberated Leeuwarden. The liberation of Leeuwarden is celebrated annually, and the Dragoons are still welcomed as heroes when they visit the city. The commemoration for the 80th year of the liberation of Leeuwarden included a parade in Petawawa, Ont., where the base of operations for the Dragoons is located, and the flying of the Leeuwarden flag at their headquarters, while the flag of the Dragoons was flown by the city of Leeuwarden to mark the occasion on their side of the Atlantic. Leeuwarden Mayor Sybrand Buma visited Petawawa for the parade. Noakes said that people from both countries would call the museum and ask about the liberators of their communities or if their relatives helped with the liberation of the Netherlands. The shirt is a collaboration between Adidas and SC Cambuur and is a limited edition. However, at the time of publication, due to popular demand, it has been restocked and can be purchased until Aug. 23 for 80 euros. According to their website, the SC Cambuur will wear the jersey in their match against Vitesse, another football club, on April 25.