RCD cap badge myth

[Bill A]

Old myths die hard...
Almost everyone that collects Canadian cap badges has heard the story behind the origins of the springbok cap badge of the Royal Canadian Dragoons. The story goes that a detachment of RCD's were warned of an impending Boer attack by the springboks' restlessness on the veldt.
In the Royal Canadian Dragoons Pictorial History 1883-2000, the myth is debunked. On page 35, the author, Capt. D Muralt, records that:
"there is no evidence, documentary or anecdotal of the story of the springboks warning the Dragoons about an impending Boer attack. Although everyone seemed to know the story, no one could name anyone who was there, or provide a date or place. ... Regimental myth (says) that the Commanding Officer, Lieutentant Colonel Louis Lessard was impressed by this event. But he wasn't impressed enough to include it in any of his official or unofficial correspondence. He did however issue GO Number 50 of 1908, as the Adjutant General, authorizing the badge."