In 1871, Britain withdrew most of the remaining British regulars, which pushed the Canadian government to establish permanent and full-time militia units.

General Order No. 24, dated 20 October 1871, authorized the formation of A and B Batteries of Garrison Artillery and gunnery schools.  Non-Permanent Militia Gunners transferred to the newly formed batteries.

A Battery staffed Fort Henry in Kingston, Ontario, under Commanding Officer, LCol G. A. French.  B Battery occupied the Citadel in Quebec City, Quebec, under Commanding Officer, LCol T. B. Strange, who became the “Father of Canadian Artillery.”

In 1887, Canada raised C Battery in Esquimalt, British Columbia.  In 1905, Canada created the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery.  In WW1, these batteries became part of the RCHA Brigade, and in WW2, they formed part of the 1^st Field Regiment, RCHA.