Sergeant Joseph Kenneth Penman, M.B. Master Warrant Officer

Transcription

2011
Sergeant Joseph Kenneth Penman, M.B.
Warrant Officer Shaun Spence, M.B., C.D.
Master Warrant Officer Hamish Seggie, M.B., C.D
Photography by: Sgt Serge Gouin, Rideau Hall
CLARENCE HOUSE
Riflemen,
I send greetings to the Regiment after what has clearly been a very busy operational
period with Riflemen serving in many parts of the world and, most notably,
Afghanistan. You have been extremely successful in balancing this operational
commitment with domestic sovereignty tasks, training and local exercises. I can only
congratulate you all on your excellent work, selfless commitment and unwavering
professionalism that uphold the highest standards of the Regiment and ensure that the
reputation of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles remains so high.
The Regimental Family is being re-invigorated through the works of the Regimental
Senate, Regimental Association and the Battalion. Our Regimental Journals are
crucial in helping to keep Regimental connections strong, and so I am delighted to see
that recent steps by the Senate and the Association to make our Regimental Journal —
The Devils' Blast — more relevant to all facets of the Regimental Family has resulted
in the magazine you are now holding in your hands.
The Regiment has a long and proud history that dates back to The Second World War
and The Devils' Blast recounts this history, even providing a forum for our
distinguished veterans to reminisce and keep in touch. This magazine is now truly
worthy of being classed as an all-encompassing Regimental Journal which can keep
everyone informed and updated about all aspects of the Regiment. It recognizes not
just our older veterans from campaigns gone by, but also our more recent veterans of
peace-keeping operations around the world, as well as on operations in Afghanistan.
Lieutenant-Colonel Brian Batter has returned to the helm as Editor and I know that he
is the man to continue to drive this project to new heights and ensure that such a proud
and respected Regiment has a journal that reflects this.
I send my very best wishes on the Regiment's 128 th Birthday, as well as for a Merry
Christmas and a successful 2012.
THE ROYAL WINNIPEG RIFLES
Fellow Riflemen
I was very pleased to learn that “The Devils’ Blast”, the
Regimental journal of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, was to be
published anew under the very able LCol (Retd) Batter, as
editor.
I well remember in times gone by, of receiving this journal
and reading it cover to cover. It was well conceived and
well written and therefore a very enjoyable read. Color
photography was also very much appreciated.
The current version will be jointly sponsored by the
Regimental Senate and the Royal Winnipeg Rifles
Association. These organizations are doing yeoman service
for the regiment, propelled in no small part by the efforts
of MGen (Retd) Tabbernor, LCol Robbins and CWO (Retd)
Woodman.
All the Best. Cheers!!
R. L. McFeetors
Honorary Colonel
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
I am delighted to be able to add my support to this
renewed publication of the Regimental journal and
encourage all past and present members to support it as
well.
The Annual Chronicle of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
Greetings, The Colonel-In-Chief,
HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales
Message of Honorary Colonel R.L. Mcfeetors
Our Regiment, The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, a Brief
History......................................................................................1-5
The Regimental Senate..........................................6-7
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Association
The Association Report............................................................ 8
The Role of the Association...................................................... 9
Donations................................................................................. 10
The Unit Report
The Commanding Officer’s Report........................................ 11
Regimental Sergeants Major’s Report.................................. 12
Colonel In Chief’s Dinner..................................................13-14
Exercise Northern Bison II................................................15-18
Op Connection And Ex Western Defender II........................ 19
Forces Support Domestic Disaster Relief Operations.......... 20
Op Lustre.............................................................................21-22
Winnipeg Infantry Tactical Grouping
Training Calendar 2011-12................................................23-24
Regimental Band
Regimental Band Report...................................................25-26
Pork, Beans and Hard Tack, The History.........................27-31
The Cadet Corps
Endings and Beginnings......................................................... 32
Cadet Chief Warrant Officer Artem Denysenko..............33-34
Royal Canadian Army Cadet Medals..................................... 35
Cadet Camp Public Affairs Officer....................................36-37
Captain Debbie Middleton...................................................... 38
Regimental Kit Shop............................................... 39
The Regimental Museum Report............................. 44
Canadian Military Points Of Interest
Royal Restoration.................................................................... 48
Chief of Defense Staff’s Primary Reserve Vision................. 49
Military Role In Citizenship Ceremonies.........................50-51
New Canadian Forces Service Pin....................................52-53
Features
An Unexpected Trip To Gallipoli......................................54-55
US National World War II Museum..................................56-60
Valour Road Commemorative Park.................................61-64
Eyes of a Soldier.................................................................65-66
A Postcard From Normandy,
Greetings From Calvados..................................................67-68
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles & 1 Canadian Parachute
Battalion Connection.........................................................69-70
Honours And Awards
The Medal of Bravery............................................................. 71
Decorations for Bravery......................................................... 72
Royal Winnipeg Rifles Members
Commended For Bravery...........................................................71??
RCMP Commissioners Commendation For Bravery............ 73
Remembrance
Corporal Michael James Alexander Seggie........................... 74
Veterans’ Week....................................................................... 75
Army Run 2011........................................................................ 76
One Way Mike Seggie Will Remain In
My Thoughts Forever........................................................77-78
Last Post................................................................. 79
Lockie’s Mailbag................................................ 80-87
Editor’s End Page.................................................... 88
Regimental News And Social Events
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Foundation................................ 41
Regimental Standing Orders.............................................42-43
Wanted: Request for Missing Archives................................. 44
Fish Creek Dinner 2011........................................................... 45
Regimental Dinner And Dance Announcement................... 46
Regimental Calendar November 2011 – 12........................... 47
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THE ROYAL WINNIPEG RIFLES
Colonel-in-Chief: His Royal Highness The Prince
Charles Prince of Wales KG KT GCB OM AK
QSO GCL SOM CD ADC
BADGE
Description
Gules a devil courant grasping
in the dexter hand a trident
Sable and in the sinister a
chalice his feet resting on
a scroll Argent inscribed
HOSTIUM ACIE NOMINATI
in letters Sable all within an
annulus Vert fimbriated and
inscribed ROYAL WINNIPEG
RIFLES in letters Argent
surmounting a cross pattée Sable
fimbriated and pommé Argent
below a plaque Vert fimbriated and
inscribed with the battle honours FISH
CREEK / BATOCHE in letters Argent and ensigned by
the Royal Crown proper, the whole within a wreath
of maple leaves Argent enwrapped by a scroll Vert
fimbriated and inscribed with battle honours in letters
Argent: dexter YPRES, 1915,’17 / MOUNT SORREL;
VIMY, 1917 / PASSCHENDAELE; DROCOURT- QUEANT
/ NORMANDY LANDING; CARPIQUET / CALAIS,
1944; LEOPOLD CANAL / THE RHINE; and sinister
FESTUBERT, 1915 / SOMME, 1916; HILL 70 / AMIENS;
CANAL DU NORD / PUTOT-EN-BESSIN; FALAISE / THE
SCHELDT; MOYLAND WOOD / N.W. EUROPE, 1944-45,
and at the base of the wreath NORTH WEST CANADA,
1885 / SOUTH AFRICA, 1899-1900.
Symbolism
The wreath of maple leaves represent service to
Canada, and the crown, service to the Sovereign. The
Maltese cross, which is based on the insignia of the
Royal Guelphic Order, is common among badges of
rifle regiments. The black devil carrying a trident and
offering a chalice preserves the legend that during the
North-West Rebellion the soldiers were referred to by
the opposing forces as “little black devils” because
of their almost black (dark rifle green) uniforms.
Hence, the adoption of the regiment’s motto “HOSTI
ACIE NOMINATI”, which means “named by the
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enemy force”. “FISH CREEK”, “BATOCHE”, “YPRES,
1915,’17”, “MOUNT SORREL”, “VIMY, 1917”,
“PASSCHENDAELE”, “DROCOURT-QUEANT”,
“NORMANDY LANDING”, “CARPIQUET”,
“CALAIS, 1944”, “LEOPOLD CANAL”,
“THE
RHINE”,
“FESTUBERT,
1915”, “SOMME, 1916”, “HILL
70”, “AMIENS”, “CANAL DU
NORD”, “PUTOT-EN- BESSIN”,
“FALAISE”, “THE SCHELDT”,
“MOYLAND WOOD”, “N.W.
EUROPE, 1944-45”, “NORTH
WEST CANADA, 1885” and
“SOUTH AFRICA, 1899-1900”
are regimental battle honours.
“ROYAL WINNIPEG RIFLES” is a
form of the regimental title.
MOTTO
HOSTI ACIE NOMINATI
MARCHES
Quick March
“Old Solomon Levi” also published under the title
“Pork, Beans and Hard Tack”
Double Past
“Keel Row”
ALLIANCE
British Army
The Rifles
BATTLE HONOURS
North West Rebellion
FISH CREEK; BATOCHE; NORTH WEST CANADA,
1885.
South African War
SOUTH AFRICA, 1899-1900.
The First World War
YPRES, 1915, ‘17; Gravenstafel; St. Julien;
FESTUBERT, 1915; MOUNT SORREL; SOMME,
1916, ‘18; Flers-Courcelette; Thiepval; Ancre Heights;
Ancre, 1916; ARRAS, 1917, ‘18; Vimy, 1917; Arleux;
HILL 70; Passchendaele; AMIENS; Scarpe, 1917,
‘18; Drocourt-Quéant; HINDENBURG LINE; Canal du
Nord; Cambrai, 1918; VALENCIENNES; FRANCE AND
FLANDERS, 1915-18.
Honorary Distinction
The Winnipeg Rifles were disbanded for the purpose of
reorganization on 15 September 1920 and reorganized
the same day.This change was administrative and
does not affect the lineage of the regiment.
Note:
On 4 May 1951, the regiment mobilized two temporary
Active Force companies designated “E” and “F”.
“E” Company was reduced to nil strength upon its
personnel being incorporated into the ‘1st Canadian
Rifle Battalion’ for service in Germany with the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization. It was disbanded on
29 July 1953. “F” Company was initially used as a
reinforcement pool for “E” Company. On 15 May 1952,
it was reduced to nil strength, upon its personnel
being absorbed by the newly formed ‘2nd Canadian
Rifle Battalion’ for service in Korea with the United
Nations. “F” Company was disbanded on 29 July 1953.
Oak leaf shoulder badge for the actions of the 10th
Battalion, CEF, at Kitchener’s Wood on 22/23 April
1915.
The regiment is entitled, through perpetuations of
CEF units, to the battle honour PURSUIT TO MONS, but
this honour cannot be perpetuated when a regiment
already holds either VALENCIENNES or SAMBRE. The
regiment is entitled to the honour VALENCIENNES
through the perpetuation of the 44th Battalion, CEF.
The Second World War
NORMANDY LANDING; Putot-en-Bessin; CAEN;
Carpiquet; The Orne; BOURGUÉBUS RIDGE; FALAISE;
The Laison; The Seine, 1944; Calais, 1944; THE
SCHELDT; Leopold Canal; Breskens Pocket; THE
RHINELAND; Waal Flats; Moyland Wood; THE RHINE;
Emmerich-Hoch Elten; Deventer; NORTH-WEST
EUROPE, 1944-1945.
LINEAGE
This Reserve Force regiment originated on 9 November
1883 and incorporates the following regiments.
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles originated in Winnipeg,
Manitoba on 9 November 1883, when the ‘90th
“Winnipeg” Battalion of Rifles’ was authorized to
be formed. It was redesignated: ‘90th Regiment
“Winnipeg Rifles”’ on 8 May 1900; ‘The Winnipeg
Rifles’ on 12 March 1920; ‘The Royal Winnipeg Rifles’
on 3 June 1935; ‘2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The Royal
Winnipeg Rifles’ on 7 November 1940; and ‘The Royal
Winnipeg Rifles’ on 28 March 1946. On 30 June 1955, it
was amalgamated with ‘The Winnipeg Light Infantry’
(see below), retaining its designation.
Notes:
Upon redesignation as The Winnipeg Rifles on 12 March
1920 (see above), it was organized as a five battalion
regiment with the 1st Battalion (8th Battalion, CEF) on
the Non Permanent Active Militia order of battle, and
the 2nd Battalion (90th Battalion, CEF), 3rd Battalion
(144th Battalion, CEF), 4th Battalion (190th Battalion,
CEF), and 5th Battalion (203rd Battalion, CEF) on
the Reserve order of battle. The reserve units were
disbanded on 14 December 1936.
On 11 September 1969, the perpetuation of the 44th
Battalion, CEF was transferred to The Royal Winnipeg
Rifles from The Royal New Brunswick Regiment.
On 19 October 1999, the perpetuation of the 27th
Battalion, CEF was transferred to The Royal Winnipeg
Rifles from ‘The Manitoba Regiment’ (disbanded 1
February 1936).
The Winnipeg Light Infantry originated in Winnipeg,
Manitoba on 1 April 1912, when the ‘106th Regiment,
Winnipeg Light Infantry’ was authorized to be formed.
It was redesignated: ‘The Winnipeg Light Infantry’ on
12 March 1920; ‘The Winnipeg Light Infantry (Machine
Gun)’ on 15 December 1936; ‘2nd (Reserve) Battalion,
The Winnipeg Light Infantry (Machine Gun)’ on 18
March 1942; ‘The Winnipeg Light Infantry (Machine
Gun)’ on 1 June 1945; and ‘The Winnipeg Light Infantry’
on 1 April 1946. On 30 June 1955, it was amalgamated
with ‘The Royal Winnipeg Rifles’, as above.
Notes:
Upon redesignation as The Winnipeg Light Infantry
on 12 March 1920 (see above), it was organized as a
five battalion regiment with the 1st Battalion (10th
Battalion, CEF) on the Non Permanent Active Militia
order of battle, and the 2nd Battalion (61st Battalion,
CEF), 3rd Battalion (101st Battalion, CEF), 4th Battalion
(222nd Battalion, CEF), and 5th Battalion (226th
Battalion, CEF) on the Reserve order of battle. The
reserve units were disbanded on 14 December 1936.
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The Winnipeg Light Infantry was disbanded for the
purpose of reorganization on 15 September 1920
and reorganized the same day. This change was
administrative and does not affect the lineage of the
regiment.
On 16 March 1932, the regiment was authorized to
perpetuate the ‘91st Winnipeg Battalion of Light
Infantry’.
Perpetuations
‘91st “Winnipeg” Battalion of Light Infantry’ of 18851888; and ‘8th’, ‘10th’, ‘27th’, ‘44th’, ‘61st’, ‘90th’,
‘101st’, ‘144th’, ‘190th’, ‘203rd’, ‘222nd’ and ‘226th
“Overseas” Battalion(s), CEF’
Headquarters Location Winnipeg, Manitoba
OPERATIONAL HISTORY
local protection duties.
The 8th Battalion, which was authorized on 10 August
1914 as the ‘8th Battalion, CEF’, embarked for Great
Britain on 1 October 1914. It disembarked in France
on 13 February 1915, where it fought as part of the 2nd
Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division in France and
Flanders until the end of the war. The battalion was
disbanded on 15 September 1920.
The 10th Battalion, which was authorized on 10
August 1914 as the ‘10th Battalion, CEF’, embarked for
Great Britain on 29 September 1914. It disembarked in
France on 14 February 1915, where it fought as part
of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division
in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The
battalion was disbanded on 15 September 1920.
North West Rebellion
November 1914 as the ‘27th Battalion, CEF’, embarked
The 90th “Winnipeg” Battalion of Rifles was mobilized for Great Britain on 17 May 1915. It disembarked in
for active service on 10 April 1885.14 It served as part France on 18 September 1915, where it fought as part
of Middleton’s Column of the North West Field Force. of the 6th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division
The battalion was removed from active service on 18 in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The
September 1885.
The 91st “Winnipeg” Battalion of Light Infantry was
mobilized for active service on 10 April 1885, when “a
Battalion at Winnipeg” was authorized to be formed.
It was redesignated the ‘Winnipeg Light Infantry
Battalion’ on 15 May 1885. The battalion served in the
Alberta Column of the North West Field Force. It was
removed from active service on 18 September 1885,
and retained on the Non- Permanent Active Militia
order of battle.
November 1914 as the ‘44th Battalion, CEF’, embarked
for Great Britain on 23 October 1915. It disembarked
in France on 12 August 1916, where it fought as part
of the 10th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division
in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The
The 61st Battalion, which was authorized on 20
April 1915 as the ‘61st “Overseas” Battalion, CEF’,
embarked for Great Britain on 5 April 1915. It provided
Note:
reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field
The battalion was redesignated the ‘91st “Winnipeg”
until 7 July 1916, when its personnel were absorbed
Battalion of Light Infantry’ on 2 April 1886, and
by the ‘11th Reserve Battalion, CEF’. The battalion was
disbanded on 23 November 1888.
disbanded on 17 July 1917.
South African War
The 90th “Winnipeg” Battalion of Rifles contributed December 1915 as the ‘90th “Overseas” Battalion,
volunteers to the Canadian Contingents during the CEF’, embarked for Great Britain on 31 May
South African War.
1916. Its personnel were absorbed by the ‘11th
Reserve Battalion, CEF’ on 19 July 1916 to provide
The First World War
reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field. The
Details of the 90th Regiment “Winnipeg Rifles” were
placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local
The 101st Battalion, which was authorized on 22
protection duties.
December 1915 as the ‘101st “Overseas” Battalion,
Details of the 106th Regiment, Winnipeg Light Infantry
CEF’, embarked for Great Britain on 29 June
were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for
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1916. Its personnel were absorbed by the ‘17th
Reserve Battalion, CEF’ on 13 July 1916 to provide
reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field. The
battalion was disbanded on 12 October 1917.
as part of the 7th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian
Infantry Division, and it continued to fight in NorthWest Europe until the end of the war. The overseas
battalion was disbanded on 15 January 1946.
December 1915 as the ‘144th “Overseas” Battalion,
CEF’, embarked for Great Britain on 18 September 1916.
It provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in
the field until 12 January 1917, when its personnel
were absorbed by the ‘18th Reserve Battalion, CEF’.
The battalion was disbanded on 17 July 1917.
The regiment subsequently mobilized the ‘3rd
Battalion, The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, CASF’ for active
service on 12 May 1942. It served in Canada in a home
defence role as part of the 20th Infantry Brigade, 7th
Canadian Division. The battalion was disbanded on 15
August 1943.
The 203rd Battalion, which was authorized on 15
July 1916 as the ‘203rd “Overseas” Battalion, CEF’,
embarked for Great Britain on 26 October 1916. It
provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the
field until 2 January 1917, when its personnel were
absorbed by the ‘18th Reserve Battalion, CEF’. The
1939, under the designation ‘The Winnipeg Light
Infantry (Machine Gun), CASF (Details)’, for local
protection duties. The details called out on active
service were disbanded on 31 December 1940. Details
of the regiment were again called out on service on
1 January 1941, under the designation ‘Details of 1st
(Reserve) Battalion, The Winnipeg Light Infantry
(Machine Gun)’, but they were disbanded the same
day. The regiment subsequently mobilized the ‘1st
Battalion, The Winnipeg Light Infantry, CASF’ for
active service on 18 March 1942. It served in Canada
in a home defence role as part of the 19th Infantry
Brigade and 14th Infantry Brigade. On 3 January 1945,
it embarked for Great Britain, where it was disbanded
on 10 January 1945 to provided reinforcements to the
Canadian Army in the field.
On 1 June 1945, a third Active Force component of
The 190th Battalion, which was authorized on 15 July the regiment, designated ‘4th Battalion, The Royal
1916 as the ‘190th “Overseas” Battalion, CEF’, embarked Winnipeg Rifles, CIC, CAOF’, was mobilized for service
for Great Britain on 3 May 1917. Its personnel were with the Canadian Army Occupation Force in Germany.
absorbed by the ‘18th Reserve Battalion, CEF’ on 14 The battalion was disbanded on 28 March 1946.
May 1917 to provide reinforcements to the Canadian Details of The Winnipeg Light Infantry (Machine
Corps in the field. The battalion was disbanded on 1 Gun) were called out on service on 26 August 1939
September 1917.
and then placed on active service on 1 September
The 222nd Battalion, which was authorized on 15
July 1916 as the ‘222nd “Overseas” Battalion, CEF’,
embarked for Great Britain on 15 November 1916. It
provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the
field until 2 January 1917, when its personnel were
July 1916 as the ‘226th “Overseas” Battalion, CEF’,
embarked for Great Britain on 16 December 1916. It
provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in
the field until 7 April 1917, when its personnel were
battalion was disbanded on 27 July 1917.
The Second World War
REGIMENTAL COLOUR
Rifle regiments do not carry Colours. They may
emblazon their battle honours on unit appointments
such as cap badges.
CAMP FLAG
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles mobilized ‘The Royal
Winnipeg Rifles, CASF’ for active service on 24 May
1940. It was redesignated the ‘1st Battalion, The
Royal Winnipeg Rifles, CASF’ on 7 November 1940.
It embarked for Great Britain on 28 August 1941. On
D-Day, 6 June 1944, it landed in Normandy, France
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The Regimental Senate
Fellow Riflemen,
Regimental Museum. The Senate provides advice
to the Commanding Officer respecting Regimental
On behalf of the Senate I want to welcome back, dress and decorum, and the maintenance of
congratulate, and thank Lieutenant Colonel (Retd)) Regimental customs and traditions. In addition, the
Brian Batter for taking on once again the duties as Senate has taken on the responsibility for organizing
editor of The Devils’ Blast. Though he lives more than Regimental social events.
a thousand miles from Winnipeg, he has volunteered
to take this on with the assistance of Major General The Senate, which meets about five times a year at
(Retd) Tabbernor and Chief Warrant Officer (Retd) Minto Armouries comprises former Commanding
Gerry Woodman. What a team! It promises to be Officers, key persons within the Regimental family
an excellent publication and one worthy of this and people of accomplishment who have no previous
service with the Regiment, but whose participation
Regiment.
would enhance the Regiment. In this last category
I know that some of you have no idea what the we have some real gems and I hope you will take the
Regimental Senate is or does so I will try to explain. opportunity to meet them.
The role of the Senate (formerly the Advisory Board) is I have briefed some of you on what we have
to support the Regiment’s well-being and perpetuity accomplished in the past year. For those of you
through such means as preservation of Regimental who have not heard, I want to report to you that the
monuments, and artefacts and the operation of the underpinning is nearly complete. We now have a
I send you greetings from your Regimental Senate.
6
comprehensible definition of how we’re organized.
We have a vision, a mission and clearly identified
objectives. We have OPIs for almost every project
and all of this is laid out in our Business Plan. Here
are some of the ventures that we have undertaken:
• Creation of a new Regimental Foundation –
on going
• Social functions defined and responsibility
assigned – complete
• Plaque to CSM Frederick Hall VC on Valour
Road - complete
• Refurbishment of the Regimental monument
at St. John’s Cathedral – ongoing
• The Prince of Wales Trophy award criteria &
process – complete
• Creation of a Regimental Dress Committee –
complete
least three very successful foundations in Winnipeg’s
military community. He’s in high demand and we’re
lucky to have him.Finally: Sgt Brown, Sgt Beaudry
and Cpl Singh. Whenever there’s a Regimental event
or activity or project, you can bet that at least one of
these guys will have his hands in it.
The Regiment owes all of these Riflemen a debt of
gratitude.
I believe we can look forward to bright days
Regimentally speaking and with that thought I wish
all of you a happy Regimental Birthday.
LCol J.A Robins
President
Regimental Senate
• Fundraising for dress uniforms – on going
• Dress uniform and crossbelt design –
complete
• Regimental website – on going
• Regimental Standing Orders – on going
• Cadet support – on going
Many people in the Regiment are working very
hard and it is risky to identify individuals for fear
of leaving some out. Nevertheless, I will try. The
two big brains in the Senate are Lieutenant General
(retired) Ray Crabbe and Major General Dennis
Tabbernor. These gentlemen have been key in
developing our governance documents and helping
us organize ourselves. We would not be where we
are without them. I realize this makes me sound like
bit of a boot licker (or probably worse), but, since I
retire in March and thus have only a few months left
to further my career, I have to try everything I can.
HLCol Bob Vandewater has worked nearly single
handedly to create our new foundation. In this field
he has a tremendous reputation, having created at
7
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Association
Your Association has been active in several ways
during the year. The association conducted the
annual D-Day Smoker/ Reunion. The event is held at
Minto Armouries Warrant Officer’s and Sergeant’s
Mess on the closest Friday evening to the sixth of
June.
Association members then assemble on Saturday
morning and hold a short service at the Association
Monument in Vimy Park reading of the names of
the members murdered by the SS in June 1944, and
others that gave the lives
Association members attended the Regimental
Birthday Dinner and Dance and Church Parade.
.The RWRA conducts the annual November 11
Remembrance Day Service at the Association
Monument in Vimy Park. This activity is very well
attended by the citizens who live in the local area as
they feel it is more personal to them.
Members of the RWRA Executive attended the
Soldiers Christmas Dinner and Awards evening
where the Association annually recognises the unit
Best Soldier and runner up.
8
The Association has a mailing list of 235 Canada,
USA, UK and Europe.
Gerry Woodman
President
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Association (RWRA)
(204) 895-2588
[email protected]
British Columbia Branch Report to the Blast 2011
The RWRA British Columbia Branch held our spring
luncheon June 7th, at Newlands Golf Club in Langley.
We had 15 members attending. Unfortunately due
to illness, Hugh Pattison was unable to attend.
We hope he will be able to join us next time. Ted
Gregoire has moved to Squamish to be closer to
family. We were able to visit with him in his new
senior residence. He is keeping well and hope that
he will be able to attend one of our get together. It’s
been quiet here in BC, so not much to report at this
time.
Bob Geddes
(604)270-4694
[email protected]
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Association (RWRA)
Background
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Association (RWRA) was formed at the end of the Second World War to assist
returning Veterans.
The Role of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Association
The specific purposes and obligations of the RWRA are:
• assist in maintaining the traditions of, and to further in any way, the interests of the Battalion
known as The Royal Winnipeg Rifles and it’s affiliated Cadet Corps with a view to enabling the
Battalion to better serve the needs of the Winnipeg area and Canada;
• to promote esprit de corps, friendship between, and good citizenship among, and in everyway
to further the interests of those who have been, are now, or may become members of the said
Battalion, or attached to any Battalion thereof, whether past, present, or future, or to its affiliated
Cadet Corps; and
• publish, in collaboration with the Regimental Senate, The Devils’ Blast to keep the regimental
family and the friends of the regiment informed of the history, current activities and future of The
Royal Winnipeg Rifles.
The Association Assistance to the Battalion
The RWRA provides the following to the serving members of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles:
• an annual monetary award and a trophy to the top soldier of the unit;
• an annual monetary award to the runner up to the top soldier;
• a cash donation to assist with the make up of care packages to send to members on operational
tours; and
• a cash donation to the Cadet Corps for projects.
Membership
Membership in the RWRA is open to all serving, retired, and relatives of past and serving members of The
Royal Winnipeg Rifles and friends of regiment. Serving Officers, Warrant Officers and Sergeants, by virtue of
their rank and the role of the RWRA are expected to be members.
Donations
Donations to the RWRA are utilized to fulfill the association’s role and provide assistance to the battalion and
cadet corps. There is not a standardize donation amount, although an annual donation is recommended in
order to remain on the mailing list for The Devils’ Blast.
9
ROYAL WINNIPEG RIFLES ASSOCIATION
DONATIONS RECEIVED
F. Jeanne, France
J. Goodman, Wpg
A. Affleck, Fenwick, Ont
K. Godfrey, Wpg
P.R. Garrity, Wpg
N. Burlack, Dryden, Ont
J. Walton, Wpg
Wm. Talbot, Willowdale, Ont
C. Hodge, Wpg
D. Zorniak, Wpg
N. Gerstein, Wpg
R.G. Price, Gloucester, Ont
J.R, Stooke, Nepean, Ont
T. Burik, St Andrews, Man
A.G. Davey, Bowmanville, Ont
G.J. Couture, Calgary, Alta
S. White, Wpg
R. Currie, Wpg
L.H. Dyck, Wpg
J.C. McPherson, N. Vanc, BC
J.P. McManus, Granger, Ind, USA
J. Woodward, Wpg
J. Stoyka, Wpg
J.H. Hamilton, Brandon, Man
E.M. Spiess, Brandon, Man
J. Tennant, Wpg
G.A. Combs, Airdrie, Alta
S.C. Creaser, Regina, Sask
P. Callen, Kingsville, Ont
K. Davis, Wpg
F.G. Granger, Wpg
R. Bell, Wpg
W. Rolfe, Wpg
J. Cleghorn, Halifax, NS
A. Matias, Wpg
10
J. Beaudry, Wpg
E. Bogan, Chilliwack, BC
A.B. McDonald, Dartmouth, NS
G. Martin, Hudson Hope, BC
R.B. Stinson, Wpg
D.L. McQuarrie, Minnedosa, Man
M. Prendergast, Edmonton, Alta
R.V. Cade, Regina, Sask
P.A. Luxford, Edmonton, Alta
B. Colgan, Burlington, Ont
R. Stoyka, Wpg
G. Glade, Wpg
M. Manchuk, Wpg
A. Parent, Wpg
W. Anders, Wpg
F. Vermette, Dauphin, Man
R. Zerff, Wpg
D. Stewart, Wpg
J. Wynne, Wpg
M. Nickerson, Wpg
J. Mitchell, Wpg
N. Donogh, Wpg
M. Jankowitz, Brooklyn, NY
T. Battershill,
R. Wardle, Wpg
S. Kiz, Wpg
R.O. Thomas, Ymir, BC
B. Roloff, Wpg
E. McLeod, Fort Macleod, Alta
E. Wiebe, Wpg
B. Batter, West Kelowna, BC
The Non Commissioned Members of
Commanding Officer’s Report
The unit is coming off another extremely busy and equally
successful training year. Exercise NORTHERN BISON 11
last February saw the culmination of the Arctic Response
Company Group’s (ARCG) initial three-year campaign plan
with an arduous 300 Km trek across the arctic from Churchill
to Arviat, setting the stage for the declaration of Initial
Operating Capability for the ARCG.
A couple of months later the troops were preparing for
another big exercise – Exercise WESTERN DEFENDER, where
all three Reserve Brigades in Land Force Western Area came
together to exercise dismounted offensive operations in Shilo.
And then there was the flood. No sooner had our members
gotten home from WESTERN DEFENDER (the rear party was
still in Shilo) than the call went out to mobilize a company
for Operation LUSTRE. Literally the troops arrived back
in Winnipeg Sunday and by that evening the phone fan-out had started for troops to report back to the
Armoury Monday morning.
The 2011/12 Training Year promises to be another busy and challenging time for the Winnipeg Infantry
Tactical Grouping. Having already conducted our Annual Personal Weapons test last spring, we are poised
to hit the ground running this September. This year we will get back to basic infantry skills in the fall
before shifting back into winter operations once the snow flies.
The ARCG will participate in Exercise ARCTIC RAM 12, with our company plugging into the 1 CMBG
exercise in Nunavut. Not much detail is available yet for the 2012 Brigade Training Event in the late spring
but the Commander has been in discussions with 34 Infantry Division, Minnesota Army National Guard,
this past summer so expectations for the exercise are high. We also have a number of family activities
planned this year, recognizing those whose support is also vital to our success.
As plans stand now, I will turn over the unit to my successor in May 2012, and the RSM will handover to his
successor as well. I has been an extremely hectic three and a half years, and I am proud to say that the unit
has done me proud, rising to every challenge, overcoming every adversity, and routinely performing at an
exemplary level. I feel that together we have been able to move the yardsticks forward a good measure. To
the unit I say: “Well done every one of you, and keep on in the same manner, there is still more hard work
to be done!”
LCol B. Takeuchi
Winnipeg Tactical Infantry Group
11
Regimental Sergeant Major’s Report
I am very pleased and extremely proud to be the Regimental Sergeant
Major for the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. As of this month, I’ve entered my
twenty-sixth year as a Rifleman and it has been a hard, hard road to travel
on, but well worth it. It is not an easy job but I would not leave it for
anything. Obviously, being appointed the RSM of the Cameron`s of Canada
has introduced new issues within my world.
As we all know, serving numerous “masters” is a tedious request; these
masters include family, school, civilian employment, civilian endeavours,
the Canadian Forces Reserve Infantry, etc. We ask a lot of you and it is
very painful at times to communicate my superior’s requests down to you,
knowing you have already “done your time”.
As we all know, our higher command (Brigade and Area) continue to
pressure us to get more out of you but you continue to “represent” and
I am not certain how you do this, but I thank you. Examples of how you
have “represented” include Afghanistan, the flood of 2011 (Domestic
Operations) in Manitoba, the Olympics (Domestic Operations) in British
Columbia, Sovereign Operations (SOV OPS) in Nunavut, Area Exercises (Maple Guardian), Brigade Exercises
(Western Defender), Area Training Centre instructor cadres, Unit training (Shilo and at Minto), community
foot print missions, etc....but, you do what we all do and follow orders and attend. I have not received a
negative report from anyone we have sent to the above mentioned taskings.
Since I have been appointed your RSM, a number of soldiers have been promoted. For example, since 2007,
we have promoted approximately 50 Riflemen to Corporal, 15 Master Corporal`s, 10 Sergeant’s, 1 Master
Warrant Officer, 4 Captain’s, 2 Major’s and we have a Warrant Officer qualified infantry MWO and a MWO
qualified to Chief Warrant Officer. We have been “doing the business” of getting ourselves strong for the
future and longevity of the Rifles: our problem rest’s in the Officer Corps...we need Officers to continue our
longevity. It is an Army wide issue, we are not alone.
In closing, this is my second last address in the Devil’s Blast as your RSM and my last entry will be more in
depth, as a whole. I am a man of few words and consider myself a man of action and hence, I will conclude
this dialogue.
You have made me proud, carry on, press on and keep your head up!
B. Boyd
Chief Warrant Officer
Regimental Sergeant Major
12
Colonel in Chief Dinner 2011
Over the summer my wife and I had the good fortune to
represent the Commanding Officer and the Regiment
in response to an invitation from our Colonel in Chief.
His Royal Highness and his wife, The Dutchess of
Cornwall, extended an invitation to the Commanding
Officers of their regiments to attend a Dinner at their
estate, Highgrove.
After a flurry of activity, verification of our passports,
inoculations and permission from my new employer,
we departed for the UK. I might mention here that
since we were going that far, we decided to add 10 days
to our trip to make a holiday of it as well. On arrival in
the UK, our poor little Ford Fiesta got a good workout
taking us to Nottingham, York, Edinburgh, Inverness,
Blackpool, Bath and finally to the Cotswolds for our
dinner rendezvous. There were of course other stops
along the way, but to the Regiments of Minto Armoury, I will only mention two others that might be of
interest; we were carrying four signed copies of the Cameron and Riles regimental histories, two each of
which we dropped off to the regimental museums of the Royal Scots at Fort George outside of Inverness
and also to The Rifles at Peninsular Barracks in Winchester.
Once we had completed our mad dash about the island, putting some 1800 miles on the rental car, we
found ourselves in the beautiful Cotswalds, north of Bath. This hidden gem of an area was a tranquil
pleasure to be savored, an area of natural beauty and picturesque villages. Since we had a few days to
explore the area, we spent our time browsing the shops in Cirencester and Tetbury, of course spending
most of our money in the Highgrove shop, (all profits go to the Prince’s charities).
While shopping we stumbled upon the COs and their wives of the other invited regiments, because I
fortunately sighted the Black Watch crest on their COs golf shirt. Every invited Canadian regiment was
accounted for:
• Lord Strathcona’s Horse (RC);
• The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada;
• The Royal Canadian Dragoons;
• The Royal Regiment of Canada;
• The Toronto Scottish;
• The Royal Winnipeg Rifles; as well as
• The Queens Own Rifles (Dutchess of Cornwall as Colonel in Chief).
13
On the 21st of July, 2011 we all gathered for dinner, along with our counterparts from the UK Army, Navy
and Air Forces. In all, approximately 45 regiments, squadrons, ships or formations were represented,
all with Their Royal Highnesses as Colonels in Chief. Prior to the dinner, the Canadians were gathered
together for a few words from our Colonel in Chief, where he praised Canada and her soldiers for their
sacrifice and hard work in Afghanistan, Haiti as well as peacekeeping missions around the world. He
particularly wanted to thank us for the long journey that we had to take to be there that evening, as some
of his regiments from Australia and New Zealand were unable to attend due to the distances involved.
Of particular note, I wanted to share the general theme of the discussions that evening during diner: His
Royal Highness questioned us and spoke to the care of the ill and Injured, their families, finding work
for those unable to continue as soldiers and returning to work where possible, for those who could. He
questioned us on the CFLC (Canadian Forces Liaisons Council), pointing out that the UK should follow suit
with such a program, but also asking if they had gotten involved in finding work for soldiers returning
from service overseas. While I am well informed with regard to the topics, due to my current and
previous employment (CFLC and now JPSU), I still felt extremely challenged with his insight and pointed
questions. Our Colonel in Chief’s compassion and caring for his soldiers, their families and his regiments
was communicated clearly and strongly.
Also, during the evening it became very clear that the armed forces of the UK were dealing with many
of the same issues that we are facing here in Canada. Recent reductions and reorganizations of their
regiments have reduced the number of regiments dramatically, with former regiments becoming
battalions of new formations / regiments. Like us, the UK forces are also facing financial stress because of
the world economy and casualties from Afghanistan and Iraq need to be cared for. On this last issue, I was
impressed to see the caring and resolve that our sister nation demonstrates. Their level of commitment to
their soldiers, families, ill and injured equals our own and shines though as their first priority.
The Colonel in Chief and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall, demonstrated their continued patronage and
caring for their regiments by hosting us. While each rifleman may not see our Colonel in Chief often, you
are in his thoughts, he is well aware of what you are doing and he is advocating on your behalf.
The privilege of attending the Colonel in Chief’s dinner on behalf of the Commanding Officer, was our
second “once in a lifetime opportunity” and Suzanne and I wish to thank the regiment that has given us a
second home, for that opportunity.
Major Richard Desjardins
OC HQ Coy
14
Exercise NORTHERN BISON 11
Exercise NORTHERN BISON 11 is the ambitious
culmination of a three year process to stand-up and
train an Arctic Response Company Group (ARCG)
comprised of 38 Canadian Brigade Group reserve
soldiers. This year is the most ambitious training
plan to date.
Exercise Northern Bison 2011 is the culmination of a
three year process by Land Force Western Area and
Members from the 2 PPCLI Support Company will
38 Canadian Brigade Group to stand-up and train one
leave Churchill, Manitoba on the 17 of February
of four Arctic Response Company Groups (ARCGs) as
2011 and journey to Nunalla, Manitoba. Once there,
directed in the Army’s Arctic strategy, in keeping
they will set up a Forward Operating Base (FOB),
with the Canada First Defence Strategy.
including a hospital. A few days later, the ARCG will
head out from Churchill and join up with 2 PPCLI at The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, along with the Queens
FOB Nunalla, renamed FOB Braun after Private David Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada form one ARCG
company headquartered in Winnipeg, MB.
Braun who was killed on Task Force 3-06.
Troops Build Komatiks for Ex NORTHERN BISON
II
Soldiers from Arctic Response Company Group
(ARCG) spent the first week of December building
komatiks (wooden sleds) in preparation for Exercise
NORTHERN BISON 2011, which will take place from
February 15 to 28, 2011.
The CF will be contributing to a top government
priority—protecting the territorial integrity of the
Arctic—and the komatiks will play a crucial role in
ensuring that soldiers can successfully move, shoot,
communicate and sustain themselves in austere
northern conditions.
At the FOB, they will build snow shelters, conduct
firing on the range and receive further geographical
knowledge from both 1 and 4 Canadian Ranger Patrol
Group (CRPG). On the 24th, the ARCG will strike camp
and head to Arviat, Nunavut, another 150 kilometers
away. 2 PPCLI will return to Churchill.
“We will be packing a komatik with the UMS [unit
medical station] and another komatik will be like a
snow ambulance,” said Master Corporal Calin Ritchie,
a medical technician with 17 Field Ambulance.
The komatiks will be pulled by snowmobiles
throughout the exercise that will see both Regular
15
and Reserve Force soldiers work together with 1
and 4 Canadian Ranger Patrol Groups as they make
the 300-km trek from Churchill, Man., to Arviat,
Nunavut.
The goal was to complete 29 komatiks during the
week. As well, the troops from 38 Canadian Brigade
Group and 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian
Light Infantry built boxes to carry UMS supplies
and other items. Both will be essential during Ex
NORTHERN BISON 2011.
Cpl Bill Gomm, 38 CBG
Soldiers Won, Elements O
The komatiks were built using 2x10 and 2x6 [inches]
lengths of wood lashed together, nylon or plastic
strips for runners, galvanized nails, screws, rope and
glue. “Well, the first thing you have to do is build the
runners,” said Sergeant Alex Brown, of the ARCG.
38 Canadian Brigade Group’s Arctic Response
Company Group (ARCG) stood up in 2008 and began
acquiring the skills and experience needed to meet
any challenge Arctic and sub-Arctic environments
could present. This journey culminated in Exercise
NORTHERN BISON 11, a 300-km snowmobile trek
from Churchill, Man., to Arviat, Nunavut.
“You take 2x10s and laminate them together.
Then, you cut them down to size, attach the plastic
runners, and drill holes in them to attach the [2x6]
cross-members.” The cross-members were lashed to
the top of the runners using black polyester weave
rope with the core removed.
“The hammering hurts after a while,” said MCpl
Ritchie, who was setting the nails deeper after they
had been driven through the plastic into the runner.
“Especially when you hit yourself a couple of times.”
“Everything has been going really well,” said Sgt
Brown. “We’ve gotten a lot of work done in the past
couple of days and, by the end of the weekend, we
should have everything completed.”
NORTHERN BISON was a test of soldiers versus the
elements. Although the ARCG was snowed in by
fierce winter storms bringing zero visibility, extreme
cold and a wind-chill of -60°C, group members met
the challenge. Members of 1 and 4 Canadian Ranger
Patrol Groups provided invaluable local knowledge.
2 Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light
Infantry Combat Support Company (2 PPCLI Cbt Spt
Coy), left Churchill as the advance party to set up
a forward operating base at Nunalla, Man., on the
border with Nunavut. A few days later, they were
joined by the mostly Reserve Force members of
ARCG.
16
The ARCG pushed on to Arviat February 24, while 2
PPCLI Cbt Spt Coy returned to
Churchill. A hero’s welcome awaited the ARCG in Pictured: Captain Ray Taylor, Operations Officer
Arviat, with most of the hamlet’s population of 3,000 for Exercise NORTHERN BISON and Major Dennis
greeting the 95 snowmobiles as they rode into town. Desrochers, Officer in Command of the Arctic
Response Company
After another unscheduled weather delay, the main “There’s been a logical progression to the exercises,”
said Winnipeg Infantry Tactical Group Major
body of troops safely returned to Winnipeg
Dennis Desrochers, ARCG officer commanding. “The
The Maple Leaf
first NORTHERN BISON, in 2009, saw us conduct
dismounted patrolling and tent group training in
the immediate vicinity of Churchill. In 2010, we
Army Conquers Great White North
introduced the element of snowmobile mobility,
Regular and Reserve Force personnel, numbering again in the vicinity of Churchill.”
270, participated in the Exercise NORTHERN BISON,
which saw 100 soldiers travel 300 kilometers by The 2011 exercise also involved 2nd Battalion,
snowmobile from Churchill, Man., to Arviat, Nunavut, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry’s (2
PPCLI’s) Combat Support Company; a logistic
on the western shore of Hudson’s Bay.
support group from 1 Area Support Group; 38 Service
Ex NORTHERN BISON 2011, held February 15–28, Battalion, Canadian Rangers, from both 1 and 4
was designed to confirm 38 Canadian Brigade Group Canadian Ranger Patrol Groups; and Twin Otters
Arctic Response Company Group’s (ARCG’s) ability to from 440 “Vampire” Transport Squadron.
live, move, communicate and shoot and in the North.
17
The support company went out ahead and established
a forward operating base, named FOB Braun. There,
the company established an austere range and
stockpiled sufficient supplies to support the forward
movement of ARCG.
contracted helicopter moved more than 8 tons [8.1
tonnes] of fuel and freight for us.”
Summing it up neatly, Maj Desrochers said, “This
exercise just proves that the Canadian Army is at
home in the North!”
Maj Dave Muralt
All photos: Cpl Bill Gomm, 38CBG
“We couldn’t have done this without 440 Squadron,”
said Task Force deputy commander Maj Brad
Hrycyna, The Saskatchewan Dragoons’ CO. “On one
memorable day, 440 Squadron’s Twin Otters and a
18
Op CONNECTION
Youth Challenge Course at Red River Ex
The Red River Exhibition, an annual Op CONNECTION
event, took place from 17 June to 26 June 2011 at
Exhibition Park just West of the city of Winnipeg.
Every year, the fair and assorted exhibitors receive
approximately 200,000 visitors over ten days. The
Army, Navy, Air Force and Reserves participated by
setting up a free display for families and children. The
displays consist of vehicles, a children’s confidence
course and weapon handling opportunities. Members
of 38 Canadian Brigade Group were invaluable as the
designers and managers of the children’s confidence
course, a huge hit, as well as the display stands of
reserve units in Winnipeg.
Corporal Chris Perreault, Royal Winnipeg Rifles,
describes how the C7 A2 rifle works to a young
visitor to the weapons display. Photo By: Cpl Bill
Gomm, 38 CBG
Ex WESTERN DEFENDER 11
Western Defender 11 (WD11) was the 2011 Brigade
Training Exercise for 38, 39 and 41 Canadian Brigade
Groups and was held in Shilo, Manitoba 29 - 8 May
2011. WD11 provided the opportunity to field a
Combined Arms Battle Group and also allowed all
leaders and soldiers to work at a level that could not
normally be achieved within their brigades, giving
access to resources that are normally only provided
at BTEs. Over 1200 soldiers participated, and all were
assessed using Battle Task Standards, regardless of
trade.
Soldiers with Task Force Warrior provide covering
fire as the assaulters force entry into a building
during the final push into the village of Swaistan
on Exercise WESTERN DEFENDER 11. Photo By:
19
Forces Support Domestic Disaster Relief Operations
The CF has a long history of participating in domestic disaster relief operations. Within the past year alone,
the Forces have operated in four provinces in support of relief efforts in the wake of three floods, one
hurricane and multiple forest fires.
Disaster relief is provided to help counter the effects of natural disasters and human-made events on
Canadians. While such missions are unpredictable, threats like hurricanes or floods tend to be seasonal, so
contingency plans ensure that military resources are prepared to respond as appropriate.
Domestically, the CF typically assists Public Safety Canada in responding to natural disasters that are
beyond the capabilities of provincial or territorial authorities or for which the CF can offer unique skills.
In such cases, CF assets can be in location providing assistance to Canadians within 24 hours (or less)
once a formal request for assistance is received by the Government of Canada from the government of
the affected province or territory. The only exception to this is if the scale of emergency results in a
declaration of a “national emergency” under the Emergencies Act, or the disaster impacts an area of
federal jurisdiction.
When federal government direction is received, Canada Command, the lead authority for CF Forces
support involvement in domestic disaster relief operations, will direct regional Joint Task Forces in their
coordination of CF participation alongside other government partners. Although civil authorities remain
in control of disaster relief, CF personnel and assets remain under CF command at all times.
“The most significant attribute of CF involvement in domestic disaster relief operations is our mobility,”
says Captain(N) Steve Waddell, deputy chief of staff (operations and training) at Canada Command. With
the mix of mobile capabilities, an inherent organized structure, and proven command and control, the CF
can deploy rapidly and with immediate effect.
Domestic disaster relief operations usually make use of CF resources that are either self-contained or
supported through bases or formations close to the affected region. In most cases, the CF are able to
contribute personnel, logistics, transportation and communications support to the civil authorities.
Recently, the Forces provided flood relief in Manitoba (Operations LUSTRE and LYRE) and Quebec (Op
LOTUS), emergency air evacuations during Ontario forest fires (Op FORGE), and emergency hurricane relief
in Newfoundland and Labrador (Op LAMA).
“In the aftermath of recent domestic relief operations, Canada Command will continue to place emphasis
on working with the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force to ensure the
appropriate balance of forces is available and positioned domestic disaster relief operations for shortnotice deployments,” Capt(N) Waddell says. “The key is to always be ready for the home game while
remaining mindful of our ongoing force generation, expeditionary and search-and-rescue obligations.”
Capt Travis Smyth
Army Public Affairs
20
Manitoba Flood Fight 2011 Operation LUSTRE
Manitoba Flood Fight 2011 Operation LUSTRE is the Canadian Forces (CF) joint response led by Canada
Command and conducted through Joint Task Force West (JTFW) to the flooding on the Assiniboine River in
Southern Manitoba. This domestic humanitarian relief mission incorporates Canadian Forces Army, Navy
and Air Force assets to deliver much needed assistance to communities affected by these floods.
In coordination with the Government of
Canada and the Provincial Government
of Manitoba, a high readiness Army
unit based out of CFB Shilo, Manitoba,
is deploying to the affected areas to
assist in multiple tasks, including: the
provision of planning and coordination
assistance; provision of support to
preserve essential infrastructure,
reinforce existing dykes and observe and
monitor the sandbag dykes; provision
of essential logistical and material
support; and, assistance in the voluntary
evacuation of civilians where the flood
poses a threat to their lives.
On 08 May 38 Brigade stood to on a call
from the province of Manitoba to assist with the flood fight efforts. Twenty-two Members of The Royal
Winnipeg Rifles volunteered their time to help the fight the flood and became a part of Domestic Response
Company - A (DRC-A).
The First day was spent in Minto Armouries creating three platoons within the Coy and sorting out the
required administration. Day two and three the Coy headed out to Elie and spent the day creating sandbag
dikes around various buildings. At the end of day three the Coy was attached to a Squadron from the
LDSH(RC) and moved to their location in Southport MB. From the HQ set up in Southport the platoons
from DRC-A were dispatched all around the Portage la Prairie area.
1 Pl, led by Lt. Hennessy Sgt. Brown and consisted of mainly Rifles and Camerons, were sent to the area
close to the controlled release site at the Hoop and Holler Bend. 2 Pl, consisting of mainly FGH, were sent
North of Portage la Prairie along the Portage Diversion. 3 Pl consisting of mainly LSSR, was sent to the
Hoop and Holler Bend area as well. Instead of building sand bag dikes around the homes around Portage,
we began building dikes made from large tubes of water.
There were two types, Tiger Dams and Aqua Dams (pictured).
Tiger Dams were smaller (about 2 feet of protection) and had
to be anchored and strapped down with large spikes drilled
into the ground. Aqua Dams were much larger (about 3 to 3.5
feet of protection) and did not need to be anchored.
21
The days were long, starting with a 0530 reveille and often going to ground around 0100 or later. No
matter where the platoons from DRC-A went the people who’s homes we were protecting were very
grateful. They often provided coffee, sandwiches and cookies for us.
After a few days of building
Aqua Dams DRC-A came back
to Minto Armouries 15 May
for a 24 hour rest and to
reorganize the Coy Down to 2
platoons then headed back to
Southport. From then on the
focus switched to reinforcing
the dikes along the Assiniboine
River. The dikes were built up
several feet during the winter,
but were starting to wash
out due to seepage of water
through the dikes. The dikes
and surrounding area was too
soft to bring the sandbags in
by truck so they brought the
majority of them to the dikes
by helicopter in sling loads.
We would lay down a large
roll of material called Geomat
which would prevent the
soil from washing away.
Then we would place a layer
of sandbags on top of the
Geomat. Because the helicopters could only fly for 8 hours the work days were much shorter than the
previous week.
On Thursday 19 May DRC-A moved back to Minto and after a day of post Op work we were returned to out
home units. Even though the work was hard the members of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles were glad they
could help their neighbours in need. The gratitude and praise received from the people of Portage la
Prairie, Oakville and Elie was their reward.
MCpl Tyson Burch
2 Sect Comd
2 Pl
DRC-A
22
2011-2012 Training Calendar
Date
06 Sep 11
09-11 Sep 11
13 Sep 11
20 Sep 11
23-25 Sep 11
27 Sep 11
30 Sep -02
Oct 11
04 Oct 11
11 Oct 11
18 Oct 11
21-23 Oct 11
25 Oct 11
01 Nov 11
05-06 Nov 11
08 Nov 11
15 Nov 11
18-20 Nov 11
25-27 Nov 11
29 Nov 11
02-04 Dec 11
06 Dec 11
13 Dec 11
17 Dec 11
03 Jan 12
10 Jan 12
13-15 Jan 12
17 Jan 12
24 Jan 12
Post Ex Drills
Admin
Mess Meetings
A Coy Grn Trg
Admin
Instr Prep
Unit Grn Trg
Admin
Ex Prep
FTX - Shilo
Post Ex Drills/Ex
Prep
ARC leadership PD
Instr Prep
Unit Grn Trg
Admin
Instr Prep
Unit Grn Trg
Admin
Instr Prep
Unit Grn Trg
Mess Meetings
Ex Prep
27-29 Jan 12
Winter Indoc
22 Nov 11
31 Jan 12
03-05 Feb 12
07 Feb 12
14 Feb 12
16-20 Feb 12
17-19 Feb 12
21 Feb 12
28 Feb 12
06 Mar 12
10-11 Mar 12
13 Mar 12
20 Mar 12
23-25 Mar 12
27 Mar 12
Event
Stand-To
MLOC & ARV
Admin
Ex Prep
Sp Wpns Shoot
Post Ex Drills/Ex
Prep
FTX - Shilo
Post Ex Drills/Instr
Prep
Unit Grn Trg
Admin
St. Valentine’s Day
Massacre
ARC FTX (TBC)
RCE Course
Post Ex Drills
Admin
Instr Prep
A Coy Grn Trg
Admin
Ex Prep
FTX - Shilo
Post Ex Drills
Pers Auth to Attend
all A Coy pers
all unit pers (EX SOLID START)
only A Coy HQ
only A Coy pers attending FTX 23-25 Sep
all A Coy pers (EX INFANTRY HAMMER)
only A Coy pers attending FTX 23-25 Sep and FTX 31 Sep-02 Oct
all A Coy Pers (EX SECTION SHAKEOUT)
only A Coy pers attending FTX 31 Sep-02 Oct
only A Coy HQ
all unit pers
all A Coy pers (EX OFFENSIVE STUDENT)
only A Coy HQ
only A Coy HQ and instr conducting classes wknd 05-06 Nov
all unit pers (EX HISTORIC STUDENT)
only A Coy HQ
only A Coy pers attending FTX 18-20 Nov
all A Coy pers (EX PLATOON PUNCH)
only A Coy pers attending FTX 18-20 Nov
ARC leadership - Sect Comds and up (EX ARCTIC LEADER)
only A Coy HQ and instr conducting classes wknd 02-04 Dec
all unit pers (EX EAGER STUDENT)
only A Coy HQ
only A Coy HQ and instr conducting classes 17 Dec
all unit pers (EX FESTIVE STUDENT)
only A Coy HQ
only A Coy HQ and instr conducting classes wknd 13-15 Jan
all unit pers (EX FROZEN STUDENT)
all unit pers
only A Coy pers attending FTX 27-29 Jan
all unit pers (EX FROZEN GRUNT[winter indoc]/EX ARCTIC
APPRENTICE [ARC tasked pers])
only A Coy pers attending FTX 27-29 Jan and instr conducting
classes 03-05 Feb
all unit pers (EX AGILE STUDENT)
only A Coy HQ
all unit pers
all ARC tasked pers (EX ARCTIC RAM 12)
only nominated unit pers
only A Coy pers attending FTX 16-20 Feb
only A Coy HQ
only A Coy HQ and instr conducting classes wknd 10-11 Mar
all A Coy pers (EX URBAN STUDENT)
only A Coy HQ
only A Coy pers attending FTX 23-25 Mar
all A Coy pers (EX URBAN BAYONET)
only A Coy pers attending FTX 23-25 Mar
23
Date
Purpose
Pers Auth to Attend
03 Apr 12
Admin
only A Coy HQ
10 Apr 12
Ex Prep
only A Coy pers attending FTX 13-15 Apr
13-15 Apr 12
FTX - Shilo
all A Coy pers (EX READY RIFLEMAN)
17 Apr 12
Post Ex Drills
only A Coy pers attending FTX 13-15 Apr
24 Apr 12
Ex Prep
only A Coy pers attending FTX 27 Apr-06 May
27 Apr- 06 May 12
38 CBG Trg Event
all A Coy pers
08 May
Post Ex Drills
only A Coy pers attending FTX 27 Apr-06 May
12-13 May 12
Unit Grn Trg
all unit pers
15 May 12
Mess Meetings
all unit pers
22 May 12
pde practice
all unit pers
26 May 12
Change of Comd Pde all unit pers
29 May 12
Admin
only A Coy HQ
02 Jun 12
Family EX
all unit pers (Ex SIGNIFICANT SUPPORTERS)
05 Jun 12
Admin
only A Coy HQ
12 Jun 12
Stand-Down
all unit pers
BHQ and HQ Coy to parade as reqr by their specific duties
2011-2012 Social/Ceremonial Calendar
Date
18 Sep 11
29 Oct 11
05 Nov 11
06 Nov 11
07 Nov 11
11 Nov 11
25 Nov 11
10 Dec 11
17 Dec 11
01 Jan 12
21 Jan 12
05 Feb 12
21 Apr 12
26 May 12
02 Jun 12
24
Purpose
Unit Family Picnic
Cams Mess Dinner
Rifles B-Day Dinner
Rifles Church Pde
MB Salutes Dinner
Remembrance Day
St Andrews Dinner
Band Visitation
Christmas Dinner
Levée
Robbie Burns
Dinner
Cameron Church
Pde
Fish Creek Dinner
Change of Comd
Mess Dinner
Family Ex
Pers Auth to Attend
all unit pers and families welcome
all Cameron Officers will attend (Rifle Officers welcome)
all Rifle Officers and SrNCOs will attend (Camerons welcome)
all Rifles will attend
more info to fol as aval
all unit mbrs will attend
all Cameron Officers will attend (Rifle Officers welcome)
all unit mbrs will attend
all Officers and SrNCOs will attend
all Cameron Officers and SrNCOs will attend (Rifles welcome)
all Camerons will attend
all Officers and SrNCOs will attend
all unit pers and families welcome
The Regimental Band
Loreena McKinnitt and Honourary Colonel of 402
The Regimental Band of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles had Squadron John Sauder. Former Rifles Band augmentee,
an exciting and busy year under the direction of our Major (Retired) Howard Mar, was at the helm as the
new Director of Music, 2Lt Andrea Schellenberg, and producer of this well-received tribute concert.
with the leadership of Bugle Major Sergeant Claude
In December, in accordance with our long tradition, the
Ouellette and Bandmaster Sergeant Martha Clyde.
band hosted our annual visitation. Complete with carols,
other festive music, food and drink, the visitation was a
great success and we are looking forward to continuing
the custom this holiday season.
Director of Music, 2Lt Andrea Schellenberg and
Bugle Major, Sgt Claude Ouellette of the R Wpg
Rif Band at the Saskatchewan Dragoons change
of Honourary Colonel Parade in Moose Jaw, SK.
29 Aug 11.
On 12 March 2011, under the capable leadership of
Master Corporal Jerome Rossett, fourteen members
of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, including among them
Corporals Charlene Thomas and Melissa Schwartz from
the Rifles Band, embarked for a journey of the battlefields
of Fish Creek and Batoche. Despite a shortened tour
due to inclement weather, the group managed to get a
good overview and a new understanding of the very
challenging conditions under which our unit fought in
the campaigns of 1885. Walking in the steps of those
brave individuals who have gone before, history was
brought alive for the fortunate members who had the
opportunity to travel to the sites of two of our battle
honours.
In August 2010, we bid adieu to Captain Danielle
Gaudry and Sergeant Jordan Newman and welcomed in
our new Director of Music, Second Lieutenant Andrea
Schellenberg, who has ably taken over the baton. We
launched straight into our season, playing at a Legion
Dinner and lending our talents at a Winnipeg Rifles
football game half-time show last September.
The Band had a busy fall, playing at the Queen’s Own
Cameron Highlanders Centennial Gala, followed by
our own Regimental church parade, Remembrance
Day and “Hand in Hand: A Concert Celebrating our (left to right) MCpl Carol Selin, Cpl Charlene
Freedom”.
Thomas, Cpl Bernia Brandstaedter, Pnr Cpl
Steven Walton, Cpl Connor Fry Sykora, Sgt Jeff
“Hand in Hand” was a particular highlight of the season Beaudry, Civ Jeff Allston, Pnr Cpl Kevin Nelson
for the Rifles Band. We joined forces with the Queen’s and Cpl Evan Joyal: Members of the R Wpg Rif
Own Cameron Highlanders Pipes and Drums, as well Band on parade at the Saskatchewan Dragoons
as the HMCS Chippawa Band in a concert honouring change of Honourary Colonel Parade in Moose
military heroes, past and present. Local celebrities Jaw, SK. 29 Aug 11.
such as Sierra Noble, Ron Paley and Al Simmons leant
their talents, as did Honourary Colonel of 435 Squadron
25
Our next major concert of the year was our Spring
Concert held at the Regimental Church, St. John’s
Cathedral. The Spring Concert is always a great
opportunity for the band members to play challenging
and exciting music for their families, friends and
members of the public.
We’ve launched into our new season with the
Saskatchewan Dragoons change of Honourary Colonel
Parade and Dining-In held in Moose Jaw, followed by
the Band Stand-to BBQ hosted by Master Corporal
Sophie Boucher. The Regimental Band of the Royal
Winnipeg Rifles is looking forward to another busy
season ahead, bringing the challenge of another exciting
year.
The Spring Concert was followed shortly by the
Regiment’s annual Fish Creek mess dinner, where the
band provided entertainment and a particularly rousing Corporal Sarah Thurmeier,
bugle feature piece developed by Corporal Irene Sas for R Wpg Rif Band Public Affairs NCM
the dinner guests.
We completed our season with several community
engagements, including the Manitoba Community Band
Festival in Pinawa, the Zone 64 parade in celebration
of the liberation of Holland, the Rifles Cadet Corps
inspection parade (Major General Dennis Tabbernor’s
last official parade and last day in uniform), and the
St. Claude cenotaph re-dedication parade. As always,
the band was well received at these events and the
opportunity to play for the general public was very
much enjoyed by the members.
(left to right) Cpl Singh, Cpl Cutts, MCpl Rossett, Cpl Knudsen, Cpl
Pessagno, Cpl Stewart, Cpl Anania, Cpl Helbren, Cpl Nelson, Cpl Thomas
and Cpl Schwartz: Members of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles who embarked
on a tour of the Battlefields of Batoche and Fish Creek. 12 Mar 11.
26
Pork, Beans and Hard Tack: The Regimental Band of
band1 accompanied the troops on the Northwest
Campaign. According to the first regimental history
published in 1906, the band was the pride and joy
of the force. It was said that the playing of the band
improved wonderfully during the campaign and
that even the enemy – the local Métis – would sneak
around camp at night to listen to the band. In the
The 1880s were adventurous days in Western Canada; field of battle, the bandsmen performed invaluable
the Canadian Pacific Railway was steadily expanding service as an ambulance corps and were kept behind
westward, and all along the route, settlers were the lines as they were not trained riflemen.
establishing themselves in this new land of promise.
The Riel Rebellion of 1869 and the Fenian Raid of The first mention of the regimental band in public
1871 prompted the frontier community of Winnipeg, performance was in July 1885: the newspaper article
Manitoba to petition for the formation of a militia described the victorious celebrations and revelry
unit that could help provide security and protection. in Winnipeg upon the return of the soldiers from
the Northwest Rebellion. The band entertained
Ottawa granted permission. On November 9th, with renditions of Here the Conquering Hero Comes
1883, a group of merchants, engineers, lawyers (from Handel’s Judas Maccabeus) and of Johnny Comes
and university students gathered to form the 90th Marching Home. At their arrival, the regiment’s
Winnipeg Battalion of Rifles, and not a moment too soldiers revealed their freshly composed homage to
soon. Land disputes continued to escalate along the the recent campaign, called Pork, Beans and Hard Tack.
South Saskatchewan River, as new white settlers
arrived and assumed ownership of lands that Pork, beans and hard tack (a type of biscuit made
historically belonged to the aboriginal and Métis from flour, water and salt that was inexpensive and
populations. In March 1885, news came to Winnipeg long-lasting) were the culinary staples of military
that Louis Riel had imprisoned several white men at camp life. The lyrics were written by Lawrence
Buchan, a major in the unit, to the tune of a popular
Batoche, and so began the Northwest Rebellion.
college song called Old Solomon Levi. This became the
It was over the course of this baptismal campaign regimental march.
that the 90th Rifles gained many of their regimental
distinctions. During the attack at Fish Creek, when Pork, Beans and Hard Tack
the brunt of the fighting fell on the men of the 90th,
the aboriginal prisoners said of the Rifles: “The red- When we embarked at Winnipeg, as chirpy as could be,
coats we know, but who are these little black devils?” We thought we were out for a bit of a lark, about a two
They were familiar with the British Forces’ red weeks spree
tunics, but had not yet encountered the dark green But when we got to Fort Qu’Appelle we found it different
and black tunics of the Rifles. The nickname “Little then,
Black Devils” stuck; Hosti Acie Nominati or “Named Our tents in a row we pitched in the snow, just like the real
by the Enemy” became the regiment’s official motto. soldier men.
To this day, the Rifles’ badges bear the insignia of a Pork, beans and hard tack, tra la la la la la
Poor hungry soldiers, tra la la la la la la
rampant devil with a trident and chalice.
With blistered feet and aching bones we marched along
The band was not an afterthought in the establishment all day,
of the regiment. From the very beginning, the unit And go on piquet all the night, to keep the rebs away;
officers recruited musicians to maintain the troops’ But when we meet the enemy we do not think of rest,
morale in the field. Incredibly, the third Bandmaster, For whether we march or fight, my boys, we do our level
Band Sergeant H. Gooding, and his 17-piece brass best.
125 years ago, the officers of a newly-formed Winnipeg
regiment purchased used brass instruments for
a total sum of $300. With this first step, they laid
the foundation for what would eventually become
the Regimental Band of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles,
Western Canada’s oldest surviving band.
27
As a rifle regiment, the Royal Winnipeg Rifles
respects traditions and customs distinct from regular
Canadian regiments. First of all, the most common
marching tempo in the military is approximately
120 bpm, but rifle regiments march at 140 and on
ceremonial occasions at 180, which, called a double
march, is an actual run in-step. Originally, riflemen
provided tactical reconnaissance by deploying ahead
of the main body of troops. There was an obvious
need for speed and silence, evidenced in rifle drill
which economizes verbal commands and extraneous
movements. The importance of concealment explains
the dark green and black uniforms.
as a means of basic communication and of relaying
orders. It is still used to relay orders on parade today.
Eventually, a bugle band, made up solely of buglers
and drummers, emerged alongside the 90th Winnipeg
Battalion of Rifles Brass Band.
By the early 20th century, both bands played an
important role in the local militia and also in the
community, performing at important events in
Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For example, in
Sept 1905, the bands accompanied the 90th Regiment
to Regina to take part in the inauguration of the
Due to this important and sometimes improvised Province of Saskatchewan. One hundred years
function on the battlefield, the rifleman was trained later, the same band participated in the province’s
to be flexible and resourceful; in short, a thinking centennial.
soldier. This training was a departure from the fearbased discipline more commonly associated with During WWI, the brass band, under the direction of
military instruction, in which individual will is not Bandmaster S.L. Barrowclough, and the bugle band
part of the battlefield equation. Riflemen had an accompanied the regiment as part of the Canadian
ingrained and individual sense of pride and honour Expeditionary Force overseas. The men of the 90th
for their regiment and were encouraged to be free- “participated in every decisive battle of the war,
and their casualty list and honour lists give some
thinking.
indication of the measure of that participation”
And free-thinking they were: the troops of the (Winnipeg, 1933). In the trenches, the musicians
90th Winnipeg Battalion of Rifles demonstrated reprised their role of the Northwest Campaign days
their broadmindedness in a virtually unknown and acted as stretcher bearers, while helping boost
achievement, called The 90th on Active Service: the troops’ morale behind the lines. Shortly after the
Campaigning in the North-West, a musical and dramatic armistice had been signed in 1918, the Little Black
burlesque in two acts. This entertaining and semi- Devils marched across the Rhine to Germany with
autobiographical operetta was literally written by the band playing none other than Pork, Beans and
the men of the regiment while they were camped at Hard Tack. They had gained many battle honours2
Fort Pitt in June 1885 at the tail end of the Northwest without having lost a single trench.
Campaign. It was replete with musical references
from popular music of the day such as Gilbert and During the inter-war period, not much is known
Sullivan operettas, and presents among other lively about the band except that it comprised 20-25
vignettes, all five verses of Pork, Beans and Hard Tack. musicians and rehearsed once per week, while the
The burlesque was performed July 29th and 30th 1885 bugle band supported a healthy 20 buglers and 8
at the Princess Opera House in Winnipeg, by the very drummers. The Rifles band was now one of 125 militia
troops and musicians who had lived it, merely two bands in Canada and, like the rest of the military
weeks after their return, with Bandmaster Gooding service, was restricted by a shortage of funds. In
and the band providing musical support. One is hard- 1920, as the Canadian Militia discontinued its system
pressed to find another regiment whose men wrote of numerical classification, the regiment shed its
label of “90th” and became the Winnipeg Rifles. In
an operetta during a military campaign.
1935, it was conferred the Royal designation for its
Another rifle regiment tradition is the use of the distinguished service by King George V.
bugle on parade. Given the spread-out nature of
the rifles’ function in the field, the bugle was used At the outbreak of WWII, the regiment was once
28
again called upon to serve, and bandsmen obliged yet
again; both the brass and bugle bands followed the 1st
Battalion in 1940 to Camp Debert in Nova Scotia in
order to train for deployment. According to reports
in Nova Scotia, the 30-piece brass band, under the
direction of Bandmaster F.R. Stanford, was invited to
town after town to share its talents with the locals
during this training period. In 1941, they deployed
for England. The bandsmen who served overseas
were paid a total sum of $1.55 per day.
Back home in Winnipeg, the 2nd Battalion of the
Royal Winnipeg Rifles also supported a brass band
which did not sit idle while its counterpart was
deployed. The Band of the 2nd Battalion Royal
Winnipeg Rifles performed a concert in 1941 at the
famed Walker Theatre to raise funds in order to send
parcels overseas for the men of the 1st Battalion.
This concert, featuring marches and other militarythemed music, also boasted many of Winnipeg’s
talented artists, including majorettes, comedians,
acrobats, an accordion quartet, tap dancers, some
singers, a contortionist, and of course, the band.
tickets per rehearsal (one ticket so that you could get
home and another to come back the following week).
There was no military training required for the
musicians who passed the audition. The remainder
of the 1950s didn’t bring many changes for the band,
except that the entire regiment moved to Minto
Armouries, its current home, and the band settled
into the south-west tower third-floor band room,
where it still rehearses today.
The 1960s were tumultuous years for the Royal
Winnipeg Rifles and the band. Following an
unsuccessful attempt by the government to disband
the unit on grounds that enrollment was too low, the
Army then demanded that musicians undergo basic
military training. This caused at least half the band
members to quit, and left the band with about 1215 musicians. It was also during this decade that the
band took on the form of a concert band, officially
letting woodwind players join.
A highlight for the band and the regiment was the
investiture of His Royal Highness Prince Charles as
the regiment’s Colonel-in-Chief in 1979, an event
In 1944, the Royal Winnipeg Rifles were key among that warranted his visit that year. By this time, the
the forces who stormed Juno Beach in Normandy armed forces had begun to let women join, but only
on D-Day. This was the first of many enemy in some non-combat arms trades, such as musician
engagements. The Rifles battled their way through or clerk. The title “Director of Music” slowly began
France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. By the end replacing “Bandmaster,” and only commissioned
of WWII, they had accumulated more battle honours officers could be appointed as such. 1983 saw a first
than any other Canadian regiment.
for Army Reserve3 bands in Canada when the Rifles
welcomed their first female Director of Music, Capt
By the time the war was over and the troops were Sheila McPherson, who led the band for the next 15
coming home, the Band of the 2nd Battalion was kept years. Today, the band counts more women in its
very busy playing for the many celebratory parades ranks than men, and even the coveted role of the
in the city – there were at least three parades to bugler on parade has been in the hands of a number
welcome back the troops, not to mention the Victory of female musicians for several years.
in Europe Day parade where the streets were so
crowded with people that the trombones had to play Through the 1990s and into the new millennium, the
with their slides pointing straight up in the air to band continued to fulfill its mandate of supporting
void collision.
military events and creating a community footprint
through its 60+ engagements per year. It is the only
After WWII, the two brass bands of the regiment brass/reed band of 38 Canadian Brigade Group, which
amalgamated since many musicians, and for that spans Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northwestern
matter, soldiers, left the militia. In 1951, the bugle Ontario. As such, the band has found itself at many
band was disbanded. The average age in the brass exciting events, such as royal visits by HRH Princess
band was about 30 years old and its membership was Anne, and HRH Prince Edward, in addition to
still only open to males. The pay for a musician in the international concert band festivals all over Canada.
Rifles Band at this time was 25 cents and two streetcar
29
In 2003, the band was especially honoured to travel
to Normandy, France to perform in the opening
ceremonies of the Juno Beach Centre, the Canadian
war memorial commemorating our WWII veterans.
During this trip, the musicians paraded through
many of the towns in which the regiment earned its
battle honours. Members of A Company (infanteers)
accompanied the band on this momentous return,
including the band’s ceremonial attachment called
the Pioneers.
As 2008 unfolds, the Little Black Devils are looking
forward to celebrating their 125th anniversary this
fall. To commemorate this special milestone, the
band is in the process of recording its third CD.
This disc will tell the story of the regiment through
music, presenting selections that represent each
era in the regiment’s history. In addition, the band
will premiere its first commissioned piece, The Old
Ninetieth, by esteemed Canadian composer Howard
Cable.
The Pioneers hold a special place in the regiment’s
tradition. Historically sent ahead of the troops to
clear the brush and undergrowth, their official duty
is now to protect the regiment’s drums at all times.
Being a rifle regiment, the unit has no colours4 as
such, but its battle honours are emblazoned on the
drums. For this reason, the Pioneers flank the drum
rank on either side of the band for all parades and
are highly recognizable: they carry large axes.
From day one, the founding officers of the Royal
Winnipeg Rifles created a band to be part and
parcel of the regimental family. When the band
dons the green and black uniform, it becomes part
of a tradition that is larger than the musician or the
band. And this tradition continues: the riflemen who
are being deployed to Afghanistan this year will,
no doubt, add to the rich legacy of the Little Black
Devils. At home too, the band will continue to do its
part, as it always has.
Currently, the Regimental Band of the Royal Captain Danielle Gaudry
Winnipeg Rifles counts 35 members, and is made up Former Director of Music
of army reservists, who have all done basic military The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
training. Many of the band members have completed
non-musical army reserve courses which allow them
to fulfill other duties such as driving and instructing
on military courses. The band members come from
a wide variety of backgrounds: some are students,
and many work full-time as teachers, police officers,
avionics technicians, and research scientists, among
other diverse occupations. Several band members
have university degrees in music, but others simply
play as a hobby.
A few retired members of the band continue to
volunteer on a regular basis, and some of these
dedicated musicians have been with us for many
years. One in particular deserves special recognition:
Master Warrant Officer Jack Walton, a trumpeter,
has been playing with the band for 63 continuous
years. MWO Walton joined the band at age 13 as a boy
soldier and his first engagement with the band was
the VE Day parade in 1945. MWO Walton’s dedication
and loyalty to the Royal Winnipeg Rifles continue to
be an inspiration to the musicians in the band and
the soldiers of the regiment.
30
(Endnotes)
Bibliography
1
Although the band was always referred to as a
brass band, many pictures show that throughout its
history, and as early as 1904, there were at times clarinets
and saxophones as well.
“20 More Battle Citations for Most-Honoured Rifles,”
Winnipeg Tribune, 15 June 1957.
2
A battle honour is a military tradition practiced
in the Commonwealth and is awarded by the reigning
monarch to a unit for its achievements and distinction
in a particular battle or campaign. It is usually awarded
in the form of the name-place where the battle occurred,
but the unit need not have defeated the adversary in
order to receive the citation.
Broughall, Staff Sgt Geo et al. The 90th on Active
Service or Campaigning in the North West: A Musical and
Dramatic Burlesque in Two Acts. Winnipeg, Canada:
George Bishop, 1885.
Chambers, Capt Ernest J. The 90th Regiment: A
Regimental History of the 90th Regiment Winnipeg
Rifles. Winnipeg, Canada: privately printed,
1906.
“City Rifles Regiment Get Prince Colonel,” Winnipeg
Tribune, 20 May 1950.
3
“Reserve” has now replaced the term militia
in common practice. It refers to the force of part-time,
trained soldiers of the Canadian Forces.
Dunn, Jack. “The Biggest Day Winnipeg Has Ever
Seen: The Northwest Field Force Returns
From the Front.” Manitoba History 43 (spring/
summer 2002): 14-18.
4
A regiment’s colours or emblem are normally
displayed on a flag or banner, and traditionally served as
a rallying point in battle.
Fairbairn, Maj (Rt’d) Alan. Customs and Traditions of
Rifle Regiments. Winnipeg, Manitoba: privately
printed, 1992.
Hartman, James B. “Growth of music in early Winnipeg
to 1920.” Manitoba History 40
(autumn/
winter 2000): 2-13.
The History of Bands in the Canadian Army. Ottawa,
Canada: Directorate of History, Department
of National Defence, 1986.
Kopstein, Jack and Ian Pearson. The Heritage of
Canadian Military Music. St. Catharines,
Canada: Vanwell Publishing Ltd, 2002.
Seventy-Fifth Anniversary: Royal Winnipeg Rifles 18831958. Winnipeg, Canada: privately printed,
1958.
Tascona, Bruce and Eric Wells. Little Black Devils: A
history of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. Winnipeg,
Canada: Frye Publishing, 1983.
Walton, Sergeant-Major Jack. Interview with author.
Winnipeg, Canada, 8 January 2008.
The Winnipeg Rifles, 8th Battalion C.E.F.: Fiftieth Anniversary,
1883-1933. Winnipeg, Canada: privately printed,
1933.
31
Endings and Beginnings
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Army Cadet Corps held
“Presented to Major General Dennis Tabbernor,
its Annual Ceremonial Review on Sunday June 12,
CMM, MSM, CD as an honorary Royal Winnipeg Rifles
2011. The Reviewing Officer for this event was Major Army Cadet – June 12, 2011”. General Dennis C Tabbernor, CMM, MSM, CD. What made this an especially exciting privilege
was that this day would be the last official duty in
uniform for MGen Tabbernor. MGen Tabbernor began his career in the military in
1967 with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Regiment. So to
conclude his lengthy and distinguished career some
44 years later in the grassroots from whence he came
seemed rather fitting.
In honor of his support for the unit over the years,
with his permission we created a new award for
orienteering in his name. It will be presented to
two cadets each year for their skill and ability in
When all the awards and presentations had been
orienteering activities throughout the training
made, we surprised him with our gift by having
year. One of the cadets will be a first year cadet,
our own RSM, Cadet Chief Warrant Officer Artem
and the other will be selected from all cadets who
Denysenko, come forward to present the General
have been enrolled for at least one year. The first
recipients of the award were cadet Couture, and C/ with his “new uniform”. CWO Denysenko.
I have to say that MGen Tabbernor appeared
genuinely surprised and delighted. He came forward
Once we decided on a way to commemorate his
support of our unit, we still wanted to celebrate the with a huge smile on his face, and even brought it
right out onto the parade square so the cadets could
momentous event of his returning to his home to
finish what he started. The big challenge was how see it close up. For us, it was an incredible honor
to recognize such an important moment in a manner to have found that special gift that clearly meant a
great deal to him.
befitting the occasion. The idea actually began with a suggestion from his Congratulations Sir, on a long and distinguished
career. We wish you safe travels as you embark
RSM, CWO Kent Griffiths. He suggested we make
him an honorary army cadet because he didn’t know on new adventures. All we ask is that you keep us
in mind as the training program winds down each
about cadets when he was young and wished that
he’d had the opportunity to be a cadet. This seemed year. Remember, your name is on one of our awards
particularly appropriate given his final position as now, so you’ll always have a place of honor at our
ACR, and be invited to present it to the winning
Chief of Reserves and Cadets.
recipients each year. Well we ran with the idea and gathered together
Captain Debbie Middleton
a tunic and shirt, badges, a cap badge and collar
dogs, and even a nametag and undress ribbon for 3
cadet medals. We put it all together and mounted
it in a frame with a plaque inscribed with the words
32
Making Memories
As usual, another
training year seemed
to fly by in record time.
It seems as though
we no sooner hit the
ground running in
September, and we
find ourselves putting
the last touches on
the final parade in
June before we know
it. Each year I look
back at the things we
accomplished, and it
amazes me how it all
somehow always gets done.
But it occurred to me recently that I often look
back at just the logistics of what we accomplish,
and forget what it’s really all about. Why we do
all of this in the first place.
To illustrate my point, I’d like to talk about the
span of one particular cadets career with the
Royal Winnipeg Rifles. That cadet is Cadet Chief
Warrant Officer Artem Denysenko. Currently,
he is the Regimental Sergeant Major of our unit.
But if you met him when he first joined the unit
over 4 years ago when he was just 12 years old,
you never would have guessed he was the same
person.
When he first joined the unit, he had just come
to Canada within the last year, and was still
learning English. He barely spoke that whole
first year. And as the years passed, and he
progressed through the program, slowly but
surely developing his knowledge and abilities,
he began to transform. Almost imperceptibly,
he began to come out of his shell and take
hold of the responsibilities we gave him. His
confidence grew before our eyes, and before we
knew it, he was ready to be in charge.
In fact, for the annual ceremonial review this
year, C/CWO Denysenko developed his own
33
precision rifle drill routine, oversaw the entire
training for the drill team, and presented an
amazing 12 minute routine at the parade. Keep
in mind that most of the members of his drill
team were first year cadets who had to learn
all of the foot and rifle drill movements from
scratch, some of which aren’t normally taught
until the third or fourth year of the cadet
program.
This summer, C/CWO Denysenko was selected
from all of the army cadets in western Canada
to be one of only 5 senior staff cadets at
Vernon Army Cadet Summer Training Centre
(VACSTC). The position is akin to a Company
Sergeant Major (CSM), but the official title
is Group Sergeant Major (GSM) because the
Company’s are now called Training Groups. So
for the summer of 2011, he was the GSM of Echo
Training Group at VACSTC.
The course cadets in this training group were
there for either 3 or 6 weeks to participate in
expedition training programs. Staff cadets are
senior cadets who have completed the senior
courses already and are trained instructors
at their home unit. They are hired for the
summer to assist with the training of the
various programs the course cadets participate
in. Regardless of their rank at their home unit,
they come to the training centre one week
earlier than the rest of the cadets to be assessed
on their leadership and instructional abilities.
Based on that training, cadets will be given
paid positions for the summer as a MCpl, Sgt,
WO, or MWO. Among the staff cadets, there are
only 5 MWO’s at VACSTC, and these are usually
preselected before the summer based on their
performance at summer training in previous
years. Artem Denysenko was one of these five
young people.
34
Granted, the cadet program can’t take all the
credit for this young man and all that he has
and will accomplish. Most certainly, the other
influences in his life, both at home and at
school, have also helped to shape the person he
has become. But as I look back on the years that
I have known him, and I think of other young
people who have similarly grown into confident
young adults, I have to believe that what we do
in the cadet program is making a difference.
C/CWO Denysenko has been awarded three
medals: the Lord Strathcona Trust Fund Medal,
the Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of
Excellence and the Army Cadet Long Service
Medal.
At 17 years of age, C/CWO Denysenko was very
recently sworn in as a medic with 17 Medical
Company Currently in grade twelve, his long
term goal is to study to be a medical doctor.
Cadet Medals
As mentioned in the article on Cadet/ Chief
Warrant Officer Artem Denysenko, he has been
awarded three Cadet Medals:
the Lord Strathcona Trust Fund Medal;
g) be regarded by peers and supervisors as
exemplifying the model cadet.
The earliest known medal awarded was in 1921,
but almost certainly there could be earlier
awards.
Royal Canadian Legion Cadet
Medal of Excellence
the Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of
Excellence; and
The Royal Canadian Legion Cadet
Medal of Excellence recognizes
individual endeavors of a
citizenship nature which meet or
enhance the aims and objectives of
the cadet organizations.
the Army Cadet Long Service Medal.
The Lord Strathcona Trust Fund
Medal,
The Lord Strathcona Trust Fund Medal
is the highest award which can be
A Cadet must have annually
bestowed on a Royal Canadian Army
completed the following milestones in each of
Cadet in recognition of exemplary
three years of cadet training:
performance in physical and military
1. meet all requirements of the corps/
training. Lord Strathcona’s objectives in
squadron LHQ annual mandatory, support,
establishing his endowment were to:
and optional training program;
1. encourage the improvement of the physical and
intellectual capabilities of cadets; and
2. foster patriotism in cadets through the
acquisition of a good knowledge of military
matters.
To be eligible for consideration, an Anny Cadet
must:
a) possess a wide variety of training and experience
as a cadet over a period of not less than three years;
2. participated in a minimum of three
community service events, in addition to
those supported by the cadet unit through
its LHQ program;
3. regarded by peers and superiors as
exemplifying the model cadet; and
4. enhanced the cadet unit through various
leadership tasks.
The medals are presented by individual Legion
Branches who sponsor or support the individual
Corps. b) be qualified to a superior level of physical fitness:
Army Cadet Long Service Medal
c) have attended at least one summer training
course of six weeks duration
The Army Cadet League of Canada
recognizes continuous meritorious
cadet service of at least five years
by deserving Army Cadets. The
effective date of this award was 1
Jan 2004 in celebration of the 125
the year of the Royal Canadian Army
Cadets (RCAC).
d) have qualified with distinction to a training level
not below silver star
e) have met all requirements of their unit’s
mandatory LHQ training program and attended at
least 75% of the scheduled training parades in the
year of nomination;
f) have met all requirements of their unit’s
optional/support LHQ training program and
participated in at least 50% of the scheduled
activities in the year of nomination; and
The Editor
35
Cadet Camp Public Relations Officer
Two years ago, the summer of 2010, I took military
leave to work as a platoon commander at a summer
training centre for cadets and I had the time of my
life.
had photos of every activity, and of every platoon
throughout the summer. A momentous task given
the number of courses offered at the training centre,
and the number of platoons in each course. When I made the decision to go, I was firm in my
conviction that this would only be a one time thing,
and that I was going for the experience. I had no
idea how much the place grew on me, because last
summer I found myself kind of missing the place.
There was expedition training that included mountain
biking, canoeing, hiking and abseiling. Other
training included marksmanship, drill, first aid,
confidence course, sports and fitness, band, and
a host of recreational activities. There was always
something to take pictures of.
My two passions in life are working with cadets
and photography. I’ve had a camera in
my hands for as long as I can remember,
as can be confirmed by anyone who knows
me. Cadets were also a big part of my youth
and I credit a big part of my successes in life
to what I learned in the cadet program. So
when they offered me the position of camp
photographer, I absolutely had to go. I
would get to run around all summer taking
picture of all the cool stuff the cadets would
be doing, and they were going to pay me to
do it!! I couldn’t believe it! Actually, my official title was Unit Public
Relations Officer, and my job did involve
a great deal more than just running
around taking pictures. I was one of two
photographers assigned to the camp. Wayne
Emde was the other photographer at the
camp and he was a fantastic mentor to
work for. He was a journalism teacher for
over 20 years before he retired, and has
been the photographer at Vernon Army
Cadet Summer Training Centre (VACSTC)
for an amazing 29 years! He was actually a
photographer when I was there as a cadet more than Depending on the day, I could be hanging from a rock
25 years ago.
face taking pictures of cadets abseiling down the
cliff, crawling around in the dirt shooting cadets on
Eager to learn and do what I love most, we hit the the confidence course, paddling around in a canoe,
ground running. We had a daily calendar outlining or trying to catch an action shot of them on their
what every platoon was doing every day all summer, mountain bikes.
and we planned our days around making sure we
36
Funny story about that… One day while I was shooting
cadets biking off a jump on the trail, I started thinking
that they were having way too much fun and that I
had to give it a try. So I handed my camera to one of
the cadets, grabbed a bike and helmet and took off
up the hill to give it a shot. I admit I was somewhat
of a tomboy as a kid, but I haven’t done anything
like that in at least
20 years. Not sure
what came over me
but I gotta tell you, it
was such a rush!! In
fact, it was so much
fun I did it two more
times! I was on an
adrenaline rush with
a great big grin on
my face for the rest
of the day. However,
my little stunt riding
wasn’t viewed quite
the same by Wayne
and the commanding
officer
of
the
amp. Apparently, my
job was to OBSERVE
AND
REPORT,
NOT DO! Granted,
it was more of a
finger
wagging
condemnation
and not a formal
discipline, but for the
rest of the summer,
every time it came
up, they would just smirk and roll their eyes in
frustration. Between you, me, and the lamppost, I
don’t regret it for a second. Not sure if I’d be foolish
enough to do it again, but man was it a rush!!
to “Training Centers”, “Vernon ACSTC”, and “2011
Photo Album”. The album is organized by date and
this year there are almost 1800 pictures downloaded
to the site, with the vast majority of them coming
from Wayne and I.
Enjoy. As for me, I had the time of my life.
So if you want to see some of the many pictures
I took this summer, or you want to see what army
cadets do, then visit the website armycadethistory.
com. This website has an amazing collection of
photos of all aspects of the army cadet program
going back almost a century. You can see many of
the pictures I took this summer on the site by going
37
Debbie commenced her
association with cadets
at age 9 as a Navy League
Wrenette, moving to sea
Cadets at 12. Seeing the
light she joined the Army
Cadets. After ten years
in the cadets, Debbie
“aged” out of cadets
having achieved the rank
of Cadet/Captain in the
Winnipeg Grenadiers. As Cadets was a big part of
her life as a youth, when
Debbie reached a point in
her life in 2004 where there was some time available, it
was back serving to help make a difference. Time to give
back. In 2009 Debbie made the decision to go to Vernon as a
platoon commander. It had been literally 25 years since
she was last at the camp as a Staff Cadet in 1984. To return
so many years later was really going to be an experience.
The job of platoon commander at a cadet summer training
centre is incredibly demanding, normally done by young
early twenties officers. At an older (but undisclosed) age,
Debbie was a bit of an enigma!
She said: “I went there with the goals of getting some
exercise, learning from my experiences and just having
fun working so closely with the cadets. I accomplished
that and so much more. I was a platoon commander with
the expedition cadets and spent the summer mountain
biking, hiking, camping, and doing a whole host of
activities with the cadets. It was incredibly hard work,
but I loved it. I will treasure the memories of that summer
always”.
At the end of the summer Debbie was awarded the Vernon
Army Cadet Summer Training Centre Junior Officer’s
Sword of Excellence. The criteria: “to recognize the hard
work, professionalism and dedication required by the
junior officers in the line companies”. The award was
established in 2003 by former Commanding Officer HCol
David Kinloch and is presented annually by his widow.
Debbie states” when I went to Vernon Cadet Camp in
2009, I was adamant that it was a one-time thing and that
I was going for the experience. I knew that in order to
effectively lead cadets at the LHQ, I really needed to get
the experiences of a platoon commander at a summer
training centre. And I really meant it that I was only
going to go once”. Well, she missed the challenge and
went back the next summer as the Public affairs Officer!
Debbie has worked for the Federal Government in different
departments since 1989, and since 2005 is a Senior Officer
Trade Compliance for Canada Border Services Agency.
Married to Rick (a former MCpl in the Regiment) for
twenty –three years, they have two children: Sandra 21
and Ryan 18. Both were Rifles cadets. Ryan is now serving
in the unit. Sandra is to be married to a former Rifle
cadet, so you can see how the Regiment is really a family
affair with the Middleton’s
A proud wife and parent, Debbie says “we have always
tried to stay active with hiking, biking, camping and
various sports activities. Raising our children was a big
focus in our lives for many years. We wanted to give
them active lives and enjoyed traveling across Canada
with them to give them experiences they will remember
always. We have been rewarded for our efforts because
they are both confident young adults now who are doing
well in university”.
We bid Adieu, but not goodbye to Captain Debbie
Middleton. The Regiment will not forget her many years
of devoted service and commitment to the development
of Canadian youth. Debbie said she is “a Rifleman at
heart”. I believe her.
The Editor
38
Regimental Kit Shop
Our Kit Shop has been part of the Rifles for a
long time. It was established with the intent of
helping soldiers obtain nice-to-have kit items and
regimental accoutrements not ordinarily available
to them through the supplies system, and that
remains true to this day. Throughout its history,
the Kit Shop has been supported by the soldiers, the
RWR Association and the Regimental Senate.
With the aid of the former and current
Commanding Officer and the transfer of the
PPLCI Kit Shop to Shilo, our Kit Shop has been
transformed into the provider of regimental
merchandise to all of Winnipeg. Recently, we have
brought in the Cameron Kit Shop as a partner in
supporting the soldiers of both units within Minto
Armouries, with the vision of supporting all units in
the Minto Armouries.
We carry t-shirts, golf shirts, hoodies, baseball
caps, mugs, watches, wine glasses, tumblers, unit
cap badges, collar dogs, pins, camp flags, and pens,
all bearing the regimental crest. We are also the
point of sale for the regimental book. All shop
items are sold to soldiers at a minimal profit. For
the most part, this money is used to buy inventory
and provide gifts for various causes benefiting the
soldiers.
Currently we are waiting to go online with the new
regimental website. This will increase our sales and
our ability to expand. In addition, it will give our
regiment international exposure. We are always
open to new ideas for expansion or any items that
may better serve the regiment. We are located in
room 149 of the Minto Armouries, 969 St. Mathew’s
Avenue in Winnipeg. We are open Tuesday evenings
from 19:30 to 21:30.
Singh
Shorts
Sweatpants
T-Shirts
Black or Green Golf Shirts
Wrist Watch
Flask
39
Minto Kit Shop
Item
Baseball Cap RWR
Belt , Nylon Rigger
Belt Buckle RWR
Belt, Nylon Black
Berets
Binder, Mini
Blanket Fleece
Blazer Crest, Regimental RWR
Book, Name by the Enemy RWR
Boot Bands
Bottle Opener RWR
Broach, Large RWR
Broach, Medium RWR
Buttons, Black, Med RWR
Cap Badge, 1890 Replica RWR
Cap Badge, NCM RWR
(Regimental family $6)
Cap Badge, Officer RWR
Cap Badge, Silver colour
(Regimental family $6)
CD RWR
Price
15.00
15.00
3.50
3.00
22.00
28.50
30.00
20.00
40.00
2.00
3.00
28.50
20.50
1.00
11.00
N/A
25.00
8.00
Coin, RWR
10.00
8.00
Coin, Numbered (Serving RWR)
Coin, Silver with case RWR
Collar Dog, NCM ( Pair) RWR
Collar Dog, Officer (each) RWR
Compass and Strap, E&E
Decal, Inside RWR
Decal, outside RWR
Drill Cane
Emblazon Blazer RWR
First Aid Kit, Pocket
Flag Battle RWR
6.00
70.75
14.00
50.00
3.50
4.00
4.00
60.00
4.50
4.00
45.00
(Regimental family $6.00)
Item
Flag Velcro, Combat
Flag Velcro, Garrison
N/A
N/A
30.00
Flask, RWR
(Regimental family 25.00)
FMP Buckle
FMP combat #3
FMP Cover, Black
FMP Cover, Cadpat
FMP Cover, OD
FMP Refills
Gear Girdle, Large
Gear Girdle, Med
Glass Wine RWR
Golf Shirt, Black RWR
(Regimental family $ 25.00)
13.75
13.75
18.25
12.00
7.00
52.50
49.00
5.00
35.00
Golf Shirt, Green RWR
Head Cover
Hoody, Black RWR
Ice Bucket RWR
Jacket Squeeze Me
Jr. General's Kit
Jr. General's Kit, mini
Junior General Kit, Combat
Key Fobbs RWR
Knife Folding, Metal Handle
Knife Folding, Plastic Handle
Knife Pouch
License Plate RWR
Mirrors, Pocket
Mitts, Fleece
Mug Beer (Stein) - RWR
Mug Coffee, Plastic, White RWR
NBC Pant, Brit
149-969 St. Matthews Ave Winnipeg MB R3G 0J7
40
Price
35.00
4.50
43.00
80.00
148.25
43.50
26.25
37.75
5.75
24.00
10.25
4.00
5.00
7.00
7.00
10.00
8.00
11.50
Reallittleblackdevil@gmail
.com
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Foundation
I am pleased to report that formal application has been made to the Canada Revenue Agency to nationally
incorporate The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Foundation. We believe that our application will be found
acceptable after the review by Canada Revenue Agency.
The initial Directors will be:
LCol. John Robbins – Chair
LGen. (Ret’d) Ray Crabbe – Director
LCol. Tim McManus – Director
MGen. (Ret’d) Tabbernor – Director
HLCol. Robert Vandewater – Treasurer
We expect that there will be a number of “arms-length” trustees elected or appointed sometime in 2012
in order to preserve both the fact and appearance of objectivity in the approval of any grants made to the
Regiment. The rules surrounding the operation of a foundation are very strict and you may be assured we
will make every effort to conform to all of CRA’s guidelines. Once completed and accepted, material will be
distributed to the members of the Foundation Board and to the Senate. I would like to extend my profound
thanks to Don MacDonald, Senior Legal Counsel to IG Management for his careful assistance in completing
our application.
When all of the approvals are in place, our next task will be to organize the raising of capital and to start
the investment proceeds to help fund future Regimental priorities. All the Regimental family will be asked
to contribute to the Foundation so that we may ensure the preservation of our Regiment.
Funds which are currently held within the Association will remain within the Association but we do
look forward to some support in the future from its membership. When all of the formalities have been
completed, I will be preparing a fundraising program which I hope will remain in place for many years to
come.
Respectfully submitted,
HLCol. Bob Vandewater
41
Regimental Standing Orders
When I joined The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, I had a
limited view of what the Regiment and the Canadian
Forces was all about; being a bandsman and having
volunteered for a year before signing my life and
soul away, I saw the one side that bandsmen are most
involved in – ceremony. So, to me, the military was
parades, uniforms, drill, bands, tattoos and mess
dinners. What I didn’t see, but was about to, was what
the military is really all about – the field – digging
trenches, section attacks, ranges, making beds, powerpoint presentations and more field.
While these two sides of the military are remarkably
different in their context and execution, I draw a
parallel between the two for a reason; very soon after
joining, I realised that the organized chaos that often
presents itself in the field also comes into play during
the ceremonial occasions we participate in, although
admittedly to a much lesser degree!
It’s often been said that no other organization
does pomp and ceremony like the army, and in my
experience, that is certainly true; we can inspire pride
and patriotism, and draw tears and emotions that few
others can without vocalizing it, often all at the same
time. Our reward is the appreciation the Canadian
public shows when we do any of the wide range of
public duties we perform. This realization that the
military has a responsibility to its public to not only
protect them, but also entertain, made me further
realize how important both are in the right time and
place.
Through my basic military qualification (BMQ) course,
I was taught the founding principal to everything in
the military – uniformity. Uniformity is a part of our
everyday military life and a part of everything we do.
The military teaches us everything the way it needs
to be taught from the military’s perspective, from
BMQ to driving to trade courses, even minutia such as
driving a skidoo or most recently, developing a course
to draw ammunition. We conduct exercises, classes,
training, parades, everything to an exacting standard
that has evolved over centuries but maintains the
founding principal – uniformity. As I learned this
principal and how it applied to what we do, I started
noticing the discrepancies.
So what does all this mean? How does it relate to the
Regimental Standing Orders (RSOs)? The standing
42
orders are all about uniformity, in all aspects of the
Regiment besides field training. I distinctly remember
the moment when the seed was planted in my mind
for what became the RSOs. Some officers from the
Regiment came into the bands preparation room at
the end of playing my first Fish Creek Dinner. I was
introduced to two or three officers from the Regiment,
and as they talked with whomever had introduced us,
I looked at their uniforms, and noticed some of the
discrepancies that had plagued me since the start of
my BMQ; each of the three officers had different style
collar dogs and they were in different locations on
the collars of their mess jackets. As I looked closer, I
noticed more things; different shirt studs, a different
number of buttons on the vest and other. When the
officers moved on to talk to others, I asked someone
– if the military is so insistent on uniformity, why are
there such differences in their uniforms? After all, the
band was wearing their dress uniforms, and besides
height and body types, we were identical. Was there
nothing in place to show placement of collar dogs?
Isn’t there a standard pattern for uniforms? These
questions tied into other questions I had during my
BMQ – why is one section learning drill differently
than us, then all of us getting in trouble for not doing it
right during the Course Warrant’s drill session? Why
are we constantly told one thing by an instructor, and
told that it’s wrong by another? I didn’t get an answer
that night to the mess dress question, but it quickly
turned into a personal mission to find out why.
Relating to the age-old axiom “if I knew then what
I know now…” I would have known the answer and
probably wouldn’t have pursued it. As I continued to
answer the question, and found no easy answers – and
in fact only developed more questions – I took matters
in my own hands and started to write.
Fourteen years later, all my efforts have come to
fruition. The RSOs, although not completed, are
available to all Riflemen to use as a resource for all
Regimental matters. I have spent 14 years, on and
off, writing, re-writing, formatting, researching, rewriting again and again in my spare time to develop
a “one stop shopping” document to the burning
questions that aren’t discussed often (even less when
one takes into account the tactical grouping). Why
do we wear cross belts in a Rifle Regiment? Why does
the band wear busbies? Why do we stand at attention
when “Old Solomon Levi” is played? Where did the
practice of coining come from? Or Last Post/Reveille?
Why do we march faster than other Regiments? These
questions, and many more, are answered and detailed
in the RSOs, resulting in a single document for the
Regiment to refer to and not rely on memory and
opinion, which are both unreliable and fading. With
the tactical grouping, it is more important than ever
to record what is unique to The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
as we are less able to promote our unique distinctions
as often as we have in the past. Realistically, we will
only perform a fully Regimental parade on change
of an Honorary Colonel, which only comes around
every five or six years. Chapters included cover
Regimental structure and organizations involved in
the Regimental Family, Regimental Dress and Drill,
and touches on history and honours bestowed upon
the Regiment. As much as the RSOs are Regimental
in nature, an extensive section is included detailing
service benefits and throughout the manual there are
various references to the Canadian Forces in general
to aid Riflemen. Of course there was no way for me
to know that the tactical grouping would become
a reality 14 years ago, but it does not change the
purpose, scope or need for the RSOs.
I have no doubt made myself a thorn in many peoples
sides over the years – I have asked everyone and
their dog that has spent any considerable time in the
Regiment for help and advice, to read through and
edit the many versions this manual has gone through,
and sent many emails asking questions that are not
easy to answer. And while everyone I’ve ever asked
has been as accommodating as they could be, at the
end of the day, the RSOs are my creation and a huge
investment on my part. I have not done it for glory or
recognition, and most certainly not to “brown-nose”;
I did it because it had to be done, and my love for the
Rifles and all Riflemen. As Major-General Tabbernor
once said to me when I made a facetious comment – it
is a labour of love.
I have no illusions that all Riflemen past and present
will read the RSOs cover to cover, as much as I may
like it to happen, but I am confident that as word
spreads, Riflemen will read sections that interest
them, or read through the drill chapter before an
important parade to “get in the zone”, or look up
where and how the collar dogs are placed on DEUs.
Seeing everyone dressed properly, and knowing in
some part I contributed to that success, will be my
reward. Hearing the Regimental songs sung or asking
a private to name the Honorary Colonel or the first
Commanding Officer will prove to me that my efforts
were not in vain.
As proud as I am of what I have accomplished and
knowing the benefit it will be to The Royal Winnipeg
Rifles, my work is far from over; you may notice that
there are sections missing, most notably the entire
chapter on Regimental Dress. I had always said I
would not release the RSOs until they were completely
finished, but as Regimental dress is the single most
controversial Regimental subject, completing that
chapter is a work in progress, but I am confident it will
be ready within a year or so, with small amendments
made for years to come. After much debate, I agreed
to release the RSOs early due to concerns of our fading
Regimental identity. While we are all proud to be
Rifleman and strive to preserve our traditions with a
steely grip, the operational tempo and watering down
of many traditions due to the tactical grouping gives
us less opportunity to practice those traditions, and
the knowledge base of actively serving people that are
familiar with them is dwindling.
I challenge you all as Riflemen to read the RSOs. Learn
about your Regiment. You owe it to yourselves and
the Regiment as Riflemen. Being Western Canada’s
oldest Infantry Regiment is no small feat. There is
much to be proud of in our 128-year history. I am not
ashamed to admit that as I wrote this paragraph, I
am moved and close to tears of pride and love for my
Regiment, and the feeling reminds me of why I wrote
the RSOs in the first place - for you. I hope that the
Regimental Standing Orders revive that same pride
for all Riflemen, and that you all get as much out of
them as I got putting into them.
Once a Rifleman, always a Rifleman!
Sergeant Jeff Beaudry, CD
Hosti Acie Nominati
Sgt Beaudry joined The Royal Winnipeg Rifles in 1997.
He has one Operational tour with ISAF HQ in Kabul
Afghanistan. Sgt Beaudry is currently employed
as Chief Clerk with the Winnipeg Infantry Tactical
Grouping in addition to his bandsman duties.
43
WANTED
Do you have:
• Minutes from old Advisory Board
meetings?
• Minutes from old RWRA Meetings?
• Programmes from Regimental
parades?
• Menus from Regimental dinners?
• Old photos of Regimental activities?
• Any documents relating to the
Regiment?
Your Regiment wants them for its Museum
and Regimental Archives.
Please call Gerry Woodman at (204) 8952588 or (204) 771-4899 or email him at
[email protected] to discuss what you
have and to make arrangements to send it
in.
Support the future of the Regiment by
preserving its past!
Regimental Museum
The Museum has had a very busy first half of 2011.We
went to two outreach event in May: Royal Canadian
Legion Decoration Day Parade at the Brookside and
Winnipeg School Division (R.R.R.H.F.)Red River
Regional Heritage Fair held at The U of W Duckworth
Centre. We also had School, Cub Scout, Cadets and
Family Museum Tours.
The Museum has purchased several mannequins
and we are switching out the older ones with the
new modern mannequins. This process takes two
evenings to finish each mannequin.
This year The Regimental Museum and Regimental
Association got together and worked on the
continuing project to purchase and install plaques
to honour the three V.C. Winners of Pine Street now
Valour Road:
Serjeant-Major William Frederick Hall, V.C.
Lieutenant Robert Shankland, V.C., D.C.M. and;
Corporal Leo Clark, V.C.
The plaques will placed at a commemorative plaza
located on the corner of Valour Road and Sergeant
Avenue it is hoped this will happen this year. See
article elsewhere in this issue of the Blast.
The Museum has several upcoming events: Camp
Hughes Heritage Day, a First World War training
camp near Camp Shilo in October and the The
Manitoba Social Sciences Teachers Association.
Gerry Woodman
President
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Museum
44
Fish Creek Dinner 2011
For the past 12 years I have regularly attended the
Fish Creek Dinner, celebrating the first combat
action that the 90th Rifles were engaged in. Since
joining the Regiment in 1999, I have continued to
learn of its history, heritage and the events that
have shaped this Regiment. Each year, the Fish
Creek Dinner gives our Officers and senior NCOs the
opportunity to remember our beginnings during
the formation of our country as well as the venue to
bond as a regimental family.
This year I was very pleasantly surprised to attend a
dinner that far surpassed those that I had attended in
the past. From the formal invitations that proceeded
the dinner itself, it seemed obvious that this year was
going to be special and I was not to be disappointed.
Upon entry to the dinner venue at the Park West, we
were immediately treated to a display of regimental
artifacts, a sherry bar and an exquisitely appointed
dining room. As the guests arrived for the dinner, a
buzz of approval could be felt in the air as positive
comments were heard from everyone; there was
little doubt in anyone’s mind that this was going to
be different from dinners of our recent memories.
After a few welcoming remarks, announcements
of regimental importance and introductions of our
guests, the head table was marched in; we were
seated and ready for dinner. As dinner was served,
we were again pleasantly surprised. With each course
was the quality of the food became evident, each
dish was served hot and tasted delicious. This dinner
did not turn out to be another of the usual suspects,
but a prime rib delight with every course properly
cooked, hot and complimenting the other dishes. A
sorbet was served prior to the main course and even
the desert was an original creation and not “off the
shelf”. Add to all of this the fact that it was held at
a price that beat many of the “normal dinners” that
we were usually subjected to and the dinner was a hit
with everyone.
After dinner,
compliments (and
wine) flowed freely,
camaraderie was
very evident and for
the first time in my
memory, there was
no rush to leave.
Most of the guests
stayed until close to
midnight and many
chose to continue
the evening upstairs
at the local pub after
that.
I would be remiss
not to mention
the cause for such
triumph; Sergeant Jeff Beaudry asked to be tasked
with this event, with the intent of rejuvenating
our annual dinner. Over the years the dinner had
become stale, predictable and unimpressive. He
started with a blank slate, added our regimental
traditions, created formal invitations, ensured great
food, a new venue, included everything into the (low)
price, chose a display of regimental memorabilia
and followed through on every detail to ensure that
the event would be as he envisioned. The result was
unanimous and could be heard in every comment
of every guest, this was the best regimental dinner
in anyone’s memory, and a few of our guests had
attended quite a number.
I look forward to the Fish Creek Dinner in 2012.
Maj Richard Desjardins
OC HQ Coy
45
Annual Regimental Dinner & Dance 2011
Join your fellow Riflemen, past and present, at the Annual Regimental Dinner & Dance in
celebration of the 128th anniversary of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, Western Canada’s oldest
Infantry Regiment, the 5th of November, 2011.
Tickets are $45 per person, but register by 25 October, and receive a 15% discount! Guests are welcome,
and are eligible for to the discount as well, when registered by a serving, retired or associate member, so
register early and save!
The night will include the presentation of the Prince of Wales Trophy, a self-serve buffet, cash bar, door
prizes and a dance after the formal portion of the evening, and of course, interaction with fellow Riflemen
and their guests. In addition to being the Regimental Dinner & Dance, the night will also mark the
Regiment’s Depart with Dignity presentations for Lieutenant-Colonel Tim McManus (Commanding Officer,
2004-2008) and Major-General Dennis Tabbernor (Commanding Officer, 1994-1995). There will be a few
surprises in store as well!
The Dinner & Dance will be held at the Punjab Banquet Hall, 94 Mandalay Drive, with cocktails starting
at 1830 and dinner commencing at 1930. The buffet meal for the night will include butter and tandoori
chicken, roast beef, baked fish, cooked mixed vegetables, roast potatoes, rice, and a variety of salads and
accompaniments. Wine will be provided at the table and is included as part of your registration fee.
Contact Master Corporal Jeff Beaudry by email (preferred) at [email protected], by phone at 7824034, or in person at the Regimental Orderly Room, room 104A Minto Armouries, Monday to Friday 09001600. Remember, register before 25 October and receive a 15% discount per ticket.
Don’t miss out! Register today and celebrate the 128th Anniversary of Western Canada’s
oldest Infantry Regiment.
46
REGIMENTAL CALENDAR NOV 11 TO NOV 12
Note: RWR Association (RWRA) Devil’s Luncheons are held in the quiet room of the St James Legion the last
Tuesday of every month (all are welcome).
Date
Event
Location
Comments
1 Nov 11
The Devils’ Blast published
Regimental HQ
5 Nov 11
Regimental Dinner and Dance
TBC
TBC
6 Nov 11
Regimental Church Parade
Regimental Church
St Johns Cathedral
7 Nov 11
Manitoba Salutes Event
TBC
TBC
9 Nov 11
128 Regimental Birthday
11 Nov 11
RWRA Remembrance Day Service
Vimy Park
1030 for 1100
11 Nov 11
Remembrance Day Services
Minto Armouries
14 Nov 11
63 Birthday HRH The Prince of Wales
23 Nov 12
RWRA Executive Meeting
Minto WO & Sgts’ Mess
TBC
10 Dec 11
Band Visitation
Minto Officers, WO & Sergeants’ Mess
1900
17 Dec 11
Soldiers’ Christmas Dinner
Minto Armouries
Dec 11
R Wpg Rif Cadets Christmas Dinner
Minto Armouries
TBC
1 Jan 12
Regimental Levee
Minto - RV at respective Messes
1130
Feb 12
RWRA Executive Meeting
TBC
24 Mar 12
Regimental Band Concert (TBC)
(TBC)
(TBC)
Apr 12
RWRA Annual General Meeting
(TBC
21 Apr 12
Fish Creek Dinner
Westdale Hotel – Park West Inn
1830 for 1900
Spring 12
Unveiling of Valour Road Plaques
Valour Road Park
TBC
26 May 12
Tactical Group (WITG) Change of Command and
Mess Dinner
TBC
TBC
2 Jun 12
EX SIGNIFICANT SUPPORTERS
TBC
TBC
8 Jun 12
RWRA D-Day Reunion & Smoker
1900
9 Jun 12
RWRA D-Day Service
Vimy Park
1100 hours
Jun 12
D Day Dinner (Garrys, Rifles & Camerons)
TBC
TBC
12 Jun 12
WITG Stand Down Parade
Minto
Subject to change
Jun 12
R Wpg Rif Cadets Annual Inspection
Minto
TBC
Jun 12
RWR Association Executive Meeting
TBC
TBC
Jun/Jul 12
RWRA Golf Tournament
TBC
TBC
Sep 12
WITG Stand To Parade
Minto Armouries
Sep 12
Regimental Family Day
TBC
TBC
Sep 12
RWR Association Executive Meeting
TBC
15 Sep 12
Final submission date – The Devils’ Blast
All
1 Nov 12
The Devils’ Blast published
Regimental HQ
3 Nov 12
Regimental Dinner and Dance
TBC
TBC
4 Nov 12
Regimental Church Parade
Regimental Church
St Johns Cathedral
9 Nov 12
129 Regimental Birthday
11 Nov 12
RWRA Remembrance Day Service
Vimy Park
1030 for 1100
11 Nov 12
Remembrance Day Services
Minto
14 Nov 12
64 Birthday HRH The Prince of Wales
th
Colonel in Chief
rd
th
th
Colonel in Chief
47
CANFORGEN 147/11 VCDS 021/11 151502Z AUG 11
RESTORING THE HISTORIC NAMES OF THE
ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY, THE CANADIAN
ARMY AND THE ROYAL CANADIAN AIR
FORCE.
UNCLASSIFIED
THE CDS IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE
GOVERNMENT IS RESTORING THE HISTORIC NAMES
OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY (RCN), THE
CANADIAN ARMY (CA), AND THE ROYAL CANADIAN
AIR FORCE (RCAF)
The History of Canadian Army Name
Although the term “Canadian Army” had been
used informally for years, the CA was only officially
called by that name from 1940. Before that time,
the militia included full-time regular and part-time
units, and were the land forces acting in Canada’s
defence. The Militia Act of 1855 was an attempt to
professionalize these forces and rely less on British
Regulars for continental defence, although this did
not change significantly until after Confederation in
1867.
In 1914, the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF)
was created and deployed to fight overseas in the
THE INITIATIVE TO RESTORE THE HISTORIC NAMES First World War. In 1917, following its victory at
OF CANADA’S THREE FORMER SERVICES IS AIMED
Vimy Ridge, the Canadian Corps of four divisions
AT RESTORING AN IMPORTANT AND RECOGNIZABLE came to be commanded by a Canadian general,
PART OF CANADA S MILITARY HERITAGE. THESE
Sir Arthur Currie, until it was demobilized upon
WERE THE SERVICES THAT FOUGHT AND EMERGED the cessation of the conflict. In the Second World
VICTORIOUS FROM THE SECOND WORLD WAR AND
War, after Canada had independently declared
KOREA AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEFENCE OF
war in September of 1939, the nation’s land
EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA FROM THE EARLY
forces underwent a significant reorganization,
DAYS OF THE COLD WAR. THESE WERE ALSO THE
culminating in the 1940 titling of the Canadian
SERVICES THAT PAVED THE WAY IN TERMS OF
Army (Overseas), the Canadian Army (Active)
INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS
the Canadian Army (Reserve). Canada again
demobilized its expeditionary force when the war
THE CHANGE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY RENAMING ended, but the Regular Force and Reserve Force
THE THREE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMANDS.
were known as army units until The Canadian
MARITIME COMMAND WILL BE NAMED THE ROYAL Forces Reorganization Act came into effect.
CANADIAN NAVY LAND FORCE COMMAND WILL BE
NAMED THE CANADIAN ARMY AND AIR COMMAND
WILL BE NAMED THE ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE. In February of 1968, Force Mobile Command (FMC)
was stood up and the Canadian Army ceased to
IN THIS WAY WE WILL REGAIN AN IMPORTANT
exist. Although their official title is now Land Force
PART OF OUR COLLECTIVE HERITAGE WITHIN A
Command (LFC), and has been for quite some time,
UNIFIED EFFECTIVE CANADIAN FORCES COMMAND
the “army” has always been the colloquial term
STRUCTURE
referring to Canada’s land forces. The Army was
never given the prefix “Royal” as this honour is
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION WILL BE
bestowed on individual Army units.
PROMULGATED BY YOUR RESPECTIVE CHAINS OF
COMMAND AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE
FOR GREATER CERTAINTY, ALL CURRENT
RESPECTIVE COMMAND ORDERS, RULES,
DIRECTIVES, INSTRUCTIONS OR SIMILAR
INSTRUMENTS REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT
UNTIL AMENDED TO REFLECT THE NAME CHANGE
OF THE COMMAND
48
CANFORGEN 172/11 CDS 025/11 211449Z SEP 11
Chief of Defense Staff’s Primary
Reserve (P RES) Vision
UNCLASSIFIED
THE PURPOSE OF THIS CANFORGEN IS TO CONVEY
MY VISION FOR THE PRIMARY RESERVES (P RES)
MANY TRANSFORMATIONAL AND
RATIONALIZATION ACTIVITIES ARE UNDERWAY
IN DND AND THE CF. AS WE TRANSITION OUR
STRATEGIC COMMITMENTS AND FOCUS ON THE
NEXT CHALLENGES OF TRANSFORMATION AND THE
CANADA FIRST DEFENCE STRATEGY, IT REMAINS
CLEAR THAT A ROBUST AND WELL TRAINED PARTTIME P RES WILL REMAIN KEY TO THE ABILITY
OF THE CF TO MEET THE SECURITY AND DEFENCE
NEEDS OF THE FUTURE.
MY VISION FOR THE PRIMARY RESERVE IS A
FORCE THAT CONSISTS OF PREDOMINATELY PARTTIME PROFESSIONAL CF MEMBERS, LOCATED
THROUGHOUT CANADA, READY WITH REASONABLE
NOTICE TO CONDUCT OR CONTRIBUTE TO
DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
TO SAFEGUARD THE DEFENCE AND SECURITY OF
CANADA. THIS FORCE IS FULLY INTEGRATED INTO
THE CF CHAIN OF COMMAND.
WORK FORCE REQUIREMENTS ARE BEING
REVIEWED ACROSS THE DEFENCE TEAM TO
DETERMINE THE FORCE STRUCTURE NEEDED TO
MEET OUR OPERATIONAL AND INSTITUTIONAL
COMMITMENTS. AS PART OF THIS REVIEW,
ESTABLISHED FULL-TIME P RES POSITIONS WILL
BE ALIGNED TO THE PRIORITIES OF: RESERVE
FORCE GENERATION, SUPPORT TO CF OPERATIONS,
RESERVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND
SUPPORT TO THE CF INSTITUTION. THERE WILL
CONTINUE TO BE SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITIES
FOR P PRES TO SERVE IN CURRENT AND FUTURE CF
OPERATIONS
TO SUPPORT MY VISION, I WILL COMMUNICATE
MORE SPECIFIC GUIDANCE IN THE FUTURE
OUTLINING THE STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENT,
POLICY, MANAGEMENT, AND EMPLOYMENT
PRINCIPLES CONCERNING THE P RES. WE
WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP RELEVANT AND
SUSTAINABLE MISSIONS AND TASKS WHICH
REFLECT THE RESERVE CULTURE IN WHICH THE
MAJORITY OF PRES MEMBERS SERVE PART-TIME
AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE CF. AS A PRIORITY, I
WILL STRIVE TO ALIGN PROGRAMS AND BENEFITS
SO THAT THEY EFFECTIVELY SUPPORT ALL CF
MEMBERS.
SIGNED BY GEN W.J. NATYNCZYK, CDS
RESERVE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OPERATIONS AND
CONNECTIONS WITH CANADIANS ARE CRITICAL
TO THE NATION AND TO THE ENVIRONMENTS
AND COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY SERVE AND
WE MUST ENSURE THAT WE ATTRACT, DEVELOP,
SUPPORT AND RETAIN A READY, CAPABLE,
MOTIVATED AND RELEVANT P RES FORCE AS BOTH
A STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL RESOURCE FOR
CANADA AND THE CF WELL INTO THE FUTURE.
49
Ottawa Pumps Up Military Role In Citizenship Ceremonies
By: Joe Friesen, Globe and Mail, 30 Jun 11
Extracts: The Canadian government is
strengthening the symbolic power of the military
in public life by having a member of the Canadian
Forces play a prominent role in citizenship
ceremonies .
In an operational bulletin issued earlier this year,
the Department of Citizenship and Immigration said
highlighting the service of members of the armed
forces is a way to underline to every new Canadian
the rights and responsibilities that come with
citizenship.
The bulletin, which describes military service as
one of the highest expressions of citizenship, states
that members of the military should be seated on
the main platform with the citizenship judge, that
they can stand in the receiving line congratulating
new citizens and that they may give a two- to threeminute speech. Where possible, the bulletin says the
preference is for veterans of the war in Afghanistan.
The increased prominence of the military at these
ceremonies is in keeping with other gestures
made by Stephen Harper’s government. The
new citizenship handbook, Discover Canada, for
example, which was introduced by Minister Jason
Kenney in 2009, placed much more emphasis on
Canadian military history than the preceding guide.
RCMP officers in red serge have for a long time held
prominent roles at citizenship ceremonies, so the
inclusion of the military is not without parallel.
Major Pete Saunders, a member of the air force
who served overseas in support of the war in
Afghanistan, has participated in four citizenship
ceremonies over the last year. He said he sat on
stage with the citizenship judge, a representative of
the citizenship and immigration ministry, the local
MPP, an RCMP officer and a representative of the
local native band.
50
“What we want to impress upon [the new citizens],
much in the same way as the RCMP officer, is
that we’re here to serve them. We’re not here to
beat them down. We’re not here to cause them
fear,” Major Saunders said. “That’s central to our
message, so they understand that when we go on
operations it’s at the behest of a democratically
elected government and they have a hand in who
that government is.”
Citizenship ceremonies often involve new
Canadians from countries with a history of military
dictatorship. Sending a message that in Canada
the uniform is a symbol that can be trusted is
important, Major Saunders said.
In its operational bulletin, the Department of
Citizenship and Immigration issued instructions
that the military member should be officially
recognized during the ceremony and thanked for
his or her service and dedication to Canada.
The citizenship judge or presiding official is asked
in their opening remarks to say something along
the lines of this sample text from the bulletin: “As a
Canadian citizen, you live in a democratic country
where individual rights and freedoms are respected.
Thousands of brave Canadians have fought and died
for these rights and freedoms. The commitment to
Canada of our men and women in uniform should
never be forgotten or go unrecognized. We thank
them.”
Citizen and Immigration Canada
•
If applicable, they may be seated in a
reserved seating section, and asked to stand
and be recognized by the citizenship judge
or presiding official during their remarks;
•
They may be part of the receiving line,
congratulating new citizens as they come
forward and receive their citizenship
certificates during the ceremony;
•
They may be asked to distribute items to new
citizens such as a Canadian flag or pin; and
•
If appropriate, they may briefly address the
new Canadians with a short 2 to 3 minute
speech.
Operational Bulletin 296 –April 15,
2011
Extracts: Operational instructions related to the
participation of members of the Canadian Forces
and veterans at citizenship ceremonies
Purpose
This Operational Bulletin (OB) provides instructions
regarding the participation of members of the
Canadian Forces (CF) and veterans at citizenship
ceremonies.
Background
A variety of initiatives have been outlined under the
Citizenship Action Plan to make citizenship more
meaningful for new and established Canadians. The
presence of Canada’s role models such as members
of the CF and veterans at ceremonies is one way
to underline the importance of the rights and
responsibilities of citizenship outlined in “Discover
Canada”. The participation of CF members
and veterans at ceremonies exemplifies active
citizenship.
Operational Instructions
The goal is to have a CF member or veteran present
at all citizenship ceremonies, therefore all efforts
should be made to ensure that a CF member or
veteran is in attendance at citizenship ceremonies,
and certainly at all off-site (enhanced) ceremonies,
where a platform party or other special guests are
in attendance.
Link: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/
manuals/bulletins/2011/ob296.asp
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has
been working with the Department of National
Defence and the Department of Veterans Affairs to
outline partnerships for the involvement of active
serving members of the CF, as well as veterans, at
citizenship ceremonies. Preference, when possible,
is for a veteran or serving member who has
completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
CF members and veterans can play a variety of roles
during the citizenship ceremony:
•
If there is a platform party, they should be
part of the platform party, entering and
exiting the ceremony room along with the
citizenship judge or volunteer presiding
official and other guests;
51
Changes To The Canadian Forces Service Pin
The Canadian Forces service pin has been awarded to eligible personnel at the time of their release since
its introduction on Aug. 19, 1985. The CF service pin provides a means by which former members of the CF
may be identified, and by which they are encouraged to continue their observance of the CF military ethos
in civilian life.
All members of the CF who are in possession of the Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) at the time of their
release from either the regular force or the reserve force are eligible to receive a CF service pin. The
eligibility factors and the availability or the CF service pin in three categories remain unchanged:
• Bronze—in receipt of a CD at time of retirement;
• Silver—in receipt of a CD with a first clasp at time of retirement;
and
• Gold—in receipt of a CD with a second and subsequent clasps at time of retirement.
However, when a member component transfers from the regular force to the primary reserve or to the
cadet organizations administration and training service (COATS), or to the Canadian Rangers (CR), the
awarding of the CF service pin only takes place in cases where the member releases from the CF or the
member transfers to the supplementary reserve or to the COATS inactive list. The same rule applies to a
reserve force member on component transfer to the regular force, the COATS or the Rangers.
The introduction of the Depart With Dignity and Quality Of Life initiatives has prompted a review of the
acknowledgement of service package. Alterations have already been made to improve the visual appeal
of the wall mount certificate, and an upgrade to the CF service pin was also considered appropriate, given
that appearance issues such as poor clasps, broken posts, and tarnishing of the finish have been reported.
CF members who are released on or after April 1, 2011, will be awarded the new CF service pin.
For those that would like to receive a new model replacement pin, applications shall be made using the
application form for certificate of service which has been posted on the Legion website, www.legion.ca,
at Service Bureau/Medals Advisor. (Note: This form will be updated in the near future to include the cost
details as replacement pins will not be issued without payment. The personal information in Part 1 is
required in order to confirm entitlement and colour. Once research is completed the pin will be sent to the
member’s home address.)
The replacement fee of $10.00 per pin shall be at the applicant’s expense. The maximum allowable order
per person is two pins at a cost of $10.00 each. A cheque or money order must be made out to The Receiver
General for Canada.
The application form and cheque/money order should be mailed to: Director Military Careers
Administration 4, NDHQ, MGen George R. Pearkes Building, 101 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2.
52
New contemporary design for the CF Service Pin launches in April 2011
newly re-designed CF Service Pin.
Beginning April 1, 2011 CF personnel with the Canadian Decoration
(CD) who are leaving the Forces will be among the first to receive the
The service pin’s update gives it a more contemporary look, and a more hardy construction. The need for
the pin’s redesign was decided following a broader review of the overall acknowledgement of the service
package.
The pin’s fresh look is based on the badge of the CF. The anchor, the crusader’s swords and the eagle
represent the maritime, land and air environments of the Canadian Forces. The word “service” and the
finishes of gold (32 years), silver (22 years) and bronze (12 years), represent the years of honourable
service given as a member. The maple leafs represent service to Canada, and the Crown, service to the
Sovereign. The awarding of service pins has been a tradition since 1985. It serves as a tangible acknowledgement
of the years of hard work and dedication retiring CF members have given to their country. The pin’s
distinctive look also makes it easier for former members to identify themselves when among peers and the
public.
Though the look may have changed for the pin, the eligibility requirements for it have not changed.
Upon their release, retiring members will be eligible for one of three finishes, depending on their level
of CD: bronze (CD), silver (CD1) or gold (CD2). For the complete details of what the eligibility rules are,
members may read the CANFORGEN on the topic, posted at http://vcds.dwan.dnd.ca/vcds-exec/pubs/
canforgen/2011/049-11_e.asp.
Additionally, former members of the CF who hold the older version of the service pin have an opportunity
to replace it with the new design for $10.
The application form for ordering a replacement pin is in the Defence Forms Catalogue online at http://
imgapp.mil.ca/dfc2/ (form 2380).
53
An Unexpected Trip to Gallipoli
25 July 2011
When we decided to go to Turkey last year, I
never even thought that we would be going to
Gallipoli as part of our tour. When we arrived in
Istanbul and met out traveling companions for
the next 16 days is was rather obvious as out of
the 40 people on the bus, 32 of them were Aussies.
the whole campaign. While the ANZAC troops
did make some headway the first day they met
strong Turkish resistance and were ordered
to dig in and hold the heights. On 6 May they
were ordered to attack over open ground. With
intense accurate fire from the Turkish lines, they
suffered terrible casualties, over 1000 Australians
and New Zealanders were killed or wounded
that day. On May 19 the Turks counter
attacked, after six hours of attacking
the ANZAC lines they suffered over
10,000 casualties, with over 3,000 lying
dead between the lines. The ANZAC
lost 160 dead and 468 wounded. The
Turkish dead lay in the sun until 24
May, when a truce was arranged to
permit burial of the dead.
Another attack was mounted in August,
this also did not go well, Attacking
through heavy brush and deep valleys,
some units got completely lost and
most of the planned attacks were put
in late and with no support. They did
make it to the summit, but were later
driven off by Turkish counter attacks.
Gallipoli is to Australians what Vimy
Ridge is to Canadians.
We didn’t get to Gallipoli until the
last few days of our tour.
The first look at the beach where the
ANZAC troops landed in Apr 1915
was a shocker. First off they were
put ashore about three miles from
their intended landing beach. The
beach itself is about ten yards wide,
very rocky and a small strip of sand.
Directly in front of the landing area
is about 500 yards of shrub and then
it is straight up hill to what was
to be their objective. It is not hard
to imagine what went so wrong in
54
After this attack the ANZAC were replaced by
British troops. There were no more further
major attacks at Gallipoli. In November as winter
arrived, there were men who froze at their post
and 16,000 men suffering from frostbite and
exposure had to be evacuated.
It was decided that the campaign could not meet
its objectives and the British and Dominion
Forces should withdraw. Fearing great casualties
during their withdrawal, elaborate precautions
were taken to deceive the Turks into thinking
nothing unusual was happening. During this
operation between 8th and 20th December 1915,
90,000 men were evacuated and on 8th and 9th
January a similar evacuation was also carried
out. Only a handful of casualties were suffered.
other battles around the peninsula, but we only
visited this one area.
We also visited the Lone Pine Cemetery where
over 2000 Australians and New Zealanders are
buried.
The battle of Gallipoli lasted approx. 9 months.
Total allied casualties were very heavy. No one
can tell for sure what the exact figures were. The
accepted ones are 260,000 in total for the allies.
Of these 46,000 were killed in action or died of
wounds or disease.
The Turkish casualties were approx. 218,000
with around 66,000 dead.
By the way the whole trip in Turkey was
wonderful.
This was the end of the Gallipoli Campaign. Bob Geddes
Where we visited is only a small part of the
entire operation at Gallipoli, there were many
55
US National World War II Museum New Orleans, LA
I was fortunate to visit New Orleans in Feb 2010, to view the US National World War II Museum (formally the
National D-Day Museum). http://www.nationalww2museum.org/
The website has a lot of links including the Canadian War Museum.
Interestingly the National Museum of the Pacific War is located in Fredericksburg, Texas which is Admiral
Nimitz’s birth place. Excellent museum which includes a PT Boat, a Japanese midget sub from the Pearl Harbour
attack. http://www.pacificwarmuseum.org/Index.asp
The founder of the museum was Stephen E. Ambrose, Ph.D., 1936 – 2002, the author of the bestseller Band of
Brothers and Executive Producer of the HBO miniseries. Dr. Ambrose’s numerous other bestsellers include: Ike,
D-Day and Citizen Soldiers. He served as a historical consultant for the film Saving Private Ryan.
Dr. Ambrose dreamt of
a museum that reflected
his deep regard for the US
citizen soldiers, the workers
on the Home Front and the
sacrifices and hardships they
endured to achieve victory.
The museum commenced
operations as The National
D-Day Museum opening
appropriately on June 6,
2000. On September 25, 2003,
the United States Congress
awarded the Museum the
designation of “America’s
National World War II
Museum.”
Photo, of the plaque on the ramp of a Higgins Boat, states why the WWII Museum is in New Orleans.
56
The US National WWII Museum features:
the many and varied exhibits, displays of the galleries;
Solomon Victory Theater (named after the Solomon Islands Pacific theatre of operations);
the Stage Door
Canteen (Hollywood
movie stars
volunteered at
these facilities in
WWII) and;
the American Sector
restaurant and bar
(representing the
abundance of good
food and drink of
the US).
57
The Museum, of course, tells the American story of WWII, and
touches some on the Allies. The attached photo of the Gold Sector of
Juno Beach display quotes Rfn Bennett of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
experiences as recounted in Stephen Ambrose’s book.
The main galleries: War Origins and Home Front, Pacific D-Days,
Normandy D-Day, and the main floor. Fees are for the Museum, the
Stage Door Canteen and the 4-D film are: Military in uniform, $8;
Military with ID, $12; Adults $23. Like other places in the US, family
members accompanying the military member gets the same rate.
The displays do not pull any punches, which is great in this history revisionist, PC world. School groups, and
Junior ROTC get the real meal deal. Some of the photos are very graphic, and not just the photos of dead
German and Japanese. Lots of short personal recollections of Veterans, some very graphic. Interesting artifacts
i.e. dented helmet and the Japanese sword that made the dent.
58
For me, the best part of the visit was the
approximately 50 minute 4D “Beyond All
Boundaries” film, narrated by Tom Hanks,
shown in the 250 seat Solomon Victory
Theatre as noted in the original post. A sixminute “pre-show” video sets the stage.
Also narrated by Hanks, it provides a peek
at life in prewar America. The pre-show
and the film also do not pull any punches.
More facts about the theatre are below as
Behind the Scenes.
The film is spectacular and moving.
High tech is mixed with war footage
and photographs. 4-D: rumbling seats,
simulated pyrotechnics, smoke, the multiplaned screens that create a unique (and
glasses-less) 3-D effect, the stage props - a
1940s’-style radio that interrupts the ball
game with the actual announcement of
Pearl Harbour, a 75% scale B-17 nose that attaches to the front of a B-17E in the film, a concentration-camp
guard tower - that rise from the floor on cue. Jungle scenes look real. Some other effects are the snow that
falls from the ceiling during the Battle of the Bulge, the smoke and smoke smell of the fire bombing of Japan
sequence (when I got back to the hotel, I was accused by my wife of cigar smoking on the walk back!).
Of special note:
To clearly indicate a world war,
when the film moves from each
location to each location, you are
zoomed up in space (curvature of
the earth, stars), then down to the
location: North America to Great
Britain or Normandy or Germany/
North America. The island hopping
campaign is clearing presented in
this format.
The film progresses to Aug 45, the
screen goes blank, the theater is
dark, a pause, then this startling
blinding bright flash/explosion that
lights up the theatre, then a black
pause. Very quick. I have seen lots of
the films of nuclear explosions, but
nothing as extraordinary as this.
The film commences with black silhouettes of civilians moving from left to right across the 120 foot screen.
When the silhouettes get almost 75% across they are transformed to black silhouettes of soldiers with slung
rifles.
59
The final sequence of the film (see photo below), twenty- five of the voices heard during the film appear as figures
on a raised stage facing the audience. The figures appear first in black silhouette, transform to colour, wearing
different uniforms (Navy, aviators, Marine in camo, tankers, infantryman, etc). Then about half move down
several stairs, transforming into civilian attire, then age to present day. Pause, these old men turn around and
salute the young guys up on the stage: The guys who are still young, never grew up to adulthood, never came
back. Very, very moving.
The use of black silhouettes at the beginning to symbolize the millions, civilian to service person. Using colour
at the end as we know something of these people from the narration/reading of their letters. The transition to
civilian again, the aging of the survivors and their saluting of their comrades who died representing “They shall
not grow old, as we that are left grow old”. Extremely well done. At first I thought it was real people on stage.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i11Wd3uTRdw
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Beyond All Boundaries, behind the scenes: facts at
a glance:
•
Tom Hanks is the executive producer and
narrator of the film.
•
True stories of 44 individuals are voiced
by 30 well-known actors, including Brad Pitt,
Kevin Bacon, Patricia Clarkson, James Cromwell,
Jennifer Garner, John Goodman, and Gary Sinise,
among others. Winnipegger, Adam Beach does two
individuals.
•
Immersing the audience in the full cinematic
experience, the Solomon Victory Theater screen
is 120-feet wide x 36- feet high, dwarfing large
screens in most traditional theaters.
9 Digital Cinema DLP Projectors (a regular theater has only one projector).
Full surround custom audio system features 27 speakers: 11 in the front of the theater, 4 surround
speakers on the side walls, 4 surround speakers on the back wall, 4 overhead speakers and 4 subwoofers.
250 special effects theater seats are equipped with full range oscillating vibration. (The seats shake, e.g.,
when tanks are rolling.)
A B-17 aircraft nose lowers from overhead rigging above the audience in less than 12 seconds.
A 25-foot guard tower rises ominously before the audience from a deep pit below the stage.
An anti-aircraft gun rises, rotates and appears to fire above the audience.
Six full-sized “Dragons Teeth” tank traps (large steel construction used to stop or disable tanks) appear in
the D-Day beach sequence.
Special effect snow falls on the audience (actually, soap bubbles).
305 archival photographs are shown.
Approximately 517 film clips of archival footage are shown.
More than 6,000: Number of hours spent researching archival footage and stills.
75 images of original CGI art appear on screen.
As a side note, if you get a chance visit New Orleans, go. Party city extraordinaire. Bring cash also besides
your credit card. Not Mardi Gras yet, but busy.
French Quarter, Bourbon Street. I do not think the bars close. Open plastic containers allowed. Many
take out places on the street: take out beer, hand grenades (everclear?), hurricanes, etc. Drink prices are
excellent, $2.50 to $3.00 per beer; cocktails $5.00+. Good food prices, tasty, plentiful. Ten bucks get you an
excellent meal. Also high end if you need it.
Streets got busier and busier as the week progressed. All age groups. Polite, friendly people.
The Editor
60
Valour Road Commemorative Park
Valour Road is highly significant with respect to Canada’s and
Winnipeg’s war history. Three Canadian soldiers who fought in
The First World War were awarded the Victoria Cross for their
bravery. All three men lived on Pine Street, believed to be the
only street in the world to have three Victoria Cross winners
that lived there. They came to be known as the “Pine Street
Boys”. In 1925, to recognize the significant of this fact, the City
of Winnipeg renamed Pine Street to Valour Road.
A bronze plaque, mounted at the corner of Portage Ave and
Valour Road was the only recognition of the history of Valour
Road. In 2004, the Winnipeg Building Communities, with the
aim of increasing green space within the Sargent Park/Minto
Community, embarked on a capital project to create a Valour Road green space.
It was my great honour and pleasure to assist with the Valour Road Commemorative Project and the
subsequent production of the four plaques. As the volunteer “military advisor” the research provided was
influential in the concept and theme of the park design.
The park consists of two settings: a plaza at the corner of Sargent Ave and Valour Road and across the back
lane a memorial garden, at the corner of Sargent Ave and Spruce St.
The plaza consists of three steel silhouettes, representing the “Pine Street Boys”, mounted on Manitoba
limestone, located on a cobblestone walkway.
61
It is the memorial garden with its centre piece, the outline of the
Victoria Cross with four tablets of Manitoba limestone, where the
new plaques will be mounted.
Note, that all of the street name signs and light standards follow
the silhouette motif.
The landscape architect, David Wagner Associates won a
Canadian landscaping design award in 2006.
On November 5th, 2005 the Valour Road
Commemorative Park was officially opened. It
was not till 2011 that funding was acquired to
complete the project.
The park is a very appropriate tribute to
sacrifices and achievements of those who served
Canada, and to the three men of Valour Road
who won the Victoria Cross.
The Victoria Cross
62
The “Pine Street Boys” are as
follows:
CSM Frederick William Hall
VC, Ypres, 24 April 1915
(Posthumous)
Frederick William Hall was
born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1885.
He served with the Camerons
(Scottish Rifles) of the British
Army as a young man. Several
years before the First World
War he moved to Canada,
where he was employed with a
firm in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In
1914 he enlisted with the 106th
Battalion, and later went to
France with the 8th Battalion,
the famous ‘Little Black Devils’. Sergeant Hall has no known grave. His name is inscribed on the Menin
Gate Memorial at Ypres. Hall
was a boarder at 778 Pine Street
before the war.
Acting Corporal Leo Clarke VC,
Pozieres, 9 September 1916
Leo Clarke was born in
Waterdown, near Hamilton,
Ontario, on the 1st of December
1892. His early years were
spent in England, his parents’
homeland, but when he was
eleven the family returned to
Canada and settled in Winnipeg.
At the outbreak of the First
World War, Leo Clarke was
working on a survey in the
Canadian North. He returned
to Winnipeg and joined the 27th
Battalion, reaching England
in June 1915. He later sought
and received a transfer to the
2nd Battalion to be with his
brother. The two brothers were
in action only a short distance
apart on the day Leo won the Victoria Cross. The action described in the citation took place on the 9th
of September 1916, near Pozieres. Corporal Clarke was killed a few weeks later, on the 19th of October
1916. He is buried in the Etretat Churchyard, sixteen miles north of Le Havre, France. His brother Charlie
survived the war and returned home to Winnipeg. Leo and Charlie Clarke lived at 785 Pine Street.
63
Lieutenant Robert Shankland
VC, DCM, Bellevue Spur, 26
October 1917
Robert Shankland was born in
Ayr, Scotland, in 1887. He came
to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1911,
and enlisted in the Cameron
Highlanders of Canada in 1914
as a private soldier. He won the
Distinguished Conduct Medal
at Sanctuary Wood in June
1916 as a Sergeant, and was
commissioned on the Somme
in the fall of 1916. On the
26th of October 1917, he won
the Victoria Cross during the
fighting for the Bellevue Spur,
on of the main lines of defence
before Passchendaele. Shankland survived the war and continued to serve with the Militia in peacetime.
He went overseas again with the Camerons during the Second World War and eventually retired, ending
his distinguished Army career as a Lieutenant Colonel. Shankland was a boarder at 733 Pine Street before
the war.
It is interesting to note, that not only did they all live on the
same street, but also resided on the same block!
Every 11 th of November, a Remembrance Day ceremony is
held at the commemorative park, carrying on the tradition of
holding the ceremony at Portage Ave and Valour Rd plaque
location.. It is remarkable that the direct descendants of
Acting Corporal Leo Clarke, VC participate every year. Nieces
and nephews, including his nephew and namesake, Leo
and his son and daughter, as well as hundreds of neighbors
attend.
Continuing on with the Valour Rd theme, a new mural was
created in 2008. Located at the SW corner Ellice Ave and
Valour Rd is North Face Artist Charlie Johnston’s ‘’Road to Valour’’ mural. The mural commemorates the
three VC winners.
Road to Valour was selected as the best mural of 2008 in Winnipeg by thirty-three judges in a contest
organized by the Murals of Winnipeg website.
Note that the pictures of the four plaques are the manufactures proofs.
The Editor
64
Eyes of a Soldier
Over the years the Rifles’ have demonstrated a
long lasting tradition of tour experiences. In the
past 15 years, tours have ranged from Bosnia,
Cypress, Croatia, Yugoslavia, Dubai, and Africa to
Afghanistan. All these locations have given our
unit a great amount of experience. It is through
tours that our future generations can learn about
the difficult lessons. Some of these tour lessons are
difficult to teach a new soldier.
There is an opinion I have heard among some
Afghan vets that soldiers with combat experience
are having trouble following unit leadership who
may have no combat experience. This is an opinion
that some members have upon their return to
unit from locations like Afghanistan. This claim
suggesting that there is difficulty in following our
unit leadership is absurd. This perspective from
returning soldiers is isolated. I do not support that
attitude but I feel a need to address it.
I had the honour of being on ROTO 0 in Kandahar
in 2006, as one of two Royal Winnipeg Rifle
augmentees to the 1 PPCLI battle group. I can
testify that some of the best soldiers I’ve worked
with are from The Royal Winnipeg Rifles. Soldiers
in our unit demonstrate a high level of individual
skills and the ability to lead. I believe this
leadership at all ranks still exists in our unit.
The field craft that we practised in past exercises
and courses, which ran out of Minto, provided a
good base skill set in young developing soldiers.
65
It is these types of “bag-driving” or punishing
exercises that builds the character of a soldier.
These quality exercises help prepare our soldiers
for future tours. Mental and physical toughness
were familiar lessons bragged about in the Mess on
Sundays by troops.
The training in Canada can never compare to
the experience of a “two way range shoot”. The
experience of combat is unique to the individual
and to the actual experience of the situation. These
two elements of combat are virtually impossible to
disseminate to troops. Combat can only be learned
at the moment of impact. It is only under those
extreme circumstances that the true colours of a
soldier come to light.
I have no doubt that our unit leadership, generally
speaking, has the ability to perform in a combat
theatre. It is wrong to label or judge your own unit
after a tour of any kind. It seems to be unfair and
disloyal to the people who trained you for your tour
in the first place. I suggest that soldiers who want
to criticize their home unit should get off their high
horse, follow orders and soldier on within the unit.
It is with unit loyalty, not individual exploits that
our history will truly live on from generation to
generation of Riflemen.
I acknowledge the Reserve’s place in the
military. The design of the militia is completely
understandable. It is one that must be flexible to
the citizen until war because one’s life does not
always allow a citizen soldier to make the sacrifices
it takes to commit to a tour. I do not believe that
the member, regardless of their unit role, should
be judged for their lack of combat experience.
Returning vets and current unit leadership are
there to provide the “next” generation of young
soldiers the skill sets to pursue their military
career, and perhaps go on tour.
The tradition of knowledge and experience has been
passed down in both war and peace time within our
unit.
66
Sgt BG Shillington
Sgt Shillington joined The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
in 2002. He has had an Operational tour with
C-Coy 1PPCLI from January to August 2006, where
he was employed as a Rifleman in a section. Sgt
Shillington is currently employed as a Section
Commander within The Royal Winnipeg Rifles and
is also employed at the Joint Personnel Support Unit
in Winnipeg.
A POST CARD FROM NORMANDY
Greetings from CalvadosSummer has at last arrived
in Normandy. The days are getting longer andthe
nights shorter, the same as when I got here. For
those who’ve yet tovisit this part of France it may
come as a surprise to learn thatnowadays at this time
of year Normandy’s beaches are overrun withtopless
sunbathers, picnicking families, and hordes of
tourists. I know,because I’ve been keeping track of
the comings and goings around herefor some sixty
odd years now. I didn’t plan to stay here this long,
butthat’s how my government sponsored ocean
voyage to England, and thebonus dawn excursion by
air to Drop Zone V, turned out.Folks in Canada must
imagine it to be very monotonous for me - always
inthe same place with the same chums, and for such
a long time. I did too,at first. Then the visitors from
home started to show up. Some of themcouldn’t
fathom why I and the others did what we did, or why
we had totravel so far from home to do it. But then,
there is probably no goodreason why they should,
especially after so many years have gone by, andno
one probably ever took the time to give them any of
the details. Ifthey could have heard me, though, I’d
have set them straight. We reallyhad no choice in the
matter. Besides, a good many of our dads hadalready
got here ahead of us, in 1914, to fight for the same
things asus. And like me, many of them stayed on
over here too, and in placesjust like mine now.
When I first got here I thought I was alone. But I soon
discovered thereare two thousand five hundred and
sixty two others with me. And everyone of them
remains forever the same age they were back in
June, 1944.Most arrived at about the same time
too, including the seventy-six whojumped with
me, were scattered far and wide, and ended up in
theflood-waters between the Orne and Dives Rivers.
In those days everyonein the battalion called me
RSM WJ Clark: Regimental Sergeant-Major W.J. Clark of the 1st Canadian
Parachute Battalion with Johnny Canuck, the battalion’s mascot, Carter
Barracks, Bulford, England, 4 April 1944. He had thirty-two days more to live
after this photo was taken.
67
either “Mister,” or “Sir.” But we’ve become apretty
tight knit group since then, and everyone nearby
now just callsme: “Knobby.” Each one of us has
been given his own special address,though, and all
have their own special story to tell.My journey here
began right after I landed and coughed up most of
thewater I’d swallowed. I had my small pack and my
sub machine gun with me,and I was heading toward
our rendezvous with a few of the lads following.I
also recall seeing several others from my battalion
traveling alongside ourpath, and all were going in
the same general direction.
passing year, so we know it will be just amatter of
time, before we won’t be seeing any of them either. I
alwaysknew it was bound to happen, what with them
getting on in age and mostnow in their eighties, but
its sometimes hard to take, especially whenyou’re
forever 29 years old.Never mind, though, always
look on the bright side, I say. Should youever come
to Normandy, I and my chums would love to have
you visit withus. Especially if you can make it on or
about June 6. I’m not too good atgiving directions
any more, but if you’re driving you’ll find all of
useleven kilometers northeast of Caen, between the
River Orne and roadN.813, from Caen to Cabourg. Or
The details are fuzzy after that. The long and the you can always take the bus from Caen toCabourg.
short of it is thatbefore being given a permanent It passes through Ranville Village. Our cemetery lies
address in Grave 2, Row F, Plot 5, in theBritish next tothe village churchyard. You’ll find all our
Airborne Cemetery, I had first to spend more than a names on our stones. Mine says:
year all onmy own. It seems someone along the way
picked up my drill cane. Anothersoul took my kit and
my boots. And either a friend, or a foe, buried mein
an isolated spot near Bavent. It was on the east side P/15392 WARRANT OFFICER CLASS 1 (RSM)
of the roadthat runs north from Troarn to Petiville.
The ones who eventually foundme didn’t have much WENDELL J. CLARK
to go on at first, just a lone wooden crossinscribed:
“Unknown Canadian Soldier.” Then they dug deeper 1ST CANADIAN PARACHUTE BNRCIC, 6TH JUNE 1944
and saw mydog tags. About six weeks later I was AGE 29
relocated to where I am today.Shortly after that is
when my first visitor, Brigadier James Hill, came.By
the time my mom and dad arrived to see where I was
the white, woodmarker I first had had been replaced SON OF T.C. AND IRENE M. CLARK
by a proper and permanent one madeof grey
concrete. It was exactly the same stone that everyone OF OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA.
else fromCanada had, except my folks arranged for
a favorite verse to bechiseled into mine, near the
bottom: “When from Sight Our Loved OneFell, Thine
Yours truly,
Arms Encircled Him, All Is Well.” It summed up my
situationpretty well, don’t you think? They never did
Knobby & his chums
get to make a second visit.In later years, though, my
two sisters came to see me several times. Butthey too
have now joined our parents.Every year some of the
lads from the battalion drop by, usually aroundJune
6, to visit with us. They always doff their cherry beret,
bow theirhead, lay a poppy on the earth above us,
and most times shed a tear,before saying goodbye.
Sometimes they speak to us as well, but none of
ushas ever been able to hear what was said. Now
their numbers are gettingfewer and fewer with each
68
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles & 1 Canadian Parachute Battalion Connection
LCol J.A. Nicklin and LCol G.F. Eadie, the third and
fourth Commanding Officers of the 1 Canadian
Parachute Battalion were Captains in The Royal
Winnipeg Rifles prior to joining 1 Cdn Para Bn.
A plaque commemorating these two remarkable
officers is affixed in the R Wpg Rif lines at Minto
Armories.
LCol Nicklin was the Commanding Officer of 1
Canadian Parachute Battalion from September 8,
1944 until he was killed in action during Operation
Varsity on March 24, 1945. LCol Eadie took over command of the unit as the last
unit Commanding Officer, from March 24, 1945 until
the Unit disbanded in August 31, 1945 at Fort Niagara
in Niagara-on-the-Lake Ontario.
1 Canadian Parachute Battalion was authorized on
Canada’s birthday in 1942, on July 1st. Originally
slated as a mobile home defense parachute unit,
the battalion was redesignated for overseas. Initial
parachute training had been done at Fort Benning,
Georgia. Many were also trained at Shilo Manitoba
and Ringway in England.
B115933 Rfn Mills, James D. Royal Winnipeg
Rifles, August 20, 1944, age 19, Buried Ranville War
Cemetery, France
Jeff Nicklin played with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
in the 1935 Grey Cup, the first year a western team
had won the championship. Nicklin was also on the
1939 Grey Cup winning Bomber team. He was also
a star hockey player with the Rifles. Other notable
players were his friends from Winnipeg: Fraser Eadie
who had played for the University of Manitoba and
the Chicago Blackhawks prior to the war, and Cliff
Chadderton (The War Amps), who played with the
Winnipeg Falcon Rangers, a farm team for the New
York Rangers. The rifles team won the Manitoba
Senior championship while the battalion was in
training, prior to embarkation for overseas.
A few months before DDay, while serving with 1
Cdn Para Bn, Jeff Nicklin was a hero on the football
field once again, thanks to a friendly match between
American and Canadian servicemen. In the final play
of the game, he scored a touchdown, resulting in a
victory for the Canadian Mustangs over the American
Pirates. Nicklin was singled out as one of the stars of
The unit history of the 1 Canadian Parachute the game.
Battalion states that during the
period of 5 – 11 Jul 44, when the
Battalion was in an extended rest
position they were re-enforced by
7 officers and 100 other ranks from
an infantry re-enforcement depot.
None of the men were airborne
qualified, it was decided that since
1 Cdn Para Bn current ops were
simply those of a ground war there
was no necessity to have jumptrained re-enforcements. The
War Diary states: “Although Nonparachutists, these Officers and
OR’s were an exceedingly welcome
addition to the fighting strength
of the Battalion”. One of these
reinforcements was Rfn Mills.
Winnipeg Rifles’ develop high speed Forward Line in Hockey
Playoffs 27 Feb 42
69
After the war, in 1946, the 1 Canadian Parachute
Battalion created the Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy
to be awarded by the Canadian Football League to
the most valuable player in the Western Conference.
The trophy was rededicated and presented at the
2006 Rogers CFL Player Awards.
Note: WO 1 Clark would have known Nicklin and
Eadie very well.
The author of the poignant A Post Card From
Normandy is unknown. It has been reprinted here as
remembrance of all of our soldiers. They may have
been sending postcards also. Did you get one?
The Editor
LCol Jeff Nicklin, 1944
LCol Fraser Eadie, 1945 after receiving the
US Silver Star
70
The Medal of Bravery
Terms
The Medal of Bravery is awarded only for acts of bravery in hazardous circumstance. The medal may be
awarded posthumously. All Canadian citizens, civilians and members of the Canadian Forces, are eligible
for the award. Persons who are not Canadian may receive the award as described for the Cross of Valour.
Bars
A silver bar with a silver maple leaf in the centre is awarded for
subsequent acts of bravery that would earn the award of the medal.
Description
The medal is circular, silver, and 1.42 inches (31 mm) across.
Obverse
There is a large maple leaf in the centre surrounded by a wreath of laurel.
Reverse
The Royal Cypher (EIIR) is in the centre with a crown above it. Around
the edge on the left is the word BRAVERY and on the right the word
BRAVOURE with a small flower separating the two words at the base.
Mounting
A fleur-de-lis is attached to the top of the and to the bottom of a straight,
slotted bar, through which the ribbon is passed. The medal is worn on the
left breast by men and from a bow on the left shoulder by women.
Ribbon
The light crimson (red) ribbon, 1.25 inches (32 mm) wide, has three blue
stripes (3 mm each), one in the middle and another 2 mm from each edge.
A silver maple leaf is worn on the ribbon in undress if a bar is awarded.
Dates
The award was established on 01 May 1972 and first awarded on 20 July 1972.
71
Decorations for Bravery
Medal of Bravery Citation
On October 12, 2007, Major William Green, Warrant
Officer Shaun Spence, Sergeant Joseph Penman,
Roland Bouliane and Abebe Yohannes rescued two
people who were trapped inside burning vehicles,
in Headingly, Manitoba. The men tried frantically
to put out the fire inside one vehicle, but the flames
spread quickly and the dark smoke made it difficult
to see inside. Major Green broke the rear window,
pulled a little girl from the back seat and brought
her to safety. Constable Alfred Lavallee and the
other rescuers again tried desperately to reach
the two other victims inside, but were driven back
by the heat and flames. Meanwhile, Blair Hockin,
Hermann Zarbl and Master Warrant Officer Hamish
Seggie ripped out parts of the dash on the second
vehicle to pull out the driver, who was trapped
beneath the debris. They removed the victim
moments before the vehicle became engulfed.
Sgt Joseph Kenneth Penman, M.B.
MWO Hamish Seggie, M.B., C.D
WO Shaun Spence, M.B., C.D.
Date of Instrument: April 22, 2010
Date of Presentation: May 6, 2011
Joseph Henry Roland Bouliane, M.B.
Major William Robertson Green, M.B., C.D.
Blair William Allan Hockin, M.B.
RCMP Constable Alfred Douglas Lavallee, M.B.
Sergeant Joseph Kenneth Penman, M.B.
Master Warrant Officer Hamish Seggie, M.B., C.D.
Warrant Officer Shaun Spence, M.B., C.D.
Abebe Yohannes, M.B.
Hermann Zarbl, M.B.
72
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Commissioners Commendation for Bravery
During a ceremony at the RCMP’s D Division
Headquarters in Winnipeg on 9 Dec 10, the
Commissioner of the RCMP, William J.S. Elliott,
presented the Commissioner’s Commendation
for Bravery to three members of the Canadian
Forces for actions taken at a vehicle accident in
Headingley, Manitoba in 2007.
When a civilian is recommended for a
Commissioner’s Commendation for Bravery, it
must be documented that the civilian rendered
outstanding assistance to a regular member or to
law enforcement at large, while demonstrating
outstanding courage and bravery while under
hazardous or exceptional conditions.
LG2010-0970: Sergeant Joseph Penman, The Royal
Winnipeg Rifles receives the Commissioners
Commendation for Bravery from the Commissioner
of the RCMP, William J.S. Elliott. Photo: Corporal Bill
Gomm
LG2010-0971: Warrant Officer Shaun Spence, The
Royal Winnipeg Rifles receives the Commissioners
Commendation for Bravery from the Commissioner
of the RCMP, William J.S. Elliott. Photo: Corporal Bill
Gomm
LG2010-0973: Master Warrant Officer Hamish
Seggie, The Royal Winnipeg Rifles receives the
Commissioners Commendation for Bravery from
the Commissioner of the RCMP, William J.S. Elliott.
Photo: Corporal Bill Gomm
73
Corporal Michael James Alexander Seggie
Mike was born
on 22 November
1986
in
the
Foothills Hospital
in Calgary to
Jim and Shirley
Seggie. Mike had
two older sisters,
Kimberly
and
Michelle.
Mike moved to
Winnipeg in 1990
when his dad
Jim was posted
to 2PPCLI. Mike
grew up around
the “Army” and
when he was old
enough, joined the 191 Royal Canadian Air Cadets Corp at
Kapyong Barracks, Winnipeg. Mike won Top LAC and Top
Sgt while with 191 RCACC.
When Mike was about 14 years old he decided to join the
CF when he was old enough in 2004. At first, he wanted
to be a CF-18 pilot, and then when he was eligible he
wanted to be a Medic. He finally settled with the Infantry
and joined The Royal Winnipeg Rifles. He completed
his Basic Military Qualification, Soldier Qualification
and Basic Infantry that year. Mike then completed his
Communications Course later that winter, as well as Basic
Winter Warfare.
Mike spent almost two years with the Primary Reserve.
In March 2006 he took a component transfer to the
Regular Force, with Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light
Infantry (PPCLI). He took the Regular Force Basic Infantry
Qualification from April – June 2006, then was posted to
the Second Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light
Infantry (2 PPCLI).
While with 2 PPCLI in Shilo, Mike was qualified as a LAV
driver and communicator. He was a valuable member of
8 Platoon, Charlie Company and was initially tasked to be
the driver for 1 Section. Mike also took Pashtu language
training before deploying to Afghanistan, a skill which he
found to be very useful during his time in Afghanistan.
Prior to Mike deploying to Afghanistan, he changed his
employment within the section. He was tasked to be one
of the two the C9 Light Machine Gunners in Call Sign 32
Alpha.
74
Mike deployed to Afghanistan on 16 February 2008.
During his time in Afghanistan, Mike performed very well
and was awarded a Commander Canadian Expeditionary
Forces Command Commendation for his performance on
27 March 2008 while on duty at a Forward Operating Base
(FOB).
On 3 September 2008, Mike was Killed In Action in the
Zhari district of Afghanistan, along with Corporal Andrew
Grenon and Pte Chad Horn.
Mike’s greatest passions were his family – not only his
biological family, but the family of high school friends
he had and his “Army” family – the troops of 1 Section
Eight Platoon and his 1968 Plymouth Barracuda. Mike
had a passion for being a soldier... and a passion for his
1968 Barracuda “S” Model Sports Coupe. He loved to
drive it everywhere he could. On Sunday evenings in
Winnipeg in the summer, you could usually find Mike on
the Sunday Night Cruises on Portage Avenue. His emerald
green Barracuda stood apart from all the other cars not
only because of the colour, but the distinctive rumble of
the 360 cubic inch engine that is under the hood of the
Barracuda.
Mike was more than just a soldier – he was a dedicated
family guy. He rarely missed family get togethers. The
family sleigh rides were always fun when Mike was there –
he’d spend his time pushing his cousins off the sleigh and
in turn, they’d push him off the sleigh. This usually found
someone (usually Mike and his cousin Tyler) spending a
lot of time running to catch up with the sleigh.
Mike adored his nephew Carson. Mike thought the
world of him, and through the family, Carson will know
what his as a boy, a man and the HERO that he is to all of
us. Mike was that rare personality type that seemed to
brighten everyone’s outlook on life, and could lift your
spirits by the wink of an eye or a kind word. It would be an
understatement to say that we will miss him.
RIP Mike – Our Son, Our Friend, Our Brother in Arms
Written by his Dad, MWO Jim Seggie
veterans.gc.ca
75
The Army Run 2011
For many, running comes easy. Genetics, youth or
lifestyle all play a role in the success of this pursuit.
For others, determination and perseverance is the
key to achieve these goals. Objectives drive them to
push harder, to find out how much they can endure,
through arduous and often mundane training.
These same aims are the core of the making of a
soldier. To give up, or surrender during the process
is inconceivable. ‘Forge on’ is the mantra that is
required to push to the next level, and whether goals
are accomplished, or not, is irrelevant. It is the effort
that is executed that determines the success of the
task.
The Army Run, taking place in our nation’s capital,
could be perceived as just another race… to train for,
participate in, and then take the finisher’s medal and
clocked time home at the end of the day. Or, it can be
run with a specific goal in mind.
It can be run for those who are no longer able to take
advantage of this opportunity… the opportunity to
breathe deeply and take in their surroundings. It can
be run for soldiers who are injured, or recovering
from horrific memories of seeing their compatriots
wounded… or worse.
This race can be run for the veterans of all battles
who were lucky enough to return unscathed to
their loving families. And for those who were not so
fortunate.
in the Half Marathon of the Army Run, which took
place on September 18, 2011. Despite my personal
reservations of positively representing my unit,
the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, I became determined to
complete this run, for those who could not be there.
I was firm in my commitment to honour, in
particular, one of our own- Cpl Mike Seggie- who
made the supreme sacrifice on September 3rd, 2008,
in Afghanistan.
I ran the race with a photographic image of Mike on
the back of my race shirt. As the event progressed,
and I became fatigued, I regained power through the
belief that Mike was assisting me forward to our goal.
Dozens of race participants addressed me throughout
the contest with a ‘thumbs up’ sign or words of
acknowledgement of Mike’s valor. I had two people
declare that they had used the image of Mike on my
shirt to keep pace with me for the first 10 miles. This
pushed me to ‘forge on’ in Mike’s memory…allowing
me to complete the race with a personal best.
Awe-inspiring, passionate, humbling. These words
all describe the feelings I felt throughout my training
and completion of this task. I will not soon forget this
experience…nor will I forget those who I ran for.
This year, with the kind permission of my
commanding officer, LCol Brett Takeuchi, I was given MCpl Carol Selin
the opportunity to travel to Ottawa to participate Regimental Band
76
One Way Mike Seggie Will Remain in My Thoughts Forever
One beautiful sunny day far north of Kandahar, in
FOB Frontenac, Myself and colleague Sgt Mike Bursey
were conducting a “relaxed” handover of medical kit
as he was embarking on HLTA later that afternoon.
Dressed in PT gear we leisurely went around to each
section’s LAV chatting with the platoon as we would
have any other day.
As we pulled up to this village people had come out
of the woodwork as they do, and were surrounding
this van. It had come over the radio that there was a
deceased man in the back of the van and we NEEDED
to get a hold of him as he was suspected to be the
individual who was firing RPG’s at helicopters.
The instructions that followed were very interesting
I was currently employed in a sister platoon and knew to say the least. I needed to collect hair samples,
most of they guys to see them as we were involved in fingerprints, pictures of his face and all wounds
numerous volleyball matches against them and had sustained from the “firefight” that took place the
currently lost bragging rights.
evening prior. As we listened to the radio I looked
at the crowd and looked at Mike with my expression
All of a sudden QRF was called out and Sgt Bursey saying “How the @!#$ are we supposed to do this …
said to me in his thick Newfy accent, “ Go head! Giv’r, here?!”
what a great way to get to know all the b’ys.
You got 1 minute to be in the back of this
LAV right here!”
Looking at him in disbelief, I ran like a bat
out of hell back to my tent….called out to
my platoon to let them know I was deserting
them to I-don’t-know-where and I’ll be back
I-don’t-know-when.
Upon launching myself breathlessly into the
back of said LAV wheels turning, I find myself
sitting in front of a calm looking helmet less
Mike Seggie getting one last smoke in before
we headed out the gate.
“Where are we going? What’s happened?” I
ask him.
He shrugged his shoulders and replied “Not
sure, just to check something out in a close
by town.”
I looked up at the empty air sentry hatch and
pointed. He gave me a nod and I went up. I
like being able to see where I’m going to get
an idea of what we were getting into. I respected Mike ”We’ll get it done” he replied in his usually calm
immediately for allowing me up as some infantrymen demeanour. As we walked down the ramp another
(not many) can be reluctant.
Pte approached us and said he could help no prob.
77
The three of us went over to the van and the POI .Finally, mission accomplished…..no big scene … no
was already placed behind a low wall, wrapped in a drama….no incident…… (all Seggie’s doing if you ask
blanket.
me) , we are back in the LAV. As we were nearing
the FOB (both of us in the sentry hatch) I told him
As I looked around at the dozens of Afghans I realized how amazing his rapport was with Afghans. As a
this was probably not going to go over very well, medic with two tours over there, I had not witnessed
as the body was already washed and prepared for anyone interact with Afghans as calm yet confident
burial. Being female, I also knew that the ANP and and as effective.
other men around were REALLY not going to take He just looked back at me shrugged and said, “It was
lightly to me taking pictures and “messing around” no big deal.”
with the deceased in the public eye.
I keep this story with me to remind myself how one
Mike was already one step ahead of me. He called over single person can contribute so much to the success
4 ANP, explained that I was a “doctor” and needed to of what seemed a simple mission. This task, in my
do something very important. He positioned them in opinion could never be repeated while maintaining
a semi circle in front of the wall and instructed them “hearts and minds” if it were executed in any other
to NOT TURN AROUND and keep everyone back. He fashion. Mike single handily took control without
then took a position amongst them and they worked being told and didn’t think of it again I’m sure, as to
together keeping the crowd back.
him it was all in a days work.
I quickly began doing my task. The Pte that joined
us was taking pictures and was giving a play-by- Vanessa Larter-Smithers
play of the crowd control. Mike was talking casually Sergeant
with some of the locals and the ANP were beaming 1 Fd Amb
as they were working “with” the Canadians. As Mike
reassured some of the onlookers he handed out
cigarettes and maintained an almost relaxed posture
all the while gently reminding them to stay back.
Twenty minutes go by... Mike ran back to me and
asked how it was going. (As a MCpl at the time I
remember thinking….how is this kid so put together
and how does he do this so well? Furthermore why?
No one “made” him assist me or forced him to learn
Pashto. Wow….)
78
Stanley Lernowich 21 November 2009 Brandon, MB
James F. Bage 29 May 2010 Avondale, AR
Edgar A. Chaze 12 Nov 2010 Winnipeg, MB (QOCH of C)
John Worthy Frank Battershill 30 Nov 2010 Edmonton, AB
Ingimar Daniel Danielson 13 December 2009 Arborg, MB
Fredrick Bragnaio 4 January 2011 Thunder Bay, ON
Marty Pekkala 6 February 2011 Thunder Bay, ON
Walter Joseph Fenny 10 February 2011 Arlington, TX
William R. Roy 13 February 2011 Winnipeg, MB
George Lavallee 19 February 2011 Selkirk, MB
J.E. Reesor Bingeman 31 March 2011 Winnipeg, MB
Lloyd George Pritchard 24 April 2011 Winnipeg, MB
Edwin John Strachan 27 April 2011 Kelowna, BC
Stanley Rayson 28 April 2011 Treherne, MB
Jim Rannie 15 June 2011 Binscarth, MB
Richard Patrick Hope Sprague 14 July 2010 Winnipeg , MB
(Exchange officer with 11th Bn Durham Light Infantry, WWII)
79
Lockie’s Mailbag
LCol Lockhart R. (Lockie) Fulton CM, DSO, ED,
(1917 – 2005) was a shrewd, inspired and respected
commanding officer. As OC D Coy, he led his company
in the assault of Juno Beach on D-Day, 6 June 1944.
For his leadership on D-Day and at Putot-en-Bessin,
Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery presented Major
Fulton with the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). On
10 October 1944, at the age of twenty-seven, he was
promoted and appointed CO. Lockie went on to lead
the Battalion to a string of hard-fought victories, from
the Scheldt Estuary through the liberation of Holland
and on into Germany itself. He was most assuredly well
respected by all Riflemen.
After the war, Lockie returned home to his wife, raising six children while enjoying life as a
successful grain farmer in his home town of Birtle, MB. For over a decade, Lockie shared his
military experiences with younger generations of officers at the Canadian Land Force Command
and Staff College (CLFCSC). An essential element of the curriculum at CLFCSC, was Battlefield Study
on the ground where it happened. The CF considered it essential that command officer candidates
knew what combat leadership demanded. For his service Lockie was invested as a Member of the
Order of Canada in May 2003.
As a means of staying in contact with the buddies that they had shared so much, many veterans
of the Second World War joined the Militia. Camaraderie was enhanced with the establishment of
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Association and the eventual publication of The Devils’ Blast.
Lockie’s Boys, as the veterans called themselves, wrote letters to the Blast updating what was
happening with themselves, their families (the Baby Boomers), staying in contact with their war
time pals. Now, these letters are few, as Lockie’s Boys are in their late eighties and early nineties.
Their widows write letters. Their children, the Baby Boomers now near retirement themselves,
write letters. Post war members of the regiment continued the tradition of letter writing. Such is
the bond of being a member of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles.
We cannot forget the contributions of what historians call the Greatest Generation. To that end the
“Letters” section of The Devils’ Blast will now be titled “Lockie’s Mailbag”. The rational for the title
will be in every issue of the Blast so we can always remember and perpetuate the bond.
The Editor
80
Dear Gerry;
Yesterday I had a visit from Rfn W.D. Wally Bunka
from Edmonton. He was a member of #7 platoon
L104381 and is a veteran of the D Day landings in
Normandy. Besides his
time with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles he also served
for two years in the Army with the Occupational
Troops. He has many stories to tell and wants
someone to volunteer to pen his memories. Wally’s
address is:
1221, 11445, 135 Street
Edmonton AB T5M 3M6.
I am wondering if you could supply him with some
suggestions and perhaps author M. Janowitz may be
interested in contacting him. Do you have any local
chaps that would be interested? I will write a letter
to him with Fred’s address and news of the new
proposed Museum in Normandy. Wally says he is
interested in attending the opening of same as also
is my daughter Anne Hamilton who is retiring from
34 years of teaching in the Carman district. effective
June 30 th this year. I able I would go with Anne if
doctor allows me to at age 89.
As usual I laid the RWR memorial wreath at our
Decoration Day held Sunday June 5 th at our
cenotaph in the Vets Cemetery on 18 th Street
South.
Nancy Backer
(Frank Battershill’s daughter)
Dear Sirs
Late as always with my 2011 payment for the Blast.
Enclosed is my cheque for same.
Thank you,
Ed Wiebe
78 Pinetree Crescent
Winnipeg, MB
R2V 3Z6
********************
Thanks for your kind attention to this request and
with Regards I remain,
Sincerely
J.H. Hamilton.
********************
Dear Gerry
I would like to say thank-you for all your kindness
and help with my Dad’s internment service in
Winnipeg in June. He was a very proud member of
the RWR!
Best Wishes,
81
Hi Gerry,
Gerry Mon Amis,
Dear Comrades,
I will be sending my belated Husband and my
donation for The Blast to be able to continue on.
Received The Blast sometime ago but it has been a
bit busy at times, first company, then all of a sudden
I came down with something called Cellulites in
my left leg. The Home Care Nurse said to get in
and see the Dr. and since we live at Orton, the Dr.
suggested I stay in the Fort MacLeod Hospital where
I will soon have been for 2 weeks, taking intervenus
antibiotics.
The weather has been quite rainy and only 3 days
of nice weather. It has been a pleasure getting The
Blast and I hope it will continue.
Best of health to all,
Sincerely,
Mrs. Emma H. McLeod
Box 1917
Fort MacLeod, AB
T0L 0Z0
********************
Enclosed my dues for 2011. I never know if I have
sent my dues until you publish names of those who
have paid. If my name is not there I send a cheque.
I am just back from the CIA AGM in Vancouver.
Managed to spend a couple of days with Brother
Rat. He and I and both Val’s (are wives), managed
to catch up with each others news.
I have completed (Dec. 10, 2010), my tour as Lt.Col.
of the “John’s”, and after 61 years in uniform –
have hung it up. I regret none of it. It has been an
honour to serve.
I see our buddy Dick Stooke is alive and well
in Ottawa. I too have joined the NVOC. If the
organization can help veterans/soldiers, then they
have my support.
It was good to hear from Pat Garrity – do you have
his address?
My best to all Riflemen - may their summer be
enjoyable and may their health be good.
To all Blast personnel – keep up the good work.
Yours in service
Bob (Brother Rat) Cade
86 Andre Ave
Regina, SK
S4T 7N2
********************
82
Hi,
I am writing this letter on behalf of my father
who has a tough time writing these days. He is
approaching his 89th birthday.
He would like to thank you for the great job you
people do to put out a great magazine that he
enjoys reading.
He said he’s a bit late with his donation and this is
in his own words, “better late then never”.
Raymond Thomas
PO Box 44
Ymir, BC
V0G 2K0
********************
Dear Gerry,
I always enjoy getting the Devil’s Blast in my
maritime mailbox. It’s hard to believe its’ almost
six years since Dad (Al Fairbairn) passed on. Sorry
to see Harold Prout’s name on the “Last Post” list.
Regarding the letter from Elizabeth Hutchings (pg. 9
of the Spring 2011 edition), my father had a number
of paintings done by a Crozier – who I think he said
was a fellow military man. They were oil paintings
done from photographs. It stirs up memories to see
many familiar names of those who meant so much
to Dad; especially Allsion Molgat and Norm Donagh.
Here is my contribution to your wonderful RWR
organization.
Please note my new address:
185 Third Ave.
Lakeview, Nova Scotia
B4C 4C9
Phone: # 1-902-576-5481
All the best,
Joan (Fairbairn) Cleghorn
David R. Baird
Sec’y/Tres
RWR Assn.,
Winnipeg, MB
Dear Dave,
Enclosed is my contribution to the association for
2011.
To all Riflemen everywhere, happiness and
prosperity for 2011.
James C. McPherson
2689 hardy Cres
North Vancouver, BC
V7H 1K3
********************
\
Gerry Woodman,
I am a new member of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles
Association, please find enclosed by donation.
Thank you,
Garry Martin
PO Box 701
Hudson Hope, BC
V0C 1V0
Dear Sir,
Enclosed you will find my cheque to keep my
membership current.
On 1 Sept. 2010 I sent you my last payment. The last
Devil’s Blast I received was dated Feb 2010, so I am
wondering if there has been an issue or issues since
then? If so, please forward a copy of each so I can
keep up to date on RWR happenings. Thank you.
Your truly,
A. Bruce McDonald
308-82 Baker Dr
Dartmouth, NS
B2W 0C8
83
Dear Sir,
Please find my cheque for my dues for the year
2011. I am sorry for being late, but with getting
older you also forget things, you keep putting
things off.
So I hope that this note finds all the Riflemen in
good health and have a wonderful year.
Sincerely yours,
Robert Stinson
400-1205 Grant Ave
Winnipeg, MB
R3M 1Z3
To Whom It May Concern:
Please accept my donation to the Royal Winnipeg
Rifles Association.
Sincerely,
Jim McQuarrie
213-8125 Devito Dr.
Trail, BC
V1R 4X9
********************
********************
Comrades,
Dear Dave,
Please find enclosed my 2011 annual membership
dues. Received the spring edition 2011 of the
Devil’s Blast, enjoyed it very much. It brought back
memories of old friends and buddies. Thank you.
Best regards,
Ed Bogan
45390 Carriage Way
Chilliwack, BC
V2R 2V4
********************
Enclosed is Don’s donation for 2011. He says I write
better than he (?) and he enjoys reading the Devil’s
Blast.
After this past week-end we hope spring has
arrived.
Esther McQuarrie
Box 1484
Minnedosa, MB
R0J 1E0
84
Enclosed are my dues for 2011 which I thought I
would send out before flying off to
Afghanistan at the end of May.
I hand over command of the L. Edmn R to LCol Chris
Chodan on 27 Apr 2011. Now I am just waiting to
deploy. I will be working as a LCol in the Force
Reintegration cell at ISAF HQ. The cell was stood
up in 2010 and is responsible for reintegrating
ex Taliban fighters back into society through the
provincial cells. Will be working at Ministerial level
and with NGO’s.
All the best,
Mike Prendergast, LCol
P.S. – I read in the latest Devil’s Blast that you were
trying to locate Gerald G. Karasevich. Here is his
address:
16 Hedgestone Cres
Winnipeg, MB
R2N 3X1
Jill Combs (spouse)
To The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Association, here are
my dues for 2011. It has been a very busy year for
me. I hope the regiment is well and that my old
friends are in good health.
Sirs:
Here is my donation to help with finances.
Best Wishes,
Cheers,
Kevin Davis MWO (retd)
57 Melonlea Cove
Winnipeg, MB
R2G 2L4
Jack Tennant
310 Boreham Blvd
Winnipeg, MB
R3P 0J6
********************
********************
Dear Sirs:
Enclosed please find a cheque for Garth Combs’
H95531 for his 2011 dues. You are doing a great job
with “The Blast” – a big Thank You!
Garth is still at the Bethany Calgary Care Home. He
does quite well but has his “ups” and “downs”. Who
doesn’t! It is particularly frustrating for him since
he lost his vision Nov/07. I bring “The Blast” and
read it to him and he loves it. Also read the book
“Named by the Enemy”. Both bring back memories.
It’s excellent!. He loves getting cards and letters
too. Thanks so much to all those of you who have
done so. It’s greatly appreciated by my family and I.
Enclosed is a snap of Garth’s two close friends, sadly
now deceased. Perhaps you can put it in The Blast
but it is yours to keep.
Garth sends his very best wishes and so do I to all
RWR’s for a good and healthy 2011.
Here is Garth’s address:
Garth Combs
Unit 8
Bethany Calgary,
916 18A St. N.W.
Calgary, AB
T2N 1C6
Sincerely,
Hi Dave,
Hope all is well at your house. Enclosed are my dues
for 2011.
Give everyone my regards for a healthy and happy
new year.
All the best to you and your family.
A. Affleck Ue
62075 Rg Rd 24
RR 1 Fenwick, On
L0S 1C0
********************
Dear Sir;
Just received the Devil’s Blast” today and it
reminded me I hadn’t paid my dues for 2011.
Enclosed please find my donation. Sorry for the
delay as my wife has been very sick for the last 6
months.
Sincerely,
Ray Bell
769 Clifton St.
Winnipeg, MB
R3G 2Z7
85
Enclosed is a cheque for my donation to the Blast
for 2011. Come to think of it I have not received
even one issue of the Blast last year in 2010. Sure
did miss it. Is it no longer in print? Kindly advise.
A special belated thank-you to everybody associated
in any way at all with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles
and all the veterans. I can’t go anywhere by myself
anymore. Have had a heart attack in 1972 and a
stroke after that and 5 mini strokes since, but at 86
I’m not complaining. Ernie would have teased me
if he were here, about not being able to talk. I am
sending a cheque towards printing and all the work
and time involved. My Dad used to say “You can’t
buy time”. Rest assured you are appreciated.
Best Regards,
God Bless you all,
Peter Callen
50 Park St
Kingsville, ON
N9Y 1N4
Kathleen Godfrey and family
Best Wishes to all RWR’s
********************
To all comrades,
May I extend greetings for healthy and happy new
year.
Arthur Davey,
Former 8th Plt. “A” coy
15 Nelson ST W Apt 8
Bowmanville, ON
L1C 1C9
Enjoyed the Feb. Devils Blast. Looking forward to
the next one. Sending in my 2011 dues. Wishing all
Winnipeg Rifles and families Merry Christmas and
the best in 2011.
Nick Burlack
237 Colonization Ave S
Dryden, ON
P8N 2M6
86
707 575 St. Annes Rd
Winnipeg, MB
R2M 5B2
********************
Enclosed please find a cheque to cover my 2011
membership. Greetings to all Riflemen, past and
present, especially those who may remember me.
Rfn. Garrity, P.R.
SH62375
CAAF 1951 – 1960
155 St. Vital Rd
Winnipeg, MB
R2M 2A1
********************
Dear Sir:
Enclosed is my cheque to cover my 2011 dues. Sorry
I am late. I had trouble with my hip since before
Xmas. I am getting better and using my cane yet. I
enjoy the Blast very much. Keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
Ernest M. Spiess
752-22nd St
Brandon, MB
R7B 1S8
Been a good year for me and Helen. Health pretty
well and we were at our mountain in Alberta for
the June 6th ceremonies. Actually, been there 3 of
the last 4 services. As to be expected our ranks are
thinning.
Although not a member, the 1st Can/Para
Association is planning to end around the final day
of this year.
Trust you and Joyce are well. The cheque is a small
contribution to your association.
Cheers,
Bill
Please find enclosed by payment to cover the Devil’s
Blast.
Regards,
CWO Brian Colgan
6373 Tower Rd, RR 7
Sechelt, BC
V0N 3A7
********************
********************
Dear Dave,
Royal Winnipeg Rifles
Dear Comrades
Enclosed is a cheque for my 2011 dues, which
includes an additional small amount to help defray
the organization’s operating costs. Keep up the
good work, the regiment needs your participation
to support its activities. Best wishes and good
health to all for 2011.
Pat McManus
12065 Covered Wagon Ct
Granger, IN
46530
USA
********************
Looking for any info of surviving veterans from the
battle of Putot-en Bess.n
Enclosed is a letter and cheque to help “The Blast”
to continue.
Sincerely,
Emma H. McLeod
(wife of Ernest McLeod who passed away Oct. 13,
2003)
(He served in World War II and again in 1954)
P.O. Box 1917
Fort Macleod, AB
T0L
********************
Matt Lavey
[email protected]
********************
87
November 2011
Greetings to the
Regimental Family!
I have been drafted to
be your Editor of The
Devils’ Blast. Thankyou for the vote of
confidence and the
complements; much
appreciated.
The main change
with this issue is The
Devil’s Blast will chronicle the year in the life of our
regiment, vice an issue every six months.
This will not be possible unless the editor receives
content: articles, stories, reminisces, photos, notes,
newspaper clippings, World Wide Web links, etc.
Endeavouring to not sound dictatorial, the following
is required to get the Blast into your hands for the
Regimental Birthday weekend each year:
• a couple of sentences about the author i.e. “Capt
Bloggens has been a rifleman for nine years, and
currently is 2 i/c of B Coy; Sgt Somebody was on tour
in Afghanistan Mar to Oct 2009. He joined the Rifles
in 2005, and is a section comd in 3 Pl. A Coy”;
• send the material anytime throughout the year. It
must be in my hands by 15 September each year as
some fudge time is needed to check out the article to
ascertain if additional info is required, get back to the
contributor, look for photos etc. plus the final set up;
and
• do not worry about writing skills, format etc. That
can be fixed by the editor. Just send content please.
One other missive: it seems everyone has a cell phone,
the cell phone has a decent camera, texts are sent all
the time. It should not be a problem to get content.
Most of the photos in the Blast issues have been taken
by 38 CBG‘s photographer extraordinaire, Cpl Bill
Gomm. Bill is not going to be available forever. Take
a camera to range shoots, exercises, etc. Thanks.
Note the URL to the new Regimental website
“royalwinnipegrifles.com.
As the editor, I hope you have enjoyed this issue.
• written in Microsoft Word (yes, you can use a
Mac!);
• photos in original, preferably JPEG format (please
do not compress the photo when you download onto
your computer. If you do compress the photo, it will
be unprintable postage stamp size even though it looks
great on your computer);
• a photo caption for each: where, when, who, and
what is going on. If that info is missing, it will be lost
forever to history;
• do not insert/embed the photos in the Word
document. Send the Word.doc and the photos
separately. It may require several emails due to the
large photo file properties;
88
Brian Batter
Editor
[email protected]
Maj Major Richard Desjardins, Vimy Park Jun 2011
Plaque commemorating LCol J.A. Nicklin and LCol G.F. Eadie, the third
and fourth Commanding Officers of the 1 Canadian Parachute Battalion.
Both Nicklin and Eadie were Captains in the Royal Winnipeg Rifles prior to
joining 1 Cdn Para Bin. The plaque located in the R Wpg Rif lines at Minto
Armouries. Photo: Cpl Bill Gomm, 38 CBG
Cadet/Chief Warrant Officer Artem Denysenko
C9 Gunners Ex Northern Bison II
Director of Music, 2Lt Andrea Schellenberg and
Bugle Major, Sgt Claude Ouellette of the R Wpg
Rif Band at the Saskatchewan Dragoons change
of Honourary Colonel Parade in Moose Jaw, SK 29
Aug 11
Valour Road by Vince Pahkada
Corporal Walker Brown, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, applies camouflage
paint onto Logans face at the Youth Challenge Course. Photo By:

Sergeant Joseph Kenneth Penman, M.B. Master Warrant Officer

Transcription

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