Dear Fellow Guardsmen Spring 2006
FIRST WORDS
Our redoubtable Secretary-Treasurer advises that as of 28 April, 2006, the Association has 607 ‘current’ members. Not that many years ago, we were struggling along with under 200 members! The reasons for our resurgence are many, but I think the following four had the most effect.
The practice, instituted some years ago by Bill MacIver and Roger Corrigan, of sending individual ‘reminders’ to those whose memberships were in arrears and/or from whom we had not heard in some time.
The second was the setting up of the "Guards Net" of e-mail addressees, instituted and overseen by JAS Haley. By spreading the word electronically the message got to a broader population - perhaps not all of them Association members - than could be reached by the newsletter alone. At the same time and of equal value, Robie Woodworth set up the Atlantic Branch website, which allowed a much wider audience access to the goings-on of the Regimental Family. This was the genesis of the later ‘National" website, mastered by Gerry Heffernan, which has garnered an even wider readership.
Initiatives such as "National" reunions, started in 1986; the Guards History project and its revised edition, courtesy Bill Patterson; The Guards Museum project, begun under the direction of the late Dick Wallace, and the recent St. Michael’s Wall project, caught the interest of the entire Regimental Family. Our Family has grandly supported all these efforts both financially and with practical assistance by applying a wide variety of personal skills to each endeavour.
Finally, the great good work by all members of the Association, at all levels and in all locations, in keeping alive the spirit of comradeship and excellence for which the Regiment was, and is, renowned. This is, I believe, the most compelling reason for the ongoing strength of the Regimental Association.
Our "IN MEMORIAM’ section is getting longer and longer with each passing year and is extending into the second generation of the Guards Family. We who are left must ensure that their legacy is protected and the Spirit of the Regiment is truly extended " A Mari Usque ad Mare".
J. D. B. (ed) 28 April, 2006
IN MEMORIAM
Our sympathy and condolences go out to the families, friends and comrades of the following members of the Regimental Family who have passed away:
Reg Chafe, Felix Paul Juteau, J. D. Scott Martin ( son of Gordon and Maureen),
Ken Maxted, Bill Pippy, David S. Shearman (son of Richard and
Margaret), Frank Shepherd, Barbara Trudel ( wife of Len )
and Gerry Zaat (Guards Band).
" There is a spirit before heaven and earth were -
To that Spirit I shall come when I go beyond this life." (abridged) Chanddogya Upanishad 800 B. C.
CORRESPONDENTS
Joe Pelisek - (Ottawa) Much thanks to Joe for both his ongoing inclusion of things Canadian Guards in the GGFG "Guards Star" quarterly and for his recent letter regarding the controversy over the Chaplain’s new cap badge.
Bernie Skehen - (Mount Pearl) The news from "The Rock" is always welcome&ldots;.perhaps we could persuade some other Family members to get together with you on a regular basis? ( It was great to see you at the Petawawa Mini-reunion last year after over 30 years. JB)
Henry & Jean Campbell - (Petawawa ) Once again, thanks for the Xmas card and for the information from the Branch. It seems that the winter is a quiet time everywhere.
Val & Layton "Curly" Harper - (Winnipeg) Rest assured your addresses are now listed correctly and thanks for the card!
John Hayter - (Barrie) From your report, the remarkable life of Ken Maxted was remembered in a funeral ceremony of quite remarkable extent. But then, it’s no wonder as Ken designed it himself .
Carl Apap - (Malta) Your letters are always interesting and informative and Al Johnston says, " Many thanks for the stamps".
( In this next section I’m playing catch-up on some quite old items. Ed)
Ian Inrig - (Sebastien Fla) I did receive your letter containing the information on the Hampstead House Book store and your views on Basil Liddell Hart ( with which I agree). Thanks for all your e-mails and etcetera and keep them coming.
John Carr - (Hamilton) Your pictures and story made it through to me via the Secretary. I hope we can all say " at 81 years old I’m still fit enough to get a driver’s permit " - congratulations.
Moe Bergeron - (Toronto) Some time ago, Moe sent in a hilarious ( and somewhat libellous) tale of "How he got awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal"
It was presented to him by his MP and MPP in Toronto. His military service was a factor but it was more likely that his work with the Boy Scouts and other organizations - after his Army time - was the real justification. Either way, Moe, you did it your way!
The following was sent to JAS Haley in August of 2003, and is being printed here in memory of its author, Freddie Sampson.
Jas, I live in Port Hope, 100 km East of Toronto ...and have just passed my 79th birthday. Just 18 Months ago I eventually tracked down my Tug Pilot, who towed me on D-Day. The author, Ted Barris, requested to interview me about D-Day, said he was writing a book on such. The interview took 61/2 hours, during which I informed him of Wally, my Tug Pilot, who lived in BC and was a Canadian Pilot during the war. Ted ...got in touch with Wally, who flew in from BC to see me and we met again after 59 years! It was published in the Globe and Mail. Wally is 84 and fit as a fiddle (whatever that is). We are going over to D-Day & Arnheim meetings next year (2004) the 60th Anniversaries. The latter at the Dutch government’s expense....God Bless for now, little Fred."
Jas asked for more information and received this in reply.
" His name is Walter Schierer, a Flying Officer when I knew him. I was ‘married up’ with him as my "Tug Pilot" in all the Exercises we did in preparation for D-Day and subsequent operations. He was in 299 Squadron (Sterlings) in 38 Group, to which my squadron (troop gliders) was attached. We were stationed at "Keevil" Air Station, which is still in operation. I had trouble tracking him down for many years.... because he had joined the Army first and when they would not transfer him to the Air Force he went absent and joined the RCAF. He trained as a pilot and finished at the top of his course and was promoted to Flying Officer. He was commissioned under a different name and therein lay my problem in tracing him. At war’s end he confessed his desertion and was forgiven. When I (finally) did get in touch with him I chastised him, telling him I was shocked that I had been towed around by a "Bloody Army Deserter". from Little Freddie."
By the way, Fred was hardly "little" at an imposing 6’-4" tall. R.I.P.
Enterprises:
George Kearley - Army, Badges, Uniforms (special interest - Chaplains)
201-80 Clearview Heights, Toronto ON - M6M 2A1 (416) 653-3400
Bill Amos - Medals & Miniatures, Mountings, Blazer badges & etc.
PO Box 26582, Blundel Centre PO, Richmond BC, V7C 5M9
Tel (604) 241-4599 Fax (604) 241-5611 e-mail medalsMOD@aol.com.
FROM THE BRANCHES
Petawawa: Hello fellow Guardsmen, we hope all is well with you and all former Guardsmen in your area. Although it has been very cold, Spring is now here and signs of it are everywhere about us.
Ambrose Dwyer says, " Thanks to the National Executive for coming to our Reunion last summer and to all those who came from other Provinces. Many relationships were renewed and from the comments (received) all were satisfied. On behalf of the executive and all members of the our Branch, we wish everyone a good, safe summer. We will be holding a get-together this summer after the Executive has met.
Henry Campbell notes, " We will be having a little bash during the last week of May, prior to the busy summer break. We will pass the information on to you over e-mail and other means. Here in Pembroke we have one of our members, Clair Colbourne, who is quite ill. He had a stroke some time ago and is now in the Renfrew Hospital, on a dialysis machine, as he also has diabetes. To all our sick and shut-ins we wish you a speedy recovery. To families who have recently lost loved ones, we send our deepest sympathy.
Atlantic: Since our last report the Atlantic Branch has been reasonably active. The Dexters held their 7th annual Guards Christmas party at their home in Burton on the 1st Saturday in December. Most were from New Brunswick although several of the 35 attendees came from Nova Scotia to join the festivities. The gathering is always a great time to share memories, enjoy each other’s company throughout the evening and keep the Canadian Guards alive. The men are downstairs telling stories and reminiscing and the ladies are upstairs, playing games and talking about the men - perhaps not! Anyone in the area during the first Saturday of December each year is welcome to drop in and enjoy the evening. As a matter of fact, anyone passing through the Oromocto area at any time is always welcome. Please give us a call at (506) 357-8158.
Dan and Wilma Murphy and their committee are busy working on this year’s reunion to be held in Bathurst NB, on 13,14 & 15 October, 2006. Bathurst is a beautiful area in the province with hotels and motels in close proximity to the Legion, where all the weekend’s events take place. There will be registration forms and information packages sent out by the end of April and anyone wishing to attend the reunion is encouraged to register early. I might add that we look forward to the large participation from Ontario each year - they always help to make our reunions a big success. We have had members from as far away as Vancouver, the Prairies and Winnipeg attend over the past few years, all of whom make a real contribution to our Annual Reunion.
It’s great to see old friends and make new ones. We are looking forward to participation from all the Provinces at the 2006 Reunion in Bathurst.
Terry Dexter
Atlantic addendum:
Robie Woodworth visited Dennis (Bucky) Buchanan in the Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville in January. Bucky is recuperating from major surgery and undergoing further tests. He is in good spirits and would enjoy hearing from all his buddies.
Our fellow pensioners have done an outstanding job in pushing for the cessation of the claw-back and are still working hard to ensure that it gets back on the ‘Order Paper’ (now that the Government has changed). You are all urged to carefully peruse the website - and all its links - to determine just who is and who is NOT supporting our cause. (It may be as much of an eye opener for you as it was for me) at: http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/military.pension/page-01.htm
I spoke to Colonel Gregg two days ago (April 25) and he informed me that he and Norma will not be making the long trip to the reunion in Bathurst, mainly because of their health and the greater distance to travel. They are both in fair health, but not without aches and pains of course, each at the tender age of nearly 87 years. God Bless them.
I asked him if he would like me to carry a message from him to all those in attendance and he said, "Yes." He will prepare comments which I will read, on his behalf, at the reunion this Fall. It is regretful we are at the point where our most senior member and his wife are not able to make the longer trip to the Annual Reunion. It is up to the remainder of us to keep the colours flying, so to speak. I hope all are in good health and I would like to see everyone at the Reunion in Bathurst, New Brunswick, 13-15 October, 2006.
Terry Dexter, President Atlantic Branch, Canadian Guards Regimental Association
We echo Terry’s sentiments regarding our most senior members. Jim Baird, our first Association President in 1969, is unable to travel and is resident in the Perley-Rideau Veterans Health Centre, in Ottawa. Similarly, General Rowley, our Honourary Colonel, is confined to a wheel chair and unable to travel outside of his residence. We must remember that many of the members who founded The Regiment were WW2 veterans and those of us who are younger need to step up and, as Terry says, "Keep the Colours flying!"
SPECIAL NOTICE
A Base Gagetown Fact-finder’s Project is underway. Its principal, Sean Stoyles, is trying to find the names of persons who have spent some time at Base Gagetown, either on posting or on exercise. If you are one of these, please contact:
Base Gagetown and Area Fact Finder’s Project,
255 Restigouche Road, Unit 3, Oromocto NB, E2V 2H1
Toll free: 1-866-830-9090 Tel (506) 357-8200 Fax (506) 357-8222
http://www.basegagetownandareafactfindersproject.ca
Ottawa: Tel (613) 234-1849-Fax (613) 234-0123-Cell (613) 203-4526
BAND REPORT
Ron Pettitt joined the Canadian Forces in 1951 with the 27th Infantry Brigade Band under the direction of J.M.Gayfer. From this band the Canadian Guards Band was formed around late 1953/early 1954. Pete Murray, Yogi Russel, Don Stewart and Norm Heathcote were also members.
The Guards Band served in Korea and while there did a side trip to Japan. Ron describes the concert venue in Tokyo as having the biggest band shell he had ever seen anywhere! Ron left the Guards Band in 1956 while it was stationed in Camp Borden. He joined the RCR Band in London, Ontario, and remained with them until his retirement in 1972.
Ron has remained musically active, playing in community concert bands, dance bands and an ethnic Dutch Band - sometimes up to three nights a week. Now that his wife has retired, however, he has curtailed his activities so they can spend more time together.
Performing in military bands has given Ron the opportunity to see the world - especially Europe - which remain the highlight years of his musical career.
Bob Bertuzzi, Band Correspondent
MISCELLANY
Merve Olinik was appointed in December 2005, to the Association Board of Directors. He is the new Chairman of the "Guards Help Committee", replacing John Trethewey, who was forced to give up the post because of business commitments after 3 years of great service in the job. Merve was recruit # 2442 at the Guards Depot and was a Guardsman in 1st Battalion, before several promotions and other duties moved him beyond the Regiment.
LCol Paul A. Mayer, who comes from a military lineage of great length, has published his biography, " I’ve Had a Good Innings". It covers his youth, WWII and UN activities and is available from General Store Publishing House ($24.95).
LCol Mayer, who turns 90 this year, is a much decorated soldier and a staunch supporter of the Regimental Association.
LAST WORDS
Attached (to Hard Copy version) is an application for a donation to "St. Michael’s Wall", at the Base Petawawa Museum. Your donation will add your plaque to the "Wall" as well as provide funds for the maintenance of the "Guards Collection" housed in the Museum. If you haven’t already done so, we urge you to consider a donation.
John Barclay, Editor j__barclay@sympatico.ca (that’s two underscores )