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The Canadian Guards Regimental Association

FIRST WORDS

While ‘Father Time’ stole some of our worthies over the past year, your Association- the public face of the Regimental Family - continued to grow and prosper. At our year-end board meeting on 07 December, it was reported that we have 611 members in good standing - more than we have ever had. It gives me a great and warm feeling that we are doing so well for an organization that had its last recruit over 38 years go!

2006 was a most successful year. We held the Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in conjunction with the annual Reunion ( and AGM) of the Atlantic Branch in Bathurst, New Brunswick this past October. This marked the first time that the event was taken to the Maritimes. It was indeed a great pleasure for Al Johnston, our national Secretary-Treasurer, and myself, to attend their meeting and conduct our ‘national’ AGM. Both ourselves and our spouses were warmly greeted by the Atlantic Branch members and their dynamic Committee, headed by Terry Dexter. A great time was had by all!

Our Colonel, General Roger Rowley, continues to carry on with great elan as he celebrated his 92nd birthday this year. While his old soldier’s body is frail his spirit and obvious love of the Regiment continues to inspire those of us who visit him on a weekly basis. He sends his best "Holiday Greetings" to all members of the Regimental Family, wherever they may be around the world.

( In that context, our Webmaster reported at the Board meeting that we are getting thousands of hits per month from Canada, US and around the world including UK, Europe, Asia and Australia.)

The largest amount of time at the Board meeting was dedicated to discussing the Guards Help Program and how we could improve it. There is insufficient space here to publish all the details, so it was decided that the Spring newsletter would contain an article providing a full resume of the program. In addition, it was decided that the webmaster, Gerry Heffernan, in conjunction with Chairman Merv Olinik and ’special’ consultant Peter Ambroziak, would build a web page to post the latest information on our members and other Veterans’ requirements, and how they are being met. This will become a permanent feature on the site.

Merv Olinik also agreed to contact members Chris Beattie, Ted Doucette, John Harrison, Percy Price, Steve Brodsky and Cecille Dwyer ( a former RCL Service Officer), all of whom have agreed to formally join the program. Many of them have already been working diligently and effectively, but now will join together to see what synergy they can create.

I must remind you that the "Guards Help Program" is primarily a referral organization. It has the fundamental tasks of identifying, referring and monitoring our member’s needs. Any administrative or legal action required must be carried out by those mandated to do so in Veterans Affairs and the Royal Canadian Legion.

I applaud the achievements of Chris, Ted and John, who have taken a number of cases "above and beyond the mandate" , with significant results. Is there anyone out there who would like to help? If so please call Merv Olinik at his office, (613) 945-5266 or at home, (613) 841-5198.

A very "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all members of the Regimental Family - wherever you are!"

Ian Douglas, President

A MARI USQUE AD MARE

IN MEMORIAM

We send our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families, comrades and friends of the following members of our Regimental Family who have passed on.

Edwin ‘Ed" Bale, Gerald P. Chisholm, Roderick John Courtney, Robert Joseph Downey, Alfred Gover (band), Gordon Frederick Gratton, Neil Ellsorth MacDonald, Graham Price ( son of Betty and Percy), Colin S. ‘Paddy" Reid, Eric Tyson Rowsell, Bert Russell, Francis George Sheppard, R.G. "Sully" Silliphant, C.E. ‘Chuck’ Stamp, Bill Vant RCAPC, James Edward White, Owen Williams, Kenneth Donald Wright and Edie Young (wife of Malcolm ).

"Father of all, I commend to thy mercy all my friends who have died&ldots;." (W. R. Matthews )

( errata: Summer issue; "Vaughn Haynes" is correct. " Marie Miller wife of J. E. Miller" is correct. These errors are deeply regretted - JB editor )

CHALLENGES

Here are two "challenges" for the Association membership. I know you’ve been ‘challenged’ before - the History, the Guards Collection, the several "national" reunions and the many annual reunions and Annual General Meetings - so here are three new ones, just to keep you in shape for the next few years.

Harry Mayne, a We(s)t Coast denizen, sent us a lovely letter the other day and enclosed the original copy of Regimental Newsletter NO 30, dated 23 October 1967. These newsletters were published by the Guards Depot and are a fount of useful information detailing postings, promotions, activities and special events undertaken by Regimental members of every rank and units of every size.

The Regimental Newsletter was apparently published quarterly, and I’m not certain how many there are. Given that the date of "NO 30" is October 67, I can presume that perhaps 35 or 36 was the total number printed.

The Challenge: How many of these original Regimental Newsletters can we find? How many trunks, boxes, filing cabinets and attics have a few copies? (Please forward any to the Association Secretary and include whether you want your copy returned.)

Mike Bambrick has offered his services to oversee a "Recruit Platoon Photo Recovery" project in the Atlantic Branch. The Branch is trying to recover as many of these old 8x10 glossies, as follows:

" Find your copy of the photo, scan it using low resolution, attach the digital copy to an e-mail and send it to:- bambrickmichael@rogers.com - please include the graduation year and Course number, if you know it. If you don’t have a scanner you can have it done at any Staples/Office Depot/Wal-Mart or any photography store. They can put it on disc or maybe e-mail to me for you. My address is: Michael L. Bambrick, 15 Hayward Court, Fredericton NB, E3A 0A4, tel: (506) 455-0372."

The Challenge: Much the same as the one above. Put on a face mask and get rummaging through all those dusty boxes, etc. ( this time you can reply directly to Mike to the either of the above addresses)

LAST WORDS

This is a long newsletter and I would ask you to read it carefully - much of the content requires some action on your part. We are in great condition vis-à-vis our membership numbers, our finances and the Guards Collection in Petawawa is in good shape both physically and financially.

But we must not become complacent and " let George do it" - there is no "George"! So "Up Guards and at ‘em!".

John Barclay Editor

 A Mari Usque ad Mare

Band Report - Bob Bertuzzi:

Jack Fisher certainly had an interesting career in the armed forces - both in Canada and in the UK. As a young lad in 1943 he enlisted in the 48th Highlanders, and by 1946 he was a member of the 46th Brigade, Royal Marine Commandos in Kowloon, China. This was followd by stints in Hong Kong, Penang, Malaya and India - he was on the last British troopship to leave India prior to the assassination of Mhatma Ghandi. He then went to the 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment in Vienna and did a tour in Korea where he was wounded three times. From there, in 1952, he went to Japan and joined the 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment.

Following a year in limbo at the Personnel Depot at Sunnybrook in Toronto, he was offered the opportunity to join Jim Gayfer with the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion Band. Jack got married about this time and, after toured with the band in Canada and the northern US.

 During this time, the band was rebadged as the Band of the Regiment of Canadian Guards, and it was off to Korea for a short tour of duty with the 4th Battalion, Canadian Guards and then on to Petawawa and the Guards Depot.

Once settled in, Jack organized a rifle team of bandsmen and taught them all to shoot. He enjoyed hunting with Don Russell and Terry Slymon.

In 1959, now with four children, Jack asked for a posting to a unit which was close to a major children’s hospital. Two of his children were found to have a rare disease which needed special care. He was transferred to the PPCLI Band in Edmonton. At age 32, as a mature student, he enrolled in Geology course at the University of Calgary and ater found a part time job with the Shell Oil Company. Jack and his family now live in Tsawassen B.C., where he is active in Many different service groups.

Financial Report:

The Secretary-Treasurer, Al Johnston, advises that as of 31 August, 2006, the Assets of the Association consisted of:

Cash in bank $ 12,833.54

Investments $ 9,472.04

Kit shop (flags) $ 1,245.79

  Total $ 23,833.37

As of 31 July, 2006, the "Cdn Gds Museum Acct" balance was at $ 18,446.72, and the "Guards Museum Trust Acct", which is held by the Canadian Forces Central Fund, had a balance of $ 9,494.71. The total of both accounts is $ 27,941.43. Both of the ‘museum’ accounts are administered by by CFB Petawawa NPF and are not included in the Association financial report.

At the AGM in Bathurst it was agreed in the appointment of Dave Declerq as Association auditor for fiscal 2006/2007.

REPORTS

Membership:

For the ninth consecutive year we have achieved our goal of maintaining current membership in excess of 500. We continue to record small, but steady, increases year over year. Our current membership is, at 611, at an all-time high. Your Association Executive will continue to accord a high priority to maintaining a membership level in excess of 500.

Our accomplishment in the matter of our membership strength is just one of the many indications of of our dedication to The Regiment and its values. This level of membership is one of the essential factors necessary to maintain a viable ‘National’ organization. Your continued support and dedication, as reflected in the numbers below, are essential elements in our continuing efforts to maintaining our goals.

Bill MacIver

The following statistical analysis was compiled by JAS Haley.

click here to see stats

BY - LAWS

The AGM in Bathurst approved the amendments to the Association By-Laws, paragraphs 400.1 to 404.1, inclusive. Details of the amendments can be found in the 2005 "summer" newsletter.

As a result of a query prior to the AGM, the Secretary-Treasurer reminded members that according to By-Law 122.3, " Surviving spouse of of deceased members of the Association whose dues are current, shall be deemed to be Paid-Up Members with full voting privileges."

Museum:

The Museum Committee Chairman is Gerry Wharton. As has been previously reported, he and his band of merry men ( Howard Clark, Wally Fowler, Al Hennessy and Roy Naugle) worked very hard to get our "Collection" ready for viewing for Petawawa’s 100th birthday in July 2005. The committee and its members have continued to work on the maintenance of the exhibits and are working towards ensuring that the signage, in both official languages, is correct and well displayed. A visitor’s Brochure is in final stage of preparation and should be available, in English, by February 2007. ( A French version will follow)

The Committee Chair is confident that a former Guardsman in the Pembroke or Petawawa area will be found to take a "hands on" supervisory role for the Museum, to relieve Knobby Clark for at least part of the year. It should be noted that the job is not salaried nor are traveling expenses covered - but this should not deter you from stepping forward. It is hoped that a name can be announced in the "Spring" newsletter.

As noted in the Financial Report the ‘Collection’ is relatively well off financially. Although those funds are administered by CFB Petawawa, they belong to the Association and their use is decided by the Association. For instance, we will pay for the brochures from these funds, and for any other purchases directly related to the "Collection".

The Committee chair advised the Board at its year-end meeting ( 6 Dec) that The Regimental Colours, which are on display at Government House, may be again moved. They have been superceded by Portraits of past Governors Generals and are presently in storage there. Ian Douglas and Gerry Wharton are pursuing negotiations with staff at Rideau Hall. It is possible that they may be part of the new "Hall of Colours" at the National Military Cemetary at Beechwood. The Association will make an announcement when a decision is reached.

COMMENDATION

Percy Price was recently feted on his retirement after 50 years of Public Service as a soldier, Legion Services Officer and latterly as a member of the Pension Review Board. Those of you who retired from the service in the Eastern Ontario area know of how tirelessly Percy worked on your behalf for 20 some years as the Royal Canadian Legion’s Eastern Ontario Service Officer.

Percy and Betty’s son Graham, in his early 40’s, passed away a few weeks ago, the victim of cancer. We offer our sincerest condolences to all the family.

With this in mind, we heartily commend Percy for coming on board the "Guards Help" program, bringing with him his wealth of experience and wise counsel.

FROM THE BRANCHES

PETAWAWA

Greetings on behalf of myself and Executive members to all our branch members and to the entire Regimental Family. I was unable to attend the Atlantic Reunion in Bathurst this year, but sent the following message. "Greetings to all from the Petawawa Branch. We wish you a very good AGM in Bathurst and we also send best wishes to the Atlantic Branch for a successful reunion and Branch AGM."

Last winter we had an opening for only one executive position, Vice-President, and Jim Purcell was acclaimed. We held a well attended dinner-dance in June, but otherwise let the membership off for the season. Earlier this year, the Executive made plans for the Branch AGM, which was held on 8 December at the Pembroke Legion. We had a large turnout, possibly because there were no elections held this year and it was safe for everyone to attend, or it might have been the guest speaker, Association President Ian Douglas, who brought us all up to date on what’s happening in the Association and a report on the fine Atlantic Reunion. Membership Chair Henry Campbell advised us that we have 97 Active members of whom 43 are paid up to 2005 and beyond. Secretary-Treasurer Jean Clark says that " all our bills are paid and we have money in the bank." May I take this opportunity to wish each and every one, "Good health, a Happy and joyous Christmas holiday and lots of good luck in 2007."

Ambrose Dwyer - President Petawawa Branch

ATLANTIC

Over the summer the branch was very quiet, with the exception of Dan Murphy and his Reunion Committee who were busy finalizing the preparations for the Bathurst Reunion on 13-15 October. Well, the weekend came and the weekend went and what a weekend it was! We were very pleased to host the National AGM, a first for the area. The members were treated to this rare occasion whereby we were brought up to date on the well-being of the Association by our National President, Ian Douglas. ( Some people’s eyes were opened by the amount of work undertaken on our behalf.) Our own Branch AGM followed the ‘National’ and the slate of officers was re-elected for a further one-year term: Pres- Terry Dexter; VP N.B.-Henry Gerhardt; VP N.S.- Ralph Currie; Treasurer - Bob Christensen, and Secretary - Marion Dexter. The 2007 Reunion will be held in Oromocto - 12-14, October; Cape Breton has made a bid for the 2008 Reunion and Bernie Skehen has proposed that the 2009 Reunion be held on "The Rock" ie. Newfoundland. More details will be forthcoming. The Bill Matheson Award was made to two couples - Henry and Sadie Gerhardt and Leo and Vera McManus - for all their hard work this year and for the past many years.

Sunday morning, approximately 120 members attended a farewell breakfast before wending their many ways home. Land knows time goes by too fast as it is, but we can’t wait for next year’s Reunion in Oromocto!

Terry Dexter - President Atlantic Branch