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Spring Newsletter May 2008 |
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The Canadian Guards Regimental Association
FIRST WORDS Over the past forty years this Association has achieved many things: the establishment of branches, Annual General Meetings (AGM) outside Ottawa, well attended ‘National Reunions’ ( since 1986), preparation and publication of our Regimental History ( 2 editions), acquisition of artifacts and presentation of the life of the Regiment through the "Guards Collection" in the Petawawa Military Museum, establishment of the Guards Help Line and, last but not least, the recent consistent increase in membership to today’s astounding level of 630 current members. None of these things, however, could have been accomplished without the dedication, participation and plain hard work of all members of The Regimental Family and Association. So to you all "Well done!" and the thanks of a grateful Executive. As with many things in the Canadian Guards, our Regimental Standing Orders (RSOs) set the standard against which all other Regimental Standing Orders were measured. It was generally regarded throughout the Canadian Army that this was the finest set of "Standing Orders" ever produced by a Canadian Regiment. The first edition was published in 1956 and bound in a blue covered book - a modest 20 Chapters, 4 Annexes and 8 plates in 121 pages. Ten years and very few amendments later, the second edition was published in a bright red cover - some 29 chapters, 3 Annexes and 64 plates in 295 pages! The connecting link between the two editions was D. R. Brochu, whose death we acknowledge in this newsletter. Captain ‘Don’ Brochu served in WWII in Europe with the "Van Doos" and he came to the Regiment of Canadian Guards in 1954, as the first Adjutant of the Canadian Guards Depot. He was one of the initial group of Guardsmen to go to the Brigade of Guards Depot in UK, for training. In 1955, along with Depot CO Major T.M. MacDonald and Depot RSM J.J.T. McManus, he began the task of preparing the RSOs for publication, which took place in 1956. In 1965, (now) Major Brochu was again posted to the Guards Depot, this time as CO, and undertook the revision of the Standing Orders, the second edition of which was published in 1966. The "Regimental Standing Orders" was the Bible for all things Regimental. Those of you who are have a copy of either edition ( I am lucky that I have both) should take it out every once in awhile - you may find the answer to some of today’s problems in "The Book". You can thank Major ‘Don’ Brochu for that.
IN MEMORIAM We send our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family, comrades and friends of the following members of the Regimental Family who have passed away since our last newsletter. John S. Bonvie, Edward Lockyear Brake, Delphis R. (Don) Brochu, Jim Brown (RCAPC), Lawrence F. Buchanan, Borislav (Bob) Damjanoff, Jean R. Dore, John Norman Ferguson, Eric Isenor, Fred Leadston (band), Jack Delbert Meeks, Joseph William (Joe) Mombourquette, Randy Noseworthy, Elizabeth Pryde (widow of John), Connie Rogers (widow of Les) and John Hilliard Trethewey. "He who has done his best for his own time has lived for all times." (JCF Schiller)
CORRESPONDENTS
Thanks to Peter and Leila Thureson for the information regarding Jack Meeks and his fall and the consequent discovery of his illness. Joyce Damjanoff and family wrote to Ian Douglas: " Dear Mr. Douglas. First off I would like to say thank you for all your help. We would also like to know if it is possible if you would be able to post the following quick response for us in the newsletter and/or on the Canadian Guards Website. " We would like to thank all of those who have sent cards and e-mails with regards to my husband/father’s passing. For the great thoughts and remembrances of Bob Damjanoff." Sincerely, Joyce Damjanoff, Chris Damjanoff, Karen Greenhough. Dona A. Parent sent a letter to the Secretary to ensure that certain changes were made to his information: the Secretary assures me that it has been done. The latter part of his letter follows: " I also want to let you know how much I enjoy the newsletter. I like to check the names hoping that some of my fellow Guardsmen may have joined, especially the boys who were part of the Prix LeClerc competitions in Germany, under the leadership of Ian Douglas. I’m looking forward to the next newsletter. Sincerely, Dona A. Parent." (Thanks for the kind words Dona; we too look forward to hearing from any members of the Prix LeClerc teams, especially those from the winning team captained by John Annand. Ed )
The following letter from H. A. Hadfield was so upbeat, we felt it needed publishing in toto. " Dear Fellow Guardsmen! 10 Dec 07 I was sorry to read in the newsletter of the death of Roger Corrigan - a truly unique, stalwart and dedicated person. Consequently, I do not know your name to address you properly. At the age of 84 I tend to forget things (surprise!). Have I paid my subscription up to date and what is the current membership fee?? Nice to read of Col Gregg - he was my Company Commander in Valcartier in 54-57 - a real ideal OC, a pleasure to serve under. A good word too for the Bureau of Pension advocates - they helped me to obtain a small pension as a result of an eye injury BUT the result of the injury was not manifest for more than twenty years after my release from the Guards - the clue is to keep appealing up to the highest level after the claim is rejected. Best wishes for Christmas and 08. H.A.Hadfield.
Thanks to Blanche Wallace for the warning re the necessity of firewalls to take care of spam.
Ian Turnbull sent us the following notice. " Via Rail is offering free rail transportation for the month of July to Canadian Forces Personnel and Veterans. The promotion applies only to ‘Regular’ seating. To take advantage of this offer you will need one of the following forms of ID - DND ID Card; Military Dependant ID; Canex Club Xtra Card; Record of Service (ND 175) or any Veteran’s Affairs Canada (VAC) benefit card. For Veterans, one of the two last -noted forms should be presented at the time of ticket purchase. If you do not have one of these two forms of ID, contact VAC to obtain the required identification. More info at: www.viarail.ca/forces. And finally, to Ian Inrig: thanks for the articles, but neither of us needs help in the curmudgeon business, or so I have always thought!
ATLANTIC BRANCH
There is not too much to report at this time. As can be expected this time of year, most of us are under three feet of snow, except for Newfoundland which is at least five feet under and expecting more. We continue to be fairly active with the December Christmas party at the Dexter’s which was well attended by members and wives from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The men had a grand old time telling war stories, while the ladies played "Yankee Swap" - which continues to be a favourite with them. It is with sadness that I report that neither our Patron, Colonel Gregg, nor Mrs. Gregg, will be able make the journey to attend future reunions because of ill health. In is 88th year the Colonel still continues to provide valued guidance to the Branch Executive; his positive outlook towards all aspects of the Canadian Guards is to be admired. All of us will miss them both. On a lighter note, we look forward to the 55th Reunion this year in Cape Breton. Because there is a Caleigh in the area at the same time, I encourage you to register early in order for the planning group to prepare for the event. Registrations will be sent to you by mid-April. The dates this year are 10 to 12 October - as the Monday is a Holiday (Thanksgiving), you have an extra day to travel home so there will be no need to rush away on Sunday. We look forward to seeing you there! Kit shop note: Our kit shop items are on display on both the Atlantic and National web sites. If you see something you need, please submit an order. We have only nine good quality 3’x6’ Regimental Flags remaining. Good health to all and we certainly hope to see you in Port Hawkesbury in October.
Terry Dexter President, Atlantic Branch.
SPECIAL NOTICE
Chief Warrant Officer W. Brown, RSM of the Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre, is working on a project to identify past members/instructors/staff of the CFLAWC - formerly The Airborne School - who have passed away. The aim is to have a parade once a year to commemorate the contributions of those members to the school. Please direct your info to CWO Brown at: CFLAWC, CFB Trenton, PO Box 1000, Trenton, ON, K0K 3W0/ tel: 1-613-392-2811 (ext 2720) / CSN 827-2720 or BROWN.WD3@forces.gc.ca. Names and dates of service, if known, would be valuable. "Thanks in advance for your cooperation and spreading the word."
BAND REPORT
Andre Frechette completed 12 years in the Military. He first joined the Canadian Guards Regimental Band as a saxophone player in November 1961. He enjoyed his experiences with our band and made some good friends. With the Guards Band demise, Andre transferred to the Royal 22nd Regimental Band in Quebec City. When he left the army (1974) he joined the RCMP Band in Ottawa. In 1994, however, that band was disbanded (no pun intended) and Andre found himself free-lancing with various dance bands in the Ottawa area. He also had the experience of teaching music once a week in a private school. Sid Holmes, who passed away a few years ago, was one of Andre’s best friends in the Guards Band. He remembered him well as being a very fine trumpet player. I was fortunate enough to spend two weeks with Andre on a Band NCO course. I think Andre remembers it well! ( no comments&ldots;.) Bob Bertuzzi Band Correspondent NOTICE rallen_bandmaster@yahoo.com is looking for information on the Corps of Drums, aka " The Rainmakers". (that’s an underscore between rallen and bandmaster folks.) -------------- &ldots;..and now&ldots;" Hello Fox and Feather Lunch- Bucket Brigade! Another year has passed by and those of us remaining and still standing, see the reflection of an old man standing there staring back at as we look in the mirror. Reflections of a life past should make you aware that life is kind as we still live in the relative comfort of heated homes with the love of our families within hearing distance. Difficult as it may be to understand, we are still here - living, breathing and generally getting in the road. In unison, we share our RRSPs, pass on our wisdom and dispense, to all who will hear, our tales of woe. Not to mention the ongoing dispensing of our hard-earned savings to charities, grandchildren and, of course, the taxman; purchasing our last resting place ( so the aforesaid grandchildren are spared the expense ) &ldots;.it seems a never-ending challenge. Our gatherings at the Fox and Feather on Elgin street in the heart of downtown Ottawa on Thursdays are, for the most part, the pinnacle of an exciting outing with friends and an activity we look forward to. Those who choose to gather find an ear and share laughter as we reminisce about " who done what to whom!". We find solace that we are still able to enjoy each others’ company. Rank has long been forgotten as now we are ‘brothers-in-arms’ - old soldiers with a common thread as we age. There are times we would rather forget but, for the most part, as under the street light we are gathered, we weld together our memories of being Guardsmen, our strength is still our bond The Regiment - A Mari Usque ad Mare. Ciao, Howie Pierce"
PETAWAWA BRANCH
Like everyone else in the Valley this winter, those of us who haven’t migrated have been hunkered down, waiting for the snow to stop and/or melt and go away. The Executive - the same old gang -Ambrose Dwyer and company - met in April to plan upcoming events. We’ve planned an outing for 14 June; a barbecue and social evening at the Pembroke Legion. This will be a wrap up for the summer. We also discussed the Atlantic Reunion, in Port Hawkesbury NS, as to who might be able to go and the like. We will be meeting again in September to make plans for our General Meeting in November and to take a look at events for 2009. Membership is holding steady, despite the passing of some of our comrades, and we are looking forward to seeing our brothers from Picton in June. Regards to all, Henry Campbell.
REMEMBRANCE About four years ago, Jack Meeks sent me two chapters of a book he had written, 22 Earle Street (memories 1939 to 2004) - it was not for sale, "just something I had to put on paper for my grandkids." But there was no space in that year’s "Spring" edition and the pages got tucked away. Unfortunately, Jack has passed away, but I believe that he would be pleased to see excerpts from those two chapters published for the Regimental Family to enjoy. They provide a real ‘slice of life’ of the first days of the Regiment. Here they are!
BLIMEY! THE REGIMENT OF CANADIAN GUARDS ‘Graceful and manly in appearance, mild in demeanour, a gentleman in quarters and a lion in the field.’ ‘Training makes the soldier, but spirit makes the Guardsman’ " We (RCR) came home (from Korea) Easter of 1954. We experienced the same conditions on a crowded troopship but this time we were going home. Eventually we arrived in Seattle to a heroes welcome, thanks to the American Red Cross and a US Navy Band. We experienced this same ‘hail to the heroes’ at every train stop between Vancouver and Ottawa. Ottawa was to be the final destination where the Battalion would parade and be officially welcomed home. My friend, Ron Little -also from Kingston - and I decided to jump ship at Carleton Place and from there we took a taxi home. Our (RCR) Battalion was to be reduced to nil strength and volunteers were asked to form the 1st Battalion The Canadian Guards. Like many Junior and Senior NCOs, who felt that this would be an opportunity for faster promotion, I volunteered to serve in this new Regiment. During a short stint with 1 Gds, we shared a grandstand at the CNE with Roy Rogers. Our unit had been selected as part of a tri-service drill team. Our mess hall was building P50 ( now the Base Museum). We were marched to the mess hall after the roll was called and mail was distributed. We did not wear hats or belts because there were no cloakroom facilities. We carried our own plates ( 2 aluminum mess tins), a tin cup and our "eating tools " , KFS - knife, fork and spoon combination set. Our ‘tools’ were rarely complete, there was usually one or more of these instruments missing. It was quite normal to borrow a knife from your buddy to butter bread, or a spoon to eat soup. Etiquette was that it was returned clean - usually licked clean! On entering the mess hall one would have to pass the Duty Corporal, who would inspect hands and mess tins. If the mess tins had any remnant of your last meal in them, you would be directed to the "wash-up" area. The "wash-up" area consisted of: 1 large metal barrel for scraps of uneaten food, followed by 3 large tubs signed SOAPY WATER, RINSE and DISINFECT, respectively. Sometimes there was even a paper towels to dry your tins and tools&ldots;.but not always. But progress will prevail and this archaic system was about to change. Our Adjutant, Captain Dewitt, was a man before his time. Being a good officer and ever conscious of the well-being of the troops, he ordered that Battalion Funds purchase melmac plates, cups and knives, forks and spoons. He even had the audacity to order a dishwasher from the Supply System, but that would have to wait for the following year’s budget approval. Rumour among the troops had it that these purchases were made over the objections of the Chief Cook, who argued that the troops would only steal these items - which we did until we realized that they would always be there! The Regimental Depot had been formed and about 30 Junior NCOs, including myself, were posted to the Depot to train recruits, but first we ourselves had to be trained&ldots;&ldots;
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