The Minute Book
Sunday, 19 January 2014

CAF Expansion and National Survival
Topic: Canadian Army

Government Adding 15,000 to Regular Forces

The Ottawa Citizen, 8 September, 1961
By Greg Connolley, Citizen Staff Writer

Gravely concerned over the belligerence of Soviet Premier Khrushchev and the mounting Berlin crisis, the Canadian government is boosting its regular armed forces by 15,000 men and creating a reserve army civil defence force of 100,000 men.

These measures, announced in the Commons by Prime Minister Diefenbaker, will cost taxpayers an additional $35,000,000 for the remainder of this fiscal year alone.

Mr Diefenbaker said he did not want the government plans to be interpreted as contemplation of an early outbreak of war. Rather, this was an insurance any prudent government would take as a precautionary safeguard.

Buildup Details

In detail the increase of the regular armed forces will be as follows:

1.—Forces assigned to the North Atlantic Alliance will be boosted by 1,749 in the navy, 1.106 in the army brigade with an additional 1,515-man reserve in Canada, and 250 officers and men in the air force division in Europe.

2.—The regular forces at homes, particularly the strategic reserve, will see the army strength increased by 8,960 men and the RCAF by nearly 1,000 personnel.

3.—Canadian militia regiments will be authorized to enlist 100,000 men to take special six-week courses in civil defence survival and rescue operations.

To make possible these increases to the regular forces, the government has passed orders-in-council boosting th ceiling on personnel strength in Europe from 12,000 to 14,000 and the overall limit of armed forces from 120,000 to 135,000.

This will mark the first major buildup of the Canadian services since the Korean war.

Prime Minister Diefenbaker said this should not be regarded as a "provocative act" but rather as an indication that Canada will stand solidly with its North Atlantic Treaty Organization partners.

The proposals for the armed forces outlined by Mr. Diefenbaker are expected to have a substantially beneficial effect on the unemployment situation.

Opposition Leader Pearson reserved detailed comment on the increase in the armed forces until government policy objectives are made clear in the forthcoming defence debate.

Mr. Pearson did declare that" the only way we now have to ensure national survival is to prevent war, to abolish war as a part of national policy, because war now means general nuclear destruction."

From the CCF New Democratic Party came criticism of the government action by spokesman Bert Herridge (Kootenay West).

"We cannot agree the present situation is best met by increasing the power of our military and our armaments. We urge the government to use moderation at this time."

Mr. Herridge urged the government to continue to press for the United Nations police force, placing less emphasis on Canadian forces.

The prime Minister said the increases in the NATO-assigned troops would be accomplished by the transfer of fully trained personnel from home establishments.

Starting Immediately

Recruitment of the 15,000 men for the three forces will begin immediately.

Mr. Diefenbaker told the House that while the militia now had a strength of 42,000 many more trained men would be needed in the event of a nuclear war, both for civil defence and to support regular army field forces.

Along with these measures by Mr. Diefenbaker Defence Minister Harkness reported to the Commons on steps taken to accelerate the army's national survival program.

Steps to Survival

These included:

1.—Partial manning of emergency military headquarters.

2.—Establishment of army headquarters for "each likely target city."

3.—Purchase of additional stocks of food, vehicles, blankets, clothing and medical supplies, dispersed outside target cities.

4.—Expedite the nuclear detonation and fallout reporting system.

5.—A speedup in the survey of fallout protection offered by national defence properties.

6.—Ensuring the emergency broadcast system is brought into being as early as possible.

7.—Acceleration of the installation of the warning siren system.

The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST
Updated: Sunday, 19 January 2014 1:04 AM EST
Saturday, 18 January 2014

The Subaltern's Experience; Early Days
Topic: Officers

The Subaltern's Experience:
Early Days with a Regiment

Excerpted from The Subaltern Officer: A Narrative
By: Captain James Wood, of the Line
(1825)

The Subaltern Officer: A NarrativeWe set off on our march for Derby, where we were stationed some time. Here I still practised the same extravagance as before—spending "half a crown out of sixpence a-day;" but this excess could not last long. I had been in this town only about a month, when an order arrived for a Captain, two Subalterns, and one hundred men, to join the first Battalion, which, was then at Cork, forthwith.

I must here notice a circumstance which had nearly blasted my future prospects in the Army. Some malicious person, by way, I suppose, of ingratiating himself with the Commanding Officer, informed him I had designated him an old fool; and, to my great astonishment, being quite innocent of the charge, I was summoned before a Court of Inquiry, to have this weighty matter investigated; when, by the state ment of the gentlemen who were present at the time this improper expression was said to have been uttered, I was fully cleared from the imputation. The occur rence, however, was of service to me; as I learned, that had the epithet been used, however justly applied, the consequences to me would have been serious.

To return to the subject: among the Officers ap pointed to accompany this detachment, I was included —and a very pleasant situation I was in, truly: a march of about two hundred miles before me, without any money in my purse, and about thirty pounds in debt to the tradesmen of the town:—but there was now no time to lose, and upon informing my creditors that they should be paid as soon as I arrived at my destination, they very kindly agreed to this arrangement. We set off the next morning, with only sixpence between my brother Sub and myself, which we shared in a glass of ale on the march, wishing each other better luck and more prudence in future. We trudged on, meditating and moralizing on our late extravagance; for in general ot it only necessity that reminds us of our folly.

For the sake of some of my young military readers, I hope to be excused for pursuing for pursuing this topic a little farther. On a young gentleman's joining a regiment, he is too apt to be dazzled by the new life of apparent pleasure that he is about to lead but, if his fortune be limited, the greatest care and economy are requisite. The utmost circumspection, too, is required in his conduct, especially at the mess-table, where the want of politeness, good address, and propriety of speaking on his first appearance, is often lastingly attended with the most unpleasant consequences. A deficiency in these qualifications will not fail to impress his asso ciates with an unfavourable opinion of him; and according to the impression made, will he be subject to be treated till that impression is removed, which, in many instances, is not the case during the time of his remaining in the regiment. It may be supposed that no gentlemen enter the Army without these previous acquirements; but admitting this to be the case, they cannot have that experience which their seniors have gained by long habits of military decorum and observation. It is, therefore, particularly displeasing to see these young men officious, talkative, presump tuous, and conceited, which, unfortunately, is too often the case. They should have the modesty, how ever clever they may be, to keep reserved ; and for two or three years employ themselves in the study of men and manners, which they will find one of incalculable benefit. Be it observed, that I am not one of those tyrants who say that Subalterns should not be allowed even to think; nor do I mean to insinuate that they are not to join in the convivial conversation and merriment of the jovial companions with whom they associate — I only prescribe moderation and economy. Had I myself observed these prudent maxims on my entrance into the Army, I should not, at the time of which I am narrating, have found myself pennyless ; neither should I have fallen asleep on the highway from inebriety, and run the risk of being crushed to death by the wheel of a mail coach.

 

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST
Updated: Saturday, 18 January 2014 12:24 AM EST
Friday, 17 January 2014

Coloured Flash—Backing for Cap Badge (1948)
Topic: Militaria


All images are of badges in a Private Collection, provided courtesy of a member of
the Facebook Society of Military Artifact Preservation.

Canadian Army Orders (1948)

84-1 — Dress Regulations for Officers and Other ranks of the Canadian Army (Provisional)
Part I — Section 11 — Badges and Buttons

Coloured Flash—Backing for Cap Badge

14.     Army Headquarters, and in the case of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps and Royal Canadian Infantry Corps officers commanding units may authorize a coloured flash as described in Section 21, para 13, to be worn behind the cap badge on the beret, bonnet, tam o'shanter, balmoral, bonnet Irish and caps winter melton cloth.

Section 21 — Badges and Buttons

14.     Coloured Flashes—Backing for the Cap Badge

(a)     It will be the responsibility of commanding officers who authorize coloured flashes to be worn to see that they are out the same shape as the appropriate corps or unit cap badge and will extend } inch beyond the edge of the badge at all outer points . The dimensions of the coloured flashes for Highland, Scottish and Irish regiments will be in accordance with regimental custom.

(b)     The colour of the flash will be as follows:

The Royal Canadian Armoured Corps Yellow
The Royal Canadian Artillery Red
The Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers Blue
The Royal Canadian Corps of Signals Blue
The Royal Canadian Infantry Corps: 
Rifle Regiments Rifle green
Highland, Scottish and Irish Regiments Regimental custom
Other Infantry Regiments Scarlet
The Royal Canadian Army Service Corps Yellow
The Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps Dull cherry
The Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps Red
The Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Dark blue
The Royal Canadian Army Pay Corps Yellow
The Royal Canadian Dental Corps Royal Blue
The Canadian Postal Corps Blue
The Canadian Forestry Corps Green
The Canadian Intelligence Corps Green
The Canadian Provost Corps Red
The Royal Canadian Army Chaplain Corps Purple
The General List Scarlet
The Canadian Officers' Training Contingents Scarlet


All images are of badges in a Private Collection, provided courtesy of a member of
the Facebook Society of Military Artifact Preservation.


All images are of badges in a Private Collection, provided courtesy of a member of
the Facebook Society of Military Artifact Preservation.


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST
Updated: Friday, 17 January 2014 12:11 AM EST
Thursday, 16 January 2014

On Joining the Battalion
Topic: Officers

On Joining the Battalion

A General's Letters to His Son on Obtaining a Commission
By: Major-General Thomas David Pilcher, CB
Published anonymously, 1917

Maj-Gen Thomas David PILCHER
(1858-1928)

Service biography

Joined 5 Fusiliers 1879; Northumberland Fusiliers 1881-1897; West African Frontier Force 1897-1899; operations on the Niger 1897-1898; Commander, 2 Bedfordshire Regt 1899; South African War 1899-1902; Commander, 3 Mounted Infantry Regt 1900-1902; Commander, 3 Bde, 2 Div, Aldershot 1904-1907; Commander, Bangalore Bde, India 1907-1908; Commander, Sirhind Bde, India 1908-1912; Commander, Burma Div, Southern Army, India 1912-1914; World War I 1914-1918; Inspector of Infantry 1914; Commander, 17 Div, British Expeditionary Force (BEF), England and France 1915-1916; Commandant, Eastern Reserve Centre, St Albans 1916; retired 1919

August 1st, 1916.

My dear Dick,

I hear that you have received orders to join your Battalion. I remember distinctly the day on which I joined mine and my first day in the Mess.

Like most things we have to face, the idea is much more terrible than the actuality; and to you, who have been at a Public School, the ordeal ought not to be so trying as to another who has not had this advantage. You are sure to find that you are kindly received as long as you are modest in your behaviour, and err on the side of diffidence rather than find that on that of self-assertion.

I will tell you one or two stories, about men who joined when I was a subaltern. One day a very carefully dressed youngster walked into the Mess with a self-satisfied air. As several cadets had been gazetted, and we did not know which of them he was, the Senior Subaltern asked him his name, to which he replied in a rather la-de-da manner, "My name is Raymond Vere de Vere Grosvenor." The Senior Subaltern said, "All right, we will call you you Buggins," and Buggins he was called as long as ever he remained in the Regiment, and although he eventually turned out quite a good fellow, he had not a very rosy time to begin with. I also remember a nervous, callow youngster, whom we afterwards called "Boy" Brown, joining in India. He had had a very rough passage, was a bad sailor, and two nights in the train had not freshened him up. He was so shy and nervous when he walked into the Mess that as we one after the other shook hands with him we could hardly help laughing in his face.

The next day there was a steeplechase meeting, and a jockey was wanted for a brute that nobody cared to ride, when Boy Brown came up and shyly asked for the mount, got the brute round the course, and came in a good third. He was made quite a hero of that night at Mess, and at once became a favourite with us all.

In the years immediately preceding the war a great deal was heard about "ragging," and there is no doubt that the means taken to teach young officers manners were often reprehensible but, take it all round, the education they used to get from the Senior Subaltern was excellent, and in many cases badly needed. The Senior Subalterns were hardly ever men who could be accused of snobbery, and I have never known an officer, promoted from the ranks, to have had anything but a good reception, though youngsters with swollen heads were always put into their proper places.

You ask me how you should address your senior officers. It is the custom of the Service for all officers of the rank of Captain or under to call one another by their surnames without prefix. The Colonel you should always address as "Colonel" or "Sir," and a youngster should also always address a Major as "Major" or "Sir," unless he is especially told not to do so. I have lately received several letters from officers, addressing me as "Dear Sir," instead of "Dear General," or "Dear General Z___" if the writer did not know me well. Of course, you know that you should reserve "Dear Sir" for your business letters.

In some regiments in the old army a great deal of familiarity of address used to be allowed in the Mess, but these were regiments in which the discipline was always above suspicion, and it is unlikely in battalions of to-day, constituted as they are mostly of officers who had not joined when war commenced, that any liberties in this respect would be wise. On parade you should invariably address your senior as "Sir."

You must endeavour to be on good terms with everybody. It is only natural that you will find that some spirits are more kindred to you than others ; but whenever you can do so by little acts of kindness, try to ingratiate yourself with all if can be done without this loss of principle or self-respect.

Be very chary with your confidence, only give it to those of whom you feel a certain as you can be that they are worthy of it. Avoid making enemies, especially of making them among men who are likely to hit below the belt. It a true saying that we should choose enemies as carefully as we choose our friends. A Bayard may be a more formidable antagonist than a Hun, but he is a pleasanter man to deal with, either in peace or war, and you are placed at a great disadvantage in having in your antagonist one who will condescend to means to which you cannot stoop.

Whatever the conduct of the enemy, it should be no excuse for lowering your own standard. There is a good story, which is also true, of one of our officers in the North Sea, who, when a German officer on was brought on board after having been rescued from drowning, entertained him in his cabin, gave him a new rig-out, and a good cigar. As a reward this disciple of Kultur spat in his face. When he was asked what he did in return, he only remarked, "Poor devil! I pitied him for being such an unmitigated cad, but I suppose he was born like that, and a leopard can't change his spots." You are nonplussed in dealing with a man who spits if you have been brought up not to spit back.

There is a very necessary and hard-and-fast rule that ladies' names should never be mentioned in the Mess, and however junior you may be, should you hear officers transgressing this rule, you should either call their attention to it or yourself get up and go away.

Avoid extravagance, either with your money, in your dress, or in anything else. Remember that the best dressed man is the one who you know is well dressed, but whose clothes are so unnoticeable that you cannot remember what he had on; and you should have no ambition to be known by the shape of your hat or the colour of your tie.

There is no petty vice which disliked among men of arms as meanness. Never be led away by the idea that generosity and extravagance are in any way akin. I have known the man who would put a "monkey" on a race, or lose a couple of "ponies" on a game of poker, and who would try to avoid giving the gamekeeper the tip he had the right to expect, or would under-pay his cabman if nobody were looking. I have also known men wallow in champagne, and refuse a "fiver" to an old friend who had got down in in the world; and I have, on the contrary, known the man who would stint himself the glass of port he liked so much after dinner, in order either to keep a hunter or to be able to tip the waiter. These men killed two birds with one stone, for they achieved their direct purpose, and also by practising restraint strengthened by their characters.

I don't want you to think that I am lecturing you, nor do I expect you will avoid getting into scrapes any more often than I did. The four-year-old which never will of its own seldom turns out a really good hunter, and the puppy which never runs wild seldom becomes a first-class dog; so with the human subject, the young must have their fling, and this in ordinary times must be forgiven as long as a man never does anything that is ungentlemanly.

In the old days a good deal used to be drunk the Mess, and I can recollect big guest nights when chargers were brought into the dining-room and jumped over the tables but those days have; gone for ever, and a good thing too, though their memories are associated with some of the best of fellows who were, however, the best of fellows in spite of, and not by reason of, such escapades. Now it is considered bad form for an officer to exceed in the least, even inside the precincts of the Mess, and there can be no doubt that the less a man drinks the fitter he keeps. Alcohol does a little good sometimes, and a great deal of harm very often. If the whole nation were moderate, no restrictions with regard to consumption would be advisable. As a restorative on rare occasions there is nothing like a pint of champagne, and the tot of rum sometimes given to the men puts new vigour into them; it but if taken as a daily ration, alcohol loses its potency as a pick-me-up. To put it in another way, I consider that, trenches if the good that alcohol does is represented by the figure 5, the harm it does is represented by 95; and this being so, I very much regret that we did not follow the Russian lead when they prohibited the sale of vodka during the war. If I had thought that there were any chances of drink having much attraction for you, I should urge you to become a teetotaller; but as things are I do not do this, though ; I think that the less you drink the better, and you will find that if you are very abstemious in your habits there are sure to be others in your Mess who are equally so, and you will not be looked on with suspicion as would have been the case in the old days.

Always remember that you are joining your Regiment during the greatest crisis which your country has ever found itself, that it is your bounden duty to do in everything in your power to make yourself a fit instrument in her service, and that, in spite of what I said just now about youngsters having their fling, this is a period for work, and for work only.

Your affectionate father,
"X. Y. Z"


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST
Updated: Wednesday, 26 February 2014 6:26 PM EST
Wednesday, 15 January 2014

Battle Drill Training (1943)
Topic: Drill and Training


Platoon No. 10. S10. C.B.D.T.C. Vernon, BC. March 1943. Meeres Studios photo, Vernon, BC,
Photo credit: from the collection of Maj Fred Mills (RCASC) via Maj Craig Mills (The RCR/Cdn Gds).
Maj Fred Mills is in the centre of the back row.

Battle Drill Training (1943)

During the Second World War, there were training centres for the Canadian Army spread across the country. With the most common focus of attention on Canadian army service during the Second World War being on the forces overseas, we easily forget how extensive the training system was in Canada, and the value and scope of work done by the thousands who ran these establishments.

Huge efforts were made to staff these camps and to conduct required training, and many training locations expanded from existing facilities or were built from nothing to meet the Army's needs. The photo above provides a good indication of how well equipeed the Training Centres had become by 1943 (the summer of the invasion of Sicily and still a year prior to D-Day).

No 110 Cdn Army (Basic) Training Centre, Vernon, BC

  • NPAM Training Centre from 9 Oct 40 to 14 Feb 41.
  • Placed on Active Service: 15 Feb 41
  • Disbanded 30 Aug 43 upon organization of S17 Cdn Infantry School.

Brief history - No. 110 Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre — Vernon

During both World Wars, Vernon was an important training ground for Canadian troops. The military camp, #110 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre, trained thousands of soldiers from 1940-45. The 19th Infantry Brigade made its headquarters here, comprising of 3rd Battalion Irish Fusiliers (Vancouver Regiment), Winnipeg Light Infantry, Prince Albert Volunteers, 26th Field Company Royal Canadian Engineers, 25th Field Ambulance and various support units. Some 6 km to the east of the camp on the edge of the Coldstream Ranch was the Battle Drill School. This camp trained Canadian soldiers in advanced fighting skills from 1942-45. It was the first FIBUA (Fighting in Built up Areas) training centre in the world. To this day, unexploded artillery and mortar shells used in training are still turned up by the frost and development of the surrounding hills. Internment camps were also located in Vernon during the World Wars; in WWI for Ukrainian Canadians (this camp is now the site of a high school) and in WWII for people of Japanese descent (mostly from Vancouver). After WWII, the camp was mothballed. In 1949 it was reopened and became an Army Cadet Training Centre for the Royal Canadian Army Cadets. - Source. - Location.


The Boys Anti-Tank Rifle

The Bren Gun

The 2-inch Mortar

The Thompson Sub-Machine Gun


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST
Tuesday, 14 January 2014

NCO Duties (1891)
Topic: Discipline

Non-Commissioned Officers
55th Megantic Battalion of Infantry

Excerpted from Duties for Non-Commissioned Officers of the 55th Battalion, Active Militia
By: O. Hunter, Major and Adjutant, 55th Batt. A. Militia
Approved: J.J. Duchesnay, Lt.-Col., D.A.G. 7th Military District
1891

55th Regiment,
Megantic Light Infantry

The regiment was raised 22 March, 1867, as the 55th Megantic Battalion of Infantry. It was redesignated as the 55th Regiment, Megantic Light Infantry, 8 May 1900 and was disbanded on 3 Sep 1912.

Motto: "Semper Paratus" – "Always Ready"
Uniform: Scarlet with blue facings

1.     The good conduct of a Regiment depends greatly on the active and zealous discharge of the duties required on the part of Non Commissioned Officers.

2.     Their duty is rigidly to report every irregularity they may observe in the men whether on or off duty; and never to permit insolence or reply from a soldier in the execution of their duty; they must on no account use vile or irritating language to him, and should above all things maintain a proper, equal and impartial authority.

3.     No Officer or Non-Commissioned Officer should under any circumstances, speak or parley with a soldier under the influence of liquor, but should have him immediately confined.

4.     Any soldier refusing to obey an order lawful given or argues about the right or wrong of it, should be immediately confined and reported to the officer commanding the company.

5.     Whenever a man is recommended for promotion, a specimen ot his handwriting should accompany the recommendation.

6.     Officers are strictly forbidden to reprove their Commissioned Officers in the presence of their men, as such tends to weaken their authority.

7.     Non-Commissioned Officers, through breach of discipline are not to be sent to the guard room, but placed under arrest in their camp or quarters.

8.     Inefficient Non-Commissioned Officers are a nuisance with regard to the efficiency of a company, and officers should be careful in their recommendations.

9.     The names of all Non-Commissioned Officers, on appointment, will appear in regimental orders.

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST
Monday, 13 January 2014

The 1953 Coronation Contingent
Topic: Canadian Army


The 1953 Coronation Contigent from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment.
Front (L to R); Sgt Craig, Cpl Sim, Lt Darling, Maj Medlund, WO I McManus, Sgt Payne, Sgt Wilkinson.
Centre (L to R); Cpl Earle, Cpl Gnatiuk, Cpl Grant, Pte Llewellyn, Cpl Camelon, Pte Kavanaugh, Pre Arsenault, Pte Kynock.
Back (L to R); Cpl MacDonald, Pte Howlett, Pte Veysey, Pte Hurst, Pte Delaney, Pte Coady.
From the journal of The RCR The Connecting File, Spring-Summer, 1953, Vol. XXV, No. 1.

Three Services to Form Coronation Contingent

Ottawa Citizen, 19 Jan 1953
By Frank Swanson, Ottawa Parliamentary Writer

A contingent of 736 officers and men will represent Canada at the June 2 coronation ceremonies in London. It was announced yesterday by Defence Minister Claxton.

They will be representative of all three armed services and of both active and reserve units, Korean veterans and serving members of the Canadian army brigade in Germany and Canadian air forces overseas will be included.

They will be chosen on the basis of good conduct, meritorious service, and, as afar as possible, will be picked to give appropriate representation to all parts of Canada.

Four mounted officers of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in colourful full dress uniform will form part of the Sovereign’s escort. The remainder of the army contingent will wear No. 1 blue dress uniform, heretofore reserved for the exclusive use of officers on formal occasions.

General Crerar, ADC

Mr. Claxton said the H.D.G. Crerar, who commanded the First Canadian Army overseas during the war will attend the coronation in his capacity as the only Aide-de-Camp General to Her Majesty the Queen.

Canadian warships and Canadian Sabre jet fighters will take part in impressive review ceremonies at Spithead. The service contingent from this side of the Atlantic will cross to England on board the warships.

Four hundred officers and men will be drawn from active forces in Canada, England, France and Germany. There will be 336 reservists who will line the streets around Trafalgar Square.

Here is the breakdown of officers and men by services:

  • Army, 206 active force and 201 reserve force personnel.
  • Navy, 78 active force and 45 reserve force personnel.<.li>
  • Air Force, 90 active force and 116 reserve force personnel.

Korean Veterans

The army representation will include officers and men who are veterans of Korea and who are now in Canada, as well as paratroopers. A representative group of army men will come from 27th Infantry Brigade Group in Germany, including the band of the Royal 22nd Regiment—the famed "Van Doos"—which will be on duty with the brigade at the time. The bandsmen will wear full dress scarlet uniforms and bearskin headgear.

Officers and NCOs, said Mr. Claxton, will be appropriate to the size of the formation in numbers.

"The selection of all personnel active and reserve, will be based on all-around service records with preference going to those who have received decorations or may have been mentioned in despatches while on overseas service, plus good conduct as well as physical condition and appearance. As far as its possible selection will also be made to give appropriate representation to the different areas of Canada," he said.

Women Included

Nursing sisters and representatives of the women’s services will also be included.

In addition to the naval units which will participate in the review at Spithead, No. 1 Fighter Wing of the RCAF based at North Luffenham, England, and possibly No. 2 Fighter Wing at Grostenquin as well, will take part in the fly-past with their Canadian-built Sabre jets.

The active army department will be made up of two companies of four platoons each. For one company, The Royal Canadian Regiment, the Royal 22nd Regiment, and the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry will each supply one platoon, and the fourth will represent service units and administrative personnel.

The other company will be drawn from the 27th Brigade in Germany, with three battalions there each supplying a platoon, and the fourth being drawn from service and administrative units. The RCN and RCAF detachments will be organized along similar lines.

The main parties will arrive in Britain May 15, get one week of leave, and will return to Canada about the middle of June.

The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST
Updated: Monday, 13 January 2014 12:06 AM EST
Sunday, 12 January 2014

Canadian Militia Reform (1911)
Topic: Canadian Militia

Canadian Militia Reform

Boston Evening Transcript 10 May 1911

Scheme to Make it More Efficient
Outline Proposed by Sir John French Followed
6 Infantry Divisions, 4 Cavalry Brigades
Thirty-Four Additional Companies of Field Artillery

Ottawa, May 10.—The Minister of Militia has made a statement in regard to the action which the department proposes to take for carrying out the recommendations of Sir John French. He began by a brief reference to the spirit in which the British inspector general made his inspection of the Canadian militia.

"Sir John French," he said, "as a professional soldier looks on soldiers from the point of view of efficiency as armed troops on duty. He was naturally disappointed, as far as the Canadian militia was supposed to represent a force of that kind. We know that the Canadian militia has never been a force ready for war. That has not been the principal idea in its organization. Only in the last four or five years has such an idea been suggested. The business of the Canadian militia has been to assist the British army when difficulties occur in Canada. The British Government until recently kept the nucleus of an army at Halifax and Esquimalt."

Sir Frederick also distributed to the members a statement in which he further made reference to the report of Sir John French. This memorandum open by stating:

"The recommendations of Sir John French can be classed as coming under two main heads, viz.:

(a)     changes in organization, and

(b)     improved methods of training and education.

"The militia in Eastern Canada will, as recommended, be organized as cavalry brigades and infantry divisions. The ten military districts will form six divisional areas, each of which will furnish one division, and, collectively, four cavalry brigades. This reorganization can be effected with practically no dislocation of the existing system, as each divisional command will include one of more of the present military districts. The result of this change will be to place under each divisional commander the troops to form the division he would command on mobilization, and tend to associate, during training, the units which would work together as a division in the field."

The memorandum goes on to point out that there are not at present a sufficient number of units to fully form the six infantry divisions, and that before they can be made complete the following will have to be raised:

  • 34 batteries of field artillery;
  • 10 howitzer batteries;
  • one heavy battery and ammunition column,
  • 6 divisional ammunition columns,
  • 7 field companies of engineers,
  • one telegraph detachment,
  • 13 companies of Army Service Corps, and
  • four field ambulance units.

Similarly, to complete the four cavalry brigades, it will be necessary to raise:

  • one regiment of cavalry,
  • one battery of field artillery,
  • three field troops of engineers, and
  • one company of Army Service Corps.

"It is not proposed," the memorandum continues, "to proceed in the work of completing the divisions and cavalry brigades any faster than the usual votes will permit. A continuance of the vote of $1,300,000, which has been granted since 1903-4, will be asked, and out of this money the required guns, ammunition and equipment will be purchased. To complete payment of the orders already given for rearming the existing batteries of field artillery with modern guns and for other needs, the entire amount for this vote for 1911-12 will be required, consequently no outlay for the proposed new units can be made before 1912-13. About seven years will be required to fully complete the organization on this plan.

"Of equal, if not of greater, importance than the subject of organization is that of training and education. There is an increasing demand on the part of officers of the militia for instruction and education, which cannot, at present be satisfactorily met. The training and efficiency of militia officers is the first essential for the efficiency of the force itself, and the teaching can only be supplied by obtaining highly qualified men as proposed above. Their duties include lectures and theoretical instructions; supervision, under their divisional commanders of all field training, musketry, signalling and camp training."

The House of Commons put through without discussion the items of $1,325,000 for annual drill and $110,000 for allowances, with the understanding that the general condition of the militia and selection of the Coronation contingent will be discussed later.


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST
Saturday, 11 January 2014

The Soldier's Load (1871)
Topic: Soldiers' Load

The Soldier's Load (1871)

The Soldiers' Pocket Book for Field Service
By: Colonel Sir Garnet Wolseley, C.B., K.C.M.G.
Assistant Adjutant-General, Horse Guards
1871

Infantry in our army, is really only of two sorts, the guards and the line; for although the latter are divided nominally into fusiliers, light infantry, rifles, and heavy regiments, there is no material difference in their arms or practical equipment. The standard of height in the guards is always some two or three inches higher than for other regiments. All are armed with Snider (converted Enfield) rifles, weighing 9 lbs. 2 oz., bore .577. Bayonet weighs 13 ½ oz. The two rifle regiments and all sergeants of other regiments are armed with the short Snider rifle and sword bayonet; weight of rifle 8 lbs. 12 oz., sword bayonet lib. 11 ½ oz., scabbard 7 ½ oz. The new pattern Arm with which all our infantry is to be armed, is the Martini Henry, measuring from end of butt to muzzle 4 ft. 1 in., or with bayonet fixed 5 ft. 8 in. The rifle weighs 8 lbs. 12 oz., the bayonet 1 lb. 8 oz., and the scabbard 9 oz., the bore is .451 inch.

Infantry Soldier's Equipment in the Field


To see the full image, visit the Cowboy & Western Action Shooting Forum where is it has been posted by member RattlesnakeJack.

 

Arms and Accoutrements. Weight
lbs. oz.
Valise and straps 31
Pouches 111
Waistbelt & frog 014
Ammunition (70 rounds) 75
Rifle9¾
Bayonet 013 ½
Scabbard04 ½
Knife & Lanyard 05
Water-bottle 310
Mess tin. 15 ½
Total 287 ½
Articles Worn by the SoldierWeight
lbs. oz.
Chaco 015
Tunic 3 2
Shirt 1 1 ½
Trousers1 11
Braces 03 ½
Socks04 ½
Leggings 010 ½
Boots33
Claspknife and Lanyard 05
Total118 ¼
Articles Carried in ValiseWeight
lbs. oz.
Great-coat Shirt514 ½
Socks11 ½
Towel08
Spoon 01 ¾
Comb 00 ½
Brush 03 ½
Pot of grease 04
Housewife 03
Sponge 00 ½
Boots. 33
Glengarry cap 04
Account-book 02
Total122 ¾
RecapitulationWeight
lbs. oz.
Carried in valise122 ¾
Arms and accoutrements 287 ¼
Total 409
Clothes worn 113 ¼
Total carried by the soldier 5112 ¼

When the new rifles have been issued, the weight carried will be 10 1/4 oz. more.


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST
Updated: Saturday, 11 January 2014 12:21 AM EST
Friday, 10 January 2014

Facebook Society of Military Artifact Preservation
Topic: Militaria

Facebook Society of Military Artifact Preservation

Whether you are a collector, or simply have an interest in seeing the artifacts of our military history preserved, there's a place you'll want to add to your periodic sites to visit on facebook. The Facebook Society of Military Artifact Preservation is a place where collectors and enthusiasts share images of some of their collections and other items they have come across in visits to Museums and other locations. Although the group has a principal focus on Canadian military artifacts, you'll find a wider variety of examples should than that.

The following images are a few screen captures of thumbnails from the facebook group, but you're going to have to go there to see them in full size and, if desired, correspond with the individuals that posted them.


The Facebook Society of Military Artifact Preservation

The Facebook Society of Military Artifact Preservation

The Facebook Society of Military Artifact Preservation

The Facebook Society of Military Artifact Preservation

The Facebook Society of Military Artifact Preservation

The Facebook Society of Military Artifact Preservation

The Facebook Society of Military Artifact Preservation

The Facebook Society of Military Artifact Preservation

The Facebook Society of Military Artifact Preservation


The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST
Thursday, 9 January 2014

The Military Instructor (1862)
Topic: Drill and Training

A Military Ready ReckonerThe Military Instructor

Excerpted from A Military Ready Reckoner, by William Cooke, Drill Sergeant, 1st Battalion, Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards; 1862

And above all things the Instructor should never resort to coarse language, as such conduct on the part of an Instructor can only point to his own incapacity to communicate instruction.

When explanation fails to produce the desired result illustration must be employed, so that all may feel and understand their way with equal advantage.

And again the Instructors should never tell a man that he is stupid, much less think so. No! the Instructor should employ such a mode of reasoning as will make up for the apparent want of intelligence in the man. By such means you avoid pointing out one man as inferior to the other in point of intelligence.

All men should be made to feel equally worthy of the Instructor's attention ; thus by a plain mode of reasoning you bring the awkward man to a sense of his own weak points which always acts as a powerful stimulant towards greater exertion, thereby enabling a slow but sure recruit to stand on an equal footing need with his more active comrade.

elipsis graphic

A good temper the is an indispensable qualification in an Instructor. Respect a man's feelings as you would your own, at the same time be firm yet moderate and reasonable in all things which can never fail to produce the desired result,—a good and well trained soldier. And in conclusion allow me to remark that no Instructor can ever exceed that standard of perfection where further information or instruction is no longer required.

No Instructor should ever feel himself beyond the province of correction, though corrected by individuals of less experience. It's by such correction that you can ever hope to attain to anything like a standard of perfection in the art of training a Soldier.

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST
Wednesday, 8 January 2014

The RCR; A Question of Legal Existence (1894)
Topic: The RCR

The RCR; A Question of Legal Existence (1894)

An offer of service, and a challenge to entitlement.

elipsis graphic

Canadian Loyalty

The Toronto Daily Mail, 20 November, 1894

Offer to Place the Royal Canadian Regiment at the Service of the British Governments

London, Nov. 18—Sir Charles Tupper, Canadian High Commissioner, who is at present in Scotland, in addressing a meeting a few days ago, said that when anxiety was occasioned recently by the hurried assembly of the British Cabinet Council in London to consider the alarming condition of affairs in the East, the Canadian cabinet was also assembled, and authorized Chief Justice, Sir Samuel Henry Strong, acting-Governor-General, to send a cablegram to Lord Ripon, Secretary of State for the Colonies, stating that the Dominion of Canada was prepared to put the Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry at the service of the British Government, and maintain the force in the common interest of the Empire.

This statement of Sir Charles' evoked the warmest applause.

elipsis graphic

Royal Canadian Infantry

The Toronto Daily Mail, 24 November, 1894

To the Editor of The Mail:

Sir,—The surprise with which I read the report published in your columns of yesterday that the Canadian Government had offered the services of "the Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry" in the event of trouble arising in the East will, I think be generally shared by the officers of the active force. That the Government of this country could seriously indulge in such an absurd piece of gasconading will seem incredible to all who are aware of the facts of the case. Why sir, the "Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry" has no legal existence. It is a mere figment of the brain of the headquarters staff. There is no Parliamentary authority for such an organization, and no funds have ever been voted by parliament for the support of such an organization.

What parliament has sanctioned and supported, and I hope will continue to sanction and support, is the establishment of certain military schools for the instruction of the officers of the militia of Canada. Simply that and nothing more. But upon this foundation, little by little, step by step, the Militia Department has built up what it now grandiloquently calls "the Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry"; to which it gives precedence over the regular militia and the status, in all respects, of a regular as distinguished from a volunteer force. And while every other branch of the force, and especially the rural battalions, are starved almost out of existence, this precious bantling of the Militia Department, which is as costly in peace as it would be useless in war, is pampered and cherished in every possible way, is maintained at numerical strength, and at an annual cost, out of all proportion to the service which it now renders, and is now reported to have been out forward as a valuable contribution to the forces of the Empire, and as a representative body of the militia of Canada!

Fancy the four companies which are called "the Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry" parading before the Duke of Cambridge and all his staff as the Canadian contingent to an Imperial army! But even if the idea were less absurd, the Government of Canada have no power to carry out this magnificent offer. And for this reason, among others, that as already stated, the money voted for this force is voted for schools of instruction, and therefore cannot be used for any other purpose but that of instruction. It is charitable to suppose that the whole story is the pure invention of the reporter, though the words said to have been used by the High Commissioner do not bear out that idea. Be that, however, as it may, it is just as well that the public should be made aware of the real state of the case, and expression given to the opinion which I know prevails throughout the force, that the Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry should be called and treated as what it really is—a school of instruction—a mere adjunct to the regular militia, and not something beyond and above it.

And when notice is taken of the fact that in the year 1892-93 the Cavalry and Infantry schools alone cost more money than was spent on the drill of the whole force, the question naturally arises whether some simpler and less expensive method of imparting instruction to the officers of the active force cannot be devised. When it becomes evident that the tail is ambitious of wagging the dog, it is time for the dog to assert his rights. And if at any time a contingent is called for for Imperial purposes it can be obtained, from out of the ranks of the active militia, who are her Majesty's regular army in Canada. The schools of instruction will not then be interfered with in the discharge of their useful and legitimate duties.

Yours, etc.,
William E. O'Brien, Lieut.-Col.
Shanty Bay, Nov. 21


Lieut.-Col. William E. O'Brien was a provisional Major in the 35th Bn "The Simcoe Foresters" in 1869. By 1882 he was that regiment's Lieutenant Colonel. He served in the Northwest Rebellion of 1885 with the "York and Simcoe" Battalion, by which time he was also a member of Parliament. In 1898 Lieut.-Col. O'Brien was permitted to resign his commission and to retain the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel on retirement.

The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST
Tuesday, 7 January 2014

Deserters Sought (1947)
Topic: Canadian Army

567 Deserters Sought by Canadian Army

Military Police in Canada and Europe Still On the Lookout Two Years after End of War

The Evening Citizen, Ottawa, 1 May 1947
By Franck Swanson, Citizen Parliamentary Reporter

Military Police in Canada and allied military police all over Europe are still on the look-out for 567 Canadian deserters nearly two years after the end of the war with Germany.

Many of them have been "on the loose" since the early days of the arrival in the United Kingdom of Canada's overseas army, although the bulk are missing in Canada. A few are still at large in Europe and are believed to be in countries where Canadians served during the war.

Servicemen classed officially as "deserters" are listed separately from approximately 14,000 men who were conscripted into the service and then deserted before being sent overseas. They are listed on official army records as "deemed not to have served."

Never Part of Force

The difference in classification is that in the case of soldiers, sailors and airmen listed as deserters, certain rehabilitation benefits are still available. In the case of the men "deemed not to have served," no discharge credits have been or will be available. In other words, NRMA men who deserted before being shipped overseas were never officially part of the armed forces, and their names have been wiped from the slate of those who did serve.

Army personnel lead the parade of servicemen listed as deserters with 465 unaccounted for. The biggest proportion, 325 soldiers, are listed as having deserted in Canada, with the remainder, 140, listed as missing in Europe.

Seventy-five members of the navy are missing and listed as deserters in Canada with only five having disappeared overseas. In the case of the air force, there are 20 members missing in this country with only two still listed in Europe.

There is no question of an amnesty being granted the missing men. When, or if they are found, they will have to stand trial in the usual manner, and accept their punishment which invariably will run to long-term jail sentences. In the case of soldiers, sailors and airmen apprehended overseas, they would be returned to Canada for trial and imprisonment.

Many of those living overseas are believed to be in Britain where they are living on stolen or forged ration cards. According to Scotland Yard records there, 60 per cent of all recent crimes have been committed by army deserters of all nationalities—Canadian included. There are no figures in this country to show what percentage of crimes deserters are responsible for.


National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA)


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST
Monday, 6 January 2014

Promotion of Officers (1861)
Topic: Officers

Uniforms of the Canadian Militia (1898)

 

Promotion of Officers (1861)

Head Quarters
Quebec, 17th May, 1861

Militia General Orders
Active Force
No. I.

It will help to understand that the "Canadian Militia" at the time consisted of the "Active Militia" (part-time Militia units that were authorized pay for training) and a second class of units that were not funded for training. The Sedentary Militia also remained in existence, although the creation of units based on the Militia Act of 1855 also began the demise of the Sedentary Militia. The "Permanent Force" (now the Regular Force) was not yet in existence.

His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, being of opinion that the Officers Commanding Corps of the Volunteer Force should have some progressive promotion in the Militia of the Province for long service and for the efficiency of their Corps, has been pleased to establish the following regulations for this purpose, viz:

1st.     That all Captains Commanding Corps of the Active Force, who have served as such continuously since the year 1856, inclusive, and whose Corps are at present efficient in every respect to the satisfaction of the Inspecting Officer, shall be promoted to the rank of Major in the, Militia.

2nd.     That henceforth, (except in special cases,) the rank of Major shall be granted after five years actual service as Captain of a Corps which is fully uniformed and efficient in every respect to the satisfaction of the Inspecting Officer.

3rd.     That henceforth, (except in special cases,) promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Militia will be granted only to Officers who have served five years consecutively as Majors at the head of one or more Corps who are fully uniformed and efficient in every respect to the satisfaction of the Inspecting Officer,—thus requiring ten years to attain the rank of Lieutenant Colonel from the period of the first appointment as Captain

Staff

4th.     His Excellency has also been pleased to direct that the rank of Major shall be granted to Captains after five years service consecutively as Major of Brigade,"to the satisfaction of the Officer on whose Staff they have served; and,

5th.     That the rank of Lieutenant Colonel shall be granted to Majors holding the following Staff appointments for five years consecutively to the satisfaction of the Officers on whose Staff they have served, viz: Assistant Adjutant General — Assistant Quarter-Master General, and Major of Brigade, thus requiring ten years for Captains to attain the rank of Lieutenant Colonel from the period of their first appointment to the Staff of the Active Force.

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST
Sunday, 5 January 2014

Our "Garrison Towns"
Topic: Canadian Army


A portion of the private married quarters built at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.
Google Maps image
.

Our "Garrison Towns"

Ottawa Citizen, 19 May 1949
By Dick Sanburn

Permanent Military Communities a new feature of Canada's life

There's a new kind of military tradition growing in Canada. It's something Britain has had since the days of the Romans, but it's a new feature of Canadian service life, a feature which grows out of Canada's maturity as a world power of consequence. The new tradition is based on the appearance, all across the country of what may be loosely termed "garrison towns," where the military is predominant.

For many years Britain has had its Aldershot, Bramshot, Camberley, Colchester and Catterick, and many more. Today, new but growing, Canada has its Borden, its Rivers and Shilo in Manitoba, its Petawawa, Fort Churchill, Ralston, Alta., Kingston, Esquimalt, Halifax and others.

In all these places permanent military communities are growing up, and that means real communities and not just strict military establishments of soldiers. In all of then there are the wives and children of the men iin uniform, officers, NCOs, and other ranks. The number of these family units is growing steadily as the government provides more and more of its highly attractive married quarters, both excellent houses and first-class apartments. Such accommodation already runs well up into the thousands.

In the new military communities, there are schools and churches, shopping centers, theatres, such amenities as bus service around the post or into nearby towns. There are clubs, ordinary community activities, even "mayors" and councils.

The interesting and significant thing about this development is the effect it probably will have on the service traditions. More than ever before, there will be traditional "military families." There are always such families, where son follows father and grandfather in a service career, but it seems completely natural that the trend will grow now more than ever before.

Here you will have hundreds, then thousands, of children born to military fathers in a military community, the children of mothers whose life has a long background of following father from one busy military community to another all across the country.

From the day it is born, the child lives in a military atmosphere. Uniforms, brass polishing, parades. Military jargon, all become as normal a part of a child's life as ice cream cones, movies and mud pies are to a civilian child. What more natural than that a son grows up wanting to be a soldier like his father, or that the daughter, knowing military men from infancy, would tend to marry a military man? Even now wives of serving soldiers tend to say "Gee, I wish we could get posted to Winnipeg (or Calgary, or Borden, or Chilliwack). There's a grand community at Fort Osborne there, and remember that nice Sergeant Doakes and his wife, Marj?"

Many of these new communities have their own newspapers, and the movement of families from one post to another are carefully recorded, and letters to the editor keep the big military family informed of what their friends are doing and where they are.

There may be rabid anti-militarists who will howl in anguish at this thought. It might shock them to visit one of these communities and see how pleasant they are, and how happy people can be in a military family.

Canada is growing up. This growth of a new military tradition is just one more of the signs of natural maturity.

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST
Saturday, 4 January 2014

Oliver Equipment
Topic: Militaria

A soldier of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, wearing the Oliver Equipment (1899-1900). (RCR Museum image.)

A soldier of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, wearing the Oliver Equipment (1899-1900). (RCR Museum image.)

The diagram page from the original patent for the Oliver Equipment. (Library and Archives Canada online image.)

The diagram page from the original patent for the Oliver Equipment. (Library and Archives Canada online image.)

The OLiver Equipment. (The Canadian War Museum

The OLiver Equipment. (The Canadian War Museum.)

Oliver Equipment

The Daily Mail and Empire, 4 March 1899

They Liked the New Equipment

Major-General Hutton Examined it Yesterday
Lecture in the Afternoon

Men at Stanley Barracks Take Kindly to the Oliver Kit—To-day's Programme.

Major-General Hutton, with his A.D.C., Capt Bell, arrived in Toronto from Ottawa yesterday morning, and went at once to Stanley Barracks. During the forenoon a board of officers inspected and examined the new Oliver equipment. The major-general presided during an examination, the other members of the board were Lieut.-Col. Otter, D.O.C. Lieut.-Col. Cotton, Lieut.-Col. Holmes, Lieut.-Col. Scott, Lieut.-Col. Delamere, with Mr. Woodstock, the saddler, in attendance.

After deliberating on the usefulness and advantages of the new gear, the major-general and other members of the board were quite pleased with it, and as a consequence, orders will at once be drawn up providing for the wearing, issue, and maintenance of it, which will be printed and distributed as soon as ready.

Already the Oliver equipment has been tested here, in London, St John's, Fredericton and Halifax.

The Oliver Equipment

The Oliver equipment is an invention which tends to make the soldier's burden as easy as possible. It is a kind of harness, fitted somewhat like shoulder braces, made of oak-tanned straps, and when the full equipment is attached weighs in all about 60 pounds, that is, for marching order. Though the arrangement looks at first sight somewhat complicated, it is as compact as possible. The first of the three packets carried on the back is in line with the collar, containing the great coat and forage cap on the outside. Just below the shoulder blades the canteen is fastened, to contain one ration, when in active service. The lowest on the back, and practically on the hips rests the valise made of brown canvas. In this knapsack is contained a grey shirt, two pairs of socks, a towel, soap, box of grease, a pair of canvas shoes, a brush, and a hold-all, in which is shaving brush, razor, comb, knife, fork and spoon, button-stick and brush. On the outside at each side of the new knapsack is fastened a package containing ten rounds of ammunition. Under the cover of the valise the cape is strapped.

The belt has on the front a pouch containing 80 rounds of ammunition, while on the left side is the bayonet and trenching tool, the latter being something which is a new implement of war for Canadian soldiers. The trenching tool is like a small spade. On the right side is fastened a water bottle pouch, in which is places an ordinary pop bottle. In all there are some 35 buckles and brass parts on the equipment. There is also a white canvas haversack, containing 390 rounds of ammunition, and a ration.

There are five different ways of wearing the equipment, and the men who have tried it at Stanley barracks are well pleased with it, so that when it is supplied to the permanent schools it is likely to prove a popular innovation.


For more on Oliver Equipment:

The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST
Friday, 3 January 2014

Ghost Officer of the RCD
Topic: Tradition

Ghost Officer Tradition of Canadian Dragoons

The Evening Citizen (Ottawa); 10 February 1951
Tri-Service news, by V.A. Bonner

This is the story of the ghost officer of the Royal Canadian Dragoons. His silver tankard sits on the shelf behind the bar with those of the other officers. His place is set at the table. And his name is well known in the mess and the regiment.

Everyone knows Lt. J.G. Smithers. But where is he? And where has he been?

Asked Colonel

These were the questions I asked Lt.-Col. George Wattsford, officer commanding the Royal Canadian Dragoons after he presented me the tankard for my use while at Petawawa and one of his officers suggested I ask about the officer whose name was inscribed on the silver mug beneath the regimental crest, a leaping Springbok.

"He's not here. And he never was. And never will be." replied the Colonel.

"Then where is he?" I asked.

"He isn't" replied the colonel.

By this time I was wondering who was crazy.

"He isn't. He never has been. And he never will be." I queried again.

"Right," said the genial colonel.

And right then I surrendered.

"All right. Give me the story. I've bitten."

Most Remarkable Story

So I heard the most remarkable story I have ever encountered. Actually there is no Lt. J.G. Smithers. There never was. And there never will be barring the longest and most remarkable of coincidences. For Lt. J.G. Smithers is a mistake. And a mistake which the boys of the regiment tie on the colonel and the colonel hands on to a silver engraver of a well known national firm.

It seems when the idea first came into being that each officer who served with the RCD should have a silver mug engraved with his name and leave it as a memorial to its stay, the colonel was asked to submit a proper design.

He gave the matter grave thought and came up with a design for a glass bottomed silver tankard engraved as described above. Just to make sure the design was done right he drew a diagram and instead of lettering "Lt. John Doe" he lettered in "Lt. J.G. Smithers." The design went off to other authority and in due time came to the firm for the preparation of the mugs according to the list attached.

One for Smithers

Back came the mugs. And lo and behold there was one suitably engraves for " Lt. J.G. Smithers." The joke was on someone. But it was too good to let it pass. And so the mug of Lt. Smithers remains behind the bar with the rest. And each visitor gets to have drink from this tankard first of all whether it is milk or something a little more appealing. He hears the story of how the officers presented the mugs and a little about each officer. Sooner or later he is bound to ask about the officer whose tankard he has borrowed. And it is then that he hears the story of Lt. J.G. Smithers, the ghost officer of the Royal Canadian Dragoons who never served, who never will be, and who really doesn't exist, yet is a tradition in the regiment.

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST
Updated: Thursday, 26 December 2013 3:55 PM EST
Thursday, 2 January 2014

Badges of Rank-Officers (1948)
Topic: Militaria

Badges of Rank-Officers (1948)

3.     Metal Badges of Rank—Officers

(a)     Metal badges of rank worn by officers will be in gilt metal except that in the cases of unite of The Royal Canadian Armoured Corps and The Royal Canadian Infantry Corps where previous authority has been granted by Army Headquarters to wear chrome or silver, such rank badges may continue to be worn: for Rifle Regiments and The Royal Canadian Army Chaplain Corps the metal badges of rank will be in black metal.

(b)     Stars

(i)     Stars are patterned after the Star of the Order of the Bath with the motto on the stars in a red enamel circle surrounded by a green laurel wreath; they are 1 inch from point topoint diagonally, except for brigadiers stars which are 1 inch from point to point diagonally.

(ii)     Stars for the Governor General's Foot Guards and Canadian Grenadier Guards are patterned after the Star of the Ordcr of the Garter. They are 1 3/4 inches high by 1 inch wide.

(c)     Crowns

(i)     Crowns are patterned after the Imperial Crown. They are 1 inch wide and 1 inch high with a crimson velvet backing.

(ii)     In Rifle Regiments and The Royal Canadian Army Chaplain Corps the backing of the crowns is in black velvet.

(iii)     In Rifle Regiments authorized to wear the uniform of the King's Royal Rifle Corps the backing of the crowns is red velvet.

(d)     Cross Sword and baton—The point of the sword to the front and the edge of the blade outwards or towards the arm. The sword is 2 inches long and the baton 1 7/8 inches long.

Embroidered Badges of Rank-Officers

4.     (a)     Embroidered badges of rank worn by officers will be in khaki worsted, of the size as for metal badges with a coloured backing extending 1/4 inch beyond the edge of the badge as follows:

By Whom WornColour of Backing
Field Marshals, General Officers, Brigadiers, Colonels
—except—
– Red
General Officers, Brigadiers, Colonels of:—
The Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps – Dull cherry
The Royal Canadian Army Pay Corps – Yellow
The Royal Canadian Dental Corps – Royal blue
The Royal Canadian Army Chaplain Corps – Purple
Officers of all other corps will wear the appropriate colour as follows:
The Royal Canadian Armoured Corps – Yellow
The Royal Canadian Artillery – Red
The Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers – Blue
The Royal Canadian Corps of Signals – Blue
The Royal Canadian Infantry Corps: 
Rifle Regiments unaffiliated – Rifle green
Rifle Regiments affiliatedRegt'l custom
Other Infantry Regiments – Scarlet
The Royal Canadian Army Service Corps – Yellow
The Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps – Dull cherry
The Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps – Red
The Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers – Dark blue
The Royal Canadian Army Pay Corps – Yellow
The Royal Canadian Dental Corps – Royal blue
The Royal Canadian Army Chaplain Corps – Purple
The Canadian Postal Corps – Blue
The Canadian Fbrestry Corps – Green
The Canadian Intelligence Corps – Green
The Canadian Provost Corps – Red
The General List – Scarlet
The Canadian Officers' Training Contingents – Scarlet

Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST
Wednesday, 1 January 2014

Faith isn't the problem
Topic: Commentary

Faith isn't the problem

Sometimes, it's how you represent that undermines your intent.

I recently attended a funeral, and the Minister who conducted the service said something that resonated: "Faith isn't the problem, the problem is religion."

"That's interesting," I thought, "it's not what you believe, it's how you practice it that can be the problem." The reason I found it interesting is that I saw an immediate parallel in the way some soldiers, serving or retired, apply similar methods to their declarations of regimental loyalty.

For many, belonging to a regiment is an entry into a brotherhood (apply variable gender as needed) that extends both laterally through one's own generation as well as forward and backward in time to all preceding and succeeding generations of regimental soldiers. Accepting this. they devote themselves to earning a rightful place among peers in regimental service (spanning generations and divested of rank stratification). That common attribute of belonging is taken as a starting point, and everything that follows is an opportunity to prove that they too deserve to belong, in thought, word and deed. They strive to strengthen the regimental family by being a strong component of its structure. They consciously work, in all that they do, to represent the regiment's "brand."

For others, "regiment" is an identity they take unto themselves. They use it to declare their affiliation, and assume rights of respect, honour and reward because of that affiliation. To them, belonging to a regiment justifies their actions, and behaviors molded in one era might be repeated (despite degraded social acceptability) because that's what they did "back in the day."

Those in the first group, I want to believe they are the majority, are content to be the quiet professionals. They adopt a minimum of overt regimental branding, and often then only in careful context. They maintain regimental standards of proficiency, professionalism and honour, often leaving their regimental identity to be discovered afterwards by an outside observer, or given only on direct inquiry. They walk a path of regimental pride with a personal attitude of peace and calm, they know that brotherhood stands behind them, and they offer support more often than they seek it.

The second group lead with that regimental identity. They are the ones festooned with regimental colour and accoutrements, even in the most sedate environment. Where many might wear one or two lapel pins, they will wear a flurry of them, representing every group they belong to, often in multiples, and for each event they have attended that issued a representative pin. This over the top approach may play well among their like-minded fellows, but it also undermines the intent. The tacit intent to attract new members into that long-standing group of regimental supporters.

At any regimental event, that noisome group of regimental supporters is readily noticed, and most certainly noticed by young soldiers on parade. In those young minds, that recognizable group, which by habit clusters into a tight and loud subset of onlookers, becomes the imprinted image of what appears to be expected of them on retirement. (The larger group of quieter ex-regimental soldiers is often overlooked, they remain dispersed and more subdued, by personal and collective habit.) In many young soldiers' minds, they resolve not to become one of "those guys." Unfortunately, the extrapolation of that thought is not to avoid becoming a member of the louder group, but instead to not become a member of the regimental association at all.

We need to work on managing the perceptions of the younger generations, ensuring they understand that they can choose what role they take in representing their regiment and, for that matter, that different roles and relationships exist. More importantly, we must consciously work to avoid undermining their sense of what regimental participation in future means, because they are, and will always be, the future of the regiment from where we stand today.

So, how are you expressing your ongoing loyalty to regiment? Is it setting an example that your own young self would have readily followed? Will others follow you? Leadership responsibilities don't end when we take off the uniform.


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST
Updated: Wednesday, 1 January 2014 12:23 AM EST
Tuesday, 31 December 2013

New British Target for Rifle Range Training
Topic: Drill and Training
A Solano Target

A example of the Solano Target
(Click for larger image).

New British Target

The Montreal Gazette, 17 February, 1909
(London Leader)

The fact that new targets are to be used which will abolish the necessity of firing at concentric rings at known distances may be of interest to that class of young men which dodges the territorials because rifle-range shooting is poor sport.

The old bulls-eye target is obsolete, having been formally condemned by the Army Council in their order of October, 1907.

Mr. Solana, the inventor of the new targets, condemns the old bull-eye in a sentence : "Not only are men encourage to fire at objects over distances at which objects in war are invisible," he says "but they are taught to fire with a nice accuracy utterly impossible in war through the rapid pulse and strong pulse induced by excitement and exertions."

The soldier today does not stand up in a line of his fellows and fire point-blank at short range at an opposite line of the enemy. The modern rifle gets more and more like a rapid lead pump; the enemy is nearly always invisible, except for the shortest possible periods, and battles range over vast areas.

Until Mr. Solano invented his wonderful apparatus, therefore, the modern soldier could get no training whatever in the work of learning how to kill his enemy under the conditions he would find on the battlefield. He has had field work, of course, but there has been no means of telling whether the shooting was effective.

The Solano targets have received the hearty approval of the Duke of Connaught and Earl Roberts, and have won for their inventor the warm thanks of the Army Council.

They may be described as a rifle-man's education in eye-training, distance judging, and rapid fire.

They are inexpensive, and by their means field firing practices may be carried on within the radius of a room or a barrack yard. The Solana triangle and linear targets, for individual and collective firing, will in time replace the old pattern marks at the ranges.

A triangle has been chosen instead of the circle, as being in direct relation to the human figure; and others of these targets represent infantry, cavalry, and guns, etc., at varying distances and in natural tints.

The most interesting part of the new invention, however, is undoubtedly the Battle Practice Target.

It is, with its many accessories, no less than a miniature field of battle. The size of all the objects on it—men, rocks, clouds, lights, trees, etc.—bear a mathematical relation to the distance at which they are shown. The marks—that is, the model troops—are tinted with atmospheric effects from life studies; a portion of the work for which a lady artist, Miss Coral Lubbick, is responsible.

The target is capable of the effects of dawn, of day, and of night. It can be made to represent summer, winter, and autumn, and mountain and desert scenes, and it can show various skies.

It trains men to fir at men, reduced to what they would show us, by day, in the field, with all the mutations of changing positions, distances, etc.

It can be a night scene, with varying gun flashes and sounds, to train men to judge the posirion and distance of the enemy under such circumstances.

It can be used as a training, in a small space, for signalling work, helio and flag, under conditions which men would have to deal with in the field.

The target can be provided with ordinates and wind velocity scales, and scoring sheets are provided to show the progress of individual marksmen and squads.

Indeed any body of men, who proved at all successful in scoring on this strange target, would prove very ugly customers in the real place.

In addition, the men will go through physical exercises prior to target practice, which will give them the high pulse and heavy breathing necessary for realistic inaccuracy.

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST

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