The Minute Book
Tuesday, 2 September 2014

Wolseley Barracks Will Not Be Closed (1913)
Topic: Wolseley Barracks

Wolseley Barracks Will Not Be Closed, Says Department

Story Sent Out From Toronto is Characterized As a Canard — It Was To the Effect That Toronto Will in Future Have Corps Now Stationed at London and Kingston

The London Evening Free Press; London, Ontario, 31 July, 1913
Special to the Free Press

Barracks Remain But Men Might Be Moved

The Free Press, London, Ont., Friday, 1 August 1913

No word has been received at divisional headquarters regarding the report that the permanent force will be removed from Wolseley barracks to Toronto. There is a persistent rumor that the men will be removed on the completion of the new barracks, but no official confirmation can be obtained. Col. Hodgins stated today that he had heard absolutely nothing on the matter, either officially or unofficially.

"It may or may not be true." he said. "I absolutely know nothing about it. The making of Toronto as a center would no doubt reduce the cost of maintenance as there would be one big mess instead of two. The matter is entirely in the hands of the department at Ottawa and I have never had an inkling that a change was contemplated. As far as I am concerned, it may or may not be true."

Ottawa, Ont., July 31.—At the militia department to-day the report that the Wolseley Barracks are to be closed was characterized as wholly unfounded.

According to the story, Wolseley Barracks, which for 25 years has been the home of a permanent military corps in London, was to pass out of existence and the corps removed from the city.

The militia department was said to be planning to move the permanent force from London and Kingston to locate it at Toronto in the interests of economy and efficiency.

A new barracks was to be erected at Long Branch, near Toronto, which would accommodate 1,200 officers and men, the contact for which will be let in a few days. Work on the new barracks was to commence in September, and the cost would be considerably over $1,000,000.

Opening of the Barracks

The rumor recalls to mind many interesting events in connection with the military life of the city of days gone by. The present barracks were first opened in 1888, the order for the erection of the building being issued two years previous, and No. 1 Company, Royal Canadian Infantry was the first to occupy the post. Colonel henry Smith was the first commandant and remained until 1898, being succeeded by Colonel Holmes.

Two million bricks were used in the construction of the building, and they were manufactured within a short distance of the structure.

The present site of Victoria Park was at one time the headquarters of the permanent force, but came into the city's possession by providing the department with the site for Wolseley Barracks, though London had for years previous to this used the old barracks grounds for park purposes. In 1888 R. pritchard and A.B. Powell with Mayor Cowan were appointed trustees for the administration of the lands, and when they relinquished their trust in 1894 their accounts showed that the city had been a considerable gainer by the transaction.

Built by Ex-Ald. Hook

Ex-Ald. Joseph Hook, a well-known contractor of years ago, built the barracks, the cost of which was considerably more than the tender submitted. He lost a considerable sum of money on the contract.

The strength of the regiments stationed at the barracks varied at different times, there being from 25 to 130 men located here.

Up To Strength Now

At the present time the corps is up to the strength required by the department, and consists of between 60 and 70 men. Of late years the barracks has supplied Halifax and other points, which have a permanent force, with trained men. This has caused the number here to be reduced materially.

On account of the permanent force being located here, the city has long been looked upon as a military center, and the high efficiency of the volunteer corps of this city is in a large measure responsible for having trained men here at all times. The officers of the permanent corps are in the same position as the school teachers to the pupils. They are trained to a high efficiency and disseminate their knowledge of the volunteers.

Once Flourished

The citizens have enjoyed the entertainment furnished by the officers and men of Wolseley barracks, which at one time, when it was known as "D" school, had a first-class band, which furnished concerts twice weekly at Victoria Park. The removal of the barracks will not mean that divisional headquarters, with its staff of officers, will go to Toronto. The work of the divisional officers extends over all of Western Ontario, and the permanent corps here is only one small part of the unit under its control and supervision.

Since the advent of Colonel Hodgins as commander of the district there has been a remarkable growth of militarism. The fact that it was possible to organize an army service corps and corps of engineers here is evidence of the efficient work being done.

"I have not heard a word regarding the removal," said Colonel Hodgins to-day. "I notice a dispatch in the papers to that effect. It would make no difference to divisional headquarters."

The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EDT
Monday, 1 September 2014

A Holiday in Wartime
Topic: CEF


Results of Events at Canadian Corps Sports; Tinques, Domionion Day 1st July, 1918

From the War Diaries of the 1st Canadian Division (General Staff); 1918/07/01-1918/07/31

Cdn Corps ports Results; 1 Jul 1918 Cdn Corps ports Results; 1 Jul 1918 Cdn Corps ports Results; 1 Jul 1918 Cdn Corps ports Results; 1 Jul 1918 Cdn Corps ports Results; 1 Jul 1918 Cdn Corps ports Results; 1 Jul 1918

The Little Armistice

A Holiday in Wartime, from "My Grandfather's War; Canadians Remember the First World War, 1914-1918," William D. Mathieson, 1981

Remember them, troops!? The crowd, the bands, the games, the thirsts—Collishaw and that crazy squadron swooping down over the grandstand, parting the hair of the brass-hats with the wheels of their under-carriage—nursing-sisters screaming with fright and fainting into the arms of the officers—the officers, their arms full of nursing-sisters, sighing, "Atta-boy, Collishaw!"

The Corps Sports, 1918! What a day! Thirty thousand veteran soldiers of the Canadian Corps assembled in that field between Tinques and Aubigny, and every one of them as dry as a wooden god. It's terribly impressive when you come to think of it. Half-way up the hill, 300 yards to the left-rear of that particular canteen which ran out of beer before mid-day, were "The Volatiles"—the Division Concert Party playing to ten houses a day.

Crowds! The engineers had provided seating accommodation for 6,000 out of 30,000 who attended.

During the sports, airplanes photographed the scene; the pictures were developed, and the airmen returned to drop them in the grandstand. The grounds were splendidly arranged and it is claimed were better than at the first Stampede in Calgary. The grandstand was 300 yards long with special stands for distinguished visitors. The Canadian Y.M.C.A. furnished bunting and other decorations.

The idea and organization go to the credit of the Padres and the Y.M.C.A. A Corps Committee had been formed in 1917, when special attention was given to athletic competition among the units. The plan was broached to celebrate Dominion Day, 1918, with a great national meet. The whole scheme provided for the participation of 800 teams, involving 60,000 individuals. It was estimated the total entry list was about 13,000. The eliminations went on apace, from platoon co company, company to battalion, and so on, right up to Division. Winners from the Divisional meets were put into special training camps with a "Y" physical director in charge. And here they practiced for the Corps Meet— Monday, 1st July, 1918.

And so, on Dominion Day, everyone went to Tinques—music and flags and crowds and gaiety. The Duke of Connaught, late Governor-General, Sir Robert Borden, Prime Minister of Canada, General Horne, Sir Arthur Currie,— all the Big Shots turned up. The Guard of Honour greeted the Duke. All the bother and training for a brief two minutes of ceremony. Drawn up, they presented pipes when H.R.H. arrived. He walked rapidly between their ranks, then buzzed off to the grandstand.

Picked men from every Division—400 athletes—swung around the track. Following the athletes came a mass of piped bands, 200 strong, playing "Bonnie Dundee", as they halted in front of the Duke and Sir Robert.

Later, each Divisional band entered the enclosure, playing the divisional march. Massed in front, the guest, including representatives of every allied army, and all the thousands of Canadians present bared their heads as the bands played "O Canada".

Baseball, lacrosse, football, and tennis were all carried on at the same time, while the famous circus of the Western Brigade furnished a humorous part.

The sports concert party gave an entertainment, there being present over ten thousand. Sir Robert received a wonderful reception, then addressed the men. "How about leave, Sir Borden?" yelled someone. "Every Canadian has long leave to do his best to beat the Huns," retorted the Prime Minister, and ten thousand soldiers sprang to their feet cheering and waving their hats.

All round it was a holiday in wartime, and every man knew that in another day or two, or another week or two, he might be in the midst of battle; so this jollity had a sweet spice to it, and all these men looked so fine and hard and splendid that to see them have one a sense of safety and of victory in the fighting that must come.

Researching Canadian Soldiers of the First World War


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EDT
Sunday, 31 August 2014

The Canadian Army; 1942
Topic: Discipline

Corporal T.C. Mackenzie [Loyal Edmonton Regiment], Sergeant R.W. Williams [Calgary Highlanders], Private N.E. Smith [North Nova Scotia Highlanders] and Gunner H.D. Gingell [13 Canadian Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery], who all received Military Medals, at Buckingham Palace, London, England, 27 June 1945. Photographer: Harold D. Robinson. Mikan Number: 3205640. From the Library and Archives Canada virtual exhibit "Faces of War."

The Canadian Army; 1942

Canadian Army, Training Pamphlet No. 1
A General Instructional Background for the Young Soldier; 1942

Outward bearing is the first index of discipline and esprit de corps. All men must realize they carry the badge of their regiment, and that those who see them look on them not as individuals but as representatives of the regiment whose mark they bear.

Canada is in the process of building up an army which will be called upon to register the manhood of our country in the eyes of the world. It is therefore, imperative that every man should not merely be conscious of the powerful contribution to victory to be made by our army, but offer evidence of a sense of it in his personal bearing. He should remember, both on and off parade, that he is wearing The King's uniform and that his personal bearing will exercise a dominating influence with the general public.

In public, therefore, as on parade, he must conduct himself in such a fashion that the uniform he wears is regarded by the general public less as a uniform than as the hallmark of that great profession of arms to which he belongs and to which is vitally bound up his nation's identity.

Outward bearing is the first index of discipline and esprit de corps. All men must realize they carry the badge of their regiment, and that those who see them look on them not as individuals but as representatives of the regiment whose mark they bear. If they appear smart, alert, and efficient, The comment will be not so much, "That man looks a good soldier" as "That looks a good regiment."

Every man must therefore carry himself erect, and see that his uniform is clean and in good condition, and that it is worn correctly. Until he is satisfied that his own turn out is correct he cannot expect a high standard from those under his command.

Men can look smart in battle dress if it is worn correctly and the necessary trouble is taken; alternatively, a slovenly man can carry it in such fashion that he looks little better than a tramp. This again is the responsibility of the officer and the N.C.O. If they themselves are smartly turned out, the more enterprising men will take their cue from them and the rest will need little encouragement to follow their example.

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EDT
Updated: Sunday, 31 August 2014 9:50 AM EDT
The Canadian Army; 1942
Topic: Canadian Army

Corporal T.C. Mackenzie [Loyal Edmonton Regiment], Sergeant R.W. Williams [Calgary Highlanders], Private N.E. Smith [North Nova Scotia Highlanders] and Gunner H.D. Gingell [13 Canadian Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery], who all received Military Medals, at Buckingham Palace, London, England, 27 June 1945. Photographer: Harold D. Robinson. Mikan Number: 3205640. From the Library and Archives Canada virtual exhibit "Faces of War."

The Canadian Army; 1942

Canadian Army, Training Pamphlet No. 1
A General Instructional Background for the Young Soldier; 1942

Outward bearing is the first index of discipline and esprit de corps. All men must realize they carry the badge of their regiment, and that those who see them look on them not as individuals but as representatives of the regiment whose mark they bear.

Canada is in the process of building up an army which will be called upon to register the manhood of our country in the eyes of the world. It is therefore, imperative that every man should not merely be conscious of the powerful contribution to victory to be made by our army, but offer evidence of a sense of it in his personal bearing. He should remember, both on and off parade, that he is wearing The King's uniform and that his personal bearing will exercise a dominating influence with the general public.

In public, therefore, as on parade, he must conduct himself in such a fashion that the uniform he wears is regarded by the general public less as a uniform than as the hallmark of that great profession of arms to which he belongs and to which is vitally bound up his nation's identity.

Outward bearing is the first index of discipline and esprit de corps. All men must realize they carry the badge of their regiment, and that those who see them look on them not as individuals but as representatives of the regiment whose mark they bear. If they appear smart, alert, and efficient, The comment will be not so much, "That man looks a good soldier" as "That looks a good regiment."

Every man must therefore carry himself erect, and see that his uniform is clean and in good condition, and that it is worn correctly. Until he is satisfied that his own turn out is correct he cannot expect a high standard from those under his command.

Men can look smart in battle dress if it is worn correctly and the necessary trouble is taken; alternatively, a slovenly man can carry it in such fashion that he looks little better than a tramp. This again is the responsibility of the officer and the N.C.O. If they themselves are smartly turned out, the more enterprising men will take their cue from them and the rest will need little encouragement to follow their example.

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EDT
Updated: Sunday, 31 August 2014 9:48 AM EDT
Saturday, 30 August 2014

ISAAC ALLEN
Topic: The RCR


From the December, 1981, edition of Pro Patria; The Connecting File,
the regimental journal of The Royal Canadian Regiment.

ALTTEXT

Regimental Cypher of The Royal Canadian Regiment

Major Isaac Allen Kennedy, then commanding 3 Airborne Commando

Major Isaac Allen Kennedy, then commanding 3 Airborne Commando; Exercise Rendezvous '81 ("RV 81"); CEF Gagetown.

Crest of the Canadian Airborne Regiment.

Crest of the Canadian Airborne Regiment.

ISAAC ALLEN

By: Captain W.A. Leavey, The RCR, published in the CFB Gagetown "Junior Officers' Journal," April 1976

St Stephen two score years ago,
Produced a small, wee mite,
With heart and soul of khaki brown,
And drive like dynamite.

A gunner once, he rose to be,
Lance Sergeant on the line,
Prior to that he trained recruits,
As drill instructor swine.

A voice that seems to resonate,
From chamois soft to loud,
A countenance of rugged lines,
Angular and proud.

His bachelorhood he guards with ire,
He stays alone and free,
Tameless in his chosen life,
Of eccentricity.

Extending out beyond his cap,
Flowing past his ears,
Swaths of slightly greying hair,
The only sign of years.

Physically he's granite hard,
Sculptured, firm and taut,
Showing men of half his age,
How the battle's fought.

Articulate from reading books,
From learning on his own,
College boys are loathe to face,
Isaac, all alone.

There's no one tells a story like,
Isaac at his best,
No one's social life compares,
To Isaac's, without jest.

He's been an OC many times,
He's trained a lot of men,
Every time, his troops are prime,
Employment changes then.

He's different, yet he thinks the same,
Although it seems to me,
I've never met one since or yet,
Like this Kennedy.

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EDT
Friday, 29 August 2014

Officer's Code of Honor
Topic: Officers

Officer's Code of Honor

Crisis in Command: Mismanagement in the Army; Richard A. Gabriel and Paul L. Savage, 1978

The nature of any command is a moral charge which places each officer at the center of ethical responsibility.

An officer's sense of moral integrity is at the center of his leadership effectiveness. The advancement of one's career is never justified at the expense of violating one's sense of honor.

Every officer holds a special position of moral trust and responsibility. No officer will ever violate that trust or avoid his responsibility for any of his actions regardless of the personal cost.

An officer's first loyalty is to the welfare of his command. He will never allow his men to be misused or abused in any way.

An officer will never require his men to endure hardships or suffer dangers to which he is unwilling to expose himself. Every officer must openly share the burden of risk and sacrifice to which his men are exposed.

An officer is first and foremost a leader of men. He must lead his men by example and personal actions. He cannot manage his command to effectiveness...they must be led; an officer must therefore set the standard for personal bravery and leadership.

An officer will never execute an order which he regards to be ethically wrong and he will report all such orders, policies, or actions to appropriate authorities.

No officer will willfully conceal any act of his superiors, subordinates, or peers that violates his sense of ethics.

No officer will punish, allow the punishment of, or in any way discriminate against a subordinate or peer for telling the truth about any matter.

All officers are responsible for the action of all their brother officers. The dishonorable acts of one officer diminish the corps; the action of the officer corps are only determine by the acts of its members and these actions must always be above reproach.

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EDT
Thursday, 28 August 2014

Colin Powell's Rules
Topic: Leadership

Colin Powell's Rules

Duty, Honor, Company; West Point Fundamentals for Business Success, Gil Dorland and John Dorland, 1992

1.     It ain't as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.

2.     Get mad, then get over it.

3.     Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.

4.     It can be done!

5.     Be careful what you choose. You may get it.

6.     Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.

7.     You can't make someone else's choices. You shouldn't let someone else make yours.

8.     Check small things.

9.     Share credit.

10.     Remain calm. Be kind.

11.     Have a vision. Be demanding.

12.     Don't take counsel of your fears or naysayers.

13.     Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. [In the military, one always seeks ways to increase or multiply forces.]

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EDT
Wednesday, 27 August 2014

Wellington and Nelson
Topic: Officers

Wellington and Nelson

The Duke, Philip Guedalla, 1931 (Wordsworth Military Library Edition 1997)

One day [the Duke of Wellington] had a strange encounter in "the little waiting-room on the right hand" of the old Colonial Office in Downing Street. Another visitor was waiting there already—a sad-eyed little man, "whom from his likeness to his pictures and the loss of an arm" Sir Arthur promptly recognised as Nelson, home from the sea … The Admiral began to talk and, as Wellesley recollected drily, "entered at once into conversation with me, if I can call it conversation, for it was almost all on his side and all about himself, and in, really, a style so vain and so silly as to surprise and almost disgust me" (Sir Arthur was unlikely to be captivated by the manner which, when expressed in an excess of stars and ribbons, had elicited from John Moore the pained comment that their wearer seemed "more like the Prince of an Opera than the Conqueror of the Nile.") Then, suspecting something, the sailor left the room, learnt the identity of the spare military man, and came back transformed. All that the General "had thought a charlatan style had vanished, and he talked of the state of this country and of the aspect and probabilities of affairs on the Continent with a good sense, and a knowledge of subjects both at home and abroad, that surprised me equally and more agreeably than the first part of our interview had done; in fact, he talked like an officer and a statesman." … they talked above half an hour. The talk stayed in Sir Arthur's memory; and after thirty years he judged that "I don't know that I ever had a conversation that interested me more," adding the shrewd reflection that "if the Secretary of State had been punctual, and admitted Lord Nelson in the first quarter of an hour, I should have had the same impression of a light and trivial character that other people have had, but luckily I saw enough to be satisfied that he was really a very superior man; but certainly a more sudden and complete metamorphosis I never saw." They never met again.

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EDT
Tuesday, 26 August 2014

Tradition and Elite Corps
Topic: Tradition

Non-commissioned officers of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, each of whom was decorated with the Military Medal during an investiture at Buckingham Palace, London, England, 31 October 1944. (L-R): Company Sergeant-Major W.P. Minard, "C" Company; Sergeant G.H. Morgan, "B" and "C" Companies; Sergeant W. Noval, "B" Company. Photographer: Lieut. Jack H. Smith. Mikan Number: 3533721. From the Library and Archives Canada virtual exhibit "Faces of War."

Tradition and Elite Corps

Major C.E. Hawes, Honorable Artillery Company (late 1st King George V's Own Gurkha Rifles), "Regimental Tradition in the Infantry of the Line," Journal of the Royal United Service Institution, Vol. XCVI, February to November 1951

It is for this reason that the infantryman, and particularly the infantry officer, sets far greater store by tradition than do members of the other arms; it is a sound instinct which makes him insist upon the differences which distinguish his regiment from others, even if he seems thereby to attribute undue importance to minutae of dress, drill or deportment. Upon precisely such details is founded conviction of the foot soldier that he is indeed one of the elect.

If it is admitted then that the British find pleasure, and perhaps even some moral profit, in their traditions, it seems likely that British soldiers too will tend to prize the military traditions they have inherited. More particularly, the soldier's trade is a dangerous one, especially the infantry soldier's; any man who is to face danger and death must be in some way built up and fortified before he can be confident that he will not flinch from that stern assignment. Saints and martyrs have in themselves enough spiritual toughness and faith to be able to endure without human aid; but the ordinary man, it is suggested, needs to feel that he is one of a specially chosen and selected company, membership of which at once inspires him to the utmost of which he is capable and reassures him that his comrades too are of the same high quality. It may be further suggested that such a consciousness of belonging to a corps d'elite may be induced in four main ways:--

(i)     By selection. Thus the commando raider or the airborne soldier knows that he and his fellows have passed a rigorous physical test and have emerged successfully from a period of intense and exacting training and testing. he is confident that having endured so much nothing can defeat them.

(ii)     By obvious differentiation. This explains why the Royal Navy has no need to try and maintain "crew spirit (if that is the equivalent of regimental tradition): every rating knows that simply by being a seaman he is a different kind of person from a mere landsman, and, because he has mastered an element which the latter instinctively dreads, a superior one: and so are all "they that go down to the sea in ships" along with him.

(iii)     By technical attainment. here again the Royal Navy scores, and so do the Royal Regiment of Artillery and the Royal Engineers to both of whom still accrues the prestige due to a "scientific corps": every gunner and sapper knows that he is a skilled man to whom, as to his companions, delicate instruments and weapons of precision are entrusted.

(iv)     By membership in an organization which has its own strongly marked and characteristic habits, standards, codes of behaviour, even a distinctive dress, in a word, its traditions, in which the individual can share and take pride.

It follows that while those in any of the first three classes often enjoy the advantages of the fourth as well (a member of the King's Troop, R.H.A., is an example of a soldier who can be included in all four) the infantry soldier must depend entirely upon the fourth, for it is all that he can hope for. Whatever laudatory things important people can find to say, especially in war-time, about the infantryman, it must be admitted that he is what is left over when all the experts, scientists, and intellectuals have been taken away, and, while everyone else who is employed in the fighting services is some sort of specialist, the infantry soldier is a Jack of All Trades if there ever was one: though he has certainly shown a remarkable aptitude for mastering them successfully.

It is for this reason that the infantryman, and particularly the infantry officer, sets far greater store by tradition than do members of the other arms; it is a sound instinct which makes him insist upon the differences which distinguish his regiment from others, even if he seems thereby to attribute undue importance to minutae of dress, drill or deportment. Upon precisely such details is founded the conviction of the foot soldier that he is indeed one of the elect.

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EDT
Monday, 25 August 2014

Winston Churchill on Saluting
Topic: Discipline

Winston Churchill on Saluting

Brig. J. Field, CBE, DSO, ED, 4th Infantry Brigade, in the Australian Army Journal;
republished in Canadian Army Journal, Vol. 2, No. 4, 1948

On the 4th September 1940, Mr. Winston Churchill visited and inspected units of the 2nd A.I.F. then encamped on Salisbury Plain. While passing down the ranks of the writer's battalion, the Prime Minister keenly scrutinized the men, meanwhile asking a number of questions on the state of training, supply of unit equipment and so forth. As is well known, Mr. Churchill was first commissioned in the 4th Hussars and, during the Great War of 1914-18, at one period, he commanded the 6th Royal Scots Fusiliers. It was clear that his own regimental training, his possible association with men of the 1st AIF in France, and speculation on the qualities of the new Anzacs, inspired the final question in this interrogation: "How are they on saluting?" The answer to this was followed by one of those inimitable comments which, like so many of the famous statesman's utterances gets down to the roots of the matter in arresting phraseology. He said: "You know, in my young subaltern days, I was always taught that saluting was the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace." In May 1944, when. the United Kingdom was crammed with British and American troops in training for D-Day, a questioner in the House of Commons asked the Prime Minister if he would consider an order that would eliminate the obligation to salute when off duty. Mr. Churchill's reply is quoted in full: "No Sir: a salute is an acknowledgement of the King's Commission and a courtesy to Allied Officers, and I do not consider it desirable to attempt to make the distinction suggested. If my honourable friend had an opportunity during the war of visiting Moscow he would find the smartest saluting in the world. The importance attached to these minor acts of ceremony builds up armies which are capable of facing the greatest rigours of war."

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EDT
Sunday, 24 August 2014

Strathroy Armoury
Topic: Armouries


Soldiers of the 4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, form the vigil party which stood guard at the cenotaph throughout the dedication ceremony for the Sir Arthur Currie memorial statue, 4 Aug 2014.

Strathroy Armoury

Strathroy, Middlesex County, Ontario

The data tabled below comes from forms maintained by the District Engineers of Military District No. 1 (which covered southwestern Ontario) on the Armouries and facilities in their district. The data on the transcribed forms was recorded in the 1940s and reflects the state and use of the buildings in that era. Some of the Armouries in use at that time continue to be the homes of local Reserve Force units, some have been repurposed, and others are long gone, the sites now home to other buildings. The area controlled by Military District No. 1 in the 1940s is now in the area of responsibility of 31 Canadian Brigade Group.

The original Armoury Building.

The current site: the Library and Museum.

Strathroy Armoury - Basement.

First Floor.

Ground Floor.

Site Plan.

The Armoury site in Strathroy, Ontario, is now occupied by the town's Library and Museum. The town's War Memorial remains on the site and has been, as of 4 August 2014, joined by a memorial statue of Sir Arthur Currie.

NameStrathroy Armoury
CityStrathroy
CountyMiddlesex
ProvinceOntario
Military DistrictM.D. No. 1
Electoral DistrictMiddlesex, W.R.
H.Q. FileL. 13-9-7
Date31 March 1944
1.Building Ownership.Department of National Defence
2.If purchased, date, conditions, cost, etc., and value. 
3.If constructed, date and cost and what Department and value.Date 1907. Cost approximately $18,125. Present value $20,000.
4.Description:— 
(a)Drainage, sewer and water connection. To be shown on site plan.Septic tank and tile in rear of Armoury. 6" tile to sewer on street. 1" water connection to street.
(b)Foundation.Stone and concrete.
(c)Walls.Brick and sandstone.
(d)Roof framing.Wood framing (hopper) construction.
(e)Roof covering (Type and date).Tar and gravel, Hopper, when built.
(f)Floor, main hall.Maple floor, over dressed lumber on 2" x 4" joists at 16" centres.
(g)Other floors.Maple floor, over dressed lumber on 2" x 4" joists at 16" centres. Concrete floor in basement.
(h)Partitions.Brick and plaster inside walls.
(i)Balconies.None.
5.Miniature rifle range—Description.None.
6.Bowling alleys, badminton courts, indoor baseball or other facilities for games. 
7.Heating system— 
(a)General Description.Hot Water Circulating System, radiators in all rooms.
(b)Make and size heating apprs.The daisy 6 1/2 A
(c)Fuel per annum.18 tons.
(d)Engineer and fireman specially employed.None.
8.Lighting system—General description.Electricity.
9.Fire protection. Show position of standpipes in building, on site or on street plan.Town Fire Department. Hydrant on street in front of building. 1 stand pipe in building.
10.Caretakers— 
(a)Military or Civilian.Civilian (part time).
(b)Quartered in Armoury.No.
(c)Does he tend heating apprs.Yes.
11.Units in occupation."A" Company, Middlesex and Huron Regiment.
12.General condition (Adequate space or not).Adequate
Clothing, Equipment, fixtures (adequate or not).Adequate
13.Any special remarks not included above. 
14.Site— 
(a)Ownership.Department of National Defence
(b)How acquired, date, cost and present value.Purchased in 1911 from the Town of Strathroy for $125, Present value $1,000.
(c)Who holds deed.District Enginering Officer, M.D. No. 1, London, Ontario
(d)Size and area.66' x 120'; 0.128 acres.
(e)Name of street and number of lot.Lots 107-8, corner of James and Frank Streets.
(f)Fences, walks, and roadways on site.Concrete walk to Main Entrance.
(g)Surface—whether grass and whether kept in condition, and by whom.Grass, by part time caretaker.
(h)Is any part of site used for other than military purpose. Give details.No.
(i)Are there any other structures on site. If so give details.No.
(j)State nature of surface of roads, also sidewalks on adjoining street.Paved roadway and concrete walk.
(k)Any remarks on site not included above. 
15.Remarks. 

A few photos taken at the unveiling ceremony of the Sir Arthur Currie Memorial in Strathroy, Ontario, 4 Aug 2014.

Researching Canadian Soldiers of the First World War


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EDT
Saturday, 23 August 2014

Battle Drill Training (1944)
Topic: Drill and Training

Infantrymen of Lieutenant D.S. Barrie's platoon of The Highland Light Infantry of Canada relaxing during a rest period, France, 20 June 1944. Location: France. Date: June 20, 1944.
Photographer: Ken Bell. Mikan Number: 3205673.
From the Library and Archives Canada virtual exhibit "Faces of War."

Battle Drill training is founded upon the axiom that "until every soldier looks on himself as a ruthless killer, using cover with the facility of an animal, using his weapons with the practised ease of a professional hunter and covering the ground on the move with the agility of a deer-stalker, infantry battle training will be based on false foundations"

Battle Drill Training (1944)

Excerpted from Report No. 123 on Battle Drill Training. Published under the Canadian Military Headquarters (CMHQ) Reports 1940-1948.

This report deals with the development of modern methods of training and the evolution of Battle Drill Training with particular reference to its adoption by the Canadian Army in the United Kingdom.

It is necessary first to define clearly the difference between "Battle Drill" and "Battle Drill Training," as these terms are now understood. "Battle Drill," according to the manual Fieldcraft and Battle Drill, means the reduction of military tactics to bare essentials which are taught to a platoon as a team drill, with clear explanations regarding the objects to be achieved, the principles involved and the individual task of each member of the team "Battle Drill Training", on the other hand, is more comprehensive. It consists of a high standard of weapon training, "purposeful physical training, fieldcraft, battle drills proper, battle discipline and battle inoculation".

Battle Drill training is founded upon the axiom that "until every soldier looks on himself as a ruthless killer, using cover with the facility of an animal, using his weapons with the practised ease of a professional hunter and covering the ground on the move with the agility of a deer-stalker, infantry battle training will be based on false foundations" (C.M.H.Q. file 2/Battle School/1: Report on First G.H.Q. Battle School). Its object is, therefore, to inculcate into a body of fighting men a system of battle discipline and team spirit, and to give every man a knowledge of certain basic "team plays." Which will guide him in any operation he may undertake in battle. It has the further advantage of making the men physically fit, relieving boredom in training, and inoculating the soldier and his commander against the fear and noises of battle (C.M/H.Q, file 2/Report./4: Precis on Battle Drill, C.T.S.).

Owing to the romantic aura surrounding the term "Commando," newspaper writers have occasionally referred to Battle Drill Training as "Commando Training." It should be clearly understood that Battle Drill Training is not a special type of training confined to units of the Special Service Brigade, but a form of training which all Canadian infantry men are required to undergo.

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EDT
Friday, 22 August 2014

A Padre in No-Man's-Land
Topic: CEF


"Hope" (cropped from full image) by Keri Orozco.

A Padre in No-Man's-Land; "The Little Armistice"

Gregory Clark, "The Little Armistice," The Legionary, 1937; republished in "My Grandfather's War; Canadians Remember the First World War, 1914-1918," William D. Mathieson, 1981

But the little armistice that fewer than a thousand Canadians and Germans saw was staged by only one man.

It lasted 30 minutes. But this one man, with his pallid face and his blue chin, had something. Joshua made the sun stand still on Gibeon. This one man made the battle of Passchendaele stand still. And because what he had, all men may have, and what he did, any man may do, I would like to tell the tale.

The fury began to grow again. Now began the worse part of the battle, the holding.

It was about 3 p.m. that he was first noticed.

A familiar figure. Sturdy, his helmet tilted curiously forward over his eyes.

He was surely the unlikeliest figure to be expected in such a place, in such a bloody slime and sea. He should have been back at the wagon lines, on the Canal Bank, in far-off Ypres. He was the padre.

Dramatize padres as we may have done, the fact remains that the normal place to look for a chaplain is not in the middle of a battle. In the front, frequently, yes. But this 4th C.M.R. Chaplain, the Rev. W. H. Davis, formerly of Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, was a little odd. He more or less lived in the front line.

And here he was about 3 p.m. of the afternoon, floundering around right in the open, in full view of the enemy, in advance of the newly established line, acting in a very queer manner.

He had a handkerchief tied to his walking stick. Padres are not allowed to bear arms, by international law. Holding his stick up and waving it every time a blast of fire came near him, he went plunging about, bending and straightening, and stabbing rifles into the mud. If it was a German wounded, he hung a German helmet on the gun bun. If a Canadian, a Canadian helmet.

Men shouted to him to come in out of that. The heavens were about to break. Aye, they were, in a funny way.

Serenely, the padre continued to quarter the dreadful ground this way, that way, while the crumps hurled in and the machine-guns stuttered and filled the air with their stomach-turning zipp and whisper.

One major caught the padre's ear. Through the crumps the padre waded over.

"I was getting anxious about you!" the major cried.

They held him there a little while until, unnoticed, he slipped away and appeared, far to the right, dipping and floundering, and setting up that ever-growing ragged chain of rifle butts, helmets aloft.

Small parties of his own men tried to reach him or to carry in one of the wounded he marked. But they were flattened with enemy machine-gun fire. The padre beckoned nobody. He called no man, Canadian or German, though he passed close to both. He simply stuck up the rifles, hung the helmets, and left them mutely there.

Then the heavens opened. But with silence. Shellfire ceased. Machine-guns died, all across that narrow C.M.R. belt. To north, to south, the fury raged. But out from this solitary figure, resolu tely plowing his zig-zag course in horror, there radiated a queer paralysis.

In a matter of minutes, silence grew. It was as if the sun stood still. As if the whole mad world were abashed. And there, all alone, in the middle of the silence, walked the solitary figure, bending, rising and stabbing rifles into the earth.

From the Canadian side figures crouched up, ventured forward. From the German side men rose. Where an instant before had been a 3-year-old hate, men were cautiously advancing, empty- handed, to meet one another. They ran to their own markers, the helmets, German or Canadian. Some of the wounded Canucks were far over amidst the Germans. Some of the wounded Germans lay back of the Canadian outposts. Canadians began to carry the Germans forward.

Padre Davis went and stood on The ruined remnants of a pill box, a few vast hunks of concrete. Aloft, he stood and beckoned the parties to him. He had established a clearing house. They traded wounded. Cigarettes were offered.

For nearly 30 minutes this armistice maintained. Then, a mile away, some artillery observing officer, through his glasses, beheld the target. He could make out enemy uniforms. Clustered, right in the open. What folly.

Shells came whistling. The silence vanished in a rising mutter. In three minutes the whole dreadful business was in full roar again.

They pinned on Rev. Davis the M.C. when he arrived back. They ordered him to sty behind at the wagon lines but later, while leading stretcher-bearers during a battle, he was struck by a shell. He was buried in Le Quesnel Cemetery.

Researching Canadian Soldiers of the First World War


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EDT
Thursday, 21 August 2014

Tradition and Command
Topic: Tradition

Tradition and Command

Major C.E. Hawes, Honorable Artillery Company (late 1st King George V's Own Gurkha Rifles), "Regimental Tradition in the Infantry of the Line," Journal of the Royal United Service Institution, Vol. XCVI, February to November 1951

A commander of outstanding personality can "get himself across" in any event, but even he will have to overcome that feeling of hostility and mistrust which always meets a stranger: the existence of this time-lag may be of vital importance when a commander takes over just before or even during a battle.

The value of regimental tradition also appears in its effects upon leadership. Here again the commander of the more technical arms has an advantage; the most important part of his task is the application of principles, scientifically established and agreed upon, to a given situation which may indeed be affected by the fact that it occurs in time of war but is not radically altered thereby. Thus, in peace or war, it takes very little time for a seaman with any experience at all to sum up a new Captain: simply by observing the way he shapes he will very soon gain confidence that his commander is among those who can claim with truth, "I never run a ship ashore." Similarly it is very soon clear whether a commander of artillery or engineers is technically competent. But the command of infantry in action is far more closely allied to an art than to a technique: it consists of the application of principles, it is true, but these principles are profoundly modified by the individual commander's view of the way to apply them, in fact, by his personal character. Thus a thrusting Irishman may attack with three companies up, while a cautious Scot may prefer to commit only one company at the outset: both may succeed admirably, but it is probable that neither will have much success at all unless he has somehow gained the confidence of his men before the battle, so that every soldier will go "all out" without anxious fears of something going wrong. Such confidence is based on knowledge, and knowledge is more easily and quickly acquired if both leader and led are on the same metaphorical "wavelength" as the result of a common military culture and upbringing based on shared traditions. A commander of outstanding personality can "get himself across" in any event, but even he will have to overcome that feeling of hostility and mistrust which always meets a stranger: the existence of this time-lag may be of vital importance when a commander takes over just before or even during a battle.

Canadian Army Battle Honours


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EDT
Wednesday, 20 August 2014

The Seventh Fusiliers; 1895
Topic: The RCR

The Seventh Fusiliers; 1895

From the Programme of the 76th anniversary: Her Majesty's birthday, May 24th, 1895: grand military review at London, Ont. (1895). Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2009 with funding from Ontario Council of University Libraries

ALTTEXTLondon, in 1855, boasted of but two volunteer companies—No. 1 Rifles, commanded by Capt. Hammond, and No. 2 Highland Rifles, commanded by Capt. (afterwards Brigade Major) Jas. Moffat. It was not until March 24th, 1865, that No. 3 Rifle company (Capt. C. F. Goodhue) was organized. In 1801-2 considerable excitement was caused throughout Canada over the Trent affair, and in no part of the country was greater enthusiasm exhibited than in London. A drill association, composed of prominent citizens, was formed and rapid progress made in the use of arms. From this sprang Infantry companies 1 and 2, organized Dec. 20th, 1862, and Jan. 25rd, 1863. The officers of the former were John B. Taylor, Andrew Cleghorn and Geo. S. Burns, and of No. 2 Hiram Chisholm, Archibald McPherson and Alex. M. Kirkland. These companies formed the nucleus from which sprang the Seventh or "Prince Arthur's Own," as it was first called. In the spring of 1866 a meeting of the officers was held in the old Drill Shed, and at that meeting the Seventh Battalion, London Light Infantry, was organized, Lieut-Col. John B. Taylor (then D.A.G. of the district) being placed in command.

It may be interesting here to give the officers of the Battalion as found in the Militia List of 1877. It is as follows:—Lieut.-Col., John B. Taylor: Majors, Arch. McPherson, Robert Lewis; Paymaster, Duncan (now Judge) McMillan; Adjutant, Thomas Green; Quarter -Master, John B. Smyth; Assistant Surgeon, Richard Payne, M.D.

  • No. 1 Co.— Capt. D.C. Macdonald. Lieutenant H, Gorman, Ensign W, H. Nash.
  • No. 2 Co,— Capt. E.W. Griffith, Lieutenant Ed Mackenzie, Ensign A. W, Porte.
  • No. 3 Co.— Capt. Thos. Millar, Lieutenant H. Bruce, Ensign W. McAdams.
  • No. 4 Co,— Capt. W.R. Meredith (now Chief Justice), Lieutenant R.M. Meredith (now Vice-Chancellor), Ensign C.S. Corrigan.
  • No. 5 Co, — Capt. M.D. Dawson, Lieutenant D.A. Hannah, Ensign Jas. Magee.
  • No. 6 Co. —Capt. W.H. Code, Lieutenant Jas. A. Craig, Ensign Frank McIntosh.
  • No. 7 Co.— Capt. John Macbeth, Lieutenant Emmanuel Teale. Ensign H.H. Coyne.
  • No. 8 Co.— Capt. John Jackson, Lieutenant S. Kent, Ensign Thos. Elliott.
Fenian Raid Medal to Private JF Maddever

Click to see full image.)

These were the officers at the time of the Fenian raid of 1866, when one or two companies were stationed at Windsor for over three months, and the whole Battalion was placed under active service at Fort Erie, At the latter point, although not coming under fire, they were subjected to trying forced marches and had to endure much fatigue. The members of that force (or the "Veterans of '66" as they are called) now resident in London are at present making preparations for their annual celebration to be held next month.

On the retirement of Col. Taylor from the command of the battalion, he was succeeded by Col. Robt. Lewis, The next commander was Col. John Macbeth then Col. John Walker; then Col. W. DeRay Williams then Col. Thos, H. Tracey then Col. Payne, and finally Col. Wm, Lindsay, It was while Col. Walker was at the head of the battalion that changed from "Seventh Batt., "Seventh Fusiliers."

On the honorary membership roll of the Seventh Battalion are found the names of many prominent men of Canada and citizens of London, many of whom have since died. Among them are Hon. J. Beverley Robinson, ex-Lieut. Governor of Ontario; the late Sir John Macdonald, Sir Adolphe Caron, Sir John Carling, Chief Justice Meredith, Hon. David Mills, the late James Armstrong, M.P., D. McKenzie, ex-M.P.P., the late Henry Becher, C.S. Hyman, Robt. Reid, the late Josiah Blackburn. Lieut. Col. W.H. Jackson, ex-D.A.G., Lieut-Col. Hon. M. Aylmer, ex-Brigade Major, Lieut.-Col. J. Shanly, Lieut.-Col. P. B. Leys, the late Col. Moffat, Lieut.-Col. John Peters, the late Lieut.-Col. John Cole, Lieut.-Col. Heskith, R.A., Lieut.-Col. Fisher, Major Fred. Peters, Surgeon-Major V.A. Brown, Captains Luard, John Williams and A.G. Smyth, Lieutenants Hesketh, Fairbanks and J.I.A. Hunt. and the following retired officers of the battalion: Lieut.-Cols. Taylor, Lewis, Macbeth, Walker, Dawson and Griffith; Majors A. McPherson, Thos. Miller and H. Gorman; Asst. Surgeon Payne; Captains D.C. Macdonald, H. Taylor, A. Cleghorn, G. S. Birrell, T.T. Macbeth, C.F. Goodhue, Thos. O'Brien, J. B. Elliott, F. McIntosh, A.W. Porte, Jas. Mahon, W. Carey, W. Hudson, H. Bruce; Lieutenants B. Cronyn, Geo. Burns, Jas. Magee, W.H. Nash, D. C. Hannah, R.M. (Justice) Meredith, C.B. Hunt, W. R. Elliott, Geo. Macbeth, Harry Long, F. Love, C. A. Stone and T.H. Brunton

The second occasion upon which the battalion was summoned for active service was in 1885, to assist is suppressing the rebellion in the Northwest, in which a former Londoner, Mr. Elliot, son of His Honor Judge William Elliot, was cruely slain. The battalion left for the scene of trouble in the month of April. The staff comprised Lieut.-Col. W. DeRay Williams in command, Majors Smith and Gartshore, Adjutant Reid, Quartermaster Smyth and Surgeon Fiaser. The Captains were Ed. MacKenzie, Frank Butler, T.H. Tracey, Dillon and S.F. Peters; Lieutenants Bapty, Bazan, Chisholm, Gregg, Cox, Payne, Hesketh, Jones and Pope; Staff Sergeants—Sergt.-Major Byrne; Paymaster Sergt. Smith, Quarter-Master Sergt. Jury; Ambulance Sergt. Campbell; Sergeant of Pioneers, Cotter; Color-Sergt. A. Jackson; Sergeant James Beacroft; Corporal C.G. Armstrong; Privates Geo. Chapman, Ed. Harrison, A. Leslie, C. Pugh, H. Pennington, Geo. Rogers, W. Schabacker, C.F. Williams, W. Wright, F. Sadler, Langford. Color-Sergt. Thos. Goold; Sergeants McClintock, John Harris, Joseph O'Roake; Corporals A. E. Walker, W. Dyson and James Goold; Lance-Corporals Joseph Amor and Wm. Brown; Privates Hugh McRoberts, James Ford, H. Arbuckle, J.I. Walker, Jas. Johnston, J. F. Gray, H. Westaway, Patrick Neil, Chas. Potter, W.D. Crofts, A. Davis, A. McRoberts, Jas. Lozier, T. R. Hardwood, F. Young, Thos. Livesey, W. Beaver, W. Andrews, W. Ferguson, Geo. Davis, A. Somerville. Sergeants Anundson and Anglin; Corporal McDonald: Privates Wanless, Jones, Pennington, Fish, Burns, Atkinson, Dignan, Kidder, Burke, Hanson, McCoomb, Graham, Mercer, Kirkendale, Ryan, Caesar, Pettie, Wright, Smyth and J.A. Muirhead. Sergt. Borland; Corporals Richards, McDonald and Bayley; Privates Lister, Moore, Mills, Smith, McCarthy, Pennington Macbeth, Webbe, R. Smith, Lowe, McCormick, G. Westland, Benson, Cowan, Ironsides, Allen, Mitchell, Howard, Davis, Smith, Labatt, K P. Dignan, C.D. Gower, Carey, Gregg, Carnegie and W. Owen. Sergeants Jacobs, Summers and Neilson; Corporals Field, Rowland and Opled; Privates Jacobs, Tennant, Best, Dickinson, Walton, Martin, Johnson, Moriarty, Peden, Kenneally. Cassidy, Norfolk, Hayden, A. McNamara, Hall, Quick, W. Wright, Cowie, Appleyard, Richardson, Northey, Stinchcomb, Thwaite, Beetham, Walton, Sinnott, Rowason and McNamara. Sergt. Line; Privates H. Mills, T. Mills, Stanfild, Black, Collins, Copper, George Clark, Connell, Dankin, Flavin, Harrigan, Keenan, Land, Lally, Lovell, Morkin, Thomas Wright, Wilson, Brown, Crawford, W. Wright and J. Clark. Color-Sergeant Borland; Sergeants Lynch and Fuller; Corporals Harrison and Lyman; Privates B. Screaton, Allison, Barrell, Bigger, Borland, Brazier, Blackburn, Dickens, Duval, Essex, Hicks, Hood, Hutchison, McCutcheon, McCoy, McPherson, MacDonald, Parkinson, Piclkes, Pate, Robertson, Steele, W. Smith, Terry, Whittaker, and Woodall.

1885 Medal to Private RJ Robertson

Click to see full image.)

The departure of the "boys" for the scene of the trouble, amidst the cheers of thousands who lined the streets, and the sobs and tears of mothers, wives and sweethearts, will be The remembered by most citizens. The trying marches through the "gaps," and the hardships there endured in the late winter time, as well as the tiresome journey from the C.P.R. Line along the Saskatchewan River to Clark's Crossing with supplies, will ever be fresh in the memories of the noble fellows. True, they had no actual fighting, for there was none for them to do but they were there ready to carry out orders, and were fully prepared for a conflict should occasion for such arise. As it was, the services performed by the 7th Fusiliers in 1885 were fully as important to the Queen and country as those of any other corps engaged in the campaign.

The battalion returned home after a service of about four months, and their arrival here was made the occasion of a great demonstration, which for heartiness has seldom been equalled. Along with other battalions the members of the Seventh were subsequently awarded silver medals by Her Majesty, of the possession of which they are justly proud.

The Battalion is to-day in excellent hands. Of Colonel Lindsay it is no mere figure of speech to say that he is every inch a soldier. When he took hold, several months ago, it was with the intention of making the Battalion equal to the best in the Dominion, and there is every indication that he is succeeding in his self-imposed task to the fullest. He has surrounded himself with a capable staff. Majors Beattie and Hayes being tried and experienced officers, while the other officers are young gentlemen full of military enthusiasm and promise. The staff and officers are as follows—Lieut.-Col. Wm. Lindsay Majors Thomas Beattie and Geo. W. Hayes Captains Lewis H. Dawson, Henry A. Kingsmill, John Graham, Fred. J. Fitzgerald, James A. Thomas, John M. Moore: Lieutenants Oliver M. Denison, Wm. J. Taylor; Second Lieutenants Arthur Magee, Edward O. Graves, Wm. H. Allison Paymaster, His Honor Judge Duncan Macmillan; Acting Adjutant, Capt. H.A. Kingsmill; Quarter-Master, R.M. McElheran; Surgeon, Wm. J. Mitchell, M.D.; Assistant Surgeon, John Piper, M.D.

The Seventh Band has long enjoyed the reputation of being among the leading musical organizations in Canada. This reputation the officers have determined to maintain, and with that object in view they recently secured the services of Mr. Tresham, a gentleman of superior qualifications, as leader an instructor. That gentleman has recently reorganized the band, retaining the best of the old-time musicians and introducing considerable new blood, so that the prospects are that the Seventh Band will, before long, be better than ever.

Two or three months ago the Officers of the Seventh rented the large hotel building at the corner of Princess Avenue and Richmond Street, and converted it into a regimental club house. On the ground floor is the mess rooms of the officers and non-coms., both of which have been sumptuously furnished and present a cosy and home-like appearance. The two upper stories are devoted entirely to the men, and are furnished with a beautiful piano, billiard, pool and card tables. The rooms are well lighted throughout. The reading room is kept furnished with good current literature, and it is the intention to shortly establish a reference and reading library. The club will add greatly to the interest taken by the members in the Regiment.

Col. Lindsay and officers of the Seventh certainly deserve the hearty sympathy of the citizens in their efforts to maintain a battalion that is a credit to the headquarters of No. 1 Military District

The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EDT
Tuesday, 19 August 2014

Basic Training Syllabus; 1942
Topic: Drill and Training

Basic Training Syllabus; 1942

The Standard Syllabus for Basic Training, 1942

Basic Training Centre

The Object of Basic Training

1.     To give a thorough grounding and practice in subjects which are required basically, of soldiers in each branch of the Canadian Army.

2.     To have each man reach such a standard that his time in a Special to Arms Training (SAT) centre may be devoted entirely to:

(a)     Exercise, rather than instruction, in elementary subjects already taught;

(b)     Building upon this base the knowledge particular to the branch of the Service to which the man belongs.

3.     To establish a sound mental and physical base upon which to build a fighting soldier.

elipsis graphic

The syllabus is based on a 45-minute period, a 9-period or 6 ½-hour training day and a 5 ½-day week.

elipsis graphic

Training must develop in all ranks the confidence that they cam "hand it out" harder and "take it" better than the enemy. To this end all training must be designed to develop a high fighting morale, in other words "fighting fit" and "fit to fight." No outdoor exercises will be cancelled on account of bad conditions, mud, etc. An essential part of training is to learn how to overcome the elements, as well as the enemy.

elipsis graphic

Block Standard Syllabus

CodeSubjectTtl PdsStandard Typical Platoon Weekly DistributionTotal
(a)(b)(c)11345678(d)
 Training Periods
DDrill, Foot, Arms, Saluting48121253333748
FTPhysical Training and Obstacle Course506666667750
FAFirst Aid1055      10
MMarching23 226445 23
RSAT Rifle27 875322 27
RRSAT Rifle Range Course18   4446 18
R&LASAT AA (Rifle and LMG)10    532 10
BSAT Bayonet10    333110
LSAT Light Machine Gun29  710435 29
GGas Training12 25122  12
FCFieldcraft20    245920
MRMap Reading22  53242622
FTFundamental Training19952111  19
OSOrganized Sports162222222216
SSpare Periods303344443530
 Administrative Periods
RTReception and Transfer189      918
MedMedical (includes dental and inoculations)333454545333
MT"M" tests11       1
PPay4 1 1 1 14
 Periods:—4005050505050505050400
 Hours:— 37 hours and 30 minutes per week.

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EDT
Monday, 18 August 2014

Characteristics Required in a Staff Officer
Topic: Officers

Ford Manor - a.k.a. Greathed Manor

Characteristics Required in a Staff Officer:

The following extract is from speaking notes of Brigadier C.R. Turner for a speech to the staff and candidates of the Canadian Junior War Staff Course, Ford Manor, 12 April 1941. Appended to the CMHQ report on the Closing Exercises, Canadian Junior War Staff Course. Published under the Canadian Military Headquarters (CMHQ) Reports 1940-1948.

Co-operation with other branches of the staff. All branches are important so don't think you are a notch above your opposite number just because he is in another branch.

Characteristics Required in a Staff Officer:

  • General Military Knowledge
  • Personal characteristics such as:
    • ability,
    • reliability,
    • initiative,
    • energy,
    • capacity for work,
    • loyalty,
    • personality,
    • physical fitness,
    • etc.

Also General Odlum's remarks that all officers must have character, intelligence and spirit.

Must always be ready to advise your Commander or Senior Staff Officer but once decision is given, even if you disagree, carry it our loyally. LOYALTY most important virtue, loyalty to your Commander, your senior staff officer and your fellow staff officers. Don't try to advance yourself by running down the other fellow.

Co-operation with other branches of the staff. All branches are important so don't think you are a notch above your opposite number just because he is in another branch.

Co-operation with the troops. Staff is there to serve them within the limits of prescribed policy. Get out with them, find out what they want, and let them see that you take an interest in them. Be human.

Orders. When preparing them put yourself in the position of the recipient, and ask yourself if essentials are included and non-essentials eliminated.

Keep fit. Only by doing so can you maintain the alert mind so necessary in a staff officer. Take your leave when your turn comes if operational circumstances permit and don't get stale.

Whether you go to a staff appointment immediately or subsequently after a period of regimental employments remember that if you are determined to profit from your period at Ford manor you are certain to make a worthy contribution to the great cause in which we are all engaged, particularly as one of the things you have been taught is that a staff officer must keep up-to-date in military thought and practice if he is to be efficient. A staff appointment demands hard work, initiative and ready acceptance of responsibility; these, however, are features which make any job worthwhile.

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EDT
Sunday, 17 August 2014

NCO Leadership in the Army
Topic: Leadership

NCO Leadership in the Army

The Leader; A Guide to Being a Successful Non-Commissioned Officer in the Army; Land Force Central Area (Second Edition, circa 2000)

"The kind of leaders we need today are more like great jazz musicians, thoroughly schooled in the fundamentals and absolutely technically competent but able to improvise on a theme." – General Gordon Sullivan

1.     The Canadian military, through two World Wars, Korea and the Gulf War, plus numerous domestic and international operations, has and continues to be held in high regard around the world. Revered as shock troops by the German Army in the First World War, Canadian soldiers proved themselves a formidable foe. Seasoned in battle during campaigns in Italy and Northwest Europe, Canadian's demonstrated yet again the fighting spirit of their forefathers and achieved remarkable success. Today, at home and abroad our troops are called upon collectively to assist our allies in preserving peace from Bosnia to Bangui in the Central African Republic.

2.     Collectively and individually, our soldiers are amongst the best in the world. Two recent examples immediately come to mind. First Sergeant Boudreau's section won the gold medal at the 1997 Cambrian patrol competition in Wales and Master Corporal Calis received the 'William O'Darby' award for outstanding performance on the Ranger course.

3.     Collectively and individually however, success is not always easy to achieve. It takes work, determination to be the best and a strong NCO core. With a doubt a dedicated and professional NCO has always been an integral, necessary and permanent part of any good army. The past has clearly shown, and it is true today, that only a special group of soldiers are selected to be NCOs. This special status carries the weight of additional duties, responsibilities and authority.

4.     Today, NCOs are also expected to preserve traditions and develop esprit de corps in an environment of rapid social and technological change, pressure to reduce expenditures and a high operational tempo. This must be done in a world where regional conflicts require professional troops like ours to carry out a wide variety of missions. Sometimes, it often seems that change is the only certainty. In this environment, it is a challenge to retain and exercise authority especially when the public, the media and our own members scrutinize decisions.

5.     There are, as you may expect, no simple answers or insightful phrases that can remedy the present state of affairs we all live in. During these turbulent times all leaders have to learn to deal with uncertainty and ambiguity while trying very hard to impart a clear sense of mission and purpose to our soldiers. We as a group and individuals are not immune to the changes occurring all around us; we must adapt like every Canadian. Times have changed: both leaders and soldiers are well educated and come from an evolving social environment; the classical autocrat is "out"—the listening leader is "in".

6.     As a leader, you have a tough, demanding, but very rewarding job and the soldiers you lead are the heart of the army, both regular and reserve. Your work is challenging because you direct soldiers at the action level where the important, day to day, fundamental work of the army is performed. You are the key to making your soldiers more capable by sharing what you know and encouraging them to use their initiative. 7.     Because you work very closely with your soldiers, you have the best opportunity to know them as they really are. You should be the first to identify and teach them how to best use their strengths, the first to detect and train them to overcome their shortcomings. Leading by example, you are in the best position to secure their trust and confidence. You have the advantage of a deeper understanding of your soldiers' behaviour because you were promoted directly from the ranks that you now lead.

Honour, Integrity and Dignity

8.     Good leaders conduct themselves with honour and integrity and treat their superiors, peers and subordinates with respect and dignity. This leads to willing and cohesive teams. Everyone knows their job, is proud of it and proud of their place on the team. The team breaks down completely when there is a lack of understanding, incompetence and/or abuse. You have a principle obligation to be technically competent for your rank and position. You have a legal and moral obligation to ensure that your troops perform their duties to the required standard. None of this is attainable when soldiers mistrust each other or their commanders.

9.     It is imperative that your actions in relation to your troops are not inherently offensive, demeaning, belittling or humiliating to them. This is considered harassment. It is illegal, unprofessional and forbidden. You have a positive obligation to ensure that no other military person treats anyone else in such a manner. It must be reported immediately.

10.     There are two important concepts that must be understood – Ethics and Morale. They are more complex than you might think and there are no hard and fast rules that govern these concepts. Nevertheless they are integral to everything you do both on and off the job.

a.     Ethics. Essentially, if you follow the guidance in this handbook it is fair to say that you will be acting in an ethical manner. In many ways, ethics are just good common sense—simply doing the right thing with the people you deal with every day. Ethics are based on the respect for the dignity of all persons. We will not injure, bully, deceive, manipulate, discriminate against, harass, sexually harass, or unjustly treat any person. Ethics embodies qualities such as honesty, accountability, competence, diligence, courage, loyalty, obedience, fairness, discretion and most importantly, care of subordinates.

b.     Morale. Morale is the term used to describe the complex relationship between people and the environment in which they live and work. It could be described in terms of the attitudes or feelings possessed by an individual as he or she relates to the group. For the group, it is the commitment to pull together towards goals the members accept. High morale energizes and motivates troops to perform their tasks with greater effort and eagerness. To achieve high morale, leaders must be competent, goals must be clear, cohesiveness must be evident and there must be open communications up and down the chain of command.

Lead by Example

11.     This is the fundamental leadership secret for success. The army requires NCOs who have earned the respect of their superiors by demonstrating the ability to accomplish all assigned tasks. You will also win the respect of your soldiers by considering the effects of your actions on them and by placing their well being above your own. As you spend more time with your subordinates than your officers, your personal example must extend beyond normal duty and into your personal life. If not, can you demand a high standard of performance and behaviour from yGeraldour troops at all times? Therefore, set a good example both on duty and off.

Build Teamwork

12.     A team can be described as a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, shared performance goals, and an organized approach for which they hold themselves accountable. As a NCO your job is to optimize the performance of each member of your group. You must develop team spirit based on the fact that, on your team each person depends on the other, and all depend on well maintained and properly working equipment. Teamwork is learned by training, practice and experience.

Know Your People

13.     We are all volunteers who have offered our service to Canada. We place service before self. Our soldiers possess a spark of patriotism and love for adventure that needs constant attention and development. Operational situations have proven that Canadian soldiers will fight as willingly and as well as anyone on earth, when led with courage and wisdom. They are resourceful and imaginative, and the best results will be obtained by encouraging them to use their initiative. They are more likely to respond to a leader who has the will and intelligence to give a clear, sensible order than to obey one who has little in his or her favour but rank. They will display loyalty and discipline most readily when they are aware you trust them.

14.     Integrity, a sense of humour, pride in the service. Your demonstration of these qualities will impress your soldiers to a far greater extent than mere talk. We all love to complain but you must be able to distinguish between semi-humorous complaining and the sullen undertones of genuine unrest that result from favouritism or injustice.

Know Your Job

15.     To be a good NCO you must know your job—know it exceptionally well. This means being proficient in the employment, care and maintenance of equipment assigned to you. If you are a really good NCO you will at least be as good as, or better at all those things than any of your soldiers. This is the first step in leading by example. You are the coach, the team is the vital component; high performance is the payoff. In addition you need to think ahead to the day when you may have to be replaced. Your soldiers must be able to pick up, carry on, and get the job done in your absence.

Be Honest

16.     "Tell it like it is" - not what you think someone wants to hear. If something goes wrong, be willing to say so; do so in an objective straightforward way; present facts. If you make a mistake, admit it. Never sacrifice integrity. You may be able to fool those you work for; chances are that you will never be able to fool those who work for you—your soldiers. Remember, as a group, Canadian soldiers have an almost unerring ability to ferret out the truth. Any attempt to fool them is a serious gamble that is seldom worth the risks involved. If the team does a good job, share the credit; it is the team effort that was successful with you as the leader.

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EDT
Saturday, 16 August 2014

Toasts in the Army
Topic: Tradition

Very different in character … was the unofficial toast of "Bloody War or a Sickly Season," often drunk in India, but only on informal occasions. In the days closely following the Mutiny, when promotion was slow, subalterns were wont to express this sentiment and raise their glasses in the hope that if these evils came they might be the fortunate survivors.

Toasts in the Army

By Lieut.-Colonel C. C. R. Murphy, published in the Journal of the Royal United Service Institution, Vol. XCIII, February to November 1948)

A toast may be defined as a pledge in drinking, a way of expressing a wish for the health and happiness of persons or the success and prosperity of things. The custom of drinking them certainly bears the stamp and charm of antiquity. It had its origin in love or war, and so the first person to drink a toast must have been either a lover or a soldier; he was probably both.

Fighting is the oldest craft in the world; but although a standing army is, in these islands, a comparatively modern institution, let us not forget that there has been a British Army ever since the dawn of our history. What customs prevailed amongst our prehistoric soldiers we cannot say; but in the Middle Ages, when our Army was composed of its finest material—namely, the yeomen of England—the practice of drinking toasts was already well established. And it has outlasted the voluntary Army.

No doubt regiments that existed before the days of the standing Army—such as the Earl of Pembroke's Regiment, mentioned by Shakespeare in Richard III—honoured toasts of their own. The custom may have been started by one or more regiments drinking .a certain toast on a certain night of the week. Then, as it gathered popularity, regiments may have agreed amongst themselves to drink the same toast on the same night, until at last the custom became general and a fixed set of toasts was evolved and recognized throughout the Army. For some reason or other, these eventually became known as the Peninsular Toasts. The list is as follows: Monday, "Our Men; "Tuesday, "Our Women"; Wednesday, " Our Noble Selves; "Thursday, "Our Swords;" Friday, "Our Religion;" Saturday, "Sweethearts and Wives;" Sunday, "Absent Friends."

As will be seen, they are brief, simple and inclusive, and of course quite unconnected with politics or sects. No exception could be taken to any of them—not even to that of "Our Swords," which in those days were never drawn without cause and never sheathed without honour. These toasts, some of which may be centuries, older than their collective name implies, were honoured by regiments, irrespective of whether they had served in the Peninsular War or not, which had nothing to do with the case. Perhaps the most popular of them were "Sweethearts and Wives", and "Absent Friends." The first of these was proposed by the junior officer at the table or else was drunk informally; whilst to the second the words "and ships at sea "were sometimes added.

I believe Mr. Winston Churchill has referred to the Peninsular Toasts in his writings, though I cannot remember where. Andre Maurois, in Les Silences du Colonel Bramble, has given a list of toasts for each night in the week as drunk in the British Army, but it differs slightly from the Peninsular list. (Footnote to original: "Among other informal toasts, that of 'Fox-hunting' was honoured from time to time by enthusiasts of the chase.")

Very different in character from the above was the unofficial toast of "Bloody War or a Sickly Season," often drunk in India, but only on informal occasions. In the days closely following the Mutiny, when promotion was slow, subalterns were wont to express this sentiment and raise their glasses in the hope that if these evils came they might be the fortunate survivors.

The XVIIIth Century found a divided loyalty to England and, after the "Forty-five," certain regiments disaffected towards the Sovereign were ordered to drink his health. To salve their consciences, the Jacobite officers of the day used to stretch their glasses over their finger-bowls and drink to "The King over the water." Ever since those days it has not been the custom to put finger-bowls on the mess table. (Footnoted: Major R.M. Grazebrook, O.B.E., M.C., in the ]ournal of the Society for Army Historical Research.) Some regiments of the old Army, such as the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, the King's Royal Rifles, and many more, priding themselves that their loyalty was never in doubt; did not drink the health of the Sovereign at all. Others, equally trusty, drank it every night.

The actual procedure followed in honouring the loyal toast was marked by some interesting variations in different regiments. For example, the 1st Royal Sussex, the Royal Norfolk, the East Surreys, and the Border Regiment (except on guest nights when the band played) used to remain seated when drinking it. The Black Watch drank to the King and Queen, whilst the old 54th Foot always drank the Sovereign's health in a bumper toast. In the case of the Lancashire regiments, the loyal toast in certain circumstances took the form of "The King, Duke of Lancaster."

Special reference must be made to two toasts connected With the Peninsular War. The first of these was "The Emperor," drunk by the 14th Hussars, the origin of it being as follows, During that campaign the regiment captured part of the baggage train of the Emperor Joseph Napoleon, and amongst other things found therein was a fine silver domestic utensil bearing his coat of arms. From it the health of "The Emperor" was always drunk on guest nights. The other toast is that of "Dyas and the Stormers," drunk by the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. It commemorates the gallantry of Ensign John Dyas, 51st Light Infantry, who at Badajos on three separate occasions led the storming parties in the face of almost certain death, His conduct must have been of an exceptionally high order, because the toast was sometimes drunk in the messes of other regiments—a very unusual circumstance.

Some of the regiments who served in the Peninsula celebrate particular battles of that war either at mess or by setting aside their anniversaries as regimental holidays. For instance, every year on 16th May, the old 57th Foot used to drink "To those who fell at Albuhera," in memory of the 415 " Die-hards " killed in that battle. Similarly, the 50th Foot, on the anniversary of Corunna, used to drink to the "Corunna Majors,!' who led the regiment on that occasion and attracted the favourable notice of Sir John Moore. The two officers concerned were Charles Napier and the Hon. Charles Stanhope, who was killed. Battles of other wars, such as Dettingen and Minden,' were also commemorated; b1it strange to say, glasses were seldom raised to those who fought and fell at Waterloo—the most famous battle in the history of the world.

Most of the Scotch, Irish and Welsh regiments drank to the pious memory of their Patron Saint on the appropriate day, though St. George was not honoured to the same extent by English regiments. On St. David's Day, the ceremony of eating the leek was also observed by the Royal Welch Fusiliers. In the Cameronians, it was not the practice to honour toasts at all. In the case of the 1st Battalion, the origin of this goes back to the early days of the Covenanters when the drinking of healths was contrary to their religious beliefs. The 2nd Battalion, formerly the 90th Perthshire Light Infantry, did not observe the loyal toast either; but according to the wits of the day, this was because they had not been granted the Prince Regent's Allowance!

In passing, a word about this special mess allowance will not be inappropriate. It was instituted by the Prince Regent at the beginning of the Peninsular War, and amounted to £250 a year in the case of a regiment of full establishment. This enabled the officers to obtain, duty free, four pipes of port, and thus put them on a more or less equal footing with the Navy who already enjoyed a drawback of the duty on wines consumed on board ship. In those days and until recent years, no officer in the British Army under the rank of Captain could live without private means. He had to payout of his own pocket for the honour of serving. In the Navy, the position was different; nevertheless, it was felt that there was no justification for the disparity between the two Services in the matter of excise duties. This, of course, had been the reason for its introduction; but after being- in existence for just over a century, it was suddenly abolished during the reign of King George V.

One of the most inspiring regimental toasts was that of the Seaforth Highlanders, given in Gaelic by the Pipe-Major on guest nights. It ran as follows:—

"The land of hills, glens, and heroes; where the ptarmigan thrives and where the red deer finds shelter; as long as mist hangs o'er the mountains and water runs in the glens, may the deeds of its brave be remembered, and health and victory be with the lads of the Cabar Feidh."

In 1940, a regulation was issued permitting officers to drink the King's health in water or other non-alcoholic beverages—a portent of the watery grave to which the old Army with all its traditions was about to be committed.

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EDT
Friday, 15 August 2014

Canadian Military Values
Topic: Discipline

Canadian Military Values

Duty With Honour; The profession of Arms in Canada
A-PA-005-000/AP-001, 2003; Published under the auspices of the Chief of Defence Staff by the Canadian Defence Academy – Canadian Forces Leadership Institute

Canadian military values – which are essential for conducting the full range of military operations, up to and including warfighting – come from what history and experience teach about the importance of moral factors in operations, especially the personal qualities that military professionals must possess to prevail. But military values must always be in harmony and never in conflict with Canadian values.

These military values are understood and expressed within the Canadian military ethos as follows.

DutyFirst and foremost, duty entails service to Canada and compliance with the law. It obliges members to adhere to the law of armed conflict while displaying dedication, initiative and discipline in the execution of tasks. Duty further demands that Canadian Forces members accept the principle of the primacy of operations and that military leaders act in accordance with the professional precept of "Mission, own troops, self," as mentioned previously. Performing one's duty embraces the full scope of military professional excellence. It calls for individuals to train hard, pursue professional self-development, and carry out their tasks in a manner that reflects pride in themselves, their unit and their profession. Overall, this concept of duty motivates personnel both individually and collectively to strive for the highest standards of performance while providing them with purpose and direction throughout the course of their service.

Loyalty must be reciprocal and based on mutual trust. To have integrity is to have unconditional and steadfast commitment to a principled approach to meeting your obligations while being responsible and accountable for your actions. Courage requires constant nurturing and is not suddenly developed during operations.

LoyaltyLoyalty is closely related to duty and entails personal allegiance to Canada and faithfulness to comrades across the chain of command. For loyalty to endure, it must be reciprocal and based on mutual trust. It requires that all Canadian Forces members support the intentions of superiors and readily obey lawful orders and directions. However, it also imposes special obligations on all leaders and commanders.

Leaders must ensure their subordinates are treated fairly, and prepare and train them spiritually, mentally and physically for whatever tasks they're assigned. Subordinates must be given opportunities for professional development and career advancement. Downward loyalty further demands that Canadian Forces members be properly cared for, that their desires and concerns be heard and that their personal needs be tended to, both during the time of their service and after it. This is especially so if they have been wounded or injured in the course of their duties. And this concept of loyalty extends to the immediate families of Canadian Forces members, who are entitled to official recognition and consideration for the important contribution they make to the morale and dedication of loved ones in uniform.

IntegrityTo have integrity is to have unconditional and steadfast commitment to a principled approach to meeting your obligations while being responsible and accountable for your actions. Accordingly, being a person of integrity calls for honesty, the avoidance of deception and adherence to high ethical standards. Integrity insists that your actions be consistent with established codes of conduct and institutional values. It specifically requires transparency in actions, speaking and acting with honesty and candour, the pursuit of truth regardless of personal consequences, and a dedication to fairness and justice. Integrity must especially be manifested in leaders and commanders because of the powerful effect of their personal example on peers and subordinates.

CourageCourage is a distinctly personal quality that allows a person to disregard the cost of an action in terms of physical difficulty, risk, advancement or popularity. Courage entails willpower and the resolve not to quit. It enables making the right choice among difficult alternatives. Frequently, it is a renunciation of fear that must be made not once but many times. Hence, courage is both physical and moral. Both types of courage are required because of their essential complementarity and to meet the serious demands the profession of arms makes on individuals. Courage requires constant nurturing and is not suddenly developed during operations. Ultimately, "Courageous actions are dictated by conscience, of which war is the final test".

The Senior Subaltern


Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EDT

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