The Glen
The
Newsletter
Calgary
Highlanders
Regimental
Association
The
Newsletter
of of
thethe
Calgary
Highlanders
Regimental
Association
A Message from
the Association
President
Denis A. Mascardelli
As you've come to expect, our coverage of the
10th Battalion during the
Great War continues in
this issue of the Glen; now the relatively quiet
period during the winter of 1916-1917, after
the Somme but before Vimy Ridge. However,
it would be wrong to think that 'nothing much
happened' during that winter as the Canadian
Corps took the opportunity to carefully analyze
its war-fighting, generating new doctrines and
tactics that made it a much deadlier force. In
order to capture some of this, a summary of
the Corps' transformation is included to supplement Darrell Knight's 10th Bn article.
The major news during the past several
months has been the presentation of the Canadian Armed Forces Unit Commendation to
The Calgary Highlanders in early January. For
those of you who couldn't be there, Major
Beauchamp’s article provides a summary of
this important event.
Another story I want to draw your attention to
is MCpl Nichols' piece on the planned horseback relay across Canada, scheduled for this
Spring and Summer, in order to raise awareness of PTSD and the difficulties that many
soldiers have in adjusting to life in Canada after deployment.
Looking forward, two important events remain
on the Unit's social calendar: The Grand Highland Military Ball and the St. Julien commemoration.
Volume 4 Issue 2
Winter 2015
The Highland Ball will take place on Saturday
14 March at Calgary's Westin Hotel. Invitations
have gone out but if you've somehow been
missed please accept our apologies and make
use of the invitation included in this Glen.
The annual St. Julien commemoration will be
held several weeks earlier than usual this year
because many of you will be at the battlefield
site on 22 April. Accordingly, the Officers Mess
Dinner will be held on Friday 10 April and the
parade, Association AGM and Reunion Dinner
the following day. Detailed instructions and
timings will be forthcoming but I urge you to
mark your calendars and attend as many of
these events as you can.
Finally, on the financial side, it is time to pay
your annual Association dues of $15.00 if you
haven't already done so. Donations are very
welcome and a tax receipt will be issued for
those of $10.00 or more. For more information
please see the back page which includes contact and other information.
Table of Contents
Message from the Command Team
2
Between the Somme and Vimy
3
Transformation of an Army
6
Ex Highland Shiver
10
Fallen Comrades
11
Training Schedule
12
The Regiment in Photos
14
Calg Highrs Awarded Unit Commendation
18
Ride Across Canada
21
Excursion in Hunland
24
QMSI’s Corner
28
A Message
the Team
A Message
From theFrom
Command
A Message from the CO
Team
LCol KyleCommand
Clapperton and CWO
Chris Tucker
The last several months
have been exceptional for
the Regiment and every
member should feel a
great sense of pride in our
collective accomplishments. Many of you completed difficult career
courses and won hard
earned promotions. We
commemorated the 70th
Anniversary of the Battle
of the Walcheren Causeway. We came together to
support our Argyll extended family when Corporal Nathan Cirillo was murdered. Then we remembered all of our fallen during a poignant Remembrance Day ceremony. And
of course none of us will forget the incredible Regimental pride displayed by all members when we
were presented with the Canadian Armed Forces
Unit Commendation (CAFUC) for our significant
contribution to the war in Afghanistan.
In light of our past successes, ask yourself, “What
does it mean to be a Calgary Highlander?” Is it the
distinctiveness of our uniforms, in particular our
honoured Oak Leaf shoulder badge? Or is it our
storied history involving the “Fighting 10th” and the
“Battalion of Heroes”? How about our unique highland customs and traditions? Perhaps it's the
strength of our Regimental family and the organizations that contribute to making Calgary’s Infantry Regiment a respected institution in the community? All of those factors are important in defining
who we are as Calgary Highlanders; however, the
Command Team believes that the greatest factor
is the Unit’s deployment culture, as recognized in
the CAFUC citation. In the
forefront of our minds, we
have a strong sense of
purpose - “to train to deploy” - whenever and
wherever Canada needs
us, whether at home or
abroad. We must constantly maintain that operational focus and be ready to
serve our great country.
For the current soldiers of
the Regiment, the Division
Training Event, EX GRIZZLY DEFENDER 15, from
15-23 August 2015 in Wainwright will be the proving ground to reaffirm our status as a great unit
worthy of high regard and recognition. This summer collective training event will be the culmination
of the training year and an opportunity to demonstrate the fighting spirit and capability of the Calgary Highlanders in performing that essential role of
the infantry- to close with and destroy the enemy.
It will allow us to validate our fundamental soldier
skills and the ability of our sections and platoons to
operate and fight in a collective environment. If
you want to be part of the unit’s future successes,
you need to be on this exercise.
Additionally, for all of the members of the Regiment, the challenge we present to you is this: Do
something to improve the Regiment. Contribute in
an area you are skilled in or passionate about. We
owe it to those that have come before us and set
the standard high, to constantly improve upon the
Calgary Highlanders’ legacy of excellence. As our
Regimental motto reminds us- together we can
move the Regiment ONWARD… AIRAGHARDT!
The Glen is the newsletter of the Calgary Highlanders Regimental Association. Opinions expressed are those of the Glen staff or contributors
and should not be construed as those of the Government of Canada or the Department of National Defence, including The Calgary Highlanders.
The Glen is available free of charge in its electronic version and recipients are encouraged to forward copies to friends of the Regiment. To be
added to the subscription list, send your name and email address to [email protected].
Photos from all eras of the unit’s history are welcome and may be sent to our email address (above) or in the case of prints, to The Calgary
Highlanders Regimental Association, Mewata Armoury, 801-11th St SW, Calgary AB, T2P 2C4. Prints will be scanned and returned upon request. Photos should be accompanied by a note explaining who or what the image captures and when and where it was taken.
Letters and articles are encouraged and, if published, may be edited for content and length.
Volume 4 Issue 2
Winter 2015
2
Between the Somme and Vimy
By Darrell Knight
On 17 October 1916, the First, Second and
Third Divisions of the Canadian Corps began
the arduous task of leaving the Somme locale,
bound for Artois; the fourth Division would follow a month later.
The 10th Battalion received three Battle Honours for its part in the carnage of that bloody
summer: "Somme 1916", "Thiepval", and
"Ancre Heights". On the afternoon of 17 October, the Unit - one of the first to depart - began the long march from Albert, bound for
Warloy.
Bouts of cold rain drenched the Battalion as it
moved northward, but eventually gave way
to bitter cold. In spite of the freezing temperatures, the "Fighting Tenth" formed fours and
made its way down muddy roads at a good
clip, passing through Dernier on 22 October,
after six days spent "riding shank's mare".
The following day the Battalion arrived at La
Comte, where the next four days found the
men engaged in sports competitions, inspections and training. The hours spent keeping
the men keen and motivated were not without reason: the Duke of Connaught, Canada's
former Governor-General, was scheduled to
Wikipedia
This map shows the location of Vimy Ridge in northern France. Following the Battle of the Somme the Canadian Corps did not
return to the Ypres Salient but was assigned positions that stretched roughly 16 km (10 miles) between Lens and Arras. By early
March 1917 the entire Corps had been repositioned on a 7 km (4 mile) frontage facing the ridge. The Canadians were given the
mission of capturing the ridge as part of the British Expeditionary Force’s large offensive known as the Battle of Arras.
Volume 4 Issue 2
Winter 2015
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visit General Currie's nearby 1st Division headquarters at Camblain L'Abbe on 30 October,
and the 10th Battalion had been chosen to
provide a 100-man Honour Guard.
With only two days to prepare, the Battalion
moved to Estree Cauchie, where selections
and rehearsals were conducted in anticipation
of the Duke's arrival. By the 30th, the men
were ready. Led by Major Eric MacDonald and
one supernumerary officer, the Honour Guard
performed its duties flawlessly, to the expressed delight of
General Currie, the
Duke of Connaught
and an entourage
of Divisional senior
officers.
tune to have suffered only four men injured
when relieved four days later. Incessant rain
damaged the trenches, keeping the men busy
throughout the four-day tour beneath intermittent hostile fire. That winter was the coldest in decades and although the Battalion was
allowed a hot bath after leaving the front,
there was little respite for the soldiers as work
parties laboured through the next three days
of "rest".
While the men soldiered on, their CO, Lieutenant-Colonel Dan
Ormond, took
the time to write
an overview of
lessons learned
from fighting on
the Somme.
While the Guard
had drilled and reIn the line again
hearsed, Officers
on 14 Novemand NCOs from the
ber, relief from
Battalion had been
trench routine
sent forward to
came on the
look over the ter18th but not
rain and trenches
without cost:
the "Fighting
two dead, one
Tenth" would soon
wounded. Movoccupy - the Canaing to Estree
dian Corps' asCauchie as
signed locale
divisional reCanadian
War
Museum
stretching roughly
serve, the
This photograph, taken after the capture of Vimy Ridge, looks east over the Douai
ten miles from Ar- Plain. The vantage point occupied by the soldiers in the foreground demonstrates men were put
ras in the south, to the strategic importance of Vimy Ridge – its height.
through an
Lens in the north intensive
in the vicinity of Givenchy.
training routine and received the latest gas
masks.
On Wednesday, 1 November, the men bathed
and then attended "Trench Foot" lectures
(then regarded by the Corps as a chargeable
offence, a form of "dereliction of duty", should
a soldier succumb to this debilitating affliction). The following day the Battalion made its
way to Carency, tasked with Battalion support
and provision of work-parties through the following 72-hour period.
On 6 November, the "Fighting Tenth" took its
place in the front lines and had the good forVolume 4 Issue 2
On the 26th the Battalion moved to Berthnoval where it provided work parties for 2 Brigade until 4 December. The weather was miserable - a mixture of rain, snow and fog which made the toil of carrying ammunition,
wiring, and upgrading the support trenches an
agonizing grind. A reinforcement draft of 142
men arrived, including ten JapaneseCanadians. By Christmas 1916, the "Fighting
Tenth" was at more than full strength and
numbered 30 officers and 1,094 ORs.
Winter 2015
4
up on the goal of fighting a decisive battle
that would achieve the long-awaited breakthrough of the enemy's defences, whereupon
he would be forced to retire back into Germany.
Calgary Highlanders
Private Tokutaro Iwamoto, MM. By 1914 10,000 people of
Japanese ancestry lived in Canada, mostly in British
Columbia. However, with a few rare exceptions, recruiting
offices in BC would not accept Asians for military service. To
circumvent this practice, over 200 Japanese-Canadian men
travelled to Alberta to enlist. Of the 222 who joined the CEF,
approximately 25% served in the 10th Battalion, the first
group of 10 arriving in December 1916.
The Battalion's routine remained much the
same until early March of 1917; there were six
additional sessions in the trenches, each lasting from four to eight days. Casualties were
light as both sides were exhausted after the
Somme and the Germans had decided that
their armies would adopt a purely defensive
posture along the Western Front during 1917.
However, there was little real rest for the
Tenth's soldiers during this period as any time
out of the trenches was spent training and
supplying endless work parties which struggled in the winter weather.
On 3 March the 10th was relieved by a battalion of the 24th British Division, as the entire
Canadian Corps was being repositioned on a 7
km (4 mile) frontage opposing the heights of
Vimy Ridge. The 1st Division was about to
take its place on the right of the line facing
the ridge.
Even after the enormous casualties of 1916 at
Verdun and the Somme the Allies hadn't given
Volume 4 Issue 2
The new French commander-in-chief, General
Nivelle, planned a massive French assault involving 54 divisions supported by 5,300 guns
that would smash through the German defences on the Ainse sector. In January 1917
he persuaded David Lloyd George - the new
British Prime Minister since the resignation of
H. H. Asquith during December 1916 - that if
British troops launched a massive diversionary
assault farther to the north in order to draw
German soldiers away from the Ainse region,
the war-winning French offensive must succeed. It was agreed that the French assault
would begin in mid-April and the British would
make their diversionary attack in the Arras
sector approximately a week earlier. The objective of the Canadian Corps was to capture
Vimy Ridge - the German-held high ground
along an escarpment at the northern end of
the Arras Offensive.
The ridge lies 8 km (5 miles) northeast of Arras on the western edge of the Douai Plain. It
rises gradually on its west side - the side
which faced the Canadian Corps - and drops
more quickly on the east side. It is approximately 7 km (4 miles) in length and rises up
to 60 m (200 feet) above the Douai Plain. It
had been captured by the Germans during
1914 and they had successfully turned it into
a gigantic fortress, and had fought off three
previous Allied attempts to capture it while
inflicting perhaps as many as 150,000 casualties on the attackers.
On 10 March the 10th Battalion reached its
billets at Ecoivres and on 14 March moved into the front line on the Vimy Front, an inordinately narrow frontage easily occupied by one
company. They would have 26 days to prepare themselves for the Canadian Corps' historic assault on the ridge, a battle that would
establish the Canadians' reputation as shock
troops.
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5
Transformation of an Army
By Denis Mascardelli
During the winter of 1916-1917 the Canadian Corps began a process of transformation that saw it
become perhaps the deadliest force on the European battlefield. Space does not permit a detailed
account of all that was involved but some of the major innovations are summarized.
By late 1916 the battles of Verdun and the
Somme had inflicted two million casualties on
both sides and temporarily exhausted their
armies. It was obvious to the leadership of the
Canadian Corps that the war-fighting techniques of 1914-1916 were hopelessly inadequate to deal with the European battlefields of
the industrial age, and to stubbornly persist in
doing more of the same would only continue
what best practices could be borrowed from
lessons learned by their British and French
allies. Senior leadership was not exempt and
General Byng, the British commander of the
Canadian Corps, extended this examination
to the corps' senior officers, replacing 15 of
the 58 battalion commanders and two of the
twelve brigade commanders.
During the search for ways to improve com-
Canadian War Museum
The Lewis machine gun was air-cooled and gas operated, 50.5 inches (1.28m) long, weighted approximately 28 pounds (13 kg), was
fed by a 47 round magazine, and had a cyclic rate of fire of 500-600 rounds/minute. It was introduced in 1915 and pushed down to
the platoon as part of the lessons learned after the Somme. It quickly became an essential weapon during infantry assaults and
when holding ground.
to yield unbearable casualties while accomplishing little. Throughout the winter of 19161917, one of the coldest in decades, they took
advantage of the relative quiet to examine
every aspect of their war-fighting; their battle
procedure, training, organization, tactics,
equipment, and communications, trying to determine what worked and what didn't and
Volume 4 Issue 2
bat effectiveness it was realized that once an
attack was launched and the soldiers 'went
over the top' it was impossible for Company
Commanders - far less a battalion CO - to
control the battle. Recognizing that it was a
platoon commander's war, training was
changed so that junior officers and senior
NCOs were given more responsibility and iniWinter 2015
6
tiative. At the same time, with the understanding that the platoon was the most important
tactical unit in an infantry battalion, it was reorganized to increase its combat power and to
make it a small, self-contained unit composed
of four sections: riflemen, rifle grenadiers,
bombers, and Lewis machine-gunners.
Infantry formations were
also modified so that
there was more space
between advancing soldiers and the normal
(but not mandatory) battalion attack called for
two Companies up, with
the one behind advancing in a diamond-shaped
formation.
tried to smash the enemy defences prior to
infantry attacks. But, no matter how heavy
the bombardment, many German soldiers survived in their deep dug-outs. Once the artillery lifted they rushed out and manned their
trenches (or what was left of them), quickly
put their machine guns
into operation and inflicted terrible casualties
on the attacking infantry before it could cross
the killing ground of No
Man's Land.
Part way through the
Battle of the Somme the
gunners introduced a
new innovation - the
creeping barrage - a
wall of fire that moved
over enemy lines slowly
It was also recognized
in short leaps while the
that at this stage of the
attacking infantry
war there could be no
'leaned into the bargreat breakthrough of
rage'. In theory, if evethe German lines. This
rything went to plan,
led to the development
the enemy wouldn't
Canadian War Museum
of 'bite and hold' tactics
Andrew McNaughton was one of the pre-eminent gunners have time to scramble
with limited objectives
of the war. He applied the principles that he mastered as
out of his deep bunkers
whereby the infantry
a prewar lecturer in engineering at McGill University to
and get his machine
improve the ability of gunners to locate and destroy
moved in bounds. For exguns operating before
ample, a battalion would be enemy artillery in counter-battery work.
the attackers were upon
assigned the objective of capturing a section of
him. Thus, instead of artillery gunfire precedan enemy trench system. Once they'd accoming movement, it was combined with moveplished this, instead of pressing on, they would
ment.
stop and consolidate on the position, thereby
forming a firm base through which a fresh battalion would pass to attack the next major defensive position.
But no matter what tactics the infantry employed, the fact remained that every attack
was a frontal attack against a well-trained and
equipped enemy in elaborately prepared defensive positions with clear fields of fire across
the blasted landscape. The key to any successful attack was effective artillery support.
During the first years of the war the artillery
Volume 4 Issue 2
However, during the Somme the Germans
had countered the creeping barrage by firing
their own barrage behind the moving wall of
shells in order to catch the advancing infantry
in the open. Clearly the enemy guns had to
be located and destroyed as part of any attack if the creeping barrage was to be effective.
The challenge was daunting since the German
artillery was often well concealed and sometimes positioned on reverse slopes where it
could not be directly observed. In response
Winter 2015
7
the 'Canadian Counter-Battery Office' (CCBO)
was established at Corps HQ to carefully analyze all intelligence that could be gleaned regarding the location of the enemy's guns. In
addition to intelligence yielded by prisoners,
information was gathered from scouting aircraft (both observations and aerial photos),
from 'flash-spotting (where carefully placed
observers recorded the bearing of gun flashes,
allowing triangulation to give location) and the
sitions and guns, an invaluable source of information when planning attacks. It also
meant that any artillery fire plan from this
point forward included effective counterbattery fire to suppress the German artillery's
ability to break up attacks.
No one measure taken by the Canadian Corps
during the relative quiet of the winter of 1916
-1917 was, on its own, decisive. However,
Canadian War Museum
The Taking of Vimy Ridge, Easter Monday 1917
This painting by Canadian war artist Richard Jack depicts the crew of an 18-pounder field gun firing at German positions on Vimy
Ridge . The 18-pounder was the British Commonwealth’s most widely used field gun during the First World War. More than 10,000
were produced and they fired approximately 100 million shells during the war.
new science of sound ranging (where recordings of shells passing overhead were made by
microphone; analysis of these recordings then
allowed the enemy guns to be located within
25m under perfect conditions). In addition,
British scientists were brought in to teach Canadian gunners how to compensate for barrel
wear and meteorological conditions in order to
increase accuracy.
This careful gathering and analysis of intelligence allowed detailed mapping of enemy poVolume 4 Issue 2
Winter 2015
when combined they began a transformation
that saw the Corps become the most deadly
force on the battlefield. Its first great test
was not long in coming, as by early April
1917 the Canadians would assault the heavily
fortified - and some thought, impregnable German positions at Vimy Ridge, whose defenders had defeated three previous Allied
assaults while inflicting perhaps 150,000 casualties on the attackers.
8
Calgary Highlanders in Afghanistan
By LCol Mike Vernon
Junkyard of Soviet tanks near Kabul, December 20014
In January, we became the only Army Reserve unit to receive the Canadian Forces Unit Commenda-
tion, recognition of our soldiers' outstanding service in Afghanistan.
Now it's time to tell the regiment's story in more detail: to record soldiers' unique experiences and
memories for the benefit of the regiment, and all who are interested in what we did. Let's do it
now, while the memories remain fresh, and before we drift away and it becomes more difficult to
do so.
So beginning this June, I would like to conduct video interviews with as many of the regiment's Afghanistan veterans as possible. These interviews will be archived and transcribed to assist historians, they will augment the new Afghanistan exhibit at the museum, and they will form the basis of
a proposed documentary film, Calgary Highlanders in Afghanistan.
For the documentary, I'd like to illustrate the interviews with soldiers' personal videos, photos, letters and even diary entries. Whatever they wish to share.
If you are willing to participate, or have questions, please email me at [email protected]. Check
out the regimental website for further details, including the time and location for an upcoming information session.
It's our story. It's our history. Let's make sure we preserve it for the regiment. And for ourselves.
Volume 4 Issue 2
Winter 2015
9
Ex Highland Shiver
17-18 January 2015
By 2Lt Sean Fraser
Calgary Highlanders
Troops receive a lecture on tent routine.
On Friday October 2015, soldiers from A Company of
the Calgary Highlanders deployed to the Rocky Mountain Cadet Camp for Exercise Highland Shiver. This winter warfare indoc training was a joint exercise conducted with other units of 41 Brigade. The intent was for
soldiers to work on their section level winter warfare
skills, with particular focus on tent group routine,
movement in snowy terrain, land navigation, and basic
survival techniques.
snowshoeing skills by walking on even and uneven terrain, moving with a rucksack and running with our
snowshoes. The highlight of this stand saw soldiers test
their balance and coordination by participating in a tournament style wrestling match while wearing snowshoes.
If successful in taking down your opponent, you would
advance to the next round. The troops had a great deal
of fun and it emphasized how difficult it can be to manoeuvre and defend while wearing snowshoes.
The drive out was short, but lively, thanks to our spirited bus driver and the unit soon arrived safely at Rocky
Mountain Cadet Camp. We immediately set up our
tents and established a fire watch routine. The weather
was very mild for the time of year which made for an
excellent learning environment.
At the second station, located at the base of a large
wooded hill, we practised camouflage and concealment
techniques. We learned how to use our environment for
cover, how to dress properly in snowy and partially
snowy areas and how to observe and identify troops
that are camouflaged and concealed. The class culminated in a test to determine whether a group of soldiers
could move up the hill without being detected.
Saturday morning was spent practising our pull pole
tent drills. We set up and took down our tents several
times in order to improve our technique and increase
our speed.
On Saturday afternoon we broke into groups that rotated through several training stations. First, we practised
Volume 4 Issue 2
Finally, we learned how to build several different types
of survival structures in a tactical environment. We covered concepts such as which direction a structure should
face, where it should be positioned and how large it
Winter 2015
10
should be. At the end of the class we were given some
time to create our own lean-to using our tarps, cordage
and material from the surrounding forest. Once the
structures were complete, we analysed the pros and
cons of each one in order to learn and apply the
group’s best practises in the future.
Sunday morning saw a pull pole tent competition between all of the units taking part in the exercise; all of
the teams greatly improved their times and the competition created some nice drive and teamwork. We then
completed the morning's training by learning how to
build fires, snares, and traps for a winter survival situation. At the end of the exercise, we returned to Mewata
Armoury with a new set of winter warfare skills that will
be applied in future training events.
Fallen Comrades
We regret to announce the passing of Lawrence Arthur
Cooper of Drumheller on Friday 23 January 2015, at 84 years
of age. Lawrence was born in Fort McLeod, Alberta on 23
February 1930 and joined the Army in January, 1951. He
retired from military service in February 1970 as a Warrant
Officer in the Calgary Highlanders after almost nine years of
service with the Regiment in Drumheller (the Unit maintained
sub-units in various southern Alberta communities, including
Drumheller, until the early 1970s).
Following his time with the Highlanders, Lawrence continued
his career with the Correctional Service of Canada at the
Drumheller Institution until his retirement in 1989. He is
survived by his wife Irene, his step-son Paul (Sheila)
DeCosta, and nieces, nephews, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. A Celebration of Life Service was held at St.
Magloire’s Anglican Church, Drumheller on Wednesday, 28
January followed by a luncheon at the Royal Canadian
Legion.
Volume 4 Issue 2
Winter 2015
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Calgary Highlanders
Training Year 2015
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The Regiment in Photos
The Regiment in Photos
Readers are encouraged to send in photos from all eras of the Unit’s history in order that the archive
may be expanded. Digital images can be sent to [email protected]. Prints should be
mailed to The Calgary Highlanders Regimental Association, Mewata Armoury, 801-11th St SW,
Calgary, AB, T2P 2C4. Prints will be scanned and returned upon request. When sending photos,
don’t forget to include information on who/what, when and where.
22 April 1915
‘The Glorious
Memory’
The 10th and 16th
Battalions storm
German positions in
their famous but
costly night attack
during the opening
phase of the Second
Battle of Ypres.
Calgary Highlanders
November 1945
On 15 November the Calgary Highlanders
sailed from Southampton on the famous
liner, “Queen Elizabeth”, bound for
Halifax. They arrived home in Calgary on
25 November, more than five years after
the Unit had been mobilized in
September 1939.
www.britannic.com
Volume 4 Issue 2
Winter 2015
14
31 October 2014
At the annual Officers' Mess dinner
commemorating the Battle of Walcheren
Causeway, a special presentation was made
of a painting of former commanding officer
Lieutenant Colonel Ross Ellis, who
commanded the 1st Battalion, Calgary
Highlanders during the battle in October
1944.
L to R: Mr Jamie Morris (artist), Ms Leslie
Ellis (LCol Ellis’ daughter) and Mr Greg
Stone who commissioned and financed the
project.
Calgary Highlanders
13 December 2014
Calgary Highlanders
The Calgary Highlanders celebrated the annual Christmas All Ranks Christmas Dinner at Mewata
Armoury.
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Winter 2015
15
Capt Pittet
December 2014
MCpl Holloway completes the bench press as part of the Soldier’s Fitness Challenge.
Calgary Highlanders
Capt Pittet
January 2014
Cpl Ho conducts a mechanical door entry using a sledgehammer at
the Calgary Police Training facilities.
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Winter 2015
16
Calgary Highlanders
2008
Calgary Highlanders celebrating their link to our city while in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
9 January 2014
General Tom Lawson, Chief of
the Defence Staff, presented the
Calgary Highlanders with the
Canadian Forces Unit Citation for
its outstanding dedication and
commitment to the war in
Afghanistan at a ceremony held
in Calgary’s Mewata Armoury.
Canadian Forces
Volume 4 Issue 2
Winter 2015
Pictured with the commendation
pennant L to R: General Tom
Lawson; LCol Kyle Clapperton,
Commanding Officer; CWO Chris
Tucker, Regimental Sergeant
Major; and CWO Kevin West,
Canadian Forces Chief Warrant
Officer.
17
Calgary Highlanders Awarded
Unit Commendation
By Major Andrew Beauchamp
Canadian Forces
General Tom Lawson, the Chief of Defence Staff, inspects Calgary Highlanders during a ceremony on Friday, 9 January 2015 at
which he presented the Unit with the Canadian Armed Forces Commendation in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the
war in Afghanistan.
Calgary’s Mewata Armoury is a long way from
the dust and heat of Kandahar Province, but
on January 9th, 2015 the war in Afghanistan
was on every Calgary Highlander’s mind. The
Chief of Defence Staff, General Tom Lawson,
was in Calgary to present The Calgary Highlanders with the Canadian Armed Forces Unit
Commendation for their outstanding support
to the Afghanistan Mission. In attendance at
the small ceremony were Commander 3rd Canadian Division, Brigadier-General Wyne Eyre,
Commander 41 Canadian Brigade Group,
Colonel John Conrad, current and former soldiers of The Calgary Highlanders, and friends
of the regiment.
The Canadian Armed Forces Commendation is
a group award presented by the Chief of Defence Staff to recognize distinguished service
Volume 4 Issue 2
by a military unit. The award consists of a
gold medallion bearing the tri-service symbols,
a special commemorative pennant which the
unit may fly for one year, and a scroll with
gold embossing which includes the following
citation:
From 2001 to 2011, the Calgary Highlanders
demonstrated outstanding dedication and sustained commitment towards the war in Afghanistan. The leadership and deployment culture within the unit, along with a unique outreach effort with civilian employers, contributed to their success. The exceptional collective
effort of the Regiment is a direct reflection of
its operational focus and has contributed to
the Army commitment to Afghanistan. In so
doing, the Calgary Highlanders has brought
much credit to itself and the Canadian Armed
Forces.
Winter 2015
18
On 9 May 2014, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the awarding of theatre honour AFGHANISTAN to units from the Regular
and Reserve Forces. In order to receive the
battle honour, a Reserve unit had to have deployed at least 20% of their 2011 Unit
strength to Afghanistan between 2001 and
2011. On average, the deserving Reserve
units deployed 30% of their 2011 strength.
acy for the next generation of soldiers who
serve with this unit."
on this tremendous honour."
But, no matter how illustrious the attending
dignitaries might be - and their gracious efforts
to support the Unit through their attendance
are deeply appreciated - at its core this was a
Regimental family affair so perhaps the final
word should go to Lieutenant-Colonel Kyle
Clapperton, the Commanding Officer: "The
Calgary Highlanders’ legacy of service over the
last century was the foundation for our significant contribution to the mission in Afghanistan
and we will continue to proudly volunteer to
serve Canada on Canadian Armed Forces missions domestically and overseas."
Although the Unit Commendation was originally to have been presented on Saturday the
10th, a last-minute change to General Lawson's schedule meant that he could only be in
Calgary on the 9th. As a result the majority of
the Unit's soldiers, former soldiers and friends
were unable to attend Friday's award ceremoHowever, the Calgary Highlanders went far
ny. In order to address this, the originallybeyond this, deploying 126 soldiers (several
planned Saturday parade at Mewata went
volunteered multiple times)
ahead. In addition to a large
“The
Calgary
between 2001 and 2011, a
contingent of those who'd forHighlanders bring pride merly served with the Regi107% deployment rate,
significantly more than any
to the entire military
ment, including many who had
other Reserve unit in the
deployed to Afghanistan, the
and I congratulate
Canadian Army.
Federal Government was repthem on this
resented by Member of ParliaGeneral Lawson said, "I'm
tremendous honour.”
ment Joan Crockett (Calgaryso proud of the contribuCentre) who brought greetings and congratutions that the Canadian Armed Forces made in
lations from the Prime Minister; the Province of
Afghanistan. The Calgary Highlanders repreAlberta by the Premier, the Honourable Jim
sent the best of this contribution: pulling more
Prentice; the City of Calgary by His Worship
than their own weight to support the combat
Mayor Naheed Nenshi; and 41 Canadian Brimission, they fought with courage and selfgade Group by its Commander, Colonel John
lessness. The Calgary Highlanders bring pride
Conrad.
to the entire military and I congratulate them
Brigadier-General Eyre added, "The significant
achievements of The Calgary Highlanders in
Afghanistan brings great credit to the 3rd Canadian Division and I congratulate them on
this hard earned and well-deserved unit commendation. This commendation is something
all soldiers of the Regiment can be proud of
and shows once more [that] The Calgary
Highlanders are one of the finest Regiments in
the Army Reserve. Their contributions to the
mission in Afghanistan will leave a strong leg-
Volume 4 Issue 2
Winter 2015
19
Volume 4 Issue 2
Winter 2015
20
The Ride Across Canada
MCpl Paul Nichols, Canadian Rangers
I realized the power of a heartfelt story when
a lady in a Vancouver shop saw the Regimental crest on my jacket and told me her story.
She cried and hugged me as we talked and
the people in line behind me had tears in their
eyes as she told of living through the siege of
Sarajevo. For two years they were near starvation and dodged daily sniper fire and it was
Canadian troops who
saved their lives and
eventually got her
out.
I am proud to be a
former Calgary Highlander and in 1993
served with 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light
Infantry during the
UN mission to the
former Yugoslavia.
When our first
daughter was born, I
left the military and
my wife and I returned to our small
town in central BC.
Together with our
daughters, we run a
farm and riding centre which is certified through both the British
Columbia Therapeutic Riding Association and
the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association.
Volume 4 Issue 2
When I left the Calgary Highlanders I left the
brotherhood and my support network. As a
veteran who has been under fire and struggled
to make the transition to civilian life, I know
how lonely it can be making a home in a community that doesn’t recognize a contemporary
veteran. I stopped telling my stories and then
began to spend a lot of time inside my own
head wondering if my service had been worthwhile.
My own journey back included my dog, my horse,
and a lot of time alone on
the river with a fly rod.
But ultimately it was the
Bosnian woman in the
shop that took the time to
share her story who
changed my life, and I am
a different person today
because of her.
Several years ago I returned to the military as a
Canadian Ranger and took
on the creation of a basic
horsemanship course/
exercise. Dozens of Canadian Rangers and Regular
Army soldiers have been
through this training and
we have developed some proficient, confident
riders. One evening around the fire we discussed the day’s ride and a Patricia asked
what our PTSD treatment program looks like.
Winter 2015
21
This was when we realized that we were
uniquely suited to make a difference and it
was the beginning of an idea.
military. Through education and raising awareness of the changing face of their veterans,
we can give them the opportunity to truly support their troops. We believe that timely help
from the communities they have served will
lower the incidence of PTSD and family break
up, and I personally know that timely help can
change a life.
My wife and I have assembled a crew and we
are stepping off April 13, 2015 from Victoria
BC and leading a horse back relay across Canada. My wife will lead an advance party with
trucks, trailers, several horses and a small
For more information or to register to ride, go to:
crew and she will co-ordinate with communiwww.communitiesforveterans.com or visit us on
ties to find our veterans who will then be givFacebook at Communities for Veterans—The Ride
en a riding lesson. Once they are safely
Across Canada.
through her lesson, these veterans
will be staged and take their place
to join the ride with me for either a
half or part day as we pass
through, or close to their own communities. As we travel across the
country with these other riders,
their stories will be documented
and shared with the people of Canada. Our objective is to make it
across Canada in 200 days and include as many veteran guest riders
as we can. This ride is not about
one veteran and his family riding
across the country for a cause. By
the time we reach the Atlantic
coast we will have been joined by
and have heard the stories of over
700 Canadian Veterans. As these
stories are collected and reflected
on, we will create awareness and
encourage discussion of the challenges that our service men and
women face as they transition back
into the civilian world. The Canadian people love their troops and will
support them but often don't know
communitiesforveterans.com
who they are after they leave the
MCpl Paul Nichols, Canadian Rangers on horseback.
Volume 4 Issue 2
Winter 2015
22
Robbie Burns 2015
By CWO Christopher Tucker
The 2015 Calgary Highlanders Sergeants and Warrant Officers Robbie Burns Supper was a great
evening enjoyed by all and filled with good food, good company, and good drink.
WO Jamie Moreau served as the master of ceremonies for the evening and kept the event on
track, allowing our guests to enjoy themselves before, during, and after the meal. The supper was
well attended by the Regiment's serving members, family, and friends with 205 persons present.
Special mention must be made of the attendance of four of the last five RSMs, which really drives
home the importance of the Burns Supper to the Regiment's Sergeants and Warrant Officers.
Our thanks goes out to the Regiment's family and friends in attendance - their support is essential
to the success of the supper. This event allows us to showcase the Unit as more than an infantry
regiment. The Calgary Highlanders Pipes and Drums, led by Drum Major Lyndon Moore, put on
two fantastic sets which displayed their hard work and skill while Sgt Brian Gaisford was spectacular giving the address to the haggis in the true spirit of Robert Burns. Lastly, the solo rendition of
Red, Red Rose delivered by Sgt Ben Forrest held the attention of those in attendance like nothing
else.
The immortal memory delivered by WO1 (Ret'd) Tam Connelly was funny, brilliant, and entertaining as always. He brought home the real reason for the dinner, which is to celebrate the poems
and songs of Robert Burns and his legacy as the bard of Scotland. I look forward to Tam’s delivery
of the immortal memory at the next Burns supper.
Of course the evening could not have
happened without
the efforts of MWO
Glenn Fedoruk, Sgt
Dave Melcher, and
Sgt Dino Avelino.
It was their behind
the scenes work
that made the
event successful
and enjoyed by all
attending.
Denis Mascardelli
The four RSMs. L to R: CWO Kent Griffiths, RSM 2002-2004 and currently RSM of The Algonquin
Regiment; CWO (Ret’d) Robert Besse, RSM 2011-2014; CWO Christopher Tucker, RSM 2014-present;
and CWO (Ret’d) Flint Walters, RSM 2004-2008.
Volume 4 Issue 2
Winter 2015
Our Robert Burns
Supper is always
scheduled for the
last Friday in January. The date for
next Burns supper
will be 29 January
2016, and we hope
to see you there.
23
Excursion Into Hunland
Adventures in Boche-Hunting Above the Clouds
By Lieut. E. M Roberst, R.F.C
Eldridge Mathias Roberts was a 24-year old American working with several friends in southern Alberta when
the First World War began in August 1914. He travelled to Calgary and enlisted in the 10th and travelled to
Valcartier, Quebec for training with the Battalion. He was transferred to the 'Divisional Supply Column' just
prior to the 10th's move to England but managed to transfer to the Royal Flying Corps after the Battle of the
Somme. He first served as an observer/gunner before becoming a fighter pilot and was credited with six victories before being invalided out of the service in late 1917 as the result of chronic bronchial asthma. (Lt.
Roberts was a victim of chlorine gas at Ypres in 1915.) He wrote a book, 'A Flying Fighter - An American
Above the Lines in France' which was published by Harper and Brothers and may be read online for free as
the copyright has expired.
To our knowledge, Lt. Roberts is the only member of the 10th to have become an 'ace'. The following is a
reprint of a portion of an article that appeared in the March 1918 edition of Vanity Fair magazine.
My first turn of service at the front as a pilot
consisted of patrol work for three days running. It was an uneventful start. On the fourth
day I went up again on patrol about three
o'clock in the afternoon and got to 20,000
feet. I was looking for Huns up there but
found none. Since it was very cold I decided
to go down a way, and shut off my power.
At the level of 18,000 feet, I found myself
sweeping along a very large peak of cloud.
Intending to spoil its pretty formation I dived
into it and coming out on the other side found
myself alongside of a Hun plane of the Albatross type.
I had no intimation at all that a Hun was present, and I guess he was in the same position
concerning me. I suppose he was as much
surprised as I was when he saw me emerging
from the cloud. That he was surprised was
indicated by his failure to open fire upon me.
Neither of us could shoot at the other for the
reason that the guns of the machines we
were flying were fixed to the plane, so that
the machine itself has to be pointed at the enemy in order to fire. We were so close together that this could not be done without our
ramming one another, which both of us had
to avoid if we did not wish to crash to the
earth together.
Volume 4 Issue 2
LIEUT.E. M. ROBERTS, R. F. C.
Formerly of the 10th Canadian Battalion—a young aviator
who, in a series of thrilling speeches, has astounded New York
during the past three months. Lieut. Roberts, who was twentytwo months in the air in France, has lately taken to authorship.
His first literary flight—a book on his adventures at the front—
will be entitled “A Flying Fighter” and will be published
immediately by Harper and Brothers. The material printed in
the present article will be included.
Winter 2015
24
The Hun waved at me, and I waved at him.
We found ourselves in a very peculiar situation. I was so close to him that I could see
with the naked eye every detail of his machine. I could also see his face quite clearly.
There was something off in our position. I had
to smile at the thought that we were so close
together and yet dared not harm one another.
The Hun also smiled. Then I reached down to
feel the handle of my pressure reservoir to
make sure that it was in its proper place; for I
knew that one of us would soon have to make
a break.
I had never before met a Hun at such close
quarters in the air, and
although we flew parallel to one another for
only a few minutes the
time seemed like a
week. I remembered
some of the tactics told
me by several of the
older and best fighters
of the corps, and was wondering how I could
employ them.
After a while, however, much sooner than I
expected, the Hun started to get restless and
began to manoeuvre for position. Like myself
he was utilizing the veriest fraction of every
little opportunity in his endeavor to outmanoeuvre his antagonist. Finally, the Hun
thought he had gotten the lead.
I noticed he was going down a little, evidently
for the purpose of shooting me from underneath. I was not quite sure as yet that such
was really his intention; but the man was
quick. Before I knew what had happened he
had managed to put five shots into my machine. But all of them missed me.
I manoeuvred into an offensive position as
quickly as I could, and before the Hun could
fire again I had my machine gun pelting him.
My judgement must have been fairly good.
The Hun began to spin earthward. I followed
to finish him, keeping in mind, meanwhile
that it is an old game in flying to let the other
man think you are hit. This bit of strategy will
often afford the opportunity to get into a position that will give you the drop upon your
antagonist. The ruse is also sometimes used
to get out of a fight when in trouble with gun
jamb, or when bothered by a defective motor.
I discovered soon that this precaution was
not necessary, for the Hun kept spinning right
to the ground. He landed with a crash. A few
minutes later I landed two fields away from
the wreck, and ran over to the kill I had
made. I had hit the Hun about fifty times, and
had nearly cut off both his legs at the hips.
There was nothing left in the
line of souvenirs as the Tommies had gotten to the wreck
before I did. I carried off a
piece of his wing props, and
had a stick made of it. That
night we celebrated my first
Hun brought down behind our
own line since I had become a pilot.
Next day I went out to get another Hun to
add to my collection. I was in the act of
crossing the Hun lines when bang! to the
right of me came a thud, and my engine
stopped. Revenge, I thought. I volplaned to
the ground, made a good landing in a field,
and then had another engine brought out to
replace mine.
On another patrol, I rose up to about 15,000
feet and started across the lines. I had no
trouble getting into Hunland. But the day was
fairly clear and the Hun Archies1 were working overtime. I was about three miles behind
the lines, when right ahead of me exploded a
'woolly bear'2.
As soon as it had burst, my machine started
to do a cake walk. I shut off power quickly
and headed homeward, landing in an advance
position of ours.
I will admit that I already had the greatest
Next day I went
out to get another
Hun to add to my
collection.
1
2
Anti-aircraft guns
A shrapnel shell which burst with a cloud-like explosion
Volume 4 Issue 2
Winter 2015
25
respect for the Hun Archie batteries. The
tion at which I was flying, and which made
woolly bear they had fired at me was somemy machine as seen from the ground no largthing new, and since it had certainly done
er than a mosquito. I spent a very exciting
damage enough to my machine it increased
day. The fire of the Hun Archies had never
that respect.
been as accurate as on that day, and those
But duty is duty. After I had attached the prowoolly bears seemed to have us all puzzled.
peller I went up again, but shrunk six inches
For all that, I had been lucky. When I rewhen the next woolly bear exploded quite
turned to the aerodrome it was merely to
close to me. I ducked into the cockpit, altlearn that old
hough one is
Pizzdoodle, a
no safer in
Scotch friend
the cockpit
of mine, and as
than outside.
fine a boy as
When the
ever lived, had
machine
been brought
crashes to
down. Albert
the ground,
Ball3, also of
the cockpit
our squadron
is still a part
and the best
of it, of
pilot in the
course, so
corps, perhaps,
far no
had likewise
means havbeen shot
ing been dedown. The
vised to ansame fate had
chor that
overtaken a
cockpit to a
number of othcloud. Alters, many of
hough the
whom I knew.
bus I was
I spent a great
flying was a
deal of time
fast one,
that night wonthat Hun
dering whether
Archie batit would be my
tery did
turn next. I remost credmember lookitable work.
Canadian War Museum ing over my
I must say
War in the Air painted by Christopher Nevinson in 1918. Nevinson became an official war
medals and
that much
artist in July 1917, working primarily for the British. The markings on the plane in this
for the Hun, painting are characteristic of the Nieuport 17 flown by Canadian flying ace Billy Bishop. The that peculiar
mascot of
painting reputedly depicts Bishop in action. Nevinson's painting also shows three enemy
although I
aircraft above the clouds, through which you can see the Somme countryside.
mine, a Chihate him
nese doll. Life
like poison.
never seemed so uncertain or so short to
The Huns were good shots, even at the elevame.
3
Albert Ball was killed on 7 May 1917. At the time he was the highest-scoring British ace with 44 victories. Contrary to
what this article might imply, he was not brought down by AAA.
Volume 4 Issue 2
Winter 2015
26
War in the Clouds
Canadian War Museum
Squadron Commander Raymond Collishaw speaks with fellow air ace Arthur Whealy (seated in plane). Whealy shot down 27
enemy planes, while Collishaw was one of the leading fighter pilots of the war with 60 victories. Collishaw is wearing his naval air
force uniform, as he flew for much of the war with the Royal Naval Air Service, amalgamated with the Royal Flying Corps to form
the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918.
Contrary to a commonly-hold perception the First World War was marked by innovation, and one
of the new weapons introduced was the aeroplane. Like the tank, the aeroplane was a new and
disruptive technology though the early examples used in the Great War had limited efficacy. But
like the tank, they were harbingers of the future battlefield and would become vital weapons
during the Second World War.
Canada did not have its own air force until the closing months of the First World War when 2
Squadrons - which never saw combat - were established. However 35,972 Canadians served with
the British flying services and by war's end almost a quarter of all 'British' flyers were Canadian.
There were 171 Canadian air aces during the war, pilots or gunners with five or more enemy
aircraft or airships destroyed. William Avery 'Billy' Bishop VC topped the list with 72 victories,
followed by Raymond Collishaw (60), Donald MacLaren (54), and William Barker, VC (50).
The press on both sides portrayed flyers as 'knights of the air' and the names of the top aces
were known to all. When compared to the mass slaughter in the rat and lice-infested trenches on
the ground, the life of a flyer must indeed have looked glamorous - duels in the clean, cold air
and a warm bed to return to at the end of a mission. However, it was a hazardous occupation;
the aircraft were fragile and highly flammable and aircrew did not carry parachutes for most of
the war. Life expectancy for a new pilot was measured in weeks and in April 1917 dipped to just
eleven days.
Volume 4 Issue 2
Winter 2015
27
QMSI Kit Corner:
Mufti and Retired/Associate Members Dress
By CWO Christopher Tucker
Mufti (pronounced MUF-TEE) refers to ordinary clothes worn by someone who usually wears a uniform.
This is a relaxed (semi-formal) mode of dress for all members of the regiment and regimental family but is
normally targeted towards Sergeants, Warrant Officers, and Officers. It is appropriate for the mess and extra-regimental functions where permitted or when the wearing of a uniform would not be appropriate.
1. No headdress, medals, or accoutrements are to be worn with this mode of dress.
2. Navy Blue Blazer with an Embroidered Regimental Cap Badge sewn on to the centre of the left breast
pocket. Regimental buttons are to be attached to the blazer with the size corresponding to the DEU
jacket.
3. White Dress Shirt with Regimental Tie.
4. Grey Trousers with a Black Belt.
5. Black Leather Dress Shoes.
6. Dark Overcoat with Black Gloves.
 The embroidered cap badge, regimental tie, and buttons can be purchased through the Kit Shop.
RETIRED / ASSOCIATED MEMBERS DRESS
This mode of dress is for all retired (NCM’s and Officers) and associate members of The Calgary Highlanders
who are attending a parade or regimental function where the serving members are in uniform.
1. Glengarry with appropriate cap badge. All Infantry qualified members will wear their appropriate regimental cap badge according to rank. All other members will wear the cap badge that reflects their
trade, corps, or element from where they retired. Example, CIC officers will wear the COATS cap
badge.
2. Navy Blue Blazer with an Embroidered Regimental Cap Badge sewn on to the centre of the left breast
pocket. Regimental buttons are to be attached to the blazer with the size corresponding to the DEU
jacket.
3. Medals (full size) will be worn above the pocket and centred so the bottom of the medals does not obstruct the embroidered cap badge sewn on the centre of the left breast pocket.
4. Canadian Parachute Wings and/or other accoutrements normally placed above the medals on the DEU
jacket will be centred below the left breast pocket with commendations centred below that in the appropriate order.
5. White Dress Shirt with Regimental Tie.
6. Grey Trousers with a Black Belt.
7. Black Leather Dress Shoes.
8. Dark Overcoat with Black Gloves.
 The embroidered cap badge, regimental tie, and buttons can be purchased through the Kit Shop.
 If a retired member does not have the Mufti mode of dress then a dark blue suit will suffice but all
retired and associate members are encouraged to make the effort and demonstrate pride in your
service with this fine regiment.
• Any questions or direction on accoutrements are to be directed to the RSM of the day, The Canadian Forces Dress Instructions A-AD-265-000/AG-001, or the Canadian Honours System “Wearing of
Orders, Decorations, and Medals.”
SUMMARY
The idea is that your Mufti mode of dress will also serve after you retire from The Calgary Highlanders. It is
a demonstration to the serving soldiers and the public who see you at regimental functions and parades of
your pride and service with the regiment. ONCE A HIGHLANDER, ALWAYS A HIGHLANDER!
Volume 4 Issue 2
Winter 2015
28
The 22nd of April 2015 will mark the centenary
an assaulting force of 816. Amongst the losses
of the first major action of the Canadian Army
was Lieutenant-Colonel Boyle who died soon
during the First World War, the Second Battle of
after being wounded. Marshall Ferdinand
Ypres. On that day in 1915, the German Army
Foch, the Commander of the Allied Forces durfirst used poison gas and broke through the Aling the First World War, was quoted as saying:
lied lines near St. Julien,
“I think the finest act in
Belgium. The 10th Batthe war was the countertalion of the Canadian
attack of the 10th and
Expeditionary Force
16th Battalions of Canadi(CEF) was called upon
ans after their Division
to stop the advancing
had been frightfully punenemy. The 10th
ished by the German
(perpetuated by The
gas”. The action would
Calgary Highlanders)
see the first Battle Honwere taken into battle
our of the war along
by Lieutenant-Colonel
with the only Battle DisR.L. Boyle who lived in
tinction of the conflict,
Crossfield, north of Calan Oak Leaf shoulder
gary. He led the Battaltitle, awarded to the
ion in a counter-attack
units which perpetuate
which marked the first
the 10th and 16th Battaltime that the Canadian
ions. The Oak Leaf was
Army had committed a
selected as Kitcheners’
full battalion to an atWood had been an oak
tack since the Boer War.
plantation before the
The assaulting forces
war. The attack saw the
from the 10th and the
10th lead the Canadian
th
16 Battalions took
Army into the First World
Kitcheners’ Wood in
War and they would go
their heroic night attack
on to fight in almost
and blunted the German
every major engageCalgary Highlanders
advance but the casualment, earning them the
ties were staggering; the LCol Russell Boyle, a decorated veteran of the Boer War,
nickname of “Gallant
assumed command of the 10th on 27 Sep 1914. He took the
10th suffered 623 killed,
Battalion overseas and was fatally wounded during the famous Canadians”.
wounded or missing from night attack on Kitcheners Wood on 22 April 1915.
Volume 4 Issue 2
Winter 2015
29
The Calgary Highlanders Regimental Association
Dues, Gifts and Membership
BOX A: DUES/GIFTS
If you are an existing member of the Association, either Ordinary or Associate, all you have to do to renew your
membership for 2015 is to send us your annual dues of $15.00 (Box A)
If you are not an existing member and wish to become one, please complete the application form (Box B) and attach
the 2015 annual dues of $15.00.
All serving solders are automatically Ordinary Members upon receipt of the annual dues and need not apply for
membership.
If you are unsure of your status, complete Box B.
2015 dues are $15.00 and, of course donations
are much appreciated.
A tax receipt will be issued for donations of more
than $10.00; annual dues are not tax-deductible.
Cheques should be made out to ‘The Calgary
Highlanders Regimental Association’ and mailed
to:
The Calgary Highlanders Regt Assn
Mewata Armoury
801-11th Street SW
Calgary AB T2P 2C4
Enclosed are my annual dues of $15.00 (2015)
Enclosed is my donation of $________
NAME: ________________________________________
ADDRESS: ______________________________________
______________________________________
EMAIL: ________________________________________
Please complete if this information is not on your cheque or
has changed.
BOX B: MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
I am a former Calgary Highlander (applying as an Ordinary Member)
I am NOT a former Calgary Highlander (applying as an Associate Member)
PLEASE PRINT:
Mr/Mrs/Ms/Rank (indicate ‘Ret’d’ when applicable if providing rank ) ________________________________
Given Name(s) _____________________________________________________________________________
Surname ___________________________________________________________________________________
Decorations/Post Nominals ___________________________________________________________________
Military Service (if applicable)
Unit ___________________________________ Dates Served _________________________________
Unit ___________________________________ Dates Served _________________________________
Street Address: ______________________________________________________________________________
City ______________________________________Province _____________ Postal Code _________________
EMAIL: _____________________________________________________________________________________
OR
I do not have an email address
Former Calgary Highlanders become Ordinary Members upon receipt of the annual dues ($15.00). The Board of
Directors may grant conditional memberships to any applicant for Associate Membership, but such memberships must be confirmed at the Association's Annual General Meeting.
Mail to:
The Calgary Highlanders Regt Assn
Mewata Armoury
801-11th Street SW
Calgary AB T2P 2C4
Volume 4 Issue 2
Winter 2015
30