Fallen Comrades (retired members)

[Old Sweat]

Andy started his regular career as, I believe, a trooper in the RCD and then was commissioned via the Officer Candidate Program in the RCASC, which was a usual step for young men who wanted to fly in the army. I met him in Gagetown in the early sixites when he was serving in the EBS Bn (Experimental Brigade Service Battalion) and worked with him again on my last or second last posting when we served together in J3 in NDHQ. By that time he was a very senior aviator who had served for a while in DFS.


SEGUIN, Lt. Col Andre (Andy). Ret'd.
OMM.CD.
Passed away on the 16th of May, 2013 at the Queensway Carleton Hospital. Beloved husband of Pat, and cherished father of Chantal. Son of the late Louis and Marguerite Seguin, and stepson of the late Josephine Slapinsky. Brother of Jean-Louis (Lucy and Jasmine). Will be missed by brothers-in-law Colin and Malcolm Jones and their families. A 39 year proud veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces. Served across Canada, in Germany, at the United Nations as a Peace Keeper, Gulf War 1, Namibia and the Sinai. As per Andy's wishes, organ donation was effected followed by cremation. A memoriam mass will be held at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, 15 Steeple Hill Crescent, Nepean on Friday the 31st of May, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Family, friends, military colleagues, masonic brethren and legion comrades are invited to attend. After the Mass a reception will be held at the Kanata Legion Branch 638, Hines Road, Kanata. Thank you to all nurses on Ward A3, and a special thank you to palliative care nurse Alice and her student for their compassion. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Ottawa-Carleton Alzheimer's Society or the Kanata Legion Branch 638, would be appreciated. All are also invited to visit the online memorial at www.forevermissed.com/ andy-seguin.

 

[Edward Campbell]

From The Regimental Adjutant:

I have just received sad news of the tragic loss of a member of our Regimental family. Master Warrant Officer Lloyd Davis Crosby (Ret'd) passed away suddenly at Ottawa this past weekend, on 20 May, as the result of a motor vehicle accident. MWO Crosby had previously served with The RCR and had remustered into the Intelligence Corps. The viewing will take place on Friday 24 May, 3:00-5:00 PM, with interment to follow on Saturday 25 May, 11:30 AM. CJOC, his former colleagues, are working with the family to provide a military escort and presence at the funeral. This sad news has been passed to the Regiment by Captain Vicki Ryan of CFJOSG, who is the daughter of Master Warrant Officer Don Cross (Ret'd), a former Sergeant-Major in 1 RCR in the mid-1980s. For further information please see the obituary below.

----------------------------------​

CROSBY, Lloyd Davis
Master Warrant Officer Ret'd

Suddenly on May 20, 2013 at the age of 56 in the company of his 3 dogs, Trinity, Skye and Trooper. Beloved husband of Lisa Serres Crosby. Cherished father of Lloyd Anthony (Sarah) and Catherine Crosby, Erika (Shawn) Furlong, Nicholas (Jenny), Christopher and Katie Serres and Debra Daniel. Loving grandfather of Sydney, Sadisha, Riku and Tero. Lloyd is survived by his mother Frances and brother Alan. He leaves a large hole in the lives of all who knew him, military and otherwise.

Friends may visit at the Garden Chapel of Tubman Funeral Homes, 3440 Richmond Rd (between Baseline and Bayshore Dr.) on Friday, May 24, 2013 from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 11:30 a.m.

For those who wish, donations to True Patriot Love http://truepatriotlove.com/, Royal Ottawa Hospital 145 Carling Ave Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4 or the University of Ottawa Heart Institute would be appreciated. Condolences, tributes and donations may be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com

 

[Danjanou]

Just finished paying my last respects to a friend, brother in arms, and mentor.

RIP WO Malcolm Dawson CD

http://www.wardfuneralhome.com/book-of-memories/1587371/Dawson-Malcolm/index.php

 

[Petard]

CWO (ret'd) Jeff Gowanlock, 56 Fd Regt

http://yourlifemoments.ca/sitepages/obituary.asp?oId=716051

 

[Lance Wiebe]

For those of you who know Ed Beals, he passed away last Sunday. Ed served with the LdSH (RC), the RCD, the 8CH and 1 CH.

My condolences to his family and friends.

May he rest in peace.

http://www.amgfh.com/condolences/listing.aspx?id=172782

 

[Edward Campbell]

I have just learned that a gallant Royal Canadian, LCol (ret'd) Ed Hollyer MC, CD passed away today.

Here, from The RCR website is an account of Ed's courage at Hill 187 in Korea:

    At one point during the shelling, I asked for it to be lifted to investigate the situation. The enemy had sustained heavy casualties, the trenches being literally filled with them. The Chinese were rolling their dead and
    wounded over the lip of the hill where litter bearers were hauling them away. I returned to pass a situation report back, but was unable to establish communications. If Battalion H.Q. could have been informed at
    this point, a counter-attack would probably have been successful and a number of prisoners taken. A signaller was dispatched from the bunker with the task of trying to make contact.

    Second Lieutenant Hollyer took the opportunity to check on the state of his men. Including Lieutenant Cote and himself, there were only eight left. 7 Platoon's trenches, fighting bays and bunkers had been all but
    destroyed. At 0130 Hours, Hollyer contacted the OC of Charlie Company, Captain Mullin, and requested permission to withdraw 200 yards to 8 Platoon's position. Noting that numbers of Chinese were now starting
      to withdraw from Hill 97, Hollyer further called for artillery fire on the forward slopes of the feature. Using this fire mission as cover, Hollyer and his men now withdrew to the opposite flank of Hill 97. By 0145 Hours
      Hollyer led the remnants of 7 Platoon into the 8 Platoon lines. Shortly thereafter, Lance-Corporal G.P. Julien, also of 7 Platoon, also brought his section of eight men in. Given up for dead, Julien had kept his men
      together throughout the battle, fighting off the Chinese and finally leading his section to safety.

    Lance-Corporal Les Badowich stayed back to cover the retreating men. When he finally attempted to move as well he was taken by the Chinese. Corporal Ernie Taylor of Able Company, acting as a stretcher-bearer,
    was also captured while trying to evacuate wounded from Hill 97. The Pioneer Platoon commander, Lieutenant Gordon Owen, suffered the acute embarrassment of being captured after he had taken cover in the
    7 Platoon latrine. He had tried to fight from this position, but his sidearm jammed.

      Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell was anxious to launch a counter-attack to regain Hill 97. He thought to use Dog Company, but was restrained by Brigadier Allard who sited the Battalion's lack of a tactical reserve. Allard
      ordered 3R22eR to dispatch a rifle company to occupy Dog Company's position, so that Company could then re-capture the lost ground. At this juncture, Ed Hollyer reached the Charlie Company Command Post. He
      assured the CO over the radio that the Chinese main force was indeed withdrawing and that a fighting patrol would be able to retake the position.

      Campbell ordered Hollyer to take 20 men from Able Company to secure 7 Platoon's area and evacuate casualties. Tanks from B Squadron, Lord Strathcona's Horse (OC: Major J.S. Roxborough), provided direct fire
      support as Second Lieutenant Hollyer re-entered 7 Platoon's position. Immediately the detachment came under sustained, heavy mortar fire and was pinned down until dawn. The Chinese were covering the
      retirement of their attacking force. Eventually, at 0400 Hours, Dog Company, 3RCR was relieved in place by D Company, R22eR. In turn Dog Company moved to relieve the remnants of Charlie Company, occupying
      the 8 and 9 Platoon positions, on the east slope of Hill 97 and on Hill 123 respectively.

    By first light the Chinese were increasingly desperate to withdraw their last remaining forces back across the Sami-ch'on Valley to the safety of their own well-fortified lines. Chinese mortars bombarded the forward
    slopes of Hill 187, especially Hills 97 and 123, with HE rounds; a thick smoke screen was laid down in the valley to conceal the retreating troops. Canadian tanks fired into the smoke and UN artillery and mortars
    continued to hammer the suspected withdrawal routes of the enemy. At 0500 Hours the Chinese were still in full retreat.

    In the morning, following the Chinese bombardment, the survivors of 9 Platoon, Charlie Company, emerged from under their overhead cover on Hill 123. To their utter dismay they found by a forward trench the body
    of their acting section commander, Private Danny Wellington. Throughout the horrific events of the night before, Wellington had been a pillar of strength. No matter how heavy the shelling he had constantly exposed
    himself, moving from trench to trench, steadying his soldiers, reassuring them with his presence. Private Wellington had been everything a leader should be. Tragically, he had died alone without his men even knowing.

    Dog Company relieved Charlie Company, occupying only the 8 and 9 Platoon positions. Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell had made the determination that the 7 Platoon position was too beat up and only a listening post
    was placed, for the time being, on the western flank of Hill 97. That night a platoon from Dog Company was sent forward under cover of darkness to re-establish 7 Platoon's one-time position. In the course of
    reoccupying the Hill 97 position, Dog Company found the bodies of six Chinese soldiers. Undoubtedly the enemy had suffered heavy casualties during all phases of the raid. Nevertheless, once the Chinese began to
    withdraw at around 0130 Hours, they had succeeded in bringing back there wounded and had recovered almost all their dead.

    At 0642 Hours the arrival of helicopters to evacuate Canadian casualties signalled the end of the battle. Stretcher-bearers and medics had brought in the dead, carefully folded them in blankets, and arranged the
    bodies in a long row. The number of Canadian dead at Hill 187 was shockingly high. Some 26 had been killed in action; a further 27 were wounded; while seven had been taken prisoner. The South Koreans attached
    to 3RCR had suffered too. KATCOM casualties included four killed, 14 wounded, and four captured. From the Korean Service Corps five were dead, five wounded, and four missing.

 

[Edward Campbell]

Here, along with a few marginal notes, is Ed Hollyer's citation:

Citation  
AWARD OF THE MILITARY CROSS
TO ZB 10022 2ND LIEUTENANT EDGAR HERBERT HOLLYER
3RD BATTALION, THE ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT

On the night of 2/3 may 1953, “C” Company, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, sustained a heavy attack by superior enemy forces which was accompanied by an intense preliminary bombardment. The brunt of the attack was borne by No. 7 Platoon of “C” Company occupying a feature known as Hill 97 commanded by 2nd Lieutenant Hollyer.

The Platoon had occupied this position for thirteen days prior to the attack during which time the position was subjected to consistent shelling and mortaring with devastating effects on the defences. During this period this officer preserved a calm and cheerful manner with his troops, inspiring them to great effort in repairing and improving their positions. On the night of the attack warning of the enemy’s presence was received from a fighting patrol which encountered the enemy on the right front of No. 3 Platoon.

Lieutenant Hollyer placed himself in a position to observe this action and a subsequent action which resulted when a second fighting patrol was sent out to assist the first and became engaged in the battle. He passed back rapid and accurate information on the progress of this action, which forewarned his Commanding Officer of the impending enemy attack and permitted him to make preparations for the ensuing battle.
During this stage in spite of heavy shelling he continued to visit his section posts, to encourage and inspire his men to man their positions and directed their fire upon the enemy with devastating effect. As the battle progressed he returned to his command post periodically to report developments to his commanding officer in a cool and confident manner.

He called for artillery fire on the enemy within a few yards of and on all sides of his positions with skill and accuracy. Leaving his bunker as necessary and with complete disregard for his personal safety to observe and report the results. On one such occasion he was blown back into his bunker and on another was personally engaged by the enemy which he drove off.

Eventually, as a result of the weight of the attack, his position was overrun. Lieutenant Hollyer remained at his post driving off the enemy with grenades, at the same time calling for fire on his own position. During this bombardment his communications were disrupted but he remained on the post until the enemy were driven off. He then toured his position to assess the situation and was again attacked by several enemy.

He re-established communications with Battalion Headquarters and requested and was granted permission to retire with his survivors to No. 8 Platoon position from where he directed rescue parties going forward. There is no doubt that this officer’s initiative, determination and skill in fighting coupled with his inspiring leadership and complete disregard for his own personal safety contributed beyond measure to the defeat of the enemy and to the success of the entire defensive battle.

Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret) Edgar H. Hollyer, MC, CD, served with the RCAF from 1942 to 1944 then joined the Canadian Army as a private in 1945.  He was commissioned in 1951, served with the 3rd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment in Korea, 1953-54.  Following a battle on May 2nd and 3rd, 1953 he was awarded the Military Cross.  

After returning from Korea, Edgar Hollyer was posted to the 1st Battalion Canadian Guards as its first adjutant.  After leaving the regiment in 1955 his lengthy military service focused primarily on intelligence and security.[/u]

 

[Edward Campbell]

Sad to report the passing of my old chum and mess mate BGen (ret'd) Stu Clarke.

His obituary, from the Ottawa Citizen:

__________
CLARKE, Stewart H BGen (ret'd)

Suddenly, at the Civic Hospital on Friday, July 5, 2013 at the age of 79.

Beloved husband of Deanne (nee Code). Loving father of Christopher (Alice Laverty), Jennifer (Robert Morey) and Jacqueline Clarke (David Joyce). Cherished Grandpa of Brian, Dale, Olivia, Spencer and Shannon. Dear uncle of Grant Clarke & family and Judy Ann Harbert & family. Predeceased by his parents Irene & Hugh and brothers Orville & Elwin (Joyce). Survived by his sister-in-law Shirl & family and cousin Kent Clarke.

Stewart graduated from Bishops University, Lennoxville, Quebec and became deacon in the Anglican Church of Canada in May 1958 and was ordained a priest in March 1959. Stewart joined the Royal Canadian Army Chaplain Corps in 1960 and served at Borden, ON, Edmonton, AB, Soest Federal Republic of Germany, North Bay, ON, Chilliwack, BC, Lahr, Federal Republic of Germany, Trenton, ON. In 1984 he was assigned to the Chaplain General's office and served at a number of positions until 1987 when Padre Clarke was promoted Brigadier-General and assumed the appointment of Chaplain General (Protestant) until his retirement in September 1990. Post military Stewart assisted at Christ Church Cathedral and at the National Military Cemetery.

A Memorial Service will be held at Christ Church Cathedral, 420 Sparks Street on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at 2pm. For those wishing, donations may be made to the Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa - Restoration fund.
__________


Stu and I served together a couple of times, in 2RCR, in Soest and then, again, in Ottawa.

He was a kind, thoughtful man; he enjoyed soldiers and soldiering and was able to connect with all ranks.

 

[Edward Campbell]

Noted Canadian war artist Alex Colville passed away.

This article is reproduced under the Fair Dealing provisions of the Copyright Act from the Ottawa Citizen:

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/travel/Iconic+Canadian+painter+Alex+Colville+dies/8669046/story.html

Iconic Canadian painter Alex Colville dies at 92

BY CASSANDRA SZKLARSKI, THE CANADIAN PRESS

JULY 17, 2013

WOLFVILLE, N.S. — Celebrated painter Alex Colville, whose meticulously crafted scenes of everyday life established him as one of Canada’s most well-known modern artists, has died at the age of 92.

His son, Graham, said his father passed away Tuesday at his home in Wolfville, N.S.

A painter, engraver, sketch artist and muralist, Colville earned a reputation for crafting tranquil compositions that focused on routine moments of family life and featured landscapes, animals and the sea.

Colville’s nephew, Alexander Colville, said Colville was in “relatively good mental shape” until the death of his wife Rhoda last December.“The family really didn’t expect that Alex would last that much longer after his wife passed, because they were sort of your fairy-tale couple,” said Alexander, who lives in Northport, N.S.“He lived life on his own terms and did things the way he wanted to do them and was never really there to impress anybody. “People joked about him getting his fancy sports cars and stuff like that, but he never did that to impress someone, it was because he felt like driving a car like that, and that’s the way he was.“He just enjoyed life, and I guess if we could just have enjoyed life as well as he did we would all be pretty happy.”

Colville’s work was accessible, memorable and reached millions of Canadians through a myriad of avenues including art galleries, magazines, book covers, postcards, posters, television, coins and even via the cover of a Bruce Cockburn record album.

With his focus on the ordinary, some have been tempted to crown the Maritimer as Canada’s Norman Rockwell. Robert Fulford has simply described Colville as “our painter laureate” and “a great national icon-maker.”

Colville began his career as a military artist and famously documented troops landing at Juno Beach on D-Day, becoming the most prominent painter to document Canada’s involvement in the Second World War.

After the war, Colville forged a unique hyper-realist style that eschewed fashionable trends towards abstract and expressionist art.

“No other modern painter is so unconscious of prevailing fashion and so indifferent to what’s new in the art world,” literary critic John Bayley said of Colville in his book “Elegy for Iris.”

Colville’s images managed to elicit feelings of both contemplation and angst through the pairing of incongruous elements such as a languid nude with a gun or a blond toddler next to a large black dog with prominent claws.

Even his most serene compositions were infused with a sense of unease.

“I see life as inherently dangerous. I have an essentially dark view of the world and human affairs,” Colville has said.

“Anxiety is the normality of our age.”

Colville’s rigorously crafted works included “To Prince Edward Island,” “Nude and Dummy” and “Horse and Train,” which Cockburn put on the jacket of his 1973 album “Night Vision.”

Colville’s 1953 piece “Man on Verandah” sold for $1.29 million at an auction in November 2010, setting a record for a work by a living Canadian artist.

His technique involved a painstaking process of multiple drawings, precise geometry and carefully applied blots of paint, often taking months.

Chances are good that many Canadians carried an example of Colville’s work in their own pocket at one time or another — he designed a series of coins for the 1967 centennial that put a mackerel on the dime, a hare on the nickel and a dove with outstretched wings on the penny.

Colville was born Aug. 24, 1920 in Toronto. He moved to Amherst, N.S. as a boy with his family and studied fine arts at Mount Allison University. He graduated in 1942 and married that same year in Wolfville, N.S.

His wife and muse, Rhoda Colville, died in December 2012 at the couple’s home in Wolfville.

After they married, Colville served in the Canadian Army from 1942 to 1946, working as a military artist from 1944 to 1946. He then taught painting and art history at Mount Allison University in Sackville, N.B., where the couple raised three sons and a daughter.

From the early 1950s, Colville became closely associated with the American “regionalist” school of painting exemplified by Andrew Wyeth, as well as the American Precisionists of the 1930s.

The National Gallery of Canada began collecting his work in the ‘50s but it was not until he gained exhibitions in Hanover, Germany and London, England in 1969 and 1970 that commercial success would build.

Colville left the university in 1963 to devote himself to painting, but would return to teaching a few years later for stints that included visiting professor at University of California in 1967 and visiting artist in Berlin in 1971.

He was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1967, and made Companion of the Order of Canada in 1982. He won a Governor General’s Visual and Media Arts Award in 2003.

He also served on several provincial and national boards, including the Canada Council and the National Gallery of Canada, and was chancellor of Nova Scotia’s Acadia University from 1981 to 1991.

Colville was predeceased by his wife Rhoda and their middle son, John. In addition to Graham, Colville is survived by a second son, Charles, and a daughter, Ann.

© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

Colville as a war artist

Colville's painting Infantry, near Nijmegen, Holland
Painted in 1946 ~ The Royal Winnipeg Rifles in the Netherlands.
Alex Colville used his father’s face and his own hands as models
for those of the leading soldier.

 

[Sub_Guy]

WO Tina Rutledge CD (ret'd) RIP


http://www.thomasfuneralhome.ca/notice.php?id=533

 

[Pat in Halifax]

It is with great despair I announce the passing of Fred on Saturday morning after a 2 year on-again, off-again battle with cancer. Fred joined the Navy as a Bos'n in 1962 and told me the story once that when he reported to his first ship (INCH AARON)  in early October 1962, it sailed 30 minutes later on orders to steam south at full speed to join the cordon north of Cuba-Welcome to the Navy! His career spanned 35 years and he may best be known for his time at MFRC in Esquimalt in the early 90s and as the 'fatherly' Chief at the Bedford Range here in Halifax. His last sea going position was as Buffer on board PRESERVER. He had is sole daughter by his side at the time of his passing with his extended family and friends nearby. He will be sadly missed by her and her son who himself is a Bos'n out west as well as his step kids and community friends. Missed already by a son in law who is a stoker-who shared many friendly jibes and who still can't believe it has happened.

Pat

To the world you are but one person; but to one person, you are the world.

 

[Edward Campbell]

An old chum Murray Swan, The RCR, with whom I served in 2RCR back in the 1960s, died of cancer ~ he was only 67 years old.

SWAN, LCol Murray John M, CD (Ret'd)
The Royal Canadian Regiment (The RCR)

Murray passed away on August 3, 2013, at the age of 67 after a yearlong valiant battle with cancer. Born in Montreal, he was predeceased by his mother Naomi Carley. He is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Marion, his daughter Lindsay, son John, sister Jane (Deacon) and her husband Eric, brother Gary and his father Ross. His military career started in 1965 and he was commissioned into The RCR in 1966. His 34 year career saw him service in all three regular RCR battalions and numerous overseas postings in Cyprus, Germany, UK, Egypt and the USA. Upon his retirement, when not traversing the globe, Murray spent the chilly Canadian winters in the majestic Villages in Florida where he pursued his passions … golf and pickle ball. Surrounded by dear friends, he and Marion spent quiet days on the lanai with a glass of wine in hand. He will be fondly remembered by all for his strength, integrity, genuine care for his soldiers and the sweetest jump shot one could ever imagine.

As per Murray's wishes, a private graveside service will be held for family and friends at the National Military Cemetery at Beechwood Cemetery. The family wishes to express their deepest thanks to all of their friends and family who have offered much needed prayers and assistance throughout this journey. The family also wishes to thank the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Care Unit, CACC and Carefor. We especially thank Dr. Louise Coulombe, our angel on earth, for the compassionate guidance given to our dear Murray. In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate donations on Murray's behalf to Hospice Care Ottawa (www.hospicecareottawa.ca) or a cancer charity of your choice.

The Colonel of the Regiment, The RCR, Colonel W.J. Aitchison says:

Murray and I served in 2 RCR in Fort York (Soest) Germany, in the period 1968-70 having previously been in 1 RCR together for a short time.

Murray was a member of the BAOR (and, I believe, British Army) champion basketball team from 2 RCR that included, among others, Ralph Priestman, Hardy Wheeler and Donny Kemp. I don't recall who else was on the team. Murray left the Forces for a short time to go into the construction business with his father, but returned when he discovered that building was not for him. When he rejoined the Forces, he spent some time in 3 RCR.

I asked for, and got, Murray as my DCO in my second year in command of 2 RCR in 1984-85 and he remained in that appointment for the first year of Jim Senecal's command (1985-86). He did not return to regimental duty after that tour in 2 RCR, rather went on to a series of representational posts in Cyprus, the UK and US.

He was a great guy! Never mean-spirited and invariably cheerful, and those characteristics marked him to the very end of his life. He was also extremely competitive, which characteristic led to some interesting situations on the sports field and golf course. I never knew him to be critical of anyone, rather he saw the good in everyone and put himself above levelling criticism. He truly cared for soldiers and always looked after their welfare. That made him a great DCO.

He will be very much missed by everyone who knew him. Another Royal Canadian "Done Too Soon".

RIP and Pro Patria. Murph.

Col Joe

 

[AmmoTech90]

George Berringer, the senior Master Gunner in Canada, passed away on the 1st of August at the age of 96.  I met George at recent Master Gunner Conference's in Kingston and he was sharp as a tack and always willing to provide his experienced and considered opinion.  His experience, comradeship, and contribution to the Master Gunner organization will be missed.

BERRINGER, George Otis

Passed away peacefully at home Saturday, August 1st, 2013 at the age of 96. Born in Halifax, he was the son of the late George and Lucy (Blake) Berringer. He was predeceased by his wife Mildred Berringer (nee Kirk) in 2007, and his two sons Ron Berringer in 2005 and Larry Berringer in 2009. He is survived by his devoted daughter-in-law Sandra Berringer. He is the cherished grandfather of Ron and Sandra’s children Jessica Miller (Adam), Tyler Berringer and Larry’s son Ronnie Berringer, as well as great-grandson Kiefer Tulk. He will be sadly missed by his many nieces and nephews and their families in Nova-Scotia. George was the senior Master Gunner, having graduated from course No. 10 in 1941, and spent his military career with the Canadian Army until he retired in 1965 and went on to work at the National Research Council, working in remotes sites in Canada until his retirement in 1981. Friends may pay respects at the

Kelly Funeral Home, Walkley Chapel
1255 Walkley Road, Ottawa, ON K1V 6P9
613-731-1255, www.kellyfh.ca

Saturday, August 10th, after 9 a.m., followed by a memorial service in the Chapel at 11 a.m. In memoriam donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation are appreciated.

 

[OldSolduer]

George Berringer, the senior Master Gunner in Canada, passed away on the 1st of August at the age of 96.  I met George at recent Master Gunner Conference's in Kingston and he was sharp as a tack and always willing to provide his experienced and considered opinion.  His experience, comradeship, and contribution to the Master Gunner organization will be missed.

 

[Danjanou]

George A. McKeil CD passed away today (August 8, 2013) after a lengthy illness. George served 16 years with the Royal Canadian Engineers in Canada, West Germany and the Middle East.  After his service he worked for 30 years with CP Transport and was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10 for 40 years. George was one of the Veterans in the video of Terry Kelly’s Remembrance Day song “A Pittance of Time.”

 

[Nfld Sapper]

George A. McKeil CD passed away today (August 8, 2013) after a lengthy illness. George served 16 years with the Royal Canadian Engineers in Canada, West Germany and the Middle East.  After his service he worked for 30 years with CP Transport and was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10 for 40 years. George was one of the Veterans in the video of Terry Kelly’s Remembrance Day song “A Pittance of Time.”

CHIMO!

 

[George Wallace]

CWO A. L. MACADAMS, MMM, CD (RETIRED)
RSM RCD: 1980 to 1982
33rd RSM

From the desk of MWO J.R. Doiron

It is with great sadness that I have to announce the passing of
CWO (Ret'd) Leroy MacAdams.
He passed away at 0100 last night at the Oromocto Hospital.
He just turned 80 yrs of Age in Apr and was battling cancer.
Details of the funeral to follow from his son Earl through
me.


J.R. (Ron) Doiron
Master Warrant Officer
SSM Stds Sqn
Royal Canadian Armoured Corps School (RCACS)

Leroy was one of the finest RSMs and Dragoon. 

RIP

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Another good one gone.

 

[George Wallace]

From the RCD Net:

CWO (Retired) Arthur Leroy (Snowflake) MacAdams, MMM, CD
1933-2013
CWO (Retired) Arthur Leroy (Snowflake) MacAdams, MMM, CD was born in
Sable River, Nova Scotia on 4 April 1933 and died 15 August 2013 at the
Oromocto Public Hospital.

Leroy is survived by his son Earl MacAdams (Gilda Arsenault) Haneytown;
daughter Audra MacAdams (Stephan Butler) Oromocto; brother Eugene, Sandy
Point NS; sister Rosealee, Thunder Bay On; grandchildren Corrie MacAdams
(Nicole Ward), Alison (Paul Henry), Jarrett, Christian, and Marissa
Butler, great grandson Oliver MacAdams (little Leroy). Leroy is
predeceased by his wife, Audrey (Morrell), mother Lillian Hill and step
father Douglas Hill.

Leroy joined the Royal Canadian Dragoons 21 December 1953 and served in
CFB Petawawa, CFB Borden, CFB Gage town, CFB Suffield, Germany and
Cyprus until his retirement in 1989. Upon his retirement he worked with
the Army Cadets at Camp Argonaut until 1997.
CWO Macadam's was a lifetime member of the RCD Association (Atlantic
Chapter) and the SPA, member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #93,
the FANS, St Vincent de Paul Parish and the Knights of Columbus
Monsignor Boyd Council 6774, 3rd degree. He was also involved in the
Lahr Germany and Oronoco Figure Skating Clubs.

Visitation/Viewing will be held at the Oronoco Funeral Home on:
Saturday Aug 17, 2013 from 7-9 pm
Sunday Aug 18, 2013 2-4 and 7-Pam.
A Funeral Mass will be held on
Monday August 19, 2013 at 11:00 am at St Vincent de Paul Church,
Oromocto
with Rev. Ken Weir will officiating.
He will be laid to rest in the St Vincent de Paul Cemetery.
There will be a reception afterwards in the church hall which is located
next to the church
Those wishing to send Flowers may send them to the Oromocto Funeral
Home.
For those wishing to send Donations may be made to the Oromocto SPCA, or
the Oromocto Food Bank

Link:
www.oromoctofh.com


Oromocto Funeral Home & Crematorium
108 Winnebago Street, Oromocto, N.B. E2V 1C7
Tel: 506-357-5100 - Fax: 506-357-6866
Email: Oromocto@McAdamsFH.com


Rest in Peace!

 

[Edward Campbell]

LGen (Ret'd) Jack Vance, The RCR: the very definiton of an officer and gentlemen.

I had the privilege to serve under his command a couple of times; he was a first rate officer in every respect and he and his lovely wife Sheila were especially kind to newly joined subalterns.

Details to follow, my thoughts are with LGen Jon Vance, today.

This from The Regimental Adjutant:

The most sad news reached Regimental Headquarters yesterday evening of the passing of a Regimental giant. On behalf of the Colonel of the Regiment, Colonel W.J. Aitchison; the Chairman of the Regimental Senate, Brigadier-General J.B. Simms; and the Chairman of the Regimental Executive Committee, Colonel J.P. Davis, it is my unhappy duty to inform you that Lieutenant-General J.E. "Jack" Vance, CMM, CD (Ret'd) passed away peacefully, in Tweed, Ontario on Tuesday, 10 September 2013.

Lieutenant-General Jack Vance was 80 years of age. Lieutenant-General Jonathan H. Vance, Deputy Commander Allied Joint Force Command at Naples, Italy, is returning from Europe and is expected to be on the ground as of Friday, 13 September.

Lieutenant-General Jack Vance was a legend in his own lifetime and will be remembered, along with a very small handful of others, as one who had a transformational effect upon The Royal Canadian Regiment, who recast the structure of the Regiment and insured its well being for generations to come. His name will forever be mentioned in the same breath as those of George Joseph Maunsell, William Dillon Otter, Lawrence Buchan, Milton F. Gregg, Eric Snow and Dan Spry. He will surely also be remembered as a man of indomitable character, uncompromising integrity and outstanding intellect. Jack Vance was born into difficult times on 28 July 1933, near Tweed in Hungerford County, Ontario. His life course was set in September 1952 when he enrolled at Royal Military College, Kingston. Lieutenant-General Vance attended RMC from September 1952 - June 1956. He completed Phases One and Two of Officer Training at the Royal Canadian School of Infantry (while Colonel Peter R. Bingham of The RCR was Commandant) at Camp Borden and in Meaford. When confronted with difficult problems other candidates always went to Jack Vance for calm advice and foolproof solutions. Jack Vance completed Phase Three at Fort York, Soest, West Germany in 1955 as a Platoon Commander with 2nd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment. From June 1956 - September 1957 he was posted with 2 RCR at Wolseley Barracks, London, Ontario, where he was promoted to Lieutenant and served as Anti-Tank Platoon Commander and as Para Officer.

Lieutenant Vance attended the University of Toronto from September 1957 - June 1958 and obtained a degree in history. He then served at Camp Ipperwash, Ontario with 1st Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment (with Lieutenant-Colonel Frank "Klink" Klenavic as Commanding Officer) from August 1958 - June 1960, first as a Platoon Commander and then as Intelligence Officer. Promoted to Captain, Jack Vance was posted to Army Headquarters in Ottawa in June 1960, serving as a staff officer in the Adjutant-General's Branch until September 1963. From February 1961, Captain Vance served as the Personal Assistant to the Adjutant-General. He subsequently attended a two year course at Staff College in Kingston from September 1963 - June 1965. In June 1965 Captain Vance was posted to 2 RCR at Wolseley Barracks, becoming OC of "C" Company. He was promoted to the rank of Major in December 1965.

Major Vance remained with 2 RCR until June 1967. From June 1967 - August 1968 he held the appointment of Brigade Major of 3 Canadian Infantry Brigade at Gagetown, New Brunswick. Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, he served as the SSO Training at Force Mobile Command (FMC, i.e. the Canadian Army) HQ at St. Hubert, Quebec from August 1968 - 1971. In 1971 Lieutenant-Colonel Vance assumed command of a mechanized infantry Battalion at Baden-Soellingen, West Germany: 3 Mechanized Commando (3 Mech Cdo). 3 Mech Cdo was a hybrid unit consisting of soldiers from both The RCR and the PPCLI that existed from 28 June 1970 - 13 July 1977.

Lieutenant-Colonel Vance remained in command until August 1972 when he was promoted to Colonel and posted to FMC HQ. Here Colonel Vance was DCOS Training until 1973. He was posted to NDHQ, Ottawa as Director Indiv Training from 1973-1975.

Colonel Vance was promoted to Brigadier-General in 1975 and remained at NDHQ as Director-General Recruiting, Education and Training until July 1976. Posted to Lahr, Germany, Brigadier-General Vance commanded 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group at Lahr and Baden-Soellingen from July 1976 - July 1978. Returning once more to FMC HQ he served in the pivotal role of COS Ops from July 1978 - July 1979.

Brigadier-General Vance attended National Defence College from July 1979 - May 1980 and was promoted to the rank of Major-General on this latter date. From May 1980 to May 1983 Major-General Vance was, initially,
chairman of the Unification T.F. Review and then C Postings, Careers and Senior Appointments at NDHQ. During this time the present Colonel of the Regiment, Colonel W.J. Aitchison, was the staff officer to General Vance. In May 1983, less than 12 years after assuming command of a battalion in Germany, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General.

Still at NDHQ, Lieutenant-General Vance was responsible for CF Personnel from May 1983 - June 1985. In 1983 Lieutenant-General J.E. Vance was invested in the Order of Military Merit, grade of Commander (CMM). As of June 1985 he became Vice Chief of Defence Staff (VCDS), the second highest appointment in the Canadian Armed Forces. Lieutenant-General Vance would continue to serve as VCDS until 1988.

Lieutenant-General Jack Vance would retire from the CF in 1988, at the age of 55, having completed 36 years of most dedicated service.

He had already made a huge contribution to Country, Army and Regiment, but his service to the larger community and indeed to The Royal Canadian Regiment was far from over.  Shortly after retirement Lieutenant-General Vance accepted the position of Colonel Commandant of the Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, an appointment he exercised from 01 September 1989 - 1992. For the rest of his life he would continue to associate his name and provide support to the Cadet movement. Not surprisingly, Lieutenant-General Vance was honoured with the appointment of Colonel Commandant of the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps from 1992-1995. With his many years of distinguished service in higher command and a reputation for wisdom and integrity, he was named the Senior Military Advisor to the Privy Council for the Somalia Inquiry.

Most fittingly, Lieutenant-General J.E. Vance, CMM CD,  was appointed Colonel of the Regiment of The Royal Canadian Regiment on 01 July 1997. This was indeed a well deserved honour. During the tenure of his appointment he was an active and inspirational Colonel of the Regiment. In the Cold War/Peacekeeping era his positive influence on developments within the Regiment was greatly significant. During the 1970s and 1980s he had worked tirelessly with Major-General Dan Loomis to reform and adapt the structure of The Royal Canadian Regiment. The transformation wrought by Lieutenant-General Vance insured that the Regiment could face the future and continue to flourish. The Royal Canadian Regiment as it is today is in large part a reflection of the vision of this great man. In his life he became an embodiment of all those qualities and virtues that make our Regiment great. In describing Lieutenant-General Jack Vance I will leave the final words to his son, Lieutenant-General Jonathan Vance. In accepting the Vimy Award in 2011
he said of and to his father:

"...I could not have asked for a better role model of leadership and wisdom than you. Many of us curse when we start to sound like our parents...well, just to let you know, more often than not I gave silent thanks...Thanks Dad."