2014 -2015 GCC London Bursary Recipients

Below are the winners of the 2014-2015 Bursary Awards provided by the Garrison Community Council.

Each Bursary provides a monetary award of $1,000.00 and is supported by your Annual Membership Dues as well as other donations to the fund. We especially extend our appreciation to the London Economic Development Council for its donation to this year’s fund.

Leading Seaman Mara Pritchard – H.M.C.S. Prevost
Mara is in her last year of a double major doing Major Film studies and Political Science at UWO. She is also on the WU Varsity Wrestling team competing throughout the Province. Mara has been recognized by her Command Team with the Unit 2014 Awards Banyan, recognizing her skill for leadership, dedication and comradery. She has also been described as loyal, trustworthy and hard working.

Corporal April R Simmons – 31 CBG HQ
With over 23 yrs. in the Canadian Forces, and extensive experience as an RMS Clerk, she has returned to Fanshawe College in the field of Business specialising in the 2 yr. Human Resources Diploma program. Having worked in various Orderly Rooms across the country, she has encouraged many of her soldiers to submit Individual Learning Plans to help fund their educations. April is described by her peers as hard working, diligent, reliable and trustworthy with an excellent work ethic.

Leading Seaman Robin McKee
Has been a Leading Seaman with HMSC PREVOST since 2002. In her career path she has worked with the Olympics in Vancouver, did IT work for the Naval Reserves in Quebec City as well as core crew on the HMCS Edmonton in Victoria BC. With her Honours in Environmental Science from UWO she is currently enrolled in their faculty of Education seeking her teaching degree. She is described by her peers as an excellent communicator, organized and a multitasker.

Lt(N) Jean-Paul Barrette H.M.C.S. Prevost
Jean-Paul has served over 12 yrs. as a Maritime Surface Officer with the Royal Canadian Navy. He has served on various ships, including HMC Ships HUNTER and PREVOST. Jean-Paul currently holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Windsor and is currently studying to be a teacher at Western University in their Faculty of Education. He has been described as being, well rounded, reliable, resourceful, dependable, motivated, highly trustworthy and an excellent leader. Jean-Paul is also an active volunteer with Ronald McDonald House.

Trooper Emily Putherbough ‐1st Hussars
Emily is in her 2nd year UWO Honours Specialization in Kinesiology program. She is an active volunteer at the Ronald McDonald house along with TVDSB in their Board’s safe school initiative and Boy’s and Girls Club London. She has been described by her peers as honest, goal ‐oriented, professional, positive, dedicated and with a strong sense of family and community.

RECOVERING OUR HONOUR: Building the Bond Between Citizens and Soldiers

A four-part blockbuster documentary series that looks at why the bonds of the civil military relationship are important, why they have been weakened and how they can be re-connected. The Civilian-Military Divide: Bridging the Gap was recently screened at the Royal Canadian Military Institute on October 22. For more details on this event click here.

THE CIVILIAN-MILITARY DIVIDE: Bridging the Gap
“The Army is at war and America is at Walmart.” Americans love their military and are proud of its accomplishments. But most today have little idea what military service entails.  For a more detailed description, click here.

FOR QUEEN & COUNTRY
An hour-long program on contemporary officer training programs at universities in the United Kingdom. For a more detailed description, click here.

NO COUNTRY FOR YOUNG MEN
An hour-long program on the lost tradition of Canadian universities hosting leadership training for Canadian Forces officers. For a more detailed description, click here.

CITIZEN SOLDIERS
An hour-long program about the citizen soldiers of Canada. For a more detailed description, click here.

GCC’s Honouring Veterans Initiative-Squadron Leader Jack Malone CD

This article was first published in the GCC London November Newsletter. You can access it at the following link  November-2014-GCC-Newsletter

Jack Malone will be honoured at our 12 November 2014 Garrison Community Council noon meeting through the GCC’s Honouring Veterans Initiative. The Honouring Veterans Initiative of the Garrison Community Council (London and Region) acknowledges the service of individual Canadian Forces (CF) and RCMP veterans. As well the Initiative celebrates our rich military heritage, both past and present, while continuing our traditions of Remembrance. The Honouring Veterans Initiative supports the GCC’s mission to focus on building a greater understanding of the Canadian Forces within the civilian community.

Squadron Leader Jack Malone CD talking with His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales.

Jack Malone joined the Royal Canadian Air Force following his 18th birthday in March 1941 and served for over 28 years. Recently, as a 91-year-old retired RCAF squadron leader and Spitfire pilot in the Second World War, he was an official delegate in the Canadian contingent to the 70th anniversary of D-Day commemorations at Juno Beach, Normandy, on 6 June 2014. The memorial was organized as part of the 70th Anniversary commemoration activities being conducted in and around Normandy, France. He and his wife Hazil made the trip from London, Ontario to Juno Beach in France to join Canadian veterans at a ceremony leading up to the 70th anniversary of D-Day on Friday. Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Minister of Veterans Affairs Julian Fantino were also members of the delegation.

Squadron Leader Jack Malone CD and Hazil Malone at the Juno Beach Memorial. Each of the 359 tribute markers shown (made from Canadian maple) represents a Canadian who died on D-Day. The markers will remain on display for visitors until Remembrance Day 2014.

D-Day was one of our country’s most important military engagements, and was a turning point in World War Two. The Normandy campaign following would indicate the beginning of the end of the Second World War. While Mr. Malone survived, countless others around him did not, including at least two of his squadron members who died on D-Day. 359 Canadians died on D-Day; Canadian deaths amounted to 5,500 during the Battle of Normandy, more than any other division in the British Army Group.

Significant Military Dates- November
The list of significant military dates each month serves as background for the GCC’s honouring veterans initiative. The list is not conclusive and is for reference only.

November 11th
Remembrance Day
1918 – originally known as Armistice Day commemorating the anniversary of the end of World War 1.

November 13th
Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) provides humanitarian assistance in the Philippines.
The DART began arriving in Iloilo, Philippines for a 40-day deployment to provide humanitarian assistance following Typhoon Haiyan returning to CFB Trenton, Ontario on December 19, 2013
 

Second World War Aircraft Submerged in Lake Muskoka

This article was first published in the GCC London November Newsletter. You can access it at the following link  November-2014-GCC-Newsletter

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is leading operations to recover its Northrop Nomad aircraft that crashed into Lake Muskoka on December 13, 1940, killing Lieutenant Peter Campbell and Leading Aircraftsman Theodore (Ted) Bates. The operation is expected to last approximately 10 days.

The aircraft was discovered by the Ontario Provincial Police on July 2010, some 70 years after its fateful crash. In October 2012, the Royal Canadian Navy’s Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) recovered the remains of the fallen airmen and they were interred a year later with full military honours.

“This operation is the culmination of many good people working together to make this happen. I appreciate and warmly acknowledge the support provided by federal, provincial, and local partners,” said Lieutenant-General Yvan Blondin, commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force. “Recovering the Nomad aircraft and bringing it to a more appropriate resting place underscores the RCAF’s commitment to our heritage and the preservation of our history.”

The recovery operation is led by the Royal Canadian Air Force, partnered with the Royal Canadian Navy, the Directorate of History and Heritage at the Department of National Defense, the Ontario Provincial Police Bracebridge Detachment, the National Air Force Museum of Canada, located in Trenton, Ontario, and the Canadian Coast guard. Notable support also came from the towns of Gravenhurst and Bracebridge and the Lost Airmen of Muskoka Project.

The main recovery effort for Nomad #3521 is supported by a recovery and salvage team from the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Aerospace and Telecommunications Engineering Support Squadron based at 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario, with critical diving support from the Royal Canadian Navy’s Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) out of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The Royal Canadian Air Force conducted an extensive environmental assessment in coordination with federal, provincial and local authorities in preparation for this operation. The personnel involved in this operation are trained professionals and are treating the wreckage with extreme care.

The recovery of the aircraft is a unique opportunity for the Department of National Defense, the Canadian Armed Forces and all those involved in the recovery to honour Canada’s military heritage. The wreckage has remained the property and responsibility of the Royal Canadian Air Force until the full recovery is achieved, at which point the aircraft will be handed over to the National Air Force Museum of Canada.

“The Canadian Armed Forces has a rich heritage of professionals who carry out their mission daily with courage and dedication whether in training or in operations; at home or overseas; in peace-time or in war,” said Defense Minister Rob Nicholson. “As we approach Remembrance Day, I could think of no better tribute than to finally raise the Nomad from the depths where it can find its home with the National Air Force Museum of Canada.” [Credit: RCAF Public Affairs]

Media Links:
CBC News – WW2 Aircraft Recovered from Lake Muskoka
Global Aviation Report – Royal Canadian Air Force’s Northrop ‘Nomad’ aircraft recovery underway
Wreckage of historic Nomad 3521 aircraft pulled from lake

GCC London Honouring Veterans Initiative: Charles Roberts

This article was first published in the GCC London October Newsletter. You can access it at the following link http://www.gcclondon.ca/images/October-2014-GCC-Newsletter.pdf

Charles Roberts will be honoured at our 8 October 2014 Garrison Community Council noon meeting through the GCC’s Honouring Veterans Initiative. The Honouring Veterans initiative of the Garrison Community Council (London and Region) acknowledges the service of individual Canadian Forces (CF) and RCMP veterans. As well the initiative celebrates our rich military heritage, both past and present, while continuing our traditions of Remembrance. The Honouring Veterans initiative supports the GCC’s mission to focus on building a greater understanding of the Canadian Forces within the civilian community. A summary of Charles Roberts’ service is noted below.

In January, 1943, Flight Sergeant Charles Roberts was shot down over Berlin, taken prisoner of war and survived a winter “death march” across Europe.

As background, in May 1938 at the age of 16 Charles Roberts joined the Non-Permanent Active Militia at the London Armouries on Dundas Street and enlisted with the Canadian Fusiliers (Machine Gun) City of London Regiment. At the age of 18 he joined the Royal Canadian Airforce and in January 1941 was posted to No. 1 Wireless School in Montreal to train as a wireless operator. In 1941 he graduated as a Leading Aircraftsman (LAC) and was posted to Fingal (near St. Thomas ON) to No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School. He received his wings as a Wireless Air Gunner (WAG) and was promoted to Sergeant. Charles Roberts went overseas and in 1942 met his first air crew at Operational Training Unit (OTU) Lichfield in England where he was the rear gunner. He flew 26 missions and in January 1943, he was shot down over Germany. The aircraft was initially hit by direct ground flak, then over the target area (Berlin) another hit on the inner port engine caused it to burst into flames and the Captain ordered the crew to “bail out”. Luftwaffe military police eventually detained Roberts who was later taken to Stalag VIIb prisoner of war camp.

After two years in Stalag VIIb, orders were received that Allied prisoners of war would be used to form a human wall against the advances of the Russians and Americans. “Hitler’s Death March” began in January 1945 and lasted three months with tens of thousands of Allied prisoners of war marching from Poland to Berlin without adequate food or shelter. Fewer than 300 survived the journey.

As Roberts was departing the camp he noticed that a German soldier was having difficulty lowering the camp’s Nazi flag so Roberts went to assist. Once the flag was lowered Roberts was told by the flustered guard to take the flag over to a truck. The guard did not follow Roberts’ actions so Roberts just shoved the flag into his jacket and walked off, joining the others on the road. Roberts was kept warm that winter by the woollen flag as they walked 25 to 30 kilometers each day, arriving in Berlin in about April. Roberts still has the flag, not as a trophy or as spoils of war, but rather a reminder of the many good souls who did not survive the March. He has written a book, “Tail End Charlie: A Survivor of Stalag VIIB and Hitler’s Death March” to tell his story.

After the war Roberts returned to London (ON) and completed his education including a Master’s Degree and also re-mustered from the Air Force Reserve to the Royal Canadian Artillery where he served as adjutant. During his career in education he had many roles including vice principal, principal, and school inspector. He retired as an Area Superintendent in 1978.

RCMI-Breakout Premiere Event October

THE CIVILIAN MILITARY DIVIDE – BRIDGING THE GAP will be showing at the RCMI on October 22nd. For full details please view the poster below.

 

Honouring Veterans Initiative- LCol James “Scotty” Martin, MSM CD

This article was first published in the GCC London October Newsletter. You can access it at the following link http://www.gcclondon.ca/images/October-2014-GCC-Newsletter.pdf

LCol James “Scotty” Martin, MSM CD was recognized at our September GCC meeting through the GCC’s Honouring Veterans Initiative. Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) James W (“Scotty”) Martin, MSM CD began his military career in July 1941 at the age fifteen. Full details of his extensive service are available in the September GCC Newsletter distributed to members and which is also available on the GCC website http://www.gcclondon.ca/whatsnew.htm

The ‘Other’ HMCS Prevost

This article was first published in the GCC London October Newsletter. You can access it at the following link http://www.gcclondon.ca/images/October-2014-GCC-Newsletter.pdf

Most Londoner’s recognize the presence of the Royal Canadian Navy in their town. The white uniforms in the Warriors Day Parade, the large marching contingent for Remembrance Day, colour parties and attendance at various community events and ceremonies, and of course, the large gray gun overlooking the Thames. There is however an ‘other’ HMCS Prevost in Port Stanley.

The gated compound in Port Stanley contains classrooms, training areas, maintenance buildings, flood and firefighting training equipment, a kitchen, sleeping facilities with bunks for over 50, and a private dock for launching the ship’s rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB). From this launch point on Kettle Creek it is a short run to the open water of Lake Erie. This allows for opportune local training on open water without the need to travel to the coast.

Joint exercises with other Naval Reserve Divisions (NRD) are also held here. Army reserve units such as 31 Combat Engineer Regiment (31CER) from Waterloo and St. Thomas have trained together with HMCS Prevost in mock beach assaults as well as open water crossings.

During a recent training day the facility was open to the public. Local residents were given tours of the facility and introduced to many of the ships company. Our visitors all beamed with pride in their community involvement with Canada’s navy.

HMCS Prevost has had a strong relationship with Londoners, the community and the country for over 75 years. The training area in ‘port’ is a valued part of that equation.

Upcoming Events

WARRIORS DAY PARADE 2014

This years parade is in Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of The Great War and the 70th Anniversary of D-Day.

Saturday, August 16th, 2014, starting at 10:30am Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto

Come out and support your Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces!

Click on image for poster.

Click here for website.

NIAGARA EVENTS

200th Anniversary of the Battle of Lundy’s Lane
July 25th, 2014

On this date 200 years ago took place the bloodiest battle of the War of 1812. Come and be part of this once-in-a-lifetime event remembering the soldiers who fought and gave their lives.

Click on this link for official website.

Echoes of Niagara’s Past

Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24, 2014
10 am to 5 pm

Join us on the grounds of Fort George as we commemorate over 200 years of Niagara’s Military History and the 100th anniversary of the declaration of the First World War. During that long conflict the grounds of Fort George served as a training base for Canadian Soldiers. Members of GCC Niagara and the Lincoln and Welland Regiment will be taking part in Echoes of Niagara’s Past.

Click here for more details.

LONDON EVENTS

GCC London Roster of Speakers

10 September 2014
COS 31 CBG – Present & Future
LCol Dan McLean

8 October 2014
HMCS Prevost & The Naval Reserve
LCdr Iain Findlater

12 November 2014
Battle of Ortona
LCol Joe Murray

Fanshawe 1812: The Invasion of Upper Canada
October 4th – 5th, 2014

Come and experience life and battles during the War of 1812 at this premier event.

Click here for further details.

 

 

Echoes of Niagara’s Military Past 2014

Members of GCC Niagara and the Lincoln and Welland Regiment will be taking part in Echoes of Niagara’s Past this summer.

Join us at Fort George on August 23 and 24, 2014 as we commemorate over 200 years of Niagara’s Military History and the 100th anniversary of the declaration of the First World War. During that long conflict the grounds of Fort George served as a training base for Canadian Soldiers.

The Fort will come alive as Interpreters, Animators and Veterans display uniforms, weaponry and vehicles from the War of 1812, WWI, WWII and many more.

Click here for photos of last years event.

Click below to watch last years parade in Niagara on the Lake