15th Field Artillery Regiment
The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
1976
as at 17 May 2018
Sub-units
31st Field Battery, RCA
68th Field Battery, RCA
Band of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
Captain-General, Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
Her Majesty The Queen
 
Colonel Commandant, Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
                Brigadier-General E.M.D. Leslie, DSO, CD

Senior Regular Gunner
Brigadier-General R.G.J. Heitshu CD
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Director of Artillery
Colonel J.A. Cotter, CD
​Key Appointments
Nominal Roll - ​Regimental Headquarters
​​Commanding Officer:                                 Lieutenant-Colonel WT Wickett CD
Regimental Sergeant Major:                      Chief Warrant Officer Brian Philip Cormier CD
Second in Command:                                   Major Stuart T McDonald
​Honorary Colonel:                                           Colonel GF Blyth CD
Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel:                    Lieutenant-Colonel JC Griffiths CD
                                                                            Major Vic R Stevenson
Adjutant:                                                           Captain Martin A Casey
Assistant Adjutant:                                         Second Lieutenant (W) KEM Stone
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Promotions and Appointments
1 Apr 1976           Master Warrant Officer Eric C Tyldesley-Gore promoted Chief Warrant Officer and appointed Regimental Sergeant Major.

​Sergeants Leon Jensen and Richard Van Slyke promoted Warrant Officer.
                        
Dec 1976              Bombardiers Doug Johnson, Roy McCracken, Bill Loiselle, and Terry Harmon promoted Master Bombardiers, effective date later retro’d back to Oct 1976.
Canadian Gunner 1976
MESSAGE FROM THE COLONEL COMMANDANT
While perhaps some may regret certain necessary moves, I think all members of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery can take considerable satisfaction in the improvements that have been achieved in the strength and state of our Regular units this last year. It is also satisfactory to know that further improvements are planned and that new equipment, so long and so urgently needed, is beginning to arrive.
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Most Efficient Recruit 15th Field Regiment RCA
This award is presented to the most efficient recruit from the start of the training period in September of the previous year. This year’s winner of the trophy is Private (Recruit) Clifton John.
Gunner Douglas Corsor Jr. Memorial Trophy
​This trophy was created by his close friends in the Regiment, Gunner Noel RR Dykes, Gunner Joseph C. Gauthier, Gunner Reginald Gerard, Gunner Harry Harsch and Gunner Vivian Hughes after his untimely death in a vehicle accident in 1974. It is presented to the Gunner that most exemplifies the best characteristics of being a Gunner. This year it has been  presented to Gunner Doug Johnston.
Sniping Gun Trophy
This trophy is awarded annually to the most proficient gun detachment firing in the sniping gun role or in another role determined by the regular force support staff. It was originally created and presented by the current detachment: Captain DB Harrison, Master Warrant Officer Fred H Rossi, Sergeant JYD Thiebert and Master Bombardier C McGinley. This year’s winner was AA gun detachment commanded by Bombardier Roy E McCracken.
Trophy Presentations
The Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel WT (Bill) Wickett, CD and Regimental Sergeant Major Chief Warrant Officer Brian Cormier CD pose with Sergeant Richard Van Slyke, the winner of the Brigadier Dumoulin Trophy as the most efficient member of the Sergeants’ Mess for the year 1975 and Sergeant Dave Levien, the winner of the Best Bombardier of the Year trophy for 1975.
​Members deployed on Operations
​UN Emergency Force Middle East II (UNEFME II)
Gunner Noel RR Dykes deploys to Ismailia as Switchboard Operator, 23 August 1976. Gunner Joseph C. Gauthier deploys to Ismailia, as a Storesman Egypt on September 1976. Gunner Ernie Kovacs deploys to Ismailia, as a Storesman Egypt on September 1976. ​Gunner Noel Dykes in the stylish deployment uniform. Fortunately there were opportunities to escape from camp as the Dispatch Rider. Gunner Noel Dykes and Gunner Ernie Kovacs out in the Sinai.
Soviet Salute
The photographs are labelled "Soviet Salute 1976". Can anyone shed some light as to the specific date, event, ship?
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Salute
We have a photo of a salute with Bombardier Doug Johnston as detachment commander. We're not sure of the date but seeing as how Doug was promoted Bombardier on 1 April 1976 and promoted Master Bombardier 1 December 1976, it is safe to assume that the salute took place in 1976. If that's Private Barry Cotter as his #3 the date is narrowed down to when Barry was enrolled on 24 March 1976 and when he was qualified Gunner on 3 August 1976. The final bit of information would be that the salute is taking place on the north side of Stanley Park in order to greet a visiting naval ship. Wonder which one?
GAMESCAN 76 – Olympic security, Montreal, QC
Major Stuart T McDonald
           Mark Jackson
Gunner David Gamage
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Members Extra-Regimentally Employed
Gunner Noel RR Dykes, Driver, CFB Chillwack Transport Section, May - September
Supplementary List
22 January 1976 - Warrant Officer Al Yelland transfers to Supplementary List
2472-15 Fd Cadet Corps
Lieutenant Pat Smith     
Former Members now in the Regular Force
Gunner Colin Norris member of 1 Airborne Battery, RCA.
Captain Gary S Woloski component transfers to the Regular Force as Lieutenant.
Lieutenant EE Johnson component transfers to the Regular Force as Lieutenant.
Members Qualifications
Physical Fitness test 23 October 1976
​Range Exercise, Chiliwack, BC   20-22 Feb 1976   
Range Qualified FN, M-61 Grenade
What more could a person want for the weekend? A trusty FN C1 semi-automatic rifle, lots of 7.62 mm ball ammunition
Throw in some 9mm Stirling Sub-machine guns and you're all set. There's a few jobs that need to be done. Bombardier Will Hanks seems to be minding the ammunition.   See more...
​12-14 Mar 1976                 Winter warfare Ex, Squamish, BC
Sergeant Leon Jensen was one of the Section Commanders. Bombardier Lorne Gilmour was there.
Fort Lewis Gun Exercise
The Command Post vehicle is up and running! After years of working with a 6 foot folding table thrown out the back of a 3/4 ton vehicle with 2 folding chairs, Sergeant Leon Jensen 'modified' several of the Officers' Mess table tops and built our own CP! It's huge! Modeled after a similar model used by 3 RCHA the CP features 2 chorehorses mounted externally to recharge the large BB46 batteries mounted in the rear. These batteries power the two C-42 radios and overhead lights.  See more...
MILCON 76
Lieutenant CI Young, Captain John Carter, Master Bombardier Brad Barton and an unidentified signaller at the Observation Post in Fort Lewis.
​Men’s Christmas Dinner
The Regiment held its annual Men’s Christmas Dinner where the Officers have traditionally served the Other Ranks. Lieutenant John T Carter and Second Lieutenant CIY Young serving. Bombardier Keith Laing and Bombardier Terry Harmon waiting for their dinner with Sergeant Mike Meehan sitting across the table from them. New recruit James Jacobson is served Christmas dinner by the Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel William (Bill) Wickett, CD.
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Officers' Mess
The dates are somewhat confused on the following events. Please contact me if you have any more clarity than I do.
Ladies' Dining-In
A Valentines Dinner on 14 February 1976. The Area Commander Brigadier-General Doug Anderson and Mrs Shirley Wickett at the Head Table. The Commanding Officer presenting a casing to the Area Commander.
Colonel Platt posing with the Area Commander, the Commanding Officer and two American Officers.
Saint Barbara's Day 
The dates may be a little confused on these photos. They were found on a page labelled Apr 1977. That seemed more the time for a Ladies dining-in and it was thought that these pictures may have been developed in April but were actually from the preceding St. Barbara's Day.
New Year's Day Levee
The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel William (Bill) Wickett poses with his Regimental Sergeant Major, Chief Warrant Officer Eric Tyldesley-Gore and his former regimental Sergeant Major Chief Warrant Officer (ret) Brian Cormier.
Sergeants' Mess
​The Brigadier DuMoulin Trophy
This trophy is awarded to the most efficient member of the Sergeants’ Mess as determined by the displayed rating system. Sergeant Richard J Van Slyke was presented the trophy at the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants Mess’ Annual Dinner for his performance during 1975.
Annual Dinner 1976
Chief Warrant Officer Brian Cormier’s dinner as he stands down as the Regimental Sergeant Major. The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel W.T. (Bill) Wickett presents him with a gift from the Officers. Retired CO, Lieutenant-Colonel a Gary Bailey and retired RSM, Warrant Officer I Pat Smith in the background. The new Regimental Sergeant Major, Chief Warrant Officer Eric Tyldesley-Gore, CD presents him with his departure gift, a brass miniature cannon. 
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Ladies Dining - In Night
Coronation Ball
Traditions and Trophies
Raymond Guttridge CD, former Regimental Sergeant Major created this booklet on the Traditions and Trophies of the Sergeants Mess that was provided to each of the members in order for them to understand the significance of each of the pieces of memorabilia present in the Mess.   See more...
Sergeant's Mess Card
Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Ladies
These photos might be from 1976 or from 1977.  It appears to be a shower for Kelly Wood? Irmgard Erwin is there and it looks like Sergeant? Leon Jensen crashed the party wearing his latest TR6 outfit. Patched jeans, a dorkie hat, artillery T-shirt and a ridiculous sweater. Classey! Shirley Wickett, Pat Cormier, Virginia Friedsam, Vivienne Van Slyke and Nancy Olson. Not too sure if the cake fits the party or if it was from another event.
Royal Canadian Artillery Association
Annual Meeting
Field Marshal Sir Geoffrey Baker lays a wreath at the national Artillery Monument. 5 (BC) Field Battery RCA was represented by Colonel AE Sherwin and his son Phillip. The 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA representation included the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant William (Bill) T. Wickett and the Second in Command, Major R Vic Stevenson.  30th Field Artillery Regiment RCA brought their ceremonial gun detachment to start the Centennial Dinner. See more...
Obituary
James Theodore Underhill passed away on the 2nd October 1976. He originally joined the 6th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment as a Second Lieutenant in March 1915. He served at Gallipoli where he was wounded and was invalided to Cairo and then on to England. He returned to his Regiment and was wounded at the Somme. Once again he returned to the front, this time as a Lieutenant with the Canadian Siege Artillery. After the war he was a Captain in the 5th Siege Battery 15th Brigade Canadian Field Artillery before moving on to the  Corps Reserve from 1924 to 1925. Internment at Woodlands Memorial Garden in New Westminster BC.
Lists 
The following pages contain additional information relating to the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
Honours and Awards
Trophies
Commanding Officers and Regimental Sergeants Major
Honoraries
Battery Commanders and Battery Sergeants Major
Band Appointments
Nominal Roll
Guns of the Regiment
Memorial Page