15th Field Regiment
The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
1960
The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
1960
as at 30 September 2021
Sub-units
31st Field Battery, RCA
85th Field Battery, RCA
158th Field Battery, RCA
209th Field Battery, RCA
210th Field Battery, RCA
Band of the 15th Field Regiment, RCA
Organizational Changes
12 Apr 1960 Name changed from 15th Field Regiment to 15th Field Artillery Regiment
31st Field Battery, RCA
85th Field Battery, RCA
158th Field Battery, RCA
209th Field Battery, RCA
210th Field Battery, RCA
Band of the 15th Field Regiment, RCA
Organizational Changes
12 Apr 1960 Name changed from 15th Field Regiment to 15th Field Artillery Regiment
Key Appointments
Promotions and Appointments
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Second Lieutenant Bob Spring promoted Lieutenant on 1 January 1960.
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Don Maskovic enrolls as a Private (Recruit)
Mike Maskovic enrolls as a Private (Recruit)
Mike Maskovic enrolls as a Private (Recruit)
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Honorary Lieutenant-Colonels Francis Ronald Graham and Fred B Brown pose with memento presented to Honorary Colonel William C. Woodward.
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Province Article - 24 September 1960
Bombardier Dave Elrick and Lance Bombardier Ken Young are featured in a photo with an article on the Young Soldier Training Plan. |
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25 Pounder Salute Gun
The 25 Pounder Salute Gun arrives at the Armoury! |
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Remembrance Day
The Band of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA leads a large contingent of Gunners on parade for Remembrance Day. Further along in the parade there's the Irish Fusiliers, the Provost Company and the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.
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The Band of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA leads a large contingent of Gunners on parade for Remembrance Day. Further along in the parade there's the Irish Fusiliers, the Provost Company and the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.
See more...
15th Field Regiment RCA Band
Eight members of the Band pose for a photo with two of the herald trumpets. An unidentified Warrant Officer Class I on the left followed by George Mapson, Mike Lawson, Al Sweet, ?, Jim Hamilton, ?, ? The back of the photo indicates that the year is 1960 and that Al Sweet is the Bandmaster. The question: Who is the Warrant Officer Class I on the left?
Eight members of the Band pose for a photo with two of the herald trumpets. An unidentified Warrant Officer Class I on the left followed by George Mapson, Mike Lawson, Al Sweet, ?, Jim Hamilton, ?, ? The back of the photo indicates that the year is 1960 and that Al Sweet is the Bandmaster. The question: Who is the Warrant Officer Class I on the left?
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Standby for a Royal Birth
The unit plans ahead for the birth of a Royal with some great press interest. Of course, not everyone is pleased with the coverage. Wonder what the letter writer thought of the wooden seat on the 25 pounder? |
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Queen's Accession Salute
The Regiment fires a 21 gun salute to mark the 8th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II. Seems a few people were caught by surprise later in the year. |
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Salute Locations
The Regiment explores other venues for salutes. |
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Recruiting Drive 1960?
George Chow takes the military transport vehicle down to the Army Navy Air Force Veterans Club Pacific 280 and offers free transportation to Bessborough Armoury in order to check out the recruiting display. 0:46 Armed sentry at the front door of the Armoury to greet guests. 0:59 Demonstration of gun laying. 1:14 George Chow appears. 1:54 Potential recruits firing .22s in the basement indoor range. 2:12 Knot demonstration. 3:01 First aid demo. 3:24 Stretcher evacuation from the upstairs classroom. 4:08 Talk from the Commanding Officer Lt Col Garrett. 4:50 The recruiting paperwork |
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Beer Break
The photo appears to be in the Vernon area and is tagged as July 1960. |
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Recruiting Ads
The content is quite different in 1960.... |
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National Survival
Major General Sparling critizes the general public for not supporting the National Survival SChemes. |
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Graduation parade at UBC
The Regiment supported the parade by providing the four 105mm Howitzers. |
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General Sir Charles Loewen Inspection
The unit was inspected by General Sir Charles Loewen. Check out his biography and you will find a connection with the Regiment. |
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Drum Major Course
Jim Hamilton on course at Western Command in Edmonton, AB |
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Band at a School Concert
Sergeant Major Munro leads The Regimental Band in a concert for the Cook School PTA. |
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Lance Bombardier Brian Cormier
Lance Bombardier Brian Cormier is presented a certificate during a parade held by 6th Field Regiment RCA in Gaspésie, QC. Brian Cormier later transferred to 34th Field Regiment in Montreal and then on to 15th Field Artillery Regiment in Vancouver. He was appointed Regimental Sergeant Major in 1972. |
The Stanley Park Armouries (originally the Horse Show Building)
This was a former home of the 15th Artillery Brigade until the Bessborough Armoury was constructed in the 1930s. The photos show the aftermath of a large fire that consumed the building on 18 March 1960. The building was located on West Georgia Street at Gilford Street near Stanley Park. See more...
This was a former home of the 15th Artillery Brigade until the Bessborough Armoury was constructed in the 1930s. The photos show the aftermath of a large fire that consumed the building on 18 March 1960. The building was located on West Georgia Street at Gilford Street near Stanley Park. See more...
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Increased Defence Spending
The media laments the governments defence spending in light of the war in Korea and the formation of NATO |
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15th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force
A reunion of World War I members is organized in Victoria. |
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Found Artillery Shell
It was a 17 pounder, so it wasn't one of ours. But, it is a Vancouver Artillery story. |
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Officers’ Mess
The Military Ball
The Military Ball in 1960 featured a busy schedule of teas, luncheons, dances and receptions for debutantes and their mothers. These were scheduled by the committee and held either at the hosts’ house or sponsored by the host and held at one of the Clubs or Messes in the city. These events included a tea at Mrs. E. Eakins’ on Saturday 9 April, a luncheon date at Mrs. F. Graham’s on Saturday 16 April, a luncheon at Mrs. F. Brown’s on Saturday 21 April, a coffee party at Mrs. H. Fullerton on Sunday 22 April and a luncheon hosted by Mrs. C. Wallace at the Georgia Club on Monday 23 April. It was not before the tea at the Officers’ Mess of BC sponsored by Lieutenant Colonel F. Garrett on Friday 29 April that the debutantes first met their escorts and this event was followed by another party hosted by Colonel H. Foley that evening. Another tea/dance for the debutantes and escorts was hosted by Lieutenant-Colonel H. Goodwin and the 8th Technical Regiment at the Officers’ Mess in North Jericho on Monday 30 April. Mrs. E. Eakins pledged to host an informal supper on Thursday 5 May and the Honorary Colonels booked a pre-dinner reception at the Hotel Vancouver on the night of the Ball on Friday 6 May.
Even after the last dance at the Military Ball, there were even more social events to attend. The officers of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment hosted a breakfast at the Bessborough Armouries to start at 2:00 in the morning. Of course, with all that activity, there were a lot of things to talk over afterwards and Mrs. T Dumoulin and Mrs. L. Damper scheduled an informal dinner party for Saturday 7 May 7.
The Military Ball of 1960 was honoured to have Field Marshall Viscount Montgomery as their special guest in addition to having Lieutenant Governor F. Ross in attendance.
British Columbia’s Army Reserves in Gala Performances 1945-2000, Warrant Officer MP Meehan
The Military Ball in 1960 featured a busy schedule of teas, luncheons, dances and receptions for debutantes and their mothers. These were scheduled by the committee and held either at the hosts’ house or sponsored by the host and held at one of the Clubs or Messes in the city. These events included a tea at Mrs. E. Eakins’ on Saturday 9 April, a luncheon date at Mrs. F. Graham’s on Saturday 16 April, a luncheon at Mrs. F. Brown’s on Saturday 21 April, a coffee party at Mrs. H. Fullerton on Sunday 22 April and a luncheon hosted by Mrs. C. Wallace at the Georgia Club on Monday 23 April. It was not before the tea at the Officers’ Mess of BC sponsored by Lieutenant Colonel F. Garrett on Friday 29 April that the debutantes first met their escorts and this event was followed by another party hosted by Colonel H. Foley that evening. Another tea/dance for the debutantes and escorts was hosted by Lieutenant-Colonel H. Goodwin and the 8th Technical Regiment at the Officers’ Mess in North Jericho on Monday 30 April. Mrs. E. Eakins pledged to host an informal supper on Thursday 5 May and the Honorary Colonels booked a pre-dinner reception at the Hotel Vancouver on the night of the Ball on Friday 6 May.
Even after the last dance at the Military Ball, there were even more social events to attend. The officers of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment hosted a breakfast at the Bessborough Armouries to start at 2:00 in the morning. Of course, with all that activity, there were a lot of things to talk over afterwards and Mrs. T Dumoulin and Mrs. L. Damper scheduled an informal dinner party for Saturday 7 May 7.
The Military Ball of 1960 was honoured to have Field Marshall Viscount Montgomery as their special guest in addition to having Lieutenant Governor F. Ross in attendance.
British Columbia’s Army Reserves in Gala Performances 1945-2000, Warrant Officer MP Meehan
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Day of Debutante Drawing to a Close
The newspaper reports on the waning of the debutante tradition but it will be another 40 years before it concludes in Vancouver. |
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146th Field Artillery Battalion
The Officers Mess had a busy social calendar of dinners at the Mess in Bessborough Armoury as well as events in Seattle! This is the first indication of communication with our brothers in the 146th Field Artillery Battalion that I've seen and apparently one that wasn't rekindled until 1999. |
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Spring Formal Ball
The Officers' Mess starts of the spring social season. |
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Annual Christmas Tea
The Vancouver Sun notification. |
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Sergeants' Mess
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Warrant Officer Class 1 Dave Penman and Warrant officer Class I James Bathurst posing by the fireplace in the Sergeants' Mess.
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Bylaws and Constitution
The Sergeants' Mess published their Bylaws and Constitution. The booklet confirms April 1961 as the start of the Annual meeting of the Mess so it is surmised that this booklet was produced in 1960. |
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9 July 1960 - Sergeant William (Bill) T. Wickett married Shirley Walker.
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The Brigadier DuMoulin Trophy
This trophy is awarded to the most efficient member of the Sergeants’ Mess as determined by the displayed rating system. Warrant Officer Class II RJ Nichols was presented the trophy for his performance during 1959. |
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Regular Force Artillery
In June 1960 Building HP 18 in Shilo, MB was allocated as a building for setting up the RCA Museum.
In June 1960 Building HP 18 in Shilo, MB was allocated as a building for setting up the RCA Museum.
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Former members
Former Regimental Sergeant Majors rarely fade away from the parade square. The Coast News from 17 November 1960 reports that Warrant Officer Class I Charles H.Peter Trappitt MBE is still active in parades in Gibson, BC. Peter was appointed Regimental Sergeant Major of 15th Coast Regiment RCA on 28 Jan 1947, remained RSM as the Regiment converted to field artillery on 5 February 1948 and then transferred to the 102nd Coast Regiment RCA on 23 September 1949. |
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Obituaries
Gunner Garry Ross Beads
Passed away at Blubber Bay, B.C., Garry Ross Beads, in his 20th year, late of 1240 Commercial Dr., Vancouver. Late member of Operating Engineers Local 113. Survived by his loving mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Ross H. Beads, Vancouver; 1 sister, Mrs. D. (Carole) White, Moon Bay; his grandmother, Mrs. George Dupas, Vancouver. Prayers will be held Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. at the Blessed Sacrament Church, 15th Ave. and Heather St., Vancouver. Requiem mass will be celebrated Thursday, January 21 at 10 a.m., Father Z. Belanger celebrant. Internment Ocean View Burial Park. Royal Oak Funeral Chapel in charge.
Gunner Beads was taken on strength 15th Field Regiment, RCA 30 Oct 1958 and was a member of the 15th Field Regiment, RCA CA(M) Military Band in 1959.
Passed away at Blubber Bay, B.C., Garry Ross Beads, in his 20th year, late of 1240 Commercial Dr., Vancouver. Late member of Operating Engineers Local 113. Survived by his loving mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Ross H. Beads, Vancouver; 1 sister, Mrs. D. (Carole) White, Moon Bay; his grandmother, Mrs. George Dupas, Vancouver. Prayers will be held Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. at the Blessed Sacrament Church, 15th Ave. and Heather St., Vancouver. Requiem mass will be celebrated Thursday, January 21 at 10 a.m., Father Z. Belanger celebrant. Internment Ocean View Burial Park. Royal Oak Funeral Chapel in charge.
Gunner Beads was taken on strength 15th Field Regiment, RCA 30 Oct 1958 and was a member of the 15th Field Regiment, RCA CA(M) Military Band in 1959.
Warrant Officer Class I George Percy Cook
On September 8, 1960, George Percy Cook, aged 72 years, late of 1800 Duthie St., North Burnaby. Survived by his nephew and niece, Mr. & Mrs. W. Field, England. Deceased served overseas as R.S.M. Royal Canadian Artillery, and was a sergeant-major of A Squadron, Legion of Frontiersmen. Funeral, Tuesday September 13, at 1:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Hamilton Mortuary, Fraser St. at 38th Ave. to Forest Lawn Cemetery, Rev. G.. Archer officiating.
WO II Cook was the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 11th (Reserve) Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA 1944-1945.
On September 8, 1960, George Percy Cook, aged 72 years, late of 1800 Duthie St., North Burnaby. Survived by his nephew and niece, Mr. & Mrs. W. Field, England. Deceased served overseas as R.S.M. Royal Canadian Artillery, and was a sergeant-major of A Squadron, Legion of Frontiersmen. Funeral, Tuesday September 13, at 1:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Hamilton Mortuary, Fraser St. at 38th Ave. to Forest Lawn Cemetery, Rev. G.. Archer officiating.
WO II Cook was the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 11th (Reserve) Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA 1944-1945.
Sergeant Major Edward Fogge Crowther
Passed away suddenly June 24, 1960 in Penticton, B.C., Edward Fogg Crowther of 3419 Trafalgar St., in his 59th year. Survived by his loving wife. Margaret; 2 daughters Miss Mary Crowther and Mrs. W.R. (Jean) Davidson of Vancouver; grandson Eddie; brother, Frank Crowther, New Westminster and sister, Mrs G. (Grace) Higgins, Vancouver. Deceased was past master of University Lodge No. 91, AF&AM, and past district deputy, also life honorary member RCA, Sergeants Mess, Bessborough Armories. Funeral service Tuesday, June 28 at 3 p.m. in Nunn and Thomson's Chapel, 10th Ave. and Cambie St. under the auspices of University Lodge No. 91, AF&AM. Internment Masonic Cemetery Burnaby.
Sergeant Major Crowther was appointed Acting Regimental Sergeant Major 11th (Reserve) Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA 1 Oct 1945.
Passed away suddenly June 24, 1960 in Penticton, B.C., Edward Fogg Crowther of 3419 Trafalgar St., in his 59th year. Survived by his loving wife. Margaret; 2 daughters Miss Mary Crowther and Mrs. W.R. (Jean) Davidson of Vancouver; grandson Eddie; brother, Frank Crowther, New Westminster and sister, Mrs G. (Grace) Higgins, Vancouver. Deceased was past master of University Lodge No. 91, AF&AM, and past district deputy, also life honorary member RCA, Sergeants Mess, Bessborough Armories. Funeral service Tuesday, June 28 at 3 p.m. in Nunn and Thomson's Chapel, 10th Ave. and Cambie St. under the auspices of University Lodge No. 91, AF&AM. Internment Masonic Cemetery Burnaby.
Sergeant Major Crowther was appointed Acting Regimental Sergeant Major 11th (Reserve) Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA 1 Oct 1945.
Bombardier Andrew William Ker
November 6, 1960, aged 69 years, of 3870 Lozelles St., North Burnaby. Survived by his loving wife, Marion; 1 daughter, Mrs. F.J. (Aldred) Coen, New Westminster; 5 sisters, Mrs. Robert (Jean) Haddon, Mrs. H.E. (Annie) McIntyre, Mrs. R.C. (Chris) Till, and Miss Helen and Miss Lillian Ker, all of North Burnaby. Also nieces and nephews. Deceased served with C.F.A. 33rd, World War I. Rev. S. Edgecombe will conduct the funeral service in The Mount Pleasant Chapel, Kingsway at 11th Ave., on Thursday, November 10, at 3 p.m. Followed by cremation. No flowers by request.
Bombardier Ker enlisted with the 68th Overseas Depot Field Battery as a Gunner 21 Feb 1916; and served with the 4th (later 5th) Canadian Division Ammunition Column,
November 6, 1960, aged 69 years, of 3870 Lozelles St., North Burnaby. Survived by his loving wife, Marion; 1 daughter, Mrs. F.J. (Aldred) Coen, New Westminster; 5 sisters, Mrs. Robert (Jean) Haddon, Mrs. H.E. (Annie) McIntyre, Mrs. R.C. (Chris) Till, and Miss Helen and Miss Lillian Ker, all of North Burnaby. Also nieces and nephews. Deceased served with C.F.A. 33rd, World War I. Rev. S. Edgecombe will conduct the funeral service in The Mount Pleasant Chapel, Kingsway at 11th Ave., on Thursday, November 10, at 3 p.m. Followed by cremation. No flowers by request.
Bombardier Ker enlisted with the 68th Overseas Depot Field Battery as a Gunner 21 Feb 1916; and served with the 4th (later 5th) Canadian Division Ammunition Column,
Gunner Charles Wesley MacDonald
Passed away suddenly on May 28, 1960 in his 63rd year, late of 2197 W. 2nd Ave. Survived by his loving wife, Alice, Vancouver; 1 granddaughter, Margaret Eady, Vancouver. The deceased served on the Vancouver City Police Force for 40 years, retiring as a superintendent 2 years ago. At the time of his death he was a superintendent of Civil Defence, he was a member of Grandview Lodge No. 96, A.F.&A.M, Vancouver; No. 15 Pacific Chapter; No. 34, Columbia Perceptory, Gizeh Temple, A.A.O-N.M.S.; and Taurus Unit No. 298, Army, Navy and Airforce Veterans, all of Vancouver, Funeral service Wednesday, 3 p.m., in Simmons & McBride Funeral Chapel, Broadway at Maple St. Rev. D.J. Gillies officiating. Cremation, Garden Chapel, Ocean View. No flowers by request. Donations to the Crippled Children’s Fund, 940 Richards St.
Gunner MacDonald enlisted with the Vancouver Volunteer Reserve, Boorman's Battery on 27 January 1916 and served overseas with the 3rd Canadian Division Ammunition Column and the 9th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery.
Passed away suddenly on May 28, 1960 in his 63rd year, late of 2197 W. 2nd Ave. Survived by his loving wife, Alice, Vancouver; 1 granddaughter, Margaret Eady, Vancouver. The deceased served on the Vancouver City Police Force for 40 years, retiring as a superintendent 2 years ago. At the time of his death he was a superintendent of Civil Defence, he was a member of Grandview Lodge No. 96, A.F.&A.M, Vancouver; No. 15 Pacific Chapter; No. 34, Columbia Perceptory, Gizeh Temple, A.A.O-N.M.S.; and Taurus Unit No. 298, Army, Navy and Airforce Veterans, all of Vancouver, Funeral service Wednesday, 3 p.m., in Simmons & McBride Funeral Chapel, Broadway at Maple St. Rev. D.J. Gillies officiating. Cremation, Garden Chapel, Ocean View. No flowers by request. Donations to the Crippled Children’s Fund, 940 Richards St.
Gunner MacDonald enlisted with the Vancouver Volunteer Reserve, Boorman's Battery on 27 January 1916 and served overseas with the 3rd Canadian Division Ammunition Column and the 9th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery.
Corporal Frederick William Vigor
‘Remnants’ Veteran Gets Last Rites
A member of Spencer’s Remnants and veteran of the old South Vancouver police force was buried Friday.
Frederick William Vigor, 72, of 3167 East Forty-sixth, died last Tuesday after a lengthy illness.
During the First World War he served with the Canadian Artillery. On his return he became a member of the Remnants, a famous corps of veterans employed by Spencer’s department stores. Supported by the late Col. Victor Spencer, the Remnants took part in many military and veteran events between the two world wars. The group ceased to exist in November, 1948, when the family sold their interests to the T. Eaton Company. Mr. Vigor is survived by his wife, Dora; five daughters, Mrs. Peggy Pockrant, Pender Harbour; Mrs. Kathleen Carleton and Mrs. Mavis Richardson, North Vancouver; Mrs. Alma Priestley, Vancouver, and Mrs. Bubbs Creighton, Wilson Creek; nine grand-children, a brother and sister in England, a sister in Saskatchewan, and a brother, Thomas, in North Vancouver. Funeral service was held in the Mount Pleasant Chapel, Kingsway and Eleventh. Burial was in the Field of Honour, Forest Lawn.
Corporal Vigor enlisted with the 68th Overseas Depot Battery 13 June 1916 and served overseas with the 1st Heavy Battery, Canadian Garrison Artillery which was later renamed 2nd Brigade, Canadian Garrison Artillery.
‘Remnants’ Veteran Gets Last Rites
A member of Spencer’s Remnants and veteran of the old South Vancouver police force was buried Friday.
Frederick William Vigor, 72, of 3167 East Forty-sixth, died last Tuesday after a lengthy illness.
During the First World War he served with the Canadian Artillery. On his return he became a member of the Remnants, a famous corps of veterans employed by Spencer’s department stores. Supported by the late Col. Victor Spencer, the Remnants took part in many military and veteran events between the two world wars. The group ceased to exist in November, 1948, when the family sold their interests to the T. Eaton Company. Mr. Vigor is survived by his wife, Dora; five daughters, Mrs. Peggy Pockrant, Pender Harbour; Mrs. Kathleen Carleton and Mrs. Mavis Richardson, North Vancouver; Mrs. Alma Priestley, Vancouver, and Mrs. Bubbs Creighton, Wilson Creek; nine grand-children, a brother and sister in England, a sister in Saskatchewan, and a brother, Thomas, in North Vancouver. Funeral service was held in the Mount Pleasant Chapel, Kingsway and Eleventh. Burial was in the Field of Honour, Forest Lawn.
Corporal Vigor enlisted with the 68th Overseas Depot Battery 13 June 1916 and served overseas with the 1st Heavy Battery, Canadian Garrison Artillery which was later renamed 2nd Brigade, Canadian Garrison Artillery.
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
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