15th Field Artillery Regiment
The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
1970
The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
1970
as at 6 October 2021
Sub-units
31st Field Battery, RCA
85th Field Battery, RCA
158th Field Battery, RCA
209th Field Battery, RCA
Band of the 15th Field Regiment, RCA
31st Field Battery, RCA
85th Field Battery, RCA
158th Field Battery, RCA
209th Field Battery, RCA
Band of the 15th Field Regiment, RCA
Organizational Changes
1 Apr 1970 85th Field Battery sent to Supplementary Order of Battle
1 Apr 1970 158th Field Battery sent to Supplementary Order of Battle
1 Apr 1970 209th Field Battery redesignated 68th Field Battery
1 Apr 1970 85th Field Battery sent to Supplementary Order of Battle
1 Apr 1970 158th Field Battery sent to Supplementary Order of Battle
1 Apr 1970 209th Field Battery redesignated 68th Field Battery
Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
Captain-General, Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
Her Majesty The Queen
Colonel Commandant, Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
Major-General H.A. Sparling, CBE, DSO, CD
Senior Regular Gunner
Major-General D.A.G. Waldock, CD
Chief of Artillery
Colonel D.W. Francis, CD
Captain-General, Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
Her Majesty The Queen
Colonel Commandant, Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
Major-General H.A. Sparling, CBE, DSO, CD
Senior Regular Gunner
Major-General D.A.G. Waldock, CD
Chief of Artillery
Colonel D.W. Francis, CD
Key Appointments
Appointments and Promotions
Lieutenant-Colonel Graham F Blyth CD appointed Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel.
1 Apr 1970 Private Richard J Van Slyke promoted Bombardier.
New Members
12 Nov 1970 Leon Jensen enrolled as a Private (Recruit).
Members Qualifications
Junior Non-Commissioned Officers Course conducted starting Christmas break
Gunner Keith Laing
Gunner Mike Meehan
Gunner Mark Jackson
Gunner Brian Hill
Gunner Gary Palmatary
12 Nov 1970 Leon Jensen enrolled as a Private (Recruit).
Members Qualifications
Junior Non-Commissioned Officers Course conducted starting Christmas break
Gunner Keith Laing
Gunner Mike Meehan
Gunner Mark Jackson
Gunner Brian Hill
Gunner Gary Palmatary
QL3 Musician Course
Private Richard Van Slyke
Private Richard Van Slyke
MESSAGE FROM THE COLONEL COMMANDANT
As we approach the end of another year in the long history of our Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery I welcome this opportunity to address a few words to all of you “who serve the guns”.
The many adjustments in the configuration of both the Militia and Regular components of our regiment which have been dictated by the current Forces structure have been carried out during the year with dignity and despatch. While it is natural that we regret the loss of a number of units in both components, we must now look to the future and fulfill with spirit and skill our continuing duties in the defence requirements of our country. The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery has always been in the forefront in playing its essential part and will continue to do so.
See more...
As we approach the end of another year in the long history of our Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery I welcome this opportunity to address a few words to all of you “who serve the guns”.
The many adjustments in the configuration of both the Militia and Regular components of our regiment which have been dictated by the current Forces structure have been carried out during the year with dignity and despatch. While it is natural that we regret the loss of a number of units in both components, we must now look to the future and fulfill with spirit and skill our continuing duties in the defence requirements of our country. The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery has always been in the forefront in playing its essential part and will continue to do so.
See more...
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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) D.B. Callaghan. |
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50th Anniversary Parade
The Colonel Commandant, Major General H.A. Sparling CBE, DSO, CD reviewed the troops on parade at the Seaforth Armoury. See more...
The Colonel Commandant, Major General H.A. Sparling CBE, DSO, CD reviewed the troops on parade at the Seaforth Armoury. See more...
Salute to Swedish ship
The Swedish training vessel Alvsnabben arrived in Vancouver and fired the customary 21 gun salute indicating that all of its 'cannons' were empty prior to entering the harbour. Unfortunately there was no answering volley as the message had been dropped somewhere between headquarters and the Regiment. the error was corrected as the Alsnabben left Vancouver for its next port of call.
The Swedish training vessel Alvsnabben arrived in Vancouver and fired the customary 21 gun salute indicating that all of its 'cannons' were empty prior to entering the harbour. Unfortunately there was no answering volley as the message had been dropped somewhere between headquarters and the Regiment. the error was corrected as the Alsnabben left Vancouver for its next port of call.
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Dominion Day Salute
The Artillery Association stood in for the current Gunners while the Gunners were in Alberta on exercise. |
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Live Firing Exercise at Mary Hill
This is video of a live firing exercise by 15 Field Artillery Regiment at Mary Hill on Vancouver Island in 1970 or the late 1960s. The Combat uniform was just being introduced and there is a mix of Combat and Battle Dress. |
Federal Student Summer Employment Plan
FSSEP was a program designed to reduce the high youth unemployment rate by providing an introductory military course with no obligation to remain a member afterwards.
The young students were provided some training at the Vernon Camp as they worked towards their specific trade training. A gun detachment, an advance to contact under the Okanogan sun.
See more...
FSSEP was a program designed to reduce the high youth unemployment rate by providing an introductory military course with no obligation to remain a member afterwards.
The young students were provided some training at the Vernon Camp as they worked towards their specific trade training. A gun detachment, an advance to contact under the Okanogan sun.
See more...
Final Inspection - FSSEP Course
The student soldiers march on for their final parade held at the Jericho Military Station in Kitsilano.
Major Vic Stevenson forms part of the reviewing team inspecting the troops.
The old hangar at Jericho, once the home of the 102nd Coast Regiment, RCA
See more...
The student soldiers march on for their final parade held at the Jericho Military Station in Kitsilano.
Major Vic Stevenson forms part of the reviewing team inspecting the troops.
The old hangar at Jericho, once the home of the 102nd Coast Regiment, RCA
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Fort Lewis 1970?
The difficulties of determining the correct date for many of the photographs that we own is illustrated in the following series of photos. We know that the photos feature our regimental band. We know that they were not qualified on the US Army M102 howitzer although they are shown manning the weapon as part of the ceremony. The M 102 was introduced into service from 1966 until 1970 and remained in service until the M119 began arriving in 1989. That doesn’t really narrow our search.
See more...
The difficulties of determining the correct date for many of the photographs that we own is illustrated in the following series of photos. We know that the photos feature our regimental band. We know that they were not qualified on the US Army M102 howitzer although they are shown manning the weapon as part of the ceremony. The M 102 was introduced into service from 1966 until 1970 and remained in service until the M119 began arriving in 1989. That doesn’t really narrow our search.
See more...
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Inspection
The Officer Commander Canadian Forces Station Ladner inspects 85 Battery which is a lodger unit at the station. The Battery utilizes the hangar at the station as their parade square and gun park. |
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Regimental Crests
The regimental rifle team owned a collection of shooting jackets with these beautiful crests. Not sure if they were made in 1970, however, placing this photo here until more information comes available.
The regimental rifle team owned a collection of shooting jackets with these beautiful crests. Not sure if they were made in 1970, however, placing this photo here until more information comes available.
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Yorke Island Reunion
Bernie Smith and fellow members of 15th (Vancouver) Coast Regiment RCA share memories with some wartime photographs of Yorke Island. |
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Equipment News - 81mm MORTAR-ARTILLERY WEAPON
By Captain J.C. Stewart
In order to protect myself from insults and damnation, this article must be qualified.
Official policy will not be reflected in this article nor will staff duties concerning the format of military papers. It should, however, further confuse the “Great IG’s in the sky” as to why the Airborne Battery, RCA is equipped with the 81mm Mortar. Hopefully, future GPO and TLs completing their “Cherry Jump”, finding themselves alone with six mortars on a troop frontage of six hundred meters, will benefit from this brief report.
To ensure all Gunners that we are still Gunners and firmly believe so, I will mention that the 1 AB Bty, RCA is equipped with six L5, 105mm Pack Howitzers and twelve L1A6 81mm Mortars and will only deploy with one or the other.
The original concept of the CAR was one of simplicity and speed; sophisticated equipment would be too bulky. The CAR is an initial reaction force to secure an airhead and be relieved in seventy-two hours by a Combat Group. Hence when Airborne Gunners were approved, the 81mm Mortar was adopted because of its ease in mobility and the knowledge that when a light gun became available the CAR would receive it. The 81mm Mortar has been retained to provide an indirect fire capability for long range foot-borne operations.
Partial essay from The Canadian Gunner 1970, Volume 6, December 1970
By Captain J.C. Stewart
In order to protect myself from insults and damnation, this article must be qualified.
Official policy will not be reflected in this article nor will staff duties concerning the format of military papers. It should, however, further confuse the “Great IG’s in the sky” as to why the Airborne Battery, RCA is equipped with the 81mm Mortar. Hopefully, future GPO and TLs completing their “Cherry Jump”, finding themselves alone with six mortars on a troop frontage of six hundred meters, will benefit from this brief report.
To ensure all Gunners that we are still Gunners and firmly believe so, I will mention that the 1 AB Bty, RCA is equipped with six L5, 105mm Pack Howitzers and twelve L1A6 81mm Mortars and will only deploy with one or the other.
The original concept of the CAR was one of simplicity and speed; sophisticated equipment would be too bulky. The CAR is an initial reaction force to secure an airhead and be relieved in seventy-two hours by a Combat Group. Hence when Airborne Gunners were approved, the 81mm Mortar was adopted because of its ease in mobility and the knowledge that when a light gun became available the CAR would receive it. The 81mm Mortar has been retained to provide an indirect fire capability for long range foot-borne operations.
Partial essay from The Canadian Gunner 1970, Volume 6, December 1970
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The RS CPRC – 26 is a lightweight radio telephone for very short range communication. It is a manpack set and weighs 10 Lbs 8 ozs. It is a low powered, dry battery operated, crystal controlled, transmitter-receiver for FM voice communication in a 50 to 54.2 Mhz range of the VHF band.
The set operates on any of six preset channels. It has a range of from one to two miles depending on the antenna used. |
Officers' Mess
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New Year's Day levee - 1970
A suckling pig for the buffet lunch. The Officers: Lieutenant Ian Newby, Captain CR Ford CD, Captain Mike Bennett, Captain Peter Barton, Captain Ian Seymour CD , Lieutenant McDonnell, Second Lieutenant Gary Woloski, Major Barry Hamilton CD, Lieutenant-Colonel Barrie Clemons CD, Captain Preston CD, Captain Vic Stevenson, Captain Peter Dwillies, Major Gary Bailey CD, Wayne Davidson, Major Bill Wickett CD, Major Bud Abbott. |
The Military Ball
The 25th Anniversary of victory in Europe. Held at the Hotel Vancouver.
The 25th Anniversary of victory in Europe. Held at the Hotel Vancouver.
Officers' Mess Drapes
They're on order. Now we just need to receive some donations to pay for them.
They're on order. Now we just need to receive some donations to pay for them.
Sergeants' Mess
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Sergeants' Mess Dinner
The 50th Anniversary of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment |
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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. Sergeant DGW Hall was presented the trophy for his performance during 1969. |
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New Year's Day Levee 1970
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Obituaries
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Captain George Adolphus Claud Biddle
At the residence, 3865 Amroth Place, Victoria, Rev. Canon George A. Biddle, aged 76 years, born in Bournemouth, England, former Rector of St John’s Church for 25 years, he ministered at St. Philips Church, Vancouver, for seven years and was formerly of the Diocese of Calgary where he ministered at three parishes. Captain Biddle served in the 31st Battalion, CEF in the First World War and was the Chaplain for the 11th (Vancouver) Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA during the Second World War. See more... |
Gunner James (Jim) Alvin Davis
Wednesday, July 8 1970, late of the Wascana Nursing Home, Regina. Predeceased by two brothers and one sister. Mr. Davis is survived by two brothers, Edward E. Davis and Frederick E. Davis, both of Rocanville, Sask. Mr. Davis was a member of the 60th Battery of Canadian Field Artillery, Regina. Funeral services will be held Friday, July 10, 1970, at 1:30 p.m. in Speers Funeral Chapel. Dr Allan W. Martin will officiate. Internment in the Soldiers Plot in Riverside Memorial Park. Flowers gratefully declined.
Gunner Davis was a member of the 60th Battery, 15th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery during World War I.
Wednesday, July 8 1970, late of the Wascana Nursing Home, Regina. Predeceased by two brothers and one sister. Mr. Davis is survived by two brothers, Edward E. Davis and Frederick E. Davis, both of Rocanville, Sask. Mr. Davis was a member of the 60th Battery of Canadian Field Artillery, Regina. Funeral services will be held Friday, July 10, 1970, at 1:30 p.m. in Speers Funeral Chapel. Dr Allan W. Martin will officiate. Internment in the Soldiers Plot in Riverside Memorial Park. Flowers gratefully declined.
Gunner Davis was a member of the 60th Battery, 15th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery during World War I.
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Brigadier General Robert Adam Fraser
A funeral service for Brig.-Gen. Robert A. Fraser, a veteran of two world wars, will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow from the Chapel of Jos. C. Wray and Bros. , 1234 Mountain St. Brig.-Gen. Fraser died yesterday at Ste. Anne’s Veteran’s Hospital after a lengthy illness. He was 75 years of age. Born in Montreal in 1894, he was educated at Montreal High School and at McGill University. In 1915 he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Artillery. Having proceeded overseas, with the rank of Sergeant-Major, he was later commissioned in England. Brigadier-General Fraser served with the 5th Siege Battery, Canadian Garrison Artillery during the First World War. See more... |
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Bombardier Harold Poyser
On April 8, 1970, Harold Poyser of 49 E. 39th Ave., Vancouver. Funeral service was held April 13 in the Mount Pleasant Funeral Chapel. Internment Mountain View Cemetery. Bombardier Poyser served with the 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Garrison Artillery in the First World War. |
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