1975

1973

15th Field Artillery Regiment
The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
1974

as at 14 April 2020

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
Major-General H.A. Sparling, CBE, DSO, CD

Senior Regular Gunner
Brigadier-General R.G.J. Heitshu CD
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Director of Artillery
Colonel A. Sosnkowski, CD

​Key Appointments

Regular Support Staff Officer: Captain DB Harrison
Regular Support Staff Warrant: Warrant Officer Fred H Rossi

Promotions
1 Apr 1974           Bombardier Leon Jensen promoted Sergeant
          1974           Bombardier Glenn Patterson promoted Sergeant

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UN Emergency Force Middle East II (UNEFME II) 
Established in October 1973 to supervise the cease-fire between Egyptian and Israeli forces and, following the conclusion of the agreements of 18 January 1974 and 4 September 1975, to supervise the redeployment of Egyptian and Israeli forces and to control the buffer zones established under those agreements. The mandate for this Mission expired in July 1979 and the troops were withdrawn. Awarded for 90 days consecutive service between 26 October 1973 to 24 July 1979. Following members were presented United Nations Emergency Force Middle East II (UNEFME II) medal on departure from the mission area: Bombardier Gary S. Palmatory and Bombardier Brian D. Harmon.   See more...

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) W.A. Hanks.

New Members
Peter William Anning

Senior NCO (Militia) Block 2 Course
(105mm Howitzer Detachment Commanders Course) Gagetown, NB, February 1974
Bombardier Leon Jensen, Middle row, third from left

Members Qualifications
Annual Physical Fitness Training and Test 30 November 1974
 
Recruit Course – Spring 1974
Instructors:         Sergeant Mike Meehan
                               Bombardier Claude Elezam
                               Gunner Will Hanks
Students              Private (Recruit) Noel RR Dykes
                               Private (Recruit) Douglas Corsor Jr
                               Private (Recruit) Reginald Berard
                               Private (Recruit) Joseph Gauthier
                               Private (Recruit) Ernie Kovacs
                               Private (Recruit) Doug Johnston
                               three others

Student Summer Employment Activity Program (SSEAP) 1974
Instructor - Sergeant Glenn Patterson

​Qualification Level 3 (QL3) Artilleryman Course                Fall 1974
Instructor            Sergeant Glenn Patterson
                               Bombardier Will Hanks
​                               Bombardier Leo Kung
Students              Private (Basic) Doug Johnston (Top Candidate)
                               Private (Basic) Noel RR Dykes
                               Private (Basic) Reginald Gerard
                               Private (Basic) Joseph Gauthier
                               Private (Basic) Ernie Kovacs
                               two others

Mobcom Exercise, 29-31 Mar 1974, Fort Lewis, WA
Det Comd  Bdr Leon Jensen
 
Internal Security Exercise, 21-22 Jun 1974, Chilliwack, BC
Sgt Leon Jensen

Milcon 74, 10-17 Aug 1974, Shilo, MB ​
 By Capt. J.M. Vanstone
It would seem that with ROUTP and the German training taking place on the Shilo ranges there would be little room for any other activity. Yet during the period 11  - 17 August 74 nearly two hundred militia gunners from five provinces converged on CFB Shilo to take part in MILCON 74.
Ontario sent the 116th Independent Field Battery from Kenora while the 26th Field Regiment from Brandon and the 13th Field Battery from Portage la Prairie represented Manitoba. The 10th Field Regiment came from Regina including the 64th Field Battery from Yorkton represented Saskatchewan. The 20th Field Regiment Edmonton, the 78th from Red Deer and the 20th Independent Battery from Lethbridge were Alberta’s contribution. Finally, Vancouver’s 15th Field Regiment and Victoria’s 5th (BC) Field Battery travelled over 1500 miles from B.C. to attend MILCON 74.
See more...

Annual Range Qualification, Chilliwack, ​1-3 Nov 1974  
Major Vic Stevenson posing with the Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Bill Wickett at the rifle range and firing the 9mm pistol. ​The Commanding Officer with Captain Martin Casey at the Grenade Range. Warrant Officer Fred Rossi demonstrates the M36 grenade with Warrant Officer Al Yelland. Lieutenant-Colonel Bill Wickett with his allocation of 2 grenades.

Colonel Commandant Visit
A quarter guard is mounted at Bessborough Armoury. Guard Commander Sergeant Bill Amos, Gunner Will Hanks, Private Hyldtoft, Private Leo Kung, Private Roy McCracken, Bombardier Leon Jensen,  Gunner ?, Private Alan Edward, Private Don Booth and Private Doug Loney. The Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Bill Wickett and Regimental Sergeant Major Chief Warrant Officer Brian Cormier accompany Major General H.A. Sparling, CBE DSO CD,   Colonel Commandant Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, 18 Jan 1969 to 17 Jan 1975 for the inspection of the Guard.

Fire Extinguisher Training
The annual firefighting demonstration in the Bessborough Armoury vehicle compound. Joe Phelan, Sergeant Ray Wilson, Lieutenant Ian Newby, 4,5,6,7,8,9, Private Wendy Wright, Private Jackie Revell, Private Diane Grant, Private Badger, 14,15,16,17,18,Private Joey Gauthier, 20.

Exercise Easy Rider
Exercise Easy Rider on the 6 June weekend consisted of a convoy from Vancouver to Lillooet via Squamish with the route continuing onto Pemberton before returning to Bessborough Armoury via Hope and Lytton. A great exercise practicing driving skills over difficult terrain and convoy procedure. See more ...

Exercise Quick Gun, Fort Lewis, WA,  11-14 Oct 1974 ​
Sigs Sgt - Sergeant Leon Jensen, Corporal Jackie Revell, Private Graeme Mutton and the Battery Sergeant Major Master Warrant Officer George Wood.
​Sergeant Richard Van Slyke tours the Cadet Corps through the gun position. In the background can be seen the deuce and half that was converted to a command post utilizing the special plywood table covers from the Officers' Mess. The CP was constructed without authorization.
Post exercise maintenance with Bombardier Leo Kung, Bombardier Roy McCracken and Gunner Alan Edward.

Remembrance Day
Salute Troop Commander - Lieutenant John Carter
Assistant Troop Commander - Warrant Officer Don Friedsam
Salute Troop Sergeant Major - Warrant Officer Dag Gruban
#1 Detachment Commander – 
#2 Detachment Commander –Bombardier Doug Johnston
#3 Detachment Commander –
#4 Detachment Commander –
Sergeant Mike Meehan was also in attendance.  The Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Bill Wickett with his honoraries; Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel J.C. Griffiths CD and Honorary Colonel Graham F. Blyth CD.

Opening of new Seattle National Guard Armoury
The new armoury was opened with an invitation to Canadian units to celebrate the event with a parade. The Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry sent a contingent with their Band as did the Pacific Militia Area. The event was well attended and the soldiers were free to explore Seattle at night. Those stories are probably best left to the bar in the Messes.     See more...

Visit to 21 (Gibraltar 1779-83) Missile Battery RA
Lieutenant-Colonel William (Bill) Wickett and Chief Warrant Officer Brian P Cormier, CD visit our Sister Battery, the 21st (Gibraltar 1779-83) Missile Battery, 50 Missile Regiment Royal Artillery, British Army of the Rhine in West Germany. They were joined a week later by the Second in Command, Major Stuart T. McDonald.
​The relationship goes back to 30 June 1953 when an alliance was granted between 28th Coast Regiment, Royal Regiment of Artillery and 102nd Coast Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery. The 28th Coast Regiment's history and alliances have been retained by the 21st (Gibraltar 1779-83) Missile Battery, RA and the 102nd Coat Regiment history has been retained by the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA.    ​See more...

Visit from 21 (Gibraltar 1779-83) Missile Battery RA
​The visit by the Commanding Officer, Second in Command and Regimental Sergeant Major was reciprocated by 21st (Gibraltar 1779-83) Missile Battery, RA as they sent over a three person team consisting of Second Lieutenant R Sampson,  Sergeant Brian Penk and Sergeant Dave Burton. 
The visit included social activities in the Messes where the Officers' Mess hosted a buffet luncheon. In the Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess, the two young Sergeants were introduced to the fine art of "Gonging" by the RSM, Chief Warrant Officer Brian Cormier assisted by Sergeant Brian Harmon and Sergeant Bill Amos.    See more...

Bessborough Armoury 1974
A couple of views of the Bessborough Armoury exterior. The 25 Pounder salute gun and the current issue gun the 105mm C1 howitzer. On a quiet weekend a group of dedicated members cut up the Officers' Mess table tops and created a 2 1/2 Ton Deuce and a half Command Post. Equipped with two C42 radio sets, two sets of massive BB46 batteries and a tannoy system, the Command Post was a substantial upgrade from the six foot folding table thrown out of the back of a 3/4 Ton SMP vehicle. Of course the paperwork never stops for the Junior Officer.   See more...

Regimental Wedding
​Ms. Vivienne Jane Guttridge, daughter of the former Regimental Sergeant Major and Mrs Raymond Guttridge wed Sergeant Richard John Van Slyke on the 11th of May 1974. The best man was Master Warrant Officer Eric Tyldesley-Gore with the Bandmaster, Chief Warrant Officer Peter Erwin, also in the wedding party.
Vivienne at her bridal shower.

Soldiers' Christmas Dinner
Lieutenant-Colonel Bill Wickett and the officers serve the soldiers during the annual Christmas celebration. 
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Officers' Mess

New Years' Day Levee
Second in Command Major R Victor Stevenson and the Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel William (Bill) T Wickett are joined in the second photo with Captain Wayne Davidson. All lined up for the traditional New Year's Day photo.
Captain Bob Mugford, Lieutenant Bill Basaraba, Lieutenant Ted Johnson, Barrie Hamilton, ?, Captain Wayne Davidson, Lieutenant-Colonel Bill Wickett, Lieutenant Ian Newby, Captain Martin Casey, Major Vic Stevenson, Captain Preston, Captain Porter.

Dining In Night - Retirement Dinner Lieutenant-Colonel Gary Bailey CD
The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel William (Bill) T. Wickett CD with the former Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Gary Bailey CD and the Regular Support Staff Officer Captain Red Harrison CD.
Lieutenant-Colonel William (Bill) T. Wickett, Lieutenant-Colonel Gary Bailey CD and an unidentified member (1).
Pre-dinner libations at the Officers' Mess Bar. E.E. (Ted) Johnson, Captain Preston, Captain Martin Casey and Captain  Woloski.     See more...

Yorke Island Painting
​Captain Hoskinson presents his latest painting to the Officers' Mess. The painting portrays the 4.7" number 1 gun at Yorke Island. 

​68 Depot Battery
Major Stu McDonald (Battery Commander of 68 Battery) invited a WWI member of 68 Depot Bty to the armoury. The veteran (Malcolm Nelson of Vancouver) had served in northern UK before WWI and had subsequently joined 68 Depot Bty in Vancouver. He served in a variety of batteries on the Western Front, but not in North Russia. The 18pdr casing and projectile were familiar to Malcolm Nelson from his WWI service. Malcolm Nelson had trained in the UK in the early 1900s and his unit was equipped with screw guns (mountain guns). Malcolm wrote an article describing the mountain guns, the assembly and firing of them and the gun drill. The "Screw Gun" article appeared in the Canadian Gunner.

Mess Minutes
From a meeting held on 10 January 1974

Mess Secretary Correspondence
An increase in Mess Dues! Now $15.00 per year....

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. Master Warrant Officer EC Tyldesley-Gore was presented the trophy at the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants Mess’ Annual Dinner for his performance during 1973.

Annual Sergeants' Mess Dinner
The Warrant Officers and Sergeants gather for their annual dinner  with their invited guests. Colonel (ret) Allan Langmuir, Lieutenant-Colonel Gary Bailey, Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Bill Wickett, Brigadier General Anderson, Chief Warrant Officer Peter Erwin, Regimental Sergeant Major Chief Warrant Officer Brian Cormier and Master Warrant Officer Eric Tyldesley-Gore.     See more...

Honorary Gift
The Honoraries present the Regimental Sergeant Major with an artillery ice bucket for the Sergeants' Mess.

Point Grey Fort
Some photos of the fort and some of its tunnels as the construction cranes work on the new Museum.    See more...

Royal Canadian Artillery Association - Annual Meeting
The 89th annual meeting of the RCAA was held at CFB Gagetown 16-18 Oct 74 with the President, LCol JW Alward presiding. The Association was pleased to accept the invitation to Gagetown by LCol Jack Crosman who filled the bill as our genial host, and who saw to it that all our needs and requirements were handled in true gunner fashion.   See more...

MESSAGE FROM THE COLONEL COMMANDANT
While I am sure that the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery will not recall a time when I have been speechless, nevertheless with the presentation you made to me three days ago this is one occasion on which I find it most difficult to express adequately my deep appreciation for the generosity of your words and the handsome Eskimo carving which you gave to me from the Regiment.
See more...

Obituaries

Gunner Frank Amy
September 3, 1974, Frank Amy, of 14195 Marine Drive, White Rock, aged 83 years. Survived by 1 son, Norman, Vancouver; 1 daughter, Barbara Berry, White Rock; 4 brothers and 3 sisters. Funeral Service Thursday, September 5, at 3:30 p.m., from Chapel Hill Funeral Parlor, 14615 N. Bluff Rd., (16th Ave.) White Rock. Rev. L.G. Chappell officiating. Cremation at Victory Memorial Park. Flowers gratefully declined, if desired donations to the charity of your choice.
Gunner Amy enlisted with the Vancouver Volunteer Reserve, Boorman's Battery on 27 January 1916 and served overseas with the 8th and 10th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. 

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Gunner Douglas Corsor Jr 
​1957 – 1974
Douglas Corsor, 17, of Aldergrove died Monday when his car struck a tree after he swerved to avoid a cyclist.
Vancouver Sun, Tuesday 9th of July 1974
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Sergeant Alfred Allan Outram O.L.S. P.Eng
On October 25, 1974, the Association lost an able and respected surveyor in the passing of Allan Outram. The younger surveyors will remember Mr. Outram as the Chairman of the Biography Committee during the years 1968-1972. The older members will remember Allan as an efficient and outstanding property valuator during his service with the Government of Ontario as Chief of the Property Branch of the formerly know Department of Public Works.
Allan served with the Canadian Field Artillery in World War I from 1915-1919 in Belgium, France, and Northern Russia. Many photographs taken by Mr. Outram when he was connected with the Northern Russian Expeditionary Force in the year 1919 are recorded in the Archives in Ottawa and have been referred to on numerous occasions as a source of material for writers. See more...

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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