1977

1975

15th Field Artillery Regiment
The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
1976

as at 26 April 2023

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
​​
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
See more...

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.

New Members
Kevin Atherton

Releases
Kevin Atherton
Gary Baanders

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.
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) 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.

Change of RSM Parade
​Chief Warrant Officer Eric Tyldesley-Gore receives the Regimental Sergeant Major's sword from the Commanding Officer.  Outgoing Regimental Sergeant Major Brian Cormier reflects.

Changing of the Guard - Fall 1976
Members of the unit provide a drill demonstration focused on the changing of the guard. Sgt Gary Palmatary awaits his new guard while Sgt Leon Jensen's guard is inspected. Bdr Doug Johnston, Gnr Lorne Gilmour, Gnr Clifton John, Bdr Alan Edward.

​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.

15th Field Artillery Regiment Band Record
The Band, under the leadership of Director of Music, Lieutenant Peter Erwin produced an excellent vinyl recording. Key personnel included:
Recording Engineer - Major RE Mugford CD
Sound Engineer - John Renforth
Executive Producer - 2nd Lieutenant CI Young
Photography - Captain GL Croucher CD
(conversion to mp3 format - ​Captain Conway Hui, CD)
Check out the recording here

Soviet Salute
The unit fires a salute for two Soviet destroyers,  Sposobny and Gnevny, and 1 tanker, Ilim. They visited Vancouver, Canada from 25 to 30 August 1976, and were open to public viewing. The visit was part of an exchange program that was reciprocated by the visit of Canadian warships to Leningrad later that year.
See more...

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                  Second Lieutenant George Laschuk
           Mark Jackson
Gunner David Gamage                     Gunner Robert Ford           Gunner Art Gauthier              Gunner John Pulchny
Gunner Clifton John                           Gunner Russell Ford           Gunner Mark Kozlowski       Gunner Thomas Weisbrod
​Gunner Lorne Gilmour                       Gunner Jeff Gates               Gunner Tom McLaughlin

​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...

Winter warfare Ex, Squamish, BC ​12-14 Mar 1976 ​
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. The Reservist periodical provides additional information on the exercise.​

​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.​
See more...

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

15th Brigade Canadian Field Artillery
The 15th Brigade was formed in British Columbia but was broken up while transiting through the United Kingdom due to a reorganization of the Canadian Field Artillery. 

Officers' Mess
The dates are somewhat confused on the following events. Please contact me if you have additional information.

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. Either that or a Special Guest Night for Lieutenant-Colonel Bill Wickett's transfer to District Headquarters? See more...

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. 
​See more...

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.

15th Brigade Canadian Field Artillery
The Brigade was broken up before it reached France and the members were allocated as reinforcements for other Canadian Field Artillery units. The bonds between the original members lasted for many years. 

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...

Obituaries

Gunner Russell Edward Binnie
Aged 42 years, passed away on Thursday, September 2, 1976, at the Shaughnessy Hospital. He leaves to mourn his beloved wife, Tessie, of North Delta; 1 son, Mike, 1 daughter, Suzette; his mother Mrs. Ethel Binnie; and 2 sisters. Mrs. Doreen Shemley and Mrs. Gale Oliphant.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday September 4, in the New Westminster chapel of S. Bowell & Sons, 219 – 6th St., with the Rev. C. Raymont officiating. Cremation to follow.
Gunner Binnie was a member of 15th Field Regiment, RCA in 1956.

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Sergeant William Wilson Crompton
Funeral will be held Wednesday for Wilson Crompton, a member of the B.C. Bar for more than 60 years. He was 101. Mr. Crompton came to Vancouver in 1910 from England where he had been a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Jurisdicture. He practiced law until the First World War and, after service overseas, held various positions with the Soldiers Settlement Board, Corporation of Point Grey and City of Vancouver. In 1941 he was superannuated as city police court clerk and returned to his law practice. He did not retire until six years ago at the age of 95.
FAMILY: His wife Cecile, two sons Ron and Harold, seven grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
SERVICE: Wednesday at noon from St. John the Apostle Church, 5457 Tragar
Sergeant Crompton enrolled in the Vancouver Volunteer Reserve, Boorman's Battery on 14 October 1915. He served in England with the Pay Records Office and the Estates Section.

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Lieutenant Harold Cullerne
On March 8, 1976. Harold Cullerne, in his 86th year, of North Burnaby, B.C. Predeceased by his wife Annie, January 1976; and brother George Cullerne. He is survived by step-son Perry Dawson, Burnaby; and step-daughter Mrs. P.C. (Helen) Hurley, Vancouver; also niece Mrs. A. (Marjorie) Koers, Parksville. Funeral services to be held Thursday, March 11, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Simmons & McBride Funeral Directors, Broadway at Maple St. Rev. A.C. Hutchins officiating. Cremation. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. David’s Church, 2475 Franklin St., Vancouver, or to the charity of own choice.
Lieutenant Cullerne served overseas in the First World War with the 143rd Overseas Battalion and the Canadian Railway Troops Depot. He was  taken on strength with 5th Medium Battery, 15th Brigade, CA in 1925.

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Honorary Colonel Phillip Lawrence Debney
On February 7, 1976, Colonel Phillip Lawrence Debney of No. 204 Canterbury Court, Edmonton, Alberta, passed away at the age of 86 years. He is survived by his loving wife, Isabel, one daughter, Mrs. Ann Glaister of Calgary; and three grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 10 at 10.00 a.m. from Christ Church (Anglican). The Reverend Canon F.W. Peirce officiated and cremation followed. Howard & McBride Funeral Services.
Colonel Debney enlisted with the 32nd Battery, Canadian Field Artillery in 1916 and served overseas with the 8th Brigade and 9th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. He was later transferred to the 68 Battery, 16th Brigade and was awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the Field in North Russia. During World War II he  transferred to the Royal Canadian Engineers and was promoted to Commander Royal Engineer, 8th Canadian Division. After the war, he was Commanding Officer, and later Honorary Colonel, ​8th Field Engineer Regiment.

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Sergeant George Mapson
In Vancouver on August 25, 1976, George Mapson, in his 61st year. He is survived by his wife, Pearl; sisters, Mrs. Mary Foyan and Mrs. Jean Richardson, of London, England; brother-in-law, Mr. Claude Ashby of Chilliwack. Mr. Mapson was a Navy veteran of the Second World War and a member of the 15th field Band and No. 79 Royal Canadian Legion. Funeral service Friday, August 27 at 11 a.m. in the Dogwood Chapel, Fraser St. at 38th Ave. Cremation will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate donations to the Canadian Cancer Society. Arrangements, HAMILTON MORTUARY LTD. Ph. 324-3851
Sergeant Mapson was a member of the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II and rose to the rank of Petty Officer. He enrolled in the 43rd Medium Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA CA(M) Military Band in 1958 and later transferred to the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA Band.

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Major James Edward Piercy
Passed away on March 5, 1976, James Edward Piercy of 3941 W. 24th Ave., aged 88 years. Survived by his wife, Muriel; his daughter, Dorothy; 3 sons, Joe, Bob and Dick; 9 grandchildren; 1 sister, Mary and 1 brother, Harold. Served in the First World War and also the Second World War in France with the Canadian Field Artillery and Coastal Defence. Late member of St. Phillip’s Anglican Church and the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 142. Funeral service Tuesday, March 9 at 3 p.m. in St. Phillip’s Anglican Church, 3700 W. 27th Ave., Rev. W.R. Stephens officiating. Flowers gratefully declined. Private internment Ocean View Burial Park. Harron Bros. Ltd. Funeral directors.
Major Piercy originally joined the Hong Kong Volunteer Artillery as a Gunner. He later joined the 5th Regiment, Canadian Garrison Artillery before going overseas to serve with "E" Anti-Aircraft Battery and 3rd Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. He joined 31st Battery, 15th Brigade Canadian Field Artillery in 1922. He served in the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade, RCA during the Second World War, twice being assigned as the Battery Commander on Yorke Island.

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Captain 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.
Captain Underhill originally joined the 6th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment in 1915. He was wounded in Gallipoli and later again at the Somme. He transferred to the  Canadian Siege Artillery in 1916 serving with the 245th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery,. He joined the 5th Siege Battery, 15th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery in 1922.

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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