1990

1988

15th Field Artillery Regiment
The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
1989

as at 24 June 2021

Sub-units
31st Field Battery, RCA
68th Field Battery, RCA
Band of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA

Key Appointments

Regimental Headquarters
Commanding Officer: Lieutenant-Colonel ​John T Carter CD
​​Regimental Sergeant Major: Master Warrant Officer David K Levien CD
​​Honorary Colonel: Brigadier RT DuMoulin ED CD
Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel: Ronald James Webster  CD
​Second in Command: Major Robert (Bob) E. Mugford, CD                                                                      
Regular Support Staff Officer: Captain Douglas R Winters
Regular Support Staff Warrant: Warrant Officer Klaus B Stockhorst                           
Regular Support Staff Administrative Clerk: Sergeant David B Carter                                                  
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant: Warrant Officer Benson Lum                     
Regular Support Staff Storesman: Master Bombardier Robert P Healey ​

Nominal Roll 01 May 1989 – HQ 68                                 
Private Peter E Almerling                                                     Captain William A Macmillan
Captain William J Amos CD                                                 Private Dolan K Magrath
Private Danette A Blake                                                        Private John P Mills
Captain Steven R Burridge                                                   Private Dereck Ratzlaff
Sergeant David B Carter                                                        Sergeant Paul W Roberts
Bombardier Barry S Chafe                                                    Private William L Schmidt
See more...                                    

Promotions and Appointments

2 Apr 1989           Gunner Robert G Wishnicki promoted to Bombardier.

Captain Leon Jensen appointed Regimental Command Post Officer

UN Forces in Cyprus (UNIFICYP) 
In the interest of international peace and security, the Mission was established in March 1964 to use its best efforts to prevent the recurrence of fighting between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and, as necessary, to contribute to the maintenance and restoration of law and order and a return to normal conditions. Since the hostilities of 1974, the mandate has included supervising the cease-fire and maintaining a buffer zone between the lines of the Cyprus National Guard and of the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot forces.  Master Corporal Kenneth W. Francis presented his UNIFICYP medal while on ​September 1989 Corporal Grayham C. Partridge deploys.​ See more...

New Members
Major Robert (Bob) E. Mugford, CD transfers to the unit from the Supplementary Reserves
Peter E Almerling
​Anthony Gee ​
Dave Urquhart

Members Extra-Regimentally Employed
Colonel Stuart T McDonald, CD enrolled at Canada's National Defence College.
 
Former Members now in Regular Force
Gunner George M Dempsey W Battery, Gagetown, NB.
Lieutenant Noel RR Dykes, CD Air Defence Troop Commander, 127 Air Defence Battery, 4 Air Defence Regiment, Canadian Forces Europe; Jan 89 temporarily assigned to 129e Batterie de défense antiaérienne, 4 Air Defence Regiment, Lahr, Federal Republic Germany; within three days temp assignment changed to posting as Regimental Operations and Training Officer, Regimental Headquarters, 4 Air Defence Regiment as the two previous members had both been promoted and posted away with all their staff (a total of 2 senior Captains, 2 Master Warrant Officers, 2 Sergeants and 1 Master Bombardier replaced by one Lieutenant and 1 newly promoted Master Bombardier); Jun 89 returned to 127 Battery as Battery Operations Officer.
Master Warrant Officer Colin Norris, Troop Sergeant Major, “E” Battery (Para) 2nd Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery.
Captain John P Pulchny FMC Headquarters, St Hubert, QC.
Sergeant Paul A Stewart 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, Lahr, Germany.
Major Gary S Woloski LRMP, Ottawa, ON.

Former Members now with CIC
Captain Eric Tyldesley-Gore CD commands #1705 Army Cadet Corps in Vernon BC
 
Members Qualifications
Captain Dean Drysdale completes Militia Command and Staff Course.

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Winter Exercise
Snowshoe races and football (or is it rugby?) on the lake. There's Lieutenant-Colonel John Carter, Captain John Brownlee-Baker, Lieutenant Kent Wickens, Lieutenant Grayson McCready, Master Warrant Officer Dave Levien, Warrant Officer Klaus Stockhorst, Bombardier Kevin Rankin, Nick Watts.   ​See more...

Wainwright - Summer 1989
The 5th Field from Victoria and the 15th Field from Vancouver combined to form a Field Battery in Wainwright, Alberta along with a two Batteries from the Prairies.
The accommodation, as always, is somewhat spartan, in the field.
Master Bombardier Kevin Rankin confirms the sight picture with his #3. In the Battery Command Post, Master Bombardier Dawne Larsen monitors the Battery/Regimental nets.
Standby - Were these photos actually taken during On Guard 90 next year? Let me know if you have additional insight.

Exercise Gunner Barrage, Fort Lewis, WA ​6-8 Oct 1989
​The Battery rolls into a suitable non-tactical hide for a post exercise pre-road maintenance and Battery Smoker. The Sig NCO, Bombardier Robert DePieri is busy sorting out the communications gear as the Troop Sergeant Major Sergeant Paul Roberts takes a few moments to chat with the Battery Captain, Captain Leon Jensen? (Damn bush caps, moustache and 80's style glasses!)   ​See more...

GUNNER GOSSIP 
​This anonymous newsletter appeared on the Armoury floor after the Yakima Exercise in March.
Date/Time - 23Mar892400
4...4....This is 0....send SITREP....over
4...SITREP...Have just returned from the YAK...All pers accounted for...All ammunition accounted for...All vehicles...well...that's another story...Just what is a torsion bar and why are they such a pain in the ass.   See more...

Nanaimo Military Camp Battle School
Our Chief Clerk, Sergeant Brian Arberry is mentioned in the local Nanaimo Daily News.

Blair Cup Small Arms Competition
The units of BC Militia District gather in Chilliwack for the annual Blair Cup competition. Each unit has established their own gathering spot with a suitable flag flying in the wind.
The Regimental Band is on hand to lend a certain finesse to the competition. Does anyone remember what the song list might have been?   See more...

Regular Force Augmentation
Gunner Jon Denney deploys to Germany with the 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery on Exercise Caravan Guard. The Canadians and Germans acted as the friendly force against the Americans. Jon was able to qualify on the M109 155mm howitzer during his time in Germany.

1812 Overture with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
40,000 watts of power and a metal stage in the rain. Not a good combinatipon and the event was canceled. Turns out the guns had some difficulty getting off the wet sand before the tide came in.

Reserve Pay
A Private Recruit was paid $39.78 for a full day and $19.89 for a half day.
A Master Bombardier (Basic) received $60.04 and $30.02
The Regimental Sergeant Major (Basic) received $87.54 and $43.77
The Commanding Officer (Basic) was paid $141.34 and $70.67

Garrison Dress
The Garrison uniform is brought in to replace Work Dress.

​Officers’ Mess

Visit of Lady Soames
Lady Soames, D.B.E., Sir Winston Churchill’s daughter arrived for an afternoon tea with the officers and wives in May 1989. ​The Quarter Guard was commanded by Sergeant Amnon Lichtmann with (front rank) Bombardier Robert DePieri, Bombardier Oliver Young, Bombardier Randy Phillips, Bombardier Ric Bowes and (rear rank) Bombardier Rob Wishnicki, Gunner Paul Kim and Private Maurice King.
See more....

St Barbara's Special Guest Night
The Officers and their invited guests gather for their annual St Barbara's Day Special Guest Night in honour of our patron saint. Lieutenant-Colonel John Carter, Major Vic Stevenson, Major Ian Newby, Captain Leon Jensen, Captain Rob Bower, Lieutenant Kent Wickens and Lieutenant Nick Watts.   See more...

The Annual Military Ball

Warrant Officers' and 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. It is awarded at the Warrant Officers' and Sergeants’ Mess Annual Mess Dinner for their activities in the previous year. The winner for his service in 1988 is Master Warrant Officer James E Jacobson.

Regimental Museum

Point Grey Fort
The construction of the Museum of Anthropology overshadows the gun emplacements.

Key Personnel Headquarters Pacific Militia Area
Commander                                                     Brigadier-General THM Silva
Chief of Staff                                                     Colonel AA Humphreys
Asst Chief of Staff Administration              Col Stuart T McDonald CD
Director Victoria Planning Group               Colonel DI Smith
Asst Chief of Staff Operations                     Colonel RW Stanley
Senior Staff Officer Plans                              Lieutenant-Colonel AP Conradi
Senior Staff Officer Signals                           Lieutenant-Colonel Keith W Freer CD
Area Sergeant Major                                      Chief Warrant Officer Jim A Dumont
 HQ PMA Nominal Roll 15 Sep 1988

Obituaries

Sergeant Eric Eustace Ackland
Passed away Wednesday, December 13, 1989. Born in Dunedin, New Zealand, a graduate of School of Engineering, Canterbury College, completed three-year test course with General Electric, U.S.A., then 14 years with Canada General Electric in Toronto and Vancouver. Past President, Vancouver Electric Club; Past Regional Vice-President, Illuminating Engineering Society; Past President, Kiwanis Music Festival; 18 years as New Zealand government representative in Western Canada; 27 years as President, Eric Ackland & Associates Ltd. 
Sergeant Ackland was taken on strength as a Gunner with 58th Battery, 15th (Vancouver) Coast Regiment, RCA NPAM 7 August 1940.
See more...

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Gunner John Douglas Beales
Passed away suddenly on January 1, 1989 in Parksville, B.C., at the age of 90. He enjoyed life to the fullest. Sadly missed by his loving family, daughter and husband, Betty and Ron Hackett; grandchildren, Kerry and Robin and great-grandchild, Vanessa. Following cremation his ashes will be scattered on the sea he loved.
Gunner Beales was a member of the 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Garrison Artillery in World War I.

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Major Albert Forrester (Bert) Black
Of Port Alberni, B.C., passed away Monday, May 29, 1989, at Nanaimo Regional Hospital in his 83rd year.
Bert was a graduate of UBC and taught for the Vancouver School Board for 43 years at Point Grey Jr. High, Fairview High School of Commerce, and retired from Prince of Wales. He was a former president of the Vancouver Secondary Teachers Assn and a founding director of the B.C. Teachers Credit Union.
During World War II he was a Captain in the Royal Canadian Artillery. He spent many happy years at his camp on Keats Island and at his waterfront home at Beachcomber.​See more...

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Gunner Clarence Wilbur Dawson
On November 7, 1989, Clarence Wilbur Dawson, age 91 years. Predeceased by his wives, Zalba in 1969 and Anne on June 19, 1989. Survived by son, David and his wife Anne of Vancouver, daughter, Patricia and her husband Harry Kumler of Hawthorne, Nevada; five grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren, also survived by stepson, David Bailey and wife Jane of Knoxville, Tennessee; step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Clarence served during the first world war with the 15th Brigade, Field Artillery Battery No. 102 “Flying Regimental Division”.
Funeral service will be held Tuesday, November 14, at 1:00 p.m. in McCall Bros. Floral Chapel, Johnston at Vancouver Streets. Cremation to follow at Royal Oak Crematorium. See more...

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​​​​​​​Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Douglas Elsdon GM CD
Died peacefully at Peace Arch Hospital on October 26, 1989. He will be remembered with love, respect, and honour by his daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Larry Gerard of Langley, B.C.; and family and friends. Doug served as a member of the Canadian Artillery during Second World War and was awarded The George Medal. He was Commanding Officer of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment R.C.A. (M) from 1962 to 1965. Doug will mostly be remembered for his active contribution to the mining industry of B.C. No service by request. If desired, donations to the Cancer Society would be appreciated.​
​See more...

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​Gunner Terence Lee Ferguson
Gunner Ferguson was taken on strength with the  15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA on 3 July 1940 and transferred to the 1st Battalion Irish Fusiliers on 2 October 1941. He shipped overseas on 14 June 1942 and was transferred to the Calgary Highlanders on 30 October 1943. he then transferred to 1 Canadian Ordnance Reinforcement Unit on 11 May 1943. He qualified Storeman (Ordnance) Group 'C' and was demobilized 18 September 1945. He was awarded the Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and the War Medal. Gunner Ferguson passed away 3 November 1989.

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Captain Graeme William Stewart
January 17, 1961 - July 18, 1989 
"When A Good Man Dies A Thousand Lights Go Out." Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Uncle and Friend Your death left heartache, but memories of your love are comforting and real.
Captain Stewart was taken on strength as a Second Lieutenant in 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA 22 April 1982.

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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