Customs, Traditions and Memorabilia
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The booklet is intended to provide a listing of the many artefacts on display in the Bessborough Armoury. The photographs are not intended to be professional grade, they are intended to be a thumbnail to lead you to the actual artefact.
This space will be used to collect amendments that will be applied prior to the printing of the booklet. A final editing that will include re-arranging the items to best fit each page will take place prior to printing. Thank you to all those that provide their input. |
| regimental_artefactsasat22mar.pdf |
Plaques - Officers' Mess - Irish Fusiliers:
Replace .... to form The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment), which is perpetuated by The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of
Connaught's Own) with In 2002 this regiment was removed from the Supplementary Order of Battle and amalgamated with The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own).
(Note: In the Canadian Army "perpetuation" is used only with respect to units of the War of 1812 and World War I.)
Replace .... to form The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment), which is perpetuated by The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of
Connaught's Own) with In 2002 this regiment was removed from the Supplementary Order of Battle and amalgamated with The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own).
(Note: In the Canadian Army "perpetuation" is used only with respect to units of the War of 1812 and World War I.)
Captain Mowat - Cap badge
The numbered CFA cap badge (68th Bty number with leaves surrounding the gun) was, almost certainly, never worn in France or in Russia.
The badges were privately purchased by CFA units in Canada and were ordered to be removed and replaced with the issue CFA badge in Valcartier, or on board a ship, or in England.
There are several photographs of Boorman's Battery / 68th O/S Depot Battery wearing the 68th numbered while in Vancouver.
In Russia, the NREF Canadian gunners wore the standard issue brass CFA cap badge.
The cloth gun badge was probably worn on the Snr NCO sleeve in Russia, but there is no photographic evidence of it being worn on headgear. There are several photographs showing the standard issue CFA badge being worn by Canadian gunners in Russia.
In the future we should remove the numbered 68th Bty badge from the Mowat display. It belongs more properly with items related to the Boorman Battery / 68th O/S Depot Battery collection.
The numbered CFA cap badge (68th Bty number with leaves surrounding the gun) was, almost certainly, never worn in France or in Russia.
The badges were privately purchased by CFA units in Canada and were ordered to be removed and replaced with the issue CFA badge in Valcartier, or on board a ship, or in England.
There are several photographs of Boorman's Battery / 68th O/S Depot Battery wearing the 68th numbered while in Vancouver.
In Russia, the NREF Canadian gunners wore the standard issue brass CFA cap badge.
The cloth gun badge was probably worn on the Snr NCO sleeve in Russia, but there is no photographic evidence of it being worn on headgear. There are several photographs showing the standard issue CFA badge being worn by Canadian gunners in Russia.
In the future we should remove the numbered 68th Bty badge from the Mowat display. It belongs more properly with items related to the Boorman Battery / 68th O/S Depot Battery collection.
Honours Shield of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
I see what you mean, the history of the 5th Siege and 31st Batteries are distinguished and should be presented - your publication is a good start. The CO spoke about creating something for the parade square... If I may, at the start, and through the three years from an idea to completion, the quick one-minute parade square Regimental history read plaque was titled 'Honours Shield of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery'. I've attached a master copy of the Honours Shield for your publication.
I see what you mean, the history of the 5th Siege and 31st Batteries are distinguished and should be presented - your publication is a good start. The CO spoke about creating something for the parade square... If I may, at the start, and through the three years from an idea to completion, the quick one-minute parade square Regimental history read plaque was titled 'Honours Shield of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery'. I've attached a master copy of the Honours Shield for your publication.
Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess Door Plaque
It was originally presented to CWO Yano by Sgt Wishnicki while on Class C leave from 1 RCHA. It was presented during Soldiers' Christmas Dinner and was originally secured above the bar. It was moved to the front door during the remodelling of the Mess.
It was originally presented to CWO Yano by Sgt Wishnicki while on Class C leave from 1 RCHA. It was presented during Soldiers' Christmas Dinner and was originally secured above the bar. It was moved to the front door during the remodelling of the Mess.
Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess Beer Mugs
The beer mug tradition was changed by Regimental Sergeant Major Dempsey. The beer mugs are now issued to members the moment they become members of the Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess.
The beer mug tradition was changed by Regimental Sergeant Major Dempsey. The beer mugs are now issued to members the moment they become members of the Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess.
Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess M777
To be changed to read Presented to WOs and Sgts Mess by RSM CWO Wishnicki (Not Captain) on his relinquishing his appointment as RSM and transferring to 39 CBG.
To be changed to read Presented to WOs and Sgts Mess by RSM CWO Wishnicki (Not Captain) on his relinquishing his appointment as RSM and transferring to 39 CBG.
Large Cloth Canadian Flag flying above Parade Square
Presented to CWO Rob Wishnicki by Abbotsford Fire and Rescue Dept for assisting them to conduct a full regimental Funeral for one of their fallen - Captain Larabee. It was suggested to the CO, LCol Jim Barrett that it be donated to the unit and hung on the parade square. It was scotch guarded and hung in Nov 2007.
Presented to CWO Rob Wishnicki by Abbotsford Fire and Rescue Dept for assisting them to conduct a full regimental Funeral for one of their fallen - Captain Larabee. It was suggested to the CO, LCol Jim Barrett that it be donated to the unit and hung on the parade square. It was scotch guarded and hung in Nov 2007.
Afghanistan – Commemoration to all those that volunteered from the unit to serve in Afghanistan. Presented by Captain Rob Wishnicki. Details to follow. Should read: OP ATHENA/OP ARCHER/OP ATTENTION
Maj I Watt, Capt D Lamb, Capt B Purcell, Capt R Wishnicki, Capt T Yoo, WO R Tennant, Sgt A Coleman, Sgt G Kurtagic, MBdr C Godsoe, Bdr Y Bolgak; Bdr M Coles, Bdr A Dyke, Bdr J Farquhar, Cpl G Fleischer, Bdr R Hill, Bdr I Ho, Bdr K Hodgson, Bdr K Keene, Bdr B Lippert, Bdr D Pare, Bdr C Parker, Bdr R Pryce, Bdr J Rozario, Bdr D Scott, Bdr T Spruston, Bdr D Sylka
Presented to all ranks of 15th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery by Captain R Wishnicki on completion of Canada’s last rotation to Afghanistan.
Maj I Watt, Capt D Lamb, Capt B Purcell, Capt R Wishnicki, Capt T Yoo, WO R Tennant, Sgt A Coleman, Sgt G Kurtagic, MBdr C Godsoe, Bdr Y Bolgak; Bdr M Coles, Bdr A Dyke, Bdr J Farquhar, Cpl G Fleischer, Bdr R Hill, Bdr I Ho, Bdr K Hodgson, Bdr K Keene, Bdr B Lippert, Bdr D Pare, Bdr C Parker, Bdr R Pryce, Bdr J Rozario, Bdr D Scott, Bdr T Spruston, Bdr D Sylka
Presented to all ranks of 15th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery by Captain R Wishnicki on completion of Canada’s last rotation to Afghanistan.
Officers' Mess Gong - List to be updated as follows: Officer's Mess Gong - Large Russian Naval swaged (narrowed at the delivery end) and this portion was cut off. Inscribed: Presented to The OFFICERS MESS 15th Field Brigade CA by Major HM Reynolds 1933 MEMBERS Column 1 WA TOWNSLEY J GOWER NJ DEGRAVES JE PIERCY CT BATTEN HH WALLACE GYL CROSSLEY FW GUERNSEY KW HICKS NF SMITH R WALKEM CK ROSEBRUGH AP BENNETT AL MACINNES CF HILLARY AW PUTTICK RD KIMMOND PC TEES BLAKE WILSON EJD EDMONDS E FOX N DARLING AG RAUE WR ROBERTSON MM CHAMPLIN R WHEELER R CHANDLER JD OVERHOLT WERM STONE RB KER VM McKENNA RH JORGENSON AE McB BELL-IRVING WRR BRADLEY G BIDDLE R HUNTER HRE SMITH D NEWSON -------- FC UNDERHILL TL HARRISON WF OSBURN WR HARVEY GM LETSON JR McCREERY JD ROSS WG PURDY JC OSWALD JD GIBSON WJ JEFFRIES CB McALLISTER DC RICARDO AJ COWAN MK CROCKETT CC LOCKE EF THRUSSELL WS DAY GF HOMER CA RYAN T TODRICK AR TOWNSLEY TStG MAUNSEL CR BURTON JA GANSHORN CL CURTIS-WILLSON JA ROSEWARM FA SIMMONS FG MORSE TA MILLNER JF TENER A PURCELL JC POOLE ED BLAKE FA RAMSAY JM McDIARMID WAS CLAYTON WL BACK HVN BANKES AG MACDOUGALL JA HOBDAY C FITZGERALD CA MACGILLIVRAY ML ALLAN HW SELBIE CH GREENWAY AM McGAVIN AC SETTERFIELD AM INCH AL FOREMAN PR WILSON AB RUSS JH BRICKER EH OSWELL AO HOOD GE LANGLEY FC WHITEHEAD DK BROWN GH DAVIDSON NM PENNY JG WATSON JE WHITTLES AG RIX DM FRASER JGA HUTCHESON HD ARNOLD HF JONES R VINEY MOF CARTWRIGHT DL THOMAS Column 2 GO MATTHEWS FT KEELING FH COTTRELL EJ KING JE EDES WN McDONALD HF HARRIS GV ATKINS JR MITCHEL BC ERRIDGE RA McLACHLAN SN COLCOME GR PARROTT RR ATKINS JEA KANIA HL RAY TE COLLINS DC ELLIS JB WATSON GP LYONS N ATTWATERS JAS SUTTIS WH DECEW LRJ PALMER GA FINNSSON VL DRYER EL WATKINS JM FORSYTH JG CHUTTER MHS PENHALE MP BOGERT FR GRAHAM C VOKES T INGLEDOW FRED B BROWN FC GARRETT DMM GOLDIE B LONGON IR SEYMOUR GM BENNETT ER HOSKINSON R CONCHIE IB WHITELAW EC SHORT AK HOWIE CR FORD VM FORD PE BARTON RGW BURRIDGE ST MCDONALD LD KORNDER C FLETCHER-WOOD RA ID NEWBY RE MUGFORD DL HAWLEY GS WOLOSKI LD McDONALD PG WILLIMOTT EE JOHNSON RA SAMPSON VW LASCHUK LH KUNG CJ GRAY JT CARTER CI YOUNG DB HARRISON DB KILOH R STOBBE P MIRKO D BROWN R MARSDEN BJ FARQUHARSON R PARENT R FORD PM ERWIN JA JESSOP S CONNOLLY KEM STONE JE HAWTHORNE PN MOOGK AR JEWELLS GR WATSON DL ANDERSON PL FALISZEWSKI JG McGREGOR DB DRYSDALE DS FRIEDSAM ST MCDONALD GW STEWART LM ULLYETT EG BRYCE NH CONNOLLY EB BRYN-JONES M DELMOTTE LA MACKENZIE WA MACMILLAN DB WINTERS SR BURRIDGE AT WOO PG WORT WJ AMOS RR MATHEWS GA McCREADY KA WICKENS R SEILER R VAN SLYKE K GODFREY JS BROWNLEE-BAKER Column 3 PN RUSSELL AG THOMAS GF BLYTH GT JAMIESON HC FLETT WD ELSDON MJ GORDON JE NORTHFIELD K RINDAL RC LAMB ER PELLANT TD ECKFORD HS RANDALL ES MCGOWAN AJ THOMPSON JVW ALEXANDER HE MANNING WF SUNDERLAND JR LANSDELL A McKIE GCD STUART W TOOMBES PJ ARNOLD WALLINGER FHS CLARK RS GALBRAITH F KENNELLY SE STEPAN HEB THOMAS SE HAYDOCK DR HARVEY KO LODGE JL REID JB ANDERSON SA MAITLAND DW EVERETT TW TAYLOR CV HALLET JI FRANCIS A LANGMUIR DL PEARSON RS PHILLIPS FK BROWN HM HAZELWOOD DB HENRY DB ROBERTSON DW LENNOX TC O’BRIEN JWM CLARK PJ JONES RH SPRING J BROWN DR PENMAN GJE HALL APB DUMOULIN RWM DAVIDSON LW HARTWELL TJ McMAHON J BEST IG WEISS G GAMBLE DV UPTON AB MATHEWS GR PERCY RW ELLIOTT Column 4 WFG MARTYN P LEE BA SMITH H DOWNEY WH HALL N WATTS L JENSEN DP GAYTON S TRIFONAS M ARDLEY R MILLER G HAMILTON-BROWN DO RINTJEMA R BOWER D SCOTT R WEBSTER AJ PELL KJ BURNS IP SCHOLL DB LAMB S WATKINS D MONTROSE G PLUNKETT S WALDMAN I SKUCE R TYLER J MORTLOCK C BYRNE JE COLLING JP DORRIS CR CAMPBELL B PURCELL CJ EVANS JE McGUIRE DS KUHN NRR DYKES SA GRAHAM J TAI C HUI EW CHAN RT HELINA AW GRIEVE RS BREKKE JC GIRARDI GD DENIS PJP LAJOIE AS PETERS IC WATT JD BARRETT EC LAXTON CST GODSOE TH YOO
LM HAVEMAN MJ MAASSEN DR BANNON WP BOSSENCE RA POTTS IA YALL IM OCEGUERA H TOMBING KE WALKER WA BAXTER RT JONES R PRASAD JR MORRISON MG STAPLES S FILYK MR ROSALES CH PURDON JHL TAM RG WISHNICKI JK KOH CN LIFE D HEYDENRYCH ZS CATERINI TJ PAUL GM DEMPSEY M FARAHBAKHSH JD KIVITIS CLE McHUGH L LLOYD JY LEE M FRANCIS AD TANGUAY M DELVO P ZHANG Column 5 RJ WEBSTER TAG CONNOR J KIRSTIUK ER HOSKINSON RV STEVENSON PJ BROWNE WH SUTHERLAND HSM PORTER JT PENNINGTON VWB HAMILTON RS ABBOTT HE CROSS RA ANSELL WT WICKETT LE OSTRUM HJ HARTNAGEL TJ McD CLARK JW BISHOP DA AMES GJ BAILEY JF HOUSSIN CF LOEWEN WS BRODIE G ENGLISH KA DICKJC GRIFFITHS EG BROOKS HWJ PECK PC CLEGG JM REYNOLDS WRK MATTERSON FG DITCHBURN WJG BLAIR WS THACKRAY LHJ COOK W McCARTHY FG PATCHELL DG LOGAN GH CLERKSON Column 6 RT DUMOULIN EA ROYCE NR McLEOD RB SPRAY EA WOOD KM BECKETT WS JACKSON RJ WALDIE FC GARRETT JKA FOOTE RM CASEMENT WJ SHERMAN FS CARD TG HARRISON JM OUGHTON KM BONNETT CG SMITH GE MESSINGER RC O’MALLEY GM PLATT RH CARSWELL HC MILLER WH BELL WR DUNWELL RN KEEN GT BELL NF BUSHELL DMM GOLDIE DH MAPLETON CB LOEWEN EB PARKER BA CLEMONS PR COLLING MP ELLIS R MANKIN LA STRIKE WW BLACKHALL BG MORTON WJ MURDOCH JV KENNEDY LF BURTON W ROBINSON P ROBERTSON WAB ANDERSON SIR ROBERT MANSERGH PAS TODD EG BROOKS JP CARNEY MA CASEY JM PRESTON WJ BASARABA AE GEE DJ ANDERSON PJ SCHERGEE B TORPY R WILLIAMS B KILEY A ZBAP R GUTTERIDGE
LM HAVEMAN MJ MAASSEN DR BANNON WP BOSSENCE RA POTTS IA YALL IM OCEGUERA H TOMBING KE WALKER WA BAXTER RT JONES R PRASAD JR MORRISON MG STAPLES S FILYK MR ROSALES CH PURDON JHL TAM RG WISHNICKI JK KOH CN LIFE D HEYDENRYCH ZS CATERINI TJ PAUL GM DEMPSEY M FARAHBAKHSH JD KIVITIS CLE McHUGH L LLOYD JY LEE M FRANCIS AD TANGUAY M DELVO P ZHANG Column 5 RJ WEBSTER TAG CONNOR J KIRSTIUK ER HOSKINSON RV STEVENSON PJ BROWNE WH SUTHERLAND HSM PORTER JT PENNINGTON VWB HAMILTON RS ABBOTT HE CROSS RA ANSELL WT WICKETT LE OSTRUM HJ HARTNAGEL TJ McD CLARK JW BISHOP DA AMES GJ BAILEY JF HOUSSIN CF LOEWEN WS BRODIE G ENGLISH KA DICKJC GRIFFITHS EG BROOKS HWJ PECK PC CLEGG JM REYNOLDS WRK MATTERSON FG DITCHBURN WJG BLAIR WS THACKRAY LHJ COOK W McCARTHY FG PATCHELL DG LOGAN GH CLERKSON Column 6 RT DUMOULIN EA ROYCE NR McLEOD RB SPRAY EA WOOD KM BECKETT WS JACKSON RJ WALDIE FC GARRETT JKA FOOTE RM CASEMENT WJ SHERMAN FS CARD TG HARRISON JM OUGHTON KM BONNETT CG SMITH GE MESSINGER RC O’MALLEY GM PLATT RH CARSWELL HC MILLER WH BELL WR DUNWELL RN KEEN GT BELL NF BUSHELL DMM GOLDIE DH MAPLETON CB LOEWEN EB PARKER BA CLEMONS PR COLLING MP ELLIS R MANKIN LA STRIKE WW BLACKHALL BG MORTON WJ MURDOCH JV KENNEDY LF BURTON W ROBINSON P ROBERTSON WAB ANDERSON SIR ROBERT MANSERGH PAS TODD EG BROOKS JP CARNEY MA CASEY JM PRESTON WJ BASARABA AE GEE DJ ANDERSON PJ SCHERGEE B TORPY R WILLIAMS B KILEY A ZBAP R GUTTERIDGE
Warrant Officers and Sergeants' Mess Plaques - Sergeant (ret'd) Keith Laing was reviewing the Artifacts Booklet draft and noticed the unit plaques were not included. Keith paid for the 158 Battery shield and Warrant Officer (ret'd) Mike Meehan paid for the 209 Battery shield, both produced by Captain Bill Amos and both donated after the Regiment was re-organized and those Batteries were merged/re-named. He said others donated the other sub-unit plaque(s). Photographs were taken in 2004 and the plaques are now stored in the closet. We'll have to track them down and take some new photos.
Warrant Officers and Sergeants' Mess Plaques - Fresh photos were taken of the plaques
Officers' Mess Beam Decor
The Officers' Mess has a tradition where individuals may affix a regimental icon to one of the ceiling beams. The main caveat is that no mechanical device may be used to reach that height but you may have assistance from other members. The activity usually takes place after a mess dinner and requires the construction of a human ladder. An inventory of the items on the beam has never been done (to my knowledge) so here's the first attempt. Can you provide some insight into any of the names or items?
The Officers' Mess has a tradition where individuals may affix a regimental icon to one of the ceiling beams. The main caveat is that no mechanical device may be used to reach that height but you may have assistance from other members. The activity usually takes place after a mess dinner and requires the construction of a human ladder. An inventory of the items on the beam has never been done (to my knowledge) so here's the first attempt. Can you provide some insight into any of the names or items?
One of the aims of this booklet is to capture, in print, some of the many unwritten regimental stories before the holders of those stories move on. A recent story that has just surfaced is that of Captain Hoskinson's mural at the west end of the armoury.
The original story that I was aware of was that:
Camp Shilo Painting - The Regiment was fortunate to have Captain Edward (Ted) R Hoskinson CD RCA in the unit. An artist, painting, sculpting and photography, he served with the 5th Anti-Tank Regiment RCA CASF during the Second World War and was mentioned in despatches. After the war he served with the 34th Field Regiment RCA, the 15th Field Regiment RCA and the Royal Canadian Army Pay Corps. The Camp Shilo painting depicts the Regiment on exercise in Shilo in the mid-sixties when it was equipped with the 25 Pounder Gun. It was originally hung on the east wall of the Junior Ranks Club until renovations required it to be moved.
The more complete, accurate story is as follows:
Camp Shio Mural - The Regiment was fortunate to have Captain Edward (Ted) R Hoskinson CD RCA in the unit. An artist, painting, sculpting and photography, he served with the 5th Anti-Tank Regiment RCA CASF during the Second World War and was mentioned in despatches. After the war he served with the 34th Field Regiment RCA, the 15th Field Regiment RCA and the Royal Canadian Army Pay Corps.
Captain Edward (Ted) R Hoskinson approached Corporal Joe Phelan, the President of the Junior Ranks Mess Committee, in 1969 with an offer to paint a mural for the Junior Ranks Club if the Mess paid for the $100 cost of the supplies required. Corporal Phelan thought that a mural would be a great way to enhance the atmosphere of the Mess. Unfortunately, the motion to commission was defeated in the 1970 Mess meeting. In 1971, Corporal Phelan tasked the Vice PMC, Bombardier Mike Meehan, to discuss the mural in greater detail with Captain Hoskinson. The motion was then proposed again by the Vice PMC with Corporal Phelan’s support and passed.
The mural depicts the Regiment on exercise in Shilo firing the 105mm C1A1 howitzer during the 1960s. Captain Hoskinson completed the mural the summer of 1971 and it was hung on the east wall of the Junior Ranks Club, covering the entire wall from North to South. The subsequent addition of classrooms in the northeast corner of Bessborough Armoury included a fire escape leading to the north alley. This addition required the use of a portion of the east wall and it was decided to relocate the mural to a prominent position on the inside wall of the armoury rather than trim it’s width.
The original story that I was aware of was that:
Camp Shilo Painting - The Regiment was fortunate to have Captain Edward (Ted) R Hoskinson CD RCA in the unit. An artist, painting, sculpting and photography, he served with the 5th Anti-Tank Regiment RCA CASF during the Second World War and was mentioned in despatches. After the war he served with the 34th Field Regiment RCA, the 15th Field Regiment RCA and the Royal Canadian Army Pay Corps. The Camp Shilo painting depicts the Regiment on exercise in Shilo in the mid-sixties when it was equipped with the 25 Pounder Gun. It was originally hung on the east wall of the Junior Ranks Club until renovations required it to be moved.
The more complete, accurate story is as follows:
Camp Shio Mural - The Regiment was fortunate to have Captain Edward (Ted) R Hoskinson CD RCA in the unit. An artist, painting, sculpting and photography, he served with the 5th Anti-Tank Regiment RCA CASF during the Second World War and was mentioned in despatches. After the war he served with the 34th Field Regiment RCA, the 15th Field Regiment RCA and the Royal Canadian Army Pay Corps.
Captain Edward (Ted) R Hoskinson approached Corporal Joe Phelan, the President of the Junior Ranks Mess Committee, in 1969 with an offer to paint a mural for the Junior Ranks Club if the Mess paid for the $100 cost of the supplies required. Corporal Phelan thought that a mural would be a great way to enhance the atmosphere of the Mess. Unfortunately, the motion to commission was defeated in the 1970 Mess meeting. In 1971, Corporal Phelan tasked the Vice PMC, Bombardier Mike Meehan, to discuss the mural in greater detail with Captain Hoskinson. The motion was then proposed again by the Vice PMC with Corporal Phelan’s support and passed.
The mural depicts the Regiment on exercise in Shilo firing the 105mm C1A1 howitzer during the 1960s. Captain Hoskinson completed the mural the summer of 1971 and it was hung on the east wall of the Junior Ranks Club, covering the entire wall from North to South. The subsequent addition of classrooms in the northeast corner of Bessborough Armoury included a fire escape leading to the north alley. This addition required the use of a portion of the east wall and it was decided to relocate the mural to a prominent position on the inside wall of the armoury rather than trim it’s width.