Artillery Day Tour - 26 May 2017
The Vancouver Artillery Association (The Vancouver Gunners) commemorated Artillery Day with the organization of a tour through the Lower Mainland with stops to raise the Artillery flag at selected locations and visits with city leaders.
The tour was hosted by the Vancouver Artillery Association members Leon Jensen, Bob Mugford, Al Woo and Ross Keller. They were joined by members of Western Command Military Vehicle Historical Society Harry Moon and Cary Price who brought along Harry’s 1944 Chevrolet Canadian Military Pattern (CMP) Cargo vehicle and Cary’s 1942 Ford GPW. Due to last minute work requirements there was a sizeable contingent that were unable to make the event which necessitated us not bringing along our own Field Artillery Tractor (FAT) and 3/4 Ton M37. The tour started at Bessborough Armoury for most of us as it is the home of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA, the Lower Mainland’s artillery regiment. Founded in 1920, the regiment traces its lineage back through World War I with its batteries having fought at Vimy Ridge and the North Russian campaign. Construction of the Bessborough Armoury was started in September 1932 and was occupied by the regiment and the British Columbia Hussars the following year.
The tour was hosted by the Vancouver Artillery Association members Leon Jensen, Bob Mugford, Al Woo and Ross Keller. They were joined by members of Western Command Military Vehicle Historical Society Harry Moon and Cary Price who brought along Harry’s 1944 Chevrolet Canadian Military Pattern (CMP) Cargo vehicle and Cary’s 1942 Ford GPW. Due to last minute work requirements there was a sizeable contingent that were unable to make the event which necessitated us not bringing along our own Field Artillery Tractor (FAT) and 3/4 Ton M37. The tour started at Bessborough Armoury for most of us as it is the home of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA, the Lower Mainland’s artillery regiment. Founded in 1920, the regiment traces its lineage back through World War I with its batteries having fought at Vimy Ridge and the North Russian campaign. Construction of the Bessborough Armoury was started in September 1932 and was occupied by the regiment and the British Columbia Hussars the following year.
The City of New Westminster graciously hosted us at their City Hall. Arriving early, we were met by Councillor Lorrie Williams and were invited in for a cup of coffee. Turns out that Ms. Williams has some history with the Canadian Forces, having served as a teacher at Lahr in Germany. She remembers one of her Grade seven students, a certain gentleman currently serving as the Chief of Defence Staff! During the ceremony we were joined by Councillor Bill Harper and the Mayor, Jonathan Coté. His worship was not originally slated to join us as he had a lengthy meeting scheduled. As luck would have it, the meeting was shorter than expected and he made a point of joining us for the flag raising in Friendship Park and a wonderful photograph in Cary’s GPW. A special thanks to Sophie Schreder, the Mayor’s Executive Secretary for arranging the event.
While at New Westminster City Hall we took the opportunity of examining the two 24 pounders mounted out front. These guns had been brought to New Westminster in 1866 for protection during the times of the Fenian Raids which occurred in Eastern Canada and were threatened for the new colony of British Columbia. The guns were manned by the newly formed Seymour Artillery Company and were last reported in service for the Victoria Day salute in 1888. At that time British Columbia had become part of the Dominion of Canada and the Company had been renamed the No. 4 Company of the British Columbia Battalion of Garrison Artillery. The following year, with the guns not available, two junior officers of the battery borrowed anvils from the local blacksmith and fired off the 21 gun salute with gunpowder placed between the anvils, the forerunner of today’s Hyack Anvil Battery. It appears that the 24 pounders need a bit of work on some of their rotting woodwork and the Vancouver Artillery Association intends to contact the Royal Westminster Association and initiate a discussion on the care and preservation of our colours that are located in their city.
While at New Westminster City Hall we took the opportunity of examining the two 24 pounders mounted out front. These guns had been brought to New Westminster in 1866 for protection during the times of the Fenian Raids which occurred in Eastern Canada and were threatened for the new colony of British Columbia. The guns were manned by the newly formed Seymour Artillery Company and were last reported in service for the Victoria Day salute in 1888. At that time British Columbia had become part of the Dominion of Canada and the Company had been renamed the No. 4 Company of the British Columbia Battalion of Garrison Artillery. The following year, with the guns not available, two junior officers of the battery borrowed anvils from the local blacksmith and fired off the 21 gun salute with gunpowder placed between the anvils, the forerunner of today’s Hyack Anvil Battery. It appears that the 24 pounders need a bit of work on some of their rotting woodwork and the Vancouver Artillery Association intends to contact the Royal Westminster Association and initiate a discussion on the care and preservation of our colours that are located in their city.
Our next stop was the Armoury of the Royal Westminster Regiment. Out front there is a cast Iron 64-pounder 71-cwt Converted Rifled Muzzleloading Gun with Millar-pattern breeching ring, mounted on an iron garrison carriage. This gun is very similar to the pair that are mounted out front of the Beatty Street Drill Hall. The gun is from the lower deck of a British Man of War, from redundant stores of the Royal Navy Dockyard sent to Victoria, in 1895 and probably used to equip the No. 4 Company after the 24 pounders were retired. The Royal Westminster Regiment was at minimal manning as many of the soldiers were attending the funeral of Corporal Dustin Bercht. Take a moment to remember a fallen soldier in your thoughts today.
The Westminster Quay was our next stop. Many years ago there were two cannons mounted here and we needed to check up on them this fine Artillery Day. It turns out that the cannons were actually the 24 pounders from City Hall that had been refurbished years ago and moved to their new location. Looks like the Quay is looking for replacement cannons as the mounts and plaques are still in place.
The Westminster Quay was our next stop. Many years ago there were two cannons mounted here and we needed to check up on them this fine Artillery Day. It turns out that the cannons were actually the 24 pounders from City Hall that had been refurbished years ago and moved to their new location. Looks like the Quay is looking for replacement cannons as the mounts and plaques are still in place.
The CMP vehicle gang had made their way through traffic to the Point Grey Fort located at the University of British Columbia. There had been three 6” coastal guns located at the present site of the Museum of Anthropology. The number 1 Gun Position has been cleaned up and restored although there is no actual gun. For next year’s tour we’ll have to arrange for the tunnels to be unlocked. The number 2 Gun Position has been covered over by the museum but its outline is still visible on the interior of the building. For next year’s tour we’ll have to arrange for the tunnels to be unlocked. The number 3 Gun Position is still intact but has been left overgrown.
Their next stop was the Stanley Park Fort where two 6” guns were initially installed. These were later replaced by trading with the 4.7” guns at the Yorke Island Fort. There is a memorial placed at this location and the Stanley Park Teahouse is a remnant of what was an extensive camp area. The concrete cover to the ammunition tunnels is still visible and is on the list for future expeditions.
At the City Hall in Vancouver, Bob and Harry met up with the Deputy Mayor Geoff Meggs for their presentation by the statue of Captain George Vancouver. The City Hall parkade area is undergoing some significant renovations and would be hard pressed to accommodate a Freedom of the City Parade that was held in 1977. A special thanks to Ellen Vaillancourt and Lesley Matthews for making all the arrangements. Especially the weather, I’m sure you guys had something to do with the fantastic weather.
Their next stop was the Stanley Park Fort where two 6” guns were initially installed. These were later replaced by trading with the 4.7” guns at the Yorke Island Fort. There is a memorial placed at this location and the Stanley Park Teahouse is a remnant of what was an extensive camp area. The concrete cover to the ammunition tunnels is still visible and is on the list for future expeditions.
At the City Hall in Vancouver, Bob and Harry met up with the Deputy Mayor Geoff Meggs for their presentation by the statue of Captain George Vancouver. The City Hall parkade area is undergoing some significant renovations and would be hard pressed to accommodate a Freedom of the City Parade that was held in 1977. A special thanks to Ellen Vaillancourt and Lesley Matthews for making all the arrangements. Especially the weather, I’m sure you guys had something to do with the fantastic weather.
Up north at Sayward BC, Ross Keller was raising the Artillery flag with the Deputy Mayor Diane Mason, the Sayward Legion and a host of Friends of the Regiment. Sayward is just across the strait from Yorke Island and was host to many of the Gunners stationed at the Fort. There’s still a ton of history that we need to undercover and the village has been outstanding in their support of the Regiment and it's ongoing search for it's history.
Afterwards, Ross moved on from Sayward over to Yorke Island to raise the flag over the past home of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA with some of his fellow Yorkeys, Brenden Gasner, Tre Keller and Richard Formosa. Artillery Day just wouldn’t be completed without having the Artillery flag fly over all the Forts that the 15th manned during the war. Ross is almost always available for anyone that’s looking to visit Yorke Island. It’s currently a Conservancy of BC Parks with plans in the works to designate it an official Park. The Vancouver Artillery Association was successful in applying for a grant through the British Columbia | Canada 150: Celebrating B.C. Communities and their Contributions to Canada program this year that will assist in ensuring that the Island military history is available for future generations to view and experience.
Afterwards, Ross moved on from Sayward over to Yorke Island to raise the flag over the past home of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA with some of his fellow Yorkeys, Brenden Gasner, Tre Keller and Richard Formosa. Artillery Day just wouldn’t be completed without having the Artillery flag fly over all the Forts that the 15th manned during the war. Ross is almost always available for anyone that’s looking to visit Yorke Island. It’s currently a Conservancy of BC Parks with plans in the works to designate it an official Park. The Vancouver Artillery Association was successful in applying for a grant through the British Columbia | Canada 150: Celebrating B.C. Communities and their Contributions to Canada program this year that will assist in ensuring that the Island military history is available for future generations to view and experience.
We realized we had a little extra time and ran out to White Rock to check up on the 25 pounder sister to the one that is currently used by the Regimental Museum. It seems in reasonably good condition considering it was mounted out front of the White Rock City Hall at the same time we brought the one into Bessborough Armoury for refurbishment. We have a request into the City of White Rock should they wish to return the 25 pounder to its rightful home with the 15th Field Regiment RCA. It wasn’t specifically mentioned in the letter but there may be some room to negotiate the return of the 25 Pounder to the provision of a World War II gun detachment and the firing of the gun as a minute round in future Remembrance Day ceremonies.
Over at the Boundary Bay Airport in Delta, Mayor Lois Jackson came out with support from the president of the Ladner Legion, Al Ridgway, and the Regional Cadet team member Captain Tenhoeve. The Corporation of Delta has done a magnificent job with their cenotaph and their overall commemoration of the air training establishment that built the airport and used it throughout the Second World War. This also includes information on the an anti-aircraft regiment that was stationed at the airfield for protection with 40 mm Bofors. The hanger that’s still standing was home to 85 Battery 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA in the late 1960s and was the first parading location for Colonel Leon Jensen when he joined back in 1970. A special thanks to Dona Packer, the Mayor’s Executive Secretary for arranging all the details, including the powered manlift required to fix the flagpole!
Our last rendezvous was at the site of 58th Battery’s detachment in Steveston. A slight geographical dislocation, a bit of vehicle maintenance and we both ended up at the same location on the dykes where the City of Richmond has set up a fantastic history board about the detachment. In one of the photographs we have a 5 year old Harold Steves dressed in a replica Battle Dress uniform and parading with the Gunners. In a coincidental meeting, Harold Steves wanders over from his house because it’s been forever since he’s seen any Gunners at that location and is wondering what’s going on! Can you imagine! The story gets even better, because Harold is opening his 100 year old house as part of Open Doors Richmond next Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 until 4:00 and he’s planning to replicate a soldiers’ canteen in the basement. Apparently he has a treasure trove of information from the days when 58 Battery was in location. Of course, he’s invited down to our Museum and lunch on the Wednesday of his choosing. We’ll have the tape recorders ready to record all the great stories he has to tell. 2016 Richmond News Remembrance Day issue
Over at the Boundary Bay Airport in Delta, Mayor Lois Jackson came out with support from the president of the Ladner Legion, Al Ridgway, and the Regional Cadet team member Captain Tenhoeve. The Corporation of Delta has done a magnificent job with their cenotaph and their overall commemoration of the air training establishment that built the airport and used it throughout the Second World War. This also includes information on the an anti-aircraft regiment that was stationed at the airfield for protection with 40 mm Bofors. The hanger that’s still standing was home to 85 Battery 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA in the late 1960s and was the first parading location for Colonel Leon Jensen when he joined back in 1970. A special thanks to Dona Packer, the Mayor’s Executive Secretary for arranging all the details, including the powered manlift required to fix the flagpole!
Our last rendezvous was at the site of 58th Battery’s detachment in Steveston. A slight geographical dislocation, a bit of vehicle maintenance and we both ended up at the same location on the dykes where the City of Richmond has set up a fantastic history board about the detachment. In one of the photographs we have a 5 year old Harold Steves dressed in a replica Battle Dress uniform and parading with the Gunners. In a coincidental meeting, Harold Steves wanders over from his house because it’s been forever since he’s seen any Gunners at that location and is wondering what’s going on! Can you imagine! The story gets even better, because Harold is opening his 100 year old house as part of Open Doors Richmond next Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 until 4:00 and he’s planning to replicate a soldiers’ canteen in the basement. Apparently he has a treasure trove of information from the days when 58 Battery was in location. Of course, he’s invited down to our Museum and lunch on the Wednesday of his choosing. We’ll have the tape recorders ready to record all the great stories he has to tell. 2016 Richmond News Remembrance Day issue
Our last move was back to Bessborough Armoury. Of course it’s Friday afternoon rush hour traffic and our 1942 GPW is starting to feel a little rebellious. Good thing we had the CMP behind us because there were a few times we were caught in the intersection with a starter that wasn’t quite cooperating. Somewhat temperamental it was running fine by the time we reached Bessborough. Other than Leon’s facial sunburn, the day was perfect! A special thanks goes out to those that made the Artillery Day 2017 tour such an awesome day. Of significant note are the Mayors and Councillors that were able to take the time out of their busy schedules to meet up with us during our tour. Thank you for assisting us in commemorating the Gunners that have served in your communities. To Bob Mugford, Al Woo, Ross Keller, Harry Moon, Cary Price, Sophie Schreder, Dona Packer, Lesley Matthews, Ellen Vaillancourt, and the countless others behind the scene, thanks for your invaluable help in putting the event together.
