as at 18 August 2026
Lieutenant-Colonel Douglas Hinch Storms OBE MC
Lieutenant-Colonel Storms served with the Royal Canadian Artillery in the last Great War from 1914 to 1919. He was appointed to command the 4th Battalion, Royal Canadian Engineers, in June 1941 and proceeded overseas with this unit in September of that year. He was subsequently appointed Chief Royal Engineer, 3 Canadian Division in February 1942 and carried out the duties of this appointment with credit and ability until selected for his present appointment as Chief Royal Engineer, First Canadian Army Troops in January 1943.
In addition to performing his normal military duties in an eminently efficient manner, this officer had charge of the construction of the Canadian Base Ordnance Workshops. This large job was successfully completed in a remarkably short space of time, under difficult conditions of weather and supply of plant and materials. The credit for this is mainly due to this officer's energetic organizing ability and the skilful way in which he superintended the construction and was able to obtain the necessary plant and to overcome the difficulties of maintaining an adequate supply of construction materials from many different sources.
Lieutenant-Colonel Storms served with the Royal Canadian Artillery in the last Great War from 1914 to 1919. He was appointed to command the 4th Battalion, Royal Canadian Engineers, in June 1941 and proceeded overseas with this unit in September of that year. He was subsequently appointed Chief Royal Engineer, 3 Canadian Division in February 1942 and carried out the duties of this appointment with credit and ability until selected for his present appointment as Chief Royal Engineer, First Canadian Army Troops in January 1943.
In addition to performing his normal military duties in an eminently efficient manner, this officer had charge of the construction of the Canadian Base Ordnance Workshops. This large job was successfully completed in a remarkably short space of time, under difficult conditions of weather and supply of plant and materials. The credit for this is mainly due to this officer's energetic organizing ability and the skilful way in which he superintended the construction and was able to obtain the necessary plant and to overcome the difficulties of maintaining an adequate supply of construction materials from many different sources.
Brigadier Douglas Hinch Storms CBE MC
Brigadier Storms has been in command not only of Canadian engineer units on the line of communication, but also some eight thousand Royal Air Force construction personnel who were but partially trained for active service conditions and short of officers. He has by his quite outstanding personality, drive and organizing power, forced exceptionally good results from his numerous, varied and very scattered units. Always cheerful and full of energy he has shown himself to be a very fine leader and engineer, admired by all serving under him and to be trusted always to carry out any task allotted to him.
Brigadier Storms has been in command not only of Canadian engineer units on the line of communication, but also some eight thousand Royal Air Force construction personnel who were but partially trained for active service conditions and short of officers. He has by his quite outstanding personality, drive and organizing power, forced exceptionally good results from his numerous, varied and very scattered units. Always cheerful and full of energy he has shown himself to be a very fine leader and engineer, admired by all serving under him and to be trusted always to carry out any task allotted to him.
Lieutenant-Colonel Aeneas E. McBean Bell-Irving OBE ED
This officer served in the Great War and in the Non-Permanent Active Militia until the outbreak of this war. He has worked unceasingly to bring the Canadian Anti-Aircraft Artillery to a state of maximum efficiency. His reliability and leadership are of the highest order and his energy and persistence have made an outstanding contribution to the development of equipment and anti-aircraft methods in the Canadian Army. When deployed to protect a south coast town his regiment shot down one aircraft in their first engagement against low-level bombers and forced five others to withdraw without dropping their bombs.
This officer served in the Great War and in the Non-Permanent Active Militia until the outbreak of this war. He has worked unceasingly to bring the Canadian Anti-Aircraft Artillery to a state of maximum efficiency. His reliability and leadership are of the highest order and his energy and persistence have made an outstanding contribution to the development of equipment and anti-aircraft methods in the Canadian Army. When deployed to protect a south coast town his regiment shot down one aircraft in their first engagement against low-level bombers and forced five others to withdraw without dropping their bombs.
Colonel William Allen Townsley OBE MC ED
This officer was born in December 1894. He served with distinction during the last war, being Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Military Cross. He took an active part in the reorganization and training of the Non-Permanent Active Militia from 1920 to 1939, his battery winning the Governor-General's Trophy on several occasions. He reverted to the rank of Major to proceed overseas as second-in-command 8 Army Field Regiment in February 1940. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel commanding 2nd Medium Regiment in January 1942 and Acting Colonel to command No.1 Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit in May 1943. His outstanding energy and devotion to duty has done much to raise the standard and training of the Canadian Artillery. He is above as an officer.
This officer was born in December 1894. He served with distinction during the last war, being Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Military Cross. He took an active part in the reorganization and training of the Non-Permanent Active Militia from 1920 to 1939, his battery winning the Governor-General's Trophy on several occasions. He reverted to the rank of Major to proceed overseas as second-in-command 8 Army Field Regiment in February 1940. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel commanding 2nd Medium Regiment in January 1942 and Acting Colonel to command No.1 Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit in May 1943. His outstanding energy and devotion to duty has done much to raise the standard and training of the Canadian Artillery. He is above as an officer.
Major Gordon Younghusband Linsey Crossley MBE ED
This officer served during the last war from 1915-1919. He has served continuously in the Non-Permanent Active Militia from 1925 until 1939 when he volunteered with his regiment, 15 (British Columbia) Coast Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery for active service. He has served continuously since 1939 wherever his ability and knowledge could be used to the best advantage. This officer is enthusiastic, an energetic and tireless worker, very loyal and co-operative. His one aim throughout his service has been to do everything possible for the good of the service, not only as a Non-Permanent Active Militia gunner officer but also during this present war.
This officer served during the last war from 1915-1919. He has served continuously in the Non-Permanent Active Militia from 1925 until 1939 when he volunteered with his regiment, 15 (British Columbia) Coast Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery for active service. He has served continuously since 1939 wherever his ability and knowledge could be used to the best advantage. This officer is enthusiastic, an energetic and tireless worker, very loyal and co-operative. His one aim throughout his service has been to do everything possible for the good of the service, not only as a Non-Permanent Active Militia gunner officer but also during this present war.
Warrant Officer Class I Charles Henry Peter Trappitt MBE
On 28 September 1944 this Warrant Officer was in command of a party detailed to carry out a special search at a prisoners of war camp. When the search had been in progress for a short time a threatening mob of prisoners of war collected at the doors and windows of the hut in which the party was working. In spite of the dangerous situation which rapidly developed, this Warrant Officer continued the search and found a matchbox and bottle which appeared to contain valuable material. This discovery was the signal for a violent outburst and a number of prisoners forced their way into the building. The situation became critical and the party was forced to retire through a crowd of yelling and threatening prisoners of war, who subjected them to insults and kicks, and snatched from them documents which had been seized. Quartermaster-Sergeant Trappitt hid the matchbox and the bottle in his clothing and succeeded in bringing them out safely. They were later found to contain material of great importance to intelligence. This Warrant Officer displayed coolness and determination of a high order in a very difficult situation and under circumstances involving great personal risk. His example enabled an important task to be successfully completed.
On 28 September 1944 this Warrant Officer was in command of a party detailed to carry out a special search at a prisoners of war camp. When the search had been in progress for a short time a threatening mob of prisoners of war collected at the doors and windows of the hut in which the party was working. In spite of the dangerous situation which rapidly developed, this Warrant Officer continued the search and found a matchbox and bottle which appeared to contain valuable material. This discovery was the signal for a violent outburst and a number of prisoners forced their way into the building. The situation became critical and the party was forced to retire through a crowd of yelling and threatening prisoners of war, who subjected them to insults and kicks, and snatched from them documents which had been seized. Quartermaster-Sergeant Trappitt hid the matchbox and the bottle in his clothing and succeeded in bringing them out safely. They were later found to contain material of great importance to intelligence. This Warrant Officer displayed coolness and determination of a high order in a very difficult situation and under circumstances involving great personal risk. His example enabled an important task to be successfully completed.
Colonel Robert Dimma Travis MBE
This officer enlisted in 58 Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery in 1916, proceeding to England in August of that year and to France in January 1917. He was later transferred to 5 and 62 Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery. He was recommended for his commission in the field and was attending a qualifying course in England in November 1918. He returned to Canada as Lieutenant and was demobilized in February 1919. He joined 1 Battalion, Canadian Scottish Regiment as a Lieutenant in 1922 and served continuously in that unit for 17 years rising to the rank of Major in 1932. He qualified at the Military Staff Course and was to command the regiment when the war broke out. This officer proceeded to England as Second-in-Command of his battalion in 1940 and returned to Canada as an instructor in 1942. He was employed with Basic Training Centres, then as Major Second-in-Command and Acting Officer Commanding, Prince Albert and Battleford Volunteers until November 1943 when he was transferred to Debert as Second-in-Command No.3 Infantry Training Brigade. He was appointed Brigade Major 1 Training Brigade Group in February 1944 and is still holding that appointment. This officer is an outstanding athlete, who has given long and faithful service to his country. He is keen, efficient and loyal. His untiring efforts to organize and supervise the complex training being done at Debert deserves the highest praise. It is largely due to his refusal to be discouraged by difficulties plus his drive and tact that the training at Debert continues at its high level.
This officer enlisted in 58 Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery in 1916, proceeding to England in August of that year and to France in January 1917. He was later transferred to 5 and 62 Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery. He was recommended for his commission in the field and was attending a qualifying course in England in November 1918. He returned to Canada as Lieutenant and was demobilized in February 1919. He joined 1 Battalion, Canadian Scottish Regiment as a Lieutenant in 1922 and served continuously in that unit for 17 years rising to the rank of Major in 1932. He qualified at the Military Staff Course and was to command the regiment when the war broke out. This officer proceeded to England as Second-in-Command of his battalion in 1940 and returned to Canada as an instructor in 1942. He was employed with Basic Training Centres, then as Major Second-in-Command and Acting Officer Commanding, Prince Albert and Battleford Volunteers until November 1943 when he was transferred to Debert as Second-in-Command No.3 Infantry Training Brigade. He was appointed Brigade Major 1 Training Brigade Group in February 1944 and is still holding that appointment. This officer is an outstanding athlete, who has given long and faithful service to his country. He is keen, efficient and loyal. His untiring efforts to organize and supervise the complex training being done at Debert deserves the highest praise. It is largely due to his refusal to be discouraged by difficulties plus his drive and tact that the training at Debert continues at its high level.
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
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