News from the Field Artillery Tractor Detachment
Great news – The Fat and gun stayed at the Hawthorne/Watkins compound near the Abbotsford Airport over the summer while it went from event to event, finishing at the Airshow the weekend before last. While it was there John Hawthorne did some basic maintenance. Changed the oil, lubed the chassis, minor tune up, adjusted the parking brake AND installed permanent turn signals on the FAT and got the brake lights and turns signals working on the gun lighting kit. The signal controller is manual, of course, and the driver has to remember to switch it off after turning, not easy when you are manhandling the steering wheel, shifting gears and watching traffic. It is also very noisy in the cab (not that most of us notice, being Gunners) and it is suggested that we employ a young ‘powder boy’ to ride behind the driver and rap him on the head with a rubber mallet to remind him to turn off the signal after a turn if he does not do so in a timely manner. The FAT and gun returned to the Armoury on Saturday 18 August via the ’All Aboard’ event in Richmond. Another good event, great crowd, lots of interest and pictures. The drive in went well as did the return to the Armoury UNFiCYP - Canadian Guards Second Lieutenant Jack Mortlock was a member of 4th Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in 1965 when he deployed to Cyprus with the Canadian Guards. Thirty one years later he would be appointed Commanding Officer 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA. But first, the Cyrus narrative from the Canadian Guards website... As fall turned to winter we began receiving indications that the Greek Cypriot Militia was becoming restive, believing that an invasion of the northwestern beaches from the Turkish mainland was imminent. They began agitating for access to our outpost on the mountain ridge overlooking the suspected landing site but the OC Whiskey Battery, Major Don Creighton, insistently refused to permit any movement beyond the mandated areas. The pressure for our withdrawal continued to mount and one night, between Christmas and New Years, the outpost commander reported activity approaching his location. The artillery platoon commander, Second-lieutenant Jack Mortlock, moved to the outpost and tried to negotiate the Greek-Cyp Militia’s withdrawal, to no avail. Rather, 2Lt. Mortlock was told that if he didn’t abandon the post the Militia would take it by force. I was the watch-keeper that night and kept a log of the events, which included a call from the CO to UNFICYP HQ advising them of the situation as it escalated, including the request by 2Lt. Mortlock to be able to return fire, if necessary. By this time, UNFICYP HQ had contacted UN New York, advising that the situation had deteriorated and the choice would soon become one of either defending the position by fire or withdrawing with the likely result that the Turkish-Cypriots would react militarily. As the hours passed, with no decision from the authorities in New York -- who were, apparently, attending a party and could not be reached -- the radio calls from 2Lt. Mortlock became increasingly frantic as sporadic small arms fire could be heard in the background. Eventually, in utter frustration, the CO ordered 2Lt. Mortlock to not return fire and withdraw from the position. He reluctantly led his men away from the outpost, taking only their personal weapons. When we eventually got the OP back, after the rumors of a Turkish invasion proved to be nine years too early, all of the Gunners’ property had been stolen and was never recovered. Lt.-Col. Carlson wanted to recommend 2Lt. Mortlock for a valor award but, because the incident happened during ‘peacekeeping’ -- and the Canadian honors and awards systems had yet to be implemented -- none of the criteria were applicable. He did recommend him for a Mentioned in Dispatches but the award was declined by the Commander CANCON, the artillery colonel. Two years later, though, when each infantry battalion was given five Centennial Medals to be awarded to deserving soldiers within the unit, Colonel Carlson awarded one of the 2 Cdn Gds medals to 2Lt. Mortlock of 4RCHA on the grounds that for six months Whiskey Battery had been as much a part of the unit as any of us. But the CO learned a lesson that night; the UN was a fickle bureaucracy which could not be relied upon to make a decision in a crisis. See the remainder of the Canadian Guards Cyprus story here. Lieutenant-Colonel Allan Morton McGavin CD passing away on 8 December 1982 created quite the media coverage. It's interesting to note that little mention is made of his military past.
Sergeant Eric Royal Skaife, MM was a member of 68th Battery, 16th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force when awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. There were no details recorded on his citation card.
Looking into 62nd Field Battery and I came up with the award of the Military Cross to one of it's members after being transferred to the 58th Battery. Lieutenant Joseph Badenoch Clearihue, MC attested into the 62nd Battery, 15th Brigade Canadian Field Artillery in 1916. He transferred to the 51st (Howitzer) Battery, 13th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery in 1917. It was during his service with this unit that he was awarded the Military Cross. His citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Valenciennes on 1st Nov 1918, as liaison officer with the attacking battalion. Throughout the operation and the succeeding days he directed the firing on many strong points and machine gun posts, which were holding up the infantry, sent back reports of great tactical value, and although frequently under very heavy fire, showed the greatest courage and determination in carrying out his duties. In 1916, the 15th Brigade Canadian Field Artillery deployed overseas with the 60th Battery, 61st Battery, 62nd Battery, and 79th Battery. The following year the Brigade was reorganized with 54th, 81st, 82nd and 83rd Batteries. The 60th and 61st Batteries were reassigned to the 14th Brigade, the 62nd was split in half with one-half going to the 51st Battery and the second half to the 58th Battery and the whereabouts of the 79th Battery is still unknown.
On arrival in France the 15th Brigade was again split up with the 54th Battery sent to the 11th Battery and other 3rd Brigade Batteries, the 81st Battery split up between the 18th and 20th Batteries, the 82nd Battery split up between the 22nd and the 23rd Batteries and the 83rd Battery yet to be determined. The 15th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force war diaries are yet to be located. However, we have been able to find photos and information on the members of the 15th brigade from World War I. The 62nd Battery group photo has been posted in the 1916 Yearbook. Can you identify other members of the Battery? |
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