Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers
Congratulations to a former Commanding Officer of 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA who was recently presented the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers by the Honorary Colonel of The British Columbia Regiment (DCO). The medal is awarded “In recognition of...significant volunteer contributions”, which aptly describes Major Jim Barrett! Jim took a reduction in rank in order to continue his military service and is currently the Commanding Officer of 3300 BCR (Bhai Kanhaiya) RCACC. Good Shooting! See more... Langley Volunteer of the Year
Came across an article about former Lieutenant, Mark Ardley, receiving Langley's Volunteer of the Year Award in 2006. One thing leads to another and I see that Mark was working for CSB Systems in 2003. Well done, Mark! Good Evening, I hope this finds you and your families well and safe. One of our friends and colleagues, Major (Ret’d) Ronald Mathews MStJ, CD, MSc, recently passed away from complications due to his four year fight with Cancer. Ron had dedicated his life to the service of others and to his country. Volunteering as a member of the CAF (Reserve Army) in 30th and 15th Field Regiments (RCA), Saint John Ambulance and finally retiring from 12 Service Battalion as the Deputy Commanding Officer in 2015. His time also included a deployment to Bosnia as a UN peacekeeper. Ron was an original member in the formation of the 39 Service Battalion Regimental Council and a member of the Guild of Waggoneers and Artificers. He will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by all. Ron retired after 30 years, from his work with the Federal Service and RCMP a few years ago but maintain his work with the justice system and emergency services right until the end while still working on his PhD dissertation. Ron will be interned on 26 October 2020 at the Grand mausoleum at Ocean View Burial Park, 1204 – 6455 Willingdon Avenue Burnaby, BC V5H 4E4. For those wishing to attend or wish to say a few words his widow Christine has requested that you contact: Captain Rev. Kenneth K. H. Lo, M.Div. Chaplain / Padre 39 Service Battalion Canadian Armed Forces ChaplainKennethLo@gmail.com / Tel: 604-813-2222 / Fax: 604-238-2302 The Padre will be preparing the guest list for COVID-19 contact tracking requirements. There are 30 spots available for 15th Fd, Saint John Ambulance, 39 Service Battalion and the RCMP to fill. In addition Christine has offer the opportunity, for each of the Units Ron served with, to provide two members in uniform as poll bearers. We offer our condolences to the family and that Ron may rest in peace. Will L.A.R. Watkins, CD LCol (Ret'd) Regimental Secretary 39 Service Battalion Regimental Council See more... Canadian Force Liaison Council (CFLC)
Lieutenant-Colonel Brent Purcell, Regional Liaison Officer, Employer Support, Pacific Region presents a briefing on Employer Support and the CFLC to the Regiment. Arne Knudsen Episode 4 – With the Anti-Tank Regiment in England has now been uploaded. Arne is recruited as a spy for the potential seaborne invasion of Denmark, completes a Commando course and recounts his time on leave in England. Check out Episode 4 here.
The year 1928 turned out to be a very newsworthy year for Artillery in Vancouver. There was the first announcement that a new Armoury was being considered for Kerrisdale, a large naval parade in Vancouver, the Armistice Day parade, a Vancouver visit from Lieutenant Loewen, a dance in the Officers' Mess, Battery Dinner with the 68th Battery and training in Sarcee. There was also tragic news, not directly with the Brigade, but artillery related - the death of a former Gunner, a range accident in Scotland and the discovery of a live round at a picnic in Tacoma.
There's also an interesting article about transporting cavalry by truck and excerpts from Major-General Morrison's diaries . Check out all the stories from 1928 here. The online nominal roll has been re-aligned with additional pages added to ensure that each page does not slow down due to having too much information. There are 5,081 names of soldiers that have been a member of 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA and the units that it perpetuates. This an increase of 690 since April 2020!
An updated excel sheet has been included on the nominal roll page here. Is your information correct? Would you like to work on the nominal roll project? contact me at president.vcrgunners@gmail.com Battery Sergeant Major Creswick Claude Whebell, DCM enlisted with the 68th Overseas Depot Battery on 25 April 1916. He had twelve years previous service with the Royal Field Artillery. The Distinguished Conduct Medal was awarded during his service with the 5th Canadian Divisional Artillery Column and the citation reads:
He has shown consistent courage and resourcefulness during shelling and bombing, particularly at La Folies, Vis-en-Artois and Feounlon Wood. On 30th August, 1918 at Arras, when men and horses of his section were killed and wounded by shellfire, he showed great initiative when moving the section and undoubtedly saved several casualties. Check out the Honours and Awards page here. Gunner Ivan Jeffrey Stephen, MM enlisted with the 15th Overseas Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery on 4 May 1916. He was a member of 58th Battery, 14th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force when awarded the Military Medal. There were no details recorded on his citation card. If anyone happens to have a copy of the 14th Brigade War Diary, please check to see if Gunner Stephen is mentioned.
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