Bombardier (ret'd) Doug Loney's Brother in law, George Tufnail, did a great recreation of our FAT! Check out the story in the 2020 yearbook.

​The story begins with the name on a list of members in the Vancouver based artillery unit. From there it weaves its way through the battlefields of World War I, wounding in an explosion and convalescing in the Canadian army medical system. There is the romance with the girl left behind, marriage, a family and employment with the Government of Canada. As a member of the family wrote, “John & Winnie met while working at Spencer's Department store in Vancouver BC in their early teens. They married in Vancouver in 1917. They owned a home in Vancouver which they traded with John's brother Michael's ranch in the Okanagan's near Vernon, BC. John found he didn't know much about ranching and they moved back to Vancouver and he took courses at the University of British Columbia. There he was approached and received training as an immigration officer and he and his family moved to England. He later became the Ambassador to Scotland and the family enjoyed their life in the United Kingdom. They even moved to Kansas City, Missouri, USA for a brief time until called back to England.” Well done, Gunner John Garvey Perdue, a life well lived.

There are hundreds of Moose Milk variants served in military messes across the country on New Year’s Day. Unfortunately, all the recipes involve large quantities of alcohol and eggnog and we won't be gathering in large crowds this year. The virtual COVID Moose Milk needs to be trimmed down in size to accommodate a glass for yourself while zooming with friends. Here’s a simple version:
Ingredients (Makes 1):
50ml white rum
200ml eggnog
1 scoop vanilla ice cream
Nutmeg
Have you got a favourite Moose Milk recipe? Mix up a drink and join us us at the 15th Field Artillery Regiment New Year's Day Levée – 1 January 2021 - 1000 hours until 1300 hrs Pacific Time
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/710845848
Password - Ubique

Currently uploading information from a 43rd Medium Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA nominal roll dated 1 Dec 1958. It has an Acting Corporal FJS Shrapnel listed as a member of 209 Battery with a regimental #WK556 693. Googling FJS Shrapnel I find an individual by the name of Florence Josephine Scrope Shrapnel 1895 - 1985. Could this be our Corporal? In 1958, Florence would have been 63 years old. I thought compulsory retirement back in the day was 55. Any suggestions?
Of course the entry above Shrapnel just happens to be Gunner Thomas Shott....

Conversations not to have in 1939....

The two 24 Pounder guns in front of New Westminster's City Hall are in terrible condition. The President of the Vancouver Artillery Association intends to write to the mayor with an offer of assistance to restore them to a presentable condition.

Normand Roberge, from the Matross Detachment in Montreal, has provided some additional information on 9 Pounders which I've placed in our 9 Pounder Club page. He has also provided a pdf document outlining some information on the detachment. Their latest project involves a 9-Pounder gun barrel, that had belonged to the 24th Shefford Battery. They will be raising funds to restore the barrel and construct a carriage. They're planning to sleeve it so that they can use it in future re-enactments.

Some info for those that knew Chief Warrant Officer Chris Rusk when he was serving.

Sergeant Ralston Alexander Johnston DCM enlisted with Boorman's Battery in Vancouver and served in France with the  6th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 3 June 1919. His citation reads:
He has shown consistent courage and ability as a leader of his sub-section. During the Canal du Nord attack when the officers at the guns became casualties he attended to the dressing  of the wounded and kept all guns in action.

Sergeant Francis James Hully enrolled in Boorman's Battery on 9 July 1915. He was  awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre 12 July 1918 and was was killed in action on 30 September 1918. He is interred at the Bourlon Wood Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.