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Topic: Warrant Officer Richard Francis Nolan, 1st Bn, The Royal Canadian Regiment (Read 922 times)
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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WO Richard Francis Nolan.... died in battle, 1RCR, C Company, Battle of Panjwaii, 03, Sept, 2006.
I did not know Warrant Officer Nolan but as a fellow Royal, I offer my deepest condolences to his loved ones and Regimental brethern. Perhaps those of you who served with Frank would be so kind as to tell us about the man he was.
Pro Patria.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Soldiers were 'dedicated leaders'
Petawawa community mourns loss of devoted fathers
Lance Crossley
The Ottawa Citizen; with files from The Canadian Press
Monday, September 04, 2006
Warrant Officer Richard Francis Nolan and Warrant Officer Frank Robert Mellish were "model" soldiers whose resolve to make a difference in Afghanistan was matched only by their dedication to their families, friends and fellow soldiers said yesterday.
The two Petawawa-based soldiers with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment were killed, along with two others who have not been identified, in one of the fiercest battles Canadians have fought since arriving in Afghanistan four years ago.
"Our regimental family has lost two dedicated leaders, soldiers, husbands, sons, brothers and fathers," said Maj. Peter Scott, rear-party commanding officer of 1st Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment at CFB Petawawa last night.
Maj. Scott spoke with difficulty about the men, saying he had known both soldiers well.
"These fine RCR soldiers were lost when they were carrying out their duties with the utmost professionalism and great sense of care for those underneath them," he said.
Warrant Officer Nolan joined the Forces in February 1987 and had served with the 2nd and 3rd battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment. Described as a truly exceptional leader with a great future, Warrant Officer Nolan had completed five operational tours, including in Croatia and Bosnia, as well as a previous tour in Afghanistan.
"Rick is a meticulous professional with a great sense of humour," said Maj. Scott.
One of Warrant Officer Nolan's neighbours described him as a man with a "genuine soul" who was devoted to his children and committed to his work in the Canadian Forces.
Sarah Proulx said Warrant Officer Nolan was the sort of man who took the most pleasure in spending hours playing outside with his three school-aged sons and stepdaughter.
"I'd be out working in my garden, and I would hear him with his children ... just giving them perfect guidance," she said.
Members of Warrant Officer Nolan's family declined to speak to the media.
Ms. Proulx said Warrant Office Nolan's children are being cared for by his mother, who came from his home province of Newfoundland to look after them while their parents were overseas.
Warrant Officer Nolan and his common-law partner, Kelly, were serving six-month stints in Afghanistan, but were not posted to the same part of the country.
"Rick and Kelly were very close," Ms. Proulx said, choking back tears. "You didn't just know they were partners, you could feel it."
Ms. Proulx said the couple were both dedicated to the military and saw their work in Afghanistan as necessary for the entire country.
"They both knew they had to do their job, and they both had a strong commitment to Canadian people," she said.
Ms. Proulx said Warrant Officer Nolan and his partner were renowned for lending a helping hand without being asked.
"You couldn't ask for better neighbours," Ms. Proulx said. "They were extraordinary people."
Warrant Officer Mellish, who joined the forces in February 1989, had completed six tours overseas, including in Cyprus, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Kosovo.
"Frank was a dedicated soldier, destined for great advancement within the regiment," said Maj. Scott. "He was very intelligent and provided exceptional advice to both superiors and subordinates alike. He was a model soldier for all to follow."
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
Maj. Scott said news of the two men's deaths has hit the community hard, but insisted soldiers are more determined than ever, with many in Petawawa "chomping at the bit" to contribute overseas.
"I can tell you right now that certainly morale at home is very difficult at this time. But I can tell you the morale of the soldiers is quite high."
The deaths were felt throughout Petawawa yesterday.
"I can't even think of the words," said Mary Pfeiffer, a shift supervisor at the base's Cannex grocery store, who heard from many concerned customers and military spouses during the day. "It's very sombre in here today."
Cannex cashier Shelly Philpott described the mood of the community as "distraught" and full of "despair."
"We are all worried about them over here. You just never know what is going to happen. We just try to stick together," said Ms. Philpott, whose husband, George, is scheduled to be deployed to Afghanistan in February.
Pte. David Belliveau, a signal operator at CFB Petawawa, said he cannot afford to reflect too much on the recent deaths because eventually it will be his time to serve.
"You try to take everything with a grain of salt. Other than that you can't really prepare. It's either be worried sick all the time, or you say it's part of the job. What else can you do," he said.
Pte. Belliveau said he has friends currently serving overseas and he is scheduled for Afghan duty next fall.
© The Ottawa Citizen 2006
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Thanks for the info Mike. May i pass on my condolences to his family and friends and thank him for his duty, devotion and ultimate sacrifice. No man can give more. ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Almost surrealistic in the manner that these two lives were interlocked...
From fighting cancer to fighting the Taliban
GREG MCARTHUR
Before they were killed in Afghanistan yesterday, Warrant Officers Richard Nolan and Frank Mellish used to spend the month of September fighting a different enemy: cancer.
For the past few years, the soldiers took part in an annual march to raise money to battle the disease, with WO Mellish recently organizing the 170-kilometre trek and WO Nolan strapping on his combat boots and doing the grunt work.
The son of an RCMP corporal, WO Mellish grew up in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. He was married with two sons.
In 2005, he took over the duties of organizing the march, which has raised more than $20,000 in pledges since its inception, and helped it expand from Ottawa to Petawawa. He was a "dedicated father" and a driven soldier, said friend and fellow soldier WO Ray Green.
"He was a stickler for getting the job done," he said. "Those two guys are going to be missed."
Two other soldiers died yesterday, but their names were not released last night at the request of their families.
A soldier who answered the telephone at WO Nolan's home yesterday said the family wasn't ready to comment. A neighbour said WO Nolan and his domestic partner Kelly were serving six-month stints in Afghanistan, but weren't posted to the same part of the country.
"Rick and Kelly were very close," Sarah Proulx told The Canadian Press, choking back tears.
The family of WO Mellish also declined to comment. They will be issuing a news release later in the week, the soldier's father, Barry Mellish, said.
A lot can be gleaned about the men from their Ontario highway march, friends said yesterday. The marchers had been touched by cancer in some way; WO Nolan's father died from the disease.
WO Nolan, 39, was married with two young boys, friends said. He was "tough as nails," said Chuck Lamrock, the father of the soldier who founded the march, which traditionally started in the town of Bancroft and ended at the Canadian Forces Base in Petawawa.
"If you asked Rick to carry an extra 20 pounds he'd say 'Fine.' If you told him he had to carry it another 20 miles he'd say 'fine,' " said Mr. Lamrock, who drove a supply van that had windows painted with messages such as "Cancer can be beaten."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper released a statement offering he "heartfelt condolences" and wishes for "the speedy recovery" of those injured in Afghanistan.
"While deeply saddened by this loss, I hope the families may find some solace in the knowledge that they do not grieve alone and that Canada will not forget the heroism of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice," his statement said.
Interim Liberal Leader Bill Graham also extended condolences.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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Posts: 3428
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Nolan remembered as dedicated soldier, father
Tuesday, September 5, 2006 | 9:11 AM NT
CBC News
Flags at the Newfoundland and Labrador legislature are flying at half-mast Tuesday, to honour a Newfoundland soldier killed in battle in Afghanistan.
Warrant Officer Richard Nolan was one of four Canadians killed in combat on Sunday.
He and his common-law partner, who is also serving in Afghanistan, were based at CFB Petawawa in Ontario, where Nolan's mother cared for the couple's four children.
Sarah Proulx, Nolan's next-door neighbour in Petawawa, described him as a dedicated soldier and father, and said the community is in shock.
"I'm still numb. I can't believe that it happened," Proulx told CBC News.
"Rick's been only gone a month. We talked many times about them going over, and they said, 'That's our job. We're soldiers.'"
Nolan was killed while Canadians were battling Taliban fighters during a major offensive aimed at taking control of two dangerous districts in southern Afghanistan. Also killed were Warrant Officer Frank Robert Mellish, Sgt. Shane Stachnik and an unidentified fourth soldier.
Padre Joseph Johns said the atmosphere at the base has been sombre since residents learned of the deaths.
"When events like this occur, it happens to us as a family and we respond to it as a family," Johns said.
"We mourn, we grieve, but we also carry on with the task at hand of caring for each other."
Johns said the base will prepare Tuesday for the repatriation ceremony for the soldiers' remains.
Premier pays tribute
"He served his country and the people of Afghanistan, as he worked selflessly to bring peace and hope to a country far from home," Premier Danny Williams said in a statement.
"Warrant Officer Nolan paid the ultimate sacrifice in achieving this noble goal, and we will never forget his dedication and commitment to others. He is truly a hero who will never be forgotten."
Meanwhile, the family of a Newfoundland soldier who was wounded in Sunday's battle says Warrant Officer John Barnes will rejoin his group.
His sister, Joanne Dwyer, said Barnes wanted to return to duty as soon as possible.
"They went in to find out if he was well enough to go back into the battling fields, because a lot of people have been injured and hurt," Dwyer told CBC News.
"Because of the dedicated soldier he is, he wanted to go back and help out."
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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John Davis
John Davis Cpl C.D.
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Richard and I used to off-road together on weekends in Petawawa. A great guy. He'd bring his kids out to get muddy with us. I was in total shock to hear about everything. I knew him when he was a Cpl and even as he progressed through the ranks, he never got "power hungry". Then he moved to 1 RCR from the 3rd Bn. He was consistently "one of the guys", but when it came time to work, we worked hard. He has always had my full respect. Always will.
Deepest condolences to his family. My prayers are with them and the other families who have lost loved ones. Not sure I can say more than what has already been mentioned. Raising a glass and tipping a few back for him.
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John Davis
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Well done, John. Should you know any other of the lads who served with Richard during his career, please encourage them to come to the association site and share...
Military funeral in St. John’s
Richard Nolan’s love of life remembered
The family of Warrant Officer Richard Nolan stand outside the Basilica St.John the Baptist as his casket his carried out by pallbearers after the funeral service Thursday, Sept.14, 2006 in St.John's, N.L.
Tara Brautigam, The Canadian Press
Published: Thursday, September 14, 2006
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. -- Warrant Officer Richard Nolan was the kind of man who would be hours late for Christmas because he insisted on waiting until help arrived for a family whose car had crashed.
Hailed as a dedicated soldier and doting father, Nolan was laid to rest Thursday with full military honours after a funeral in St. John’s.
The 39-year-old, who served with the Royal Canadian Regiment 1st Battalion, was one of four Canadian soldiers killed in a Taliban attack in southern Afghanistan nearly two weeks ago.
Hundreds of friends, family and his military comrades remembered Nolan’s strong work ethic, exceptional leadership, devotion to his family and platoon, and his unmatched zest for life.
The first time Nolan met Sgt. Vince Higgins, he pulled up in a “shiny black truck” designed to attract attention.
“It probably drove his neighbours a little crazy,” Higgins said in a eulogy.
“He would always go, go, go, and you were always trying to keep up with him.”
Higgins and Nolan competed in rodeo bull-riding competitions together.
“After he did that a couple of times, he was known as a saltwater cowboy,” Higgins laughed.
Fun times aside, Nolan was ever the soldier, even off-duty. One year he was four hours late for Christmas dinner, risking the wrath of his family, because a car had flipped on the highway, his uncle recalled. Nolan helped the injured family get out and stayed with them until help arrived.
“That was Ricky being Ricky,” Frank Nolan said.
In his sermon, Rev. Greg Bailey weighed in on the contentious issue of Canada’s role in Afghanistan, calling Nolan a “peacemaker.”
“Now I know that for some, peacemaking may not fit their understanding of the role of a Canadian soldier,” the padre told mourners at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist.
“But I wonder, how can we keep something if it does not exist in the first place? There are situations in which, if you want to keep the peace, you will need to make it first. That’s what Rick Nolan and his colleagues were trying to do.”
His wife Kelly-Ann Dove, three sons Richard, Rodney and Jamie and stepdaughter Kirstyn choked back tears as eight of Nolan’s fellow soldiers carried his coffin, draped in the Canadian flag, out of the church.
Nolan was buried at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in his native Mount Pearl, a bedroom community southwest of St. John’s.
Nolan was from Newfoundland but had lived in Ontario for the last 20 years. He had only been in Afghanistan six weeks when he was killed, but was a veteran peacekeeper who served in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Afghanistan on a previous tour.
“It’s such a loss, it’s heartbreaking,” said Dawn White, who knew Nolan since junior kindergarten.
Warrant Officer Frank Mellish, Pte. William Cushley and Sgt. Shane Stachnik were the three other Canadians who died in the clash with Taliban insurgents in Panjwaii district, which extends about 40 kilometres west of Kandahar, on Sept. 3.
A fifth soldier, Pte. Mark Graham, died a day later when he was accidentally strafed by an American warplane.
Since 2002, 32 Canadian troops and one diplomat have died in Afghanistan.
Canada has about 2,200 troops in the country, most of them based in Kandahar.
© The Canadian Press
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Jacobs
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My condolences to Rick's family. I served with Rick J-Coy 2RCR in Bosnia and we were partnered up on our Recce course. On that course Rick and I made some pretty quick time by jumping into one of those freezing rivers,we walked in that river with the water chest high until the umpire staff made us get out, a couple of crazy Newfies. Miss ya buddie
Jake
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mcnee
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Rick Old boy,
I knew Rick well enough into getting suckered into being the DJ at his wedding in Germany. I also new him in 2 RCR. He called me Chrisie, as did and still do most of the Germany crew. I have lost a friend and we have lost a brother.
Rest Well Bud.
Chrisie
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dave
Veteran 100+ Member
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sORRY rICK
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dave
Veteran 100+ Member
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Hey all,
I knew Rick back in the good old days--being the first couple of years in Germany. Although we were never great friends we shared a many beer together. Rick always had time for me and whenever we were together we had a great time. We had many friends in common--Banni, Dugan, Trenholm,Hebert,Biliskis and all the other guys I can't think of right now. I was shocked when I heard of his death as I can imagine everyone from the old days was.
I will always remember Rick as a guy that was so easy going--and it is a tribute to him--he never had an enemy. He must have been a hell of a soldier to make it to WO. But I still see him in the old days when we were CPL's together--we had no cares in the world and we thought we would live forever--hell we were in Germany and we were Canadian.
I am proud that I knew Rick--and I don't just say that because he is now gone--I have always felt that. I think that it is terrible that he died for the American cause--in the back of my mind I think what a waste. But he was a soldier and he has made the ultimate sacrifice and hopefully he believed in the cause.
I would like to pass my condolences to the Nolan family and anyone that knew Rick--He will be missed--but I can still picture in my head the young newfie that always had a good time.
To you other guys over there we are behind you 100% and please come home safe.
PRO PATRIA
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Tim McCully
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings Dave, i offer my sympathy for the loss of your comrad! I did not know WO Nolan but i am nevertheless aware of his sacrifice. I am well aware of each of our fallen brothers. Last night i was going through the regimental website and came across his name and pictures of various events in which he took place back in the days well before their deployment. I found myself somewhat sorrowed by that discovery, even though i did not know the man i felt pain for him like i did on that fatal day. You know Dave, i taught my children that aslong as we remember our dead, they are never really gone! Cherish those thoughts you expressed my freind, they will cherish you! I believe the men who sign the dotted line, do so because they believe in their hearts, the paths they have chosen. Pro Patria Dave and thank you again. Tim McCully
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1RCR (82-88) B coy 6pl, (84-85) UNFICYP- BBC coy Tpt, C coy 9pl, E coy Mortars, (88-90) CFB Halifax Base Chief's Staff, CFB Trenton Refinisher Tech.(90-92). UNFICYP,CPSM
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Very nice write in Tim and i agree with you wholeheartedly. Thanks for expressing your thoughts , we can all "listen" to them and get a lot of good... ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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