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Topic: REMEMBERANCE DAY 2005 (Read 343 times)
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EARL DONALDSON
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Pausing to remember the determination and courage of all those who served in a war zone , as a member of the Canadian Forces ,and the Allied Forces . Deep gratitude to those who paid the supreme sacifice , also those who were wounded , the prisoners of war , and those who came back broken in mind and spirit . The people on the home front , who kept things going are remembered also .
While serving in Germany , i had the opportunity to visit some of the battlefields , cemeteries , and memorials from WW1 , and WW2 , and now i can understand the living hell they all went through .
While driving the Base Commander, Col Gordon Sellar to Vimy Ridge in 1970 , it started to rain and sleet . Col Sellar was dressed in his Black Watch uniform, and it was apparent that he was going to get soaked , and he was reminded about this by his wife . Col Sellar replied , if the troops took this kind of weather for 4 years , surely i can take it for 15 minutes , i never forgot that . Another time on a visit to the Canadian War Cemetery at Adegem Belgium , at a precise time in the ceremony ,a RCAF DC3 dropped thousands of poppies right on target into the cemetery , very impressive . The above two incidents , plus the visits to the war cemeteries , certainly drove home the importance of Rememberance Day to me .
The following members of 1 RCR who we left behind in Germany 62-65 , Capt Jerret , Sgt Vallance , Pte Compagnon , Pte Helliwell , Pte Jones ,Pte Murray , are also remembered , along with WO2 Riddel , S/SGT McDonnell , Cpl Chiswell who lost their lives in the ill fated para drop, not long after i left the Regiment in 67 . "All Gave Some", "Some Gave All", "LEST WE FORGET" and "PRO PATRIA"
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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I too have freinds who were left behind in Germany.
One lad in particular has been in my thoughts today.
His name was Victor Wedell, who was a young lad from somewhere in BC when I met him in 79. It was a time when Delta Company became Mike company and he and I (and a hundred others from 1 RCR) went to Germany as new members of the 3rd. Victor and I were C2 gunners, 12C, if I remember correctly.
Victor died in Sennelager, shortly after I returned to the 1st and, dare I say aloud, Finest. ;-)
I think it was the ole VP40 anti-personnel grenade that got him... went off in the pit during one of those qualification periods when the lad refreshed themselves with the art of war and the weapons we use.
I havent thought of Victor is a long time.
I have a feeling there are many other Royals who havent either.
Today, in Remembrance, I have a request for all Royals, those who knew Victor, and those that did not.
Tonight, before you go to ground, have a thought for a brother in arms who died way to young and, damn it, who will not, and should not, be forgotten.
Pro Patria.
Mike
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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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RTWALSH
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Earle's message naming the 1 RCR lads we left behind in Germany sure made me think. It took me back many a year. Capt Jerret (Bill) died of heat stroke on a 20 mile forced march in very hot weather. Sgt Vallance (Pete) was killed in a car crash after giving a private soldier a ride home. Pte Helliwell (name?) died in a collision with a truck while driving his car to Fort York on a bug out. Pte Compagnon (name?) was killed when his new car collided with trees. Pte Nelson Bishop, asleep in the back seat did not get a scratch. Pte Jones was a native lad from Cape Croker in Ontario. He died in an accident while jumping onto a moving train. A couple of others from the battalion who died elsewhere were WO I Ed (Blinky) Keegan. He was the RSM and was posted to Canada to be commissioned as a captain. He died of a heart attack while we were still in Germany. Pte Charlie Sauler went home and was released. He joined the US Army in 1966. He was KIA in Viet-Nam in 1967 and was decorated with a Silver Star. Cpl OJ (Tyke) Redmond was still serving in 1 RCR when he died in a jeep accident in Cyprus in 1967. Thanks Earle, you made me think of some fine men whose memory was in danger of fading away. We will remember them.
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hugh mackenzie
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as we approach this christmas season my thoughts go back to 1960's in fort york. i remember my best friend gussie schrage, D COMPANY, and cpl bo hines, SUPPORT COMPANY, ANTI TANK PLATOON, 2 RCR. two fine men and i often wonder "what might have been......". god bless them.
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