Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment

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Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment

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Topic: Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment (Read 2197 times)

Mike Blais
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Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment
« on: October 04, 2006, 08:31:25 PM »

Hi all. Thought it would be kind of neat to start a thread dedicated to the platoon I spent so much time in. As you know, many outstanding Royal Canadians served in Mortars, including General Devlin, who you will note kneeling in the front of the photograph I've included with this post.

This picture was taken during the year after the reunion when Mortar Platoon, 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, joined 2RCHA in Trenton and flew to England for an ACE Mobile gun camp. It was a unique experience in several ways and included the issuance of British army land rovers from the UK war reserve and using them for platoon vehiclesduring the exercise instead of the standard five-quarter. We staged in the south, indeed, were billeted on a base located at the very heart of the British Army, the Sallisbury plains. It was just outside of this famous training ground that this picture was taken. Those of you familiar with history will note the ancient ruins of stonehedge in the background.

The actual gun camp was far to the north and, as was common in those days, was well represented by all of the NATO countries. As a Mortar Fire Controller, I had attended the exercise with Sgt Niel Reece and Master Corporal Sam Lavoie the year before in Belgium and, to my delight, renewed several aquaintences from the year before. During this adventure, only the fire control team was dispatched, this time, the entire platoon was involved. The shoot was conducted along the border with Scotland, Otterburn, if memory servem me correct. It was a vast stretch of highland and plain and, as an example, looked very much alike to the terrain you see those SAS lads humping over during the weeding out process. It rained alot and the land, good for not much more then raising sheep, was wet and difficult to work with due to the fact the marking rounds often exploded beneath the bog and were difficult to see. Nevertheless, it was a great shoot. The nearest town was Newcastle, famous for Brown Ale and my personal favourite, Expedition. I believe many in the platoon attended a tour of the old brewery one Sunday when not soldiering. Others visited Hadrians Wall.

Here is the first picture of, I hope, will be many. (Its been posted before but I think its good enough to start this thread. Thanks to Barry Pond, whom I served with in 3RCR Mortar Platoon in Germany, for sending it to me in the flood's aftermath. Good man!)


« Last Edit: October 04, 2006, 08:38:38 PM by Mike Blais »	Report to moderator Logged

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!

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Mike Blais
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Re: Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment
« Reply #1 on: October 05, 2006, 07:23:44 AM »

There was a song... I think written by a couple of fine Royal Canadians, Chuck Courtemanche and Ernie Lajeunesse (s?) but Im a bit hazy on how it goes during the last two verses so Im hoping somebody can fill in the blanks. The tune was sung in cadence, one man taking the lead, the entire platoon highlighting the repeatitive word at the end of each stanza and belting out the chorus. The asterix*'s are where Im not sure of the words.

The Mortar Song.... if indeed that is the title.

We fire the eighty-one, Honey....Honey
We fire the eighty-one, Babe....Babe
We fire the eighty-one, it's a mortar, not a gun,
honey, oh babe, of mine....

Look around!!! Look Around!!! (Actually its four times as the lads echo it)
Look around for a dead piece of ground...
Set her up, in a pit, lay her on, and give 'er sheeet
The eighty-one's a mortar not a gun!

Company advancing infantyry, honey.....Honey
Company advancing infantry babe.... Babe
Company advancing infantry, they won't get far without me,
Honey, Oh babe, of mine

Look around!!! Look Around!!!
Look around for a dead piece of ground...
Set her up, in a pit, lay her on, and give 'er sheeet
The eighty-one's a mortar not a gun!

Company defending infantry, honey....honey
Company defending infantry, babe, babe
Company defending infantry, ******* ******* without me
HOney, Oh babe, of mine.

Look around!!! Look Around!!!
Look around for a dead piece of ground...
Set her up, in a pit, lay her on, and give 'er sheeet
The eighty-one's a mortar not a gun!

Company withdrawing infantry, Honey.....Honey!
Company withdrawing infantrym, babe...babe
Company withdrawing infantry, ***** ***** ****** me
Honey, oh babe, of mine....

Look around!!! Look Around!!!
Look around for a dead piece of ground...
Set her up, in a pit, lay her on, and give er sheeet
The eighty-one's a mortar not a gun!


« Last Edit: October 05, 2006, 07:37:07 AM by Mike Blais »	Report to moderator Logged

Mike Blais
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Re: Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2006, 07:41:10 AM »

Shot over.....


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ranrad
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Re: Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2006, 10:12:31 AM »

Hi Mike, interesting stuff on your new thread, and great history too, not even mentioning Stonehenge... i myself never did do , or actually do mortars.. its not like firing a rifle , machine gun or even the Carl Gustav, it as you know takes a crew working together.. i did however learn the basics, but diod so with the Vandoos.. whooee , with me and my great french.. but did at least learn what its all about... nice pics too.. hope all old mortar guys will get together here and reme nisce , exchange pics stories... good stuff, ranrad


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Re: Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment
« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2006, 11:07:46 AM »

A few of the "old mortar guys" I was lucky enough to know and to learn from:

Al Lutz
Manny Brooks
Jack Salsman
"Gunner" McGann
Clyde Tasco (and Bob too)
Wayne Duffy
"Spanky" McFarlane

(ok, so those last two weren't that 'old')

Regt Adjt
OC Mortars, 2RCR (85-86)
SME Mortar (88-90)


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Mike Blais
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Re: Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2006, 11:47:58 AM »

Excellent! I had no idea you were a mortarman, sir. Here is a picture for you with some fellows Im sure you will recognize. Background wise I think it was taken either at Grefenwier or Hohenfels in the very early eighties prior to Reforger. 3RCR


« Last Edit: October 05, 2006, 11:51:32 AM by Mike Blais »	Report to moderator Logged

Mike Blais
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Re: Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment
« Reply #6 on: October 12, 2006, 08:40:42 AM »

My good friend John Gamble was kind enough to send some pictures of 1RCR Mortar platoon around the era of The Regiment's one hundredth birthday. If anybody knows the whereabouts of either Chuck Courtemanche or Ernie Lajueness, ask them about the missing lyrics to the song above. BTW, should anybody have pictures and wants them posted quickly on MORTARMAN thread, just send them to my email addy....


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Wayne O\'Toole
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Re: Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment
« Reply #7 on: October 12, 2006, 06:23:41 PM »

Excellent pictures. For Mike Blais, the picture of the mortar firing at night was great. I was given a picture of a night shoot by Barry Pond when I was in mortar platoon in 2RCR in 90. Your pictuire of the 3RCR Mortar Platoon brought back some memories.

Mortars 3RCR 1981-1983
Mortars 2RCR 1990 - 1994

Remember that when the lord said let there be light, Moses being the 2IC of Mortar Platoon sent up 2 rounds of illumination, came over the 77 set and said light lord, I'll blind you with F_ _ _ _ _ _ light.

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Mike Blais
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Re: Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment
« Reply #8 on: October 12, 2006, 07:17:25 PM »

Wayne O'Toole!

How are you. I remember you well from the 3rd, man, those were the days, eh?

Remember the time ole Abe won the bet for large and small corrections up in Munster? Man, I nver seen him move so quick.... bwahahahaaaaa, I can picture the stunned expression on the lads faces when he shouted out.... ON! Got any pictures? Send em to me through the sites email service and I will post em for you.


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Jim Hickson
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Re: Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment
« Reply #9 on: October 12, 2006, 08:00:11 PM »

Hi Mike

Can you make them bigger?

Jim


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Mike Blais
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Re: Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment
« Reply #10 on: October 14, 2006, 05:50:12 PM »

I have been trying to do so but the images were sent to me in slide form, not photo and, well, lets say Im a bit clueless.... I've blown the pictures up and saved them in the larger format before uploading them but it does not appear to be working.

Do your recognized this fellow?

Stand Tooooo! You might notice the lad forgot something.... snicker.

Test....


« Last Edit: October 14, 2006, 05:54:21 PM by Mike Blais »	Report to moderator Logged

Gerry Connors
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Re: Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment
« Reply #11 on: October 14, 2006, 10:44:17 PM »

Hey, the main thing, he's got his weapon!


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Re: Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment
« Reply #12 on: October 15, 2006, 02:52:15 AM »

Mike ... could that be Sammy Lavoie by any chance?


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Mike Blais
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Re: Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment
« Reply #13 on: October 15, 2006, 07:09:55 AM »

It is indeed, Mike! The one and only! Cheesy


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george burrows
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Re: Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment
« Reply #14 on: October 15, 2006, 09:14:00 AM »

Hey guys - really great pictures. Nice to see them. Congfrats to Cap't O'Leary and others who produced them. Brings bACK OLD MEMORIES.


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Mike Blais
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Re: Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment
« Reply #15 on: October 15, 2006, 11:56:59 AM »

Heres a few photographs reflective of the early eighties for 1RCR Mortar platoon.


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Ghalsey
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Re: Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment
« Reply #16 on: October 15, 2006, 07:04:54 PM »

ROTFLMFAO

Oh the storys where would one start
The target plugs
The tooth brush
The 100 Krone note
The Glow stick
The picture of "IT"...................
Grin

And some of those storie where true Shocked

Mike your images are at 67dpi scan your slides in at 1200 dpi @ (2.25" x 2.25") then when you change the resolution to 150 dpi they
will increase in size


« Last Edit: October 15, 2006, 07:12:41 PM by Ghalsey »	Report to moderator Logged

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Re: Mortar Platoon, The Royal Canadian Regiment
« Reply #17 on: October 16, 2006, 12:34:01 PM »

Glad to see you got the pics, yes it's Sammy.


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Mike Blais
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