Pages: [1] 
|
 |
|
Author
|
Topic: R*E*S*P*E*C*T (Read 560 times)
|
Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
 Offline
Gender: 
Posts: 3672
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
|
Fighting for respect
Mustering to celebrate its 125th anniversary, the London-based Royal Canadian Regiment is looking to the public for reinforcements as it expands its museum at Wolseley Barracks. "The history of this place reflects the history of Canada," one of the officials leading the charge tells Free Press reporter Patrick Maloney.
By PATRICK MALONEY
The fight for recognition may never end. Lord knows that these days, 125 years after the Royal Canadian Regiment was formed, the London-based military institution still doesn't get the national respect of its contemporaries.
"It's the fabled Princess Patricias, it's the famed Van Doos," says Capt. Michael O'Leary, walking through the historic Wolseley Barracks on Oxford Street.
"The RCR doesn't get those adjectives."
The perceived national slight hurts, coming as it does despite the fact the RCR has sent soldiers to every major conflict in Canadian history.
Despite the fact it's older than some provinces, having been established in 1883.
And despite the fact it comprised, until recently, Canada's major fighting force in Afghanistan.
If the country gives the RCR's storied history less respect than it deserves, London -- home to the regimental headquarters -- doesn't do much better.
For many in the city, the rich history of the RCR is something of an unappreciated gem. Attendance at the much-heralded museum at Wolseley Barracks, for example, has hit a plateau of about 8,000 visitors a year.
But reinforcements could arrive soon.
Coinciding with the regiment's landmark anniversary is a strong push to raise
$2.3 million to expand the museum, a plan that would increase its size by half, to 10,000 square feet.
There's been financial help from the city and the province -- a federal request is pending -- and RCR officials hope
history-conscious Londoners will help out, too.
"The history of this place reflects the history of Canada," says fundraising director Greg Treehuba.
---
The RCR's history is compelling, but its future has also drawn plenty of interest lately. While Wolseley Barracks is home to its 4th battalion, made up of reservists, the other RCR battalions are in other parts of Canada -- Petawawa and Gagetown, N.B. Operational decisions are also made elsewhere.
And its regimental headquarters, which moved here after the Second World War, are set to move to Petawawa soon -- O'Leary's superior has already left -- which has created confusion.
"That is the one question I can count on, 'is the museum moving?' " says curator Claus Breede, who's quick with a "no" in response.
The ambitious plans for expansion are proof of that.
By getting physically bigger, Breede is certain the museum can increase its footprint on the city's conscience, making it more attractive to students, teachers and history buffs.
"We can't do aggressive marketing because we don't have the space" for travelling military exhibits criss-crossing the country already.
"Our program opportunities are limited."
Not that its displays today are lacking. There are beautifully detailed memorials marking the five major
conflicts that drew RCR involvement, from the Northwest Rebellion of 1885 to the Korean War, and artifacts stretching back to the 1890s.
There are mannequins wearing the exact RCR uniform -- crimson jacket, white pith helmet -- from 1883, and detailed dioramas re-creating significant battles in the regiment's history.
Each section, the Second World War, for example, also includes a display dedicated to the enemy. Battle trophies taken from Nazi soldiers include arm bands bearing swastikas.
Late last year, Defence Minister Peter MacKay stopped for a visit and stayed nearly two hours.
And the museum received an endorsement from Jack Granatstein, a widely regarded military historian who ran the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.
"(The RCR's) regimental museum is the very best I have seen anywhere in this country," Granatstein wrote after a visit in 2000.
"The quality of the exhibits, the wealth of material, the sense of proud history conveyed was remarkable."
---
Thanks to $200,000 from the city and $240,000 from the province, fundraising efforts for the expansion have topped $750,000. The goal is to start construction this year.
With the new space, more attention would be paid to the modern history of the RCRs, including their roles in the FLQ crisis, the Oka standoff and as security during the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
The tribute to the regiment's role in Afghanistan, too, is now housed in just one glass case. That's not enough, museum officials agree.
Breede sees an expanded Afghanistan section that would give people a better feel for life in the modern battle.
That would include two mannequins dressed in traditional Afghani clothing. Visitors would have to select which is the ally and which is the enemy.
"The thing is, of course, you can't tell them apart," Breede says.
The plans will remain unrealized until the fundraising gets closer to its goal.
There are a few large potential donations pending, and the request to the federal government.
Treehuba, who's spearheading fundraising, says the 125th anniversary represents a perfect chance for Londoners to show support to an historic, if unappreciated, part of the city.
"If everybody in the city of London gave $1, it would be a big donation," he says.
"Out of little bits can come a lot. The whole idea (of the expansion) is to become more involved in the community."
|
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
|
|
|
ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 2480
|
Hmmmmmmmm... i thought it was always known as The First and Finest? ? And maybe some of it comes from The RCR not having a history of blowing its own horn, nor that of its members... in fact i think history suggests it has been the opposite....that aside ,it is time for , no, beyond time for NATIONAL RECOQNITION....and that needs to start with the CDS..so , Gen Hillier...the puck is in your end....heheheheh...ranrad...ps , lets all get this done...
|
RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
|
|
|
Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 3672
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
|
One has only to count the Regiment's battle honours, Ron.
Military museum deserves support
It's been called the best regimental museum in Canada, a gem too many Londoners, and indeed those from across the region, ignore.
It holds the stories and memorabilia from those who fought in the Northwest Rebellion to those serving today in Afghanistan.
It has the ability to attract visitors from across Canada.
Over more than a century, the Royal Canadian Regiment has sent soldiers to every major conflict in Canadian history -- and the RCR Museum on Oxford Street in London is one of the best places for the rest of us to appreciate that rich history.
Detailed memorials mark the five major conflicts the RCR was involved in. Artifacts are older than a century.
Uniforms, medals, weapons, maps, diagrams, battle trophies, an actual trench recreated on site to show visitors what life was like in the First World War, a recreated bunker from the Korean war . . .
But it could be so much more, and if organizers have their way, it will be.
It needs your help.
As the regiment celebrates its 125th anniversary, it's planning an expansion of the museum that will cost $2.3 million.
Organizers have already raised $750,000, but more will be needed if the museum is to properly reflect the true contributions of the regiment.
The city chipped in $200,000 and the province is in for $240,000. Organizers are hoping the federal government will do its bit as well.
But the real push needs to come from those in London, Southwestern Ontario and across Canada.
"The history of this place reflects the history of Canada," says fundraising director Greg Treehuba.
At the moment, the museum sees about 8,000 visitors a year, but the number could grow considerably if the space and the exhibitions are expanded.
Not only can it not handle big groups, it can't house all its growing collection of artifacts in an appropriate manner.
At the moment, it's half the size it should be if it is to do justice to the modern history of the RCR, including its role in the FLQ crisis, the Oka standoff, security during the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Kosovo and Afghanistan.
As Treehuba says, this is an excellent opportunity for us to show our support for a historic and often unappreciated part of our local -- and national -- history.
"If everybody in the city of London gave $1, it would be a big donation."
-- Paul Berton, paul.berton@sunmedia.ca
|
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
|
|
|
ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 2480
|
Well, gents, i have to put my cash where my yap is , so to that end ,where, how can i send in my donation for this NECESSARY TASK??? ranrad
|
RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
|
|
|
|
|
ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 2480
|
Thank you Sir , i will get on it ASP..this is important for us all, hope all have /will put in what they can... ranrad
|
RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
|
|
|
Pages: [1] 
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
