The Advisory Board

In the years that followed, strength and interest by board members fluctuated. All commanding Officers become board members for life.

Strength of numbers is partly the result of input by 12 CO’s since the mid-sixties. We lost one to death and the participation by some others who don’t attend for a variety of reasons, distance and heath being primary. Invitees numbered approximately 18.

“I remember occasions when only five or six of us would meet of a roster of about a dozen,” LCol. Reg Churchward said. In many years the board was comprised of former serving officers. Early on, many of these had seen war service. This changed in the 1970s. Members were encouraged to introduce suitable friends who would be interested to serve and who were acceptable to the Regimental Family. Automatic board membership is conferred on the president and vice-president of the St. Andrew’s Society, usually a one-year term. Many of these presidents enjoyed the board’s work and contributed richly and latterly chose to accept invitations to stay on as members after their society duties had expired.

In late 2005 and early 2006, the board looked at its constitution, which had undergone no formal change since it adoption in Ludlow’s time. The language seemed to have missed out on a few latter-day sensitivities. It was no long right to regard all troops as men (or officers as gentlemen), so that was changed. Some complications about committees, long found redundant were axed. Membership was more sensitively expresses and defined. But the major change was the addition of a Senate, a body independent of the board to advise the CO on matters of succession – on issues of command and honourifics. This displaced the rather loosely defined CO’s committee of the old constitution. The Secretary drew up 10 drafts before tinkering changed for Bob Vandewater’s committee and the matter went to vote at the June 2006, annual general meeting.

The fact that the advisory board was a civilian body, made it comfortably independent of military control or direction. It could convey messages to government in terms and ways that would have risked charges of insubordination if done by a CO or any other officer. As a result, the board has had occasion to activate its shocked-and-appalled committee to frame messages to points of power in Ottawa to affect change or register disagreement with policies that impact on the best interests of the unit. The same “poison pen team” has been used to frame interventions at Defence White Paper hearings and petitions to governments.

Board growth in the 1990s and since has established a roster of about 35 dues-paying members, of which 25 are regular attendees, assuring monthly gatherings of 15 to 18. Motivation for board interest is primarily to secure the continual viability of the Camerons as a unit but there is frequent serious debate about unit health, and policies relating to Canada’s forces and the bureaucratic teletubbies who pronounce on it.

Much of the spirit of the regiment derives from the influence and generosity of a superb cadre of honouraries since the advisory board was formally constituted — HCol John MacAulay and HLCol O.M.M. Kay; HLCol Jim Burns succeeding, on Kay’s death; HCol Mac Runciman taking over after MacAulay’s death, Burns having stated his preference to defer succession. Burns took over as Honourary Colonel after Runciman’s death, and Ludlow was invited to become Honourary Lieutenant Colonel.

The advisory board has been a significant activist in the battle to preserve the regimental system and badging in the Militia. It has been instrumental, publicly and behind the scenes, in turning back more than one effort that would have seen legendary prairie units merged. It has also lent its voice to Reserves 2000, a body with similar preservation objectives. Militia financing, recruiting and disposition have also been hot buttons of concern for the west’s senior highland regiment.

The Board has been instrumental, too, in securing fiscal strength and health to ensure maintenance of Highland regimental color and character.

Often considered, but not acted upon until 1988, was formation of a regimental foundation as a source of non-government funding. Registered in 1991 as a public foundation with support of the Cameron regimental family and friends, The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada Regimental Foundation has become a substantial provider of non-public funds to the regiment. By 2005 assets hurdled the $200,000 barrier and earnings thereof financed the wherewithal the ensured the regiment’s Scottish distinction.