Oatmeal Rag Issue 35 • The QOCHC

THE QUEEN’S OWN CAMERON HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA

STILL WINNIPEG’S ONLY HIGHLAND REGIMENT !

2019/2020 ASSOCIATION OFFICERS

PRESIDENT	Steve MacMillan	351 Ainslie St Wpg, MB R3J 2Z7	[email protected]	204-831-0542
VICE-PRES	Fred Westphal		[email protected] m	204-296-7656
SECRETARY	Hugh O’Donnell	713 Cambridge St Wpg, MB R3M 3G2	[email protected]	204-285-7222
TREASURER	Dave Gibson	104 William Gibson Bay Wpg, MB R2C 5L7	[email protected]	204-222-9509

2019/20 ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE BOARD

Past Pres	Taffy Gray	198 Seekings St Headingly, MB R4J 1B1	[email protected]	204-889-5655
Special Projects and Recruiting Director	Don Steenson	TBC	TBC	TBC
Sick, Visiting, and Last Post Director	Len Johnson	1094 Bay Rd St. Andrews, MB R1A 3L1		204-757-2023
Foundation Trustees		Blair Will (2019-2021)	Marc Gautron (2018-2020)

* LAST POST *

Private Luther Whitfield Elder 11 Jan 1945

Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery

THOMAS (BUD) ALLAN CASEY 1923 – 2020

https://passages.winnipegfreepress.com/passage-details/id-273042/CASEY_THOMAS

Dad peacefully passed away at the Deer Lodge Center on May 5, 2020 with his family by his side. He is survived by his daughters, Carol (Daryl), Robin (Burns), Mina (Guy) and Shannon; grandsons, Jesse (Margot) and Tanner; granddogs, Sadie and Lucy.

He is predeceased by his wife Berta; infant son James; brother Gordon; parents, Tom and Clara and son in-law Ron.

Dad served with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders in the Second World War. He married our mom in January 1950 and they moved to Kenora, ON where they owned and ran a bowling alley. Eventually they came back to Winnipeg, calling St. James home.

Dad worked at the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission and remained there till he retired. He was a 50 year member of the ANAF 283. In his younger years, he was a high level English billiard and snooker player and actively participated in baseball, curling and golf. Dad was also a lover of animals which he passed down to us.

A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful staff at Deer Lodge Center Tower Six for the care you gave and compassion you showed. A special thank you to Abdu to whom our dad was very fond.

IntegrityFuneralPlanning.com

Full obit published in the Winnipeg Free Press on May 23, 2020

CLAYTON JOHN HUNTER

Clayton Hunter of Shoal Lake passed away peacefully on May 29, 2020 at the age of 100 years, at the Morley House Personal Care Home in Shoal Lake. He was born at Elphinstone, MB on May 11, 1920 to Jack and Jessie Hunter. He was predeceased by his wife Hazel in 2003. He is survived by his immediate family daughter Valerie and son-inlaw Sandy Borody, grandson Ryan and wife Jo-Dee Borody, great-grandchildren Kelsey Borody and partner Corey Olson, Devon Borody and Riley Borody and greatgreat- granddaughter Hadley Olson. He has one surviving sister, Isabel Trew in BC. A private family graveside service will be held on June 6, 2020. Donations in memory of Clayton, if you desire, may be made to Lakeside Golf Club, Shoal Lake, Manitoba R0J 1Z0.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.raesfs.ca Rae’s Funeral Service of Shoal Lake and Erickson are in care of arrangements.(204) 759-2160.

Directly, Courtesy of his Daughter Valerie Borody

Editor’s note: Clayton managed to achieve his bucket list goal of celebrating his 100th birthday not long before his passing. His daughter Valerie was kind enough to share some pictures and video with us. A few of the pictures are featured below and one of the videos is up on the Cameron Facebook page.

NEIL DONALD LAIRD

https://passages.winnipegfreepress.com/passage-details/id-272227/LAIRD_NEIL

On Thursday, April 9, 2020, Neil, beloved husband of Gladys, passed away.

Thank you to the staff of River East Personal Care Home for their compassionate care.

A private, family service will take place.

Donations in Neil’s memory may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society. ejcoutu.ca

As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 18, 2020

We were saddened to learned today of the passing of a former Cameron commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Neil Donald Laird, CD (Ret’d). Neil was an Armoured Officer who came to the Camerons from the Fort Gary Horse to take over as commanding officer. He served as commanding officer until 1989. After stepping down Neil disengaged from the military and became a very private person. Our condolences go out to his wife Gladys.

May he Rest in Peace.

Ken McCuaig

??? MOORE BC, Ernie Moore’s Brother

More to follow from another former Cameron, Stan Puchniak. Stan and the editor have been having “fun” trying to email each other.

WIDOW’S / WIDOWER’S SUPPLEMENT: There is income supplement for widows / widowers. They will mail out a form for the survivor to complete. You will need proof of marriage and the soldier’s regimental number etc. and the spouse’s income tax forms. If the financial situation is going badly the survivor should contact Veterans Affairs.

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/family-caregiver/death-and-bereavement/survivors-pension

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/family-caregiver/death-and-bereavement/income-replacement-benefit-survivors

Links current to 14 June 2019

FUNERAL AND BURIAL ASSISTANCE: The Veterans Affairs Canada Funeral and Burial Program ensures that eligible Veterans receive dignified funeral and burial services. The Last Post Fund (LPF), a non-profit organization, delivers the program on behalf of Veterans Affairs Canada. To be eligible for the program, Veterans must meet both military and financial criteria.

http://www.lastpostfund.ca/EN/Home.php

Link current to 14 June 2019

* SICK & VISITING *

Mavis Coutts (Gord’s widow) – Not doing OK. Mavis took a tumble on her way out of the Golf & BBQ. If you’re interested in visiting her please get in touch with her daughter Brenda first. Hugh can put you in touch if you don’t have her contact info.

Taffy Gray (Cold War PPCLI & Camerons) – Taff and Betty are doing OK these days. Taff

has been downsizing his amazing library, so anyone interested in Scottish history please con- tact Hugh. Taff and Betty are still in Headingly, but they’ve got a new hide on the north side of the river now.

PTSD Help Line: The toll-free number 1-855-373-8387 will be manned by veterans who will be available on a 24-hour basis. The callers will not be required to identify themselves. See also the Cameron “Links” section of the web page for other useful links: http://thequeensowncameronhighlandersofcanada.net/links.html

Link current to 14 June 2019.

* PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE *

Hello. We have been very busy since Hugh’s last edition. The monument is coming along nicely. The granite is on its way, the script for the panels and the statue base is finalized and the bronze statue is on it’s way to Winnipeg. The pictures from the artist of the sculpture are simply amazing ! Incidentally, the sculptor’s name is Guido Mariani, and he’s got quite a good reputation. Some say that he is quite literally one of the best in the world.

The fund raising has gone well but we are always looking for donations. Every bit helps us get there. All of the money raised for this project will be spent on it to make it as spectacular as we can. We were looking at late Sept or early Oct 2020 to do the dedication, but Covid has done that in, so be sure to keep up on things – you won’t want to be anywhere else but here !

My best regards,

Steve MacMillan

* VICE-PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE *

Our VP is still very busy boy but sends his regards, and to watch for scammers pretending to be Association Exec. Please be aware and use your head ! Keep up the good work Fred !

* RECONNECT WITH FORMER CAMERONS *

I would like to mention that we now have a second Life Member, Mr. John Clark.

PS: John, we’re having issues contacting you. Please drop Dave Gibson or myself an email. This is an important thing to do for the health of the Association. There are still lots of former Camerons out there that we don’t know about for various reasons. Just because you or they weren’t Second World War or Korea veterans doesn’t make anyone less important to the Cameron Association. Please help us locate them and bring them back into the fold.

Thanks very much to those fine souls who have donated some of their hard earned dollars to keep hard copies of this newsletter going out to the guys and the widows of our guys without computers. A few were Second War men but some are younger former Camerons who live in areas with poor internet service or dial up, or are just plain happy to be off of the grid.

Editor’s Note: Contact Hugh O’Donnell per the Association Officers’ details and he’ll put you in touch with Xavier, James, Heather, and Sue.

On 12/13/2019 1:24 AM, Xavier Allen wrote:

Good Morning Friends:

I hope by now, my dues arrived, and thank you so much for remembering me. Please tell Mr. Frederick Carsted I said hello.

If there are any members of The Regimental Family traveling in The Detroit-Toledo areas and are in distress, please share my contact information with them.

Xavier

Subject: Looking for grand-father info 06/06/2020

Hello, my name is James Craig Langston. I am looking for any info, photos, history, about my Grand Father, MWO Reginald George Langston. Of The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. Registration number, H-19884 He served from late 30’s to 45 if my info is right. I would be grateful for any info you could provide.

Thank you so much for time. Look forward to hearing from you. Craig Langston

Subject: Soldier from WW2 06/07/2020

Hello. I am working with Norfolk County Public Library, on writing a book on our soldiers of W W 2 who went overseas and never made it back home. One of the soldiers that I am working on is Lloyd William Whitehead. He died of wounds in France. He was a member of the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. Do you have any info that you could help me with? I would love to be able to get a picture of him also.

Any other ideas you could help me with, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Heather Haywood

Query on a soldier of the QOCH 06/14/2020

Hello, I know this is very much a long shot, but I am doing some family research into someone who is buried in our churchyard and have identified that the father was one James Joseph Den- nis Gagnon. He is named on the birth certificate I have and stated as a Lieutenant in the QOCH Canada (also Sales Manager) and made a declaration as to being the father in March 1943. (I assume this meant he was probably in Europe by this time.) I would like to get some further in- formation on him if possible, hence my email.

I understand if this is the sort of information you are not allowed to pass on, or simply don’t have. I have no other information about Lieut Gagnon, not even his age so I’m fighting a losing battle (sorry about the pun, not intended!).

I look forward to hearing from you. Sue Hanson

Tillingham, Essex

England

Editor’s Note: I’m pretty sure Ms. Hanson is referring to Maj. J. J. D. Gagnon, who had the battalion for a bit when Lt-Col ‘Tommy” Thompson was doing A/Comd 6th Cdn Infantry Brigade duties. Any experts out there ?

* WHERE ARE THEY NOW ? *

HRH PRINCE PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH, COLONEL-IN-CHIEF,

THE QUEEN’S OWN CAMERON HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA (SWW AND ON) –

Please join the Cameron Association in Canada in wishing a somewhat belated, but entirely heartfelt, very happy 99th birthday to our Colonel-in-Chief !

Editor’s note: Our Colonel in Chief has made a point of visiting our soldiers and veterans on every possible opportunity that he, or we, could create. Thank you sir.

DUNCAN M. ANDERSON (Cold War) – Duncan and former Sgt-Maj RON WILLIAMS continue to try to keep the ANAF functioning in MB. They’d appreciate any visits or support they can get but understand our operational tempo only too well. They can be found at Unit #303 Rockwood by Grant Park when they’re not planning some event.

GORD FONSTAD – (Cold War Camerons) – Doing well. Gord has been keeping himself busy with two major projects. The first was to put together the full and detailed story of the window in Edmonton’s Highland Park United Church. The second project was to mark on Google Maps the places where the Camerons fought in the Second War. These labours of love have consumed hours of his time and you’ll see the results in an Oatmeal Rag soon !

ANDREW MCKECHNIE (COLD WAR) – Doing well and having fun down south.

ROY MACGILLIVRAY (Edmonton Fusiliers & RCA 1944-45, RCR SAS PL 1948, Ko-

rean War RCR, Cameron RSS 1970’s) – Roy is doing ok. Hugh got by to see him in January 2020, and Roy is still as sharp as can be and still has a great sense of humour. One of these days we’ll all get over to see his pictures of the old jump school at Rivers, MB.

CHRIS TOEWS (CURRENTLY SERVING ) – EDITOR’S NOTE: Normally, the activities of serving members of the Camerons are found in the appropriate section of the Unit and it’s goings on. As with most of us, Chris has a job – or two – outside of the unit lines. Here’s a bit of his story, but if you want to hear the rest of it you’ll need to buy him a drink or two yourself !

“This is certainly the most dynamic rescue project I have ever worked on.

Got to rescue the operations manager last night in a sudden turn of events. The barges had bro- ken free due to high wind and waves, and he was trapped in the ship. A 20′ scamper across a bouncing ladder and I was in the ship myself, some quick rigging and brawn and we were on our way back to the relative safety of the working barge. Pretty exciting stuff at night and in 10′ seas.

This morning he thanked me in front of the 200 people that are on this project, and applauded my ‘selfless dedication to saving the lives of the team and increasing the safety on the project’.

I was selfishly pleased.”

The photo below was taken shortly after clearing the barge, with the ops manager.

EMAN TURNER (COLD WAR) – Eman and his family are out in Maple Ridge BC. Eman’s company is called Truestim BC, as previously mentioned, and if you’re suffering from various muscle aches and pains he may have just the item for you.

Check out the links below:

www.painreliefdevices.ca https://www.facebook.com/truestimbc/

Editor’s Note: I can recommend this product in good faith at this time. My wife has been using the Tens machine to help with various aches and pains and it does bring some relief. It’s not free of course, but maybe he’d cut a bit of a deal for a fellow Cameron ?

KEN SMITH (SWW) – Ken is doing well enough. He’s happy in his digs, has a solid coffee crew to hang out with, and is seeing a lot of his family these days. Not only that, but he’s got a birthday party coming up this Fall. Not a bad idea considering he’ll be turning 100 !

All the best for now from us Ken – and maybe by then we’ll be allowed out to visit too !

* 2019-20 DUES ($20) STILL PAYABLE *

As of any old time now you can connect with Association Treasurer David Gibson (per the cover page of the Oatmeal Rag) who will take your payment.

If you are not sure of your status please contact Dave and he’ll either be happy to take your

$20.00 payment or be most unhappy that he doesn’t get to take any money from you – yet – this year.

You can also use interact e-Transfer to pay your dues to our Treasurer, Dave Gibson. It works rather like Pay Pal for those of you familiar with that service. Here’s link to one of the the web page options:

http://interac.ca/en/interac-e-transfer-consumer.html

* CAMERON ASSOCIATION REPORT *

*** Reminder you too can become a LIFE MEMBER of The Association ***

Short version, any member in good standing of at least 65 years of age will be allowed to buy a Life Membership in the Cameron Association in Canada for $250 Cdn as of our last AGM. This money is restricted to being spent on an “as earned” basis, which is to say The Association cannot have a grand party one year and be broke the next. We can only add the $20 per year of the $250 to each succeeding year’s budget.

* DELAYED *

THE CAMERON FALLEN COMRADES MEMORIAL DEDICATION CEREMONY

We’re still going to get this done – BUT NOT JUST YET !

THE SEPTEMBER 13th, 2020 DEDICATION SERVICE HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL SPRING OR LATER 2021 IN LIGHT OF THE COVID PANDEMIC.

As many of you already have heard, we’ve had to postpone this event in light of the fact that the majority of the people involved in making this monument a reality are in the demographic most likely to be affected by Covid, and we’re not going to be so ungrateful as to go ahead without them.

There are different options still available to support this endeavour. Please read the descriptions carefully because they are significant for tax and other purposes !

Donations may be made in two different ways:

E-Transfer: This can be done by E-transferring us your donation of $25 Cdn or more (because while lesser amounts are welcome, to get a tax receipt it MUST be $25 CDN or more). Be sure to include your name and mailing address !

[email protected]

By cheque to the Cameron Foundation: This can be done by sending your donation of $25 Cdn or more (because while lesser amounts are welcome, to get a tax receipt it MUST be $25 CDN or more) to:

The Cameron Foundation 180 Kingsway Ave

Wpg, MB R3M 0H2

ONLY donations of more than $25 by cheque or E-Transfer will be issued a tax receipt.

Cameron Association Highland Dance Trophy

VIDEO FROM CANADIAN MILITARY HISTORIAN NORM CHRISTIE: FINDING MISSING CEMETERY CA 40

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XjYqyxUdDQ

Well known Canadian military historian Norm Christie believes that he has identified a site

containing a number of our fallen comrades, and the video in the link can explain the concept better than I can. By our fallen comrades I mean that the soldiers are mainly from the 16th (Canadian Scottish) Battalion, so many of them probably started off as Camerons from Winnipeg. He also explains that a cemetery containing 44 soldiers was lost after the Battle of Vimy. Essentially these soldiers have no known grave at this time, and he’d like to sort that out.

* REGIMENTAL WEB SITES *

The Unit web site is still up running. The unit web site continues to be a point of contact between ourselves, the families of those who served in the Camerons, and those who become interested in the Camerons for one reason or another. We continue to have a few requests through the unit web site for information from families about former Camerons. If anybody can help out with them please feel free to do so. You can find the web site at:

http://thequeensowncameronhighlandersofcanada.net/

Link current to 14 June 2020

Speaking of the Unit web site, the photos from the old Cameron Picasaweb site can be found again by going to the Photo Gallery link on the Regiment part of our web site.

Links current to 14 June 2020

“The Cameron Highlanders of Canada Memorial Site, Recording the History of the Regiment, 1914-1919” web site is one that every Cameron should have looked at over the coming years.

Thank you so very much for an unparalleled job of helping out the Cameron regimental family Mr. McLean.

http://www.cameronhighlanderscanada.com/

Link current to 14 June 2020

The Highlanders’ Museum, Fort George, Ardersier, Inverness-Shire

“Visit us at the 5 star Highlanders’ Museum (Queen’s Own Highlanders Collection) and immerse yourself in our rich and diverse history, following in the footsteps of the Highland soldier from just after the Battle of Culloden until the present day. Our Nationally Significant Collection, the largest collection of military artifacts outside of Edinburgh, showcases the history of the Highland Regiments and includes an array of artifacts and archive material from the Seaforth Highlanders, The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, the Queen’s Own Highlanders, The Highlanders and most recently, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 SCOTS).

https://www.thehighlandersmuseum.com/

Link current to 14 June 2020

* UNIT EVENTS *

REGIMENT: The regiment is currently pretty much acting as it’s independent parts see fit these days. More below.

Not an “A” Company piece but congrats to Bill Worden, our latest recipient of the Sovereigns Medal for Volunteers !!!

BATTALION & “A” COMPANY UPDATE: Update courtesy of Sgt-Maj. James Clark. Ok so we’ve been stood down for Covid since March, but probably 80% of the battalion has rolled into the DRC (Disaster Relief Company) under the direction of Captain Lentz. Still on standby as I understand it.

Captain (Major when he gets done post tour leave) Fordham is back and is slotted in as the new OC A.

There’s talk going on about restarting summer training in a limited capacity in July. What’s old is new again, the new leadership program is JNCO again, so you enter as a corporal and qualify up to sergeant with time served.

The Trenchard brothers were part of a drive by parade of Deer Lodge for the anniversary of VE Day, May 8, 2020.

Although initial plans to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) were changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, 17 Wing Winnipeg and 38 Canadian Brigade Group worked together with local authorities and came up with a plan to form a drive- by parade around the Deer Lodge Centre, a local hospital that cared for many veterans. The parade was preceded by a short ceremony attended by 17 Wing Command Team Colonel Eric Charron, and Chief Warrant Officer Claude Faucher, as well as Deer Lodge Center COO Kevin Scott, Deer Lodge Centre Foundation Board Chair Ryan Wall, and local MLA Jon Reyes. The event not only allowed the military and local authorities to give tribute to the 75th anniversary of VE Day, but to the veterans and frontline medical staff of the Deer Lodge Centre as well.

Had all our Master Corporals complete the rifle section commander course to qualify as sergeants. Promotions went through for new Sgts Olafson and Mundey.

Congrats to those passing the Rifle Section Comd Course Shilo !

Back row centered: David Sims, Kyle Vermette, Dom Jeauneu, Chris Conrad, and Chris Mundey, and front row – Wes McKay-Palmer, Dillon Contois, and MCpl Coutu.

Editor’s Note: Many thanks to Sgt-Major Clark for keeping us in the picture in such “interesting times” !

Pipes & Drums Update: Courtesy, as usual, of our P/M Dan Locke

Despite the restrictions associated with COVID-19, the Pipes & Drums have maintained an active training schedule. The band has continued weekly rehearsals using an online platform and several of the Cameron cadet pipers and drummers have kept up their regular tuition via one-on-one video calls and a tutorial website developed by Drummer Ryan Summerton.

Unfortunately, public health requirements have forced the cancellation of the regular series of highland games across Canada. However, this has left a number of prominent players and adjudicators available throughout the summer months. Along with colleagues from the RCAF Pipes & Drums in Ottawa and the Pipes & Drums of the Stormont, Dundas, & Glengarry Highlanders in Cornwall, the band has been participating in weekly online professional development lectures. Topics have ranged from effective practice strategies to military pipe band history with several world-renowned clinicians leading the sessions. The band has also joined a series of online lessons led by various CAF band leaders including a session on pibroch, the classical music of the highland bagpipe, led by Pipe Major Locke.

Similarly, the lack of in-person highland games has pushed local pipe band associations, including the Prairie Pipe Band Association of Manitoba (PPBAM), to organize online solo competitions. Several members of the Pipes & Drums participated in the PPBAM’s inaugural contest, with Piper Emma Yeo taking 3rd prize in the Grade 3 march competition and Pipe Major Locke winning the Grade 1 solo piping event.

PM Locke

Be sure to look in the “Around the Unit Lines” section for a social media post about an online workshop P/M Locke led for some of the CAF P&D bands.

Editor’s Note: Many thanks to P/M Locke for taking time to jot something down for us, and congrats to Piper Yeo and himself on their awards !

Cameron Kit Shop:

In a bit of a state of flux right now while the Rifles and Camerons sort out their new lines and who’s who in the zoo. More to follow once I have some wisdom to offer, but there are some very willing people trying to find the time and energy to help those in need.

* REGIMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD NOTES *

The Advisory Board continues to provide sound advice to the CO on all matters Cameron in “interesting times”. The Board also continues to try to support all ranks and the Cameron cadets in their various endeavours.

The Advisory Board has continued to provide excellent support to the Cameron Monument Project in every possible fashion, from moral support, to financial advice and guidance, to co- ordination with the City of Winnipeg. They now have an exact site plan of where the monu- ment will be installed, along with whatever else the City of Winnipeg is able to do in the way of the Vimy Ridge Park redevelopment plan, phase 3.

It must also be noted that Bob Vandewater, one of our most experienced project leaders, has mentioned time and again about what great cooperation we have continually received from the various City authorities. Thanks very much from all ranks to all those involved !

* REGIMENTAL FOUNDATION 2018-19 NOTES *

The Regimental Foundation has been very helpful with the Cameron Monument and continues to help the Association with the funding process. There have been some large bills at this point and a few more big ones will be coming soon. Also coming soon will the the 2020 AGM re- port.

Thank you to all of those who have contributed to the Foundation. Every dollar helps !

ONLY donations of more than $25 by cheque or E-Transfer will be issued a tax receipt.

* CAMERON CADETS *

The Cameron cadets are doing OK. The corps strength is now 5 Officers, 2 CI, and 2 Volun- teer staff, and about 76 cadets . WO Will placed third in the biathlon competition at Falcon Trails. On the 27th Feb the corps did an offsite activity at U-Putz entertainment centre which was attended by 50 cadets.

Recent Events

As of 13 March 2020 all Canadian Cadet training was suspended until 31 August 2020. Any training events are to be held in a virtual environment, and cadets and officers are not permitted to wear their uniforms at any activities.

No cadets will be penalized for missing the remainder of the 2019-20 training year.

Some officers and cadets will be hired to collaborate on exploring methods of implementing a hybrid training plan in September 2020.

The CCO has set up online learning portals for both officers and cadets. Lessons and training

will be made available through the portal.

Each officer has contact information for a group of the Corps’s cadets to stay in touch, check how they are doing with opportunities through the portal, and help them feel that they are still part of the Corps. This is also intended to keep parents and cadets in the loop about Corp’s is- sues and activities.

Officers have been directed to share the “Kids Helps Line” number should any cadets require any assistance coping with the stress of imposed isolation.

Staff have reported to Capt Atkinson that they are sheltering in place with their families and working as required by their employers.

The next Corps event will be the Stand To in September, whatever format that may take.

As always, further information regarding our cadets is available at their official web page and you can also see how to sign up for REMIND. That is a communications tool the Corps uses to notify all concerned of activities, notices, quick information etc. sign up at:

http://www.407army.ca/

* REGIMENTAL REINFORCEMENTS *

Nil this time out that the Editor is aware of.

* OTHER REGIMENTAL NOTES *

Rounds Completed:

Covid Round 1 in Manitoba. Well, mostly. Other than that Nothing Significant To Report (NSTR) since our last report.

Incoming Rounds:

Stay tuned to the Cameron web page, Facebook page, and check your email every now and then too. Things are still very much in the air at this point. Also, please let the Editor know if you hear of something in the works.

THE CAMERON FALLEN COMRADES MEMORIAL DEDICATION CEREMONY

Delayed until at least Spring 2021.

* LINKS *

Before You Go – Information for Reservists to assist their Release from the Canadian Armed Forces This site is set up for guys like us. The P Res guys who are trying to figure out just what in the heck is supposed to happen. It is available to guys who are already releasing,

are long out, etc. http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/caf-community-support-services-for-members-reservists/before- you-go.page

Link current to 14 June 2020

Registered Disability Savings plan (RDSP)

If you have left the military with a disability that qualifies you may wish to look into this plan: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/registered-disability-savings-plan-rd- sp.html

Link current to 14 June 2020

* LIGHT READING *

Editor’s Note: This first item is NOT “light reading”. Agree or disagree with the author as you will, but pay attention to what he has to say. I believe it to be a good assessment of the current practice of warfare in our age, and we’d all better start to think about the Cameron’s role in Canada’s military in this context.

Liminal and Conceptual Envelopment: Warfare in the Age of Dragons

Small Wars Journal: Warfare in the Age of Dragons

SWJ Interview with Dr. David Kilcullen, author of the newly published Dragons and the Snakes – How the Rest learned to fight the West, Oxford University Press, March 2020. He is a professor of practice in the School of Politics and Global Studies at Arizona State University and a professor in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of New South Wales.

“The book is about military adaptation. It’s about how both state and non-state adversaries responded to us in the period since the Cold War. We created the fitness landscape within which all of our adversaries are adapting, and the event that created that was the 1991 Gulf War. It showed everybody how not to fight the US. The next big event was the 2003 invasion of Iraq that showed everybody that you can fight the US and you can succeed but you need a completely different model – small modular low-profile groups that operate autonomously among people in a protracted conflict.”

“ Small allies are never going to compete with the US led way of war but they can specialize in other forms of war that the US doesn’t have a good understanding of. The classic example would be Estonia which is not a major player in the system-of-systems Gulf War type warfare but is leading the way in creating “defensive cyber home guards” within local defense associations or preparing a defensive guerilla warfare/resistance warfare model. If we want to broaden the alliance response we have to focus on our comparative advantages with different nations doing different things.”

Link current to 14 June 2020

Milrem Robotics unveils its new Type-X unmanned tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

https://www.armyrecognition.com/may_2020_news_defense_global_security_army_industry/milrem_robotics_ unveils_its_new_type-x_unmanned_tracked_ifv_infantry_fighting_vehicle.html

“Milrem Robotics is best known for its THeMIS UGV which is operated by several countries, namely the French armed forces in Mali. Milrem Robotics founder and CEO Kuldar Väärsi said that a new long-term goal is to replace all old-style infantry fighting vehicles with new systems. He is convinced that, as in many other areas of life, the defense industry will become increasingly robot dependent in the future, and fewer and fewer people will be involved in the heart of combat operations…

The company believes that the Type-X has a number of advantages over the current type of infantry fighting vehicles. First, it’s almost twice cheaper. In addition, with its 12 tons (26,455 lbs), it is almost three times lighter than an IFV, which means that the Type-X has improved mobility and is easier to carry and drop by aircraft like the C-130. Being only 2.20 m (87 in.) high 2.90m (114 in.) wide and 6 m (236 in.) long, the Type-X also has a lower profile and smaller volume than most IFVs, making it difficult to spot in the field, a crucial advantage even more favored by its low heat signature. At the same time, it is fitted with a 2-ton turret armed with a 30mm automatic gun, optionally a 50mm one, which makes the Type-X as lethal as most of the other IFVs.”

Link current to 14 June 2020

EDA project aims for multifunctional smart textiles for defence

EDA Project aims for multifunctional smart textiles for defence

“As a first step of the roadmap, a multifunctional smart textile prototype – the first of this type and quality in Europe – was produced with the following functions (each of them tested):

signature management: the textile has multispectral camouflage in both static and moving positions
CBR threats monitoring: the smart textile detects the presence of hazardous agents (e.g. H2S, NO2, Cl2) and provides a warning to the soldier
improved mobility, using various textile structures as well as seamless technology in body mapping concept
flame retardancy, water and dirt repellence and anti-mosquito solutions
physiological monitoring: the smart textile measures the heart rate and provide info to the soldier
temperature regulation (cooling and heating): the smart textile is able to control the body temperature through monitoring of the ambient temperature
communication: the smart textile provides all parameters, such as the heart rate, to the soldier via an app in the smartphone, embedded in the system. In addition, the data can be transferred to the operating centre, if needed.

Link current to 14 June 2020

Rostec details latest variant of T-90MS main battle tank https://www.armyrecognition.com/weapons_defence_industry_military_technology_uk/rostec_details_lat est_variant_of_t-90ms_main_battle_tank.html

“Russia’s state corporation Rostec has detailed the actual variant of the newest T-90MS main battle tank (MBT). The company has published infographics describing the tank’s features on its official Facebook page.”

Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Link current to 14 June 2020

* HISTORICAL NOTES *

There are still families of First and Second War Camerons asking for more information about their kin. If anyone can help out please send the Oatmeal Rag editor what you have or ask to be put in touch directly and he’ll do so.

Cameron Centenarians

This year will mark the first known Camerons to celebrate their 100th birthday in I have no idea how long. Clayton Hunter was our first.

On 11 May 2020 Clayton celebrated his 100th birthday. Although somewhat marred by Covid distancing rules, his daughter Valerie put together quite the event. A suitably adorned cake, a slough of birthday cards from across Canada, and even a few from overseas. Not to be outdone, Association President Steve MacMillan sent a card and a copy of Winnipeg’s Ladies from Hell from the Camerons. Most notable was a card from a guy from The Netherlands thanking Clayton for his part in liberating the Dutch people from the Nazis. And then there was the RCMP led parade of golf carts and cars, all making a special swing by the window he was watching from.

It is with the greatest of regrets that I have to conclude by saying that Clayton passed away on Friday, 29 May 2020. RIP Clayton.

The First Trench Tour of the 43rd Battalion (Camerons of Canada

43rd Battalion, Camerons of Canada War Diary 18-31 March 1916. See the entry for 28/29 March 1916 about relieving the PPCLI in Ypres Salient trenches. To expand it to readable size you can copy and paste it to a Word document, or a similar program will do just as well.

Verification of Former Service DS Solution: You can check the FAQ at this site for more information but here are the basics:

“28. I used to be a CAF member. How do I get my file? Service records of retired or released CAF members are kept at DND for only a few years before they are sent to Library and Archives Canada.

So if you recently retired or have recently been released from the CAF, and suspect your re- cords might not yet be held at Library and Archives Canada, you may contact the DND Direct- orate of Military Careers Administration to obtain your records by dialing

1-866-240-6726. However, most military records may be obtained through Library and Archives Canada, including at the following Library and Archives sub-site:

Link current to 31 May 2020

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/contact-us/frequently-asked-questions.html

https://thediscoverblog.com/2011/12/20/how-to-order-military-records-from-the-personnel-records-unit/

Links current to 14 June 2020

You may call Library and Archives by dialing 1-866-578-7777 for assistance. Library and Archives Canada is the federal government department that preserves and makes accessible the

documentary heritage of Canada. It also serves as the continuing memory of the Government of Canada and its institutions. As such, Library and Archives Canada holds extensive collections of military records.”

“IT WOULDN’T BE AN OATMEAL RAG WITHOUT A WEE JOKE”- RUSS MILLER (SWW VET, FORMER RSM, AND OATMEAL RAG EDITOR)

Some reflections on Covid courtesy of Duncan Anderson, one of our Cameron officers from back when Bill Worden was young. To be taken with a grain or two of salt, or a fine Scotch as you prefer.

“Just wait a second – you’re telling me that my chance of surviving all this, is directly linked to the Common Sense of others ?”

“Remember all those times when you wished the weekend would last forever. Well, wish gran- ted. Happy now ?”

“So in retrospect, not a single person got the answer right to “Where do you see yourself 5 years from now ?”

“Sticking your tongue on an outdoor bug zapper lamp will cure the virus. Yep, I read it on the internet.”

Sponsorship

We are always seeking sponsors or advertisers to help defray the cost of this publication. If anyone is interested or has any suggestions as to whom to contact please let us know and we’ll be happy to do the follow up.

Sponsors to date are: Mr. Max Katz, our very first sponsor, of the Oatmeal Rag and the Jewish War Vets; Mr. Greg Flom, a former Cameron; Maj. Bill Gray, Cameron Advisory Board; Sgt Tim Seeley, Drum Sgt Extraordinaire; MCpl (Ret’d) Mark Silver, our “Eastern Branch” contact; Sgt (Ret’d) Roy Taylor, the Cameron WO’s & Sgt’s #1 choice for reading “Rab” Burn’s poetry; Maj. Ken Smith, who also has so kindly donated prizes for the Reunion Golf; Col. Bob Darling, Past President of the Cameron Advisory Board; Mr. W L (Lloyd) Jones, SWW Cameron; P/M Donald Morrison Cold War; Ken Smith and Lloyd Jones yet again God bless them; Sgt. Bill Douglas, Dieppe Raid.

Gentlemen, we thank you !

Around the Unit Lines

Long lost Athole Challenge Trophy Cup from The Officers 79th Cameron Highlanders of Canada

To whom it may concern: Please take the time to read this e-mail as it has taken me almost 30 years to reach out to someone or some group that may shed some light as to the rightful owner of this trophy cup is? I came into possession of this cup many years ago by accident. The story I will tell is unbelievable as to how I discovered this trophy cup. I have always believed that it should be returned to the rightful owner and I hope your organization can help.

I just recently came across some new archive information from the Scottish Games at Exhibition Ground, on Dominion Bay, 1914. I have attached the program and please look at page 15, as this is a photo of the Athole Cup. I have attached two photos of the cup that I have in my possession. On Page 3, the 2nd Vice President is Lachlan Collie, who is also named on

the back of the trophy cup as a winner of the Piobaireachd playing.

I have gained knowledge on bag pipe playing and the story behind “Piobaireachd” playing. Once you hear the rest of the story as to where it was discovered and how it was discovered, you come to a conclusion that there is a reason why it should never be lost again.

Cheers

Ron Schafer Hugh;

The trophy certainly belongs in Winnipeg. Both Collie and Duke were Pipe Majors in the Camerons. As a matter of interest, John Duke taught my father to play the pipes.

Also, I belonged to the SAAA back in the late 50s and early 60s. Sandy Will

Scottish Games Official Program Dominion Day 1914

Click here to see who was running the event for which the Athole Challenge Cup was awarded, who the judges were, and the advertising of the day.

Editor’s Note: After 30 years of searching Ron finally got his chance to tell Hugh the backstory. He was disconnecting a gas service on an old farm house, and got to wander through the barn while on site. At some time in the past, someone had spent a great deal of time in the barn, and had wallpapered over the wall studs. While examining the place Ron had a very unusual experience which he hopes to share in person with us when he presents the Cup sometime after Covid settles down. It’s QUITE a story.

Before and during the recent Quarantine donations have been coming in to our Museum.

The finest donation to date has been artifacts belonging to Pte Andrew Skinner Duncan, formerly 43rd Cams of C, courtesy of Clinton MacKenzie and Ian O’Connell, his grandsons. Trust me, his kit is in IMMACULATE condition, and has been very well cared for. Here is his story, courtesy of his family:

Andrew Duncan Skinner served in the Cameron Highlanders of Canada in the First World War. He enlisted as a member of the Active Militia in the 79th Cameron Highlanders of Canada in 1914 and began his active duty service in the 179th Battalion, volunteering for service with the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on 10 March ’16. During over three years of active service, he served in France, being wounded twice. He embarked at Halifax, Nova Scotia with the 179th on 4 October 1916 and landed in Liverpool, England on 13 October. The battalion arrived at the Canadian Expeditionary Forces Camp at Sandling, Kent on 20 October. Upon arrival, he was transferred to the 17th Battalion, then was transferred back to the 179th Battalion on 13 November, and finally to the 43rd Battalion on 30 November when he shipped to France.

The 43rd had recently suffered severe casualties at the Somme on 8 October and desperately needed replacements. Andrew was taken on the 43rd’s rolls on 1 December 1916.

Andrew, also called “Sandy” or “Lucky Andy” by friends, neighbors, and fellow veterans, served with the 43rd Battalion for the remainder of the war. He was wounded in the neck by shrapnel on 26 October 1917 at Passchendaele Ridge, also known as the Third Battle of Ypres. He was evacuated to the Bath War Hospital in Bath, England and was released back to duty on 7 November. Although his neck wound healed, much of the shrapnel stayed in his body.

Throughout his life, small pieces of shrapnel would surface under his skin and fester, requiring removal as late as age 85. He was hospitalized again after breaking his foot on 16 November 1918 after the Arnistice. He spent five months in the Canadian General Hospital at Basingstoke, England before being released in March 1919. Due to his injury, he did not return to Canada with the main body of the 43rd Battalion. After release from the hospital, he was granted leave and spent some time visiting his family in Scotland before returning to Canada in May 1919.

179th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders of Canada, Decoration Day parade on Main St, Winnipeg, 14 May 1916 from The Lion Rampant, p. 24.

He met his wife, May Forbes Aitken, at the Winnipeg railway station when his sister, Janet, returned from an overseas trip. Janet had met and become friends with May Aitken during her travels. Andrew and May became engaged in 1914 and planned to marry in 1915. However, due to the start of the war and Andrew enlisting, they did not marry until June 1920, after his return. May Aitken was also born in Scotland, in the Parish of Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire on 8 May 1894. She had a grade 8 education (considered quite high then) after which she worked as a domestic servant until emigrating to Canada in 1912. In Winnipeg she worked at the Whitlaw Co. Doing clerical work until their marriage. Throughout the war, Andrew sent $20 per month of his pay to May. He also listed her in his military will as the beneficiary of his “real estate” and personal effects. Andrew and May had four children: Alexander, Aida, Andrew, and Kathleen.

Andrew Duncan died on 22 June 1979 in Winnipeg.

Andrew’s uniform, insignia, and medals were donated by his Grandsons.

Sons of Aida (nee Duncan) O’Connell: Michael, Kevin, Brian, and Ian O’Connell Sons of Kathleen (nee Duncan) MacKenzie: Clinton and Douglas MacKenzie

Editor’s note: Andrew Duncan’s story as provided should be available from the Cameron Museum sometime after Covid. This is a slightly shorter version due to space limitations.

Infantry Training Manual from 1905

Next items up are courtesy of Maj (Ret’d) Rick Desjardins (yep that one – former RSM) R Wpg Rif, and Capt Gord Crossley (Ret’d) (yep, him too – former RSM) FGH. An Infantry Training Manual from 1905 that seems likely to have belonged to one of our former CO’s, Lt.-Col Robertson, M.C., as well as a few Cameron related badges.