Volume 8 Issue 1

AFGHANISTAN

FALL 2011

EXERCISE RILEY SPARTHA Afghanistan has been a real test for our military – it’s been our longest war ever. The first Canadians landed there just a few months after 9/11 and Rileys and former Rileys have been part of that since the beginning, and as a result, we again have a very intensively-trained and experienced cadre of veterans in the ranks and in our leadership. This has been a good thing for our newer soldiers as they in turn learn the lessons of war.

Major Gary McQueen receives his Afghanistan Star from his commander at the end of his tour.

“Afghanistan” now forms part of the RHLI lexicon. While Canada has ended its direct combat role in Afghanistan, or the “sand box” as our deployed Rileys sardonically called it, we remain very much committed to the safety of that ancient but war-torn nation. We have switched to a training role for the Afghan army and police but it is still a dangerous job for the nearly 1,000 Canadians now operating mainly out of Kabul. We have lost one soldier in our new mission, due to a suicide bomber using a car packed full of explosives. No Rileys remain in-theatre with the safe return of Major Gary McQueen in mid-October, where he was employed at Regional Command South HQ as “Stability Operations – Border Coordinator” dealing mainly with border issues. He received his Afghanistan Star in a parade at mission’s end. More than 60 RHLI soldiers have now served at all levels in Afghanistan, from the highest-level headquarters to the most fly-infested Forward Operating Bases. All returned safely but with many tales to tell – in the manner of all veterans - of the sometimes-intense action many of them went through. It was not an easy go, with some battles rivaling those of World War 2 and Korea when the enemy decided to make a stand or conduct a major offensive. They have served Canada and our Regiment with distinction, in the fine tradition their forebears have established since 1862. Once again, we have even junior soldiers wearing campaign stars and other foreign-service medals.

A platoon of Rileys, all camouflaged up, makes ready for a patrol. Below, they move into line prior to an attack on the enemy. Photos/RHLI 2Lt Jacek Wojcik.

We are putting those lessons to good use in our training, most recently in Meaford near Owen Sound, the weekend of November 19-21. The transition from the mild +15 temps in southern Ontario gave way to the -10 and snow of Meaford, but Rileys are well-equipped to tackle environmental conditions. The weekend consisted of patrolling against a small enemy force but many lessons were provided to newer soldiers about living comfortably in the field. The essentials don’t change!

is the newsletter of The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Associate Members Group. It is published on an occasional basis as a benefit of your Associate Membership. Your contributions are eagerly sought! Contact the Editor at [email protected] or at The RHLI Officer’s Mess, The HLCol John Weir Foote, VC, CD Armouries, 200 James St North, Hamilton, ON L8R 2L1

EXERCISE ARROWHEAD STORM It’s not just unit exercises – your Regiment took part in a major Brigade concentration at CFB Petawawa the third week of August. For those of you who haven’t been to Petawawa – it’s one of those places where if you don’t like the weather, just wait ten minutes! But Rileys take it all in stride and push on. Your Regiment furnished part of the fighting echelon and part of the enemy force. The “enemy” was distinguished by special ball caps, and provided a focus for the attacking forces, using realistic tactics. Although Afghanistan taught valuable lessons in asymmetric warfare, traditional war-fighting skills are essential to a balanced and fully-capable army.

Rains hit a couple of times during the exercise – and hit hard. Ironically, the sign on the tent, left, says “pot washing area”! Photo/31 CBG

EX RESOLUTE RILEY 2011

It’s a test of time, distance and endurance, and it’s uniquely ours. Ex Resolute Riley is the annual start-oftraining-season “Iron Soldier” competition your Regiment stages every year at Valens Conservation Area – Sept th 10 this year. The actual competition is for privates to master corporals in teams of two, but the NCOs and officers run it the Thursday before to “prove” the route.

Live fire was a feature of the exercise, with lots of ammo. Below, Rileys in the enemy force await an imminent attack through a smoke screen. Photos/31 CBG

Top, soldiers cross the infamous Beverly Swamp at Valens. Below, the CO, left, and Hon. Lt.-Col. Tim Hogarth present the Nicolazzo Trophy to the winners, MCpl Ellens, left, and Pte Watson. All photos/RHLI 2Lt Jacek Wojcik

The enemy force used well-chosen positions for ambushes – and “died” gloriously for their cause! Photo/ RHLI 2Lt Jacek Wojcik

If you want to get a feel for the competition, run flat out 1.5 km to the nearest thigh-deep mud swamp. Wade across with 100 of your closest friends. Pick up a 25-kilo (50-pound) bag of potatoes and go another 1.5 km as fast as you can. Drop the sack, wade across a footballfield wide pool and then run another kilometer – uphill. Now do it in army boots and combat pants and you have Resolute Riley! The competition was won by MCpl Nick Ellens and Pte Mike Watson with a time of 44:26. Captain Cole Heffren again was first for the officer-NCO night, with a time of 43:30 – very impressive. A case of Guinness comes his way from the RSM! The day is closed with a family BBQ, promotions, awards and presentations. It’s a terrific way to build esprít de corps – and it’s that which wins battles.

Winter warfare is one of the more difficult combat skills. You not only must know how to fight, but how to simply survive in very hostile weather conditions. You’re wearing extra clothing, crossing difficult terrain, using up energy just to keep warm. But Canadian soldiers – and Rileys – have developed their winter skills to a fine art and are among the best in the world. The RHLI took to the winter fields near Welland, ON, the th weekend of February 25-27

EX TRILLIUM RESPONSE In May of 2011, the Rileys were preparing to get into firefight – but without weapons! The 31 CBG Territorial Battalion Group (31 TBG) was training in preparation for Ex Trillium Response. Our CO, LCol Dan Stepaniuk in his role as 31 TBG CO noted, “The purpose of the ex is to practice the execution of an LFCA contingency plan to provide support to civil authorities (Ministry of Natural Resources) when requested to help with forest fires.”

Above, Rileys move into their winter bivouack in the woods near Welland, ON. Being Rileys, weapons are at the ready. Below, the essential skill of lighting a naptha stove and lantern is passed on to the newer soldiers in the Regiment. Photos/RHLI 2Lt Jacek Wojcik

MNR instructors taught the 31 TBG soldiers at the Winona Range. Below – the SP100 course! 31 TBG – with a high proportion of Rileys at the core - was given basic forest fire-fighting training so they could assist the MNR if needed. While not a full qualification, it was certainly the first time Reserve soldiers had been given this kind of training. Ex Trillium Response was held in Bon Echo Provincial Park (below) the weekend of 6-8 May, in a joint Military Assistance to the Civil Authorities operation with the MNR. It went extremely well with great liaison developed with the MNR. Another Riley success story!

Old soldiers refreshed skills and new soldiers found they could live comfortably and fight well surrounded by snow. Putting up tents, lighting stoves and lanterns so you can have hot food, conducting patrols and learning how to avoid both hypothermia at rest and overheating when working – these are elementary but essential skills – and the Rileys have ’em!

DIEPPE REMEMBRANCE 2011 On 19 August 1942, The RHLI in its first battle since the Boer War suffered unimaginable casualties. Most of the regiment was killed or injured in less than 10 hours. Nearly 1000 of the 6000 Canadians on the raid were killed, including 197 Rileys. Hamiltonians have marked that battle ever since and now we do it at Dieppe Veterans Memorial Park on the Beach Strip.

From L – R: Maurice Lawson, Stan Darch, Fred Englebrecht, Jack McFarland, Frank Volterman and Fred Nicholls at the 2011 Dieppe Service.

sharp. Using .22 rifles, it’s great fun and great camaraderie. As you can see in the photo below, RHLI (ret’d) Major Don Kennedy walked away with the most th hardware on April 17 of this year, receiving his trophies from event chair Phil Williams (RHLI Major, ret’d) at the post-shoot dinner at the RHLI Association clubhouse on Barton St. Watch and shoot for April 2012!

RHLI Major Don Kennedy (ret’d), right, shows off the prizes received from RHLI Maj Phil Williams (ret’d) after demonstrating his eagle eye. Photo/Bonnie McVicar

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The 2011 commemoration, the 69 , was another cloudless, warm day, similar to that of the raid. Six veterans of the raid were on hand. The ceremony is always brief – maybe 40 minutes – with our Band, the Association Colour Party, serving soldiers, VIPs – and hundreds of members of the public, of all ages. Hamilton Mayor Bob Bratina, a big supporter of the military and the RHLI, presented all the veterans present with the City’s new Overseas Service Pin, with the th Dieppe ribbon. 2012 – the RHLI’s 150 anniversary – th will also mark Dieppe’s 70 . We will remember them!

AN RHLI “FIRST” RECOGNIZED Mr. Blake Goldring, Chairman and CEO of AGF Management, has been appointed the first Honorary Colonel of the Army. HCol Goldring is also the founder of the Canada Company, which has raised millions in support of Canadian soldiers and their families, in conjunction with the RHLI’s Honorable Company. But the first-ever such honorary appointment – as noted in the DND media release - was to our predecessor unit, th the 13 Battalion, in 1895! MajorGeneral the Honorable John Morison th Gibson, KCMG, VD, a former 13 Battalion CO, was the first Canadian soldier to bear the Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel then Honorary Colonel appointment. Our Honorary Lt.-Col., Tim Hogarth, the President and CEO of Pioneer Energy, has worked closely with Hon. Col. Goldring in raising money for the RHLI and the CF families. Nice to see tradition continuing!

HONOUR FOR ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT!

Mayor Bratina pins the City’s Dieppe pin on veteran Frank Volterman, a medic at Dieppe. He went on to serve through northwest Europe until wounded.

RHLI ASSOCIATION “SHOOT” A HIT! We expect our soldiers to be able to shoot and shoot well (in keeping with long RHLI tradition dating back to th our roots with the 13 Battalion). But ingrained habits die hard, and so our Association sponsors a “shoot” at the Wentworth Shooting Club every year to keep skills

RHLI Association pres Lynda MurdochFurchner has been awarded a Distinguished Service Award by the Certified General Accountants of Ontario. The awards are granted to members who have performed truly distinguished service to the CGA, or have exceptional service to the community, or both. Lynda is a corporate accounting manager at Aon Reed Stenhouse Inc. She has done extensive volunteer work for the CGA, serves with the RHLI through our veterans’ association, and has served on the boards of the Canadian Corps Association and Canadian Commissionaires.

HAS RILEY TWIST Earlier this year, Brenda Robinson was finally going through an old family desk she had inherited. Inside, with yellowed papers and old military badges was a tattered musical booklet entitled “Leander Waltz”. It was written by G. Robinson and dedicated to the Leander Boat Club. G. Robinson? George Robinson? Greatgreat grampa George Robinson, bandmaster of the th 13 Battalion? One and the same! It’s the only known composition by our most famous bandmaster, although he was a famous arranger of other’s works. Brenda contacted the Hamilton Spectator’s Mark McNeil with her find. He in turn contacted Major Mike Rehill, our current bandmaster and got the skinny on Bandmaster Robinson for a front-page story in the Spec (http://www.thespec.com/feature/article/479527-musical-treasure-of-hamilton-history-found). Maj Rehill arranged for MCpl Adam Malseed from our Band to play the music on his piano for Brenda – perhaps the first time the music had been heard in over a hundred years (it was written in 1879). The new-found tune will be a feature on the next RHLI Band CD with full military band arrangement, although first written for the piano forte. As a side note, the music was published in Hamilton by P. Grossman – the bandmaster of the RHLI just prior to Robinson. Nice touch! (photos/The Hamilton Spectator, Barry Gray)

Your Mess has had a couple of good functions this year with the Associate Dinners! Our spring guest speaker was Hamilton Police Chief Glenn DeCaire. With his “Support Our Troops” message, he was wellreceived. At the fall dinner, where we learned about the pre-rebellion

Hamilton Police Chief Glenn DeCaire is a keen military supporter, with a “Support Our Troops” day every year as well as supporting our Gala last year, and other events.

Rhodesian Army – well, the dinner was good, as was the comradeship! There have been some private functions as well, not only bringing some revenue in but introducing new people to our Mess – no telling who might become a new Associate member. The Mess is gradually being whipped back into shape. Flooring, carpeting, furniture and servery wiring are good, as are the stoves and fridges. Next up: end tables, drapes, lighting and – finally! – new air conditioners (courtesy the Reg’t’l Committee). The Mess has okayed the expenditures, as well as acquiring some stand-up tables in the bar room. The restroom has new fixtures and a coat of paint, courtesy DND. As we move th into our 150 year, your Mess will be looking the best it has in years! We look forward to seeing you there. You don’t need to wait for a function to use the Mess. We’re open Tuesday nights during the training year – our Steward, Glen is on hand most nights from about 7 p.m. onward. Bring some friends, get up a card game, and meet today’s combat-hardened Riley soldiers.

THE DATE BOOK We’re into the Christmas season now, as all the advertising will surely tell you! The soldiers mark the season with the Regimental dinner (already over by the th time you get this) and the Birthday dinner – our 149 ! – th slated for the 10 . But mark these dates down: 28 December – 6-8 p.m. Commanding Officer’s Cocktail Party. Dress is “mufti” – the army term for business suit / evening wear. A complimentary evening for our members, with great hors d'oeuvres, drinks, good friends and a welcoming, warm and comfortable atmosphere. Membership has its rewards! 31 December: New Year’s Eve Light Infantry Ball! The revival of an old Hamilton tradition. Some tickets still left – visit http://www.rhli.ca/150Ball.html for full details. If you’re going, you need to get those tickets now! 01 January 2012: New Year’s Day. Soldiers arrive at 10 a.m. We open to our Associate members at 12:30 – plenty of time for a night’s sleep after the Ball!

MESS COMMITTEE UPDATE This just in… some new faces are coming into the RHLI Officer’s Mess Committee after our Mess th meeting Nov 29 . Long-serving PMC Capt John Coomber will be succeeded by Major Robert Tremblay, and Lt Victoria Adams is our Secretary. John leaves a legacy of great dinners and a polished look to the Mess with the new furniture! The new committee will have its work cut out for them as we move ahead with further improvements.

ASSOCIATE DUES – COMING DUE! Please consider an early payment of your Associate Officer’s dues for 2012. Drop a cheque in the mail NOW, or perhaps at the Cocktail Party. Still only $60.00 – best deal in town!

RHLI HERITAGE MUSEUM LOOKING FOR MEMBERS The RHLI Heritage Museum is asking for your continued support. Consider a membership - it is only $10 a year. And, our Museum is always looking for volunteers to support the processing and maintenance of the artifacts on display. Our Museum is the repository of our Regimental history and is one of the premier regimental museums in Canada! For further information on membership and/or volunteering, please contact Ms Celia Anderson at [email protected]

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LAST POST 2011 has been a year of remembrance in the RHLI. We have lost eight comrades from World War II, not the least being our Museum Administrator, Ed Newman. BIERD, Charles Leigh – 20 March 2011, th in his 87 year. RCAF WW 2 veteran but joined the RHLI post-war, reaching Sergeant before retiring (“He was a driver, cook and anything else you wanted him to do! – Ret’d WO Val Patrick) and part of the RHLI Association for many years. WIGHT, Major Robert Wilson, on June 6, 2011 in his 92nd year. From Semper Paratus, on the Battle of the Goch-Calcar Rd, Feb 19/’45: With this loss of officers, C Company became badly disorganized and was taken over by Lieutenant R. W. Wight, a pioneer officer attached to the company, until Captain R. E. Bolt arrived from the rear. Nevertheless, the Rileys were, once again, on their objective. ELLISON, Seymour– 8 July 2011. He enlisted in the RHLI after Dieppe. He st volunteered for the 1 Canadian Parachute Battalion. He jumped into France on D-Day, and fought through North-West Europe and Germany. Severely wounded in the fight for Xanten, he was returned to Canada and discharged as WOII. BEAM, William Edward “Ted” – RHLI, WW 2, on June 22, 2011 at the age of 87. SIMKINS, Major John Elisha - September 18, 2011 at the age of 92. At the battle for Xanten in February 1945, Lt Ken Wharton (in Semper Paratus) recalled of Simkins: “Once when I was out checking on the sections, there was a great whoosh of artillery and I wondered what in hell was going on. When I got back to my headquarters

2012 marks our 150th Anniversary!

there was Johnny Simkins, my wounded platoon commander, at the wireless set. When I asked him what was going on, he said, ‘I just got a little itchy, Ken, and called down a Mike 51 (artillery barrage).’ ‘Do you know you’re probably costing the taxpayer 25 dollars apiece for every one of those shells?’ I said. ‘Yeah’, Johnny said, ‘isn’t it wonderful?’ “ HOAGE, Basil Joseph - September 19, th 2011, in his 87 year. RHLI WW 2 and post-war. SEMKOWICZ, Michael July 09, 2011, in his th 90 year. RHLI post-war member.

NEWMAN, Edward Cameron (George) Gordon 1920 - 2011 on November 21, 2011, in his 92nd year. Beloved husband and best friend of Brenda for over 68 years. WW 2 RHLI. Left out of battle for Dieppe, he told your editor it was one of st the biggest regrets of his life. For his 91 birthday, Ed, who joined as a boy soldier at age 15 in 1935, wrote: “On September 10, 1939 I left Westinghouse and signed on for Active Service with the RHLI. On July 22, 1940 my regiment was deployed overseas and seven days later landed in Greenoch, Scotland. I was all of 19 years old. The next day we travelled by train to Aldershot England. This route was chosen by the Military, as a decoy for the movement of Canadian Troops to the UK. At that time, England was under the constant threat of German invasion. We remained in Aldershot for the next 14 months to continue training in preparation for combat, finally taking up residence in Hastings, England. I was a Stretcher Bearer - later known as a Medic. One of my duties was to … retrieve the dead bodies of our soldiers and often that included finding their body parts. Finally I reached the point where I simply could no longer continue to do this. It was decided I would assist with the injured soldiers and help dress their wounds. I was also trained in water purification, a necessity for our troops, not only as drinking water, but for cooking, cleaning and the sterilization of medical equipment. I returned to Canada on a 30-day furlough on May 3, 1945. The war in Europe ended on May 8, th 1945. I was granted a discharge on June 25 . After the war I returned to my job at Westinghouse at Longwood and Aberdeen Roads, Hamilton.”

The Veteran’s Prayer “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we shall remember them. Lawrence Binyon, from “For the Fallen”

Watch this space for news as plans are announced!