News

Immediate Past President Col Geordie Elms passes the Gavel to Incoming President Col Gil Taylor

Summer 2018 Page 2 Fort York News Summer 2018

Fort York Legion Branch 165 Executive 2018 1421 Yonge Street P.O. Box 69009 President……………………… Col Gil Taylor , ON M4T 1Y7 1st Vice President…..……. Maj George Chabrol Fort York Branch Calendar 2018 2nd Vice President……….. TBA Immediate Past President... Col Geordie Elms 13 September………………. Dinner @ The Cricket Club Secretary……………………… Col Fred McCague Speaker: Larry Rose Treasurer……………………… Malcolm Hamilton

Membership Secretary…. Ann Unger LW Joyce Lloyd T.B.A. Chaplain……………………….. Maj Gillian Federico

District D, Zone 5 Rep…… LCdr Donna Murakami F.Y. News/Historian……….Terry Sleightholm Sergeant-at-Arms………… Malcolm Morrison Public Relations……………. Sgt Peter Moon Sunnybrook Liaison………. Col Jim Hubel Newsletter Staff Remembrancer……………. Capt Rev. Greg Bailey

Branch Services Officer….Cdr Ed Sparling Writer/Publisher…………. Terry Sleightholm Photography………………. Sgt Peter Moon RCMI Liaison………………… Susan Cook Terry Sleightholm Special Events Team Leader…. LCdr Donna Murakami Writers……………………… Sgt Peter Moon Special Events Team…………… Kathryn Boyden Capt Larry Rose Lt(N) Paul Costello Printing…………………….. Ann Unger Tom Pam Kathryn Langley Hope Issey Abraha Name Tags Members-at-Large……….. F/L Chuck Casson P/O Bill Milne Douglas Purdon

If you require a name tag, please con- tact LCdr Donna Murakami and she will arrange to have one made for you. The cost is approximately $5.00 . Indicate whether you prefer a magnet or pin clo- sure.

[email protected] Page 3 Col Bruce Wilkins Savage, CD (Ret’d) Fort York News Summer 2018 He was a bibliophile and was on the RCMI Library Com- e regret to advise of the death of Lieutenant mittee since 1988. He also served on the Georgina W Colonel Bruce Wilkins Savage, CD (Ret’d) on 25 Public Library committee for the last several years. April 2018 in Toronto, ON. Bruce was the Technical Di- Bruce also gave voluntary support to the Georgina Mili- rector of the Lewis S. Beattie Vocational High School in tary Museum. Bruce sourced and donated numerous Toronto and served with the Canadian Military Engi- badges and other military documents and artifacts to nd neers for many years with 2 Field Engineer Regiment museums. He donated some 500 artifacts (from cap in Toronto. badges to rifles) to the RCMI Museum. Bruce taught at two vocational schools in his career. The As a hobby, Bruce sourced and rebuilt three Canadian first one was Bendale Vocational High School in Scar- military vehicles to original running order [ a M38A Ca- borough where he taught for one year. He then moved nadian model jeep, a Universal Carrier ("Wasp"/ to Lewis S. Beattie in North York where he eventually flamethrower model), and a WW II-era Diamond T became Technical Director and responsible for all the Wrecker/Recovery vehicle. All were donated to military technical trades. He had a deep appreciation for those museums and the recovery vehicle is now on display at who pursued these studies and frequently went into the CFB Borden Museum. community to source speakers. He served on the Board A Celebration of Life service was held for Bruce Savage of Directors of the Army Cadet League of (c2005 – 2008). at Sharon-Hope United Church on May 5th. From: The Canadian Military Engineers Association

We Will Remember Them

Bruce joined 2nd Field Engineer Regiment (2 FER) in 2017– 2018 1959 on attachment from the Lincoln & Welland Regi- ment and was employed in the unit Quarter Master sec- Captain (N) Sonja Bata tion at Fort York Armoury. After qualifying as Captain in the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps he transferred to Captain Roger Broadbent the Canadian Military Engineers. Bruce rose through the ranks to eventually be appointed Commanding Officer 2 LAC Donald F. Hines FER (1978 – 1980). Bruce had a strong interest in the military and its history Trooper Colin J. McMechan and heritage. He was a member of Royal Canadi- an Legion Fort York Branch 165. Bruce was an active Colonel John E.L. Murphy member of the Military Engineer Association of Canada and was a member and office holder with Petard Corpo- Colonel Bruce Savage ration that provides support to the military engineering profession. Sub Lieutenant George Walsh Bruce was a member of the Royal Canadian Military In- stitute (RCMI) since 1974 and worked energetically on the Museum Committee (from 1986), chaired the Library Committee (1991-1996), and advised the RCMI Board of Directors as Honorary Curator (1998-2016). Page 4 Fort York News Summer 2018 Branch Dinner Toronto Hunt, April 25th he pictures below were taken at Fort York’s well T attended dinner at the Toronto Hunt. Guests were entertained by speaker Diana Bishop, grand- daughter of First World War flying ace and Victoria Cross winner Billy Bishop.

Diana talked about her famous grandfather and about Dinner is about to begin her recent book, Living Up To A Legend, My Adven- tures With Billy Bishop’s Ghost.

She also shared her 20-year career as a national and international news correspondent working for CBC, CTV, Global, and NBC News. Diana enjoyed our event so much that she signed an application to be- come a member of our branch.

Piper Jeremy Federico leads in the head table guests.

Past Presidents LCdr Donna Murakami and Cdr Ed Sparling share a laugh before dinner.

Past President BGen Garry Thomson is welcomed by Kathryn Boyden (left) and Shirley Elms.

Paul Federico taking it easy

Page 5 Fort York News Summer 2018

At the Toronto Hunt

Conversation before Dinner

Page 6 Fort York News Summer 2018

Rene Hubel and LCdr Donna Murakami Diana Bishop, Terry Sleightholm, LCdr Donna Murakami

Called to the Bar? “Reporter” Capt Larry Rose with Diana

Diana signs her book for Terry Sleightholm Maj George Chabrol at the Head Table

Page 7 Fort York News Summer 2018 Toronto Hunt

An animated Diana Bishop gave a most entertaining and thought-provoking presentation about her relationship with her parents and growing up in the shadow of her grandfather, Billy Bishop. Page 8 Fort York News Summer 2018

Toronto Hunt

Left to Right: Shirley Elms, Diana Bishop and Col Geordie Elms at the head table Page 9 Fort York News Summer 2018

Toronto Hunt

1920s

1920s

Toronto Hunt in the 1920s Page 10 Fort York News Summer 2018

Lt (Retd) Terry Pich, Maj (Retd) Bob Sears, Kathryn LCol (Retired) Arthur Huyke Donates Hope Langley, LCol (Retd) Arthur Huyke and Capt 42nd Medium Regiment Sword (Retd) David Burnett. By LCol (Ret’d) Jim Brazill

n May 4th at the Royal Canadian Military Institute O (RCMI) we were honoured to have two special guests for the monthly Gunner Lunch. LCol Arthur Huycke, last CO of 42nd Medium Regiment before it was amalgamated into 7th Toronto Regiment in the 1960s, and his lovely wife Joan joined us at the lunch to pass on the sword that has been in his keeping for the last five decades or so. At the time of the amalgamation, a result of the Suttie Commission, not all serving members of the artillery regi- ments of the time (29th Field Artillery Regiment, 42nd Me- dium Artillery Regiment and 1st Artillery Locating Regi- ment) could be amalgamated into the newly designated 7th Toronto Regiment. In particular, only one Command- ing Officer from the three units was needed going for- ward. Faced with his retirement from the military, LCol Huyke was concerned about the memorabilia held by his unit. He did not want to see DND collect up everything and put it in storage somewhere, never to be seen again by the Gunners of Toronto. Prior to leaving the Universi- ty Avenue Armouries for the last time he secured one of the unit swords. The sword has been in LCol Huyke’s safe keeping since 42nd Medium Regiment ceased to be. Now that the dan- LCol (Retd) Arthur Huyke. Capt (Retd) David Burnett and ger of the sword being grabbed by Ottawa has subsided Mrs Joan Huyke. he thought it was time to get it back into the hands of the active Gunners in Toronto. Despite it being a treasured Garden Party decoration in his study, LCol Huyke passed it on to the unit via The President of the Toronto Gunners, Capt Da- vid Burnett. LCol Huyke is 94 years old and is still sharp as a tack. Those attending the Gunner Lunch greatly enjoyed speaking to him and Joan and hearing their reminis- cences of their days with The Regiment. He was pleased to see how many members of the Gunner Fami- ly come out for the monthly lunch and he accepted the invitation to fire the first round of the Victoria Day salute at Queen’s Park later that month. As LCol Huyke aptly Our Special Guests: Veterans and Residents stated: “Once a Gunner, always a Gunner.” □ of Sunnybrook Photos: Jim Brazill Page 11 Fort York News Summer 2018 Garden Party at Rosedale

New member Fred McNulty really got into the wearing of his hats at the garden party. He wore 5 of them! Or was it 6? But who’s counting?

L to R: Past President, Col Fred McCague, Lillian Shery and President Col Geordie Elms Page 12 Fort York News Summer 2018 The Garden Party

President Geordie Elms, left, presented gifts recognizing years of service helping veterans at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre to, from left, Ann Unger, Donna Murakami, Irene Hubel, and Jim Hubel. Three other long-time volunteers who were not present ̶ Joyce Lloyd, Terry Sleightholm, and Michael Stevenson ̶ will receive gifts at a later date.

Welcome to Our Newest Members

Renata Belszing, Andrew Closs, Marion Dick, Steve Dulmage, Leonard Feldt, Davida Freel, Ines Gorodnitzky, Matthew Milberry, Veronica Roynon, Paul Truelove, Keith Wright Page 13 Fort York News Summer 2018 CHEQUES TO HELP VETERANS PRESENTED * Commander Richard Ratcliffe who joined the Royal Ca- AT ANNUAL GARDEN PARTY nadian Navy Volunteer Reserve in 1945 and served on a total of 12 ships. They included the destroyer HMCS Noot- By Captain Larry Rose ka which was involved in shore bombardment during the olonel Geordie Elms, Branch 165`s president, an- Korean Conflict and later, HMCS Qu’Appelle. Commander C nounced donations amounting to $34,500 to three Ratcliffe was captain of Qu’Appelle. veterans’ support organizations during the annual garden * Private Mary Prescott, a CWAC who worked with the Ca- party at the Rosedale Golf and Country Club on May 23. It nadian Army Show in 1944 which performed in both was the largest amount in recent memory, with the money France and Germany. She later became a Registered coming from Branch 165`s Poppy Fund campaign. Nurse. He presented a cheque for $20,000 to the Veterans Com- * Lieutenant (NS) Frances McIlroy who enlisted as a nurse fort Fund at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. The do- in Kingston, Ont., during the war. She served in England, nation was accepted by Kathryn Baldwin, manager of rec- Belgium and Holland tending to wounded troops. reation therapy and creative arts at Sunnybrook. A second cheque for $5,400 was presented to the Tony Stacey Vet- * Private Mary Jarvis who enlisted full time in the Canadian erans’ Centre, with the donation accepted by Neila Taylor, Women’s Army Corps in 1943 and was posted overseas to the Centre`s chair. A further $5,000 will go to Renos for London. During three years of wartime service she was a Heroes which funds needed home renovations for some driver whose assignments included transporting those recent Armed Forces veterans. wounded in air attacks to hospital. On a spectacular, clear evening the Rosedale dining room *Flying Officer William Chisholm who enlisted in Toronto and terrace made an impressive setting for the branch`s in 1943 and became a member of the Royal Air Force. He 88th annual garden party. The event was enlivened by was a member of No. 100 Squadron and completed 16 dozens of light-hearted hats worn by many members. bombing missions aboard Lancaster aircraft. □ The event was attended by 70 branch members and friends, including four past presidents. At least two Second World War veterans who are regular members of Branch 165, Wing Commander Russ Bannock and Pilot Officer Bill Milne, also attended the dinner. In addition, eight guests from the Veterans Wing at Sunny- brook Health Sciences Centre attended the event. Intro- duced by Colonel Jim Hubel they were: * Able Seaman Bert Cooper who served aboard HMCS Uganda during the Second World War as an anti-aircraft gunner. Uganda, a cruiser, provided front line service in the Mediterranean especially during the amphibious land- ing on mainland Italy in 1943 but was heavily damaged by a glider bomb. The ship returned to service after major re- pairs in the United States. LCol Geordie Elms, Fort York's president, pre- * Wren Peggy Campbell who enlisted in the Women’s sented two donation cheques from the branch. Royal Naval Service during the war and served on HMS Kathryn Baldwin, centre, received a cheque for Peregrine and HMS Kestrel, both shore establishments. $20,000 for the Sunnybrook Veterans Comfort Her husband, William Campbell served with both the Royal Fund, and Neala Taylor, right, accepted a Canadian Artillery and the Governor General’s Foot cheque for $5,400 for the Tony Stacey Centre Guards. for Veterans Care. *Anti-aircraft Gunner Paul Murphy who was a member of the and served aboard the corvette HMCS Cobalt and the minesweeper HMCS Wallaceburg.

Page 14 Fort York News Summer 2018

Lovely Ladies in their ever so stylish hats

Paul Federico as Abe Lincoln? It appears that Major Don Harris is “all lit up!” Fort Page 15 Fort York News Summer 2018 Garden Party

Art Burford and Renata Belzing share a laugh My hat’s bigger than yours!

Wha-a-a-a-t? I’m sure I had a hat! I must have lost it! Says Shirley Elms (Right) to Marion Dick on the patio deck at the Garden Party Page 16 Fort York News Summer 2018

Garden Party

Past Presidents: Cheers! from Ann Unger (L) and Kathryn Boyden Col Fred McCague and LCdr Donna Murakami

Hats, Hats and More Hats! Page 17 Fort York News Summer 2018

Left to Right: Don Harris, Daniel Von Richthofen, Dave Harris. Both Don and Dave are members of Fort York Branch 165.

100th Anniversary of the Red Baron’s Death

By Major Don Harris

n Sat. April 21, 2018, both my brother Dave and I attended the 100th anniversary event commemorat- O ing Von Richthofen’s demise at the hands of Canadian WW1 ace Captain A. Roy Brown. The event was sponsored by the Roy Brown Society in Carleton Place ̶ Brown’s and my family’s home town. The dinner guests included Brown’s niece from Oakville and a notable special guest, ‘Mr Daniel Von Richthofen’ – who now lives in Canada, in Kemptville near Ottawa. He is a direct descendant who never knew his famous relative. Daniel is now in his late 80s and has had no military service, but ironically chose Canada as his place of residence.

Roy Brown Manfred von Richthofen

Page 18 Fort York News Summer 2018

Roy Brown on the Red Baron’s tail moments before the German ace was shot down

The attendees at the Annual D-Day Dodgers Lunch in June, RCMI Page 19 Fort York News Summer 2018

IN MEMORY OF THE D-DAY DODGERS By Peter Moon

wenty members of Fort York branch attended the annual luncheon at the Royal Canadian T Military Institute in June in honour of the D- Day Dodgers. Three D-Day Dodgers were recognized at the event. They were Jack Rhind, a gunner and the event’s speaker; Al Stapleton, a signaller; and John Percival, who served with the Royal Canadian Regiment. We fought into Agira, a holiday with pay, D-Day Dodgers was the name for those servicemen Jerry brought his bands out to cheer us on our way, who fought in Italy during the Second World War af- Showed us the sights and gave us tea, ter D-Day on June 6, 1944. We all sang songs, the beer was free, We are the D-Day Dodgers, in sunny Italy. The name was supposedly publicized in a negative way by Viscountess Astor, a British MP, but there is The Moro and Ortona were taken in our stride, We didn't really fight there, we went there for the ride, no record that she actually used the term. Sleeping 'til noon and playing games, The name originated with the troops in Italy and was We live in Rome with lots of dames, used in a self deprecating way. But it was also used We are the D-Day Dodgers, in sunny Italy. sarcastically, given the high numbers of Allied service On our way to Florence, we had a lovely time, personnel who were killed or wounded in Italy. A We drove a bus from Rimini, right through the Gothic quarter of all Canadian forces who fought in Italy Line, were either killed or wounded. Then to Bologna we did go, We all went swimming in the Po, The troops felt that their sacrifices in the ongoing Ital- We are the D-Day Dodgers, in sunny Italy. ian campaign, which tied down vast numbers of Ger- Dearest Lady Astor, you think you’re might hot, man forces, were not recognized after D-Day, the Standing on the platform, talking tommyrot. invasion of Normandy in 1944. Dear England’s sweetheart and her pride, When used in a derogatory sense, the name D-Day We think your mouth is much too wide, Dodger suggested the troops in Italy were avoiding From all the D-Day Dodg- real combat, which was contrary to the facts. ers, in sunny Italy. The D-Day Dodger luncheon featured a salad with Look around the mountains Spam as a reminder of the food eaten by the troops in the mud and rain, in the Italian campaign and the singing of the “The D- You’ll find scattered cross- Day Dodgers,” to the tune of Lili Marlene. es, some which bear no Its words are: name. Heartbreak and toil and We are the D-Day Dodgers, out in Italy, suffering gone, Always on the vino, always on a spree, The boys beneath them 8th Army skivers and their tanks, slumber on, We go to war, in ties and slacks, We are the D-Day Dodgers, in sunny Italy. For they’re the D-Day Dodgers, who stayed in Italy. Lady Astor Page 20 Fort York News Summer 2018

Congratulations to our newest members!

L to R: Paul Federico, Ann Taylor, Col Gil Taylor, LCol Evelyn Kelly Page 21 AGM & Change of Command June 2018, RCMI Page 22 Fort York News Summer 2018

CANADIAN RANGERS MEET ONTARIO’S NEW COMMANDING GENERAL By Peter Moon

hree Canadian Rangers from Northern Ontario participated in a change of command ceremony in June that saw the T highest ranking Indigenous officer in the assume command of the army in Ontario. Brigadier-General Jocelyn Paul, a member of the Huron-Wendat First Nation, is the new commander of the army’s 4th Ca- nadian Division. He took command at a ceremony at Queen’s Park in Toronto.

At a reception afterwards he talked with the three Rangers about growing up on his First Nation’s reserve near Quebec City where he learned to hunt and fish, something he said he looks forward to doing with Rangers when he travels to visit their communities in the Far North of Ontario. He told them how proud he was of his culture.

“Going into the infantry was like a piece of cake when I started as a reserve soldier,” he told them, “because I was going hunting and fishing all the time when I was growing up on the reserve.”

According to his official biography General Paul is “a dedicated hunter and fisherman, (who) likes to roam in the Canadian wilderness. He also enjoys playing hockey and golf occasionally, even though he has absolutely no talent for either sport.”

“I enjoyed meeting him, I liked him,” said Master Corporal Emily Beardy of Muskrat Dam. “He talked to us about what the Rangers do and about learning his culture when he was growing up. He used his own language when he talked about his grandmother.”

Master Corporal Beardy participated in the parade along with Corporal Terrence Duncan from Muskrat Dam and Sergeant Charlie Linklater of Sandy Lake. “It was kind of hard having to stand for so long,” she said. “But I enjoyed taking part in it.”

General Paul joined the army as a reservist in 1988 and as a full time soldier in 1991. For his service in Afghanistan he was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross. He is a graduate of the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff Col- lege, the U.S. Marines’ School of Advanced Warfighting, and the national security program at the Canadian Forces Col- lege in Toronto.

He replaces Brigadier-General Stephen Cadden as the commander of 4th Canadian Division. General Cadden, who was promoted to major-general, was presented with a ceremonial Canadian Ranger axe as a farewell gift from the Rangers of Northern Ontario. □

(Sergeant Peter Moon is member of Fort York branch and the public affairs ranger for the 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group at Canadian Forces Base Borden.)

Brigadier-General Jocelyn Paul, left, talks with Sergeant Charlie Linklater, Master Corporal Emily Beardy, and Corporal Terrence Duncan. Page 23 Fort York News Summer 2018

July 2, 2017 Page 24 Fort York News Summer 2018

After Sunday Chapel Service, Sunnybrook, Spring 2018

Left: Michael Stevenson (Volunteer), Ann Unger (Volunteer), Rev. Veronica Roynon, the late Roger Broadbent (Organist) Right: Donna Murakami (Volunteer), Joyce Lloyd (Volunteer); Donna Somcher (Volunteer); Photo: Terry Sleightholm

Scarborough Legion to Move ue to rising costs and falling membership, Branch 258 in Highland Creek has decided to sell its proper- D ty and move to another location, likely in east Scarborough. A membership of 2,500 in 1999 has fallen to 400 members. The branch began building on its Lawson Road property in 1946 in what is currently the north parking lot. That original building burned in 1976 and the pre- sent one opened in 1981. Two and a half acres were deeded to the Tony Stacey Centre for Veterans Care, a 100-bed nursing home. From 1956 until 2016, Branch 258 organized an annual Canada Day parade and festivities. I am sure that the building will be missed by the local res- idents who supported Branch 258 events for several dec- ades. □ Terry Sleightholm (Source: Scarborough Mirror, May 2018)