Pro Patria 2012
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Pro Patria 2012 Regimental Journal of The Royal Canadian Regiment The PRO PATRIA February 2014, Issue 94 Editor Capt R. A. Appleton Technical Assistant: Cpl Alexander Perry Layout & Design: Lisa Twomey, Creative Spark Graphic Design [email protected] For information about receiving PRO PATRIA, joining The RCR Association, or to request a change of address, please direct correspondence to: Regimental Adjutant, RHQ, The RCR Victoria Barracks PO Box 9999, Stn Main Petawawa, ON, K8H 2X3 Phone: (613) 687-5511, ext 5086 Facsimile: (613) 588-5932 PRO PATRIA 2012 1 PRO PATRIA 2012 Issue 94 Front cover: “Let’s Roll!” 8 Platoon, Charles Company, 1 RCR BG, 2010, Afghanistan, prepares for a patrol. Photo: MCpl Dustin Holmes THE EDITOR’S DESK Pro Patria 2012 is seeing the light of day much later than previously anticipated. This is mainly the result of a very intense operational tempo that occurred throughout 2013. Every effort will now be made to tighten the publication cycle for future issues of the magazine. For example, work on Pro Patria 2013 will have begun even before Pro Patria 2012 has been printed. I would like to pay tribute to my colleagues for their outstanding work on Pro Patria 2012. Ms. Lisa Twomey of Creative Spark Design has served as our Regimental journal’s graphic artist and technical consultant since 2008. Directly responsible for the design and layout of the magazine in her role, Pro Patria has made a quantum leap forward in quality as a result of Ms. Twomey’s invaluable input and contribution. Corporal Alex Perry, who came to Regimental Headquarters in 2013, has proven to be a tireless worker whose computer and technical expertise is outstanding. The Regimental Major, Major Paul Gauthier, has been a constant source of support and striven to insure minimal distractions while the editing process was ongoing. To the many Royals who have contributed articles and photographs I would like to take this opportunity to offer my profound appreciation and sincere thanks. 2012 proved to be a transitional year for the Regiment. The Canadian mission in Afghanistan had evolved from combat to instruction and mentoring when a significant portion of 2 RCR deployed on Operation ATTENTION in February 2012 as the nucleus of Task Force 2-12. This will be the last major deployment of Royals into Afghanistan. In recognition of the historic nature of this mission, the Colonel of the Regiment, Colonel W.J. Aitchison, visited Royal Canadians in and around Kabul, Afghanistan on a busy and productive tour in May 2012. In an unprecedented initiative, Judith Irving was invested as the first ever Patron of The Royal Canadian Regiment on 05 June 2012. Ms. Irving will serve the Regiment as a special advisor on communications and community relations. Important renovations and improvements continued apace at the Regimental Museum in London, Ontario, which, when completed, will confirm the Museum’s status as one of the very best military museums in Canada. Change came as well to RHQ when WO Anthony Jones, the Regimental Warrant Officer, was posted to the Ceremonial Guard in Ottawa, to be replaced by WO Steve Gillis. As previously stated, 2013 has been a year of exceptional challenge and activity. Our next issue, Pro Patria 2013, will have much ground to cover. Surely one of the most colourful of these stories to look forward to will be the Royal Visit of HRH Prince Philip and the Trooping of the Colour by 3 RCR at Toronto in April 2013. Other significant events that will be reviewed will be the 130th Anniversary Regimental Reunion that occurred at St. John’s, Newfoundland in August 2013; the 6oth anniversary of Prince Philip’s tenure as Colonel-in- Chief; the investiture of a second Patron of the Regiment; and 2013 as the year of the Korean War Veteran. A much anticipated innovation that I would like all Royals to be made aware of is the 2 PRO PATRIA 2012 digitization of Pro Patria magazine. Although we will continue to produce hard copies of the magazine, as of Pro Patria 2012 the magazine will also be available online through our Regimental Website. Access to the online version will be protected by password and restricted to Association members and VCP-paying serving members of the Regiment. Details are being worked out now. In future, commencing with Pro Patria 2013, members of the Regiment will have the choice between receiving a hard copy or the electronic version, but the default setting will remain the hard copy. The intent here is to eventually reduce production costs by reducing the number of hard copies printed. However, hard copies will always be produced in sufficient numbers for those who lack access to personal computers. A final word on the photographs featured on the front and rear covers, as well as the Last Word page of Pro Patria 2012. These truly remarkable photographs were taken by MCpl Dustin J. Holmes during his time as a soldier with 8 Platoon, Charles Company, 1 RCR BG, while in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. MCpl Holmes is clearly an accomplished and thoughtful photographer. It would be no great leap to describe his photography as art. I am proud to highlight some of his fine work in Pro Patria. Captain Ross Appleton Regimental Adjutant EDITOR’S NOTE: CORRECTION In Pro Patria 2011, Issue 93, on Page 42, two unfortunate errors occurred in the caption related to the photo on this page. Colonel C.T. Russell is erroneously referred to as a LCol; and the name of Colonel T.K.D. Geburt was misspelled. My sincere apologies to both gentlemen. These errors have been corrected in the online version of Pro Patria 2011. PRO PATRIA 2012 3 CONTENTS Colonel of the Regiment .................................................................................................. 5 Individual Submission ..................................................................................................... 10 The Regimental Council ................................................................................................. 14 Regimental Mentors ....................................................................................................... 17 1 RCR .............................................................................................................................. 18 Individual Submission ..................................................................................................... 30 2 RCR .............................................................................................................................. 32 Individual Submission ..................................................................................................... 49 3 RCR .............................................................................................................................. 52 Individual Submission ..................................................................................................... 67 4 RCR .............................................................................................................................. 69 Individual Submission ..................................................................................................... 83 ERE ................................................................................................................................. 85 Individual Submission ................................................................................................... 112 The RCR Association .................................................................................................... 121 The RCR Museum ......................................................................................................... 146 Departed Comrades ..................................................................................................... 152 Regimental Photo Gallery ............................................................................................. 160 Individual Submission ................................................................................................... 172 Individual Submission ................................................................................................... 175 Individual Submission ................................................................................................... 177 Individual Submission ................................................................................................... 178 Individual Submission ................................................................................................... 181 Individual Submission ................................................................................................... 191 Individual Submission ................................................................................................... 193 Individual Submission ................................................................................................... 196 Individual Submission ................................................................................................... 197 Individual Submission .....................................................................................................198 Individual Submission ................................................................................................... 208 Individual Submission ................................................................................................... 211 Individual Submission ................................................................................................... 215 Individual