THE ESSEX AND KENT SCOTTISH NEWSLETTER SEMPER PARATUS SUMMER 2013 EDITION GREETINGS FROM THE HONORARY COLONEL The last year has been one of reflection on the past and anticipation On several occasions over the year I have high- for the future. lighted how momentous it is that we are award- ed the new battle honours of DETROIT, MAUMEE, NIAGARA and DEFENCE OF The most memorable event was the August tour, superbly organized CANADA 1812-15. If not for our ancestors by Battle Honours Ltd., to the Regiment’s battlefields in Western defending our land in partnership with Britain Europe; especially the visit to and Native warriors it is likely that North Dieppe, France for the 70th America would be very different today. anniversary of that fateful raid. The tour was made The Regimental Senate has acknowledged this more special by the two-day by deciding to emblazon all four new battle visit to Dieppe by our Colo- honours on our Regimental Colour. Until such nel-in-Chief, HRH Prince time as the existing Colours, presented in 1994, are declared unserviceable Michael of Kent which in- the new battle honours will be added to the four corners of the current Col- cluded a full-day tour of the ours. It has been my honour to represent the Regiment at ceremonies at battle sites and many extraor- Monroe, Michigan in January and at Ft. Meigs along the Maumee River, dinary events in the city. The Ohio in early May as our American friends remember the battles against the presence of HRH provided early Canadian Militia at Frenchtown and Maumee 200 years ago. Having considerable profile for the seen how the French remember the Dieppe Raid in 1942 and the USA re- Regiment at Canada Square member the War in 1813, my wish is that Canadians would do a better job at and the long walk to our Memorial at Red Beach. We are grateful remembering the terrific job that the Canadian Army – past and present – for the generous time HRH gives to his Regiment. does every day. The Essex and Kent Scottish have been fortunate over the last four years to have Glenn Stannard as our Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel. It was sad to see his time end at a farewell ceremony on 5 March although he will continue as a member of the Senate and Scottish Borderers Foundation. We benefitted from his sage advice, connection to the community and strong sense of duty towards the Regiment. At the same time we are thrilled that new HLCol Dave Woodall has agreed to put on the E&K uniform and help make the Regiment better. Dave’s excellent work in Delta Company over eight years and leadership of the two Dieppe Memorials have well prepared him for what lies ahead. Recently we said farewell to LCol Morris Brause who capably commanded the Regiment for the last five years. These are not easy times in the Militia with tight budgets, too few training courses and the ever increasing demands by civilian employers. Thank you, Colonel for your ongoing commitment to make us better soldiers and the Regiment well known in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent. Enjoy your last fling of soldiering in Afghanistan over the next 9 months serving in a senior operations staff position that will directly Regimental Senate’s proposal for adding the four new Battle Honours onto the impact the success of Canada’s mission. Regimental Colour PAGE 1 SEMPER PARATUS We welcome LCol Ben Reavely back to the Regiment and offer our full I cannot end without thanking Lt. Jacquie Winand-Bacon and Sgt. Bob Bacon support. for assisting me to update the Regimental Manual. Together with the com- mand team and the Senate they made the Manual a useful resource for all All Saints Anglican Church, in Windsor along with Christ Church in Chat- members of the regimental family. The latest edition is available at ham, are our two Regimental churches. On Sunday 22 Sept 2013, follow- www.ekscot.org. ing the Regimental Church Parade, a monument stone commemorating All Saints as the ‘Spiritual Home of The Essex and Kent Scottish in Essex I continue to be impressed with the quality of soldiering and commitment of County’, will be dedicated. The $1,723.25 cost of this engraved stone, the many supporting organizations. You, me, all of us have talents to offer similar to the one at the Christ Church entrance is being bourne by our the Regiment and Canada. Keep up the good work. Regimental Family and donations made out to The E&K Scot Association Semper Paratus! towards the stone will be gratefully received. Tax receipts will be issued. Hardy Wheeler, HCol FAREWELL FROM THE COMMANDING OFFICER -ing in a Counter-Insurgency (COIN) It is hard to believe that 5 years and 3 months have passed since I took environment. Our Regiment’s leader- command of the finest regiment in Canada. When I transferred from the ship provided the training, planning and Regular Force in 2005, having served 27 years with the PPCLI, I returned command structure for running all of to my roots serving as a citizen soldier in one of the oldest Primary Reserve the 31 CBG collective training during Units in Canada, The Essex and Kent Scottish. Within a short few years, the period of 2008-2010. We planned after serving as OC HQ Coy and the DCO, I was honoured to be promoted and conducted some of the most de- manding become the template for train- and take command on 2nd March 2008. In those short years, I learned a ing in this brigade. We planned and great deal of the history of our Regiment, became well versed on traditions conducted the first Windsor Tattoo and from our excellent Senate, and had met many past serving members who Sunset Ceremony with all of the garri- enlightened me to the great deeds of this Regiment, the challenges that lay son units and HMCS Hunter. In May ahead, and what they all desired to see for the future of the Regiment. 2009, we entertained over 5,000 people on the waterfront with military pageant- Of prime importance, of course, was the need to continue to train infantry ry that has never been experienced LCol Brause: Photo courtesy Spike Bell soldiers who could perform their duties locally, provincially, on federal before. The Regiment followed the tasks and overseas. A field unit with exemplary soldiers, during my tenure excellent work done in 2006 in Dieppe, France, and built a new Dieppe mon- The Essex and Kent Scottish continued to provide outstanding soldiers to ument and unveiled it in 2010 in the Dieppe Gardens in Windsor, Ontario. all of these tasks, with over 50 members serving in Afghanistan. This unit We exercised the Freedom of the City of Windsor in the Fall of 2012 in cele- provided the best instructors for national courses. Many of our soldiers bration of the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812-1815. At that time, we topped their basic and leadership courses, bringing great pride to their Reg- also received four new battle honours recognizing our achievements as a Reg- imental family. On numerous challenging military exercises, our soldiers iment during that period. That history, of course, tracing back to the great always performed well, demonstrating superlative skills as infantry sol- achievements of the Essex Scottish and Kent Regiments that were amalga- diers. Consistently, I heard from successive Commanders of 31 CBG, and mated in 1954 to ensure that the history of both great Regiments lived on in from the Commanders of LFCA, that The Essex and Kent Scottish soldiers perpetuity. The Regiment participated in many veterans’ events, thus contin- were always amongst the best that the infantry produced. uing to demonstrate our support and pride in those who have gone before us and served their countries. I have always been impressed by the tenacious dedication of our Officers and NCOs in the performance of their duties. No matter how busy their This unit has been well served by our Association and Delta Company. Both civilian lives, be it work or academic endeavours, they always planned and organizations have done everything possible to support the soldiers and to executed challenging and professional training. Of particular note, in my ensure that The Essex and Kent Scottish maintained a very impressive foot- tenure as CO, were my three great RSMs. As the senior soldier and advisor print within the community. The Directors of The Essex and Kent Scottish to the Commanding Officer, a CO heavily relies on his RSM for advice, Regiment Association and the executive of Delta Company, especially the support and in ensuring that the NCO Corps continues to professionally Officers in Command of D Coy (Joe Ouellette, Mike Beale, Ed Bernard and develop and inspire the soldiers. Kirk Drew, Sean Wilkins and Cyril Dave Woodall), have always provided me with excellent support and advice. Cheng have done just that. I have been well served and personally want to The members of the Regimental Senate have provided splendid advice in thank them for their dedication to duty, the soldiers and the Regiment. managing the overall historical aspects, especially the traditions of the Regi- ment. Their guidance and leadership, combined with their love of our Regi- So many great events have occurred during this tenure. Our all-arms train- ment, have continually inspired me as your CO. I want to particularly thank PAGE 2 SEMPER PARATUS Honorary Colonels, Rae Martin and Hardy Wheeler, and the Honorrary force its great history of Lieutenant-Colonels , Glenn Stannard, Dave Woodall and appreciation to service and excellence Bob Bradley, for their cherished advice, support and guidance.