1947 - 2017 Shilo Now you can shop Stag at home with WE WILL MATCH... CANEX.ca ADVERTISED PRICES ON ELECTRONICS, CAMERAS, Magasinez maintenant COMPUTERS & MAJOR APPLIANCES. DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE INSTORE OR ONLINE AT WWW.CANEX.CA Your source for Army news in Manitoba à partir de la maison Volume 58 Issue 9 Serving Shilo, Sprucewoods & Douglas since 1947 May 2, 2019 INSIDE Key ceremony This Issue The Brandon, Manitoba Chapter of Habitat for Humanity held a key ceremony Monday on the eve of Angelina moving in with her three children to a home built on Franklin Street, with volunteer help from members of RPOU(W) Det Shilo like Cpl Aaron Legg (in- set) during construction in 2018. Alongside daughters Claryssa and Aneesa, Angelina received the keys to her new home from RPOU(W) Det Shilo OC Maj Jeremie Du- long. With two more homes being built start- ing this year, local Habitat for Humanity com- munity engagement manager Bonnie Mills said volunteers from Maj Dulong’s offi ce will continue to provide construction expertise. Photos Jules Xavier/Shilo Stag RCA Museum acquire Gen Strange medals. Page 2 War Museum unveils Hill 70 VC collection. Page 6 Army beret colour chang- ing to dark blue. Page 8 2 Shilo Stag CELEBRATING 72 YEARS PROVIDING ARMY NEWS May 2, 2019 RCA Museum announces medal acquisition MGen Strange medals invaluable to Royal Regimentʼs history Jules Xavier post-Confederation Canadian militia. In 1885, [Gen] Strange Shilo Stag came out of retirement and commanded the Alberta Field Force during the Northwest Rebellion. This force fought in the last battle on Canadian soil.” The medals once worn on the chest of MGen Tom “Jingo” “I should mention 100 per cent of the funds used for the Strange are returning to the Royal Regiment at CFB Shilo. purchase of the medals came from private donations,” ex- That’s the word from RCA Museum director Andrew plained Oakden. “No government funds went towards the Oakden following an April 10 auction held at Spink Auction payment of the medals.” House in London, UK, where the medals from Lot 501 were Oakden acknowledged Gen Strange helped open up the acquired for more than $50,000 (24,000 pounds plus the 20 West and was a larger-than-life fi gure in Canadian history. per cent auction premium). In 1925, he became the fi rst Colonel Commandant of the “One of their representatives con- Royal Regiment and is referred to as tacted us in January regarding the the “father of the Canadian artillery” potential sale,” he said. “They likely and the fi rst “Great Gunner.” saw him listed on our website as a “These facts make his military Great Gunner and thought we would medals an exceptional acquisition,” be interested. That was true. said Oakden “A sizeable family collection of The Royal Regiment and the RCA Strange medals were up for auction, Museum honour his legacy. On this including his son’s [Harry Strange] Base, General Strange Hall (GSH) medals. We were not successful with was named after the great man. the bidding on his son’s medals.” “There is little else in Canada to The medals arrived at the muse- honour him,” noted Oakden. “These um earlier this week after the Stag’s medals help explain Canadian mili- publishing deadline, with Oakden tary history — a history that some- opening the package for those in at- times forgets its military heroes. His tendance at the museum. medals are evidence of his achieve- “The RCA Senate raised the funds ments and of our common heritage.” for this acquisition,” said Oakden. He added, “We repatriated these “I would like to thank the RCA Sen- medals to Canada. They will stay in ate for raising the money for these Canada at our Regimental museum. historic medals. I would also like to We will also create a traveling exhibit thank everyone that gave funds or MGen Tom “Jingo” Strange featuring the great man and his med- helped with this project.” als. New lights Oakden also recognized the ef- “As new generations of Canadian forts of Colonel Commandant, BGen Gunners come [to CFB Shilo] they (Ret’d) J.J. Selbie for leading the fundraising drive. installation will learn about the man and see his medals. We are very The MGen Strange medals are invaluable to the Royal grateful to have these medals and we look forward to tell- Motorists in the vicinity of the Base’s south gate might Regiment, according to Oakden. ing his story.” want to be watchful of workers. Crews have started “Gen Strange had many accomplishments when you look Born on Sept. 15, 1832 in Meerut, India, Gen Strange died installing new lights at the entrance to the Base, and back on his military career. In 1872, he was the fi rst Com- in Camberly, UK, on July 9, 1925. mandant of B Bty and served in this capacity for a decade,” along Royal Avenue. More on this story will appear in Photo Jules Xavier/Shilo Stag explained Oakden. “He helped found and transform the the Stag’s May 16 edition Pet of the Week Pet of the Week CHECKER Pet of the Week Keith Irvine says his dog Checker is his backpacking partner when Petthey go hiking inof the mountains. the Week Checker carries his own food, tent, and other things such as his squeaky toys. He is also an awesome frisbee dog. Do you have a photo of your pet — cat, PEACEFUL VALLEY PET CREMATORIUM dog, bird, snake, hamster — “A treasured memorial for you’d like to share with our Stag Pet of the Week readers? If so, e-mail it to us via your cherished pet.” [email protected] www.peacefulvalleypetcrematorium.com Pet of the Karen & Rob Gardiner Pet of the204-748-3101 Week • Virden May 2, 2019 CELEBRATING 72 YEARS PROVIDING ARMY NEWS Shilo Stag 3 Ex IRON STAG Cadets set to invade in tri-service weekend exercise OCdt J.P. Reil ern version of Duck Hunt (remember Nintendo?) in the Stag Special Small Arms Trainer at the MPTF. “This will be an opportunity for the cadets to get experi- ence with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) aspects, learn- There will be an increased hive of activity this weekend ing from all three elements and doing things the cadets as the Base will host a sudden influx of teenagers. would not normally do,” said Capt Connie Wilson, Com- Cadets from Brandon and surrounding areas will be in manding Officer (CO) 2502 RCACC Shilo. Shilo from May 3 to 5 for Ex IRON STAG. She added, “The goal is to bring the cadets together pro- The exercise will involve units from the Army, Navy and moting teamwork and hopefully making new friendships.” Air Cadets working together promoting teamwork and es- “My expectations are that the cadets and staff are going pirit de corps. to have an exceptional experience participating in the well Plenty of activities will keep the youngsters busy – from planned training, meeting new people, and experiencing team building to orientation and first aid to survival and new areas of the Base and the military environment on CFB even negotiating the confidence course. Shilo,” said Capt Dan Fontaine, CO 82 RCACS Brandon. A few lucky cadets will get the chance to fire the C7 rifle He added, “All in all it will be a good time and I expect all on the Base’s training range, while others will play a mod- of our members will have fun.” Army Cadets with 2502 RCACC Shilo will be part of the three-day Ex IRON STAG being held on this Base, starting May 3. Photo Jules Xavier/Shilo Stag Manitoba Voter Register Check. Register. Update. EMB_Voter Registration_Shilo_5x120.indd 1 2019-04-17 10:40 AM 4 Shilo Stag CELEBRATING 72 YEARS PROVIDING ARMY NEWS May 2, 2019 Soon CFB Shilo’s PMQ area will be a hive of activity as post- ing season ramps up, movers arriving to empty a duplex on one street, and another moving company on a neighbouring road emptying its contents into the home of newcomers. Volume 58 • Issue 9 Photo Jules Xavier/Shilo Stag Regular Circulation: 3,000 Printed bi-weekly by Struth Publishing, Killarney MB CAF posting season changes announced Stag Special be within authorized limits. To help facilitate a smooth relocation for members and The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is making key chang- their families, members will be given time during their es to improve relocation services effective April. work day to organize their moves. These changes are based on feedback from members and Specifi cally, following registration with BGRS, members their families, and aim to improve how relocation services will be given a half day to conduct their fi rst call with their agents and to familiarize themselves with the online service. General manager Mike McEwan ext 3073 are delivered. Every relocating member will begin the process of mov- Members will also be given relocation administrative Managing editor Jules Xavier ext 3093 ing by scheduling a customized individual planning ses- time as required. This will be conducted in one- to two-hour Base photographer ext 6008 sion with a BGRS agent. blocks, in co-ordination with the member’s chain of com- Reporter/photographer ext 3013 This will be done either on the phone or through video- mand. Advertising rep chat. The fi rst session will be within fi ve business days of a For new members who have just completed their train- Editorial advisor Lori Truscott ext 3813 member registering with BGRS. Upon registering, the web- ing, the chain of command will ensure they have access to Proof reader Lisa Barnes ext 3736 site will launch a video.