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History
The Royal Canadian Regiment
Prepared by: Capt Michael O'Leary, CD (2011, updated 2013)
The Royal Canadian Regiment (The RCR) was authorized as a unit of Canada’s Permanent Force, now known as the Regular Force, on 21 December 1883. Created for the purpose of instructing the Canadian Militia, the Regiment was originally known as the Infantry School Corps. The Regiment’s first garrisons, each occupied by a company plus the supported Instructional Cadre, were at Fredericton, St Jean (PQ) and Toronto. A fourth Company was established in London, Ontario, in 1888.
Shortly after its formation, “C” Company of the Regiment saw action in the North-West Rebellion of 1885. In 1898, the Regiment provided men to the Yukon Field Force, which assisted with the policing of the Yukon Territory during the gold rush.
During the 1890s, the Regiment saw three changes to its title:
In November 1901, the Regiment changed its name one more time, becoming “The Royal Canadian Regiment.”
At the outbreak of the First World War, The RCR was assembled at Halifax where Regimental Headquarters and six of the Regiment’s ten companies had been located since 1905, having replaced the last British Army garrison in Canada. The RCR was brought up to wartime strength in late 1914 as it started its first task which was to serve for a year as the garrison battalion in Bermuda until August 1915. The RCR then proceeded to England and onward to France as a battalion of the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division.
The RCR was awarded 16 battle honours for its actions during the First World War, including the Somme 1916, Vimy Ridge and the Pursuit to Mons. One member of The RCR, Lieutenant Milton Fowler Gregg, was awarded the Victoria Cross.
In 1919, the Regiment received a singular honour when King George V granted the Regiment the right to wear Queen Victoria’s cypher – “VRI” – on its buttons and badges in perpetuity in recognition of its service in the First World War. This made the RCR the only Commonwealth regiment to wear a deceased sovereign’s cypher with no requirement to change cyphers following the coronation of a new King or Queen.
The RCR sailed for England shortly after the start of the Second World War where it trained for three years as a battalion of the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division. The Regiment entered combat when it landed on the beaches of Sicily on 10 July 1943 – a date still commemorated within the Regiment as “Pachino Day.” The RCR fought their way through Sicily and Italy over almost 18 months including participation in the battles at Ortona, the Hitler Line at Pontecorvo and the Gothic Line on the Adriatic coast.
In February, 1945, The RCR joined the final push to liberate Northwest Europe, fighting their last battle at Apeldoorn, Holland. In the closing days of the war, a second battalion of the Regiment was created in Canada, its planned employment being in the Pacific Force. With the capitulation of Japan, this requirement disappeared and, following the return and disbandment of the overseas battalion, the newly created 2nd Battalion became the single battalion of The Royal Canadian Regiment in the post-war Canadian Army.
On the outbreak of the Korean War, The RCR still consisted of a single Regular Force battalion. During the three years of the war, two new battalions would be formed for the Special Force which fought in Korea, and all three battalions would serve in Korea in turn. The 2nd Battalion deployed in 1951, the 1st Battalion in 1952 and the 3rd Battalion in 1953. Following the Korean War, the 3rd Battalion was disbanded and the 2nd Battalion remained a unit of the Regular Force.
In July 1954, The Royal Canadian Regiment gained a Reserve Force battalion, formed by the amalgamation of The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Machine Gun) and The Oxford Rifles. This new unit was designated the London and Oxford Fusiliers (3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment).
The Oxford Rifles
The Oxford Rifles originated in Woodstock, Ontario, on 14 August 1863, when the '"Twenty-second Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles, Canada" or "The Oxford Rifles"' was authorized. In its early years, the unit was called out for service on the St Clair frontier during the Fenian Raids in 1866. The unit also provided some soldiers to the Canadian Contingents for South Africa.
From 1920 until 1936, the unit briefly had a two-battalion structure, with one battalion part of the Non-Permanent Active Militia and the second battalion on the Reserve establishment (i.e, without personnel). During the Second World War, the 1st Battalion, The Oxford Rifles, CASF, was mobilized for active service in March 1942. It served in Canada in a home defence role until January 1945 when it embarked for Britain where it was disbanded in England later that month.
Having undergone several changes in naming, the regiment was redesignated The Oxford Rifles on 1 June 1945. On 1 October 1954, it was amalgamated with 'The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Machine Gun) and redesignated 'The London and Oxford Fusiliers (3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment)'.
The Oxford Rifles perpetuated the 71st and 168th Canadian Infantry Battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and carried the honours, awards and accomplishments of those units into the regimental history of The RCR.
The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Machine Gun)
The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Machine Gun) originated in London, Ontario on 27 April 1866 as the 7th Battalion Infantry, "Prince Arthur's Own". During the regiment’s early years, two companies were called out on active service in April 1870 during the Fenian Raids, serving on the St. Clair frontier. The unit also mobilized in 1885, serving in the Alberta column of the North West Field Force and provided troops to the Canadian Contingents in the South African War.
Undergoing several changes of name, including a brief period as a three-battalion regiment titled the Western Ontario Regiment during the early 1920s, the unit was designated The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) on 1 August 1924.21 On 15 December 1936 it was amalgamated with the 'Headquarters' and 'A Company' of the 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC, and redesignated The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Machine Gun). During the Second World War, the regiment formed a second battalion; the 1st Battalion served as part of the Canadian Active Service Force (CASF) and the 2nd Battalion remained in the Reserve establishment.
The 1st Battalion, The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), CASF, was mobilized in 1942 and served on home defence duties as part of Pacific Command, taking part in the August 1943 expedition to Kiska, Alaska, with the 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group. The unit arrived in Britain in May 1944 where it was redesignated the 2nd Canadian Infantry Training Battalion, Type A (Canadian Fusiliers), CASF, and remained so until being disbanded in August 1945.
Following the Second World War, the Reserve battalion of the Canadian Fusiliers regained its single-battalion designation: The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Machine Gun). On 1 October 1954, it was amalgamated with 'The Oxford Rifles.
The Canadian Fusiliers perpetuated the 1st, 33rd and 142nd Canadian Infantry Battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and carried the honours, awards and accomplishments of those units into the regimental history of The RCR.
2nd Machine Gun Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps (CMGC)
The 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC, of the Canadian Militia originated when the 2nd Machine Gun Brigade, CMGC was authorized on 1 June 1919. The battalion was disbanded on 14 December 1936 with its HQ and companies amalgamating with a number of Militia units.
The 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC, of the Canadian Militia perpetuated the 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC, of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and carried the honours, awards and accomplishments of this unit into the regimental history of The RCR.
CEF Perpetuations
Through the amalgamations with The Canadian Fusiliers and The Oxford Rifles, the following units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (1914-1919) are perpetuated by The Royal Canadian Regiment:
One of the most significant effects these perpetuations had on The RCR was to increase the list of battle honours carried by the Regiment for the First World War. The combined awards of First World War battle honours for The Royal Canadian Regiment, the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion and the 2nd Battalion, CMGC, represent 49 separate unit battlefield actions and are represented by the 25 battle honour names carried today by The RCR for the Great War. (Additionally, The Oxford Rifles were awarded eight Great War battle honours in 1930. These, however, are not related directly to the perpetuated CEF battalions and likely based on the total number of soldiers from the perpetuated units who were known to be at these battles, though possibly dispersed between a number of units.)
One member of the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Frederick William Campbell, was awarded the Victoria Cross. Although chronologically earlier than Milton Gregg’s award, it was through the amalgamation of Regiments in 1954 that this became the second such award to be commemorated with the history of The RCR. In addition to the recognition of Campbell’s VC by The RCR, the Regiment maintains an equal responsibility to recognize all other honours and awards received by members of the perpetuated units.
The 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (London and Oxford Fusiliers) was established in 1954 with garrisons in London and Woodstock. A third location in Stratford was established in 1965, followed five years later with the close of the Woodstock garrison in 1970. In 1970, with a major reorganization of the Army, the Reserve battalion was re-designated as the 4th Battalion, The RCR, when a new 3rd Battalion was created in the Regular Force establishment. Since 1970, the Reserve Battalion has maintained its garrisons in London and Stratford, Ontario.
Throughout the 1960s, 70s and 80s, and into the 1990s, the Regular Force battalions of The Royal Canadian Regiment served in Canada, Germany and on 13 separate unit rotations in Cyprus. Between 1977 and 1995, the 3rd Commando of the Canadian Airborne Regiment was also a regimental unit of The RCR. As well, a regimental Battle School which trained new infantry soldiers for the Regular Force battalions existed as a separate CF unit between 1978 and 1997.
In 1983, the Regiment marked its centenary with events in all battalions and a major reunion gathering in London, Ontario. In July of that year the Colonel-in-Chief, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, reviewed and addressed the Regiment on parade in London during a trooping of the colours from all four battalions and the affiliated 3 (Airborne) Commando.
The Royal Canadian Regiment has served Canada at home and abroad; including domestic operations ranging from assistance to civil authority during the FLQ Crisis (1970), Akwesasne (1990) and Oka (1990) to emergency response at the Manitoba Floods (1997), the Ice Storm (1998), and Hurricane Juan in Halifax (2003). It was for Op RECUPERATION, the response to the Ice Storm in 1998, that formed elements of all four battalions of the Regiment were deployed simultaneously on a single operation.
Since the 1990s, the Regular Force battalions of The RCR have provided formed units and sub-units to Canada’s missions in the first Gulf War, the Former Yugoslavia, Africa and Afghanistan. All four battalions and the Regiment’s extra-regimentally employed (ERE) personnel have provided individual augmentation to many of Canada’s UN and NATO missions. The Afghanistan mission has included the deployment of formed battle groups based on each of the three Regular Force battalions, and the 4th Battalion has seen the deployment of up to 30 of its officers, NCOs and soldiers at a time depending on available tasks in each operational cycle.
The Royal Canadian Regiment is Canada’s senior Regular Force infantry regiment. Through its amalgamated regiments, the regimental lineage of The RCR dates from 14 August 1863; although 21 December 1883, the creation of the Infantry School Corps, is celebrated as the regimental birthday by regimental tradition.
In 2012, the Canadian Government decided to create battle honours for the War of 1812 and award perpetuations of the recipient War of 1812 units to current units of the Canadian Army. Federal Government announcements identifying awards and the units receiving the perpetuations were made in August and September 2012. As a result of these ammouncements, The Royal canadian Regiment added the Battle Honours “Detroit” and Niagara”, as well as the Honorary Disticntion “Fefence of Canada 181-1815” to its list of honours. These honours represent the perpetuations of the following units of that conflict:
The four battalions of The Royal Canadian Regiment continue to serve Canada, with regimental garrisons at ASU London (Home Station and 4RCR), CFB Petawawa (Regimental HQ, 1RCR and 3RCR) and CFB Gagetown (2RCR). Extra-Regimentally Employed Royal Canadians serve in units, training establishments and headquarters across the Canadian Forces, both in Canada and abroad.
Pro Patria
Prepared by: Capt Michael O’Leary, CD (2011, updated 2013)
"An eight-pointed diamond cut star; upon the star a raised circle surmounted by the crown; within the raised circle, the block letters "VRI", the Imperial Cypher of Queen Victoria."
Regimental Affiliation:
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| Wars and Operations | Battle Honour | Date |
| War of 1812 |
Detroit Niagara Defence of Canada – 1812-1815 Défense de Canada |
15 Aug 1812 19 Dec 1813 to Sept 1814 |
| North-West Rebellion |
Saskatchewan North West Canada 1885 | |
| South African War |
Paardeberg South Africa 1899-1900 | |
| First World War | ||
| Summer Operations, 1915. (March-October) |
Ypres, 1915 Gravenstafel Ridge St Julien Festubert, 1915 |
22 April – 25 May 1915 22-23 April 1915 24 April – 4 May 1915 15-25 May 1915 |
| Local Operations, 1916. (Previous to the Allied Offensive) |
Mount Sorrel |
2-13 June 1916 |
| Operations on the Somme. (1 July – 18 November, 1916) |
Somme, 1916 Pozieres Ridge Flers-Courcelette Ancre Heights |
1 July – 18 November 1916 23 July – 3 September 1916 15-22 September 1916 1 October – 11 November 1916 |
| The Arras Offensive (9 April – 15 May, 1917 |
Arras, 1917 Vimy, 1917 Arleux Scarpe, 1917 Hill 70 |
9 April – 4 May 1917 9-14 April 1917 28-29 April 1917 3-4 May 1917 15-25 August 1917 |
| The Flanders Offensive (7 June – 10 November, 1917) |
Ypres, 1917 Passchendaele |
31 July – 10 Nov. 1917 12 October 1917 and/or 26 October – 10 November 1917 |
| The Advance in Picardy (8 August – 3 September, 1918) |
Amiens Arras, 1918 Scarpe, 1918 |
8-11 August 1918 26 August – 3 September 1918 26-30 August 1918 |
| The Breaking of the Hindenburg Line (26 August – 12 October, 1918) |
Drocourt-Quéant Line Hindenburg Line, Battles of Canal du Nord Cambrai, 1918 |
2-3 September 1918 12 September – 9 October 1918 27 September – 2 October 1918 8-9 October 1918 | Picardy (17 October – 11 November). | Pursuit to Mons | 11 November 1918 | FRANCE AND FLANDERS, 1914-18 | FRANCE AND FLANDERS, 1914-18 |
| Second World War | ||
| LANDING IN SICILY | LANDING IN SICILY | 9-12 Jul 43 |
| Agira | 24-28 Jul 43 | |
| ADRANO |
ADRANO Regalbuto |
29 Jul – 7 Aug 43 29 Jul - 3 Aug 43 |
| SICILY 1943 |
SICILY 1943 Landing at Reggio Motta Montecorvino Campobasso Torella San Leonardo The Gully Ortona |
9 Jul 43 – 17 Aug 43 3 Sep 43 1-3 Oct 43 11-14 Oct 43 24-27 Oct 43 8-9 Dec 43 10-19 Dec 43 20-28 Dec 43 |
| CASSINO II | CASSINO II Gustav Line |
11-18 May 44 11-18 May 44 |
| LIRI VALLEY |
LIRI VALLEY Hitler Line |
18-30 May 44 18-24 May 44 |
| GOTHIC LINE |
GOTHIC LINE Misano Ridge |
25 Aug-22 Sep 44 3-5 Sep 44 |
| RIMINI LINE |
RIMINI LINE San Martino – San Lorenzo Pisciatello |
14-21 Sep 44 14-18 Sep 44 16-19 Sep 44 |
| LAMONE CROSSING |
LAMONE CROSSING Fosso Vecchio |
2-13 Dec 44 16-18 Dec 44 |
| ITALY 1943-45 | ITALY 1943-45 Apeldoorn | 3 Sep 43 – 22 Apr 45 11-17 Apr 45 |
| NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1945 | ||
| Korean War | ||
| United Nations Operations - Korea, 1950-1953 | KOREA, 1951-1953 | |
| Afghanistan War | Pashmul, - 2006 |
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4RCR COUNCIL
Terms of Reference
Overview
Prior to 2014 it was known as the 4 RCR Board of Governors.
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4RCR COUNCIL
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| Last Name | First Name | Rank | Phone | Posn | |
| Anderson | Martin | LCol | martin_anderson@rogers.com | Member | |
| Bassarab | Rusty | LCol | rbassarab@cogeco.ca | Member | |
| Bell | Dave | Capt | davidbell@tcc.on.ca | Webmaster | |
| Boon | Art | CWO | 190 Queen St, Stratford, ON,N5A 4N7 | Member | |
| Burke | Jeff | CWO | burkeja54@outlook.com | Member | |
| Campbell | Mark | BGen | mcamp@rogers.com | Member | |
| Cook | John | Lcol | John_cook_9@yahoo.ca | 519-668-7595 | Member |
| Denne | Don | Col | djdenne@msn.com | Assn Rep | |
| Ellyatt | David | CWO | dellyatt@police.london.ca | Member | |
| Graham | Barry | Lcol | barrygraham533@hotmail.com | Member | |
| Griffin | Declan | Lcol | dgriffin@wightman.ca | Member | |
| Hutton | Geoff | Maj | geoff.hutton@sympatico.ca | Member | |
| Klausnitzer | Henry | CWO | hklaosni@london.ca | Member | |
| Lucas | Curtis | MWO | curtis_is@rogers.com | Member | |
| Mombourquette | John | Capt | fj3@rogers.com | Secretary | |
| O'Brien | Gary | Bgen | gary.obrien@hotmail.com | Chairperson | |
| O'Leary | Mike | Capt | m.m.oleary@gmail.com | Museum rep | |
| Olglesby | John | Lcol | Member | ||
| O'Quinn | John | Maj | johnandglad@rogers.com | Cadet rep | |
| Prince | Matt | Maj | matt.a.prince@gmail.com | Member | |
| Rennie | Bob | CWO | bobandninaare@gmail.com | Member | |
| Reintjes | Pete | LCol | peter.reintjes@forces.gc.ca | CO | |
| Robinson | Joseph | Lcol | jwrobins2@gmail.com | Member | |
| St. George | Gary | CWO | 519-453-5321 | Member | |
| Stapleton | Mike | MWO | mstaple362@rogers.com | Member | |
| Talach | Rob | CWO | rtalach@ledroitbeckett.com | Member | |
| Weldon | Doug | Lcol | doug.weldon@yahoo.ca | Member | |
| Willaert | Gary | Lcol | rcrgary@yahoo.ca | Member |
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Former Serving Members
"Once a Royal Canadian, always a Royal Canadian!" |
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4RCR is currently updating its former members database to provide former serving members with social events, re-unions, mailings and to provide a means for former members to keep in contact with each other.
NEW MEMBERS:
All former members who have served with The London and Oxford Fusiliers, 3RCR(M) or 4RCR are invited to submit their particulars to the WEBMASTER for publication in the Former Members List. CURRENT MEMBERS:
NOTE: If you are a member and updating your current information, note same.
Only your Name, Rank and E-mail Address and phone number (if submitted) will be published on our Former Members List.
You will be sent a password to enter the Former Members List once your application has been approved.
Former Members List
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4RCR Council Report
NTR |
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4RCR CO's Report
NTR |
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Monthly Social Events Calendar
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| Sun 27 Feb 2022 | 1130 for 1200 | AGM & Paardeberg Lunch(1) | Victory Branch RCL | Stapleton/Graham | Thu 05 May 2022(TBC) | 1900 | Jumpers Memorial | RCR Memorial Wolseley | Don Riley/Mike Stapleton | Sun 10 Jul 2022 | 1130 for 1200 | Pachino Lunch(2) | (TBD)Victory Branch RCL | Stapleton/Graham | Fri 09 Sep 2022 | 1330 for 1400 | Pashmul(2) | (TBD)Victory Branch RCL | Stapleton/Graham | Sun 23 Oct 2022 | 1130 for 1200 | Kowang San Lunch(2) | (TBD)Victory Branch RCL | Stapleton/Graham | Wed 21 Dec 2022 | 1130 for 1200 | Regimental Birthday(2) | (TBD)Victory Branch RCL | Stapleton/Graham |
| NOTES: (1) Denotes meal preceded by AGM. (2) Denotes meal served (3) Locations are as yet "To Be Confirmed" as the Legion venue may not be dsesired by membership based on prices for meals, however Victory Branch has been tentatively booked. |
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The RCR Regimental Museum
RCRM DIGITAL We are very happy to welcome everyone from everywhere to our community! We continue to remain active online while observing the restrictions recently enforced by the Province of Ontario. Our website offers interactive activities, online or printable games, as well as lessons for elementary and secondary levels. The online guided tours and drop-in Wednesday live streaming will resume once the Province of Ontario rescinds the current stay-at-home order. Until then, educational videos are available through the museum's Youtube channel. Stay connected and become a Subscriber. The museum is not charging membership fees, but financial donations are appreciated (payments by cheque preferred, credit cards also accepted). COLLECTIONS Stories from the Collection highlight artifacts in our holdings, as well as the fascinating stories they bring to light. This month's story features The Royals of CFB Baden-Soellingen. It was 3RCR's hockey team, and they competed in the Canadian Forces Europe Hockey League (CFEHL) from 1977 to 1984. The team won the CFEHL championship in 1980 and 1981. Were you or someone you know involved in this league? We would love to hear your story, just email us! EVENTS Season 2 of the RCRM Speakers Series was launched on 21 Jan, with Professor Gord Heath and his reflections on The Trauma of War and the Rise of Religious Pacifism in the Interwar Years, 1919-1939. This season will explore various aspects of loss in the context of military conflict. Complex facets of the dynamic between mourning and commemoration, deprivation and rejection or disposal of war by-products surface. PODCAST All 10 episodes of the RCRM Speakers Series Season 1 are now available via Simplecast, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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The RCR Association
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News and Announcements
MAY NEWSLETTER
Regimental Association HQ
Membership Cards The latest batch of membership cards is now in the production stage. I anticipate that they will be mailed out to the 142 members who joined since the second batch was sent out sometime during the third week of May. Association Coins As previously mentioned, there are no more coins! We sold 600, and the donations added to the price by many of you are much appreciated. Departed Comrades
Sadly the list continues to grow daily! In 2022, we will be awarding ten bursary cheques rather than our usual six – an amount of $2k to each awardee. For details on the program eligibility, go to The RCR website at https://thercr.ca/the-association/the-bursary-program/. Reunion Planning
In 15 months, we will be celebrating the 140th Reunion. It is scheduled for three days – 4 to 6 August 2023 in London, Ontario. Mark your calendars – it will
be a great time to reconnect with other Royal Canadians.
The make-up of the Board consists of five Presidents of the largest Branches and seven others. This year two Directors are standing down, and three others are seeking a second term. We are always interested in ensuring that the Board represents the members. If you are interested in becoming a Director of the Association, contact Jim Simms at jim_simms@hotmail.com. 2022 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Greater Toronto RCR Association Branch is hosting this Association event. Details are as follows:
Pro Patria Alexander (Sandy) McQuarrie |
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News and Announcements
Regimental Association HQ 2021-04-26
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News and Announcements
Regimental Association HQ 2021-04-22 Yet Another Email from The RCR Association As previously promised, we are about to produce new membership cards for members who joined since the last distribution of cards. If you have a card already, you can ignore this email!
Since some of you have reported a lost card, or not receiving one, this list includes the names of those Royal Canadians.
If your name is on the list, you don't need to respond. You will receive your card soon. If you want a card, and your name is not on the list, send your details (first name, last name, and address) to thercrassociation@gmail.com. Makes sure that you enter Membership Card in the subject line. Like many other things these days, a deadline is necessary. Please respond by 29 April. The order will be submitted on 2 May. Alexander (Sandy) McQuarrie |
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News and Announcements
Regimental Association HQ 2021-04-14 I am contacting you about some of the projects currently underway on behalf of Dr. Suzette Bremault-Phillips, Director of Heroes in Mind, Advocacy, and Research Consortium (HiMARC). While I know you are familiar with HiMARC, I thought I’d provide a brief overview of our activities. HiMARC is a collaborative initiative and international hub that aims to develop, evaluate, and help implement solutions to improve the resilience, readiness, growth and health and well-being of military members, Veterans, Public Safety Personnel (PSP), and their families. HiMARC collaborates with partners across Canada and beyond to advance innovations that can be translated to the civilian sector, commercialize through partnerships, and create sustainable jobs and economic opportunities. The innovations are developed, implemented, and scaled up through our research, evaluating evidence-based and technological innovations, including virtual reality (VR), portable systems, & practical internet-based applications projects. Our collaborations with the University of Alberta, Department of National Defence, Veterans Affairs Canada, The Royal Canadian Legion, Royal Canadian Mountain Police, and many more enable HiMARC to support the readiness, resilience and growth of military members, Veterans, and PSP, especially those who have been exposed to stressful and potentially traumatic events. As you are aware, due to this exposure, their risk of developing operational stress injuries (OSIs), including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Moral Injury (MI). OSIs can impact physical and mental health, quality of life, well-being, relationships, and the ability to work and contribute to the mission. HiMARC aims to improve the health and quality of life of Canadian military, veterans, and public safety personnel and their families through effective prevention strategies, interventions, services and supports that enable military members, Veterans, and PSP to be resilient, ready, and growth-oriented benefiting them, their families, the organization, and the mission at hand. HiMARC currently has several research projects underway that we would like your support. The projects include:
Here is a link to a downloadable recruitment package: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12ACM6k5fbE0CcNZsXskGlW4vs-DVjQxI?usp=sharingto Pro Patria Alexander (Sandy) McQuarrie |
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Jumpers Memorial - 05 Mary 2022 PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE 2022-04-08
Dear Fellow Royal Canadians, After consulting with 4 RCR and the base operations folks we’ve decided to move the Jumper’s Memorial Remembrance Ceremony from Sunday 08 May at 19:00 hours to Thursday 05 May at 19:00 hours. Thursday is the parade night for 4 RCR making it logistically and practically a better night for the event. We depend heavily on 4 RCR for their sponsorship of this event so we don’t incur additional costs related to the non-military use of the facilities. As before we will conduct the ceremony at the RCR Cenotaph located at the north end of the Wolseley Barracks “A” Block parade square. The base has asked us to provide names for the attendees due to current security requirements. If you are interested in attending reply either to myself or Don Riley ASP so we can forward the names to the Chief of Staff. Please confirm your attendance and I once again thank those that have responded previously. Timings: 18:30 to muster for parade Dress: Regimental Dress w/medals Contact Information for attendance confirmation:
Mike Stapleton: Phone/text: 519-282-5292, email: mstaple362@rogers.com
The mess is expected to be open for refreshments afterward. The RCR Museum is also open for those that wish to visit Pro Patria,
Mike Stapleton
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News and Announcements
Regimental Association HQ 2021-03-03 2022 Bursaries Your Association is very pleased to announce that The RCR Trust has agreed to increase the amount available for our annual busary awards to members of The RCR Family. This year we will be awarding four additional $2000 bursaries for a total of ten. We have also revised the criteria to permit second, third and fourth year students to apply (but preference will be given to first year student applicants.) If you have a spouse, child or grandchild planning on entering (or attending) a university, college or trade school, consider applying for a bursary. The deadline for applications is 15 August. Details, criteria and the application form are available on The RCR website at https://thercr.ca/the-association/the-bursary-program/. Further reminders will be posted as we get closer to the deadline. The RCR Roll of Honour For some time, your Association has been asking where is our Regiment's Roll of Honour? Well, we now have one! Michael O'Leary spent thousands of hour doing research and his efforts were instrumental in this updated and revised version. The document attempts to be as acurate as possible but a few details are missing. We seek your input to add the missing information. The Roll will be published on The RCR website shortly, but a sneek preview is available for members HERE The Association's 2022 Annual General Meeting The AGM will be hosted by the Toronto Branch and conducted on Saturday, 09 July in Toronto. Details on the location, timings and the agenda will be provided in early June. The initial plan is for either a late morning AGM followed by a luncheon or a late afternoon AGM followed by an evening meal. Pachino Day celebrations will be included either way. The 140th Reunion Survey A survey seeking input to the reunion planning was conducted from 8 to 28 February. Three hundred and forty-five responses were collected. Lots of good suggestions and planning data were provided. All of the data will be reviewed by the planning committee soon. Pro Patria Alexander (Sandy) McQuarrie |
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In Hospital
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NTR
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Recent Passings
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A Soldier Died Todayby A. Lawrence Vaincourt
He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise, © 1987 A. Lawrence Vaincourt
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TEN KATE, Jan "John" Herman Catharinu Died peacefully on March 21, 2022, in Kincardine, Ontario in his 91st year. Predeceased by his loving and caring wife Maria (Mary) Johanna (nee VanBussel). Loving father of Maria Riggin (Robin), Catharina Young, and Warner Ten Kate (deceased) (Sue Pinter). Dear Opa of Ben (Sarah), Daniel (Ashley) and Joel Riggin, Alex (Ashley), Ian and Graeme Young, and Rachael (Shawn) and Lauren Ten Kate (Dean). Dear brother of Dieuwke and Dino Ledeboer, and Godard and Monique Ten Kate. Dear brother-in-law of Wilma Van Bussel, Tina and Harry Van Boxmeer , Berny Van Bussel, Tony Smulders, Jim and Cathy Van Bussel, Elizabeth and Jeff Roestenberg, Helmi and John Kaufmann, Helen and Brian McHenry and Joe Czikk. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends. Predeceased by his parents, Harmina (nee Poppinga) and Warner Ten Kate, and granddaughters Christian Riggin and Laura Young. Predeceased by brother Warner Ten Kate and sister Gerrie Salome. Also predeceased by brothers-in-law Gerry Van Bussel, Gerry Hilhorst, Jack Van Bussel, Christian Van Bussel and Pieter Salome, sisters-in-law Pauline Ten Kate, Catherine Hilhorst, Joanne Smulders and Sharon Czikk. John was born on September 3, 1931 in Vollenhove, Overijssel, the Netherlands. He immigrated to Canada in 1954 and ended up in Lucan where he met and married Mary. They eventually moved to Dorchester where they raised their family. He loved playing music and writing orchestral arrangements. He was a member of the militia bands, Hussars and 3rd Royal Canadian Regiment. He had his own band, The Ambassadors, and led Dykehoppers band at the Dutch Canadian Club. He was an avid historian and a WWII buff. John was a wordsmith and right to the end of his life had a stack of dictionaries in English, Dutch, French and German beside his chair. He was entrepreneurial and co-owned a printing company with his son Warner. There was a celebration of his life with his immediate family. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of John are asked to consider the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Kincardine and District (https://kincardine.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca). MacKenzie & McCreath Funeral Home, Ripley entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be made online by visiting www.mackenzieandmccreath.com Published on March 23, 2022 in London Free Press
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In Memorium
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NTR
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Member Submissions
We Are Canadian
The following link takes you to the song We Are Canadian recently composed by Ellis Craig, an 83-year-old resident of a retirement home in Perth, Ontario. Note From Webmaster:
This is YOUR page to keep informed on members health, welfare and happenings. |
The Cold War Never Really Ended in Finlandsubmitted by David Bell2022-05-16
Helsinki's bunkers reflect Russia fearsCNN Newsroom
CNN's Nic Robertson tours an underground bunker in Helsinki, Finland, housed in a parking garage. The Finnish capital's bunkers can shelter more than 900,000 people.Source: CNN watch CNN video |
First Ukraine war crimes trial for Russian soldier opens in KyivFrom CNN's Saskya Vandoorne, Melissa Bell, Anna Chernova and Radina Gigovasubmitted by David Bell 2022-05-13
A 21-year-old soldier is to become the first Russian to be tried for war crimes at a trial in Kyiv on Friday. Vadim Shishimarin will appear before the first war crimes trial since Russia invaded Ukraine back in February. He is accused of killing a 62-year-old man in Ukraine’s Sumy region, according to the country's prosecutor general's office. Read more... |
Retired US major general: What it will take for the Ukrainians to winBy Peter Bergen, CNN National Security Analyst Updated 10:00 AM ET, Thu May 5, 2022 Submitted by David Bell 2022-05-06
(CNN)The former commander of the US Special Operations Command in Europe, retired US Army Maj. Gen. Mike Repass, says the international community has to greatly increase its support for Ukraine if the embattled nation is ever going to be able to drive the Russians out. Repass has advised the Ukrainian military for the past six years on a US government contract. Last month he visited Poland and western Ukraine to get a better feel for the trajectory of the war in Ukraine. I spoke to him Friday and Monday. He says the Ukrainian supply chain for military equipment is inefficient and that additional military forces are required to drive the Russians out of Ukraine. To win the war in Ukraine, Repass advocates that the US and its allies build up a Ukrainian strategic force amounting to five brigades of up to 40,000 soldiers capable of mounting offensive operations to force the Russians out of their country. Read more |
 THE BATTLE FOR UKRAINE
Russian Soldiers-The Neanderthals of a Decrepid Military Society· Submitted by David Bell 2022-05-05 Posted by Michael Hutton Apr 23 That the Russian army can move a force from one place to another under these conditions of abuse is amazing. The sexual violence and rape of recruits explains a lot of their inability to function effectively in combat against Ukrainian forces.
Following Article by Nelson McKeeby I had an interesting conversation with a Russian graduate student who has had to leave Russia after the Ukraine attack, and discussed her studies of Dedovshchina, or hazing in the Russian military and its relationship with poor performance. Although the Kremlin claims the reduction of conscription from two years to one ended the practice, my friend who will someday publish a paper said her interviews indicate it is worse than ever. The hazing is not college-style, but more like the type that she studied in Brazilian open prisons. The small NCO force (and formerly 2nd year recruits) will look over the “spring recruits” and assess them. Recruits that seem to have money will have to pay it and keep paying it to their sergeants, who split that take with the officers. Since no truly wealthy recruits enter the military, these protected recruits are saved from the worse abuse. Next the sergeants will determine which soldiers they consider to be blue, green, or red. Read More |
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THE BATTLE FOR UKRAINE "Can I sell you a tank?..."Submitted by David Bell2022-04-29
A Russian soldier has reportedly handed himself and his tank over to Ukrainian troops for a reward of $10,000 (£7,500) and Ukrainian citizenship. Misha (not real names) was one of Vladimir Putin's i... Read More » |
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Art Boon to Visit Netherlands Commemoration Submitted by Nina Rennie 2022-04-26 Our very good friend Art Boon who at age 97 is travelling to the Netherlands next week for special commemorative events.
John Nater · I enjoyed the opportunity to visit with the one-and-only Art Boon over the weekend. Art is off to Europe with his son and granddaughter to mark the Liberation of the Netherlands. Art had landed at Juno Beach and was across the continent to Friesland before he was even old enough to enlist. Thank you Art for your service and for always keeping the torch of remembrance burning strong. |
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Lesson of The Month
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Famous Quotes of the Month
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Humour in Uniform |
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Poetry Corner
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Submissions to Poetry Corner
We are eagerly seeking submissions of a military nature to our Poetry Corner. Send submissions to: |
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4RCR Recruiting
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 Wolseley Barracks, London |
 Stratford Armoury, Stratford |
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Join Our Team
Looking for full-time or part-time work? We are hiring and provide excellent career opportunities. Please do not hesitate to call or email our recruiter who will be pleased to answer any questions you may have and provide direction on how to apply to our Regiment. Our Team Recruiter
Name: London Reserve Recruiting Garrison Or contact
Phone: 1-800-856-8488 When We Train September to June:
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Trades In Our Unit
Infantry Soldier Equipment Weapons: Browning 9-mm Pistol C6 7.62-mm Medium Machine Gun C7A2 5.56-mm Automatic Rifle C9A2 Light Machine Gun Carl Gustav 84mm Short Range Anti-armour Weapon (Medium) Grenade Vehicles:
Medium Support Vehicle System (MSVS)
Militarized Commercial Off-The-Shelf (MilCOTS)
Light Support Vehicle Wheel (LSVW)
See a list of Canadian Army weapons and vehicles.
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Who We Are 4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (4 RCR) is a Primary Reserve Infantry unit based in London and Stratford, ON. The RCR was founded on 21 December 1883 as Canada's first truly-professional regiment of infantry and has fought gallantly in every conflict Canada has been involved in. 4 RCR, specifically, has drawn its soldiers from the London, Woodstock and Stratford area for more than 150 years. Today, 4 RCR is a proud and active unit that strives to set the example in all matters of leadership and soldiering. 4 RCR’s role is to rigourously train its soldiers and officers, as part of 31 Canadian Brigade Group, to be ready for operations both domestically and around the world. The unit, in the past, committed more than 20% of its strength to Canadian operations in Afghanistan and nowadays actively augments operations domestically and in Europe. The role of the infantry is to close-with and destroy the enemy: often under challenging conditions. While the job of an infantryman is a demanding one, it is also a highly rewarding, exciting and fun career and the battalion offers a highly supportive and close-knit family network to all its members. Benefits of Joining When you join our unit, you will receive competitive pay for your part time or full time work as well as be eligible for on the job training that could benefit you in civilian life. Also, there are medical, dental and educational benefits available to Army Reservists. Here are all the details:
London
4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
Telephone: 519-660-5275, Ext. 5259 Stratford
4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
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4RCR Contacts London
4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
Telephone: 519-660-5275, Ext. 5259 Stratford
4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment |
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Contact 4RCR Council
BGen (ret'd) O'Brien, GJP, Chairperson,
Capt (Ret'd) Mombourquette, JV, Secretary,
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Contact Webmaster
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Regimental Contacts
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The RCR Regimental Site
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The RCR Association 
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The RCR Regimental Warehouse 
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The RCR Museum 
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