is the newsletter of The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Associate Members Group.

It is published on an occasional basis as a benefit of your Associate Membership. Your contributions are eagerly sought! Contact the Editor at tim.fletcher@sympatico.ca or at

The RHLI Officer‟s Mess, The HLCol John Weir Foote, VC, CD Armouries, 200 James St North, Hamilton, ON L8R 2L1

Volume 6 Issue 2 Summer 2010

LCol Sean McKee, left, Col John Celestino, and LCol. Dan Stepaniuk sign the Change of Command documents.

As we read these words, our 15 soldiers deployed to “the sandbox” (as they call it with typical dark Riley humour), are in the thick of things. We all read in the news, of course, of the attack on Kandahar Airfield by a group of 10 Taliban rebels. As one commentator put it, “I don‟t know what they expected to accomplish attacking a base with 20,000 soldiers on it – all armed.” Indeed, they accomplished nothing beyond blowing up a couple of feet of fencing before a Canadian LAV III armed with a 25-mm cannon put “paid” to the effort. In the meantime, Rileys continue to take the fight to the enemy, continuing Regimental traditions. We had a note from Cpl Phil Howie. He‟s home on leave (not like WW 2!) and while here, he and his wife Alison have become new parents! Baby Makayla arrived on Aug 28

th - 6.6 lbs and all doing well at time of writing.

He‟ll be heading back shortly. It‟s nice to be home but hard to leave.

He is an Armoured Heavy Support Vehicle Systems (AHSVS) driver (above), while others fill a variety of roles. More than 60 Rileys have served there to date! The war is still very active over there, with more happening than we hear on the news. Our soldiers are going through the same kind of experiences as our earlier veterans did – modern weaponry notwithstanding, there is the camaraderie, the closeness, the shared experience that sets them apart from those who haven‟t worn the uniform. They have built up a core of experience that they will bring back to the Regiment to

add to our skill sets so that even soldiers who haven‟t been there can benefit. We continue to pray for their safe return.

In our last edition, we noted that LCol Stepaniuk had received a CDS commendation for his work in Haiti. Since then, two more CDS commendations have come to the unit. Corporal Sergio Casole-Gouveia was awarded his honour for his work in Afghanistan after an IED strike hit his convoy. His first-aid work undoubtedly saved many lives, carried out under stressful combat conditions. Captain Nicholas Arakgi received his for his work mentoring members of the Afghan National Police (ANP). He was in charge of a contingent of Canadian soldiers working directly with the ANP under very difficult and primitive conditions, as the ANP is a direct Taliban target. Firefights were not uncommon, with the Canadians taking casualties (although none were fatal, thank goodness). For more information, see our website, www.rhli.ca where you can find the exact citations and photographs.

Well, by now you know of the May 16

th Change of

Command. LCol Dan Stepaniuk has succeeded LCol Sean McKee, who moves on to command the 31 Territorial Battalion Group (TBG), a composite grouping of tasked companies from several 31 Canadian Brigade Group units including the RHLI.

AFGHANISTAN

The RHLI soldiers deployed to the G8 worked with advanced equipment such as this Coyote armoured reconnaissance vehicle Photo credit: Master Corporal Pierre

Thériault, Canadian Forces Combat Camera

It was a great community event, with family, friends and soldiers from many other units on hand. Our Brigade Commander, Colonel John Celestino, was inspecting officer. Visit our website – www.rhli.ca – for full details and many more images!

In 2009, Our training took on a new turn. The Government was hosting both the international G8 and G20 summits which major heads of state were attending. From the Army Reserve world, after months of specialized training, the Territorial Defence Battalions were stood to, including 24 Rileys as part of the 31 Brigade commitment. They deployed to the field for the entire month of June, in the general Huntsville area, site of the G8 portion of the economic summit. Fortunately not facing the same situation as the following G20, nevertheless, all

preparations were in place. Vehicle and foot patrols, observation posts, and rapid reaction force were the main tasks, all carried out in exemplary fashion, over and above our commitment overseas. Following the G8, many of the soldiers moved on to be instructors or candidates on the many summertime courses Your Regiment has not been idle as the summer solstice wears on! Planning continues for the fall training year, over and above the work involved in sending soldiers on course and instructors to teach them – typical Riley summer fare but vital to the unit and the army.

Exercise Resolute Rileyis planned for September 11

th, at Valens

Conservation Area. It will kick off at about 1 p.m. after a morning at the Armoury getting summer paperwork straightened out, the usual run of “gotta have‟em lectures” and all the bumf associated with running a Regiment and an army. For those of you not familiar with Resolute Riley, it is a physical competition involving about a four-kilometre

course through field, fen and (water)fowl, most of it carrying a 50-pound rucksack. It takes the winner about 25 minutes to traverse and the laggards about – well, they do finish! It‟s for Master Corporals and below, but the officers and NCOs run it a couple of days earlier to “prove” the course safe. A family BBQ follows. It would be great to have Regimental supporters out to the park (regular admission applies) to cheer the soldiers on at the Valens bridge and the finish line at the pavilion.

In early July Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and His Royal Highness The Prince Philip – our Colonel-in-Chief – visited Canada. The RHLI had three honours accorded to us. First, our CO LCol Dan Stepaniuk, Honorary

Colonel Tom Marlor and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Tim Hogarth met Prince Philip at the Toronto ceremony for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, which HLCol Hogarth is involved with. They presented a custom-bound leather folio (courtesy of HLCol Hogarth) outlining the achievements of today‟s Regiment. Second, members of our Band were selected to play on two occasions – a quintet for the Awards (where the Colonel-in-Chief spoke to them personally!), and again in the composite band assembled for their Majesty‟s departure. Third, members of the Regiment were selected to take part in the Honour Guard for the departure, a duty they accomplished with Light Infantry style and precision.

Some of the RHLI Guard members are shown just opposite Her Majesty.

Photos courtesy 32 Canadian Brigade Group

Our PMC, Lt John Coomber, was selected to carry the Canadian flag on parade – a great honour to him and the Regiment.

The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry 13th Battalion

Our Ceremonial Guard is now fully up and running! After much work in acquiring uniforms and muskets, the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry 13

th Battalion Ceremonial

Guard (to give the full name) debuted at the Change of Command. Their next appearance was at the 144

th

anniversary of the Battle of Ridgeway, in front of His Excellency the Honourable David Onley, Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario. Second Lieutenant Richard Moll, ably backed by Sergeant Chris Brooks, lead the Guard onto the field of battle where the 13

th Battalion was first

blooded. It was stirring to see our serving soldiers kitted

in original style on that sacred ground. It wasn‟t the full Guard, unfortunately, as some members are currently „a little busy‟ in Afghanistan and others were at the G8 Summit – an indication of the dedication of Guard members, who carry out their duties over and above their civilian lives and other Regimental commitments.

Our Mess is in fine shape! The new furniture, thanks to the generosity of so many of you, looks splendid amid familiar surroundings. Work continues on many of the trimmings, including new drapes (coming) and hopefully new end and coffee tables. We are working on some accent lighting which will preserve ambience but bring visibility up to highlight features.

October 2nd

Mess Dinner -

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER! Our BIG news is our special guest speaker for the October 2

nd Fall Associate Officer‟s Mess Dinner.

Norm Christie (http://www.cefbooks.ca/) is the author of the For King & Empire book series and host of History Television's critically acclaimed series, For King and Empire. He also hosted a two-hour History Television special on Canada’s Lost Battlefields and another on Korea. Norm spent six years with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in England (1990-1993) and in France (1993-1996), including three years as Chief Records Officer. Ironically a metallurgical engineer by trade, Christie has combined his scientific background and 20 years of historical research to produce a unique view into Canada‟s 20

th-century military heritage. Since 1996 he

has written 17 books on the Canadian Military History experience in two World Wars. We look forward to seeing you at this important dinner!

During World War 2, an American firm, GUM Inc, produced a series of illustrated battle cards for their chewing gum product. One of the cards con-cerned the Raid on Dieppe. American police officer Mark

McKee sent one to the unit, wanting to have a Canadian Dieppe veteran sign it. He particularly wanted CWO Jack McFarland, who retired as RSM of the Regiment, to have the honour, since he was a Hamilton Police officer post-war. This was duly carried out and in return, the unit was acquainted with an interesting piece of Dieppe ephemera. From the details on the card, it appears to cover the RHLI beach sector. 50 American Rangers took part in the Raid, hence the interest of the US confection firm. MUSEUM NOTES:

DIEPPE KIA REMEMBERED Last summer, we received a series of notes from the family of Dieppe KIA Pte Joe Flanagan. His family never really

came to terms with his death – at least, not until our Curator Stan Overy helped them out. He pointed them in the right direction for various documents and then capped it all with a personal tour of our great Museum. The family turned over various artefacts including photos and a copy of a letter home – written on 18 August 1942. It is an amazing poignant document. More to come on the Regimental web site.

Mark your calendars now: Operation Yellow Ribbon Gala Mess Dinner, Thursday, November 11th, 2010. Yes, Remembrance Day. The Regimental Senate of the RHLI on behalf of the 13th Regiment Foundation, is staging Hamilton’s premier social event of 2010.

Spearheaded by HCol Tom Marlor and HLCol Tim Hogarth, the event will feature Ontario Lieutenant-Governor David Onley, and our keynote speaker Lieutenant-General Walter Semianiw, commanding Canada Command. The event will raise funds for the Foundation and for the London Military Family Resource Centre. The Foundation portion will assist the RHLI and our extended family in many ways, while the LMFRC will gain great financial support for its mission of helping the military families within 31 Canadian Brigade Group. In addition to a galaxy of corporate supporters, tables will be available for individual and group purchase. Details are being finalized, but now is the time to start thinking of it. Watch www.rhli.ca for more

details as they are announced, and don‟t forget to sign up on the 150

th Anniversary home page

http://www.150th.rhli.ca/ ! Fall Associate’s Mess Dinner – 02 October

- Guest speaker: Author/Historian/TV host 2010

Norm Christie! This is a “Do Not Miss” event.

– Remembrance Day – 14 November 2010

warm food and beverages in the Mess for all after the parade!

CO’s Cocktail Party – 28 December 2010 – 6-8

p.m.

- 12:30 p.m. Levee Day – 01 January 2011

RATTRAY, Don June 7

th, 2010

It is with regret that we inform you of the sudden passing of long time RHLI Veterans Association member Don Rattray. Don was a member of the RHLI for a number of years before joining our Veterans Association. He was a member of the RHLI Executive, United Council of Veterans and the RHLI Band. Missed by brother-in-law Bob Fyfe and his large extended family, including his Regiment. MASLOVSKIS, Helene February 22

nd 2010 – Mother of

retired Captain Paul Maslovskis. Our deep sympathies to Paul and the Maslovskis family. MOFFATT, Major John S. – Maj Moffatt died on April 9

th,

2009. We have been informed that he has been interred at Beechwood Cemetery – our National Military Cemetery – in Ottawa. He is the first member of the RHLI to be buried

there. http://www.beechwoodcemetery.com

T H E D A T E B O O K

L A S T P O S T

MAKE SURE YOU VISIT WWW.RHLI.CA FOR ALL THE NEWS ON OUR 150TH

ANNIVERSARY !