THE PRIMROSE HACKLE

PROUD PAST...

...STRONG FUTURE

IN THIS ISSUE...

CFSAC 2009

TASK FORCE 3-08

WILD BOARS HOCKEY

CEREMONIAL GUARD

OP NANOOK

EX KHYBER THRUST

FACES AND PLACES

THE PRIMROSE HACKLE 2008 & 2009

Regimental Battle Honours

YPRES 1915-17, Festubert 1915, MOUNT SORREL, SOMME 1916, ARRAS 1917-18,

HILL 70, AMIENS, HINDENBURG LINE, PURSUIT TO MONS, SICILY 1943,

ITALY 1943-45, NORTHWEST EUROPE 1944-45

(The Battle Honours in capital letters are emblazoned on the Regimental Colours)

Freedoms Awarded

The Colonel-in-Chief

Field Marshal His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, KG, GCMG, GCVO, CD, ADC(P) Honorary Colonel

Colonel, The Honourable John H. McDermid, PC Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel

The Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel J.F. Davis

Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Colonel A. Phelps, CD

Perpetuating

The 37th, 74th, 76th, 126th, 164th and the 234th Battalions, Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914-18

Regimental Birthday

14 September 1866

Regimental Headquarters

Deputy Commanding Officer

Major D.E. Hickson, CD Adjutant

Lieutenant N. Wetzel Regimental Sergeant-Major

Chief Warrant Officer D. Murphy, CD Officer Commanding A Company

Captain B.A. Bean, CD Officer Commanding B Company

Captain R.P. Ryan, CD Officer Commanding C Company

Captain T. Ruggle, CD Officer Commanding Administration Company

Captain D.P. Darling Mitchell, CD Padre

Captain R. Lay

PAGE 2


1969 & 1979

City of Brampton

1981

Region of Dufferin

1984

Town of Oakville

1987

Town of Halton Hills

2004

Communities of Dufferin County

2009

Town of Milton

Drum Major

Drum Major I.D. McGibbon, CD

Pipe Major

Pipe Major K. Cranley

Allied Regiment

The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers London, UK

Affiliated Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps

557 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, Brampton, Ontario 676 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, Georgetown, Ontario 1188 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, Oakville, Ontario 1849 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, Orangeville, Ontario 2990 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, Milton, Ontario

Regimental Disposition

Regimental Headquarters

2 Chapel Street

Brampton, Ontario

L6W 2H1

(905) 451-5724

Fax (905) 454-1533

A Company

90 Thomas Street

Oakville, Ontario

L6J 3A6

(905) 844-0604

(905) 844-7399

B Company

12 Chapel Street

Brampton, Ontario

L6W 2H1

(905) 451-2741

Fax (905) 454-1533

C Company

The Colonel John Roaf Barber,

ED, CD Armoury

91 Todd Road

Georgetown, Ontario

L7G 4R8

(905) 702-2251

Fax (905) 877-8827

Administration Company

2 Chapel Street

Brampton, Ontario

L6W 2H1

(905) 451-5425

Fax (905) 454-1533

The Lorne Scots

Pipes & Drums Band

The Colonel John Roaf Barber,

ED, CD Armoury

91 Todd Road

Georgetown, Ontario

L7G 4R8

(905) 702-2272

Fax (905) 877-8827

The Lorne Scots

Regimental Museum

48 John Street

Brampton, Ontario

L6W 2H1

(905) 451-5724

Fax (905) 454-1533

The Lorne Scots

Regimental Association

c/o 2 Chapel Street

Brampton, Ontario

L6W 2H1

PAGE 3


Colours of the Lorne Scots

The Colours of the Lorne Scots (PD&H) Regiment On the 14th September 1991, the 125th anniversary of the formation of the Unit, the Colonel-

in-Chief, Field Marshall, His Royal Highness, The Duke of Kent, KG, GCMG, GCVO, CD,

ADC(P) presented a new Stand of Colours to the Regiment.

The Queens Colour

The Regimental Colour

PAGE 4


Commanding Officer’s Message

PAGE 5


In the 143rd year of our Regiment I am pleased to advise that we are strong and our soldiers are engaged at all

levels. In the last year we have seen some significant accomplishments including but not limited to the following:

ο The safe return of all of our soldiers from Afghanistan;

ο News that Cpl Strudwick of C Company will soon be awarded the Sacrifice Medal for the injury he sustained

in an IED strike while operationally deployed to Afghanistan;

ο The successful deployment of soldiers from 32 CBG, under the command of the Lorne Scots, to the United

States National Training Center (NTC) in Fort Irwin, California, for Exercise Khyber Thrust. This training was in

support of the 11th Armoured Calvery Regiment (11 ACR) as they conducted the Iraq Theatre pre deployment

FTX for The North Carolina National Guard's 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team (30 HBCT);

ο The unprecedented number of junior NCO’s, senior NCO’s and Junior officers achieving their leadership

qualifications;

ο The Regimental Association Pipes and Drums successfully deployed to England in support of our Allied Regi-

ment the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Their performance earned the thanks and accolades of our British allies

from civilian to general officer to Royal;

ο Five members of the Regimental Rifle team successfully competed at the Canadian Forces Small Arms Con-

centration (CFSAC) with Cpl Warner of B Company placing 13th overall for the Queens Medal at Bisley;

ο Our Five affiliated Cadet Corps are strong and active within the communities of Milton, Oakville, Orangeville,

Brampton and Georgetown.

ο The Regimental Association is actively engaged with both current and former serving members with a view to

enhancing its interaction and increasing participation in Regimental activities at all levels;

ο 21 soldiers of the Regiment are currently conducting pre deployment training for Afghanistan as part of Task

Force 1-10.

And finally, a Regimental Change of Command was conducted in June.

None of this could have been accomplished without the Dedication and Sacrifice of our members both past

and present. Indeed it has been a good year!! The road ahead, however, will be challenging.

Today we face a unique situation within the Regiment, however, it is unique by nature of the fact that it is new

to most of our soldiers. In a historical context - what was old is new again. We face the challenges of leadership,

succession, financial restriction, the Welfare of our soldiers and an aging infrastructure.

Of the 21 Lorne Scots deploying overseas 13 are

from the ranks of MCpl to MWO and there are many self

identified officers who are chomping at the bit to be

added to this number. The deployment of these soldiers

will have a significant impact on the Regiment both in

terms of personnel reduction at the sub-unit level and the

fact that many of these leaders are the ones that we tradi-

tionally count on when the job needed to get done. In

order to successfully move forward we will all have to

fill the void. For those who have contently stood by in

the background – it is time to stand up and step forward.

The Junior Ranks are strong and teeming with both

newly promoted and experienced Master Corporals. One

need only listen to the jovial downtime conversations or

observe the impromptu MMA training sessions to realize

that enthusiasm and pride are in no short supply among

the ranks.


The Senior NCO ranks have received an injection of youth with the promotion of more Sergeants and Warrant

Officers in the last year then we have seen in at least the last 10 years. With this influx of Senior NCO’s we can be

re-assured that the backbone of the Regiment is strong and that the guardians of the Lorne Scots Standard are in

place for the years to come.

We currently enjoy the luxury of a strong and keen corps of qualified Junior officers. This is something that

many Regiments cannot say. Our challenge, however, is to promote professional advancement and competence as

the next few years will bring a rapid reduction in the Regiments senior officer corps as a number of long serving

senior officers move on to a much deserved retirement. To the young officers the challenge is yours to lead the

Regiment into the next decade and beyond. In the words of Field Marshall Sir William Slim:

Personal leadership exists only as the officers demonstrate it by superior courage, wider knowledge,

quicker initiative, and a greater readiness to accept responsibility than those they lead.

Most of you are aware that the Canadian Army is in a period of financial hardship. This hardship has and will

lead to some tough decisions but it must always be kept in mind that the hardship we face today is with a view to

securing a stronger future for the Army. To the serving and former leaders of the Regiment I encourage you to

lead by example, remember why you joined and never put yourself before the troops. It is your leadership in times

of hardship that will define you and it is this same leadership that has carried the Regiment through the wars, con-

flicts and the times of uncertainty that we as a Regimental family have faced during the last 143 years.

With our soldiers experiencing hardship both at home and abroad we must keep their welfare in mind at all

times. We must know our troops and recognize the signs of distress while at the same time ensuring that both the

soldier and his or her family receive the support that they have more than earned. We will have soldiers who suffer

from the horrors of war and we will have soldiers who are affected by the current financial crisis in the Army. As

leaders we cannot fail them. In the words of General George S Patton:

Officers are responsible, not only for the conduct of their men in battle, but also for their health and content-

ment when not fighting. An officer must be the last man to take shelter from fire, and the first to move for-

ward. Similarly, he must be the last man to look after his own comfort at the close of a march. He must see

that his men are cared for. The officer must constantly interest himself in the rations of the men. He should

know his men so well that any sign of sickness or nervous strain will be apparent to him, and he can take

such action as may be necessary.

General George S Patton, “War As I Knew It” , 1947

The essence of these words is applicable to all levels of leadership within the Regimental family. Know your men

and women – promote their welfare.

Finally, our Regimental infrastructure is old and in need of replacement. The Brampton Armoury, Regimental

Headquarters and The Oakville Armoury have served us well over the years, however, due to their age and the

spatial demands of an effective and efficient modern Army they are in need of renewal. This is not a revelation nor

has it gone unnoticed by higher command. The reality of life however is priorities have to be made and our time

will come. In the mean time we will make due as we always have. A fundamental of the Infantry is flexibility. As

long as we have breath in our lungs and a value system worth defending everything else is merely icing on the

cake.

The challenges we face as we move forward are not new. They were encountered by our predecessors and

will likely reappear in the future. In my opinion the key to survival has and always will be the Regimental Family.

Through this eternal bond we can achieve anything and soldier on!

Air Son Ar Duthchais.

A.M. Phelps

Lieutenant Colonel

Commanding Officer

PAGE 6

Welcome to another edition of the Primrose Hackle

I would like to express how honoured and proud I am to be chosen as the Regimental Sergeant-Major and what a great privilege it was to have this appointment bestowed upon me during the Regiments 142nd birthday celebration. I now leave behind my days as a Company Sergeant-Major with many fond memories and I would like to thank the Officer's, Sr NCM's, and soldiers of the Regt who gave me their support during this tenure. I now come well pre-pared to meet the challenges of Regimental Sergeant-Major and will continue to work to serve you as I have done in the past.

The one consistency that this Regiment has seen in its long history is change, change is inevitable and as we embrace these changes it will only make us stronger and our future goals will and can be met.

This Regiment has been extremely successfully over our long history because of the dedication and commitment of its soldiers at all rank levels. I am confident that the determina-tion and the spirit of this Regiment will sustain us well into the future and I am enthusiastically looking forward to be able to be part of it.

Life in the Regiment today is very busy with all the training, courses and deployments. Over the course of the next 6 months, the Regiment will see more than 20 Soldiers deploy to Afghanistan. It is also great to see our soldiers from TF3-08 return from deployment. I would also like to congratulate all those who completed courses training this summer and well done on the new promotions.

The Regiment has been called on to take on unprecedented responsibilities and mis-sions in the “new normal”. In turn, Soldiers of The Lorne Scots are being depended on more than ever before. I encourage you to make sure your families are taken care of and that you continue your education and work while you manage your schedule around training and de-ployments.

As you can see, the Operational Tempo is ex-tremely high but, all in all...........

It's another great day to be a Lorne Scot!

D.H. Murphy

Chief Warrant Officer

Regimental Sergeant Major

Regimental Sergeant Major’s Message

PAGE 7


A Company Message


The OC Captain Bean and CSM Warrant Officer Colter of A Coy would like to start off

this article by welcoming back all of the members of the Lorne Scots returning from Afghani-stan on TF 3-08.

The training year of 2008 and 2009 was an interesting year for A Company; it was filled

with promotions, triumphant returns from Afghanistan, excellent training as well as being awarded the Duke of Kent Award during the Mens Christmas Dinner. A few promotions were handed out to the leadership including two Master Corporals and a Lieutenant. A Company’s own Sgt Maranda Robertson returned home from Afghanistan and was welcomed back in style through the Oakville Composite Mess.

2008 and 2009 included three promotions. Lieutenant Matthew Proulx was promoted

after concluding his Infantry Dismounted Platoon Commanders Course in Gagetown, while Master Corporal John Bakai was promoted after completing his PLQ Mod 6 in Aldershot. Mas-ter Corporal Robbie Williams was also promoted after completing his PLQ Mod 6 in Wainright.

This years training also included a trip down to Fort Irwin, in California, for exercise

Khyber Thrust. The ranks in Khyber Thrust included Capt Bean, WO Colter and Cpl Chan. These three conducted two weeks of intense training in gruelling heat working with the 30 (heavy) brigade of the North Carolina Army National Guard, acting as the Iraqi army.

Training also included Polar Warrior, and only Capt Bean went North on this exercise.

This training included a week up north, doing a variety of training including ice rescue, impro-vised shelters and the preparation of food off of the local economy.

In the upcoming training year, A Company will see the

likes of Master Corporal Mat Muir, Corporal Jesse Candido, Corporal Nate Montague, and former member Master Corporal Joe J. Chu all to Afghanistan.

Captain Bean, Warrant Officer Colter, and the soldiers

of A Company would also like to express their gratitude and wish the members of TF 1-10 good luck in their training and on their deployment. M.A. Proulx Lieutenant 1 Platoon Commander A Coy

B Company Message


I would like to thank all members of the Lorne Scots (TFLS) for the opportunity to be part of a proud and accomplished infantry regiment. In particular, I wish to thank the officers and soldiers of B Coy for embracing me as a member of their own, for accepting my leadership and allowing me to soldier beside them. As someone who has come from outside of your regiment, I think I am in a distinctive position to comment on some of the traditions upheld by your regiment that you should be very proud of. Firstly, your ties with the city of Brampton are real and genuine. Very rarely have I seen a community so proud of its citizen soldiers. I call on all members of B Coy to continue to cultivate this, as the value of having the support of your Mayor, her council and the citizens of Brampton is truly beyond measure. Secondly, having attended several Regimental functions where so many previous serv-ing members were in attendance, I can say that the Lorne Scots have sincerely embraced the concept of regimental family. Your support for and connections to each other are enduring. Every young soldier, “grizzled” Sr NCO and officer should be proud that there will always be a place for them in the Lorne Scots. Now to look to the future, the Primary Reserve will continue to play a pivotal role in supporting Canada’s strategic goals both domestically and internationally. Do-mestically, members of the Lorne Scots will maintain their contribution to the Canada First Defence Strategy in training for and manning of the Arctic Response Com-pany Group. This coming summer will see members of the regiment form composite companies with other Pri-mary Reserve units from LFCA to assist in the security of both the G8 and G20 summits. This is an opportunity to show the value of the Primary Reserve to Canada’s citi-zens and to the Leaders of the world’s most powerful na-tions as we begin to draw down from our activities in Af-ghanistan. Finally, the Lorne Scots at this time has 21 sol-diers from the rank of Cpl to MWO training to deploy with TF 1-10. Several of these soldiers will have jobs that have them employed outside the wire or providing secu-rity to those working inside KAF. They will carry heavy responsibilities during their tour and our thoughts will be with them and their families. More importantly, they have our pledge that they and their families will be supported prior to, during and after their deployment to ensure that can focus on the job and hand. R.P Ryan CD Capt OC B

C Company Message


The 2008 – 2009 training year proved to be yet another challenging but rewarding year for C Company. C Company welcomed a few of its members returning from Afghanistan deployed on TF 3-08; returning members included Capt Ruggle, Cpl Strudwick, Cpl Westwood and Cpl Mackay. C Com-pany also saw the departure of its Company Sergeant Major, who took over the roll of Regimental Ser-geant Major. However, with the departure of the Company Sergeant Major came the new Company Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Fallowfield. C Company also saw a couple of promotions. Warrant Officer James Fallowfield was promoted upon the completion of DP3B, Infantry platoon 2 i/c’s course. Master Corporal Gregg LoPatriello was promoted following completion of PLQ Mod 6 in Petawawa. Master Corporal Sean Summerfield was promoted following completion of PLQ Mod 6, also in Petaw-awa. The first major training exercise of the year belonged to exercise Polar Warrior. 32 CBG was to deploy more then 100 soldiers to the frigid north in Kitchenumaykoosib Inninuwug, or K.I for short, On-tario. While C Coy was only able to send Pte Brittany Johnson, both she and the Company were able to benefit from the experience she gained and training she was provided. Training on this exercise con-sisted of working closely with Canadian Rangers building survival shelters, traditional food preparation, ice fishing, ice rescue and interaction with the local population. 32 CBG’s second major training exercise of the year was exercise Khyber Thrust. Exercise Khyber Thrust saw a Company Group and Contingent Command Group of more then 200 soldiers de-ploy to Fort Irwin, California. C Company members in attendance at Khyber Thrust were Master Corpo-ral Katona-Smith, Corporal Adams, Corporal Kutschy, Private Brown, Private Johnson and Private Picard. All the C Company members present at Khyber Thrust were utilized as Iraqi army role players for 30 Brigade of the North Carolina Army National Guard. From elaborate pyrotechnics, to the bitter cold of a desert night, these soldiers were able to get a glimpse into what it would be like, if ever de-ployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. While the mood was focused primarily on training, the exercise also of-fered up an impromptu game of football for the soldiers to unwind and build a stronger sense of comrad-ery. C Company would also like to wish Master Corporal Sean Summerfield, Corporal Robin Schavo and Corporal Brandon Adams good luck on TF 1-10, and a safe return. While the focus is primarily on training, C Company was also able to display its continued com-mitment to its surrounding communities. C Company accomplished this by participating with strong numbers, in both the Georgetown Remembrance Day parade and the Acton Remembrance Day parade. Not only did C Company show its commitment to the community, but it also displayed that it could still have fun. This was ever evident at the an-nual Georgetown Composite mess dinner. C Company still remains a proud and strong Company, with its sights focused on sup-porting the Regiment in providing 32 CBG with well-trained Reserve soldiers to enhance Can-ada’s combat capability, to serve as the basis of national mobilization, to respond to emergencies in Canada, to augment the Regular Force over-seas and to be the army’s link to the local com-munity. S. Brioux Corporal C Coy

Wild Boars Hockey

Hello out there! We're on the air, it's 'Hockey Night' tonight. Tension grows, the whistle blows, and the puck goes down the ice. The goalie jumps, and the players bump, and the fans all go insane. Someone roars, "Bobby scores!" at the good old hockey game. - Stompin’ Tom Connors, “The Hockey Song”

In the above verse from his legendary “Hockey

Song,” Stompin’ Tom Connors narrates an iconic expression

of Canadian cultural identity: a nighttime hockey game, in

which a player named “Bobby” scores a goal (Connors 1973).

Vividly captured in this verse are a few major qualities that

lead to the allure of the hockey game: the tension of competi-

tion, the utilization of skill, the expression of physicality, and

a sense of community.

For the Wild Boars Regimental Hockey Team the

games played in 2009 will provide some good memories for

all involved. When we played together as a team, that’s when

we won, but when we played as an individual, that’s when we

lost a few games. In addition to playing on Monday nights in

the True North Hockey League the team also participated in

the 36th Annual Sgt Rick Foldeak Memorial Hockey Tourna-

ment hosted by the Brockville Rifles last spring. The Battle

of Peel was awarded to the Regiment when the team defeated

the Toronto Scottish while participating in a spring tourna-

ment hosted by the Toronto Police. This also featured an in-

teresting game with the QOR that due to some physical cir-

cumstances was called with 30 seconds left in the 3rd as a 2-2

tie.

With our ups and downs it was fortunate that fan sup-

port was amazing and continues to be so today. On a good

hockey team, the defense may be good, power play ok, pen-

alty killing strong, the goalie consistent and the regular lines

decent, but in combination, as a motivated group, well prac-

ticed, with good leadership, excellent equipment, and more

knowledge of their opponents next moves than the opponents

themselves have, the team will be a Stanley Cup winner

every time. With those advantages, even the Leafs could do

it.

This reflects the unit as well

and as a group we certainly can

achieve any task.

CWO Murphy

Visit the Team :

Monday Nights @ The Powerade Centre

Kennedy Rd South of Steeles in Brampton

True North Hockey Canada

www.TRUENORTHHOCKEY.com

2009 Team Roster

Goalie

#1 Cpl Fedor Kutschy

Forward #2 Sgt Andrew Harris

Forward #3 MCpl Bryan Cronk

Forward #7 (Ret’d) Sean Parkin

Forward #8 Lt Russell Cook

Forward #9 Sgt Erin Kelly

Forward #11 Cpl Shayne Brioux

Forward #14 Cpl Daniel Rinaldo

Forward #17 Lt Matt Proulx

Forward

#18 Sgt Shawn Kelly

Defenseman #4 Cpl Tommy Cronk

Defenseman #6 Sgt Dan Gillies

Defenseman #15 MCpl Ted Teoh

Defenseman #16 Cpl Matt Bobinski

Defenseman #29 CWO Derek Murphy

PAGE 11


The Regiment is pleased to announce the following Promotions and Awards The Regiment is pleased to announce the following Promotions and Awards The Regiment is pleased to announce the following Promotions and Awards The Regiment is pleased to announce the following Promotions and Awards

Promotions and Awards

MCpl Bakai J Promoted 17 Mar 08

MCpl Denty SN Promoted 13 Dec 08

A/MCpl Cassey DE Promoted 16 Mar 09

MCpl Banks CW Promoted 14 Aug 09

MCpl Barnes Promoted 14 Aug 09

MCpl Barbieri N Promoted 14 Aug 09

MCpl Summerfield S Promoted 10 Sep 09

MCpl Brown CW Promoted 10 Sep 09

MCpl Turner D Promoted 10 Sep 09

MCpl Muir M Promoted 10 Sep 09

MCpl Gilhooly Promoted 10 Sep 09

MCpl Gomes A Promoted 10 Sep 09

MCpl Stuart JM Promoted 10 Sep 09

MCpl Sop Promoted 10 Sep 09

MCpl Harasymchuk CD Promoted 02 Apr 09

MCpl Lopatriello GM Promoted 02 Apr 09

Sgt Boreczek M Promoted 20 Jun 09

Sgt Hooper S Promoted 09 Jul 09

Sgt Harris A Promoted 09 Jul 09

Sgt Campbell R Promoted 09 Jul 09

Sgt Monteith G Promoted 09 Jul 09

Sgt Guilmette V Promoted 03 Sep 09

WO Colbeck MA Promoted 13 Dec 08

WO Fallowfield JJ Promoted 05 Feb 09

WO Nault ANR Promoted 03 Mar 09

WO Doonan AM Promoted 14 May 09

Lt Cook ORJ Promoted 22 Jan 09

LCol Phelps AM Promoted 20 Jun 09

Sgt Doonan AM Received the CD

Cpl Burlock WD Received the CD1

WO Diotte M Received the CD1

Sgt Nault AN Received the 32 CBG Comd Commendation

Sgt Doonan AM Received the 32 CBG Comd Commendation

Maj Hickson D Received the CD1

Maj Betts G Received the CD1

Sgt Morris S Received the CD2

MCpl Williams GR Promoted 12 Sep 08

Lt Proulx MA Promoted 16 Nov 08

CWO Murphy DH Promoted 11 Sep 08

MCpl Wiafe KA Promoted 25 Jul 08

MCpl Rieder PA Promoted 25 Jul 08

MCpl Cronk BM Promoted 25 Jul 08

Cpl Strudwick W Received the Sacrifice Medal

WO Fallowfield JJ Received the CD

Congratulations to all the members of the Regiment AboveCongratulations to all the members of the Regiment AboveCongratulations to all the members of the Regiment AboveCongratulations to all the members of the Regiment Above


TASK FORCE KANDAHAR ROTO 5

PSYOPS in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Well it has been about eight months since I returned from my tour in Afghanistan and I

have shared my thoughts and experiences with many people, so when I was asked to write an

article for the Hackle, I thought why not? I was honoured to speak at both A Coy and B Coy

mess dinners and LCol (Ret’d) Adcock roped me in to speaking at a Probus (retired business

men's rotary club) meeting. I knew it was worth sharing my experiences with those people be-

cause a few gentlemen approached me after the presentation and thanked me for giving such a

personal account of the mission in Afghanistan. All we hear is negative accounts from the me-

dia, they said.

I joined PSYOPS back in September of 2007 with the hopes of landing a spot in the pla-

toon to go on Roto 6. That's not exactly how things ended up. At the end of November, after

we had all finished the PSYOPS Disseminator course, we were all offered our positions. A

couple weeks later I found out that I would be part of the TF HQ and would not only be deploy-

ing four months earlier than expected but would also be overseas for almost ten months. So I

spent almost ten months as a PSYOPS Target Audience Analyst (TAA) for TF Kandahar HQ

Roto 5.

What does a PSYOPS TAA do? I worked on my own, usually with my own interpreter

and my job was to gather information on the attitudes, perceptions, beliefs and behaviours of

local nationals (LNs). I wrote several reports about LNs and sent them up higher to assist the

PSYOPS Pl Comd with planning. The other TAA (MCpl Bob Ghosh) and I also attended

shuras, conducted face to face interviews with LNs, administered surveys, tested PSYOPS

products on LNs and facilitated focus groups. All of these activities would contribute to overall

periodic reports sent up higher. Through the primary and secondary research the TAAs con-

ducted we would also as-

sist in the development of

PSYOPS products and

messaging. Our four main

PSYOPS objectives were:

Counter IED (C-IED),

Professionalization of the

Afghan National Security

Forces (ANSF), Promo-

tion of the Government

and Coalition Forces

working together with

ANSF.

Continued….

I had the opportunity to

work with several different or-

ganizations which made the tour

very enjoyable and enriching. I

worked with the PPCLI Battle

Group on an operation when I

first hit the ground in May, so re-

ality set in right away. I was aug-

mented into a tactical PSYOPS

team (TPT) from out west. It was

awesome working with them; we

had been on course together that

past November. I spent about a

month with them, learned a lot

about how to deal with not only

LNs and face-to-face communication, but also how to sell PSYOPS to other organizations like

the BG, ForcePro, etc. I spent a lot of time working with the POMLT (Police Operational Men-

tor and Liaison Team) out in Zhari, Panjwayi and Kandahar City. This organization was always

very welcoming in that PSYOPS work is a lot like community policing. Actually had the pleas-

ure of working with Sgt Monteith and his team out in Panjwayi, and of course saw Cpl

Strudwick, who was a member of a TPT, several times in passing. I also worked with the civil-

ian police (CIVPOL) out of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Kandahar City and

assisted in gathering information about the progress of the professionalization of the Afghan

Uniformed Police (AUP). I also did a lot of work on Afghan women. I had the opportunity to

participate in several focus groups with CIMIC and CIDA. I also was given the task to write a

briefing note for the CDS about Afghan women and their struggles.

In closing, it was a life changing experience, and I will never forget the amazing people

I met and worked with.

Sgt M Robertson

PSYOPS TAA

Life at the KPRT

On 11 September 2008 I departed Trenton for Kandahar, a fitting end, to a year of pre-

deployment training with TF 3-08. My final destination was Camp Nathan Smith (CNS), the

home of the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team (KPRT) Canada’s main redevelopment

effort in Afghanistan. The year long journey including significant time in Petawawa, four weeks

at Fort Bliss in Texas, a long, cold, and arguably pointless month at CMTC in Wainwright, an

equal amount of time at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, and several weeks at CFB Gagetown.

The training heading into this deployment was more extensive then my prior experience head-

ing into Kabul in 2004, and rightfully so. Mounted operations, instinctive shooting, and dis-

mounted patrolling, were the topics of focus in preparation for what ended up being an eight-

month tour with the KPRT Force Protection Company (FP Coy). The FP Coy was headed up by

Golf Company of 2RCR and was augmented by a reserve platoon made up of soldiers from

across LFCA. Our role within the company was two-fold, securing CNS, and maintaining a pa-

trolling capability in order to sustain KPRT operations on foot or mounted in RG-31’s. My role

within the platoon was that of a section 2IC.

We basically hit the ground running. On 13 September I arrived at CNS and after some

in-clearance found myself in an RG-31 (for the first time ever) serving as the crew commander.

Over the next few days as the rest of the platoon rotated in, we quickly took over from the out-

going platoon and got into the full swing of our operations. Our patrols were general focused on

supporting other organizations, which from an infantry perspective took some getting used to.

Our job was basically to enable other organizations such as CIMIC, the Specialist Engineer

Team (SET), the RCMP helping train the Afghan police (ANP), and the civilian aid and devel-

opment workers to do their job. Our typical patrol would involve taking one or more of the

above-mentioned organizations to their objective site, securing it and holding it as they com-

pleted their tasks. These tasks would include anything from key leader engagements, meetings

with the Governor, visits to police stations, various government installation, and inspections of

reconstruction projects and surveying post blast damage, to name a few.

Continued….

In conjunction with the so-called “routine” patrols we conducted presence patrols to

maintain a foot hold in the vicinity of CNS, and to bolster the ANP throughout the city. These

patrols would consist of mounted operations, dismounted operations, or a combination of both.

The dismounted operations in the city gave a unique perspective into the extreme levels of des-

titute the Afghans live.

The deployment as a whole was a positive experience despite several long stretches of

very long days coupled with extreme conditions (yes it gets cold there too!). The nature of our

platoon’s task resulted in extensive juggling of personnel, which made my job particularly in-

teresting, as I tried to balance various tasks at once. In the same light, the constant juggling gen-

erated various opportunities as well; be it the back filling of a LAV-III, commanding mounted

patrols, or leading a column through the narrow streets of Kandahar from the front seat of an

RG-31. The year of pre-deployment training in its own right offered new experiences and de-

velopment opportunities, however that experience is unparalleled by the time I spent in Kanda-

har, regardless of how miserable it was at the time. Undoubtedly the whole ordeal is one of the

most memorable experiences I have endured as a soldier.

Sgt M Boreczek

B Coy

POMLT in Panjwayi

For Task Force 3-08, members of

the Lorne Scots deployed with many dif-

ferent units into a large variety of jobs. I

was fortunate to deploy with a Police Op-

erational Mentor and Liaison Team

(POMLT) as a section 2 I/C. The POMLT

is tasked to help train and work with local

elements of the Afghanistan Uniformed

Police (AUP). The overall POMLT or-

ganization consisted of two platoons, each

given an operational area of responsibility

and made up of a mix of infantry soldiers

and military police. 2 platoon was as-

signed to the Panjwayi district, with my

section working out of a FOB and the other living in a compound about three kilometres outside

the FOB with the District Chief of Police (DCoP) and several squads of AUP. We each had sev-

eral police checkpoints or Police Sub-Stations (PSS) that we were to teach to and patrol with to

improve their survivability and policing skills.

My sections Area of Responsibility covered about seven square kilometres and con-

tained the main town and Bazaar area for the Panjwayi district. Our other section covered an

area of about sixteen kilometres long and four to five kilometres wide along the MSR towards

Kandahar City. Within the Bazaar was three separate AUP compounds plus a squad that lived

in our compound on the side of the FOB. An AUP squad could be anywhere from six to twelve

Police officers with one designated as the squad commander. They were armed with American

supplied AK-47 variants, PKM LMG's, some RPG's and anything they happened to find during

searches. They lived at the Checkpoints and were a mix of local recruits and officers brought in

for other areas of Afghanistan. The area we worked in was very built up and populated by up to

4500 locals, mostly farmers and shop owners. There is a large paved MSR running through the

middle of the Bazaar and we used it to split our AOR into the “North side” and “South side” for

planning our movements. The North side consisted mainly of housing compounds and a

‘Kuchie’ village of nomads that were staying in the area for the winter. South of the MSR had

more compounds but faded into agricul-

tural fields and small ‘villages’ of five to

ten compounds. All this was crisscrossed

with narrow walled trails usually following

an irrigation creek. Most locals, and espe-

cially the children, in the north side were

friendly to the ISAF and AUP presence,

however the south side was less welcoming

to our movements and presence.

Continued….

Due to the nature of built up areas and the lack of large enough roads most of our patrols

were conducted by foot. All of our patrols and movements were done combined with an AUP

squad. Our normal day consisted of a dismounted presence patrol, either north or south, fol-

lowed by classes given to the AUP at one of the three CPs. Early in the tour most of our classes

focused on infantry type classes on things such as weapons handling, tactical movement, reac-

tion to fire and first aid. As we progressed we could start to focus on more policing classes like

Afghan law, searching personnel, buildings and vehicles, evidence collection, questioning tech-

niques and detainee handling. We also took part in many battle group operations, both with

Mike coy 3 RCR and the Tankers of the LDSH, usually conducting cordon and searches of vil-

lages in the overall Canadian AOR in Panjwayi. These usually resulted in finding large cashes

of weapons, drugs or IED components.

The Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks started early in the tour. During my

first combat patrol and only 4 days in Afghanistan, my patrol was hit with a command deto-

nated IED. This happened during the handover and terrain familiarization patrol, where our in-

coming section and the outgoing section split into two mixed patrols to learn the ground. The

outgoing platoon commander and one of my soldiers narrowly escaped injury. We were lucky

the device was poorly placed. The triggerman got away after being chased by a squad of US

Army soldiers that we were also working with. We had several close calls early in the tour in-

cluding a failed suicide bomber that tried to detonate himself in one of our patrols. Lucky for us

his batteries were dead and shortly after so was he. The POMLT as a unit did suffer several

losses. In October Cpl Bill Kerr, a reservist from the 2nd Irish, was seriously wounded along

with two other Canadians and several AUP officers. Kerr lost both legs and one arm in an IED

blast, becoming the first Canadian triple amputee from the Afghan campaign. One of the other

Canadians was repatriated home later due to injuries suffered during that attack. They were part

of 1 platoon of the POMLT working in the Zhari district just north of our area. In December

WO Gaetean Roberge, the section commander of our other section, was killed along with engi-

neer Sgt Gregory Kruize, two AUP officers and an Interpreter in an IED attack at one of the Po-

lice CPs in our area. Four other Canadians were wounded along with several AUP officers. The

last major IED strike hit us during a presence patrol I was leading in the south side of our AOR.

Pte Andrew Knisley was severely injured by and IED made of two artillery shells buried in the

ground on one of the trails. He was quickly attended to by the Tactical Combat Casualty Care

(TCCC, T triple C) trained individuals in my section and they saved his life. He was Med Eva-

ced within forty minutes and ended up losing his right leg and sustaining nerve damage in his

right arm.

Though we had our tough times it was extremely rewarding to be able to work daily

with the Afghan Police and see the changes and improvements. The POMLT concept is a key to

the future stability of Afghanistan and it very important to build a professional group of offi-

cers. Everything did not always go smoothly and there is a lot of progress still to be made but

the changes are all for the better. The MPs and Infantry worked well together and other than the

usual jokes everyone did their part for the team. I had MPs as C-9 gunners and radiomen and

Infantry guys as searchers.

Sgt Gregory Monteith

B Coy

Taliban Hunting Safari Cpl Josh Smith and I arrived in Afghanistan by late August of 2008, we were the first platoon from

the 3RCR Battle Group to arrive in theatre. We were call sign “21” a.k.a. “Black Jacks”, formally known as

4 Platoon, November Coy. After the excessively long briefings at Kandahar Air Field (KAF), where the

more popular questions asked by non-infantry types were “how do I get internet without leaving my

room?” and “when will the mess have strawberry ice cream again?”, we moved to Forward Operating Base

(FOB) Wilson in Zhari District, West of Kandahar City. We left on our first ‘patrol’ to a mountain side to

test fire all our weapons, which included 9mm, C6, C7, C8, C9, M72, Grenade, 84mm, and the 25mm.

Sadly that day would prove to be one of the worst days as 3 PPCLI soldiers were killed by a recoilless rifle

less than 2km from our position. It would not be our last memorial. The platoon commander from the out-

going PPCLI platoon took us into the volatile Pashmul area just south of our FOB, and took us to an inter-

section where we sat for 4 hours listening to the early warning signs from the locals. Later, he informed us

that if we had walked 100m further west, a gun fight was guaranteed.

We spent most of September doing Quick Reaction Force duty at FOB Ma’Sum Ghar. On our sec-

ond day on QRF, I was slotted for OP duty, but as I was not on shift, I was sleeping in the bunker when the

FOB, known as “The Catchers Mitt” due to it’s propensity to catch incoming mortar and RPG fire, was hit

with RPG’s. A road crew working outside the wire and just below us was engaged in a small arms battle.

As you would expect, I responded by leaping out of bed and heading to my battle position at the double.

As with all things, Murphy’s Law kicked in, (no offense RSM) so naturally, a crusty CSM from the Engi-

neers came up to my OP wanting to watch the unfolding firefight. He proceeded to exhibit displeasure at

the state of my uniform, and insisted that no mater what was happening, I should take the time to ensure I

was properly turned out. Taking his advice I did up my boots and helmet, adjusted my body armour and

strike plates, and counted myself lucky that I had pulled on a pair of Moosehead Lager shorts as I brushed

the dust off them. My Pl WO loved it when he got wind of the story. That CSM was fired, apparently it

was the straw the broken this camels back, we never saw him again after that day. It was a good fight,

though; Apache and Kiowa attack helicopters helped a bit.

We had daily IED finds and weekly IED strikes we responded too in the district, which usually in-

volved a 15 hour cordon and the occasional clean up while on QRF. We also had more than our fair share

of close calls with IED’s. I was sent to take a 4 day Tracked LAV (M113) drivers course in KAF. In Octo-

ber, we launched a massive operation in a city called Nakahoney where we patrolled for 4 days, found a

massive IED cache and destroyed it. This find was published in the National Post. Being bold and looking

for a fight, we went back into Pashmul and crossed the intersection that we were warned about. Two of our

attachments from P-OMLT, including Cpl Bill Kerr, and their Afghan Police Unit were sent into a house,

which exploded launching a massive ambush on our platoon. Thanks to extraordinary skills by our Navy

medic, they survived.

We had begun to establish ourselves as a reliable platoon, so much so that in the coming months,

our OC would refer to us as “Contact 21”. We were sent to assist the Afghan National Army at a Police

Sub-Station (PSS) in Howe-Z-Madad to strike

against insurgents placing IED’s on the ANA

Patrol Routes. In all of yours and my wildest

dreams, we could not ask for a more perfect

firing position than I had on this Ambush. An

alley with 5 to 6 foot walls on either side and

I’m looking down the alley hiding behind a

piece of broken wall just big enough for me to

duck behind. The radio reports the UAV see’s

the bad guys coming, almost here, almost,

almost, and one ANA with a happy trigger

finger lets off a burst, before they are in the

kill zone, and the bad guys ran away. FML

Continued….

In November, 3 platoons plus 1 US Army platoon and our Coy HQ went back in to clear out the

Taliban. On day 1 of this 2 day operation, no less than 7 fire fights were fought, 4 involved our platoon. Our

first chance to call in artillery and call sign 22 called in a 500lbs bomb from an overhead jet. During the first

fight of the day, the American Platoon and us were pinned down, I decided we needed more rounds going

down range, I climbed up on the mud wall, took aim with the C9, pulled the trigger and...click. Dead Mans

Click. I had it. I did IA’s for what seemed like 15 minutes (a small piece of brass from the test fire had

jammed inside the bolt preventing it from going fully forward), and instead of climbing down into the ditch

like a normal person would, I stayed up there and directed the M203 Grenadiers on target, the insurgents

were under a lone tree which was a great reference point. On day 2, a massive attack was launched against

the US platoon, wounding 1. My platoon was sent in, under cover from danger close arty, close as in less

than 100m, we made it most of the way before we came under fire. We were pinned down and were able to

return fire, I remember the rounds skipping beside my feet the most. Aside from the obvious, ultimate moral

boost: a pair Kiowa attack helicopters coming in overhead bringing 50 calibre and rockets down, with the

classic stand up and cheer by my fire team partner and I, finding the local who supplied the Taliban with our

positions using his cell phone, and detaining him would be the largest gain of the day. That was our last en-

gagement of 2008, during the winter months, the fighters went home, while the IED cells kicked into high

gear. In late November, Cpl Smith and I, as well as a few more reservists took part in the first Operational

Air Mobile Combat Insertion in the history of our units. The OP took our platoon on board two British Chi-

nook Helicopters escorted by two US Apache Helicopters deep into Zhari, while the remainder of the battle

group moved with the LAVs and Tanks to surround the area. The 3 day operation kept us in waiting for Tali-

ban to move past our positions. On December 26, 2008, call sign 22 took over a tasking for our platoon, and

their lead LAV struck an IED and killed Michael Freeman who was driving. This was our first casualty in

our coy and took a massive toll on us. This came weeks after an IED wounded two members of the same

platoon. December was one of the worst months, not only for our coy, but the entire roto, as it claimed a lot

of Canadian lives.

I took my leave (HLTA) in January and went to Bali, Indonesia for 3 weeks. Some SCUBA Diving

and Volcano climbing later, my leave was over as I was on my way back.

On Feb 12th, we began operating in a town called Kolk, a.k.a Contact Corner, and encountered the

first bad guy dumb enough to shoot at us while we were mounted in our LAVs. Nothing remained of him

after 2 of our LAVs returned fire. 2 Days later, Valentines Day, we went back with coy HQ. Expecting a

firefight, I was tasked to bring a second C6, I was left in an over watch position with a CDN Sniper Team

and a US Sniper Team at the Coy HQ location. A few “shoot & scoots” gave us an interesting morning, but

when we pulled out in the afternoon, my platoon minus myself came under fire, with the CSM as my #2, the

snipers and I were able to engage and destroy the enemy firing on my platoon, with the help of two attack

helos. My platoon was able to give the enemy some fight as well, my WO fired off 15 mortors in 5 minutes,

he loved dropping bombs. We continued to pull out and an overhead Reaper UAV destroyed a 6 man RPG

team following us. Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) for the day = 12 Bad Guys….Dead, no Friendly cau-

salities, Happy Valentines Day. The end of February sent us on another 3 day patrol with rucks into the vil-

lage of Siah Choi. We nicknamed this “OP Brokeback” because the amount of ammo we carried was back

breaking, no movie reference implied. On the second day an ambush was launched against us, we moved

further up the road after winning the firefight and went firm, next to a pile of marijuana set on fire by the

retreating bad guys. A few hours later a second attack was launched against us.

March kept us occupied with routine patrols and an op at the end of the month, which put my pla-

toon, not once but twice, in the beaten zone between the Afghan National Army and the Taliban, unable to

expose ourselves we had to wait it out. On the second day, the last patrol our platoon took part in, we came

under another shoot & scoot in which the Afghan Police mistakenly fired on their own Mentors believing

they were the Taliban. Believing our hardship was over our platoon returned to our FOB to pack our kit. We

were awaken by a massive blast we later learned claimed the lives of 2 more soldiers from our coy. Scott

Vernelli and Tyler Crooks were killed on 23 March 2009. The blast also killed a terp and wounded the FOO

and our OC. Later that day, 2 Dragoons were also killed in the Shaw Wali Kot District. My platoon was or-

dered to clean our LAVs to a level they have not been at since the factory and we drove the LAVs carrying

our fallen onto the tarmac on their final voyage home.

A few days later, we flew to Cyprus and a few days after that..…... Home

MCpl Banks

B Coy

Tactical Psychological Operations in Kandahar

When asked to write an article for the Hackle about my deployment to Afghanistan, I was both

willing and reluctant to say yes. For anyone that has been on a tour of duty (not just Afghanistan), they

will understand when I say that a tour is a very personal experience. However sharing some of my ex-

periences with my fellow Lorne Scots is something that I definitely feel comfortable doing.

For me my contribution to the Afghan mission began 13 months before ever putting my boots in

the Afghan dirt. It began with a very serious discussion with my wife explaining the various reasons I

felt like I needed to go to Afghanistan and “do my part”. Even with 2 active children at home and know-

ing she would be “holding down the fort” on her own she supported me. This was in August 2007. It

was also during this time that I applied for a unique position within the Task Force. This position was to

become a Disseminator on a Tactical Psychological Operations Team (TPT). To simply describe what a

TPT does is we interact with the local population, gather information and disseminate information while

in support of the various security forces. Fortunately I was selected for training, which commenced at

CFB Downsview in September 2007. I under went 4 months of Psychological Operations (PsyOps)

training which included in depth Afghan cultural and language training, learning about the Muslim relig-

ion, Tribal names and structures, Afghan history, economic issues within Afghanistan, as well as all our

regular infantry training. Upon completion of this training I was selected to fill the position of dissemi-

nator on one of the two TPT’s. We then headed to CFB Petawawa where we linked up with the Task

Force and would continue on with 8 more months of pre-deployment training. Pre-deployment training

took us to Texas, Alberta, New Brunswick, and various locations around Ontario. With 12 months of

pre-deployment training under our belts no one could say that they weren’t prepared or well trained and

like soldiers before us, we were eager to go.

Finally September (2008) arrived and we were on our way to do what we were trained to do. I

left Canada on September 15th and arrived in Afghanistan in the early morning hours of the 17th. After a

couple days to “shake out” and get briefed about the current situation, my team, TPT “Alpha” was given

its first mission. We were going to be attached to the British Royal Marine Commandos for an up com-

ing operation. We pushed out on the evening of the 23rd and moved to a desert leaguer. Temperatures

during the day were hot and would reach between the mid 40’s to high 40’s (Celsius). We operated out

of this leaguer for the next 13 days and conducted a variety of patrols. This was our first real exposure to

the Afghan population and we finally got to put months of training to work.

We were then given new orders that we would be moving to a new leaguer (with the Brits) on

the morning of the 5th and would be conducting some search operations. The Intelligence that we were

given was that this area was known to have between 30-40 insurgents and the local population was ei-

ther intimidated or sympathetic to the insurgents. This was good intelligence because on the morning of

the 5th we had our first encounter with the enemy. They had planted an Improvised Explosive Device

(IED), which one of the British vehicles struck, blowing it up and wounding the 4 soldiers inside. It was

also during this time that we engaged some suspected insurgent locations and also received some infor-

mation that the insurgents had planted more IED’s for us. The British commander decided that we would

leaguer up at this location and continue on with our operations from here. It wasn’t long after we started

to dig in that we came under effective small arms fire. The British mortars replied and that was the end

of the small arms fire. From this location we carried out a variety of patrols and conducted some cordon

and search operations. The operation, which lasted until the 10th of October, was a success and the re-

sulted in the capture of a variety of weapons and IED’s. On completion of the operation we made our

way back to Kandahar Airfield (KAF) and arrived on the 12th but not before having a few more encoun-

ters with some IED’s, but luckily no one was injured. After almost 3 weeks without a shower and eating

rations, returning to KAF was a nice treat.

After a couple of days of rest at KAF, my team was giving orders to deploy to a Forward Oper-

ating Base (FOB) and operate out of there. We arrived at the FOB on the 18th of October and immedi-

ately started to go to work. We carried out a variety of presence patrols and search operations while de-

ployed to this FOB but on November 13th my team would be split up for the remainder of my time in

Afghanistan. Unfortunately prior to November 13th my team’s vehicle had some mechanical issues. As

we departed for a 2-day Operation we were separated for the ride to the objective. In the early morning

hours the lead vehicle I was in hit an IED. 6 of the 9 soldiers inside received various injuries and had to

be medevaced from the site. The two other soldiers and myself were fortunate enough to be able to con-

tinue on with the Operation before being sent back to KAF for treatment. I said November 13th was the

last time my team (TPT “Alpha”) would work together because the week that I was back at KAF the

remaining members of my team hit an IED as well. Unfortunately, 2 of my 3 buddies were wounded bad

enough, that they had to be sent back to Canada for further treatment.

My team, now 3 of us, would spend the next couple of months working from various FOB’s and

Police Sub-Stations (PSS’s). During this time we had the opportunity work with various Operational

Mentor and Liaison Teams (OMLT), various units in the Canadian Battle Group, and a variety of Af-

ghan security forces. With a month or so left to go in my tour, my Captain and I were pushed out to the

western area of Kandahar province to work with members of the American 1st Infantry Division. While

attached with the Americans we conducted a couple of airmobile operations. We achieved some success

during these Operations and located some weapons caches, detained a few suspected insurgents as well

as gathered and disseminated lots of information.

I obviously can’t speak in length about my time in Afghanistan but I’m glad to share some of

my experiences, and give you a little insight into my tour of duty in Afghanistan. I am glad that I was

able to make a small contribution to the Afghan mission, but as fellow Lorne Scots are currently prepar-

ing to deploy on their own tour of duty to Afghanistan, my thoughts turn to them and I wish them all the

best for a successful, safe and speedy return,

“AIR-SON-AR-DUTHCHAIS”.

Cpl W Strudwick

C Coy

Afghanistan Is Hot: TF 3-08 : My 7-Month Tour

Whenever I asked the guys who had already been over about Afghanistan, they always

told me one thing – it was hot. Obviously, I did not need them to tell me that as I knew that due

to where the country was situated it was going to be hot, but nonetheless that is what they con-

tinually told me. However, I did not have an inkling of how hot it actually was until I physi-

cally arrived. So, naturally, when I stepped off the plane in late august 2008, I was very nearly

knocked unconscious by the intense wall of heat that I encountered. I told myself that it was

just the wash from the airplane’s engine, as the door was behind it, and that it wasn’t naturally

this hot. Unfortunately for me, when I walked out of the jet wash, it got hotter!

I was among the first from my platoon to arrive in theatre, so I got to meet most of the

guys that were rotating out. I considered that a good thing, as one could trade for the gucci kit,

but more importantly, the old guys were fountains of information on our job, Afghanistan, and

life in KAF (Kandahar airfield).

Our first task overseas was to man and operate ECP-3 (entry control point) and OP-2

(observation post). ECP-3 was the main entrance into KAF, and our job was to man the two

watch towers, the gatehouse itself, the ‘pad’ (where the vehicles were searched) and the person-

nel search. On average, in the pers-check (personnel search) we searched 2000-2500 afghans

every day twice, once on their way into work, and once on their way out. At OP-2, our job was

to line up all the LN (local national) trucks that were coming into KAF so that the dogs could

sniff them for bombs. Once they were cleared by the dogs, we would send them down to ECP-

3 to be thoroughly searched by other members of our platoon.

In late September, some members of the platoon were sent out with members of our sis-

ter platoon, to replace some British Royal Marine Commandos in a defensive position in the

middle of nowhere. I was excited to go on this ‘mission’ as I had not yet been outside the wire,

and I was eager to see Afghanistan. When we arrived at the position, the Brits were eager to

help us dig our trenches as they had a backhoe with them. Our Warrant, however, decided that

his troops were going to dig their own trenches by hand.

Continued...

Only problem was, we didn’t bring shovels or pickaxes. So, I had to run over to the Ca-

nadian Psy-ops team that was at the time attached to the commandos, and borrow their shovels

and pickaxes to dig my trench. Afghan soil is the hardest thing I have ever dug in – its more

like concrete then soil in my opinion. I personally was manning the C6 trench, so my Master

Corporal and I set up the SF kit and prepared several pre-sighted targets in case we were ever

attacked. September was still very hot, and our position was in the middle of a big open field so

we baked in the sun. With no overhead cover in our trenches there was no relief from the sun,

and me being of Irish descent, I burned redder then the ripest of tomatoes, and I pretty much

stayed that way for the rest of the tour.

After returning from my HLTA in late October, the platoon had switched roles to con-

voy escort. We were now responsible for escorting the convoys of ammo, parts, people, vehi-

cles etc carried on the new big HSVS, the army’s new highly armoured transport truck. We

rolled around in the RG-31 Nyala, the South African truck specifically built to combat mines.

My specific position was that of second dismount, TCCC (tactical combat casualty care), and

the LMG gunner for my crew. I was also trained on the RWS (remote weapon system) so I

doubled as the backup gunner for my truck as well. However, I much preferred doing my pri-

mary task as a dismount. My trade is that of infantryman, so naturally I’m more comfortable on

my own too feet, looking with my own two eyes, and directing with my own two hands. As a

dismount, while the truck was moving, I was responsible for helping the gunner with rear secu-

rity (ensuring no vehicles came to close to the truck), as well as manning the air sentry hatch

when needed. Whenever we stopped, I had to ensure that there were no IEDs (improvised ex-

plosive devices) around the vehicle by physically walking the ground around the truck, as well

as provide local security on the cordon ensuring no LN or vehicles came too close. When my

truck was lead vehicle, I also got to conduct VPS (vital point searches), looking in culverts and

grape fields for IEDs. I especially enjoyed doing VPS, as once again I got to get out of the

truck and be an infantryman again.

I went on a little over 40 convoys, all of varying

lengths, some were one day, others three days long. If I

could have been on a convoy everyday, I would have, I en-

joyed going out and leaving KAF. It was always nice to

spend nights in the FOBs, as the food was better (hooray for

Canadian army cooks!), and we weren’t around our sergeant

major!

I am truly grateful and proud to have served in Af-

ghanistan (despite the heat). I consider it an honour to serve

Canada and would gladly do it again.

Cpl T Westwood

C Coy

OP Nanook 2009

Operation Nanook consisted of 3 platoons from the Arctic Response Company Group formed of

Reservists from 32 Canadian Brigade Group. In early August we boarded the C-177 Globemaster III at

the Trenton Air Force Base. It took a few hours to reach Iqaluit, Nunavut and when we got our boots on

the ground we noticed how barren and muddy the terrain was in comparison to southern Ontario. It was

about 4 degrees in temperature, something most of us weren’t used to feeling in August.

The Company loaded up their equipment and we were transported to the CF-18 Forward Operat-

ing Location (FOL) just by Iqaluit Airport. There we were briefed and introduced to our new living

quarters for the month, the CF-18 Hornet hangar. The following week we conducted several patrols in

the area, marching and getting used to the rocky terrain covered in moss, purple flowers and arctic cot-

ton. We had a couple days of downtime, and were given the opportunity to participate with a volunteer

organization called Habitats for Humanity. About a dozen soldiers from my platoon, including myself

volunteered and were driven to a site for a house that was being built for a less fortunate family living in

Iqaluit. It was about half done, and we spent the day putting up side boarding and painting the exterior.

It was a great way to spend the day as locals driving and walking by got a chance to talk and meet with

us.

We had a few briefings to help understand the customs and culture of the Inuit community, as

well as had speakers who gave us a better perceptive on the lifestyles of the Inuit living in northern Can-

ada. We were told more of the rules and what was expected of us while we were there. We were also

informed that if we picked up a temporary fishing license from the local hunting store, they could issue

us fishing rods to take to a lake a little ways from the FOL. Myself and two other Lorne Scots went fish-

ing in our free time and caught some arctic char.

The following week, the Rangers were attached to every section in the Company whom we

trained with and learned arctic survival techniques from. They also served as predator control with polar

bears as we moved into more remote areas during our patrols. We became aware of the unfortunate fact

that the C7 5.56mm round would most likely aggravate the bear rather than stop it from attacking, so the

Lee Enfield wielding Rangers carried live .303 rounds which would stand a better chance in case we had

an encounter.

The Rangers brought in a seal the next

day that they had hunted just hours before and

brought it into one of the hangers and showed the

Company how to skin and eat it raw. Soldiers

were given an opportunity to eat raw seal with the

Rangers and it built some cohesion between us.

Some CF pilots flying CC-138 Twin Ot-

ters landed at our FOL and were going to be the

pilots taking certain platoons to the remote islands

on the coast of Baffin Island for the exercise por-

tion of the Op Nanook. Before we headed out to

the Islands in the following week, my section re-

ceived a familiarization flight around Baffin Is-

land and got to see Nunavut from 3000ft above,

seeing seals and beluga whales in the ocean. Also,

we were allowed to take turns sitting in the cock-

pit and controlling of the aircraft doing basic flight

maneuvers.

PAGE 25

The next portion of the Op consisted of the exercise within it where different platoons were

tasked with certain objectives. My platoon boarded the Coast Guard ship from Iqaluit and sailed along

Frobisher Bay for 48 hours. On the ship we went over the beach landing procedure, and carried out some

practice runs getting onto the Zodiac boats with our rucksacks and weapons, circling the ship, and then

getting back on it. We also went over the objectives that we would need to complete when we landed.

But until then, we ate amazing food prepared by the kitchen staff on the ship, got to hang out in the

mess, watched a few movies on the big screen television and got quite comfortable with the life at sea

life.

The Coast Guard ship docked with HMCS Toronto (a Canadian Navy warship) a few times dur-

ing our voyage and we met up with the other platoon that was on it, taking tours of the other vessel. We

docked once more when both ships reached the objective and then we prepared for the landing on Apex

Beach. We dismounted from the Zodiac boats with our rucksacks and weapons, stepped onto the wet

sand and marched up to the top of the hill and waited for the rest of the soldiers to catch up. From there

we marched about 7km to where we broke off into sections again and set up our BIV sight. From there

we commenced our routine patrols and searching for downed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s) as

depicted in our orders. No one was to leave line of sight of a Ranger in case of polar bears, and there

was always a sentry. After a few days in the field finished our tasks and prepared to head back to the

FOL.

After the exercise we were debriefed and Chief of Defence Staff General Natynchuk and Minis-

ter of Defence Peter Mackay greeted and spoke with us for an hour.

We were transported back to the FOL and prepared for Community Day for the Iqaluit commu-

nity. The plan was to expose the northern part of Canada to the Canadian Forces and give them a chance

to see the faces of the Arctic Response Company and interact with us. We hosted a barbeque and served

hot dogs and hamburgers to whomever decided to stop by. There were displays to show and games for

children to play. The IMP tasting stand was a hit as the community got to have a taste of our rations.

There were also weapons displays, an obstacle course for children as well as displays from the Navy,

RCMP and local police. The Navy divers brought in their diving equipment as well as weapons the

Navy uses, which was something Army Reservists don’t get to see every day. Near the end of the event,

CF-18 Hornets did their display above us as well as the CF SkyHawks Demonstration Parachute Team.

The Chief of Defence Staff and Minister of Defence attended this event and spoke to the community.

After Community Day, Op Nanook

began to wind down, and we slowly started to

prepare to go home as our flight back was

scheduled in the next couple days. We boarded

the CC-150 Polaris and headed back to Tren-

ton.

Cpl V Suagh

B Coy

A Boy, A Snowsuit and A Big Fluffy Hat. My Summer With The Ceremonial Guard

My summer was changed when I logged into my e-mail on the morning of Monday May 11 to find the following message,

“you are to report to Ceremonial Guard lines NLT 12 1830 May 09”. Thirty six hours, a mad packing flurry and 500km of driving

later I was wandering around the Ceremonial Guard lines wondering what the hell the next four months of summer would have in

store.

A quick history on the Ceremonial Guard (CG). The CG was originally formed in 1959 to conduct public and ceremonial

duties around the National Capital Region. This consists of things such as providing the state guard for the Governor General, state

dinners and state visits by heads of state. This has expanded to include conducting the daily changing of the guard ceremony that

takes place on Parliament Hill, guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial and internments at Beech-

wood National Military Cemetary. Originally these duties were performed by the Canadian Guards Regt. (Can Guards), but when

they were disbanded in 1970 these duties were assumed by the Canadian Grenadier Guards (CGG) and Governor Generals Foot

Guards (GGFG). For the bulk of the last 39 years these duties have fallen completely on the shoulders of the CGG and GGFG, but

now they have started to draw personnel from all over Land Forces Central Area and SQFT (don’t ask me what it translates into but

it means Land Forces Quebec Area).

So there I am wandering around the CG lines, (the Carleton University campus) at sundown having just watched several

hot air balloons take off, hearing a French horn waft through the still air as it plays Bolero. I scratch my head and wonder once again

“what the hell have I ended up in”? I typically spend my summers teaching Primary Leadership Qualification (PLQ) Module 6 In-

fantry in Petawawa, where the choppers, arty fire and rattle of machine gun and 25MM Cannons lull you to sleep. Now here I am

surrounded by civis and musicians totally out of my element. It’s a good thing I brought my motorcycle with me.

I report the next morning after spending the night settling into my room (central air, I could get used to this) and bonding

with Sgt Brian Boer who lives next door. We were then all promptly whisked off to a place where an eastern European woman de-

manded we take off our pants, walk around getting banged in the junk with a meter stick as they say “it’s so that they will know how

things fit”, and then having to find a dead animal to plop on our heads. Wandering out of stores, I have a collection of random parts

that they assure me will all come together into a sharp looking uniform. We head back to start in-clearance and combing over the

book they have given us, that they assure us will allow us to develop the dead animal and the rest of the collection of random parts

into a sharp looking uniform.

The following 2 weeks and a bit, was filled with drill, drill and still more drill. We reviewed the good old Canadian Forces

standard drill, were taught the CG specific drill (most of which I love because it looks good or just plain old makes sense), were

taught how to butcher drill in French and got our heads around parade formats. Did you know that the most single drill commands

given during the Changing of the Guard Ceremony is 41 given by the Division Commander, who is the lowest Command position on

parade? Well now you do too.

The end of May brought not only the start of June, but also the arrival of the main body of troops. We had a wide and

diverse group of back grounds. There were the switched on guys from Regt du Saguenay from just outside Quebec City, the ferial

French from the Sherbrook Fusiliers, the “dumb look on my face because I can only speak English not understand it” very English

Royal Montreal Regt. There were the surfers from the Linc & Weld, a dirty Argyle, a Forrester, a few Royals, two members of The

Mississauga Scottish and the usual assortment of Western Quebec and Eastern Ontario Regiments. Then, they came. There were

two busses of them, and they had been locked away in a place without freedom, sun or a surplus of attractive single women. That’s

right; the 55 troops from LFCATC Meafords PAT Platoon hit ground. Now for those not in the know, PAT Platoon in Meaford

stands for Personnel Awaiting Training.

This is where the troops that arrive from St.Jean between courses are held as well as troops that hurt themselves and are

recoursed, are held here once they are mended. They are kept busy and frozen in a sort of holding pattern until they can be course

loaded. The staff in Meaford went through as well as they could, and picked the 55 most deserving troops they had. They were

packed up and sent off to us for 3 months of good food, drill and trained soldier freedom in a big city.

We started off the next morning whisking them off to a place where an eastern European woman demanded they take off

their pants, they walked around getting banged in the junk with a meter stick as I say “it’s so that we know how things fit”, and then

having a dead animal plopped on their heads. Wandering out of stores, they too have a collection of random parts that we assure

them will all come together into a sharp looking uniform. We head back to start in-clearance and start instruction that allows them to

develop the dead animal and the rest of the collection of random parts into a sharp looking uniform.

The next 3 weeks consisted of all the drill we had previously reviewed and been taught. We had to get troops from differ-

ent Regiments marching and doing drill at precisely the same speed. We broke people of bad habits and wrong halts, got arms

brought up all the way and straight, but they were brought all the way back too. Boots were polished, drill was done and a little sight

seeing was snuck in as well.

Ceremonial Guard 2009

PAGE 27

As the days flew past the group of 55 slowly became a Platoon. French guys were teaching their English room mates how

to hit on women, and the English guys were teaching the French guys useful sayings such as “GET OFF MY LAWN D!@K HEAD.

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, JOHNNY CASH?” By the time it got to be the 24th of June, we moved as one. The Platoon was

part of the annual parade for Her Excellency the Governor General (HEGG). This is where the CG conducts its first official parade of

the year, a sort of grad parade before we head out into the public eye and a chance for the HEGG to give her troops the once over.

There were some problems as a result of last minute changes, but as the saying goes, “if that’s the worst thing that happens today,

life’s going good”.

With the completion of the HEGG parade, came the start of the routine of the Public Duties season, Canada Day, a state

visit by the Emperor of Japan and the first of far to many funerals. For anybody that has never been to Ottawa on Canada day I’ll try

to paint a picture for you. Picture 60,000 people all jammed into an area about 6 times the size of downtown Brampton, now picture

them all watching you. This is kind of what it’s like as a troop working the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Canada Day. The

things people will do to attempt to get a response from a troop on shift are incredible. Numbers stuffed in tunics, graphic promises

and various exposed body parts are all part and parcel with the job.

The visit by the Emperor was a major task for the CG. Not only did it involve the mounting of a 200 man guard, but we

were also responsible for providing the interior guard at Rideau Hall during the stay. The high point was a draw between the look on

the Emperors face as he walked between the first two guys on shift during his stay. They were Pte Christman and Beckford, lovingly

referred to as Gigantor and Gigantors brother, both topping out at over 6’6” and fitting of the names. The other time is when he

bowed to the colours on parade. How many people can say that they had the Emperor bow to them.

After this busy period, we launched into our 4 days on 2 days off routine and the troops took the time to follow up on num-

bers slipped into pockets, see the sights that Ottawa had to offer and even get a little culture in the Market. This allowed for more

team building in the form of beer calls in the Market, or paintball at the platoon level. Nothing says I love you guys, quite like getting

to shoot them from close in with a paintball.

Having other Lorne Scots up there was a blessing and a curse. It was a blessing in the fact that I could keep an eye on them

and always be a friendly face in the crowd. It was a curse when ever I was in a hurry to get somewhere, and Cramer would let fly

with the Regimental on the pipes. This led to stopping, standing to attention, then cursing him and shaking my fist at him as I hurried

off to where I was going while he stood with a grin from ear to ear.

August saw the spectacle on the hill known as Fortissimo. It is the CG equivalent to a concert on Parliament Hill. It in-

volves cannons, music, burning torches, music, dancing, music, 2 jeeps that seem to fall apart and then get put back together very fast

to music, more music and in the true spirit of CG, drill set to….. you guessed it, music. This was run over one very busy week, and

involved some very long days as we still completed all our public duties. If you are planning on visiting Ottawa in early August, try

to go during Fortissimo. It’s a good show and the cost is right. It’s free.

We ploughed through August losing huge numbers of guys to Que-

bec College, and OP Podium. This just meant that over the last 8 days the

platoon 2i/cs had to be very creative and flexible in regard to manning. The

troops were able to see the end of the task but kept themselves focused and

working hard. As public duties ended I was shocked to see how quickly the

organisation that had taken over 2 months to get on ground and up to speed

was able to tear down and clear out. With the proper staging and thought the

450 troops were able to clear Regimental Stores, tear down unit lines and clear

out in 12 hours. It just goes to show that given clear arcs, MCpls with troops

are very effective at getting great amounts of work done.

Was it my first choice of a task over the summer? No. Before this

summer would I have ever imagined myself as being a platoon 2i/c with the

CG? Never. Did I learn anything and enjoy the job and the troops I was work-

ing with? Hell yes. Would I recommend this tasking to troops or NCOs?

Well I’m a firm believer that you get out of a task what you put into it. If you

want to do something different for 3-4 months in a big city, then this is more

than likely something you’ll enjoy once. Will I go back? Probably not, but I

will remember my summer in the red snowsuit with the bug fluffy black hat

doing drill on Parliament Hill and getting shot down by Amish women.

Sgt Lonnie Naughton

Recruiting Sgt

Ex Khyber Thrust 2009

I was among the soldiers of 32 Canadian Brigade

Group who went to Fort Irwin California this past March.

The purpose for this ex was to assist the 5th Stryker Bri-

gade in the final stage of there pre deployment for an 18

month tour in Iraq. Our roll was to play Iraqi Army, we

were at the front of all the missions that went into the vil-

lages in our AOR. We were located furthest south in For-

ward Operating Base (FOB) Denver. Our job as Iraqi

Army was to put a local face on everything possible such

as meet and greats with village leaders, doing presence

patrols and raiding insurgent held areas.

The training was Full Spectrum Ops, we used

M.I.L.E.S. gear and had support from Humvees’,

Stryker’s and F-15’s. It was great working with the US

soldiers because almost all of them had tours to either Iraq

or Afghanistan so we were able to learn a lot from them,

we spent a lot of time practicing urban ops drills. The bulk

of our time was in the villages we were responsible for;

But my section did do some night recce’s watching roads

making sure no IED’s were planted. There were some dif-

ficulties with terminology and hand signals. We use sec-

tion they use squad, we use arc’s and they use sectors. Our

hand signal for change direction is there signal for RV so

there was some confusion at first. The ranks structure was

a bit difficult as well, they have a lot more ranks than us,

the one squad we worked with couldn’t get the rank of

MCpl figured out so MCpl Yataco was known as ‘Sgt.

Taco’. Other then that, it was not hard working with the

US troops.

It was great training, being able to train for the

kind of war we are currently involved in, getting trans-

ported around in 5 ton’s and Humvees’ was a great change

from walking everywhere, getting to see the firepower the

US have, learning and employing skills that are currently

being used and getting to see how the US military oper-

ates. I learned a lot and had a great time on Exercise Khy-

ber Thrust and I hope we will be able to train in Fort Irwin

in the future.

Cpl C Chan

A Coy

This marksmanship competition is a real test of both your ability to control your shot and your

emotion. It is the basis of all sniper training and what you take away from this event is more that just

becoming a better shot. What you learn here is self-control and self-confidence, if you believe that you

are in abundance of these than I challenge you to test yourself and find out what your worth.

The competition is set up in three main areas of expertise and the matches within those disci-

plines that test your skill and training which are: sniper marksmanship, service rifle conditions, and com-

bat pistol. Each contains real world situations and applies them to the challenge of getting the bullet ex-

actly where you want it to go while maintaining the combat disciplines of cover and movement, obsta-

cles, and speed.

The service rifle shoots can include obstacle courses, machine gun fire, FIBUA, section attacks,

rapid fire, long range deliberate fire, snap fire and rundowns. Each test your ability to adapt to the new

situations and overcome the ensuing problems (breath, trigger control, adrenaline, target alignment,

wind, ammo, range,) it is the ultimate test of a soldiers ability to fire at the enemy and not just take him

down but keep him down after the first shot.

The pistol matches included kill houses with enemy and civilian targets. Some targets were sta-

tionary and others appeared and disappeared. Time was of the essence as you maneuver through these

complex courses with a host of new problems and situations around every corner. Cover and movement

was vital in these matches as you are in such close proximity that if you are the slight bit exposed you

are a very easy target for the enemy.

Off the ranges it is a very amazing experience as there are different teams from different coun-

tries that come to Ottawa to compete in this international competition you also work with fellow sol-

diers, sailors and airmen throughout the CF and earn your companionship among them. There is always

an exhibit of new military gear for sale and for show which attracts the attention of many influential

people that can and do make an impact on your life as a member of the Canadian Forces. Meeting these

people is a privilege and you often are able to have your opinion heard through casual conversation be-

tween privates and colonels or corporals and generals and so on. It is an experience to be proud of, one

you can share and certainly one to remember.

Through my personal experiences I have been apart of the Lorne Scots rifle team, the LFCA

rifle team and the Canadian Forces Combat Shooting team that represented Canada abroad. Of those I

have worked together with the navy, air force, and army both regular and reserve. We brought Canada

and the Canadian Forces countless medals and tro-

phies that we display proudly. As an individual I

have been apart of 6 gold medal teams and individu-

ally won 3 silver medals, and 8 bronze medals for

service rifle and combat pistol matches. Aside from

the glamour and the glory I feel a great sense of

pride that comes with keeping tradition and camara-

derie alive. I extend this invitation to you, to experi-

ence and train outside of the usual context. Go

above and beyond your normal soldiering skills and

become an extremely valued member of your unit.

Cpl Devon Warner

B Coy

Canadian Forces Small Arms Competition 2009

Article by William St Maur Sheil of the Fusiliers

Once again our Association Band has been invited back to Canada, to take part in the Canadian

International Military Tattoo. The Band and Drums travelled out to Canada on Wednesday 11th June and

returned a week later. Judging by the ovation given to them by the huge audience on both nights at the

Tattoo, their music and marching were enormously appreciated. Once again they have succeeded beyond

any reasonable expectation, for a band which normally can only meet to practice in their spare time, in

the evening and at weekends; this has to be a huge achievement. They were as professional as any regu-

lar army band, and probably better than some. We have every reason to be very proud of them.

Every year, the organisers of this Tattoo, which takes place at Hamilton, Ontario (just South of

Toronto, the commercial capital of Canada) invite one carefully selected and well-known foreign band

or display team to share the limelight with their Bands and Drums, and their own Canadian displays.

Early in 2007, we heard that our part-time, amateur band had been invited again. What an honour! What

recognition! Not just invited once, but so highly thought of that they had been invited back. To give

some idea of the standard expected of visitors, other displays or bands, invited to take part in previous

Tattoos, have been the world famous American Marines Silent Drill display team, the US Army Hellcats

Drums and Bugles and the REME band of the British Army.

The Musical Director Mike Thomas, the Drum Major Charles Hodgson, and 32 members of the

Band and Drums were able to travel, and had only three days, including the first day of the Tattoo, in

which to recover from the journey and rehearse. It cannot be the easiest of tasks to co-ordinate the differ-

ent musical styles and marching routines for those parts of the Tattoo when they combined with the

other bands. The Saturday routine must have been particularly punishing with rehearsals all day, fol-

lowed by the Tattoo, lasting 2½ hours. Everyone seemed to have plenty of energy left for the party to

celebrate the success of the first night, which went with a real swing at the Pheasant Plucker, just round

the corner, until the early hours. We all needed to wet our whistles, even those not playing instruments.

Having fallen out at midnight ourselves, I did note that the band members maintained the best traditions

of the Regiment by appearing next day showing no effects of the party at all, while no doubt the pub was

having a frantic time trying to replenish their supplies for another session after the Sunday performance.

A massive thank you must be given to Colonel Orange, the Commanding Officer of the Lorne

Scots, and Drum Major Ian McGibbon of the Lorne Scots, our allied Canadian Regiment. Through their

support and recommendation the decision was made to invite the Association Band and Drums to Can-

ada. In particular, our thanks to Drum Major Ian McGibbon, who came to Bury for this year’s Gallipoli

Commemoration with Pipe Major Kevin Cranley, and whose liaison then, and over many months since,

has smoothed the wheels for this trip. It was he who made almost all the arrangements in Canada, and

who looked after the Band and Drums while they were there. He was also very helpful to us, while we

were in Hamilton, even when he was at his busiest.

He is hugely proud that he and his men wear the primrose hackle, so that the link with our two

Regiments is reflected not just through our shared interests, but also in their uniform. He now has a LF

badge to add to the RRF badge already on his mace. The Lorne Scots Band & Drums will be attending

the Gallipoli Commemoration and official opening of the Museum next year, with many supporters.

Continued...

Visit of the Lancashire Fusilier Association Band & Drums

to the Canadian International Military Tattoo, June 2008

PAGE 31

The Tattoo took place in a vast indoor Coliseum, with mock castle walls and entrance at the far

end, through which all the performers entered. I will try to describe a little of the Tattoo itself, partly to

encourage others who might like to go out to Hamilton, should the Band be invited out again.

The guest of honour on the first night was Brig. General Gary Stafford, Deputy Commander

Land Forces, Central Canada. Once he had been driven in and welcomed, the Tattoo itself started with a

fanfare by the trumpeters of the LF Association Band and Drums, which was done very well. As they

marched off, they were immediately followed by the appearance through the Castle doors and the stir-

ring sound of the Massed Pipes and Drums of the two Canadian Highland Regiments taking part. These

were our own allied Regiment, the Lorne Scots, with the Drum Major out in front, looking absolutely

magnificent in all his full dress uniform, and the Pipes and Drums of the Argyll & Sutherland Highland-

ers of Canada. Also on parade were the Dundas Pipes & Drums, and the Pipes and Drums of the Hamil-

ton Police. Their massive sound really filled the Coliseum.

Then on came the Massed Military Bands, with our Band and Drums, marching alongside those

of the Hamilton Light Infantry and the Windsor Regiment. All the tunes played were well known tunes,

which always adds to the pleasure of the audience. After playing and countermarching, they formed up

for a finale conducted by Mike Thomas of a very good rendition and arrangement of Alouette. The per-

formance was greeted with a huge ovation as they marched off.

There was further music from the Pipes and Drums, while we were entertained by the lovely

Schiehallon Highland dancers. Then, because this year is the 400th anniversary of the founding of Que-

bec city, we enjoyed watching the charming dancers and singers of the French Canadian Mackinaw

Folklorique Group, laughing and smiling as they performed, and full of fun.

Finally before the interval, our Band and Drums came on again, on their own, to thunderous ap-

plause, and were joined after a while by the Lorne Scots Pipes and Drums, which made a really enjoy-

able combination of the two Regiments working together. Great music and great marching.

After the interval, we had the massed military Bands and Drums and the massed Pipes and

Drums. Then a very moving vignette, in which the local Afghan community had volunteered to take

part, and in which appeared a section from the Royal 22e Regiment (known as the Van-Doo’s, from the

French title, as they come from the French part of Canada). These very smart and very competent, confi-

dent looking young men had only just returned from a successful tour in Afghanistan, and this little act

was called “Afghanistan Thanks Canada”. It was all explained by a good commentary, and started with

some Afghani mullahs, spotlit in the Arena, shouting their demands for the restrictions imposed by the

Taliban on the Afghan population, and then whipping and chasing out of the Arena some groups of

young Afghanis who dared to relax and enjoy games, and some girls who dared to attend school. After

some bombing noises, on came the young soldiers and off ran the mullahs, and Afghan life returned to

comparative normality. It was interesting to hear the Corporal’s words of command made in French.

It was done very well and the Afghan Consul-General from Toronto was the other principle

guest. It was good to see this public thank-you to the Canadian Armed Forces, supported by the local

Afghan community. It would be very nice to see the local Afghan and Iraqi communities in UK show

some public appreciation of our servicemen and women. On the Sunday, the chief guest was General

Charles Belzile, who had commanded the Royal 22e Regiment, and then gone on to command the whole

Canadian Army, now the Honorary Grand President of Royal Canadian Legion. It was clearly a very

much appreciated and moving chance for him to speak to these fine young men of his own Regi-

ment.After the Grand Finale, with lots more music and all the participants back in the arena, and after

singing the Canadian and our National Anthems, it was all over. The Sunday performance was just as

successful.

PAGE 32

On 21 Sep 2009 members of the Regimental Pipe Band departed for a visit with the

Lancashire Fusiliers Regimental Association and the Association of the Royal Regiment of Fu-

siliers to mark the opening of the new Fusiliers museum in Bury, England.

Accompanying the band were four members of the Lorne Scots, who participated in this

trip as representatives of the soldiers of the Regiment. This trip was graciously paid for by the

fund raising efforts of the Pipe Band; an effort completed in order to include the four members

of the Regiment. The Regiment’s Honourary Colonel also attended, as well as various repre-

sentatives of the Regimental Association.

The first key event to include all members was the opening of the new Museum by the

Colonel in Chief His Royal Highness, Field Marshall the Duke of Kent. The Pipe Band played

a number of combined songs with the band of the Fusiliers Regimental Association band and

represented the Lorne Scots very well.

The Pipe Band was given many more opportunities to represent the soldiers of the Lorne

Scots and did so again at the Annual Fusilier Association dinner, where the dedication of the

Pipe Band was apparent in their preparation and skill. The presence of the band during this

gathering was a tribute to the heritage of this Unit and to the dedication of soldiers regardless of

position.

It is important to note that any member of this Unit who visits this new museum or who

visits the Fusiliers would be welcomed as a member of a Regimental family and held in very

high esteem. This welcome would not be due to the affiliation between our two Regiments nor

to our association within the Commonwealth. It is due in whole to the effort which the Regi-

ment Pipe Band put into demonstrating the professionalism and dedication of every member of

this Regiment.

The entire week was filled with gatherings and functions held for and by a Regiment of

Her Majesty who has proven themselves in battle and comprises of many veteran NCO’s and

Officers. It was these true soldiers who welcomed the Pipe Band and members of the Regi-

ment. It was an honourable experience to be held in such high regard by this regular and re-

serve force Unit and to be ranked so highly next to the many other Regiments allied with the

Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

WO Colbeck, MA

CSM Bravo Company

PAGE 33

Lancashire Fusiliers Museum Opening

PO2 JAMES ANTHONY LEITH, S.C., M.S.M., C.D. 1967 - PRESENT

JAMES ANTHONY LEITH WAS BORN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 1967 IN SCOTLAND U.K. HIS PARENTS,

JAMES AND EMILY LEITH, CAME TO CANADA IN 1972. HE ATTENDED FLORADALE PUBLIC SCHOOL IN MIS-

SISSAUGA, ONTARIO & BRAMPTON CENTENNIAL HIGH SCHOOL. JIM DEMONSTRATED A KEEN INTEREST

IN ENGLISH & GEOGRAPHY WHICH HAS STAYED WITH HIM GIVEN HIS MANY TRAVELS. AN AVID SWIM-

MER & RUNNER, HE SEEMED DESTINED TO BECOME IMMERSED IN A WATER BASED CAREER GIVEN THAT

SKILL SET. JIM PARTICIPATED IN ANY SPORTING ACTIVITY POSSIBLE, A HABIT INHERITED FROM HIS FA-

THER. AS A MEMBER OF HIS SCHOOL SWIM TEAM, JIM REPRESENTED ONTARIO AT THE PROVINCIAL

CHAMPIONSHIPS. HE HAS RUN NUMEROUS MARATHONS INCLUDING BOSTON. JIM JOINED THE LORNE

SCOTS CADETS IN BRAMPTON DURING HIS YOUTH. JIM JOINED THE CANADIAN NAVY, DECEMBER 1986 AS

A NAVAL ACOUSTIC OPERATOR. HE HAS SERVED ON FIVE NAVAL SHIPS - HMCS YUKON, HMCS TERRA

NOVA, HMCS MACKENZIE, HMCS KOOTENAY & HMCS SASKATCHEWAN. HE COMPLETED SHIP’S TEAM

DIVER COURSE JUNE ’89. SAILED IN MULTIPLE MARCOT, RIMPAC’S, & SOUTHPOLY CRUISES. JIM AN-

SWERED HIS TRUE CALLING IN 1992 & SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE YEAR LONG CLEARANCE DIVING

COURSE JULY ‘93 & WAS POSTED TO FLEET DIVING UNIT ATLANTIC, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA.

DECEMBER 1997, JIM WAS AWARDED HIS HC QUALIFICATION. IN SEPTEMBER 1998, FOR RECOV-

ERY OF THE FLIGHT-DATA RECORDER FROM THE SUNKEN WRECK OF SWISS FLIGHT 111, JIM WAS

AWARDED THE MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL. HE WAS AWARDED HIS ADVANCED NATO IED, DECEMBER

2000 IN KENT ENGLAND THEN DID AN INTENSE 7 ½ MONTH NATO SURFACE & UNDERWATER EOD COURSE

IN EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA, USA, JULY 2002. HE HAS COMPLETED NUMEROUS EOD IEDD RE-

VALIDATION COURSES. JIM DEPLOYED ON A SHORE BASED OP APOLLO EOD TEAM NOVEMBER 2002 FOR

WHICH HE RECEIVED SOUTH-WEST ASIA SERVICE MEDAL. RETURNING TO CANADA AS A MEMBER OF THE

MINE COUNTER MEASURE DIVING TEAM, JIM PARTICIPATED IN NUMEROUS INTERNATIONAL EXERCISES

IN THE US AND EUROPE & CONDUCTED MULTIPLE RECOVERY OPS OF PERSONNEL & AIRCRAFT, INCLUD-

ING A SNOWBIRD CRASH & INVESTIGATION. JULY 2006, JIM AGAIN DEPLOYED TO AFGHANISTAN WITH

THE 1 RCR BATTLE GROUP. HE HELD THE POSITION EOD TEAM LEADER WITH 2ND COMBAT ENGINEER

REGIMENT FIELD SQUADRON & WAS AN INTEGRAL PARTICIPANT IN OPERATION MEDUSA FOR WHICH HE

RECEIVED THE STAR OF COURAGE. HIS OTHER AWARDS INCLUDE THE CANADIAN FORCES DECORATION

1, GENERAL CAMPAIGN STAR – INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE FORCE.

JIM PRESENTLY RESIDES WITH HIS 3 DOGS IN

SHEARWATER, NOVA SCOTIA.

**EXCERPT FROM JAMES LEITH PROTRIATS**

*S.C. is the Star of Courage

*M.S.M. is the Meritorious Service Medal

*C.D. is the Canadian Decoration

Biography

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Faces & Places

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Faces & Places

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Faces & Places

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Faces & Places

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Faces & Places

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Visit the Lorne Scots Web Site :

www.LORNESCOTS.ca

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Notes


THE PRIMROSE HACKLE

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