Don is a longtime member of the Royal Canadian Legion, first joining in 1973 while stationed in Winnipeg Manitoba. He was a member of the Army Reserves in 1970 while in High School in Hamilton Ontario.
He joined the Regular Force in 1972 after High School Graduation as a Mobile Support Equipment Operator (MSE Op). During his time serving he had postings CFB Winnipeg Manitoba, UNEFII Ismailia Egypt, 4 Service Battalion S&T Company Lahr Germany, CFB Detachment Vancouver & 12 Service Battalion, 4 Service Battalion S&T Company Lahr Germany and CFB Chilliwack. He retired in 1993.
He comes from a Service Family. His Grandfather was in WW1 with the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force and he fought in the Battle for Vimy Ridge. His Dad was with the West Nova Scotia Highlanders in WW2 and was part of the forces that landed in Normandy. His Dad was wounded in action while fighting in Belgium.
Don was a member of the Legion in Winnipeg, Lahr Germany and Vancouver. Don rejoined RCL Branch 88 in 2018. He also joined the Colour Party and Honour Guard. He was appointed Sergeant at Arms of the Maple Ridge Legion in 2023.
Don Officially Retired as a Professional Driver in 2022 after 52 yeas. Now that he is Retired, he likes to Read, Travel, Hike and Swim.
How Master Corporal Harding Earned a Military Medal of Valour in Afghanistan
Christopher Harding receives the Medal of Military Valour for his actions Afghanistan. CANADIAN VICTORIA CROSS/TWITTER
In this month's veterans feature, we return to January 2006. After serving three tours in Bosnia, Master Corporal Christopher Harding began the first of two tours in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion Princess Patricias Canadian LightInfantry.
On the 8th of July he was involved in a fierce battle with the Taliban, as part of Operation ZAHAR, and following intense fighting he risked his life to rescue a severely injured soldier who had been shot in the neck.
“I remember looking through the haze and I saw Corporal Christopher Klodt lying there on his back. So I crawled over to where he was.”
How Master Corporal Harding Earned a Military Medal of Valour in Afghanistan
Christopher Harding receives the Medal of Military Valour for his actions Afghanistan. CANADIAN VICTORIA CROSS/TWITTER
In this month's veterans feature, we return to January 2006. After serving three tours in Bosnia, Master Corporal Christopher Harding began the first of two tours in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion Princess Patricias Canadian LightInfantry.
On the 8th of July he was involved in a fierce battle with the Taliban, as part of Operation ZAHAR, and following intense fighting he risked his life to rescue a severely injured soldier who had been shot in the neck.
“I remember looking through the haze and I saw Corporal Christopher Klodt lying there on his back. So I crawled over to where he was.”
On 18th September 2024, Branch 88 will be hosting our annual dinner to honour Veterans. If you are a veteran of the CAF, of a Commonwealth country military or RCMP living in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows you are welcome, youdo not have to be a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, all are welcome.
More details will follow.
Forces Dinner. Photo by Skies Magazine Joanne Calder
Veterans Dinner September 18th 2024
On 18th September 2024, Branch 88 will be hosting our annual dinner to honour Veterans. If you are a veteran of the CAF, of a Commonwealth country military or RCMP living in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows you are welcome, youdo not have to be a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, all are welcome.
More details will follow.
Forces Dinner. Photo by Buzz Bourdon (late the RMR 1975-82)
A pair of prospective mental health service dogs pause for a break during a training event. PHOTOGRAPHY: JOSÉE LAVOIE
Guide dogs have been helping humans for hundreds of years, but in recent years the use of dogs to help reduce symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other Operational Stress Injuries (OSIs) such as anxiety and depression has been on the rise. VAC in their report acknowledged that ‘service dogs provided a reduction of PTSD symptoms, a moderate long-lasting reduction of depressive symptoms and a significant increase in the subjective feeling of well-being related to overall quality of life.’
Our branch of the Legion has had experience of this, one of our own vets has a service dog that has changed his life for the better. The training of this dog was funded in part by our Legion. This is something that we would love to become a regular part of our donations and actively reach out to help our local Veterans who suffer with PTSD and OSIs.
However, although the use of service dogs for veterans has been a topic with Veteran’s Affairs Canada (VAC) for many years, in 2022 the government response to the VAC sixth report on the subject ‘Incorporating Service Dogs into the Rehabilitation Program of Veterans Affairs Canada’ was a refusal for this therapy to be regulated or covered by them.
This is why Legion 88 is wanting to get involved to help our Veterans in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
A pair of prospective mental health service dogs pause for a break during a training event. PHOTOGRAPHY: JOSÉE LAVOIE
Guide dogs have been helping humans for hundreds of years, but in recent years the use of dogs to help reduce symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other Operational Stress Injuries (OSIs) such as anxiety and depression has been on the rise. VAC in their report acknowledged that ‘service dogs provided a reduction of PTSD symptoms, a moderate long-lasting reduction of depressive symptoms and a significant increase in the subjective feeling of well-being related to overall quality of life.’
Our branch of the Legion has had experience of this, one of our own vets has a service dog that has changed his life for the better. The training of this dog was funded in part by our Legion. This is something that we would love to become a regular part of our donations and actively reach out to help our local Veterans who suffer with PTSD and OSIs.
However, although the use of service dogs for veterans has been a topic with Veteran’s Affairs Canada (VAC) for many years, in 2022 the government response to the VAC sixth report on the subject ‘Incorporating Service Dogs into the Rehabilitation Program of Veterans Affairs Canada’ was a refusal for this therapy to be regulated or covered by them.
This is why Legion 88 is wanting to get involved to help our Veterans in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
Canadian soldiers celebrate VE day at Piccadilly Circus in London, England, on May 8, 1945. LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA 3256572
Today, May 8th, is the 79th anniversary of VE Day, which meant an end to nearly six years of war that had cost the lives of millions, and brought suffering to populations of entire countries. This is the first of three posts covering this significant historical period.
Millions of people rejoiced in the news that Hitler had surrendered, but this was not the end of the conflict. The war against Japan did not end until August 1945, and the repercussions of the Second World War, economic, social and political, were felt long after Japan and Germany surrendered.
Canada’s greatest challenge was the economy, and how to move from one geared for war to one that could provide the goods for peace. Unlike most of Europe, we did not have to rebuild bombed cities and deal with the legacy of an invading army passing through the country and destroying everything in its path.
Adolf Hitler committed suicide on April 30th 1945, his successor was Grand Admiral Karl Döniz, who, as Germanys President, negotiated an end to the war with the Allies, at the same time trying to save as many Germans as possible from falling into Soviet hands. On May 4th the surrender of the German forces in the Netherlands, northwest Germany and Denmark was accepted by the British Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery. On May 7th, Supreme Allied Commander General Eisenhower accepted the surrender of all German Forces signed by General Alfred Jodl.
The Soviet leader Josef Stalin wanted his own ceremony, and in Berlin on May 8th a further document was signed. Döniz plan was partially successful as millions of German soldiers surrendered to Allied forces and escaped Soviet capture.
The announcement that the war had ended was made late in the day on May 7th. The BBC in Britain interrupted its scheduled programming to announce that Victory in Europe Day would be a National holiday, but lots of people began celebrating early. News of VE Day soon spread to the rest of the world.
In the next sectionwe cover how VE Day was marked in Britain and across the World.
HM King George VI and Queen Elizabeth with Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret joined by the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London on VE Day. WM (MH 21835)
VE Day was a National Holiday in Britain
A National Holiday was announced after Churchill gained assurances from the Ministry of Food that there were enough beer supplies in the capitol, and the Board of Trade announced that people could buy red white and blue bunting without using ration coupons. There we even special ‘victory’ menus in some restaurants and commemorative items quickly produced in time for the celebrations.
There were parades, thanksgiving services and street parties, and dancing in the street. In New Zealand VE Day was officially on May 9th due to the time difference.
Britains Prime Minister Winston Churchill was the man of the hour on VE Day. He made a radio broadcast and gave a speech in London. For him, nothing would match his time as a wartime Prime Minister, he wrote later that everything afterwards was ‘all anti-climax’.
The British Royal Family also took part in the celebrations, with eight appearances on the balcony at Buckingham Palace. The family had remained in London despite the palace and buildings surrounding them being bombed, as they wanted to portray to the British people their support and resolve not to give in to the Germans.
While the King and Queen were waving to the crowds for the last time, the future Monarch, Princess Elizabeth, and her sister Princess Margaret were allowed to leave the palace and join the people on the street- anonymously- and take part in the party atmosphere. Afterwards Princess Elizabeth said ‘I think it was one of the most memorable nights of my life
The news that the war was over in Europe spread quickly, people in Allied countries and the British Empire wanted to celebrate the defeat of Nazi Germany.
There were scenes of rejoicing in the US, in New York 15,000 police were mobilized to control the crowds in Times Square. Due to the recent death of President Roosevelt, who had led his country through the war, the flags were kept at half-mast.
In Australia the mood was somewhat sombre due to the war in the Far East and the Pacific still being fought, with many Australians still serving there, but there were services in churches to give thanks, and many cities did rejoice.
In Paris, France, huge numbers of people partied on the Champs Élysées, in the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe singing ‘Its a long way to Tipperary’.
However, in Halifax, Canada, there were riots among the large concentration of military personnel stationed there. Thousands of soldiers, sailers and civilians looted the liquor stores - which had been closed for the VE Day holiday - and the resulting riots and vandalism resulted in several deaths.
It was a day of mixed emotions for those who had lost loved ones. Amongst the street parties and rejoicing there were many people who had lost a friend or relative and who were mourning those deaths. People were also weary with air raids, wartime life and rationing, and were aware that there were more difficulties to endure.
In the final part of this review of VE Day, we explore the legacy of the necessary war on Canada.
Demobilized Canadian veterans await interviews with rehabilitation counsellors in Toronto, date unknown. Left to right are Privates E. Robinson and D. Owens, Trooper J.A. Lenartowicz, and Sergeant E.J. O’Keefe. LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA 3194885
It was not the end of the war
In May 1945 thousands of Allied serviceman were still fighting in the Far East and thousand were held as prisoners of war in terrible conditions. The battle conditions had been some of the toughest of the war. This finally ended in victory for the Allies, but not after continuing heavy casualties on both sides. Japan surrendered on August 14th, and the act of surrender signed on September 2nd.
The Legacy of the Necessary War in Canada
After the war, there was widespread unemployment in Canada, this brought discontent and unrest, which led to the creation of programs for the one million returning veterans. There was also a want to ease the transition back to civilian life, and reward those who had served in the war.
Prime Minister King, who had lost his beloved nephew in the Battle of the Atlantic promised support ‘the man who was offering his life voluntarily for the service of his country’. There were cash payments issued for length of time in uniform, along with loans for purchasing farms, starting businesses, and buying homes, and also retraining programs. This included the fifty thousand women who served in the Armed Forces.
Canadian soldier Aubrey McLean uses crutches at a hospital in England in June 1945, two months after losing his lower right leg to a mine while fighting in the Netherlands. In later years, McLean served in leadership roles with the War Amputations of Canada organization in Nova Scotia. NANCY MCLEAN
University access was granted to veterans when before only the people who could afford education gained entry, apart from a few scholarship winners. Universities had to expand to meet the needs of fifty four thousand veterans turned students. This State support became the Veterans Charter, with its grants, programs and educational opportunities.
The State also cared for the around fifty five thousand wounded veterans providing health care similar to the programs offered after the First World War, despite there being no Universal Health Care yet in Canada.
War brides and their children line the railing of a ship bound from England to Canada in 1944. CITY OF TORONTO ARCHIVES G&M 102055
There were also the nearly fifty thousand ‘War Brides’ who had married Canadian soldier stationed overseas who arrived in Canada between 1945 and 1946. They and their children faced challenges adjusting to post war life in an unfamiliar country, but became part of the legacy of the war. They also were part of the first wave of the baby boom - more than a million births between 1945 and 1950.
In the summer of 1914 the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand resulted in an international crisis, due to political tensions and the complex military alliances of the era, and in August the fighting had begun.
The First World War involved Britain (and her Empire), France, Russia and the United States against Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire.
Canada, whose external affairs at that time were governed by the United Kingdom, automatically joined the war once Britain declared it.
After more than two and a half years at war, in the Spring of 1917, Canadian forces were part of the Western Front, a line stretching for nearly 1000 km from the coast of Belgium, to the border of Switzerland. Life in the trenches was miserable, soldiers faced mud and cold, as well as rats, lice and fleas. There was a ’No Mans Land’ between the opposing trenches of mud, barbed wire and shell craters, with enemy machine gun fire, artillery and snipers.
A major attack was planned for April 2017, in Arras, France, as part of the Allied offensive. The Canadians were tasked with capturing Vimy Ridge.
Vimy Ridge is a long, high hill that Germany had captured early in the war. They had made it into a strong defensive position, with tunnels, trenches, and soldiers with machine guns and artillery.
The Canadians took part in rigorous training and planning for the battle. Models of the trench system were built and the soldiers trained on what to do, they also raided German positions to gather intelligence. Tunnels were dug beneath the German lines filled with explosives to be detonated during the attack.
For a week before the attack there was a massive artillery barrage from the Allied forces. More than a million shells rained down and the Germans came to call this the ‘Week of Suffering’
The battle of Vimy Ridge began at 0530 on Easter Monday, April 9th 1917.There was wind driven snow and sleet, and machine gun fire, for the first wave of 15,000-20,000 Canadian soldiers to fight through.
The Canadians had a precise line of Artillery fire move ahead at a set rate and time, known as a ‘creeping barrage’. The infantrymen followed closely which allowed them to capture German positions before the enemy soldiers could leave their underground bunkers. This attack was timed to the minute.
The assault proceeded on and by noon most of the ridge was captured, but not without a great number of casualties. The main height on the ridge, known as ‘Hill 145’ was taken on the morning of April 10th. Two days later the Canadians took the last height of the hill and the Battle of Vimy Ridge was over.
The Germans were forced to withdraw 3km east. The allies now commanded the heights overlooking the Douai Plain, which was still occupied by the enemy.
Four Canadian soldiers earned the Victoria Cross, the highest medal for military valour, when they captured enemy machine gun positions in separate actions.The Canadian Corps, along with the British Corps in the South, had captured more ground, prisoners and artillery than any previous British offensive of the war.
The battle of Vimy Ridge, although a great success militarily, suffered more than 10,600 casualties, of which 3.600 were fatal.Canada would see 66,000 Canadians losing their lives, and over 170,000 wounded by the end of the First World War.
This military triumph helped Canada bring a stronger sense of national identity and raised our international stature. It helped Canada earn a separate signature on the Treaty of Versailles that formally ended the war.
Today, the Canadian National Vimy Memorial sits on top of Hill 145, and is inscribed with the names of 11,285 Canadian soldiers who were listed as ‘missing, presumed dead’ in France during the First World War. It stands as a tribute to all who served our country and paid the ultimate price to help ensure the peace and freedom we enjoy today.
Veterans want Canadians to understand the price of freedom. They are passing the torch to the people of Canada, so the memory of their sacrifices will continue, and the values they fought for will live on in all of us. Find out more about Vimy Ridge on the Government of Canada website in the Remembrance section.
Today we celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Royal Canadian Air Force.
1 April 2024 marks 100 years of service for the Royal Canadian Air Force as a distinct military element. The Centennial milestone places the RCAF in a unique position to honour its distinct heritage; recognize its tremendous people today; and generate excitement for its bright future.
For more information on the RCAF centennial visit their website or the Government of Canada website.
Key historical moments
Authorization of the RCAF
The RCAF was formed on 1 April 1924. It had three components – a full-time permanent force (regular force), a part-time non-permanent force (air reserve), and a reserve of non-active personnel. No non-permanent units were created at that time as the funding was not available. The RCAF was not an independent organization as it reported to the Chief of the General Staff, the head of the Canadian Militia (the name of the Canadian Army at the time). The RCAF was now a full-time organization with its own orders: the King's Regulations and Orders for the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Pay and Allowance Regulations for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Although its role did include the defence of Canada, this role would take a back seat to flying operations performed for other government departments.
RCAF Becomes Independent of the Canadian Militia
From the time of its formation, the RCAF had been under the command of the Chief of the General Staff (CGS), the head of the Canadian Militia, as the Canadian Army was then known. On 19 November 1938, the RCAF no longer reported to the CGS but directly to the Minister of National Defence.
Canadian Forces Reorganization Act Comes Into Effect
On 1 February 1968, the Canadian Forces Reorganization Act Come came into effect, amalgamating the RCAF, Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Army. The RCAF was broken up to be part of Air Defence Command, Air Transport Command, Materiel Command, Training Command, Maritime Command and Mobile Command. The first four were largely composed of former RCAF units.
Air Command Begins Operations
On 2 September 1975, Air Command began bringing air units under its command and administrative control. It also began to develop air-related policies for all air units and personnel. This was the start of one unified air force again.
Wing Commander Barker, VC, DSO, MC, the first director of the RCAF when it was formed on 1 April 1924. He was in the position temporarily, until 19 May 1924.
Image credits. All the above images are from the RCAF 100 website
RCAF Centennial
Today we celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Royal Canadian Air Force.
1 April 2024 marks 100 years of service for the Royal Canadian Air Force as a distinct military element. The Centennial milestone places the RCAF in a unique position to honour its distinct heritage; recognize its tremendous people today; and generate excitement for its bright future.
For more information on the RCAF centennial visit their website or the Government of Canada website.
Key historical moments
Authorization of the RCAF
The RCAF was formed on 1 April 1924. It had three components – a full-time permanent force (regular force), a part-time non-permanent force (air reserve), and a reserve of non-active personnel. No non-permanent units were created at that time as the funding was not available. The RCAF was not an independent organization as it reported to the Chief of the General Staff, the head of the Canadian Militia (the name of the Canadian Army at the time). The RCAF was now a full-time organization with its own orders: the King's Regulations and Orders for the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Pay and Allowance Regulations for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Although its role did include the defence of Canada, this role would take a back seat to flying operations performed for other government departments.
RCAF Becomes Independent of the Canadian Militia
From the time of its formation, the RCAF had been under the command of the Chief of the General Staff (CGS), the head of the Canadian Militia, as the Canadian Army was then known. On 19 November 1938, the RCAF no longer reported to the CGS but directly to the Minister of National Defence.
Canadian Forces Reorganization Act Comes Into Effect
On 1 February 1968, the Canadian Forces Reorganization Act Come came into effect, amalgamating the RCAF, Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Army. The RCAF was broken up to be part of Air Defence Command, Air Transport Command, Materiel Command, Training Command, Maritime Command and Mobile Command. The first four were largely composed of former RCAF units.
Air Command Begins Operations
On 2 September 1975, Air Command began bringing air units under its command and administrative control. It also began to develop air-related policies for all air units and personnel. This was the start of one unified air force again.
Image credit. All the above images are from the RCAF 100 website
Canada's longest war and its first significant combat engagement since the Korean War (1950-1953) was in Afghanistan from 2001-20014.
After the 2001 terror attacks on the United States, Canada joined an international coalition to dismantle the al-Qaeda terrorist network and the Taliban regime that sheltered it in Afghanistan.
Although the Taliban rulers were removed from power until 2021 and the al-Qaeda network was disrupted, Canada and its allies failed to eradicate either group and were unable to secure and stabilize Afghanistan.
More than 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces members served in the 12-year campaign. The war killed 165 Canadians - 158 soldiers and 7 civilians.
Many Canadian veterans of the war in Afghanistan suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. According to an investigation by the Globe and Mail, more than 70 Canadian soldiers and veterans who were deployed to Afghanistan had committed suicide by December 2017. “Many had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues related to their military work, along with personal problems such as relationship breakdowns and financial stress.”
If you are a veteran affected by PTSD or other OSI (Operational Stress Injury) please feel free to reach out to our Service Officer John Vanderelst or see the list of resources on our Veterans pages.
Don is a longtime member of the Royal Canadian Legion, first joining in 1973 while stationed in Winnipeg Manitoba. He was a member of the Army Reserves in 1970 while in High School in Hamilton Ontario.
On 18th September 2024, Branch 88 will be hosting our annual dinner to honour Veterans.
Today we celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Royal Canadian Air Force.
Canada's longest war and its first significant combat engagement since the Korean War (1950-1953) was