8th Hussars Sabretache

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1 8th Hussars Sabretache Association of 8th Hussars Newsletter Dec 2014 President WO Everett Lavoie CD The recertification and restructure has taken much longer than anyone could have imagined, it was still ongoing 10 months later. Scott Ellsworth QC of Ellsworth, Johnson, Phillips found himself still involved 8 months after offering his services pro bono, to walk us through the entire process. I don t know how we can ever thank him enough for getting the Association through the restructure. I am very pleased to be able to announce that we are finally complete. Len Wood of Wood Loughery and Associates public accountants, found himself in October still having to get the separate departments of CRA to talk to each other to complete our filings to finalise the amalgamation of the two corporations into one federal registered Charity. I would like to thank HCol Elisabeth Rybak for everything as it was her influence and resources which allowed us to get this completed. I would also like to thank the outgoing HLCol Dave Henderson as he was my pillar to lean on throughout the process; he always gave me that sober second thought. Our Museum committee has been very busy indeed and the reports follow in the Sabretache as well as very detailed report of the Memorial service and commemoration of the 70 th Anniversary of the Battle of Coriano. I would like to thank Tom Mclaughlan for his relentless efforts to ensure it was a huge success. I would like to thank Brenda for organising our reunion and AGM it was her attention to detail that made it a great success. It was voted at the AGM that we would do the same thing next year and she has next year s planning well under way for the 3 rd weekend in Sep again. The planning for the Lest We Forget Tribute Dinner on the 10 th of November 2015 is well underway with the manning for all Committees starting to fill up. We have quite a few volunteers and our HCol spearheading the entire fundraiser. The Media launch was the 12 th December at City Hall in Moncton and the turnout was phenomenal. It was very sad that the Gamblin Chapter annual Christmas dinner was cancelled for this year but mark your calendars for next year for the first Sat in December. Our AGM saw a few changes to our Board of Directors. Peter Vail our secretary and David Warren our treasurer were both out of time and had to step down. We were lucky enough to have our Fin committee chairman Perry Fullum voted in as Treasurer and Trisha Janssen voted in as Secretary, for those who don t know she was the Treasurer for a brief time prior to me. Rick Mercier was unable to continue his time as a director and Mac Robinson let his nomination stand and was voted in to replace Rick. We also get to welcome in a new member to our board as LCol (Ret d) Robin Craig was appointed the new HLCol of the Regiment to replace LCol (Ret d) Dave Henderson. As a result our Vice President Debbie Craig found herself no longer an arm s length Board member and resigned. So your Board, at our last meeting, appointed an interim VP Mac Robinson and appointed Bruce Montrose who is no stranger to the Board as you will remember he sat as the Bursary Chairman after Don Bourque. I would like to thank all the out-going members for their outstanding service and welcome all our new members and look forward to a big year of catching up business after such a busy year getting the Association restructured. We have included the Planned Giving Program section in this issue for individuals interested. It will remain a continuing item for a while if people remain interested. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Special points of interest: page 15 Last Post Donations Cut-off next issue Change of address Website Inside this issue: Lest We Forget HCol 2 Regt l Xmas Dinner 3 Commanding Officer 4 CO Con t & RSM 5 Men In Armour 6 Hussar Gatherings 7 Men In Armour 8 Coriano Memorial 9 Men in Armour 10 Museum Report 11 Museum Report Con t 12 Men In Armour 13 Men In Armour 14 Planned Giving 16 Facebook info Cenetaph Update

2 Lest We Forget ~ N'oublions jamais Tribute Dinner Dear member of our regimental family: You may be aware that we have a major fundraising event for the regiment coming up in the next year. The "Lest We Forget ~ N'oublions jamais" Tribute will take place on November 10 and 11, 2015 at the Moncton Coliseum and will consist of a Tribute Dinner on the 10th, military displays and live dramatic re-enactments from important moments of our 8CH history. The displays will be open to the public on November 11 to compliment the Legion ceremonies in the arena. The purpose of "Lest We Forget" is to educate people on the proud military tradition of the Hussars and to recognize and remember the contribution of those who serve. The event will raise funds for the Association, the Military Families Funds and the Cadet youth program. Many volunteers have stepped forward to assist Everett Lavoie, Perry Fullum, Wayne Fogarty and yours truly to organize this project. Tom McLaughlin and his team have been working on a display from our very own 8CH Museum in Sussex. He is in discussions with the NB Museum in Saint John to obtain their historical exhibit on New Brunswickers in WWI and WWII. Darren Spicer and his team of military vehicle enthusiasts are working on bringing together an interesting collection of restored military vehicles from the region for display at the event. Tribute Tables are $2,500 and include 10 seats, table sign, mention in the Dinner Book as Table Sponsor, 1-2 seats may be donated to 8CH members or veterans.tickets are $175 ea Do you know a local business who may want to sponsor "Lest We Forget"? Sponsorships start at $5,000. Click here to get a Sponsorship Package <mailto:liz@atlanticmapleleaf.com?subject=please%20send%20me% 20a%20Sponsorship%20Package%20for%20Lest%20We%20Forget> Yours truly, B. Elisabeth Rybak Honorary Colonel for the 8th Canadian Hussars (PL) Regi Patriaeque Fidelis

3 The Regimental Christmas Dinner By Dave Henderson Our Regiment as with other Canadian units celebrate an annual Christmas Dinner to honour our service members who voluntarily serve our nation with loyalty & distinction. The origin of this custom dates back over 2500 years ago when in 497 BC the ancient Romans began the pagan celebration of Saturnalia which honoured Saturn. This annual festival was held at around the same time that we now celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Soltice and Kwanzaa. Decorations of garlands, swathes, wreaths & a tree began during the merriment of Saturnalia & was later used during the holy celebrations. Roman parents/masters of children & slaves served their underlings in a fun reversal of roles during a special Saturnalia Dinner. This was a symbolic gesture to recognize & thank the latter for their loyalty & service as they were not free to enter into contracts or make decisions on their own. The British military adopted the tradition of the Christmas Dinner during sometime in the early 18th Century. The soldiers routine was often very tedious when not doing battle, thus, the leadership undertook to improve morale & recognize their soldiers loyalty & service by introducing the Soldiers Christmas Dinner. As Canada evolved & formed its own Regiments we naturally adopted the British way of conducting our military including many of its traditions as have many other countries. Today all Canadian Forces units of the Navy, Army & Air Force celebrate the tradition of the Christmas Dinner a week or two before the religious holiday. Officers, Warrant officers & senior NCOs organize & serve the traditional dinner of turkey with all its trimmings to the junior ranks. During the special occasion rules are slightly relaxed & the CO & RSM switch roles & uniform jackets with two junior members. After the meal the proper roles are resumed & the CO addresses the members, announces promotions, presents certificates & awards & bids farewell to those who are being posted or who are retiring. The Regimental Christmas Dinner is a tradition that should continue. It is also an opportunity for all members to wish one another a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year.

4 COMMANDING OFFICER LCol Mike Bech Good Day Hussars! It s been another busy 6 months, and while it might have gone by quickly, our Regiment has been moving full steam ahead with trg and social activities. There are many items to update you on, and I will be brief as our ever-vigilant editor, Brenda Coleman, scolded me for my last lengthy article. In this article: the Div summer trg period, DIVCON / Ex Strident Tracer, the commencement of LHQ trg, our first field trg exercise (Ex Steady Soldier) and support to the Corps AGM in Gagetown. Additionally, there are a number of significant pers changes happening as well as some forward movement on the vehicle front that will change the way we do business going forward. Finally, we had some leadership promotions, a couple of weddings, and a birth within the Regiment! In terms of summer trg, the PLQ crse saw 8 Hussars complete Mod 1, 6 complete Mod 2, 6 complete Mod 3 and 5 complete Mod 4. 5 others completed the legacy DP 2 crse, while 15 completed the new DP1, which now includes the material from the old DP2, so they are now qualified troopers. As well, we had 12 BMQ grads, 2 Crew Commanders, an RMS clerk and an AOC graduate. The culmination of the summer trg was embodied in the DIVCON, AKA Ex Strident Tracer. In all, approximately 38 Hussars participated at all levels from troop level to HICON, and every report I received stated clearly that our Hussars performed with professionalism and proficiency and stood out amongst their contemporaries well done to all who participated! LHQ trg is now well underway and we have already completed our first exercise which was focused on range qualifications and our mandated IBTS trg for the year. In all, 35 attended the exercise and with great weather and a solid trg plan put together by OC A, Maj Peppard, the trg was well worth the trip to Salisbury, where we have singular access to a private trg area, virtually in our backyard. In early October we were able to support the RCACS when it hosted the Corps AGM. This event afforded the RSM and me the opportunity to renew old acquaintances as well as meet the new Reg and PRes Regt l command teams that were able to attend. In a week s time, we will depart for another busy weekend; while much of the Regt will conduct a field trg exercise in Gagetown, a Patrol team, led by Sgt Ferguson will plant the Hussar flag deep in the red earth of PEI, the site for this year s tri Regt Recce Skills Competition with our brothers in arms from the PEIR, and Halifax Rifles. This year s competition will include some interesting and challenging tasks for our Patrol, but with all the preparation and trg that Sgt Ferguson has invested into this, regardless of where they place, I am proud of the entire team s professionalism and preparation for this competition, stay tuned for results in the next Sabretache. As with all things, change is inevitable, and due to some rather great news, the Regiment will shortly see a slight shuffle in some of the leadership positions. The Regimental 2IC, Maj Greg Kennedy, is without doubt, one of the Brigade and Division`s outstanding leaders. It is my belief that he has potential to move to the very highest levels of the PRes command structure, and clearly the Bde and Div Comd agree. While slated to follow me in Command of the Regt in 2016, the Bde has found an earlier opportunity to command for Greg. At present, we await only the final authority from the Army Commander, but it is likely that by the time you read this, Greg will have been promoted to LCol and be commanding the The North Shore Regt, formerly 2 RNBR. We thank him for his great Regimental support, congratulate him for his reward for hard work and wish him and his family the very best going forward. His rapid move necessitates a shuffle in the Regt, and for the foreseeable future, the leadership will shift as follows: Maj Tom Peppard will move from OC A Sqn to the Regimental 2IC`s position, Capt Dave Warren (fast on the heels of completing his AOC crse) will become OC A Sqn. WO Jeremiah Harding will be moving from B Sqn in Sussex to Acting SSM A Sqn. Maj Andy Royer will remain in command of B Sqn with MWO Pete Lussier. Maj Steve Neily was very helpful in volunteering / assisting the Regt through the transition year OC HQ Sqn, but due to a very busy schedule in the year ahead, he has had to withdraw from voluntary service with the Regt. Capt Jeff Cormier will assume the OC HQ Sqn position. With the summer posting season, we also said goodbye to our Ops O, Capt John Rice and welcomed his replacement, Captain Nick Ouellette from the RCD and a new Ops WO, WO Richard Larocque from the Royal Canadian Armour Corps School.

5 My exciting news in the Veh department has to do with a BN I submitted several months ago. In essence, your Hussars shouldered about 60% of the Recce pers and veh tasks in the Division, while holding about 35% of the resources. Many factors were responsible for this situation, but in the end, we didn`t have enough vehs to meet our returned two mission element mandate to the Bde Comd. While I didn`t get all that I fought for, I did manage to initiate a Div level redistribution which will see our fleet of 11 G Wagons grow to 16 and, VOR allowing, give us the opportunity to develop and field our two mission elements. We have the positions; we have the vehicles, now it s a matter of recruiting and time to grow the personnel qualifications. On the family side of the Regt, growth in almost any way is good, except perhaps around the waistline. I am pleased to have been able to witness this growth; MCpl Ferguson was promoted to Sgt at the end of the last trg year, Cpl Darrell was promoted to MCpl upon completion of his ARCC, and OCdt Maloney was promoted to 2Lt. Capt Chris Marshall contributed to our Regimental growth through the marriage to the love of his life, Kendra, while Sgt Ferguson and his love Marissa were also married this summer. Finally, Capt Cormier and his wife José welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Dia, to the world this summer. Congratulations to all! One last note, the Regimental 167th Birthday festivities will be conducted over the 11 April 2015 weekend as Easter weekend falls over the 4th of April. You have lots of time to get tickets, and where this year s dinner will be offset with pennies from heaven ok we shook loose some money that was owed to us from the Bde, the tickets will likely be no more than 20 dollars apiece. For a great dinner and dance; there is no better deal in town, you cannot afford to miss it, hope to see you all there! Regi Patriaeque Fidelis FROM THE DESK OF THE RSM HUSSARS, As the temperature cools and the leaves change, the Regiment also has changed gears and focus towards the busy fall trimester. The summer trg period was busy as usual, despite the many financial pressures applied to the CAF by our government s promise to balance the books for the upcoming federal election. Of note, this summer was the reintroduction of the Division concentration EX Strident Tracer. The Regiment deployed a Troop, and a Comd Element, of a reconnaissance Squadron which faced a variety of challenges, eagerly and professionally, while experiencing a robust schedule during prolonged extreme temperatures. It was quickly identified that one of the routine skills that were lost over the years was care and maintenance of the immersion heater. This was attributed to continuously deploying to a pre made camp, with all the facilities, over the past ten plus years. Units quickly understood they were required to deploy self-sufficient for 72 hours, until the supply system came online. Our Hussars were an excellent example to many units of the division, as they arrived well prepared for operations. The BGP Comd team was well represented with Hussars, as Maj Greg Kennedy assumed the posn of BGp DCO, and I was employed as the BGP RSM. As the first year of my tenure quickly transitions into the second, the continuous historical initiatives continue to grow. Our Robert James Room is now complete with our WW2 history. The McCreary Room is about 50% completed and the Peacekeeping room beautification will start within the next few weeks. This initiative would not be possible without the stellar efforts and dedication of Tom McLaughlin and MCpl Donny Abbott, who visited me in the Armouries frequently over the summer trimester, to unleash our history. The computer room, which has yet to be named, is now complete, and a stress test will be conducted this month, to set the stage for the first annual Hussar Lan Party, to be conducted over the xmas holidays. Proceeds will go towards computer enhancement and further equipment for the Sussex armouries. With Remembrance Day around the corner, this year the Regiment will return to its roots, and parade as a whole in the town of Hampton,NB. In future, the Hussars will embrace the communities of Sackville and Sussex in the same manner and re-establish our historical ties. Although we have entered the new training cycle and are focusing on the future, it is very important that we recognize all the special efforts and donations of the past year, which were instrumental in the creation and maintenance of the Soldiers Welfare Computer room, which enhances the soldiers Quality of Life. Special thanks to; LCol Michael Bech, LCol David Morgan, Maj Tim Halfkenny, CWO (ret) Eugene stairs, CWO Thom Halfkenny, MWO(ret) Peter Hamm, MCpl Donny Abbott, MCpl Rick Jones, Bucky Buchanan and mbrs of the Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Group. CWO Halfkenny TG RSM

6 TROOPER JOSEPH A. BRADSHAW REGI PATRAEQUE FIDELIS MEN IN ARMOUR Joseph (Joe) was born on 05 March 1920 at Hampton, New Brunswick and went to school at St Martens. Joe enlisted in July 1940 in Sussex, New Brunswick in the Canadian Motorcycle Regiment. Before they left Sussex the Regiment was converted to a tank Regiment and in 1941 became the 5th Armoured Regiment of the 8th New Brunswick Hussars out of the 1st Armoured Regiment, to become later the 5th Armoured Division. Joe next move was to Camp Borden for tank training in In October 1941 they went overseas from Halifax on the Monarch of Bermuda and landed in England where they did more tank training in various locations in Wales. The Regiment sailed for North Africa in November 1943 on the Samaria" and landed in Algiers. Then on December 1, 1943, they set sail for Naples and went on the Line in January 1944, going into action west of Ortona. Joe was in A Squadron as a gunner /operator. His OC was Major Ross. In the spring of 1944 they went to the Coriano Front and went to the Gustav Line and then the Hitler Line and opened into the Liri Valley and cleared the way to Rome. After clearing the way to Rome, they went back to the Adriatic Sife of Italy and went to the Gothic Line on September, 1944 and fought their way to Coriano Ridge, Rimini Cervia and the Rubicon River Area after the Poa Valley and San Alberto Canal. The Regiment left Italy in March 1945 from Leghorn and went to Marseilles and then to Roulers (Roseelare), Belgium. After resting in Rowlers, they went to Holland to an area between Nijmegen and Arnhem. The started fighting at Arnhem Airport and worked their way up to Putten in the Zeider Zee but not without losing lots of tanks. They had many engagements in Holland and finally ended the war in Northern Holland in the port city of Delphizel ( Delfzijl) After the war s end they returned to England,\. In October 1945 Joe arrived back in Halifax on Queen Elizabeth 11 and landed on Pier 21 in Halifax and back home by train. Joe was released on Fredericton on 8 Dec Joe s released was delayed as they lost his paper work and he was put on guard duty until his release date. Joe was married to a lovely lady from Sussex, Miss Winnifred Pollock and they had three children. Neil lives in BC, Dale lives in Bridgewater, NS and Billy lives in Halifax. Joe worked in a general store in Halifax and then worked as a carpenter from 1949 to Joe built the family home in 1949 and they lived there until Joe s wife Winnifred passed in 2012 after 56 years of a wonderful life together. Joe is now a resident at Camp Hill Veterans Home in Halifax since The Association and all Hussars thank Joe for his many years of loyal service to his country. We also thank Neil, Dale and Bill for their help in this very important chapter in Hussar history

7 RCACA Mess Dinner 03 Oct 2014 in Gagetown NB Col Steve Kelsey DArmd, LCol Mike BECH CO 8CH, CWO Thom Halfkenny RSM 8CH, MGen(Retd) Clive Milner advisor Central RCACA Council, LCol John Andrews Comd RCAC School, and LCol(Retd) DA Henderson Life member RCACA. The Hussars Annual curling Bonspiel will be held 30/31 Jan 15. The meet and greet will be held Friday evening at the Milton Gregg Armory From hrs. The curling kicks off Saturday morning 31 Jan at the Sussex Golf and Curling Club at 0800 hrs and will end with a steak BBQ supper at 1700 hrs at the club. The cost is $25 per person Please call to register teams or eurauto@rogers.com Bill Nickson Come on out to see old friends, meet new ones and hopefully win a prize. This is a photo taken Tues evening 24 June 2014 during visit with Rad, Kingston, ON. The CO presented Rad with a special 8CH coin of excellence. Front: RSM, CWO Thom Halfkenny, BGen Radley-Walters, CO, LCol Mike Bech Rear LCol (Retd) Bill Coupland & LCol (Retd) Dave Henderson Dave Henderson presenting the mess dress uniform of Maj C Milner, CD, CO C Sqn 8CH, Gagetown 1970/71 to the Assoc Museum. Left -Assoc Chmn Museum Committee, Tom McLaughlin & Right= Assoc President, Everett Lavoie. For those of you who wish to donate electronically

8 MEN IN ARMOUR MR HARRY MCBEAN WW11 HUSSAR VETERAN Harry was born in St Stephan, New Brunswick, on 23 February At age 5 and his family moved to McAdam and he went to school there. G51476 Harry joined the army and was enlisted in the Hussars in February 1941 and went to Camp Borden for training on wireless, mechanic and gunner/operator. On completion of his training in December 1941, went by train to Halifax where he boarded a ship for England landing in Liverpool, England. Harry did more tank training and then joined the Hussars in Naples, Italy in 1943 as part of the reinforcements. In Harry tank crew were Delbert Day/driver, Leonard Archibald/gunner, Robert Simpson/ Sergeant/Crew Commander, and Harry /loader/operator. Harry stayed with the Hussars through out the war and at wars end was in Brussels. Harry was seriously hurt when he was crushed between a truck and a tank. He spent time in the hospital in Germany and then a hospital in England. When he had recovered he returned to Canada by troop ship landing in Saint John. Harry was released from the Army in Fredericton and returned to his home in McAdam. After his release he drove truck and worked on the railroad. He did a summer job at Customs and was hired next year full time. He retired in Harry married his lovely wife Margaret Williams on 04 April The adopted three children, two girls, Linda and Kenny Jean, and son James. Margaret passed away on 30 April Harry s health has now declined and he is in Hospital in Woodstock, New Brunswick while he waiting for a room in a retirement home. We thank all the MCBean family for their assistance in proving the information for this article. All Hussars thank Harry for his valuable service as a great Canadian and a Hussar It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Mr Harry McBean on 2 Nov 14. Harry was a WW11 Hussar veteran and served with the Hussars from 1941 to 1945.

9 Padre Vanbuskirk conducts memorial service REGI PATRAEQUE FIDELIS Battle of Coriano Ridge 70 year memorial On Saturday, 13 Sep 2014, 70 years to the day, the 8th Hussars Museum celebrated the commemorative to the Battle of Coriano Ridge. The museum committee wanted this commemoration to have a very personal touch and it was decided to focus on a number of Hussar casualties from WW II that occurred leading up to and during the battle for Coriano. To that end family members The family of Cpl Sam Robertson, Killed in Action, Italy, 1944 from the Doucette family, the Robertson family, the Stephenson family and the Stevens family were invited and the history of the battle was presented Joe Wallace, Lillian Gilbert, Bill Gilbert, Joan Robson by Dr. Lee Windsor from the University of New Brunswick which focused on each of these casualties and the role they played in the lead up to and to completion of this battle. In addition to these family members, a surviving war veteran, Ron Ewing was in attendance as well. Needless to say there were few dry eyes that day and even fewer that evening when family members got up to speak at the dinner held at the Sussex Legion hall. Suzette Gilbert, Kirby Arronge, Ray Gilbert, Linda Robertson, Don Snider, Jill Wray, The attendees at this service travelled from as far away as Texas, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, BC, Alberta, Ontario, and Nova Scotia as well as many points throughout New Brunswick. Private museum tours were arranged for each family before the service and special arrangements were provided by the Amsterdam Inn to allow family members to gather in the evenings for a small personal get together during their stay at the Inn. Following closure of the Memorial Service conducted by the Regimental Padre, Capt Chris Vanbuskirk, wreaths were laid at the adjacent cenotaph by Ron Ewing and Lillian Gilbert, a 91 year old sister of Cpl Sam Robertson. They were assisted by the Commanding Officer, LCol Mike Bech and the RSM, CWO Thom Halfkenny. t should also be noted that another visitor to the service was Mrs. Nancy Murray, widow of Major Walter Murray, who also travelled down form Ontario. Nancy has donated a large number of items to the museum and it was possible for the museum to activate their medals display due large in part to her donation to the museum. Many other artefacts from Maj Murray s estate were also donated. Following closure of the Memorial Service conducted by the Regimental Padre, Capt Chris Vanbuskirk, wreaths were laid at the adjacent cenotaph by Ron Ewing and Lillian Gilbert, a 91 year old sister of Cpl Sam Robertson. They were assisted by the Commanding Officer, LCol Mike Bech and the RSM, CWO Thom Halfkenny. It should also be noted that another visitor to the service was Mrs. Nancy Murray, widow of Major Walter Murray, who also travelled down form Ontario. Nancy has donated a large number of items to the museum and it was possible for the museum to activate their medals display due large in part to her donation to the museum. Many other artefacts from Maj Murray s estate were also donated. Lillian Gilbert reads her brother s from the Roll of Honour.

10 TROOPER Ronald Gordon Ewing REGI PATRAEQUE FIDELIS Trooper Ronald Ewing, G400, was born in Hampton, New Brunswick on 12 Jun The Ewing family of Colin Ewing and Mabel Regis had 12 children (9 boys and 3 girls) All sons served at one time with the Hussars and Leonard and Ronald served with the Regiment overseas. Ronald joined the 8th Hussars Militia in Hampton at the age of 13. When war broke out Ron tried to join the Hussars and then the NB Rangers, but was turned down by both. Not giving up he joined The Royal Rifles Of Canada) a Winnipeg Regiment) that happened to be in Sussex. I was able to transfer to the Hussars with some help from my brother who spoke to Col Gamblin( CO 8CH) The transfer on 27 June, 1941 and the Hussars were now known as 4th Cdn Motor Cycle Regiment, 8th Hussars. Shortly after the transfer we all moved to Camp Borden where we were involved in many training exercises. The Hussars then moved to Debert, Nova Scotia in preparation for a rail move to Halifax. We boarded the ship Monarch of Bermuda in October 1941 for Liverpool, England. We moved into barracks vacated by the British. We were issued bags that we filled with straw that were our mattresses. Each hut was warmed by a small coal stove at each end with coal that was rationed. Further training was held at Aldershot (when). During training I found I had trouble swallowing and was admitted to #7 District Hospital. I was diagnosed with mumps and ended up six weeks in the hospital. When returned to Aldershot on 16 March, 1942 Ron found he was struck of strength and posted to 3RD Armoured Reinforcement Unit in Blackdown. With no job, Ron was eventually employed teaching newly arrived recruits how to drive truck, tanks and bren gun carriers, and kept hoping he would be called back to his Regiment. (It was not until I was discharged that I discovered my medical category was changed from A to C) On 03 June, 1942, I was posted to 9th POW Camp in Northern England. I was then picked as a guard and sent to Grenlook, Scotland as a large contingent of German and Italian POW were located. These thousands of POW were loaded on the ship Queen Mary and set sail by the Northern route for New York. On arrival the POW s were turned over to US Forces. I was still wearing the Hussar badge and hoping to be back with my unit. From New York I travelled to NO 7 District Depot in Fredericton. While awaiting my release, I developed a balance problem that could not be diagnosed in Fredericton Hospital and I was transferred to Sussex Hospital and on 03 May 194 was transferred to Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal and on 05 Aug 1944 moved to St Anne De Belleview in Quebec. On 05 Oct I was then sent back to NO 7 District in Fredericton. While in Fredericton was sent on a six month diesel course in Hamilton, Ontario and from there was changed from Trooper to Sapper. Ron worked at many locations in New Brunswick. After Armistice was signed Ron requested his discharge and he was released on 13 Jun Ron was first hired by a wire and rope company and then by Bell Canada. Ron moved through out Ontario and was promoted several times by Bell Canada. Ron retired in Windsor from Bell Canada as plant manager after 36 years. Not ready to retire Ron attained a certificate in stationary engineer and on graduation Ron was awarded the deans award. Ron was hired by the college and worked there until the untimely passing of his dear wife Betty in After 42 years of happy marriage. Ron married Eileen in Windsor on 02 Sept Ron and Eileen are happily enjoying retirement in Windsor. We truly thank Ron for his years of service as a Hussar and wish him and Eileen all the very best. Below CO and the RSM assist Ron Ewing and Lillian Gilbert lay their wreaths at the Coriano Memorial.

11 8th Hussars Museum Report by Tom McLaughlan Summer 2014 has been a very active and productive time for the Hussar Museum in Sussex. Over 2000 visitors registered at the museum from June until Sep 2014 and include numerous groups such as school classes, history students, and a very active and interested group from the local veteran s wing of the Ridgewood Care Facility. The most distance visitors to the museum this year came from Thailand and the Netherlands and over 100 visitors registered on Remembrance Day. The museum was successful in obtaining four student employees through two federal and two provincial government programs. These four students actively presented the museums programs to the public and worked diligently in the back room to archive documents, record and accession numerous artefacts and input huge amounts of data to the necessary databases used to maintain and track articles and items entrusted to the care of the museum. We gratefully acknowledge the support provided by both levels of government. Not all went as planned this year, and the long term plan for a permanent facility in the town of Sussex shared with the agricultural museum was shelved after disagreements between the town and the agricultural museum over funding and land ownership arose and the project was halted at that point. However immediately following that event the Town of Sussex extended our memorandum of understanding to cover the next ten years vice the normal extension period of 5 years. It is often overlooked as to the amount of support that the Town of Sussex has given to our museum in the last 10 years and we are planning an appreciation event in the near future. Our Bren Gun carrier continues to draw crowds where ever it goes and the vehicle restoration group are putting in many hours to maintain the carrier and support the Regiment in maintaining their running Ferret Scout Car. Many thanks go out to the donors who stepped up to support this project and obtain the carrier for the museum. A number of years ago the museum had a full size statue of a horse donated to it, and for the time being there was no room to display the statue and make use of it for a cavalry display. However a 5 year loan agreement was worked out with the Armour School and the statue was restored by Darren Spicer and then established as a Boer War display in the foyer at the School. The presentation was dedicated during the Change of RSM s parade in June Fund raising this year continued thanks to the support of the Commanding Officer who allows the Association to park cars at the Armouries in Sussex to raise funds for the museum and several of the Hussar Cadet Corps. This year we raised over $7000 at the two events and that funding supports our day to day activities at the museum. Many thanks goes out to our volunteers who put in 14 hour days sometimes in very high temperatures to ensure the venue operates successfully and effectively. Our museum volunteers attend numerous interest groups and working groups during the year. This past summer the 8th Hussar Museum was chosen to represent all small museums (no paid staff) in Canada in a national study to determine best practises for storing and preserving digital content such as scanned documents and photos. During the introduction of our museum to about 70 representatives of this working group, the most extra ordinary event happened. The University of British Columbia archives represents the medium size establishments in Canada and when it came time for their representative to speak she was crying and had to take a few seconds to compose herself. Her name was Anne Stephenson and she was the niece of Sgt CM Stevenson, an 8th Hussar killed in Italy in She was not aware that a museum had been established in Sussex. Currently the evaluation team has spent two days at the museum reviewing our procedures and preservation plan and are currently preparing a full report. They were very surprised at the extent and details of our preservation program and were prepared to promote our efforts to other small museums in Canada. A final report will not be available until Feb The closing event for the museum for the summer of 2014 was conducted at the museum during the Annual General Meeting of the Association in which we conducted our annual Memorial Service and celebrated the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Coriano Ridge. This program is the subject of a separate report in this edition of the Sabretache. In the spring edition of the Sabretache, we hope to provide all our readers with an update on the displays currently showing at the museum and this will be supplemented by our planned establishment of the Friends of the 8th Hussars Museum. Watch for it in your and allow us to add your name to our list to ensure all the issues and stories from the museum get circulated to our members.

12 8th Hussars Museum Report continued AGM 2014 Outside the Museum at the Coriano Memorial we were able to display the restored ferret and the Bren gun carrier the association purchased. From the start of the makeover until it was loaned to the Armoured school. Great job by the Sgt Darrin Spicer who completed the work.

13 MR GORDON CARSON REGI PATRAEQUE FIDELIS MEN IN ARMOUR Gordon was born in Havelock, New Brunswick on 29 July 1921, and went to a one room schoolhouse in Havelock. Gordon joined the Army in Saint John, NB ON 25 July His regimental number was G167. Gordon left for Basic training at Camp Borden in the fall of On completion of training he left Halifax by ship in fall of 1940 for England. He was stationed just outside Brighton, England and did more intense training as driver mechanic and gunner. He was posted to 2 Troop, A Sqn Hussars, 5th Armoured Regiment and they left for Italy. Gordon was in intense battles at Coriano Ridge and Ortona. He was wounded in Italy and after being treated in Italy at a field hospital was returned to his Regiment and went on to fight battles in Belgium and Holland. On return to Canada, Gordon was discharged in Saint John on 25 October He then went to work for a tractor farm equipment company, Massey Harris in Toronto. Gordon married his love Augusta Killum on 7 May 1949 and they had four children. Three of the surviving children live in NB. After Toronto he worked for two years as a logger and bought a farm on Mapleton Road in Moncton. He then went to work for the post office for 20 years and retired in Gordon and other Canadian veterans of the Italian Campaign visited Italy in 1999 and truly found this visit lot less stressful than the first visit. Gordon wife Augusta passed away on 07 April 2014, just one month before their 65th anniversary. He now lives in a special care unit in Hillsborough and is visited by his family often. All Hussars thank Gordon his dedicated service to Canada and HIS REGIMENT Thanks to all the Carson family for their many hours of research

14 MEN IN ARMOUR G537 Trooper Vincent Cavanaugh was born in Saint John, NB ON 13 April 1922 Vincent joined the Hussars in St Stephen, NB IN May 1941 and was off to Camp Borden for basic training. On completion of training he set sail from Halifax, in August 1941 landing in Liverpool, England. He was stationed Camp Asborn, near St George. Vincent then went on for trades training at Kitrick in Yorkshire for six months taking wireless, gunnery and driver tank training. While waiting for deployment and just after the Dieppe raid the Army found front line troops were under manned due to casualties and Vincent was sent to the Carleton York Regiment and from there to the Ordance Corp. Vincent ended up in the Italian Campaign. He was taken seriously ill and was sent back to England to the hospital in Vincent returned to Canada after the war and landed in Halifax and was released from military in 1945 At Fredericton. Vincent returned home but found very little work was available and he joined the Military in May 1953 in Fredericton, NB. He joined the RCEME as a weapons mechanic and was posted to Kingston for training. He did two tours in Germany from and with 4 RCHA. Vincent was then posted back to Petawawa and took his release in Vincent then went to work as a switch board operator at the PEMBROKE Hospital for 15 years. Vincent retired in 1987 and moved to southern Ontario. Vincent married Florence Slorence who lived in Hamstead, NB (Camp Gagetown training area later on) In 1946 and they have two children. Vincent wife passed away in Vincent now lives in a retirement home in London Ontario

15 Last Post With sadness we announce the passing of the following members of the Corps and Regimental families, since we last acknowledged Fallen Comrades in the last Sabretache; Mrs Geraldine Lescombe 16 May 2014, Bobcaygen Ontario Vern Langley 01 July 2014, Halifax Nova Scotia Mrs Mary Morris 16 Jul 14, Kentville Nova Scotia WO(Retd) John Kelly 20 July 2014, Fredericton New Brunswick Sgt Ed Ross 04 August 2014, Moncton New Brunswick Larry Wagg 7 August 2014, Saint John New Brunswick Mrs Jean Weagle 06 September 2014, Tatamogouche Nova Scotia WO (Ret d) Don Leroux 14 September 2014, Airdrie Alberta Mr Rodrique Vigeant 30 September 2014, Quebec City, Quebec Shirley Langley 20 Oct 14, Halifax Nova Scotia WO (Ret d) John Duffney 28 October 2014, Gananoque Ontario Victor James Ricker 31 October 2014, Saint John New Brunswick WO (Ret d) Marcel Thebault 02 November 2014, Quebec City Quebec Harry McBean 02 November 2014, Fredericton New Brunswick Mrs Mary Watson CHANGE OF ADDRESS In the past, several newsletters have been returned to the secretary due to wrong addresses or postal codes. Similarly is often not delivered due to changes in personal accounts. Please be sure to advise the committee of any changes to your mailing address or address, when changes occur. Your assistance in this regard would be truly appreciated. Thanks! Please note the cenotaph at the 8CH HQ when the Regiment was in Petawawa. Please notice the name that was just added, Sgt Henry Anderson who was an 8CH Member and was posted to 427 THS (Tactical Helicopter Squadron) and was killed in a helicopter crash in Lets thank the Association for their gracious contribution to pay to have Sgt Anderson's name added on the cenotaph. The cut off for articles for the next issue of the Sabretache will be 15 April This should give everyone plenty of time to write their articles. Articles and pictures can be forwarded to: Brenda Coleman 19 Pine Grove Dr Burton, NB E2V 4J2 Or by brenda.coleman@forces.gc.ca 8 th Canadian Hussars Web Page: Facebook: 8 th Canadian Hussars

16 PLANNED GIVING PROGRAM The Association of 8 th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise s) Inc. Planned Giving Program The Board of Directors of The Association of 8 th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise s) Inc. has authorized the establishment of a Planned Giving Program. This program is available to members, and non-members, who wish to make testamentary gifts, donations or bequests to the Association through the operation of their will at the moment it becomes effective. Members and non-members may direct their estate to make gifts to The Association of 8 th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise s) Inc. to be used by the Association for the achievement of its objectives, operations and purposes as well as to promote, safeguard and strengthen the Association financially for the future. Members and non-members may also direct that their testamentary gifts be used for a specific purpose; for example, support of the Museum, bursary program or any other activity conducted by the Association. An appropriate form for a testamentary bequest to The Association of 8 th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise s) Inc. may be as follows: I DIRECT my estate to donate the sum of ($ ) dollars to The Association of 8 th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise s) Inc. to be used by the Association for its objects, activities and purposes. - or - I GIVE, DEVISE AND BEQUEATH absolutely to The Association of 8 th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise s) Inc., the sum of ($ ) to be used by the Association for its purposes and objects, and, any other activity of the Association, as authorized by a resolution of its Board of Directors. - or - I DIRECT my estate to donate the sum of dollars, or, an amount equal to percent ( %) of the residue of my estate, whichever is the lesser, to The Association of 8 th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise s) Inc. to be used by the Association for its objects and purposes and activities These testamentary clauses are examples provided for illustrative purposes. Testamentary gifts and bequests are a very personal commitment. Those interested in making a testamentary gift or bequest to the Association should contact their legal advisor and obtain advice on how to modify their will to put these wishes into effect. Donors need not be a member of the Association. This program is an excellent way members and non-members alike, may, through the operation of their wills, continue to support and benefit The Association of 8 th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise s) Inc. in the years to come. For further information contact: Jim Lockyer (Wk) (Res) james.lockyer@umoncton.ca