Strathcona Mounted Troop Report - Lord Strathcona's Horse

Letters Letters Letters Letters LettersGreetings from the left coast. Sorry it’staken so long to write but when one isretired other things happen. In any eventI’m in my fifth year as NPFAO at Vernonand working as hard as I have to. Stoppedby Vic Binnie’s for a beer and a couple ofhour’s visit. Sgts Bruce Montrose and StanPiorier were here from the Regiment astraining advisers so we get together forbeer and story time in the Mess. I savedsome clippings from B.C. papers and amsending them along with some obits that Ihad intended to send when they were current.The item on Harry Watson (RCD) isincluded because he was a member of ourlittle band that gathers annually for a luncheonand will be known by many of theblack hatters. Bruce Andrews was a subalternin the Regiment and joins us time totime at these luncheons. This is kind oframbling but, Bill Prouse’s brother Rogerhas been a Company Commander in Vernonfor some time and I usually get to see Billand Mary when they come out for thegraduation parade. General’s Jack Dangerfieldand Pat Carew come at about thesame time, so when George Barr and BillTurner show up, we have a mini reunionon the side of the Parade Square. Ed andMike Pushkarenko are in the LegionColour Party, so will be able to say hellosometime during the summer. Hope to getdown around OK Falls to see Gerry Reid,‘Westy’ Westergard, Gord Pohlman, VicChilds, Bob ‘Mouse’ Davis, Jim Kelso,Louis Keltika, Bill Midwinter, AlCrook, Hal Johnson, Clarence McKenna,Tom Herlihey. Thought I’d throw afew names from the 50’s early 60’s. Anyoneknow where they are?Would appreciate you adding two namesto the Strathcona Family list; big brotherBob Anderson and Harreson Garner.Most will remember Garner as RockyGagne who transferred to the Postal Serviceand ended up serving with us again inEurope in the mid 60’s.Well enough for now and I’ll try not toprocrastinate and write more often.Perseverance.Bill AndersonSooke, BC(Thanks for the clippings etc. they arenow in the Regimental Museum’sarchives. Most of the names you listedare on the Family Roll and will sendaddresses of those we do have with thisissue of the Newsletter. Thanks for yourgenerous donation. Ed)Thank you for the spring copy of yourNewsletter. I always look forward to readingthe Regimental news, and findingnames of people we’ve known through theyears.Will never forget the thrill of your 100thbirthday reunion May 2000. My father was aBoer War veteran, so I was raised onmelodies like “Soldiers of the Queen”,“Goodbye Dolly Gray” etc. I never thoughtI’d see such a magnificent parade to thetune of my favorite march! A real privilege.Enclosed is a cheque to cover postageetc. With best wishes.Vera F. BallVictoria, BC(Glad you enjoy the Strathconas FamilyNewsletter. Thank you for your donation.Ed)I am enclosing funeral information forObie. It will be self-explanatory. On Obie’sbehalf please accept small donationtowards the Strathcona Society. If possible,I would like to continue to receive theNewsletter. Thank you in advance.Johanna BartlettCalgary, AB(Our condolences go out to you onyour loss. Thank you for the donationand you most certainly will receivefuture editions of this Newsletter. Ed.)Received the recent Spring Newsletter ingrand order. I thoroughly enjoy the “Letters”section; the comments and anecdoteswritten bring one a little closer and reviveold memories. Their addresses certainlyshow the worldly dispersion of the StrathconaFamily and their eagerness to keepin touch. I recently had a phone call fromEarl Sutley, brought back memories ofMeaford. Earl has fallen on hard times(health wise) but was in good spirits. SorryI was unable to attend, what I understandwas a first class reunion. Sometimes otherdevelopments occur which are beyond control.Fortunately many attendees called me.I appreciated their taking time from thebusy activities. Enclosed is George Towell’scurrent address.Sincerely.E.A. BrownEdmonton, AB(Thanks for your donation. Sorry youmissed the reunion but glad you felt partof it by those who called on you. Ed)Enclosed is obituary notice that I cut outof the Vancouver Sun newspaper. Iattended the funeral mass for John Waldiebut due to a previous commitment wasunable to attend the gathering after theservice, so did not meet with any otherStrathconas that may have been in attendance.Just received the Newsletter and notedthe passing of Roy Brough. We havepassed this info on to a mutual friend inOwen Sound, ON. Joan the widow ofRobbie Robson a former Strath, whotransferred to RCEME, had passed awaysome years ago in Montreal QC. Joan hassince remarried and her husband has invitedme to go fishing for a B.C. salmon inLake Huron. Sure going to try and makeit. The last time there I caught a 17pounder.I may be in Calgary this summer and ifso I will give you a call.Perseverance.Bob BurvillSurrey, BC(Thanks for the update. You didn’tmention who the mutual friend in OwenSound was. Ed).In early Fall until late Spring, my wifeand I spend the winter months along theColorado River in Southern Arizona.This year, on returning to Calgary,amongst a huge stack of mail, was the falland spring edition of the Newsletter. Turningeach page, the way one does, lookingfor some name, person or incident of thedistant past, for this information I commendthe newsletter, but all too often now,the Last Trumpet Call brings a deep sadnessas so many of my old comrades, andassociates depart. May they rest in peace.At Reunion 2000, my lovely wife AnneMarie, and I, with my son-in-law, R.S.M.Doug Gardner and my lovely daughterAlannah mingled amongst those very specialpeople indeed.A great but difficult task was the Orilliaproject. Mr. Shadbolt, we made an honestattempt to visit there enroute to Kingston,however, unforeseen circumstances causedus to alter our plans.On another sad occasion, I attended, inCalgary, the funeral of another departedcomrade, it was at this gathering I met andtalked with Mr. and Mrs. Bellfountaine,and I’m delighted to say Ken is doing justfine as is his lovely wife Wanda. I wasdeeply saddened to learn again of stillanother fallen Warrior, Col. W.R.C. (Bill)Little.I had the unique experience of servingwith the Fort Garry and Strathcona’swith Signals Troop at Fort Beausejour inGermany 1964 to 67. I was on parade whenthe Guidon was presented to the FortGarry’s, by Earl Alexander of Tunis.Many years later I paraded with the OldGuard of the Strathconas in Edmontonwhen their old Guidon was laid to rest, andnow proudly displayed in the legislativebuilding in Edmonton.Now, perhaps some humor to conclude.The following is a paused moment in mytime, so many years ago, and of the warriorCol ‘Wild’ Bill Little. We were on an exerciseQUICK TRAIN; the tanks were allloaded on the flat cars. We were off on atwenty-one day exercise in the North West–continued on page 4Page twoStrathcona’s Newsletter