Canadian Military Engineers Association

The CMEA is a dynamic association open to all members of the Canadian Military Engineer family. Since its formation in 2000, it has grown to over 2500 members with more than 21 Chapters and six affiliated Reserve units spread across the country.
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News

Sapper Story – Lt Jaeyoung Seo – The Man in the Arena

Article By: Capt Kyle Ho, RPOU(W) Operations Officer 2 During Asian Heritage Month (AHM), we recognize the proud contributions of Canadians of Asian origin whose service strengthens the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Among them is Lieutenant (Lt) Jaeyoung (Dave) Seo, a young officer whose determination, discipline, and pursuit of excellence reflect both his heritage and the core values of the Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE). Born in 2002, Lt Seo enrolled in the CAF through the…

CME Retirements for May 2026

The CME would like to announce the release or retirement of the following members (no biographies submitted): After more than 25 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, WO C.J. Vance, CD, (00307) will retire on 1 December 2026. Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to WO D.W. Drydak: derek.drydak@forces.gc.ca After more than 22 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the…

CMEA Bursary Program 2026 – Call for Applications

CMEA Members, Applications for the CMEA Bursary Program 2026 are open to CMEA members and their dependents. Applications must be received before 31 July 2026. See the CMEA website for additional information: CMEA Bursary Program | Canadian Military Engineers (cmea-agmc.ca) CHIMO!

Heritage Moments

Military Engineers at the Throttle

Canada had provided overseas railway troops for the Great War and anticipated that a similar request would come from Great Britain for WW II. Such a request was delayed because of the fall of France but Canada continued the planning process. Eventually the request came and Canada mobilized No 1 Railway Operating Group, Royal Canadian Engineers on 19 March 1943. Comprising two railway operating companies and a railway workshop company, the unit was manned mainly from employees…

Saint Luke's Chapel at CFB Gagetown

All Sappers RCE Carillon Back in Service after a Long Silence

At 1020 hrs on 15 April 2021, the Carillon at St Luke’s Chapel, Base Gagetown, chimed for the first time in over three years.  It had been repaired thanks to a Museum Development Fund Grant from the Directorate of History and Heritage.

The original All Sappers Memorial Carillon was a Schulmrtich Coronation Carillon that had been installed in the All Sappers Chapel at Camp Chilliwack in 1957, the 50th anniversary of the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering.  In 1988…

Japanese WW II Incendiary Bombs

The Royal Canadian Engineers played a direct, hands on role in investigating, disarming, and analyzing Japan’s Fu Go balloon bombs that reached Canada during the Second World War. Their work focused on bomb disposal, site investigation, and technical intelligence.

Japan’s Fu Go program - an attempt to strike North America with explosives laden balloons - had its origins in 1926. Meteorologist Wasaburo Oishi charted the powerful west to east jet stream, which offered Japan’s military a…

Retirements

MWO/Adjum M.D.A. Carter, CD

After more than 20 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, MWO M.D.A. Carter, CD, (00307) will retire on 24 August 2026. 

Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to WO J.J.D. St-Louis at: johnatan.st-louis@forces.gc.ca

Master Warrant Officer Matthew D. A. Carter, CD has served in the Canadian Armed Forces since 19 January 2006 as a member of the Regular Force. He is a Canadian Military Engineer specializing as a Construction Engineering Superintendent (CE SUPT).

Originally from Kentville, Nova Scotia, MWO Carter began his military career in the Primary Reserve with The West Nova Scotia Regiment before transferring to the Regular Force and

joining…

Cpl B. Ouellette

After more than 9 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Cpl B. Ouellette, will be released on 3 June 2026. 

Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to Sgt J. Huard: joey.huard@forces.gc.ca

Corporal Bruno Ouellette enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces on 18 July 2008 at the Rimouski Detachment of the Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre (CFRC Quebec). Corporal Ouellette was posted to the Naval Fleet School (Pacific) in Victoria, British Columbia, where he completed his basic occupational training in naval electrical systems. 

In 2009, he was transferred to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and posted to Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Ville de Québec, where he served as a Marine…

Cpl R.P. Bostad

After more than 6 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Cpl R.P. Bostad, (00301) will be released on 3 June 2026.

Departure with Dignity (DWD) 
A DwD reception will be held on 29 May at 1200 at Ken's Diner (Edmonton). If attending, please RSVP to MCpl G. Alger: Gustine.Alger@forces.gc.ca. Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to the same person.

After more than six years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineers, Corporal Robert “Rob” P. Bostad, will retire on 03 June 2026.

 Cpl Bostad was raised on a small hobby farm in central Ontario, where he developed foundational values of hard work, self-reliance, loyalty, and…

Last Posts

LAC Gerald Moulton (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Leading Aircraftman Gerald Moulton (Ret’d) on 22 May  2026, peacefully at his home in Epworth NL, in his 80th year. 

Gerald was born in Burin NL and spent some early years in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Firefighter. Following his retirement from the Canadian Forces, he worked as an auto mechanic in various garages on the Newfoundland peninsula, at  Fishery Products International,  the Marystown Shipyard, and in the Newfoundland offshore. 

In keeping with his wishes, Gerald has been cremated. A family gathering was held on 24 May 24 at Serenity Funeral Home in Salt Pond, Burin.

Gerald’s ashes will be scattered in Epworth at a later date, where family and friends can come together to celebrate his life. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

MCpl Richard “Rick” Cayley ( Ret’d)


We regret to advise of the death of  Master Corporal Richard “Rick” Cayley ( Ret’d) on 8 May 2026 at the age of 65.

Rick was Vice President of the Edmonton Airborne Social Club. His service with the Canadian Military Engineers covered the period 1980 - 1995 with 22 Field Squadron/4 Engineer Support Regiment and with the Airborne Grouping in 2 Combat Engineer Regiment.  He also deployed to Canadian Forces Station Alert in 1983.

A private family service will be held at a later date.  Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

 

Christopher “Chris” Adam Shaver

We regret to advise of the death of Christopher “Chris” Adam Shaver, peacefully on 3 June 2026, at the age of 40.

Chris was born in Richmond BC and built a successful career as a journeyman fabricator-welder. He contributed to many important projects across Canada and the North, including the Vancouver Light Rail Transit Canada Line, Stanton Territorial Hospital, the Ekati Mine, and Aurora Ford Hay River. For the past decade, Chris has built an adventurous life in Hay River, Northwest Territories.
Service to others was woven into Chris's life. He proudly served as a Combat Engineer with the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve, was a member of the Canadian Rangers Hay River Patrol, and volunteered as a firefighter with the Hay River NWT Fire Department in his community. 

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.