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.

July 5 in History

On this date in 1916, No. 2 Construction Battalion (the “Black Battalion”) was authorized and was attached to the Forestry Corps in France.

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!

Op GRANITE II - Who Will be There?

       Online ticket sales have closed. If you still want tickets, contact opgraniteii-tickets@cmea-agmc.ca, and we will do our best to meet your needs.  Be prepared to pay by eTransfer to  treasureropgraniteii@gmail.com. For more information about Op GRANITE II, look at the Information Hub. Grant Acheson & Judy QuinnEugene “COCO” & Louise AdamsGarret AgerJim AlkinsBrian & Deborah AndreaCalum AndrewsDave ArmittMatthew Arndt…

Op GRANITE II - Last Chance for Tickets! // Dernière chance pour les billets !

Français en bas The Planning Committee wants to remind everyone that 30 June is the cut-off for Op GRANITE Tickets. After that there will be a one-week grace period before we place our orders with our caterer. Please look at the page: Op GRANITE II – Information Hub and Updates to see what you will be missing if you do not attend. Look at the page: Op GRANITE II - Who Will be There? to see who you will be missing if you do not attend. Look at the page: Op GRANITE II Online…

The BC Star Tragedy

On 23 July 1943, the RCAF marine vessel M427 “BC Star” embarked on a fateful journey that would become one of the most tragic incidents in Canadian military construction history. Departing from Bella Bella, BC, the 70-ton requisitioned seine fishing boat was bound for  Cape St. James in the Queen Charlotte Islands, carrying a crew of ten RCAF members, six personnel from No. 9 Construction and Maintenance Unit (9 CMU), and 43 tons of construction materials.

Taken up from trade as…

S/Sgt McLaughlin MM and Bar is Honoured

Staff Sergeant Dennis "Mike" Gerard McLaughlin was one of only ten Canadians to have been awarded the Military Medal twice during the Second World War.

Born in Edmonton in 1917, Mike joined the Canadian Armed Forces just after the beginning of the Second World War and was assigned to the 10th Field Squadron of the Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE). Deployed to Italy in the Fall of 1943, he sustained serious injuries in February 1944 but went on to serve with distinction through the…

Canadian Forestry Corps Portable Sawmill

Lumberjacks in Uniform

The Canadian Forestry Corps had provided lumber for the First World War in the United Kingdom and on the Continent. The British looked again to Canada for assistance early during the Second World War as a German blockade was expected. Lumber was required for applications such as the creation of barracks, construction of ships, aircraft and factory facilities, road surfaces, railway ties and trench construction. Forestry troops would also clear terrain for the construction of airfields.

MCpl Alastaire Jon "AJ" McDonald

After more than 10 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, MCpl A.J. McDonald, (00339) will retire on 7 October 2026. A Departure with Dignity (DWD) will be held on 3 September 26 at 13:00 tentatively at the Unarmed Combat Room, Base Gym, CFB Edmonton. Members wishing to be added to the fight roaster are encouraged to contact the DWD OPI Capt K.S.C. Ho at: Kyle.Ho@forces.gc.ca . Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to the same person.

CHIMO!


MCpl Alastaire Jon McDonald (A.K.A. AJ) was born in Ottawa, Ontario. Raised under the strong influence of his father and grandfather who both proud CAF members, he developed an early appreciation for service, discipline, and commitment. Motivated by a…

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…

MCpl Claude-François Brassard

After more than 11 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Master Corporal Claude-François Brassard, (00305) will retire on 30 June 2026. Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to Sgt J. Huard: joey.huard@forces.gc.ca


After more than 11 years of dedicated service in the Canadian Armed Forces, Master Corporal Claude-François Brassard exemplifies a professional career defined by consistency, versatility, and a strong sense of duty to Canada.

Master Corporal Brassard enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces on 14 January 2015 at the Chicoutimi Detachment of the Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre (CFRC Quebec).…

MWO Darrell Spence, MSC, CD (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Darrell Spence, MSC, CD (Ret’d) on 29 June 2026 due to a motor vehicle accident. Darrel served as a Combat Engineer with the Canadian Military Engineers for more than 27 years.

Darrell enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1995. After completing his basic Combat Engineer training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering (CFSME), he was posted to 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, where he served the majority of his career. In addition to his several tours with 2 CER, Darrell served as an instructor at CFSME at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, NB.

During his career, Darrell deployed on operations to Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Latvia. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross in 2009 for his actions in Afghanistan. In retirement, he was a strong supporter of the Deep River Legion. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Deep River Legion, Branch 436 {50 McElligott Drive, Deep River, ON}  on 11 July 2026. Guests are requested to arrive for 1400 hrs, with formal ceremonies commencing at 1500 hrs. The ceremony will begin in the curling club parking lot adjacent to the Legion, weather permitting.

For serving members, Dress Uniform No. 1A is authorized. Family members and civilian guests are welcome to attend in casual attire. Those who are unable to attend but wish to send condolences may leave cards or notes at 2 CER Regimental Operations or the Duty Centre during normal working hours (0930–1600 hrs).

A donation box will be available at the Celebration of Life. Donations may also be made by e-transfer to bfmc211.treasurer@gmail.com. Please include the wording: "CoL Donation for Darrell Spence" in the message or comment section.

WO Edmond Comeau, CD (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of retired former Firefighter Warrant Officer Edmond Comeau, CD (Ret’d) in Fredericton NB on 27 June 2026 at the age of 86. 

Ed grew up in St. Ignace, NB. His parents both died when he was very young, and Ed became an independent young man. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1963 and served as a Firefighter in France, Germany and Summerside, PE  before remustering to the Aircraft Refinisher Technician occupation.

Ed retired to Rexton, NB in 1988 where he took a job with Home Hardware in Richibucto. He was a member of the Legion and a keen genealogist. After 20 years in Rexton, Ed moved to Fredericton, where he served as president of his condo board. He moved to the Shannex Residence after the passing of his wife.

There will be no visitation at this time. Ed will be interred at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, ON, at a future date. For those wishing to donate in remembrance of Ed, please do so to the charity of your choice and support your local Legion. Please leave your condolences, warm wishes and memories of Ed with the funeral home .
 

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.