Every 5 years since 2001, a dedicated group of RMC Ex-Cadets sets out on a seven-day canoe trip from Ottawa to Kingston to raise funds to support varsity athletics at RMC. This voyage is known as "La Chasse Galerie" and the 2016 edition will take place from 16 to 22 Sept: http://www.rmcfoundation.ca/index.php/enhancing-excellence/athletics/la…
Normally, this is not an event with specific Sapper interest. However this year, two members of the Sapper family are participating in the event (Col John Leggat (Ret’d) and LCol Claire Bramma, CO MCE). Not only that, but this year there is a planned stop on 20 Sept to visit to the Newboro cemetery which has strong Sapper links dating back to the construction of the Rideau Canal. For more information on the significance of this cemetery, see The Royal Sappers and Miners Cemetery article at https://cmea-agmc.ca/rideau-sappers.
The Newboro Cemetery is attracting a lot of attention. In addition to the planned canoe trip this year, the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires, Kingston Ontario Branch, is taking steps to provide a commemorative headstone for the six Sappers and Miners buried in the Cemetery to be installed during Canada's 150th birthday celebrations. Also, Parks Canada is interested in installing signage between the nearby Newboro Lock and the Cemetery.
Interested parties are welcome to join the volunteers responsible for restoring the cemetery and the Ex-Cadet paddlers on 20 September at approximately 11:45 am on a walk from the Newboro Lock .to the cemetery
Standby for a future article to be written by LCol Bramma following La Chasse Galerie 2016.
CHIMO!