This Day in History

On this date in 1954, the Army Survey Establishment began the production of Military City Maps of major urban locations in Canada - eventually producing 51 map sheets.

On this date in 1954, as a result of the Kennedy report, there were substantial changes in the organization of the Engineer units in the Militia.

On this date in 1953, 1^st Field Engineer Regiment, part of the new Division, was established with its Headquarters at Camp Chilliwack. 23 Fd Sqn was redesignated 1 Fd Sqn, the 57^th became 2 Fd Sqn, the 58^th became 3 Fd Sqn, and the 59^th became 3 Fd Sqn.

On this date in 1953, a concensus of Engineer and general staff officers of the Commonwealth Division in Korea recommended the assignment of two engineer regiments per Division.

On this date in 1953, Engineers were involved in salvaging material from the demilitarized zone within 72 hours of the signing of the Korean War truce.

On this date in 1953, the first intake of the Sapper Apprentice Program arrived at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack. A total of 14 intakes were enrolled with the last one graduating in 1967.

On this date in 1952, the Donjek Bridge, constructed by No 1 Road Maintenance Company at Mile 1132.8 on the Alaska Highway, was opened by Brig J.L. Melville.

On this date in 1951, at 0600hrs a reinforcement draft of Engineers for 57 Field Squadron arrived at the railway station in Seoul, Korea. They were served fried bread for breakfast. [LCol Vic Johnson (Retd) Personal Recollections]

On this date in 1951, 45 Field Squadron, RCE (Reserve Force), located in Sydney NS, was activated as a sub-unit of 5 Field Engineer Regiment in Halifax.

On this date in 1951, 58th Independent Field Squadron was created for service with 27 Brigade in Northwest Europe.

On this date in 1951, 57th Independent Field Squadron embarked on the USNS Marine Adder enroute to Korea.

On this date in 1951, members of 23 Field Squadron and 13 Works Company participated in a demolition exercise during the floods in Medicine Hat AB.

On this date in 1951, 57th Field Squadron completed their unit training and spent time in the field in Fort Lewis, Washington to acclimatize personnel to the harsh living conditions anticipated in Korea.

On this date in 1950, 57th Independent Field Squadron moved to Fort Lewis Washington for training with US Forces prior to deployment to Korea.

On this date in 1950, United Nations troops crossed the 38th parallel and captured most of North Korea. Intervention of Chinese forced the UN to withdraw south of Soeul.

On this date in 1950, Brig R.M. Rockingham announced that a new unit, 57th Canadian Independent Field Squadron would be formed for service in Korea.

On this date in 1950, North Korean forces invaded South Korea resulting in the employment of the 25^th Canadian Brigade Group, including a Field Squadron, for three years, as part of the 1^st Commonwealth Division.

On this date in 1949, the construction of the Atlin Road was completed, connecting Atlin, BC with the Alaska Highway.

On this date in 1949, the Atlin Road between Mile 866 on the Alaska Highway and the gold mining town of Atlin was opened to traffic after construction by the Northwest Highway System.

On this date in 1949, 56 Field Squadron of St. John's was authorized and recruiting started in March 1950.

On this date in 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization came into effect. Canada’s contribution included an Engineer Field Squadron.

On this date in 1948, Air Defence Group was formed at RCAF Station St-Hubert to co-ordinate Canada's involvement in the North American Air Defence Command (NORAD).

On this date in 1948, a total of 49 "active" Reserve Force Engineer units and headquarters was authorized.

On this date in 1948, training programs were initiated to train personnel in the construction trades as it was proving impractical to recruit qualified tradesmen.

On this date in 1948, a stained glass window honouring Canadian railway troops killed during the Second World War was unveiled in Garrison Church at Longmoor, England.

On this date in 1948, Brigadier J.L. Melville CBE, MC, ED was appointed as the first Honorary Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers.

On this date in 1948, Lt-Gen M.A. Pope (Former RCE) retired from the Army to become Canadian ambassador in Bonn. Later he served as ambassador to Belgium and Spain.

On this date in 1947, Spr R.C. Spencer MM, was first other rank to enlist in the post-war 23rd Field Squadron. Maj G.K. Wade was appointed the first Commanding Officer.

On this date in 1947, North American Air Defence (NORAD), a joint Canada-USA agreement for air defence of North America was announced.

On this date in 1947, No. 7 Artisan Works Company was disbanded - the last World War II unit of the Royal Canadian Engineers overseas.

On this date in 1946, 3rd Cemetery Construction Unit RCE was the last engineers unit to leave North-West Europe.

On this date in 1946, A6 Canadian Engineer Training Centre was redesignated the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering and Camp Chilliwack became the "Home of the Engineers."

On this date in 1946, the All Sappers Cenotaph was completed in Chilliwack. Lt-Col C.N. Mitchell, VC was instrumental in building the cenotaph.

On this date in 1946, Canada was in the early stages of taking over the Canadian section of the Alaska Highway, including telephone systems, buildings, and other assets valued at $108 million.

On this date in 1946, 23rd Field Squadron (stationed at Camp Chilliwack) was authorized as part of the Active Force field component.

On this date in 1946, 1st Field Company was re-designated 23rd Field Company RCE and located at Camp Chilliwack as the permanent RCE unit of the Active Force after WW II.

On this date in 1946, the Directorate of Engineers was authorized in General Staff Branch at Army Headquarters.

On this date in 1945, 1st Field Company once again marched through the streets of Halifax following the unit’s return from Europe.

On this date in 1945, 2/6 Field Company of the Occupation Force in Germany organized a unit canteen “Club 49” to provide local recreation facilities as such other facilities were too far away.

On this date in 1945, No 1 Canadian Army Rehabilitation Training Centre (Survey) was opened to qualify military surveyors for employment with a Dominion Land Surveyor in Canada.

On this date in 1945, Cpl R.M. Fetherston and Spr J.D. Garrett of 11 Field Company were awarded the George Medal for rescuing British soldiers in an ammunition fire.

On this date in 1945, 3rd Battalion officially opened the Foulkes and Simond bridges at Arnhem. These were steel-piled Bailey bridges about 1400 feet long.

On this date in 1945, 2nd Battalion completed two timber pile bailey bridges at Zutphen each about 1450 feet long. The Army Commander officially opened the bridges on 29 May.

On this date in 1945, traffic following V-E Day in the Netherlands resulted in the need for extensive road repairs and a heavy work load for the Engineers.

On this date in 1945, the Royal Canadian Engineer strength with Canadian Army overseas was 685 officers and 15,677 other ranks.

On this date in 1945, there were 521 officers and 13,020 other ranks of the Royal Canadian Engineers serving with 21 Army Group in Northwest Europe.

On this date in 1945, German “pioneer” Prisoners of War provided maps of mine fields and helped to lift mines.

On this date in 1945, at the end of a ten day period, 2nd Corps Troops Engineers had constructed 2678 feet of Bailey bridging and conducted some 200 Bailey-raft miles.

On this date in 1945, 6 Field Company experienced its last casualties in the Netherlands while removing a roadblock that was holding up The Royal Winnipeg Rifles.

On this date in 1945, No 1 Drilling Company left Italy and arrived in North West Europe under command 1 Canadian Army Group Royal Engineers.