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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August 31 in History

On this date in 1944, every Canadian field and park squadron and company in 1st Canadian Army (some 20 units), used bridges, rafts, and storm boats to get the divisions of the 2nd Canadian Corps across the Seine.

News

23rd Annual Canadian Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony

The 23rd Annual Canadian Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony will take place at the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation (CFFF) Memorial at LeBreton Flats in Ottawa on Sunday, September 13, 2026. CAF Military Fire Service Involvement CAF Military Fire Service members continue to support the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation, including service on the CFFF Board of Directors: CWO Troy Noseworthy — CFFM’s Office John Sobey — CFFF Secretary (CAF Ret’d) Bruce Paradis…

2026 CMEA Memorial Bursary Winners Announced

The CMEA is pleased to announce the names of this year's twelve CMEA Memorial Bursary recipients.  The bursary provides $2500 to each scholar. To date, the CMEA has presented a total of $234,500 to further the educational needs of our members and families. If you are a CMEA member and want to sponsor a scholar, see CMEA Bursary Program for application details. This page will be updated with photos as they are received. Recipient Award…

Sapper Story - The Path to Becoming a Chief Warrant Officer - CWO Christian Poirier MMM, CD

Article by: Capt Kyle Ho, RPOU(W) Operations Officer 2 Every Sapper has a story, but few are as operationally rich, technically sound, and leadership‑driven as that of newly promoted Chief Warrant Officer Christian Poirier. His journey began on 09 Dec 98, when he joined the Canadian Army as a Primary Reserve Infantryman. On 23 Feb 01, Christian component‑transferred to the Regular Force as a Combat Engineer, beginning a remarkable career within the Canadian Military…

Heritage Moments

Canadian Tunnellers Tackle Gibraltar

The Rock of Gibraltar is the key to the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. Thrusting 1300 feet above the Spanish plain on the Bay of Algeciras, the Rock of Gibraltar has been a great British fortress and an important defensive outpost since its acquisition in 1704. Through the years the Royal Engineers had excavated tunnels and galleries in the rock for defensive purposes.

During World War II Gibraltar was a major naval and air…

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…

Engineers in the Land of Morning Calm

The Korean War presented a major challenge to military engineers because of the nature of the terrain. Korea was a land of mountains interlaced with rice patties in the valleys and there were few roads capable of carrying sustained heavy military traffic. The area was also subject to heavy monsoon rains that seemed to destroy roads and bridges annually. In 1950, 57th Independent Field Squadron was the first of the Royal Canadian Engineer units of the Canadian Army…

Retirements

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…

WO // Adj R.C. “Rollie” Winsor, CD

Après plus de 29 ans de service loyal et dévoué aux Forces armées canadiennes et à la Branche du Génie militaire canadien, l’adjudant R.C. Winsor, CD, (00307) prendra sa retraite le 2 octobre 2026. 

Départ dans la dignité (DDD) 

Une réception DwD aura lieu le 23 octobre à 14:00 au « The Bunker » (Pizza Delight), à Oromocto, NB. Si vous prévoyez y assister, veuillez confirmer votre présence à l'Adj W.G. Sutherland: William.Sutherland@forces.gc.ca. Des…

MWO Trevor McCoul, CD

After more than 21 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, MWO T.M. McCoul, CD, will retire on 16 September 2026.

Departure with Dignity (DWD) 

A DWD ceremony will take place on 11 September 2026. Those interested in attending may contact MWO G.K. Cornfield at: Gordon.Cornfield@forces.gc.ca. Those wishing to convey their congratulations, best wishes, or anecdotes are also invited to forward them to the same point of contact.

CHIMO!

After more than 20 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineers, MWO McCoul, CD, will retire…

Last Posts

Corporal Bernie Mooney, CD (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Bernie Mooney, CD (Ret’d), peacefully on 13 August 2026 in Hamilton, ON.

Bernie joined the Canadian Armed Forces in July 1970 and served with the Canadian Military Engineer family as a Combat Engineer. During his service, Bernie was a member of the Canadian Airborne Regiment in Edmonton, AB; 3 Field Squadron in Chilliwack, BC; and 4 Field Squadron in Lahr, GE (1975-77). Bernie retired from the Canadian Forces after he returned home to Canada.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Souris Legion { 56 Main Street } on Sunday, 30 August 2026 between 3:00 - 5:00 PM.  Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

 

Cpl John 'Gary' Gallant, CD (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Corporal John 'Gary' Gallant, CD (Ret’d), peacefully at his home in North Rustico, PEI on 30 July 2026 at age 81.  During his military career, John served as a Firefighter with the Royal Canadian Air Force in the 1970s in his home province at Canadian Forces Base Summerside.

A graveside service will take place at 4:00 p.m. on 30 August 2026, at the Stella Maris Cemetery in North Rustico. If so desired, donations in Gary's memory may be made to the Stella Maris Cemetery, North Rustico. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

 

Cpl Kenneth John Leo Lumsden, CD (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of  Corporal Kenneth John Leo Lumsden, CD (Ret’d) of Waasis NB  on 29 July 2026  at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton NB at age 76.

Born in Dieppe NB, Ken started his military career in 1967 as a Field Engineer with the Canadian Military Engineers but later remustered to the Structures Technician trade.  His career included a deployment to Egypt in 1974 with the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF II). 

Ken’s final posting was with the Base Construction Engineering Section at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown NB. When he retired from the Canadian Forces, he stayed with the BCEO as a Public Servant. In 2005, Ken became a Commissionaire working as security at Government House in Fredericton (2005-2025)

In keeping with Ken’s wishes, there will be no visitation. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Oromocto NB, on 5 August 5, 2026, beginning at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of the donor’s choice.