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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July 30 in History

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.

News

Why Ottawa Celebrates Colonel By Day

Article By: Ken Holmes As many provinces prepare for the upcoming “Civic Holiday,” Ottawa residents prepare to celebrate Colonel By Day rather than simply Civic Holiday. The name honours Lieutenant-Colonel John By, the British Royal Engineers officer whose vision and leadership gave birth to both the Rideau Canal and the city that would become Canada's capital. Between 1826 and 1832, Colonel By directed the construction of the 202-kilometre Rideau Canal, one of the greatest…

Op GRANITE II Reunion Celebrates Canadian Military Engineer Legacy in Chilliwack

Hundreds of current and former Canadian Military Engineers, family members, supporters, and members of the public gathered in Chilliwack from July 17–19 for Op GRANITE II, a weekend dedicated to honouring the history, service, and enduring legacy of the Canadian Military Engineers. The organizing committee extends its sincere appreciation to the many organizations whose generous support helped make the event possible. Contributions will fund the planning, delivery, and…

CMEA Bursary Program 2026 – Last 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

Engineers Fly First

Two young Canadian Engineers, J.A.D. McCurdy and F.W. Baldwin, piloted the first military demonstration of aircraft flight in Canada at Camp Petawawa, ON. Conducted in July-August 1909 using the Silver Dart and the Baddeck 1, these were the first such flights in the British Commonwealth by a member of the British Commonwealth.

Both McCurdy and F.W. Baldwin were former members of the 2nd Field Company, Canadian Engineers in Toronto who were…

All Sappers RCE Carillon Back in Service

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…

The North-West Staging Route

A Second World War Royal Canadian Air Force unit, No. 4 Construction and Maintenance Unit (CMU), was instrumental in developing the North-West Staging Route during the war. This was a vital air corridor connecting Canada to Alaska that was crucial for military operations. Established primarily to ferry aircraft, it enabled the efficient transportation of military material to support operations in the Pacific theatre and to aid the Soviet Union under Lend-Lease agreements.

The North-…

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/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…

Last Posts

MCpl Terrance "Terry" Scott Cash

We regret to advise of the death of Master Corporal Terrance "Terry" Scott Cash, CD of the Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre in Ottawa, on 20 July 2026 at age 54. Terry served in the Canadian Armed Forces for over thirty years.

Born in Sydney NS, Terry started his military career in 1990 in the Reserve Force with The Cape Breton Highlanders. Service with 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (1991-99) and The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh’s Own) (2006-13) followed.  Terry remustered to Geomatics Technician when he joined Mapping and Charting Establishment in 2013. In 2019, Terry's subsequent postings included the Canadian Forces Intelligence Command Headquarters and then the Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre in 2023.

During his career, Terry deployed on Operation HARMONY, Croatia (1994-95), Operation PALLADIUM, Bosnia-Herzegovina (1998), Operation ATHENA, Afghanistan (2008-09), and Operation IMPACT, Kuwait (2017)

Terry was a handyman/inventor who was Interested in blacksmithing and forging. He started his own business, “Cluaran Forge” that specialized in creating handmade forged treasures and unique metalwork products.

Cremation has taken place. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

A Funeral Service will be held on 4 August 2026 at 2:00 PM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Johnstown, Cape Breton. Interment will take place in Johnstown Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to: Support Our Troops, Wounded Warriors of Canada, or the Canadian Cancer Society.

 

 

Cpl William George "Bill" Collett (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Corporal William George "Bill" Collett (Ret’d),  peacefully at home on 22 July 2026, at the age of 82.

Bill served for five years as a Firefighter with the Royal Canadian Air Force before beginning a 25-year career with the Niagara Falls Fire Department. He rose through the ranks, starting out as a “probie” to become a Captain.

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home. In memory of Bill, donations to the Niagara Falls Professional Firefighters Association Local 528 or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada would be appreciated by his family. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home. 
 

Sgt Frederick Wallace Jenkins Jr., CD (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Frederick Wallace Jenkins Jr., CD (Ret’d), suddenly but peacefully on 19 July 2026, in Nova Scotia at Dartmouth General Hospital.

Fred proudly served his country in the Canadian Military Engineers for 35 years starting with his enlistment as a Sapper Apprentice with the 6th Intake in 1956. He was an Airborne Combat Engineer with a Heavy Equipment specialty who served most of his military career with 2 Combat Engineer Regiment in Petawawa ON but also served in  Chilliwack, Gagetown and Germany. He was honoured as the 1982/1983 Special Service Force Soldier of the Year.  Among his proudest accomplishments was operating heavy equipment during the construction of the Eagle River Bridge in the Yukon in 1977.

For his last posting, Fred served as a Roads and Grounds Supervisor at Canadian Forces Base Summerside PE. Following his retirement from the Canadian Forces in 1991, Fred settled in Lawrencetown NS.

Fred was a founding member of the Old Sappers Coffee Group, where lifelong friendships continued to grow over Thursday morning coffee.

A funeral service will be held on  28 July 2028 at 2:00 pm at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, 9 Veteran’s Ave, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, with a reception following. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.