On 5 October 2019, a small group of Canadians set out to remember lumberjacks who were sent overseas as part of the Canadian Engineers to cut wood in France to support the war effort. The Colonel Commandant, BGen Steve Irwin and the Branch Chief Warrant Officer, CWO Glenn Simpkin set out on a remembrance journey with Cadet CWO Marris and Capt Forget from 1573 Bassin-de-la-Lièvre Cadet Corps affiliated to the Mapping and Charting Establishment.
The four of…
On 17 October this year, Sapper Garnet Bourgaize, a veteran of the Second World War, turned 100 years old. A celebration attended by friends, relatives and Royal Canadian Engineer representatives was held on Saturday at Branch 108 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Chateauguay, QC.
Garnet served as a combat engineer in the RCE. He arrived in England in 1940 and saw action in Italy and Northwest Europe. He was badly wounded in France and returned to a…
Reprinted from The Commissionaires, Saturday, June 15, 2019, Winnipeg, MB
Retired Col. Chris Lythgo, CD was confirmed National Chair during the Commissionaires’ Annual General Meeting held today in Winnipeg. He replaces retired Vice-Admiral Duncan (Dusty) Miller, CMM MSC CD RCN whose three-year term had concluded.
“So much good work has been done by previous National Board chairs,” Col. Lythgo said following his appointment. “My challenge is to help guide…
CMEA - 16 Oct 19
The wife, mother-in-law, and 20-month old son of Corporal Brent Dewell of 32 CER in Toronto, were struck in a hit-and-run while waiting at a crosswalk on their way to church on Sunday morning. A suspect has been named.
The Toronto CMEA Chapter has support in place and the National Executive has approved support as well.
Additionally, Cpl Dewell has established a GoFundMe page and any support from members of the CME family would be greatly…
Sapper Albert Richard Wells (Ret’d) passed away peacefully on 21 July 2019 at his home in Kamloops BC, three months shy of his 104th birthday. Albert was a veteran of the Second World War and was the last known surviving D-Day veteran of the 6th Field Company, RCE. Today 6th Field Company RCE is perpetuated by 6 Engineer Squadron of 39 Combat Engineer Regiment.
On 7 October 2019, Albert was laid to rest in a small, private Celebration of Life. The service took place at…
Invitation from the Branch Advisor
Invitation du conseiller de la Branche
2 October 2019
Dear Fellow Engineers,
All members of the Canadian Military Engineer Family are invited to the National Capital Region Canadian Military Engineers’ Mess Dinner, which will be held on Thursday, 28 November 2019, at the Sala San Marco Banquet and Conference Centre, 215 Preston Street, Ottawa. The Guest of Honour for this event will be the LCol (ret) Ken Holmes, CD.…
Article by Stanley Britton, CME, FRAIC
Oyez, Oyez, Oyez
My Lords, Ladies, Gentlemen and Sappers
Take heed and listen
on this the 22nd Day of September
in the year of our Lord 2019
We are gathered
at this magnificent point on the Great Trail
to acknowledge the work
of Canadian Military Engineers
in bridging the gap in the Salt Marsh Trail
over the Cole Harbour waters
by constructing the Ready-Aye-Ready Bridge.
We declare that this bridge
is well and truly made
and will be…
The Government of Canada is planning an overseas commemorative program to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands. An official Government of Canada delegation will travel overseas from approximately 1 May to 10 May 2020 to attend remembrance ceremonies and events at a number of sites in the Netherlands.
If you are aware of any Royal Canadian Engineer who participated in the Canadian Liberation of the Netherlands campaign who would be…
On 8 September 2019 firefighters from across Canada assembled at the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial in Ottawa to honour their fallen. Even though it is an annual occurrence and I have attended several over the years, the impact of the beautiful ceremony never diminishes.
The memorial site consists of an expansive 105’ granite wall etched with the names of those who have died in the line of duty since 1848. There are over 1,400 names etched on…
On 2 September 2006, the Canadian Army launched what is considered to be one of the most deadly operations in recent military history. NATO's Operation MEDUSA aimed to reclaim the Pashmal/Panjawyi district of Afghanistan from the Taliban. The enemy had been massing in the region with the express purpose of launching a major assault against the city of Kandahar.
The 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment (1 RCR) led a battle group of 1,500 strong…
