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.

August 19 in History

On this date in 1942, L/Sgt G.A. Hickson was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for action at Dieppe. He later was awarded the Military Medal for action in North Africa.

Sapper Family Builds Youth Leadership Through Community Service

Article by: Capt Kyle Ho, RPOU(W) Operations Officer 2 While many spend their summer leave relaxing, WO Adam Crozier from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER) chose to invest his time serving the community once again. Contributing more than 30 hours of volunteer service to supporting the Edmonton Taiwanese Association (ETA) during the 2026 Edmonton Heritage Festival, helping with setup, operations, and cleanup throughout the event. This year's festival held special…

Canadian Military Engineers Strengthen Partnerships at Camp Murray

From 3–14 August 26, Canadian Military Engineers from 19 Mission Support Squadron (19 MSS), 17 MSS, and 14 Construction Engineering Squadron (14 CES) participated in the Construction Engineering Project Exchange Program (CEPEP) at Camp Murray, Washington. CEPEP provides Canadian and United States military engineers with opportunities to work alongside one another, exchange technical knowledge, develop trade skills, and strengthen interoperability between both nations. This…

RPOU(W) Supports the 2026 Cold Lake Air Show

Article by: Capt Jacques D. Pecora, Requirements Officer, RPOU(W) Det Cold Lake The Cold Lake Air Show is the largest public engagement event by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in western Canada, welcoming nearly 40,000 attendees from 18-19 July 2026. The strategic objectives of the bi-annual event include recruitment, public relations, international cooperation, and demonstrates the capabilities of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). None of the strategic objectives, nor…

Japanese WW II Incendiary Bombs

The Royal Canadian Engineers played a direct, hands on role in investigating, disarming, and analyzing Japan’s Fu Go balloon bombs that reached Canada during the Second World War. Their work focused on bomb disposal, site investigation, and technical intelligence.

Japan’s Fu Go program - an attempt to strike North America with explosives laden balloons - had its origins in 1926. Meteorologist Wasaburo Oishi charted the powerful west to east jet stream, which offered Japan’s military a…

Mount Sorrel Battle - 10 Metres Underground

During the First World War, there was an “underground war” fought below the trenches all along the Western Front. This was very much an Engineer War fought in the tunnels of both sides. On the Canadian front, the tunnelling tasks fell primarily to the Tunnelling Companies, Canadian Engineers.

Tunnels were built for two main reasons. First, underground shelters and passageways gave protection from the violent confrontations on the battlefield. Galleries constructed off the trench…

The BC Star Tragedy

On 23 July 1943, the RCAF marine vessel M427 “BC Star” embarked on a fateful journey that would become one of the most tragic incidents in Canadian military construction history. Departing from Bella Bella, BC, the 70-ton requisitioned seine fishing boat was bound for  Cape St. James in the Queen Charlotte Islands, carrying a crew of ten RCAF members, six personnel from No. 9 Construction and Maintenance Unit (9 CMU), and 43 tons of construction materials.

Taken up from trade as…

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…

Maj Michael J. Tholl, CD

After more than 17 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Maj M.J. Tholl, CD, (00181) will retire on 01 September 2026.

Departure with Dignity (DWD) 

A DWD will be held on 06 August 2026 from 1330-1600 at the Edmonton Garrison Officers' Mess, Conference Room / Snake Pit. A Teams link will be set up for anyone unable to attend in person. Well-wishes, questions, or comments can be sent directly to Maj Tholl either by email, at michael.tholl@forces.gc.ca, on Teams, or by phone (+1 825 437 9720).Major Michael Tholl, P.Eng, enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces through the Regular Officer Training Plan in July 2009 and graduated from the Royal Military…

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.

 

Cpl Kenneth “KO” Johnson, CD (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Kenneth Owen “KO” Johnson, CD (Ret’d), in Valley Hospice, Kentville NS, on 27 July 2026 at age 83. Ken started his military career as a Sapper and retired as a Vehicle Technician.

Ken enrolled in 1962 and completed his Recruit and Basic Engineer Training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack, BC in 1963. His first posting was to 2 Field Squadron at Camp Gagetown, NB (1963-68).

Ken’s subsequent postings included 4 Field Squadron in Germany (1968-72), back to Gagetown with 2 Field Squadron (1972-75) and then returning to 4 Field Squadron in Germany (1975-79). His last posting as a Sapper was to 22 Field Squadron in Camp Gagetown (1979-82), after which he remustered to the Refinisher trade with the Air Force for a short period before transferring to the Vehicle Technician trade and back with the Army. 

Ken served as a Vehicle Technician at Canadian Forces Base Greenwood, NS (1982-85), Canadian Forces Europe in Lahr, Germany (1985-89) and, for his final posting, at Canadian Forces Base Kingston (1989-90). Ken retired from the Canadian Forces in 1990. 

After retiring from the Canadian Forces, Ken went back to school and received his High School diploma at age 50. He followed this with graduating from the Prison Guard Program. Ken then worked at a half-way house before becoming a Commissionaire at Camp Aldershot - first as a Gate Guard and then with the Accommodations Section. He was a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion, an active member of his church, and a member of TOPS. 

Cremation has taken place, and there will be no visitation, by request. The funeral service (with livestream), followed by a reception, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 12 August 2026 in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville {100 Bridge Street, Kentville}. Interment will take place in the Elm Grove Cemetery, Steam Mill. Donations in Ken’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice.  Online condolences and inquiries may be directed to the funeral home.