The West Wall
Our tour of OP de Hart starts on the west wall. Let me christen the ground starting from the left and working to the right. We'll take a look at each of the artifacts and collectibles that we have on display, while I try to give you some of their background history. Mind you, I'm not too sure on much of the history myself, so I'm looking for some assistance from the membership. Here goes ....
Our tour of OP de Hart starts on the west wall. Let me christen the ground starting from the left and working to the right. We'll take a look at each of the artifacts and collectibles that we have on display, while I try to give you some of their background history. Mind you, I'm not too sure on much of the history myself, so I'm looking for some assistance from the membership. Here goes ....
Saint Barbara
Our first picture is of our patron saint, Saint Barbara. This beautiful rendering was presented to OP de Hart by LCol (Retd) J.J. Donahue, President, Ottawa Gunners, 1992.
I believe the statue of Saint Barbara came to reside in our Mess due to the action of our own Lieutenant-Colonel Jerry Donahue. The story, as far as I can recall, is that one of the Military Attaches' in Ottawa, decided that the figure needed a better home than the one that he could provide. Jerry was quick enough to seize the opportunity and we ended up with a beautiful rendition of our Lady ...
Looking forward to Jerry providing me with the real story.....
Our first picture is of our patron saint, Saint Barbara. This beautiful rendering was presented to OP de Hart by LCol (Retd) J.J. Donahue, President, Ottawa Gunners, 1992.
I believe the statue of Saint Barbara came to reside in our Mess due to the action of our own Lieutenant-Colonel Jerry Donahue. The story, as far as I can recall, is that one of the Military Attaches' in Ottawa, decided that the figure needed a better home than the one that he could provide. Jerry was quick enough to seize the opportunity and we ended up with a beautiful rendition of our Lady ...
Looking forward to Jerry providing me with the real story.....
RCHA Stained Glass Window
Right beside Saint Barbara we have a beautiful stained glass window with an inset of the cipher of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. "The RCHA Cipher Window is presented to OP de Hart by Colonel and Mrs. W.R. Dawes, 26 May 95. In honour of the Officers and Men of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery who served with NATO". The cipher is proudly displayed by our Regular Force Field Artillery units, the 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, the 2nd Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery and the 5e Régiment d’artillerie légère du Canada. To quote from the Standing Orders of the Royal Canadian Artillery,"This badge is only used by RCHA units and associations as a crest. The RCHA Badge is based on the badge of the Order of the Garter which dates from 1348. The motto of the Order of the Garter, "Honi soit qui mal y pense" ("Shame on him who thinks this evil"), is not considered as a motto of the artillery."
(More text to follow!)
Right beside Saint Barbara we have a beautiful stained glass window with an inset of the cipher of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. "The RCHA Cipher Window is presented to OP de Hart by Colonel and Mrs. W.R. Dawes, 26 May 95. In honour of the Officers and Men of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery who served with NATO". The cipher is proudly displayed by our Regular Force Field Artillery units, the 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, the 2nd Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery and the 5e Régiment d’artillerie légère du Canada. To quote from the Standing Orders of the Royal Canadian Artillery,"This badge is only used by RCHA units and associations as a crest. The RCHA Badge is based on the badge of the Order of the Garter which dates from 1348. The motto of the Order of the Garter, "Honi soit qui mal y pense" ("Shame on him who thinks this evil"), is not considered as a motto of the artillery."
(More text to follow!)
Regimental Plaques
At the top of the West Wall we have a series of crests depicting each of the Artillery regiments that are currently part of the Order of Battle of the Canadian Army. They are displayed in the precedence stipulated in the Standing Orders of the Royal Regiment of Canada.
At the top of the West Wall we have a series of crests depicting each of the Artillery regiments that are currently part of the Order of Battle of the Canadian Army. They are displayed in the precedence stipulated in the Standing Orders of the Royal Regiment of Canada.
At the centre height point of the West Wall, we have a series of prints and photographs that have been donated to OP de Hart over the years.
Rocket Practice in the Marshes
The Warwick Leadlay Gallery features copies of this print and has the following description: "The image shows Royal Artillery war rocket practice using a rocket launcher mounted on a tripod. It was during the fourth Anglo-Mysore war (1798-99) that Indian troops under Tipu Sultan of Mysore (1750-1799) together with his father, Hyder Ali, developed the tactic of using rocket brigades to launch mass attacks on infantry formations. These rocket attacks, used during both the third and fourth Anglo-Mysore wars, so impressed the British forces that they brought several examples of Indian gunpowder rockets back to England; these provided William Congreve (1772-1828) with the inspiration to develop his own system of war rockets. By the time this print was published they had reached a quite sophisticated level. The donor and the reason for the donation are unknown at this time.
The Warwick Leadlay Gallery features copies of this print and has the following description: "The image shows Royal Artillery war rocket practice using a rocket launcher mounted on a tripod. It was during the fourth Anglo-Mysore war (1798-99) that Indian troops under Tipu Sultan of Mysore (1750-1799) together with his father, Hyder Ali, developed the tactic of using rocket brigades to launch mass attacks on infantry formations. These rocket attacks, used during both the third and fourth Anglo-Mysore wars, so impressed the British forces that they brought several examples of Indian gunpowder rockets back to England; these provided William Congreve (1772-1828) with the inspiration to develop his own system of war rockets. By the time this print was published they had reached a quite sophisticated level. The donor and the reason for the donation are unknown at this time.
Director of Artillery Pennant
This pennant was presented to Brigadier-General R.A. Dallaire, OMM, CD during his tenure as the Director of Artillery from July 1988 until July 1989. On completion of his tour of duty, he asked that this pennant be displayed in the Ottawa Army officer’s Mess “OP”.
In October 1988 the full achievement of the badge superimposed on a standard 7 x 11 inch, red over blue triangular pennant was accepted as the Director of Artillery's official pennant. This pennant is flown by the Director during official visits to Artillery formations.
This pennant was presented to Brigadier-General R.A. Dallaire, OMM, CD during his tenure as the Director of Artillery from July 1988 until July 1989. On completion of his tour of duty, he asked that this pennant be displayed in the Ottawa Army officer’s Mess “OP”.
In October 1988 the full achievement of the badge superimposed on a standard 7 x 11 inch, red over blue triangular pennant was accepted as the Director of Artillery's official pennant. This pennant is flown by the Director during official visits to Artillery formations.
The Colours of the Bytown Gunners
Presented to Ottawa Gunners Association. celebrating the 150th anniversary of the 2nd Ottawa Field Battery. Royal Canadian Artillery. 1855 - 2005. It provides a representation of each of the guns that the unit has been equipped with throughout its history. From the 6 Pounder 58ML gun during the days of the Volunteer Militia Field Battery of Ottawa to the 105mm C3 howitzer of the present day unit.
Presented to Ottawa Gunners Association. celebrating the 150th anniversary of the 2nd Ottawa Field Battery. Royal Canadian Artillery. 1855 - 2005. It provides a representation of each of the guns that the unit has been equipped with throughout its history. From the 6 Pounder 58ML gun during the days of the Volunteer Militia Field Battery of Ottawa to the 105mm C3 howitzer of the present day unit.
Garrison Artillery
Presented to the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery by Major JB Dick, CD in June 1986. The print was purchased from the Citadel in Halifax in 1982 and is believed to depict Royal Artillery gunners practicing gun drill during the last half of the nineteenth century. There is also the possibility that they could be Canadian Gunners from the 1st and 2nd Brigades of Halifax Garrison Artillery who often trained in the Citadel.
Presented to the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery by Major JB Dick, CD in June 1986. The print was purchased from the Citadel in Halifax in 1982 and is believed to depict Royal Artillery gunners practicing gun drill during the last half of the nineteenth century. There is also the possibility that they could be Canadian Gunners from the 1st and 2nd Brigades of Halifax Garrison Artillery who often trained in the Citadel.
2nd Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
Freedom of the City Parade, Kingston, Ontario.
Freedom of the City Parade, Kingston, Ontario.
Royal 22e Regiment
The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery has a long and proud history of supporting our Infantry Battalions with the requisite amount of firepower delivered in an accurate and timely manner. That history has provided opportunities wherein our Infantry brethren have felt grateful for the delivery of that support when it was absolutely needed as part of the Defensive Fire Plan. The Royal 22e Regiment has been one of those regiments and they have presented this plaque in appreciation of that relationship. Presente a tous les artilleurs qui ont servi avec le Regiment
The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery has a long and proud history of supporting our Infantry Battalions with the requisite amount of firepower delivered in an accurate and timely manner. That history has provided opportunities wherein our Infantry brethren have felt grateful for the delivery of that support when it was absolutely needed as part of the Defensive Fire Plan. The Royal 22e Regiment has been one of those regiments and they have presented this plaque in appreciation of that relationship. Presente a tous les artilleurs qui ont servi avec le Regiment
The Royal Canadian Regiment
The Royal Canadian Regiment have also been the benefactors of Artillery fired in support at a critical junction of key battles. I'll provide some additional information on our relationship in the near future. This plaque was actually presented to the CFHQ (Canadian Forces Headquarters) Mess from The Royal Canadian Regiment.
The Royal Canadian Regiment have also been the benefactors of Artillery fired in support at a critical junction of key battles. I'll provide some additional information on our relationship in the near future. This plaque was actually presented to the CFHQ (Canadian Forces Headquarters) Mess from The Royal Canadian Regiment.
In Support
Featuring the capbadges of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC), the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps (RCOC) and the Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RCEME). Presented to the 'OP' 'Lest they forget'
Featuring the capbadges of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC), the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps (RCOC) and the Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RCEME). Presented to the 'OP' 'Lest they forget'
1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
An early photograph of some of the Regimental members from the barracks in Fleet, England taken in 1940. Some of us are having an interesting conversation about the title that should be affixed to this picture description. Originally, I had typed in the title exactly as depicted on the photograph: 1st Field Regiment, R.C.H. Artillery as this was in fact, the title that was on the photograph. I have been advised by a kind gentleman that this title should be changed to reflect the proper nomenclature, namely: 1st Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. The question I have is, "Should we label the description with the label that is affixed to the artifact, or should we label the description with the nomenclature that should have been used on the artifact, or should we label the description with the nomenclature that we use today? (Come on down to the Army Officers' Mess next Friday for lunch and let John and I know what you think it should be: 1st Field Regiment, R.C.H. Artillery, 1st Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, or 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. Cheers, Leon.)
An early photograph of some of the Regimental members from the barracks in Fleet, England taken in 1940. Some of us are having an interesting conversation about the title that should be affixed to this picture description. Originally, I had typed in the title exactly as depicted on the photograph: 1st Field Regiment, R.C.H. Artillery as this was in fact, the title that was on the photograph. I have been advised by a kind gentleman that this title should be changed to reflect the proper nomenclature, namely: 1st Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. The question I have is, "Should we label the description with the label that is affixed to the artifact, or should we label the description with the nomenclature that should have been used on the artifact, or should we label the description with the nomenclature that we use today? (Come on down to the Army Officers' Mess next Friday for lunch and let John and I know what you think it should be: 1st Field Regiment, R.C.H. Artillery, 1st Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, or 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. Cheers, Leon.)