LAST POST – MAJ MIKE HENDERSON

We regret to advise you that we have lost a good comrade and friend of the Gunners as Maj Mike Henderson passed away on June 7.

Mike was a Second World War veteran having served as a FOO in 11 Fd Regt RCA in the Italian theatre. It was there that he directed the smoke screen for the attack on Monte Cassino. As a result of his experience in Italy and knowing at first hand the difficulty of a ground observer seeing “the other side of the hill”, Mike became a pioneer and advocate of Canadian Air OP.

After Italy, he served as an Air OP pilot in Northwest Europe for the rest of the War in Europe. He continued this association long after the War

He was the originator of the Air OP Pilots’ Association. This resulted in the production of the book “Canada’s Flying Gunners” which remains the best (only?) available record of the tradition of Army aviation in Canada.

He has been a long-time, active member of the Ottawa Gunners.

In his will, he specifically requested that, in lieu of a funeral service, that his Gunner friends and their successors meet at the OP, have a beer on him, sing “the Screw Guns”, and tell stories about the “Good Old Days” serving the “Guns” with him.

This will take place in the “OP” at the Ottawa Army Officers’ Mess on Friday, 20 June, at 1130 hrs.

Obituary details will be in the Ottawa Citizen on Saturday, June 14.

Did you remember to RSVP for the Artillery Mixed Guest Night on Thursday night?

22 May 2014
Cocktails: 18:30 hrs
Dinner: 19:00 hrs

It is an honour for 7 Toronto Regiment RCA to announce that the Minister of National Defence has appointed BGen (Ret'd.) E.B. Beno OMM, CD to the position of Honorary Colonel of 7 Toronto Regiment. BGen Beno has been a staunch supporter of the Artillery community in Toronto as he has been throughout the country, and has the admiration and respect of the  Toronto Gunners.  As an accomplished gentleman with a remarkable record of service to Canada and the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, he has been instrumental in raising the profile and credibility of the Gunner community.  We are grateful for his leadership, inspiration and dedication to the Artillery and we are proud and delighted that he has been appointed for the period 28 April 2014 to 27 April 2017.
UBIQUE!
John D. Stewart
Major,
Acting Commanding Officer
7 Toronto Regiment, RCA

Following message has been received from the Regimental Colonel
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 In my capacity as the Regimental Colonel, it is my pleasure to invite you to attend a reception for the families of our fallen gunners following the Day of Honour Ceremony. The intent is to provide a venue to solemnly honour our fallen and acknowledge their families in a more intimate setting. In particular, this event will allow the families to meet the CoC of the Royal Regt, and to talk to gunners who may have served with their loved ones. It will also serve as an opportunity to show the familes that their loved ones are still very much in our thoughts. The Colonel Commandant and the Senior Serving Gunner, as well as other senior members of the Regt will be in attendance.

 Details:
Timings: 1600hrs to 1800hrs
Schedule:
1615 - 1630 Meet and Greet
1630 - 1645 Intro family members by former CO's/Chain of Command
1645 - 1700 Col Comdt and Sr Serving Gunner address the families
1700 - 1800 Socialize/commerative photo
Location: 30th Fd Regt Mess, Morrison Artillery Park (located near the airport) - 307 De Niverville Private (take Paul Benoit Driveway from Huntclub) - see attachment.
Parking: Parking at MAP is limited, however there is ample parking along the road.
Dress: Dress of the day (military members who attended the Day of Honour ceremony may wear ribbons vice medals)
Finger food will be provided, a cash bar will be open.

Please join me in honouring our fallen camrades and acknowledging their families. Any question may be direccted to Maj Jamie Vieven. E-Mail Address: James.Vieveen@forces.gc.ca tel: (613) 943-6328
 
 Dan Bouchard
Colonel
 Regimental Colonel, RCA
Colonel Régimentaire de l'ARC
National Defence / Défense nationale
Ottawa, Canada K1A 0K2
http://www.artillery.net/beta/?lang=en
 http://www.artillery.net/beta/fr/

Name – Dennis R. (Doc) Hopper, CD
Retired Rank - Lieutenant-Colonel
Honours - Canadian Forces Decoration with 2  Clasps
Artillery Units Served - 4th Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery,  1 Locating Battery RCA,  5ème Régiment d'artillerie légère du Canada, 2nd Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, Directorate of Land Requirements
Artillery worked on - 105 mm Howitzer  C1A1, 155 mm Howitzer M1A1, 4.2 in Mortar, 105 mm Howitzer L5, CL-89 Drone,  Sound Ranging systems, Counter Mortar Radar, Blowpipe/Javelin AD missiles, US FAADS system (incl Sgt York), CF Low Level Air Defence system (Skyguard, ADATS, GDF-005 35 mm)
Enrolled: - 11 September 1963
Retired (First Time) - September 1995
Uniform issued on enrolment -Battle dress and coveralls
Ask me about - My exchange and liaison postings