Happy New Year to the Commonwealth

Here in Japan, it's New Year's Eve. Here's hoping to a positive new year for many.

Impersonators of Service personnel

Recently, there has been a lot of videos on youtube and news articles about people posing as military members.
With internet shopping, it is rather easy to buy some of this kit surplus. However, why people would purposely buy this kit to wear it to be someone they aren't is puzzling.

I like to wear military kit, but I am very careful about what I buy, and wear. I was unable to serve in the Canadian Forces due to a medical condition, but I was able to join the Halifax Citadel Regimental Association and portray a 78th Highlander, and a Royal Artillery gunner. I also tried to join the Royal Canadian Army Cadets in the 1980s but my Mum wouldn't let me. My father was ok with that, and in fact had been the founding officer of the corps I was going to join.
I respect members of the military, and am very aware that wearing kit inappropriately and wearing badges I did not earn, is not taken lightly.
My grandfather served in World War Two. My father was in the Nova Scotia Highlanders during the Cold War.

Here's hoping Australia will be alright

I've been following the BBC World coverage of the hostage situation in Sydney. I do hope all will be freed, and that a tragedy does not occur.

Green Day - Wake Me Up When September Ends [Official Music Video]

 One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite heavy rocker bands. I enjoyed listening to this when it came out, and I wish no more young men and women have to go away, and not come back.

Thirty Seconds To Mars - This Is War

 Another good song, I wish so many of our men and women didn't have to go fight. But thanks to those who do so.

Linkin Park - CASTLE OF GLASS (featured in Medal of Honor Warfighter)

 From one of the hard rock bands I like listening to. A good song to remember those who don't get to come home.

The Cranberries - Zombie

 Thank God the fighting there stopped, and the insanity stopped. I always remember the British troops, and the Irish civilians who died in a horrible war.

Rex Murphy: Ottawa Shooting

 thanks to cbc.ca

Two fallen Canadian soldiers

Canada has suffered two terrorist attacks this week. I am angry that others who live in our country feel the need to subject us to their agenda after our country has welcomed millions from all countries to live as they want.
Yet there are those who wish us to change!
My initial reaction is to tell these like minded individuals to bugger off back to wherever they have come from.
I am proud of both these soldiers WO Vincent and Cpl Cirillo (sp) rest easy,We will remember you.

 bruce mackinnon www.thechroncileherald.ca

Canada Vignettes: Wop May

 National Film Board Vignettes about Wop May' and the Australian action to take out the Red Baron

The Trews - Highway of Heroes

 Don't remember if I posted this, but its a good tune. It was written in memory of Capt. Goodard, one of RCHA officers killed in Afganistan. She was also the first Canadian woman killed in combat since the Second World War. The lead singer shared the same hometown as Capt. Goodard, Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

"The Gael", by SCOTS DG

 A buddy of mine gave me a DVD copy of this. A powerful tune.

02 Belgium Put the Kaibosh on the Kaiser

 showing the stupidity and naivety of the European populace on 1914 believe that War was a great adventure. Song from Oh what a lovely war

06 (I Don't Want to be a Soldier (Fragment))

 A further song from Oh What a Lovely war,

01 Bolla Bolla (Nothing Like a Sea Shore)

Another song from the 1969 film Oh What a Lovely War

Exercise STRIDENT TRACER 2014

 Atlantic Canada's soldiers train.

Indians In The Trenches: On The Western Front

 Interesting film made about the Sikh contribution to the First World War.

Remembrance Day '08 #2

My father, Lt. Robert L. Redden is in the battledress uniform.

Buckingham Palace Guardsman doing 'pirouettes' - BBC News

 How a Guardsmen should not march! He'll probably get a reprimand.

The Christmas Truce 1914 From Oh! What A Lovely War

 One of the most amazing things to have happened during this conflict.

26 I Want to Go Home

 I still sing this tune from time to time, when I get homesick and want to return to Nova Scotia.

21 They Were Only Playing Leapfrog

 The Australian take on their British officers.

09 Christmas Day in the Cookhouse (aka Eunich Want Balls)

 One of the songs from Oh What a Lovely War, made about 1969. I used to sing some of these songs when I was in garrison.

Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag From Oh What A Lovely War

 One of the most interesting anti-war films ever made.

It's a Long Way To Tipperary / Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag...

 As part of the first world war centenary

Fortissimo promo

 An interesting show on Canada's Parliament Hill

PTSD Awareness March - No Man's Land

 A great way for this veteran to tackle a personal problem, one which many servicemen and women have to deal with.

Thank you for doing this, and you have my awareness.

BBC Revealed Extra at Harrogate Army College

 BBC show about Army recruit training for the British army.

Secret Warriors - Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR)

 Thank you guys!

Veil of Secrecy Lifted in JTF2 Demonstration (8/25/2012)

 JTF 2. Canadian Special Forces. Those outside of the military community are unaware of this unit.

Careers in the Canadian Armed Forces

 2014 Recruitment video for the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Airforce

Newfoundland Remembers Her Sons / Terre-Neuve se souvient de ses fils

 A sad horrifying fact from July 1, 1916.

Basic Military Qualification Course

 Recruitment video produced by the Canadian Forces.

Close Quarter Combat Training / Entraînement au combat rapproché

 Halifax's Princess Louise Fusiliers going through close quarter combat training.

Locked Up Abroad - Sierra Leone Jungle Siege

 The Royal Irish Regiment members held hostage, then rescued by the Parachute Regiment, good on both regiments

PPCLI In Afganistan 2002-2012

Some more pictures I was able to take last month at the Military museum in Calgary, Alberta. Above is a LAV III 

An RCHA spotter, all regular force members of the Canadian army who are in the artillery are in the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery.

Back To Quebec (1959)

I usually post 18th century themed videos on my irishhighlander blog but this is 1950s and is at their barracks in the UK. Interesting clip

More PPCLI then Calgary Highlanders Museum, The Military museums, Calgary

PPCLI museum, The Military Museums, Calgary

LAV III as used by PPCLI in Afganistan

M113 APC as used in UNPROFOR in Bosnia 1992-95

Medak Pocket battle display. 

Afgan again

UN peacekeeping from Cyprus, Golan Heights,

2 PPCLI at Kapyong, ROK April 1951, I was actually at the battlefield 4 times from 1997-99

Defence of Britain in summer, 1940

Yugoslav Ak-47

House clearing, Sicily 1943

Cold war, 1965-88 and barracks circa 1922

oops, this is supposed to be a PPCLI soldier in the trenches 1915

I went into this museum backwards. I started at their Afganistan exhibit, then ended at their First World War one. I was using my brother in laws camera,so apologies for my errors in photography.

The Military Museums Calgary

This institution is made up of 4 Regimental museums of the Canadian army in Western Canada as well as The Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Airforce. I visited this site on Friday, April 25, to contemplate the sacrifices made by Canadian men and women in the wars our country has had to fight. As well, I needed a quiet place to think to deal with the loss of my mother. I took so many pictures that I will have to ask my brother in law to help me store them, then once I get back to Japan I can then add them to the blog. It's worth the wait. This museum is the second largest military museum in Canada, only the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa is bigger.

With a T-72 which the Canadian army faced in Bosnia, and Kuwait-Iraq, 

M113 TOW

Churchill tank of The Calgary Regiment used at Dieppe, 1942

6pdr Anti-tank gun, RCA

Outside display of armour 

The entrance to the museum

With a 17pdr Anti-tank gun. My great great cousin used this when he was with the 2nd Anti-Tank Regiment, RCA during the Normandy campaign. 

Anzacs part one.avi

 a good drama series about the Australian and New Zealand contribution to the First World War

1st battalion Irish Guards

 Another documentary on the Irish Guards thanks to Daithipiper

Cadets Pipe Band at Edinburgh Castle

 Cadet pipes and drums

JP Cormier HOMETOWN BATTLEFIELD Official Video!!

 A wonderful song by a Nova Scotian singer song writer JP Cormier. If you've been affected by PTSD or had a loved one affected by it, please talk to someone. You are not alone.

Period Piece films: The Trench

This film, by William Boyd, produced in 1999 by Somme Productions, is set on July 1, 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, a battle which would result in 60,000 casualties for the British Army.
To put this in pespective, Canada lost 66,000 from 1914-18 in all three services!
Daniel Craig plays the British  Sergeant in charge of his section. Having joined up in 1914, he's had two years experience in the trenches, and knows that the coming battle will mean most of his lads, will not come back.

Royal Marines: Behind the Lines: Episode 6 - The Ice is All Around

 A BBC documentary about the Royal Marines in the 1980s.

Pipes & Drums ~ The London Scottish Regiment ~ Highland Laddie ~ Black B...

 Thanks to Glenzboyz for posting this. Music is from The London Scottish Regiment Pipes and Drums. This regiment has now been merged into the London Regiment, it is now known as the London Scottish Company, The London Regiment.

Bad Lads Army S4 E1 Extreme

 1950s Para training

Korean War Newsreel: The Canadian brigade fights alongside UN forces (+p...

 The Canadians in Korea. I began my teaching career in South Korea, and visited as many of the battlefields as I could. Even now, South Korea is still at war with the North.

Osprey Publishing - The Malayan Campaign 1948–60

Osprey Publishing - The Malayan Campaign 1948–60




This was another Commonwealth campaign which would result in independence from the British Empire, and then internal struggles.

Osprey Publishing - Canadian Airborne Forces since 1942

Osprey Publishing - Canadian Airborne Forces since 1942




Some of my high school classmates joined the Canadian Airborne forces after graduation. Currently, there is a new Special forces regiment in the Canadian order of battle.

Osprey Publishing - Irish Regiments in the World Wars

Osprey Publishing - Irish Regiments in the World Wars


No matter what the political or religious divide, thousands of Irishmen fought and died in both World Wars, serving in the British and Commonwealth armies.

Osprey Publishing - Britain’s Secret War

Osprey Publishing - Britain’s Secret War




This conflict definetly falls within the Commonwealth sphere, as Malaysia and Singapore were caught up in the territorial ambitions of Indonesia.

Bad Lads Army S3 E1 Officer Class

 Officer training 1950's style.

Pretty interesting.

RMR: Rick at Royal Military College Saint-Jean

 Officer training for all Canadian Forces Officer cadets

Passchendaele ww1 movie full

 An excellent Canadian war film produced by Paul Cross. This was made as an Alberta centenial project. Alliance Films produced this.

And this is one of the Cenotaphs erected in memory of the men who fought in The First World War, Second World War, Korea, and perhaps Afganistan. This is the Prince Edward Island main cenotaph in Charlettown, PEI taken by my wife on our trip back to Canada in the fall of 2013

Lads Army S1 E1

 The first in the series of Lads Army. An interesting look at 1950s-60s National Service. Interesting to see modern young men in this situation.

Bad Lads Army - Episode 1 Part 1

 A good program produced by ITN. Interesting look at 1950s National service on modern young men.

PO Robinson Yelling!~!~!~

 Week 6 means you've been in long enough to know what you are supposed to do! Also, make sure you don't call your senior NCO by a rank 3 levels below theirs.

Ah fun times.

Thanks to DND for producing this.

Vimy Ridge (1917)

 Part of the Heritage Minutes produced by the CRB.

Royal Marines: Mission Afghanistan: Episode 1 - Deadly Underfoot (+playl...

 A followup documentary to the first one the presenter gave.

Commando: On the Front Line: Episode 1 - The Shock of Capture (+playlist)

 An interesting documentary look at the Royal Marines. The presenter, decided to actually go through selection with the group to know what it would really be like.

Osprey Publishing - Rolling Thunder in a Gentle Land

Osprey Publishing - Rolling Thunder in a Gentle Land




An excellent work on this terrible conflict. Well balanced, from all belligerents as well as civilians caught in the crossfire of a civil and anti-colonial conflict. It covers the ANZAC contingent well.

Osprey Publishing - Security Forces in Northern Ireland 1969–92

Osprey Publishing - Security Forces in Northern Ireland 1969–92




No matter which side of the troubles divide many were on, this volume shows how the secutiry forces were faced with a tough task with maintaining peace, the rule of law and stability in an unforgiving enviroment.

Though I was never there, I have spoken with those who have. Let's hope that Ireland is never again thrown into another terrorism campaign.

Osprey Publishing - The Bren Gun

Osprey Publishing - The Bren Gun




The bren was a good service weapon for sections, giving them added firepower. Amazing that it was still in service up to the first gulf war!

Osprey Publishing - The Webley Service Revolver

Osprey Publishing - The Webley Service Revolver




I once owned this revolver. I enjoyed shooting it for target practice, but once I became an English teacher overseas, I sold it back to the man who sold it to me. I do miss it though.

Osprey Publishing - The Lee-Enfield Rifle

Osprey Publishing - The Lee-Enfield Rifle




What other firearm epitomizes the Commonwealth more than this rifle! The Australians used the Mk III from the First World War all the way up to 1954!

Dextraze in the Congo (1963)

 One of the Heritage minutes which was produced by the CRB foundation.

Battle of Long Tan Documentary narrated by Sam Worthington Vietnam War

 An excellent film by Martin Walsh. Gives a good account of this battle. It was good to get the Vietnamese side as well.

BBC Remembrance - The Sikh Story part 1 of 3

 The Sikhs who helped the UK.

BBC The forgotten volunteers - Indian army WWII part 1/5

 A proud but sad history of these brave men and women.

Bagpipes~Argyll Sutherland Highlanders~Johnnie Cope~Atholl Highlanders.

My favorite wake up tune, followed by one of my favorite marches. Thanks to Glenzboyz. The pictures of Scotland are nice too.

Osprey Publishing - The Boer Wars (2)

Osprey Publishing - The Boer Wars (2)




This volume which I picked up in South Korea of all places, disscusses the Imperial campaign against the Boer insurgents. It also covers the Canadian, as well as the Australian and New Zealand units sent to assist the mother country.

Osprey Publishing - The Australian Army at War 1899–1975

Osprey Publishing - The Australian Army at War 1899–1975




Australia's coming of age mirrors that of Canada. Of the conflicts Australia was involved in, it was only Vietnam, and Malaysia where Canada did not take part.

This is a good volume covering the Australian involvement in most 20th century conflicts.

Osprey Publishing - The British Army 1965–80

Osprey Publishing - The British Army 1965–80




A good volume about the British Army in the mid period of the Cold War

Osprey Publishing - The Canadian Army at War

Osprey Publishing - The Canadian Army at War





This was the first volume Osprey put out about Canadian forces in warfare.

Osprey Publishing - Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Osprey Publishing - Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders




This was one of the first MAA Osprey published. Its a good read, current to the situation of the 1970s.

Rather sad that this regiment is now reduced to a single company. Not sure if they got to keep their pipeband. Maybe with Scottish Independence, they will be raised again?

Basic Up: Season 1, Episode 3, 3/3

 This was an interesting series about the recruitment process into the Canadian Forces. Since 1968, all regular force members of the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Airforce are trained together.

The Ladies from Hell - The Black Watch- Royal Highland Regiment of Canad...

 An excellent little documentary about Canada's Black Watch. My father did training alongside many of 2RCR members who had been one of the regular battalions of the Black Watch. Thanks to the fellow who posted this to youtube.

RIR (Royal Irish Regiment) Homecoming Belfast 2nd November 2008. Pride N...

 The brave decendents of many Irishmen and women who fought for Ireland, and Britain. No matter which side of the divide, these men and deserve respect!

4 Scots "The Highlanders" The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Homecoming Pa...

 The decendants of the regiment I served in, the 78th Highlanders, The Rosshire Buffs eventually were reformed as the Seaforth Highlanders. They were then merged with the Cameron Highlanders to become the Seaforth and Cameron Highlanders to be then merged into The Highlanders, Seaforth Gordon and Camerons, to finally be formed as the 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Argyll`s Farewell Parade, Stirling.

 The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were originally their own regiment, then were merged into the Royal Regiment of Scotland. However, they are now to be reduced to a single company. March on brave jocks.

The Black Watch march back to the Armoury after the 150th Anniversary Ce...

 The Black Watch otherwise known as the Royal Highland Regiment of Canada are one of the militia regiments in Montreal, Quebec.

The Devil's Brigade - Jeremy Slate fight scene

 The actual Sgt. O'Neil had served in the British raised Shanghai police force, learning martial arts while in China. The actor Mr. Slate passed away recently.

A Bridge Too Far - Trailer

One of the most interesting war films ever! Thanks to 7dc and United Artists

Canadian Peacekeepers

Master corporal, Canadian Forces, Haïti, 1996

Serving with the United Nations in front of the presidential palace at Port au Prince, Haïti, 1996.
 both shots (DND)

Canadian M113 armoured personnel carriers, U.N. Protection Force in ex-Yugoslavia (UNPROFOR), 1993

Canadian armoured personnel carriers serving with the United Nations at the Sarajevo airport in Bosnia during the 1993 siege of that city. (DND)

Canadians serving with U.N. Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), 1965

Canadians serving with the United Nations in Cyprus, 1965. (DND)

Canadian observers, U.N. Operation in the Congo (ONUC), 1961

Canadian observers on the roof of the building that served as United Nations Forces HQ in Leopoldville/Kinshasa, Congo/Zaire, 1961. (DND)

A Canadian 'Blue Beret', circa 1975

A Canadian 'Blue Beret' serving with United Nations peacekeeping forces in Cyprus, circa 1975. Reconstruction by Ron Volstad. (Canadian Department of National Defence)  All phtos and artwork courtsey of www.cmhg.gc.ca

Canadian Rangers

Volunteer, Canadian Rangers, 1988

An Inuit volunteer with the Canadian Rangers, who have been active in the Canadian Arctic since 1947. (DND) photo from www.cmhg.gc.ca
Unlike the American Rangers, the Canadian Rangers are the military force charged with protecting the far north of Canada. Since the climate is so harsh, they are issued with No. 4 Lee-Enfield rifles which will work in the extreme cold.

Canadian Commandos

Rating, Beach Commando 'W', Royal Canadian Navy, 1944

The Royal Canadian Navy had only one unit that bore the famous designation 'commando'. Beach Commando 'W' was trained to go ashore in the dark before the first assault troops. Their mission was to secure beach area and send out signals with information about the conditions for landing. Despite months of training in Scotland, the Canadians were not sent ashore on D-Day. They landed three days later to relieve Beach Commando 'P,’ a British unit. They spent many weeks as troubleshooters and traffic police, guiding landing craft to safely ashore and sending men and equipment to their destinations. This rating is shown in 1942-issue British battle dress, wearing the new Mk III helmet and carrying a Lanchester machine gun. The unit wore the Combined Operations Patch as well as 'Canada' flashes on the upper arm. Reconstruction by Ron Volstad. (Canadian Department of National Defence) (www.cmhg.gc.ca)

Canadian Women at War

Private, Canadian Women's Army Corps, Italy, 1944

More than 2,000 servicewomen served overseas. Members of the Canadian Women's Army Corps (formed in 1942) were first sent overseas to replace men at Canadian Military Headquarters in Britain. Men who were put in danger of front line service by the women's arrival were sometimes cool to the new arrivals. Nevertheless, the plan worked out well enough that several hundred Canadian women were soon in Britain. Eventually, permission was given to send some CWACs into rear areas of the war zone, mainly to act as clerks with headquarters units. The very first members of the Corps to enter a theatre of war, however, were the four women who were part of the Canadian Army show which landed in Italy on 16 May 1944. Reconstruction by Ron Volstad. (Canadian Department of National Defence)  artwork courtsey of www.cmhg.gc.ca

The Royal Canadian Airforce

(www.cmhg.gc.ca)
When the Canadian Air Force was authorized in February 1920, they were given the dark blue uniform seen in this painting of a pilot ranking as a lieutenant. Rank was shown by the traditional army system of crowns and stars, and pilots wore wings on the left breast. King George V granted the designation Royal Canadian Air Force in 1923. When the service was made a permanent part of the Department of National Defence the following year, it adopted the lighter 'RAF blue' uniform worn by its British counterpart. Reconstruction by Ron Volstad. (Canadian Department of National Defence)

Flight Sergeant, Royal Canadian Air Force, circa 1941-1943

This Flight Sergeant of the RCAF is dressed in the flight suit worn by Commonwealth aircrew in temperate climates. This man wears the life jacket (known as a 'Mae West' after the American actress), oxygen mask and leather flying helmet appropriate to a fighter pilot on operations over the English Channel. The RAF blue battledress was largely identical to that worn by the Royal Air Force, differing most visibly through the addition of 'Canada' over the albatross patches on the upper arm. Reconstruction by Ron Volstad. (Canadian Department of National Defence)
                    

Leading Aircraftwoman, Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division, 1942-1946

A member of the Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division, which was formed in 1941 and eventually recruited more than 16,000 volunteers. Beginning in September 1942, many of these women served in Britain; by 1945 more than 1,300 of them were serving there. The Leading Aircraftwoman (her rank is shown by the propeller badge on her sleeve) shown here was a plotter at a Sector Control Room in the south of England. Canadian women serving outside Canada wore the "CANADA" badge on the upper sleeve. Reconstruction by Ron Volstad. (Canadian Department of National Defence)
All artwork courtsey of www.cmhg.gc.ca

Canadian Regiments Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

The PPCLI was raised during the First World War

The ‘PPCLI’ adopted its scarlet full dress uniform with ‘French grey’ (light blue) facings in 1924. At that time, the white helmet’s puggaree was also light blue but this was against regulations and the regiment was ordered to change them to white in 1927. The regiment did not give up and the light blue puggarees were finally allowed after the Second World War. (Canadian War Museum)

2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, Kap'yong, Korea, 24-25 April 1951

On 24 and 25 April 1951, the 2nd Battalion of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry stationed in Kap'yong, Korea, fought day and night to repel repeated attacks by the Chinese 118th Division. This action stopped the Chinese army advance on Seoul, the Korean capital. Impressed by such gallantry and tenacity, the U.S. president awarded the battalion the American Distinguished Unit Citation, which it has worn ever since. (United States Army Center of Military History, Washington) www.cmhg.gc.ca

French Canadian units in the Canadian Army

Le Regiment du Hull (www.cmhg.gc.ca) This unit was one of the militia regiments sent to the Aluentian Islands campaign.

Royale 22e Regiment in Italy 1943
(www.cmhg.gc.ca)

Canada is offically bilingual. However, throughout Canadian history, French speaking Canadiens have only been able to serve a few French speaking Regiments. The "VanDoos" were raised during the First World War and became part of the regular army after 1918. All other French speaking units were/are part of the Militia or Reserve army.

Officer, Royal 22e Régiment, 1930s (www.cmhg.gc.ca)

Since 1928, the ‘Van Doos’ have a full dress scarlet uniform with fusilier pattern bearskin cap which approximates that of their allied regiment in the British Army, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. (Canadian War Museum)