1

In This Issue

President Message -1

AGM –1

HLCol Message –2

Lorne Scot Trust –2

Pipes and Drums—3

Where is it Now?-3

From the Museum –4

From the Past –5/6

100 Years Ago –7

Upcoming Events –7

Executive –7

The Lorne Scots Air Son Ar Duthchais

(For our Heritage)

Regimental Association

Brampton Armoury

2 Chapel St

Brampton, Ontario L6W 2H1

Ph: 905 - 451-5724

The LSRA Newsletter

Vol: 1, No 12 January 2014

Capt FA Garbutt (ret’d) CD al.garbutt1@gmail.com

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all members of the Associ-ation and their families, a very healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.

With the 150th Anniversary of the Regiment approaching in 2016, a committee has been struck to start the planning for this monumental event, as details become available they will be forwarded to you, so mark your calendar now and plan on attending. The main event will be on the weekend of Sept 16/18 2016.

We have a committee planning a trip to visit the Allied Regiment for the celebration of their 100th anniversary of the 1915 Gallipoli landing. This

visit will focus around the weekend of April 25/26, 2015 and will coincide with a visit by our Pipe Band.

Executive members and members of the Regiment are busy planning a Regimental family picnic for this summer, as the activity is firmed up more information will follow.

The Association Golf Tournament will be held again this year on September 1st, make sure to mark your calendar. Your continued support of this fundraising event, by your donation of prizes and your attendance, will make this a successful event.

The Regimental Association’s Annual General Meeting will be held May 4th at 1400 at the Brampton Armoury. With the upcoming Association and Regimental activates your attendance is very im-portant, and your input will make these events a success, also if you are ready to volunteer and sup-port your Regiment this in an election year.

The 2013 Regimental Newsletters and The 2013 Primrose Hackle are now available for viewing on the Association website.

Keep in touch by joining us on Face book.

To all those who have already paid their dues, Thank you, to those that are waiting on a personal invitation, here it is. Please pay your dues. ($10.00) These dues are used to support your Regiment, its Pipe Band and its affiliated Cadets Corps, so show your support, don’t wait, send your dues in now.

Message from the Regimental Association President

REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION Annual General Meeting

WHEN: Sunday 4 May 2014

WHERE: Officers’ Mess Brampton

TIME: 13:00 hrs Meet and Greet

14:00 hrs Meeting

Please mark this date on your calendar and plan to attend.

2

Lorne Scot Trust

The Lorne Scots Trust is now registered with CanadaHelps. What is CanadaHelps? CanadaHelps is a registered charity and public foundation on a mission to make

giving simple. Through CanadaHelps.org, anyone can donate to any registered Canadian charity

online. For donors, CanadaHelps.org is a one-stop shop for giving. For charities, CanadaHelps is

a cost-effective online fundraising solution.

To donate to the Lorne Scot Trust paste the following link into your browser:

http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s23010

Message from the Honourary Lieutenant Colonel W. Adcock, OMM CD After a wonderful holiday period where all members of the Regiment where able to relax and spend time with their families the Regiment is preparing for a very busy spring and summer of training. Over the Holidays both Honoraries were busy attending various Regi-mental events and speaking at Legions and cadet organizations on behalf of the unit. It was very fulfilling to see so many soldiers at the Regimental Christmas Dinner. We celebrated the accomplishments of many of our soldiers with special awards and I would like to con-gratulate all who received individual recognition. I would especially like to thank MWO Mac-Pherson for his lifetime of service to the Regiment. Without soldiers like Mac we would nev-er have survived the dark days of the 1970’s and 1980’s. We will miss you Mac and your smooth operating A Ech.

There are some serious issues that Regimental family should be aware of which are now being debated at the national level. These issues are of great concern to both the Canadian Infantry Association and Reserves 2000. Many Com-manding Officers have raised alarm bells about the declining numbers of recruits coming into their Regiments. The data for 20112/2013 for 4 Div shows that the Div achieved only 70% of the SIP (Strategic Input Plan) In some divi-sions it was even lower. For 2013/2014 4 Cdn Div’s SIP target is 784. To date 93 recruits have been enrolled. The per-centage of the SIP achieved is only 12%. In the attached document Reserves 2000 believes there is a recruiting crisis in the reserves. There is concern that many units may not be able to maintain a critical mass to maintain viability. The doc-uments state that if this is not addressed many units will end the year with a net loss. An excellent example of this is the case of the New Brunswick Regiment who had a strength of 165 in 2011 and today have less than 100 on strength. Re-serves 2000 and many Commanding Officers believe that the SIP and the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group are a ma-jor part of this problem. The other concern is the development of trained leaders. Our Regiment is not immune to these problems. Our succession plan is very thin at the moment. These issues will be on the agenda at the next Canadian Infantry Association teleconference at the end of March and I will report back at the AGM in May. For more information on these serious issues, check out the Reserves Communique December 2013 found at the Regi-mental Association website. http://www.lornescots.ca/ My next item is much more positive. Our plans for the 2015 trip to England are beginning to take shape. We now have the itinerary for the Gallipoli weekend (see attached). The next step is to find the best possible package for the hotel and flights. We hope to have this available at the AGM in May 2014. We will probably fly into Manchester on Wed 22nd of April and fly back to Canada on Wed 29th of Apr. If anyone wants to stay longer arrangements can be made at the time of booking.

3

Pipes and Drums Report

The Pipes & Drum held the 70th annual Burns Dinner & Dance on Saturday 25 January for a room of 340

people....some were unable to attend due to nasty winter weather during the day.

The mayor of Brampton presented a plaque honouring the event to CO and Drum Major McGibbon

The haggis was addressed by Sgt (ret’d) Duncan McCallum a long time association member in his usual entertaining manner. We were very fortunate to have CWO Murphy's home made haggis supplemented by a small amount of

Allen's of Weston Road.

The dinner was apparently tasty and delivered to the guests buffet style in under twenty minutes...testimony to how

hungry the crowd was and how efficient the staff of Carls Catering was.

Our two civilian grade 1 competition instructors gave a short musical display and the entire band provided dancing thru

the evening.

.Then the dancing started.

This year a group of Scottish country dancers were organized to lead the room in a dance demonstration before the crowd was invited up to dance. This seemed to encourage people intro either recalling how the Dashing White

Sergeant, Strip the Willow and Gay Gordon's was done. People seemed inspired to dance.

All in attendance seemed to enjoy the new DJ this year and the floor was filled with dancing until 1AM.

The Pipes & Drums appreciates the donations made thru raffle ticket sales, and donations of prizes by individuals.

Some of the items won this year included a notebook computer, an action vid cam, a TV and several gift baskets and

bottles of assorted liquor.

Our Burns website and online ticket sales worked very well for us and will be up and running by November 2014 for next

years event.

We invite everyone to join us next year on 24 Jan15

Drums

Where is it now?

A large quilt bearing the signatures or names of regimental members past and present with a handsomely worked boar’s

head in the middle was raffled off during the 1977 Reunion. Capt Moe Rowe was the winner but he donated it back to

the association. We have no record of where it went from there. If anyone knows the whereabouts of the quilt we would

appreciate knowing where it is.

4

From the Museum

Lorne Scots badge in the RCR Museum—by Major (Ret’d) Richard Ruggle

If you visit the newly renovated RCR Museum in London, check out the window in memory of Brigadier T.E.D'O. Snow. In the upper right corner, you will see the Lorne Scots badge, and the year 1942.

When the Lorne Scots were mobilized

during the Second World War, they formed defence platoons or companies with the various brigades, corps and divi-sions of the Canadian army overseas, and they were dispersed with those for-mations. Lieutenant-Colonel Keene, the senior officer of the regiment overseas, felt it would be valuable for those sub-units to come together to train, and for the soldiers to learn more about the history and traditions of The Lorne Scots.

So in the summer of 1942 the unit held a concentration in Sheffield Park, commanded by Brigadier Snow. In the picture

above, Lieutenant-General H.D.G. Crerar, General Officer Commanding 1st Canadian Corps, takes the salute as the

gathered troops march past.

5

From The Past The Independent, Georgetown, Wed., Apr. 1, 1981

A proud history for Lorne Scots

By Jennifer Barr

Nothing stirs an audience quite like a skirling pipeband in full Scottish military dress. Halton has its own pipe and drum band – part of its own militia unit, the Lorne Scots. The Lorne Scots, now made up of Halton, Peel and Dufferin Units, is one of the olde3st infantry regiments in Cana-da. Dating back to 1790 the unit was originally known as the Halton Rifles and was formed as a volunteer sedentary regiment in the then British colony of Upper Canada. During the early 1800’s flank companies of area residents were frequently called upon to defend Canadian borders from American invaders. It’s easy to forget that for 200 years the U.S. was Canada’s number one enemy.

After the Crimean war mid-1800's British garrisons were removed from Canada and volunteer rifle companies were set up. At the time there were more settlers in Halton with mili-tary backgrounds than there were from regular immigration sources. Those serving in military units received land grants as rewards

Charged with reorganizing the militia, government de-tailed a total of five thousand men to serve in 16 cavalry groups, seven artillery batteries, and 50 rifle companies. They were to be trained 10 days a year receiving arms and pay at public ex-pense. This was the first time arms had been provided for militia personnel who previously had to supply their own.

In 1866 Rifle and Infantry companies from Stew-arttown, Georgetown and Norval were called to join several other companies including Brampton and Oakville in expelling Fenian Raiders from the Niagara Frontier. The exercise was suc-cessful but authorities became aware of the lack of training and equipment of these small militia units. The 20th Halton and 36th Peel Battalions were formed soon after, two of the oldest

in Canada, forerunners of the Lorne Scots.

Halton militia consisted of eight com-panies in those days (now down to three), all wearing rifle green uni-forms and a proud "20" on their berets. The green was a status sym-bol denoting a company a little more elite than mere infantry.

Rifle companies also differed from infan-try companies in the way they trained. Ra-ther than drilling in mili-tary lines, rifle men en-gaged in skirmishes obeying whistle com-mands. All officers wore a whistle on a white bandolier, a uniform that still sets a rifle-man apart.

First commanding officer Lt. Col. George Chisholm of Oakville was followed in 1870 by the first of a long line of Georgetown commanders, Lt. Col. John Murray.

Partly paying for their own uniforms, the 20th Halton Rifles trained at Oakville forming a whistle band, the Oakville Citizens Band, in Oakville and a fife and drum band in Georgetown.

Volunteers attended a two week training camp every year in Oakville until a permanent training camp was estab-lished in 1871 in Niagara, much to the relief of Oakville resi-dents who suffered their two week invasion of weekend sol-diers with little grace.

All militia units came under the jurisdiction of the De-partment of Militia and Defense formed in 1868, becoming the Department of National Defense in 1939. The first hint of Scottish involvement came in 1879 when the Halton Rifles were reviewed by the Governor-General of Cana-da, then the Marquis of Lorne. In honour of the occasion the battalion requested and received permission in 1881 to change their name to the 20th Halton Battalion Lorne Rifles.

Tartan trews and a diced Glengarry became authorized wearing apparel and a pipe band was formed.

In 1931 the regiment was granted permission to use the personal crest, boar's head and tartan of the Duke of Argyll and in 1936 amalgamated with Dufferin-Peel unit to become the Lorne Scots.

Col. John R. Barber, well-known Georgetown figure, joined the battalion in 1925 and became commanding officer in 1949. He is still an Honourary Colonel with the outfit and attends the social functions.

"I do none of the work and get all the glory," he chuck-les but this lively gentleman has spent a lifetime contributing to the Lorne Scots.

He came by a militia bent quite honestly. His father and

6

half brother served with the Lorne Scots and he says he remem-bers battle fatigues always hanging on a hook. Col. Barber pa-raded five years with Georgetown high school cadets in the post World War One day attending Officer Training Corps at the Uni-versity of Toronto in 1924.

In those days, becoming a militia member was a social coup. A recruit who passed muster to become a rifleman or officer with the prestigious Lorne Scots automatically rose in social esteem, not to mention the effect the uniform had on the fair sex.

As commander of both the Acton and Georgetown companies Col. Barber was busy attending two parades a week, keeping up his studies and organizing exercises and training camps. The soldiers studied weapons and practised on a rifle range set up in the old Georgetown Armoury at the fairgrounds. Light .22 ammunition was fired at a steel wall to insure safety and noise reduction but, says Col. Barber, "Some clown got his hand on the heavy stuff," a hole was shot into the steel plate wall and the unsuspecting rifleman using the loaded rifle came home with a very sore shoulder.

After this little episode the range was condemned which took away the only warmth men were allowed in winter. The drafty unheated armoury was colder inside than out but when rifle range time came a heater to warm fingers was pro-vided.

Acton company met in the Acton Armoury attached to the arena. Attending annual two week camps in Niagara took care of holidays for most recruits. Col. Barber remembers one camp in Georgetown at the fairgrounds shortly after W.W. 1.

"It was easy to qualify in those days," Col. Barber re-members . "It required some back- ground and some training but it's much more arduous now."

Training to be eligible for command post which used to become automatic if a soldier had served overseas, now takes two nights of study every week, command and staff courses, home study and training camps.

"It's discouraging" comments the colonel. In his day a recruit signed three sets of papers, with his

application for appointment his waiver of pay, his set of applica-tion papers and another set for resignation.

"If the colonel didn't like you, he had your walking pa-pers" grins Colonel Barber. Soldiers were paid a per diem wage by the government but it was automatically commandeered for battalion funds. The company had to have some operating money especially to purchase costly dress uniforms. Officers financed social activities out of their own pockets.

Since World War 2 the militia has received a small wage for their own pockets but, as Col. Barber points out, it usually goes in mess bills and to finance social get togethers such as the famous New Year's Day dinner held locally to entertain town dignitaries.

Basic uniforms were government issue as were some parts of the dress uniform but most of the elegant elements were added by a soldier.

The kilt made from the Argyle tartan cost $90 in Col. Bar-ber's day, now costs close to $300.

Men wear battle dress, combat dress or service uniforms most of the time but for grand parade occasions don full regalia consisting of kilt, coatee, sporran, spats, socks, the plaid and bonnet of a highland regiment.

During presentation of the regiment's colours in Bramp-ton in 1963, when ranks were reviewed by Governor-General Vanier and Mrs. Vanier, Col. Barber remembers the general expressing amazement at the full parade field of Lorne Scots.

"Of course, we were all there, we'd pulled in veterans and even 30 members of our allied regiment the Lancashire Fu-siliers. He was most impressed.''

Formerly numbering 450, the Lorne Scots now boast only 165 members headquartered in Brampton.

The Lorne Scots served as guard units for Canadian for-mations. A body of 90 were selected to form part of the famous 1st division made up of Canada’s finest.

"We had two honors instead of only one, "says the colonel.

During June 1942 a battalion of 1400 Lorne Scots amassed overseas for training in England "the largest Canadian regiment overseas" Col. Barber says proudly.

Other skirmishes where the Lorne Scots saw battle in-cluded the Riel Rebellion 1870-1885 and both great wars. Many members of the regiment served during the South African war (Boer War) even though the regiment wasn’t mobilized.

Lorne Scots of the ‘80’s still parade every week on a Thursday night, they study and attend weekend exercises run by members of regular army. They are highly trained taking army courses and attending summer camps often at camp Borden.

The unit has two bands a pipe and drum band, and a military band, now partly manned by association members. Why would a young recruit (minimum 17 years) join the Lorne Scots today?

“Damned if I know” comments Col. Barber. But when you listen to the pipes and drums enjoying

the sway of …. special tartan you know why.

7

Newsletter Input

Got news about the regimental family, a suggestion,

comment, or article for the newsletter? Send it to the

Editor, Jerry Derochie at lsregtlassoc@hotmail.com.

Or put pen to paper and snail mail to

The Lorne Scots

The Regimental Association

2 Chapel St

Brampton, Ontario, L6W 2H1

Executive

President Capt (Ret’d) Al Garbutt, CD

Vice President, CD Capt (Ret’d) Brad Bean, CD

Secretary Maj (Ret’d) Tom Graham, CD

Treasurer Maj (Ret’d) Ian Kirkwood, CD

Members

Newsletter LCol (Ret’d) Jerry Derochie, CD

Museum Maj (Ret’d) Rick Ruggle, CD

Capt Stew Sherriff, CD

CWO Derek Murphy, CD

100 Years Ago -by Major (Ret’d) Richard Ruggle 1914 began with the news that the 20th Halton Rifles would be preserved. It had been a difficult time for the regiment. Its last CO, W.P. Moore, had been forced to resign in September 1912, because it had recruited soldiers from outside the county boundaries. Technically that was against the rules, although most other regiments did the same thing,

and the Peel regiment even had its headquarters in east Toronto.

No replacement was named, and after a year the numbers had dwindled to such an extent that there was a plan to have the 20th absorbed by the 36th Peel Regiment. Ottawa rejected that plan, announced that Major Alex Noble (who ran the flour mill in Norval) would be appointed to command, with James Ballantine with his second in

command, and even that the southern part of Peel would be given to the 20th.

With this new lease on life, the Halton Rifles quickly recruited their quota for the summer camp. The camp, at Niagara-on-the-Lake, was memorable because two companies mutineed and refused to parade unless they were promised better food. The Peel Regiment was one of the first to be issued the new khaki uniforms, and proudly wore them at camp. By the fall, war had broken out, and talk of joining units or changing boundaries was forgotten. The old county battalions would provide the framework for

recruiting the growing number of soldiers needed for the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Upcoming Events

May 4, 2014—AGM

TBA—Regt’l Picnic

Sep 1, 2014—Assoc. Golf

Tournament

Jan 24, 2015—Robbie Burns

Apr 25/26, 2015—Visit UK

Gallipoli Landing

Sep 16/18, 2016 150th

Anniversary