Medals, Decorations and Orders
The difference between Medals, Decorations and Orders is subtle, yet distinct. Calgary Highlanders have been rewarded for their service both while serving with the Regiment directly, while attached to other units, and of course after leaving the Regiment for other duties. One Calgary Highlander has even reached the highest possible military rank in the land, that of General, when A.J.G.D. DeChastelain was appointed Chief of the Defence Staff, and in fact served for an unprecedented two terms of office.
The Canadian military issued British awards almost exclusively up to 1967, when a Canadian honours system was instituted to replace some of the former awards with those of Canadian design.
Order: dating back to ancient fraternal orders, membership in modern orders is usually signified by insignia in the form of a distinctive medal and coloured ribbon. Membership is often organized into classes. The most widely recognized order in Canada is the appropriately named Order of Canada, to which one may be named a Companion, Officer, or Member. The military has its own order, the Order of Military Merit, to which several Calgary Highlanders have been admitted. Before the reorganization of the Canadian Honours system at the time of Unification of the Armed Forces and the Centennial anniversary of Confederation, admission into British Orders was not uncommon; before 1919 these sometimes carried with them the additional benefits of knighthood. After 1919, Canadians have generally been excluded from acceptance of British honours carrying with them titles and rank.
Decoration: taking the form of a medal and coloured ribbon, those designated as “decorations” are generally awarded for either bravery or exceptional merit, though some decorations (such as the Canadian Forces Decoration) may be awarded for long service and/or good conduct. While taking the form of a medal, certain
Medal: a metal medallion with coloured ribbon, medals are struck for many purposes; most commonly as insignia commemorating service in a particular theatre or campaign. Commemorative medals are often routinely struck and awarded according to varying criteria.
The Victoria Cross
The highest award for bravery in the British Commonwealth is the Victoria Cross. Of the 94 awards made to Canadians to date, two are claimed by The Calgary Highlanders. Both were awarded to 10th Battalion soldiers late in the First World War.
Acting Sergeant Arthur George Knight, VC
On 2 September 1918 at Villers-les-Cagnicourt, France, Acting Sergeant Knight was leading a bombing section forward. When the section was held up, he went forward alone, killing several enemy machine gunners and trench mortar crews with his bayonet. The enemy was forced to retire, and Knight brought forward a Lewis Gun crew and directed fire on the retreating enemy. When his platoon went in pursuit of the survivors, Knight observed thirty enemy soldiers descend into a tunnel. He once again went forward alone, killing an officer and two NCOs, and taking twenty Germans prisoner. He likewise routed yet another party of enemy troops, and was eventually fatally wounded. Sergeant Knight is buried at Dominion Cemetery, France. His medal is in the possession of the Glenbow Museum in Calgary. The full text of his Victoria Cross Citation may be viewed on the Virtual Museum Tour portion of this website.
Originally born in Haywards Heath, Sussex,England on 26 June 1886, he lived and worked as a carpenter in Regina, Saskatchewan where he was attested on 19 December 1914. A plaque has been erected at his former residence, 1843 Rae St, which is attached to an older apartment block. Additionally, two streets have been named in his honour, Knight and Sussex Crescents which are located in Coventry Park, a subdivision in west central Regina that was developed just after the Second World War. Coventry Park was named for the English cathedral city devastated by German bombers. Photo at right appears at the Canadian Virtual War Memorial; the caption indicates that Sergeant Knight “was a former member of the Church Lads’ Brigade at St. Mary Magdalene, Reigate, Company No. 2015.”
Private Harry W. Brown, VC
Private Harry Brown was just nineteen years old when he earned his Victoria Cross. On 16 August 1917 at Hill 70, near Loos, France, the Tenth Battalion had just captured an enemy position when the enemy massed and counter-attacked in force. As all signal wires were cut, Private Brown and another soldier were ordered to carry messages back “at all costs.” The other messenger was killed and Private Brown was seriously injured by enemy fire. He reached friendly headquarters with a shattered arm, and gasped out “Important Message” before collapsing. He died of his wounds, and his actions were credited for saving many Allied lives. He is buried in Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery, France. His medal is held by the Canadian War Museum. The full text of his Victoria Cross Citation may be viewed on the Virtual Museum Tour portion of this website.
Honourable Mention – Lance Corporal George William Allan, DCM
During the epic stand of the Tenth Battalion near Locality C during the fighting at St. Julien in April 1915, an eight man Colt machine gun team under Lance Corporal George Allan was dispatched to reinforce the 2nd (Eastern Ontario) Battalion. Lieutenant William Doxsee’s platoon, down to 15 men, welcomed the arrivals at 6:00 am on the morning of the 23rd and the MG crew set up in a farm building dubbed “Doxsee’s House”, just east of Kitcheners’ Wood, seventy five yards ahead of the 2nd Battalions main battle positions. Only a hundred yards away, the Germans – it seemed like thousands of them – were digging in behind a row of hedges.
The Colt machine gun was carefully camouflaged in the badly damaged house, and the Tenth Battalion men opened fire on the enemy from loopholes in the walls of the farmhouse. The men held out for the rest of the day and night, consuming what little food and water they had quickly. Just after dawn on the 24th, the Germans launched several attacks – at least a half a dozen seperate rushes. Lieutenant Doxsee refused to leave, telling his men he had been ordered to “hold the house at all cost.” Only the most seriously wounded were allowed to leave the house. German small arms fire kept the defenders under cover, and they could only move by crawling on their bellies. Lieutenant Doxsee was finally struck in the head by a bullet and killed at mid-day.
The Colt machine gun, saved to surprise the Germans, proved invaluable during the German attacks, moving from the
upstairs loft to the ground floor alternately, and despite occasionally jamming on the British made ammunition it was provided with. Lance Corpora Allan coolly kept the gun operating, and German casualties also mounted with each new attack. Reinforcements arrived in the form of a second MG crew from the 4th Battalion, but Allan’s luck ran out when a German bullet went clear through his head.
19616 Lance Corporal George William Allan was recommended for the Victoria Cross, and was instead awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal – posthumously. He has no known grave, and his name is carved into the Menin Gate, memorializing 55,000 Commonwealth soldiers killed in the Ypres Salient whose bodies either disappeared without a trace or were rendered unidentifiable (see image on right).
Honourable Mention – Captain Charles Costigan, DSO, MC
On 17 November 1915, two battalions of the CEF launched a major raid against German trenches. Captain Costigan, of the Tenth Battalion, was selected to lead one of the two raiding parties. Costigan trained his thirty-five men intensively, and after several days of bombardment on the enemy trenches, the party set off just after midnight, carrying a small wooden bridge to help cross over a stream in No Man’s Land. Arriving within 15 feet of the enemy trench, they found that the enemy wire had not been completely cut by the artillery. Silently, the cut their way through the wire without alerting the Germans so close by. Costigan and another officer went forward, and attempting yo supporting themselves on what they thought was a solid platform on the parapet of the trench, tumbled instead through the flimsy support and into the trench on top of three German sentries. The two officers recovered quickly, shooting two of the Germans dead and wounding the third in the leg as he scrambled away shouting for help.
Germans began pouring into the adjacent stretches of trench, but by this time the men under Costigan had arrived and blocked both ends of their target trench, keeping up a rain of bombs on the enemy trying to move to assist. Within their section, the Canadians used the bayonet to good effect on men coming out of the dugouts and thirty-five Germans were killed, with 12 prisoners taken. Twenty minutes later, with bombs thrown down the dugouts for good measure, the raiding party had finished its work and returned to Canadian lines. One man had been accidentally killed and another slightly injured.
Captain Costigan was recommended for the Victoria Cross for this action, and instead received the Distinguished Service Order.
Honourable Mention – Sergeant Clarence Crockett, DCM
Sergeant Clarence “Ken” Crockett volunteered for overseas service in 1943 after extensive service as an instructor in Canada. Declining an officer’s commission in May 1944 he headed to the UK with a reinforcement draft, and arrived in Normandy as a Calgary Highlander reinforcement in mid-July. His bravery was made apparent at Tilly, his first real action, but it was in September where Crockett would gain regimental immortality.
In the early morning hours of 22 September 1944, Crockett led a small section-sized fighting patrol across the Albert Canal, sneaking across a damaged lock gate that was reduced to a single six-inch pipe with a thin wire handrail for the last eight feet. Crockett personally scouted the far side, removed a barbed wire obstacle, then engaged German sentries when flares revealed their position on the far bank. Killing one sentry with his Sten Gun, he silenced a German machinegun position shortly after, directed PIAT fire on a second MG, silencing it, and finally directing 2-inch mortar fire onto a third position.
Three hours after the patrol had set out, the headquarters of the 5th Brigade was informed that all of Crockett’s company had crossed the Albert Canal. The brigadier was so pleased by this feat of arms, that a recommendation for the Victoria Cross was made. The recommendation was approved by the 2nd Canadian Division, II Canadian Corps, and First Canadian Army, but the commander of 21st Army Group, one General Bernard Law Montgomery, rejected the award in favour of a Distinguished Conduct Medal instead.
Crockett’s war ended on 23 October 1944, during the fighting west of Hoogerheide, when a German sniper put a bullet in his leg. Crockett passed away in Crossfield in November 2002 at the age of 83.
Order of Military Merit
The Order of Military Merit was instituted in 1971 as part of the new Canadian Honours System. Membership in the order is awarded for “conspicuous merit and exceptional service by members of the Canadian Armed Forces, both Regular and Reserve.” There are three grades, Commander (the highest), Officer, and Member. The three grades carry post-nominal letters; CMM, OMM and MMM respectively.
The Constitution of the Order limits the number of appointments per year for all three levels combined to one-tenth of one percent of the average number of persons who were members of the Canadian Forces during the previous year. For example, in 1997 110 appointments were made. The award is thus extremely prestigious.
Officer of the Order of Military Merit (OMM)
The Grade of Officer has been traditionally been limited to commissioned officers in the grade of Major, Lieutenant Colonel, or Colonel (in the Army). By the spring of 2003, there had been just 858 appointments at the Officer level of the Order since the inception of the award in 1972. At least one Calgary Highlander has been admitted to the order in this level.
Lieutenant Colonel J Lynn Moffatt, OMM, CD
Member of the Order of Military Merit (MMM)
The Grade of Member has been traditionally been limited to Non-Commissioned Members, and Commissioned Members up to the rank (in the Army) of Captain. By the spring of 2003, there had been just 1,999 appointments at the Member level of the Order since the inception of the award in 1972. By 2020, at least six Calgary Highlanders have been admitted to the order in this level while serving as Calgary Highlanders.
Master Warrant Officer Don Maxwell, MMM, CD
Don Maxwell returned to the Calgary Highlanders as Pipe Major in 1977 after a brief two year absence. While engaged full time in civilian employment with PanCanadian Petroleum (a company with over 1,100 employees) as Comptroller, Pipe Major Maxwell took over a band that had been reactivated in 1975 after being reduced to nil strength in 1969. The band grew to become the largest pipe band in Calgary under the new leadership and won many awards and competitions. He was rewarded for his service by being awarded the MMM in 1983.
Chief Warrant Officer Martin McCumber, MMM, CD
Chief Warrant Officer A Sanofsky, MMM, CD
Chief Warrant Officer William Toews, MMM, CD
Chief Warrant Officer Kent Griffiths, MMM, CD
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean presents the MMM at Rideau Hall in 2007.
Chief Warrant Officer Chris Tucker, MMM, CD
Governor General David Johnston presented the Order of Military Merit (Member) on November 10, 2016.
Honourable Mentions:
Calgary Highlanders who have been admitted to the Order after moving on from their duties within the Regiment have included:
General AJGD de Chastelain, OC, CMM, CH, CD
General John de Chastelain joined the Calgary Highlanders Pipes and Drums as a Private in January 1956, and in September of that year transferred to the Regular Army, graduating Royal Military College in 1960 and commissioning into the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. By September 1989 he had achieved the highest possible rank in the Canadian Armed Forces – General – and was named to the highest military appointment in the land, Chief of Defence Staff. Made an Officer of the Order of Canada and a Companion of Honour (a British award), he was also named a Commander in the Order of Military Merit. General de Chastelain, while serving as CDS, paraded once again with the Calgary Highlanders Pipes and Drums in June 1990 during the Presentation of Queen’s Colour by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Brigadier General GJP O’Brien OMM, MSC, CD
Beginning his career as a reserve soldier in 1973, he served with 1 Montreal Militia Service Battalion, and The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment). Later he joined The Calgary Highlanders and achieved the rank of Corporal. After a UN tour in the Golan Heights, he moved from Calgary to London Ontario and transferred to 4 RCR where he received his commission. Serving in virtually every position in the Battalion, he was given the honour of carrying the Colours at the Royal Canadian Regiment Centennial Trooping of the Colours and eventually became Commanding Officer.
Subsequent to his duty as Commanding Officer of the Infantry Battle Group in 1998, he became Deputy Commander 31 Canadian Brigade Group. In 2001, he was promoted to Colonel and appointed as Brigade Commander. Following his unique command of 3 Light Brigade Group at Exercise Stalwart Guardian 2003 he rapidly ascended to the Assistant Chief of Staff Operations at LFCA HQ, was promoted to his current rank in 2005 and was appointed as Deputy Commander Land Force Central Area.
In 2006 he deployed to Afghanistan for nine months where he served as the Deputy Commanding General, Political Military Integration, in the Coalition Headquarters of Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan. This was the first time that a Reserve General had ever been deployed into an operational theater. Appointed as the senior NATO Liaison Officer for the Command, he was responsible for the Coalition efforts in reform of the Afghan National Police as well as Political Military Integration and was recognized for his meritorious service by the US, Afghan, and Canadian forces.
Upon his return to Canada he was selected as Director General Land Reserve and is now Chief of Staff Land Reserve. In this crucial position, BGen O’Brien has made many important advances for the Land Reserves including his concept of Army Reserve Transformation to align with the Army. He led the integration of the Communication Reserves and Canadian Rangers into the Army and has revitalized the Army Reserves as a whole.
Mention in Dispatches (MID)
Her Majesty The Queen created the Mention in Dispatches on June 3, 1991, to honour members of the Canadian Armed Forces on active service and other individuals working in conjunction with the Canadian Armed Forces on or after November 1, 1990. The award recognizes valiant conduct, devotion to duty or other distinguished service in combat or near-combat conditions.
Throughout the history of the British Army, commanders in the field wrote back to higher authority to keep them informed – these messages were known as “dispatches” and informed the higher authority – the Monarch or other superior officer – of the progress of their campaigns. These messages also mentioned officers and soldiers who had carried out specific acts of gallantry or periods of distinguished service. To be so mentioned was to have been “Mentioned in Dispatches.” Initially, only formation commanders, unit commanders, and senior staff officers were recognized in this manner.
From the 1840s, non-commissioned officers also began to be recognized. The dispatches were routinely published in the London Gazette, sometimes as simple lists of names, other times with more detailed descriptions of the actions being recognized. However, up to the Great War, being mentioned in a dispatch did not result in the officer or soldier receiving any visible mark or certificate to show that he had been mentioned, and the mention itself was considered the honour.While a Mention in Dispatches had often been used to provide the basis for the award of higher honours in conflicts dating back to the Crimea, by 1918 so many men had been Mentioned in Dispatches that it was felt a more tangible sign of recognition was in order. After he Armistice in November 1918 it was therefore decided to issue a small bronze insignia consisting of a branch of oak leaves to any officer or soldier who had been so mentioned. After the Victory Medal was issued, the bronze oak leaves of the Mention in Dispatches were worn on the ribbon of that medal. Some 5,500 Canadians had been Mentioned in Dispatches in the First World War. By the time of the Second World War, this method of recognition was still in place, though the leaves had been modified to a single oak leaf. As the war went on, Mentions in Dispatches could be given out for a variety of reasons. If a soldier was nominated for a medal, but higher authority felt that the deeds he performed were not up to the standards expected for that medal, he might be granted a Mention in Dispatches instead. Other situations arose where “periodic awards” were granted on a quota basis. Commanders would then put forward names of soldiers they felt worthy (again, perhaps those soldiers refused bravery medals from earlier dates may have been considered for Mentions in Dispatches in this manner).At war’s end, a cut-off date was put in place for awards, and many units polled their field officers for names of deserving recipients. For this reason, there are often no accompanying citations for Mentions in Dispatches, some 10,000 of which had been made between 1939 and 1945.Mentions in Dispatches during the Second World War were signified by wearing the oak leaf on the ribbon of the 1939-45 War Medal. Another 279 were made in Korea. The Mention in Dispatches fell into disuse under the modern Canadian Honours system instituted in the late 1960s, but was revived as the Canadian Mention in Dispatches in 1990 as a national honour awarded on behalf of the reigning monarch. Recipient’s names are published in the Canada Gazette, and the bronze oak leaf is worn on the appropriate campaign or service medal. According to the Department of National Defence:
Although it is not an actual decoration or medal, the MID is a very significant recognition, because it is a national honour, emanating from the Head of State but perhaps more importantly, because its eligibility is limited to operational service in the field. It is in many ways like a junior version of the Military Valour Decorations and this direct relation to combat in active operations gives this honour all of its prestige.
First World War 1914-1918
Service Number
Rank
Name
Date of Action
Location of Action / Notes
Lieutenant Colonel
Boyle, Russell Lambert
Died of Wounds 25 Apr 1915
Lieutenant Colonel
MacDonald, Eric
Three separate awards
Lieutenant Colonel
Ormond, Dan
Two separate awards
Lieutenant Colonel
Rattray, J.G.
**
Major
Ashton, E.J.
Major
Bingham, William
Major
Critchley, Walter
Major
George, FitzRoy
Major
MacDonald, Eric
Major
MacLean, Archibald
*
Major
MacLaren, Joseph
Major
Simpson, Joseph
Major
Sparling, Walt
Major
Thomson, Alexander
Major
Walker, Phil
**
Captain
Arthur, Geoff
Captain
Black, David
Captain
Burbridge, Geoff
Captain
Costigan, Charles Telford
Two separate awards
Also awarded the DSO and MC
Died 11 November 1917
Captain
Craggs, George
Captain
Ferguson, Hugh
Captain
Miller, Jack
Captain
Mitchell, William
Captain
Robinson, Charles
Captain
Thompson, William
Captain
Virgo, Gordon
Lieutenant
Feurt, Ralph
Lieutenant
Greer, Byron
Lieutenant
Graham, Gordon
Two separate awards
Lieutenant
Kent, Stanley
Lieutenant
MacEachern, Norman
Two separate awards
Lieutenant
Rutherford, Thomas
Lieutenant
Robertson, Stanley
Lieutenant
Trimmer, Alfred
Lieutenant
Younger, Lewis
Company Sergeant Major
Baker, Herbert
*
Company Sergeant Major
Rayfield, Edmond
*
Company Sergeant Major
Toole, Archie
Sergeant
Alderton, Walter
*
Sergeant
Budd, Arnold
Sergeant
Burns, Robert
Sergeant
Courtney, Arthur
Sergeant
Cox, Sydney
Sergeant
Duff, James
Sergeant
Harrison, James
*
Sergeant
Higgins, Clyde
*
Sergeant
Jarvis, Herbert
Sergeant
Martin, Arthur
*
Sergeant
McAndie, David
Also awarded the MC, DCM, and MM
Died 15 Aug 1918
Sergeant
Milne, Edward
Sergeant
Morrison, Charles
Sergeant
Pitman, Ernest
Sergeant
Waller, Richard
Sergeant
Wilson, M
Lance Sergeant
Palmer, John
Corporal
Baker, William
Corporal
Brook, John
Corporal
Brookes, Ralph
Corporal
Dale, Thomas
Corporal
Evans, Victor
Corporal
Hogg, James
*
Corporal
Menzies, William
*
Corporal
O’Rourke, David
19910
Corporal
Ross, Thomas
Died 3 Aug 1915
Also awarded the DCM
Corporal
Schultz, Samuel
20378
Corporal
Smith, Horatio Roy
Died 26 Sep 1916
Corporal
Smith, Ray
Two separate awards
Corporal
Underwood, Arthur
19616
Lance Corporal
Allan, George
Died 23 Apr 1915
Also awarded the DCM
Lance Corporal
Browne, Ralph
*
Lance Corporal
King, William
Private
Baxter, Thomas
*
Private
Bell, Thomas
*
Private
Bloxham, Charles
Private
Butterworth, Harold
*
Private
Cox, Frank
Private
Cutter, Charles
*
Private
Fitzgibbons, Gerald
*
Private
Harrison, Richard
Private
Morrison, Thomas
*
Private
Sixby, Frank
18402
Private
Tinkess, Albert James
*
Died 18 Aug 1917
Private
Zuidema, Louis
| First World War 1914-1918 |
| Service Number | Rank | Name | Date of Action | Location of Action / Notes |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Boyle, Russell Lambert | Died of Wounds 25 Apr 1915 | ||
| Lieutenant Colonel | MacDonald, Eric | Three separate awards | ||
Lieutenant Colonel
|
Ormond, Dan | Two separate awards | ||
| Lieutenant Colonel | Rattray, J.G. | ** | ||
| Major | Ashton, E.J. | |||
| Major | Bingham, William | |||
| Major | Critchley, Walter | |||
| Major | George, FitzRoy | |||
| Major | MacDonald, Eric | |||
| Major | MacLean, Archibald | * | ||
| Major | MacLaren, Joseph | |||
| Major | Simpson, Joseph | |||
| Major | Sparling, Walt | |||
| Major | Thomson, Alexander | |||
| Major | Walker, Phil | ** | ||
| Captain | Arthur, Geoff | |||
| Captain | Black, David | |||
| Captain | Burbridge, Geoff | |||
| Captain | Costigan, Charles Telford | Two separate awards |
Also awarded the DSO and MC Died 11 November 1917 |
|
| Captain | Craggs, George | |||
| Captain | Ferguson, Hugh | |||
| Captain | Miller, Jack | |||
| Captain | Mitchell, William | |||
| Captain | Robinson, Charles | |||
| Captain | Thompson, William | |||
| Captain | Virgo, Gordon | |||
| Lieutenant | Feurt, Ralph | |||
| Lieutenant | Greer, Byron | |||
| Lieutenant | Graham, Gordon | Two separate awards | ||
| Lieutenant | Kent, Stanley | |||
| Lieutenant | MacEachern, Norman | Two separate awards | ||
| Lieutenant | Rutherford, Thomas | |||
| Lieutenant | Robertson, Stanley | |||
| Lieutenant | Trimmer, Alfred | |||
| Lieutenant | Younger, Lewis | |||
| Company Sergeant Major | Baker, Herbert | * | ||
| Company Sergeant Major | Rayfield, Edmond | * | ||
| Company Sergeant Major | Toole, Archie | |||
| Sergeant | Alderton, Walter | * | ||
| Sergeant | Budd, Arnold | |||
| Sergeant | Burns, Robert | |||
| Sergeant | Courtney, Arthur | |||
| Sergeant | Cox, Sydney | |||
| Sergeant | Duff, James | |||
| Sergeant | Harrison, James | * | ||
| Sergeant | Higgins, Clyde | * | ||
| Sergeant | Jarvis, Herbert | |||
| Sergeant | Martin, Arthur | * | ||
| Sergeant | McAndie, David |
|
Also awarded the MC, DCM, and MM Died 15 Aug 1918 |
|
| Sergeant | Milne, Edward | |||
| Sergeant | Morrison, Charles | |||
| Sergeant | Pitman, Ernest | |||
| Sergeant | Waller, Richard | |||
| Sergeant | Wilson, M | |||
| Lance Sergeant | Palmer, John | |||
| Corporal | Baker, William | |||
| Corporal | Brook, John | |||
| Corporal | Brookes, Ralph | |||
| Corporal | Dale, Thomas | |||
| Corporal | Evans, Victor | |||
| Corporal | Hogg, James | * | ||
| Corporal | Menzies, William | * | ||
| Corporal | O’Rourke, David | |||
| 19910 | Corporal | Ross, Thomas | |
Died 3 Aug 1915 Also awarded the DCM |
| Corporal | Schultz, Samuel | |||
| 20378 | Corporal | Smith, Horatio Roy | Died 26 Sep 1916 | |
| Corporal | Smith, Ray | Two separate awards | ||
| Corporal | Underwood, Arthur | |||
| 19616 | Lance Corporal | Allan, George | |
Died 23 Apr 1915 Also awarded the DCM |
| Lance Corporal | Browne, Ralph | * | ||
| Lance Corporal | King, William | |||
| Private | Baxter, Thomas | * | ||
| Private | Bell, Thomas | * | ||
| Private | Bloxham, Charles | |||
| Private | Butterworth, Harold | * | ||
| Private | Cox, Frank | |||
| Private | Cutter, Charles | * | ||
| Private | Fitzgibbons, Gerald | * | ||
| Private | Harrison, Richard | |||
| Private | Morrison, Thomas | * | ||
| Private | Sixby, Frank | |||
| 18402 | Private | Tinkess, Albert James | * | Died 18 Aug 1917 |
| Private | Zuidema, Louis |
* = “Brought to notice of Secretary of State for War for valuable services rendered.”
| Second World War 1939-1945 |
| Service Number | Rank | Name | Date of Action | Location of Action / Notes | Link to Award Doc |
NA
|
Major
|
Tennant, Mark
|
Awarded as per Canada Gazette dated 9 March 1946 and CARO/6431 dated 8 March 1946. |
Link to award document |
|
| NA |
Lieutenant |
Kilpatrick, Vernon Francis |
July 1944 |
Killed In Action July 1944 |
Link to award document |
| NA |
Lieutenant |
Ross, Robert Whitla |
|
31 Mar 1945 |
Link to award document |
|
M10712 |
Warrant Officer II Class |
Larson, Harold Omar |
Awarded 23 June 1945 |
Link to award document |
|
| M11342 | Sergeant | Lyster, William Leslie (“Bill”) | 19 Aug 1942 | Dieppe, France | Link to award document |
| M10762 | Sergeant | Pittaway, Bertram (“Bert”) | 19 Aug 1942 | Dieppe, France | Link to award document |
| M11617 | Corporal | MacIver, Donald Terry | Awarded 3 Feb 1945 | Link to award document (file no. only – document not online) |
|
| M11154 | Private | Brown, Harry | Awarded Oct 1944 | Copy of service file | |
| K48240 | Private | Kessler, Dewart Bowyer | Awarded 3 Feb 1945 | Link to award document (file no. only – document not online) |
|
| M107139 | Private | Middlemiss, Edgar Francis | Listed in one source as a Queen’s Own Cameron Highlander. Award made 3 Feb 1945. Service number is from Alberta. | Link to award document (file no. only – document not online) |
|
| M31028 | Private | Kublick, Ferdinand | Awarded 23 June 1945 Also received the Commander-in-Chief’s Certificate for Gallantry. |
Link to award document (file no. only – document not online) |
|
| K49288 | Private | Patriquin, Clarence Gorley | Awarded 31 March 1945 Also awarded the Military Medal. |
Link to award document (file no. only – document not online) |
|
| F32491 | Private | Sampson, Alonzo Joseph |
Awarded March 1946 |
Link to award document |
|
| M12024 | Private | Stokke, Einar |
Awarded posthumously; Private Stokke was later discovered to be a prisoner of war in Germany. |
Link to award document |
 |
Afghanistan 2001-2014 |
| Rank | Name | Date of Action | Location of Action / Notes |
| Major | Cox, Simon | 28 July 2008 |
Citation: “On July 28th 2008, the lead element of a joint Canadian-Afghan patrol was pinned down by insurgents in Zhari District, Afghanistan. With the squad in danger of becoming encircled, Major Cox, then Captain, moved through intense enemy fire to reinforce the isolated Afghans. Despite fierce enemy resistance, he persistently continued forward, returning a heavy volume of fire to suppress the insurgent position. Major Cox’s courage and selflessness prevented the patrol from being surrounded by a numerically superior enemy.” |
Imperial Honours & Foreign Awards
Imperial Honours, i.e. recognition granted under the British system of honours, were entwined with the Canadian military’s own system of recognition. In 1917, the Nickle Resolution called for the abolition of titular honours. In 1919 the resolution, though not legally binding, was adopted. In 1934, the Royal Prerogative was recognized by Parliament and the resumption of titular honours returned briefly, the former policy returning in 1935 when the government changed. Decorations and medals forming the lower levels of various orders could still be conferred, for example, the British Empire Medal.
During both World Wars, it was not uncommon for “foreign” decorations to be granted to Canadian soldiers, from nations allied to Canada and Britain. Canadians are still eligible in certain circumstances for foreign awards, as when members of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry were recognized for their service with US forces in Afghanistan in 2002.
Shaded entries indicate posthumous awards.
First World War 1914-1918
Number
Rank
Name
Date of Action
Location of Action
Companion of the Order of St. Michael & St. George
The Order of St Michael and St George is an order of chivalry founded in 1818. Admission to the order currently is described as for those who render extraordinary or important non-military service in a foreign country, or for important or loyal service in relation to foreign and Commonwealth affairs. The order consists of three classes below the Sovereign and Grand Master: Knights (or Dames) of the Grand Cross (GCMG), Knights and Dames Commander (KCMG) and Companions of the Order (CMG).
N/A
Brig.-General
Rattray, J.G.
N/A
Brig.-General
Ormond, Dan
Officer of the Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is the most junior and most populous of the British orders of chivalry, having been created on 4 June 1917. The order comprises 5 classes, and two divisions, both military and civil.
N/A
Major
George, FitzRoy
N/A
Captain
Robinson, Charles
Member of the Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is the most junior and most populous of the British orders of chivalry, having been created on 4 June 1917. The order comprises 5 classes, and two divisions, both military and civil.
N/A
Lieutenant
Tomlinson, David
Croix de Guerre (Belgium)
Instituted on 25 October 1915 as a means of formally recognizing acts of heroism performed by individuals (of any of the Allied powers while on Belgian soil. A bronze palm on the ribbon indicated that the medal was awarded by the army; a bronze lion indicated it was awarded by a regiment; and a gold lion denoted that the medal was issued by land forces.
Sergeant
Seeley, John
426402
Corporal
Knight, Arthur
Corporal
Robinson, James
624570
Private
Grainger, Albert
21491
Private
McTurk, James
81937
Private
Webb, Jesse
Croix de Guerre (France)
Established by the French Republic in 1915 to commemorate individual Mentions in Despatches and awarded to officers and soldiers of all ranks of the French armed forces, as well as Allied officers and men mentioned in French Despatches.
N/A
Lieutenant Colonel
Ormond, Daniel Mowat
Captain
Mitchell, William
Sergeant
McIntosh, William
Corporal
Baker, William
Corporal
Smith, Ray
Private
Main, Percy
Medaille Militaire (France)
Established 22 January 1852.
Sergeant
Andrews, Percy
Sergeant
Caminer, Hugh
Order of St. Stanislas, Third Class, with Swords (Russia)
Awarded in four grades.
N/A
Major
Ormond, Daniel Mowat
N/A
Lieutenant
Robson, Sidney
No undress ribbon
Order of St. George, First Class (Russia)
Instituted in 1769 in four grades for meritorious military services or bravery in combat.
Sergeant Major
Good, Robert
Cross of St. George, Fourth Class (Russia)
Instituted in 1769 in four grades for meritorious military services or bravery in combat.
20252
Lance Corporal
Komich, Joseph
Private
Belinski, Theodore
Private
Koewve, Harry
461103
Private
Mulford, Frederick
Private
Yashikawa, Matakichi
Second World War 1939-1945
Number
Rank
Name
Date of Action
Location of Action
Link to Award Doc
Member of the Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is the most junior and most populous of the British orders of chivalry, having been created on 4 June 1917. The order comprises 5 classes, and two divisions, both military and civil.
N/A
Captain
Dore, Charles Wilson
N/A
N/A
Link to award document
N/A
Captain
Macdonell, Angus Joseph Jeffrey
N/A
N/A
Link to award document
N/A
Captain
Wood, Gordon Bud
N/A
N/A
Link to award document
M10719
RSM
Bowen, Vincent Oliver
N/A
N/A
Link to award document
British Empire Medal
The British Empire Medal was established in 1922 to replace the Medal of the Order of the British Empire. The medal is bestowed for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown. Recipients are not members of the Order but the medals are affiliated with it.
M11054
CQMS
Brandon, George
N/A
N/A
Link to award document
Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palm (Belgium)
A reinstitution of the First World War award, beginning in 1941.
Captain
McKinstry, Frederick John Brown
21 Sep 1944
Albert Canal, Belgium
Link to award document
(file no. only – document not online)
Captain
Turnbull, Andrew Ross
Sep 1944
Albert Canal, Belgium
Link to award document
(file no. only – document not online)
M104586
Corporal
Berezay, Laverne Joseph
22 Sep 1944
Albert Canal, Belgium
Link to award document
(file no. only – document not online)
K49288
Private
Patriquin, Clarence Gorley
30 Sep – 1 Aug 1944
Brecht, Belgium
Link to award document
(file no. only – document not online)
Bronze Lion (Holland)
M12601
Sergeant
Ferguson, Donald
31 Mar 1945 -1 Apr 1945
Doetinchem, The Netherlands
Link to award document
B138031
Lance Corporal
McVay, Gordon Stanley
Oct 1944
Ossendrecht, The Netherlands
Link to award document
M60703
Corporal
Sherring, William John Henry
1 Apr 1945
Doetinchem, The Netherlands
Link to award document
Bronze Cross (Holland)
Lieutenant, RCSigs (attached)
Wills, William Syms
26 Sep 1945
Hoogerheide, The Netherlands
Link to award document
H43089
Private
Gregor, Marvin Martin
25 Oct 1944
Woensdrecht, The Netherlands
Link to award document
K2004
Private
Walton, Joseph Michael
7 Oct – 31 Oct 1944
South Beveland, The Netherlands
Link to award document
Croix de Guerre avec Etoile d’Argent (France)
The different classes of despatches for which a recipient was awarded the cross may be recognized by the following emblems on the ribbon: the silver star represented a Divisional level Despatch.
Lieutenant
Ross, Robert Whitla
12 Aug 1944
Clair Tizon, France
(Award presented 22 June 1945 to Captain Ross)
Link to award document
Croix de Guerre avec Etoile d’Bronze (France)
The different classes of despatches for which a recipient was awarded the cross may be recognized by the following emblems on the ribbon: the bronze star represented a Brigade or Regimental level Despatch.
M11034
Lance Sergeant
Harbut, Sidney Robert
12 Aug 1944
Clair Tizon, France
Link to award document
(file no. only – document not online)
Chevalier of the Order of Leopold II with Palm (Belgium)
Instituted in 1900 as an Order for the Congo State, becoming a Belgian Order in 1908. Awarded to Belgians and foreigners for services to the Sovereign of Belgium, and as a token of Leopold II’s personal goodwill. Awarded in 5 classes, with 3 additional medals.
Captain
McKinstry, Frederick John Brown
21 Sep 1944
Albert Canal, Belgium
Link to award document
(file no. only – document not online)
Captain
Turnbull, Andrew Ross
Sep 1944
Albert Canal, Belgium
Link to award document
(file no. only – document not online)
| Imperial Honours, i.e. recognition granted under the British system of honours, were entwined with the Canadian military’s own system of recognition. In 1917, the Nickle Resolution called for the abolition of titular honours. In 1919 the resolution, though not legally binding, was adopted. In 1934, the Royal Prerogative was recognized by Parliament and the resumption of titular honours returned briefly, the former policy returning in 1935 when the government changed. Decorations and medals forming the lower levels of various orders could still be conferred, for example, the British Empire Medal.
During both World Wars, it was not uncommon for “foreign” decorations to be granted to Canadian soldiers, from nations allied to Canada and Britain. Canadians are still eligible in certain circumstances for foreign awards, as when members of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry were recognized for their service with US forces in Afghanistan in 2002. Shaded entries indicate posthumous awards.
|
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| Number | Rank | Name | Date of Action |
Location of Action |
Link to Award Doc |
|
Member of the Order of the British Empire | The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is the most junior and most populous of the British orders of chivalry, having been created on 4 June 1917. The order comprises 5 classes, and two divisions, both military and civil. | |||
| N/A | Captain | Dore, Charles Wilson | N/A | N/A | Link to award document |
| N/A | Captain | Macdonell, Angus Joseph Jeffrey | N/A | N/A | Link to award document |
| N/A | Captain | Wood, Gordon Bud | N/A | N/A | Link to award document |
| M10719 | RSM | Bowen, Vincent Oliver | N/A | N/A | Link to award document |
|
British Empire Medal |
The British Empire Medal was established in 1922 to replace the Medal of the Order of the British Empire. The medal is bestowed for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown. Recipients are not members of the Order but the medals are affiliated with it. |
|||
| M11054 | CQMS | Brandon, George | N/A | N/A | Link to award document |
|
Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palm (Belgium) |
A reinstitution of the First World War award, beginning in 1941. |
|||
| Captain | McKinstry, Frederick John Brown | 21 Sep 1944 | Albert Canal, Belgium | Link to award document (file no. only – document not online) |
|
| Captain | Turnbull, Andrew Ross | Sep 1944 | Albert Canal, Belgium | Link to award document (file no. only – document not online) |
|
| M104586 | Corporal | Berezay, Laverne Joseph |
22 Sep 1944 |
Albert Canal, Belgium |
Link to award document (file no. only – document not online) |
| K49288 | Private | Patriquin, Clarence Gorley | 30 Sep – 1 Aug 1944 | Brecht, Belgium | Link to award document (file no. only – document not online) |
| Bronze Lion (Holland) | |||||
| M12601 | Sergeant | Ferguson, Donald |
31 Mar 1945 -1 Apr 1945 |
Doetinchem, The Netherlands |
Link to award document |
| B138031 | Lance Corporal | McVay, Gordon Stanley |
Oct 1944 |
Ossendrecht, The Netherlands |
Link to award document |
| M60703 | Corporal | Sherring, William John Henry | 1 Apr 1945 | Doetinchem, The Netherlands | Link to award document |
| Bronze Cross (Holland) | |||||
| Lieutenant, RCSigs (attached) | Wills, William Syms |
26 Sep 1945 |
Hoogerheide, The Netherlands |
Link to award document | |
| H43089 | Private | Gregor, Marvin Martin |
25 Oct 1944 |
Woensdrecht, The Netherlands |
Link to award document |
| K2004 | Private | Walton, Joseph Michael |
7 Oct – 31 Oct 1944 |
South Beveland, The Netherlands |
Link to award document |
|
Croix de Guerre avec Etoile d’Argent (France) |
The different classes of despatches for which a recipient was awarded the cross may be recognized by the following emblems on the ribbon: the silver star represented a Divisional level Despatch. |
|||
| Lieutenant | Ross, Robert Whitla | 12 Aug 1944 | Clair Tizon, France (Award presented 22 June 1945 to Captain Ross) |
Link to award document | |
|
Croix de Guerre avec Etoile d’Bronze (France) |
The different classes of despatches for which a recipient was awarded the cross may be recognized by the following emblems on the ribbon: the bronze star represented a Brigade or Regimental level Despatch. |
|||
| M11034 | Lance Sergeant | Harbut, Sidney Robert | 12 Aug 1944 | Clair Tizon, France | Link to award document (file no. only – document not online) |
|
Chevalier of the Order of Leopold II with Palm (Belgium) |
Instituted in 1900 as an Order for the Congo State, becoming a Belgian Order in 1908. Awarded to Belgians and foreigners for services to the Sovereign of Belgium, and as a token of Leopold II’s personal goodwill. Awarded in 5 classes, with 3 additional medals. |
|||
| Captain | McKinstry, Frederick John Brown | 21 Sep 1944 | Albert Canal, Belgium | Link to award document (file no. only – document not online) |
|
| Captain | Turnbull, Andrew Ross | Sep 1944 | Albert Canal, Belgium | Link to award document (file no. only – document not online) |
|
| Distinguished Service Order (DSO) |
| Instituted on 9 November 1886 and awarded for individual instances of meritorious or distinguished service in wartime. Prior to 1943, it was awarded only to officers whose service had been mentioned in despatches for “distinguished services under fire, or under conditions equivalent to service in actual combat with the enemy.”
By the Second World War, this award generally went to officers in command of battalions or brigades and holding Lieutenant-Colonel rank or higher. However, in the early years of the First World War, the DSO was the only medal available to reward officers, short of the Victoria Cross, until the creation of the Military Cross. While awards to men ranked Major or below were not uncommon in the First World War, by 1944 the award often indicated not just outstanding leadership, but also individual feats of gallantry just short of that degree rewarded by the Victoria Cross. In total, 1291 Canadians have been decorated with the DSO (20 of these in the Boer War and 710 in the First World War), with 113 Bars (ie a second award, which includes 89 in the First World War) and 18 second Bars (or third awards, including 15 from the First World War). Thus, nineteen of the 1291 DSOs went to officers of the Regiment, three members of the Tenth Battalion were awarded a Bar to the DSO, and one 10th Battalion Officer received a second Bar (a feat only matched by 14 other Canadians). The Distinguished Service Order is technically not a “medal” but the insignia of this order is indeed represented in the form of a medal, or ribbon when worn in “undress.” The DSO was replaced in 1972 when the Canadian Honours System was introduced, replacing many of the former British Empire/British Commonwealth awards currently in use by the Canadian Government and Department of National Defence. The following awards were made to members of the 10th Battalion, CEF, and The Calgary Highlanders. This listing only covers those officers who were serving with the Regiment during the action(s) for which the award was made, not DSO holders who may later have served with either the 10th Battalion or Calgary Highlanders. First World War 1914-1918
Second World War 1939-1945
|
Honourable Mention – Major Vernon (“Vern”) Stott, second in command of the 1st Battalion, The Calgary Highlanders, was transferred to command of the 1st Battalion, The South Saskatchewan Regiment in 1944, where he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, as well as being Mentioned in Despatches, and made an Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau (with Swords), a foreign award.
| Military Cross (MC) |
| This medal was instituted on 28 December 1915, for award to commissioned officers of the substantive rank of Captain or below (including acting and temporary Majors) or Warrant Officers for distinguished and meritorious services in battle. In 1920, the terms were altered to clearly state the award was for gallant and distinguished services in action.
The Military Cross was replaced in 1972 when the Canadian Honours System was introduced, replacing many of the former British Empire/British Commonwealth awards currently in use by the Canadian Government and Department of National Defence. The medals awarded under the Canadian Honours system are no longer associated with any particular group of ranks and all service personnel are entitled equally to all the major bravery awards. The following awards were made to members of the 10th Battalion, CEF, and The Calgary Highlanders. Posthumous awards are highlighted in grey. First World War 1914-1918
Second World War 1939-1945
|
* Thank you to Peter Simundson of the QOR Museum for facilitating that conversation.
Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field (DCM)
This medal was instituted in December 1854, and was awarded to Warrant Officers, NCOs and men for “distinguished conduct in the field”. In practice, it is considered second only to the Victoria Cross in terms of prestige. It is not awarded for service or for leadership, but individual acts of courage. As such it is exceedingly rare. For example, only 161 Canadians were awarded the DCM for service in the Second World War (with one second award, or Bar, also being awarded); seven of them were Calgary Highlanders. It was not unheard of for soldiers recommended for the Victoria Cross to be awarded the DCM in lieu; this was the case with Sergeant Ken Crockett, DCM, of the Calgary Highlanders.
The Military Medal, considered a lower award for bravery, was not introduced until 1916, so the award of DCMs earlier in the war may have been slightly more generous.
A typical citation (this one for Lance Corporal George William Allan) would be as follows (as published in the London Gazette No. 29202, dated June 30, 1915)
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the night of 23rd – 24th April 1915, when he fought first one machine gun and then a second, until both were put out of action and their teams either killed or wounded, he then continued to fire with his rifle until killed at his post.”
The Distinguished Conduct Medal was replaced in 1972 when the Canadian Honours System was introduced, replacing many of the former British Empire/British Commonwealth awards currently in use by the Canadian Government and Department of National Defence. The modern equivalent of the DCM would most likely be considered the Star of Courage.
The following awards were made to members of the Tenth Battalion, CEF, and The Calgary Highlanders. Posthumous awards are highlighted in grey.
First World War 1914-1918
Rank/Appointment
Name
Date of Action
Location
Other Awards
Notes
Company Sergeant Major
Carter, Henry Thomas
Aug 1917
Hill 70
Later awarded MC as officer
Citation
Company Sergeant Major
Nuttall, Jack P.
Jun 1916
Mount Sorrel
Also awarded the MM
Citation
Company Sergeant Major (Acting R.S.M.)
Watchman, James
9 Apr 1917
Vimy Ridge
Died 11 Nov 1917
Citation
Sergeant
Barlow, Arthur (34076)
Mar 1918
Hill 70
Also awarded the MM and Bar as a Corporal
Citation
Sergeant
Budd, Arnold
4-5 Feb 1916
Trench Raid
Citation
Sergeant
Caminer, Hugh
9 Apr 1917
Vimy Ridge
Also awarded the MM as a Lance Corporal
Listed in Gallant Canadians as Corporal
Citation
Sergeant
Forbes, Davis
Aug 1917
Hill 70
Citation
Sergeant
Jeeves, Charles H.H.
1918
Amiens/Arras
Citation notes “in front of Amiens and Arras.”
Citation
Sergeant
Leebody, Samuel
27/28 Sep 1918
Hayencourt
Citation
Sergeant
Legg, Percy B.
9 Apr 1917
Vimy Ridge
Citation
Sergeant
Malkinson, Wilfred H.
2 Sep 1918
Villers-les-Cagnicourt
Also awarded the MM as a Private
Citation
Sergeant
Maxwell, Dougall
Aug 1917
Hill 70
Citation
Sergeant
McAndie, David
Oct 1916
Somme
Also awarded the MC and MM
Died 15 Aug 1918
Citation
Sergeant
Milne, Edward Ramsay
May 1915
Festubert
Awarded the Bar to the DCM and also awarded the MC as a Captain
Died 10 October 1918
Citation
Sergeant
Morrison, Charles
May 1915
Festubert
Citation
Sergeant
Oliver, Ambrose
8 Aug 1918
Amiens
Citation
Sergeant
Stone, Harry C.
Citation
Sergeant
Vose, Ernest
Apr 1917
Vimy Ridge
For actions as Signals Sergeant
Citation
Lance Sergeant
Shoesmith, Frederick
Oct 1916
Somme
Also awarded the MM
Citation
Lance Sergeant
Underwood, Arthur A.
2 Sep 1918
Villers-les-Cagnicourt
Also awarded the MM, Acting Sergeant on citation.
Citation
Corporal
Baker, William
23 Apr 1915
St. Julien
Also awarded French Croix de Guerre.
Citation
Corporal
Bradley, Thomas W.
27/28 Sep 1918
Hayencourt
Citation
Corporal
Brookes, Ralph
May 1915
Festubert
Citation
Corporal
Coates, Robert
8 Apr 1917
Vimy Ridge – Trench Raid
Also awarded the MM
Citation
Corporal
Greenwood, Thomas C.
8 Aug 1918
Amiens
Also awarded the MM
Citation
Corporal
Grover, George S.
27/28 Sep 1918
Hayencourt
Citation
Corporal
Hume, Edward M.
8 Aug 1918
Amiens
Citation
Corporal
Palmer, John E.
May 1915
Festubert
Gallant Canadians lists as Lance Sergeant
Citation
Corporal
Purmal, Nicholas
Aug 1917
Hill 70
Citation
Corporal
Ross, Thomas Oscar
24 Apr 1915
St. Julien
Died 3 August 1915
Listed in Gallant Canadians as Private
Citation
Corporal
Schultz, Samuel
24 Apr 1915
St. Julien
Citation
Corporal
Wennevold, John Oscar
Aug 1917
Hill 70
Died 28 September 1918
Gallant Canadians lists as Lance Sergeant
Citation
Lance Corporal
Allan, George
23-24 Apr 1915
St. Julien
Killed 23 April 1915
Citation
Lance Corporal
Buddry, Frederick L.
3 Jun 1916
Mount Sorrel
Also awarded the MM
Citation
Lance Corporal
Cooper, William
8 Aug 1918
Amiens
Died 3 September 1918
Also awarded the MM (with another battalion)
Citation
Lance Corporal
Culgin, Alexander
2 Sep 1918
Villers-les-Cagnicourt
Citation
Lance Corporal
Hayter, Arthur
3 Jun 1916
Mount Sorrel
Citation
Lance Corporal
Jones, Gordon P.
Aug 1917
Hill 70
Died 8 August 1918 at Amiens
Listed in Gallant Canadians as Corporal
Citation
Lance Corporal
King, William
23 -24 Apr 1915
St. Julien
Listed in Gallant Canadians as Corporal
Citation
Lance Corporal
Wilson, Harry
2 Sep 1918
Villers-les-Cagnicourt
Also awarded the MM
Died 28 September 1918
Listed in Gallant Canadians as Corporal
Citation
Private
Beggs, William
Nov 1917
Passchendaele
Citation
Private
Bloxham, Charles
24 Apr 1915
St. Julien
Citation
Private
Burnell, Arthur W.
28 Sep 1918
Epinoy
Listed in Gallant Canadians as Lance Corporal.
Citation
Private
Clark, Richard
2 Sep 1918
Villers-les-Cagnicourt
Citation
Private
Collins, John P.
28 Sep 1918
Epinoy
Citation
Private
Cox, Frank S.
4-5 Feb 1916
Trench Raid
Citation
Private
Cracknell, Charles J.
Aug 1917
Hill 70
Citation
Private
Curtis, Norval
17/18 Oct 1918
Ecaillon
Also awarded the MM
Citation
Private
Fenwick, McLeod
2 Sep 1918
Villers-les-Cagnicourt
Citation
Private
Fidgett, Thomas D.
Aug 1917
Hill 70
Citation
Private
Flynn, Thomas
2 Sep 1918
Villers-les-Cagnicourt
Citation
Private
Graham, Lloyd J.
Mar 1918
Trench Raid
Citation
Private
Henry, J.
8 Apr 1917
Vimy Ridge – Trench Raid
Also awarded the MM
Citation
Private
Holmes, William J.
2 Sep 1918
Villers-les-Cagnicourt
Citation
Private
Hughes, Joseph F.
2 Sep 1918
Villers-les-Cagnicourt
Citation
Private
Kosko, Michael
12 Mar 1918
Trench Raid
Citation
Private
La Duke, George W.
2 Sep 1918
Villers-les-Cagnicourt
Citation
Private
Mattison, Peter
2 Sep 1918
Villers-les-Cagnicourt
Citation
Private
Morin, Alexander
Oct 1916
Somme
Attached to Trench Mortar battery at time of deed.
Died 19 Feb 1917
Citation
Private
Pettengill, Charles
2 Sep 1918
Villers-les-Cagnicourt
Citation
Private
Sixby, Frank
4-5 Feb 1916
Trench Raid
Citation
Private
Smith, Henry
Aug 1917
Hill 70
Also awarded the MM
Citation
Private
Van Valkenberg, Gordon
8 Aug 1918
Amiens
Also awarded the MM
Citation
Private
Webb, Harry
19 Aug 1918
Trench Raid
Also awarded the MM
Citation
Private
Zuidema, Louis
4-5 Feb 1916
Trench Raid
Citation
Bar to the Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field
Rank
Name
Date of Action
Location
Notes
Sergeant
Milne, Edward
4-5 Feb 1916
Trench Raid
Earned the DCM at Festubert, 1915.
First Canadian in the Great War to win the Bar to the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Citation
Second World War 1939-1945
No.
Rank
Name
Date of Action
Location
Other Awards
Notes
Link to Award Doc
K2190
Private
Brown, William Cary
23 Oct 1944
Ossendrecht, The Netherlands
Died in motorcycle accident on 8 Dec 1944. Award made posthumously, 18 Dec 1944.
Link to award document
M35070
Sergeant
Crockett, Ken
21 Sep 1944
Albert Canal, Belgium
Link to award document
(file no. only – document not online)
K52168
Sergeant
Laloge, Emile Jean
1 Nov 1944
Walcheren Causeway, The Netherlands
Also awarded the MM. Award presented 28 Jan 1945.
Link to award document
M12091
Sergeant
Reed, Thomas James
7 October 1944
Hoogerheide, The Netherlands
Also awarded the MM.
Link to award document
(file no. only – document not online)
B127987
Lance Corporal
McMahon, Robert Allan
8 Feb 1945
Wyler, Germany
Link to award document
M105583
Lance Corporal
Rourke, Floyd Orin
26 Apr 1945
Gruppen-Buhren, Germany
Link to award document
M8999
Private
Austin, R. E
8 Feb 1945
Wyler, Germany
Also awarded the MM.
Link to award document
|
Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field (DCM) |
|
The Military Medal, considered a lower award for bravery, was not introduced until 1916, so the award of DCMs earlier in the war may have been slightly more generous. A typical citation (this one for Lance Corporal George William Allan) would be as follows (as published in the London Gazette No. 29202, dated June 30, 1915)
The Distinguished Conduct Medal was replaced in 1972 when the Canadian Honours System was introduced, replacing many of the former British Empire/British Commonwealth awards currently in use by the Canadian Government and Department of National Defence. The modern equivalent of the DCM would most likely be considered the Star of Courage. The following awards were made to members of the Tenth Battalion, CEF, and The Calgary Highlanders. Posthumous awards are highlighted in grey. First World War 1914-1918
Second World War 1939-1945
|
 |
British Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) |
From 1902 to 1916, this medal was awarded only after discharge to any senior NCO (sergeant or warrant officer) who had earned the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and had served for 21 years (or 18 years if disabled). The award was limited to just 40 who could wear it at any time and was a recognition of valuable and meritorious service.
 |
In 1916, white stripes were added to the ribbon to distinguish it further from the Victoria Cross ribbon (which was the same crimson colour but also had a miniature of the VC attached to the ribbon). All non-commissioned ranks were also made eligible for the award.
The conditions for the award were also changed, to include those soldiers “duly recommended… in respect of gallant conduct in the performance of military duty otherwise than in action against the enemy, or in saving, or attempting to save the life of an officer or soldier, or for devotion to duty in a theatre of war.”
 |
In 1917, a central white stripe was added to the ribbon.
In 1928, the gallantry portion of the award was cancelled, as the British Empire Medal served that purpose instead.
There were 275 awards for service, and 1430 for gallantry.
The following awards were made to members of the 10th Battalion, CEF. Posthumous awards are highlighted in grey.
First World War 1914-1918
| Rank/Appointment | Name | Date of Action | Location | Other Awards | Notes |
| Sergeant Major | Baker, Herbert | ||||
| Sergeant Major | Murray, George | ||||
| Sergeant Major | Rayfield, Edmond | ||||
| Sergeant Major | Wilson, Matthew | ||||
| Sergeant | Campbell, John | ||||
| Sergeant | Doig, Charles | ||||
| Sergeant | Hardwick, Ralph | ||||
| Sergeant | Jacobs, Sidney | ||||
| Sergeant | McDonald, Angus | ||||
| Sergeant | McNiven, Charles | ||||
| Sergeant | Thompson, Robson | ||||
| Sergeant | Vincent, George | ||||
| Sergeant | Washford, Harry | ||||
| Sergeant | Winning, James | ||||
| Corporal | Menzies, William | ||||
| Corporal | Simpson, Herbert | ||||
| Corporal | McTurk, James | ||||
| Corporal | Morris, Denis |
The award was replaced in 1972 by other awards in the Canadian Honours System, and eventually a Canadian Meritorious Service medal was instituted.
Canadian Meritorious Service Medal (MSM)
| Military Medal |
| This medal was instituted on 25 March 1916, recognizing a gap in the system of awards for non-commissioned soldiers. The medal was awarded to “Warrant Officers, non-commissioned officers and men for individual or associated acts of bravery on the recommendation of a Commander-in-Chief in the field.”
Canadians have received 13,654 medals for both World Wars and Korea, plus 848 first bars and 38 second bars. One of these 38 went to a member of the 10th Battalion. During the battle for Hill 70 in 1917, no less than sixty members of the 10th Battalion were decorated with the Military Medal. The Military Medal was replaced in 1972 when the Canadian Honours System was introduced, replacing many of the former British Empire/British Commonwealth awards currently in use by the Canadian Government and Department of National Defence. The following awards were made to members of the 10th Battalion, CEF, and The Calgary Highlanders. First World War 1914-1918
Second World War 1939-1945
|
Calgary Highlanders on United Nations Missions
Note from the webmaster – these listings are very incomplete. Over 200 Calgary Highlanders have served on UN and NATO missions since 1992. The Regiment takes great pride in the personal sacrifices made by each and every soldier to have volunteered for these missions in the service of Peace. If you are a Calgary Highlander and have served overseas, or know of anyone who is not listed here and should be, please contact the webmaster so that this list can be made as complete as possible. Please contact the webmaster at the address listed on the first page of this site and please include first name, last name, rank (at time of tour), name of mission, unit served with, name of OP/Roto # and approximate dates of service. Corrections to the existing listing below are also gratefully accepted.
The mandate of this mission was To monitor the cease-fire in Cambodia, conduct naval patrols in the Gulf of Thailand approaches and major inland waterways such as the Kekong River, and provide mine awareness training. Canada began withdrawing its forces in September 1993 and most were gone by late October 1993. The last three were due to leave in December 1993. The award was for 90 days service from March 1992 to December 1993, and a total of 475 awards were made, including one to a Calgary Highlander of the Unit Medical Section. Corporal David J. Dirom
After the United Nations revolved to mediate between warring factions in Croatia, Canadian officers began to be deployed to the former Yugoslavia. The Vance agreement of 1992 provided the impetus for the United Nations Protection Force to be deployed. Their mandate was to “conduct security patrols, establish checkpoints, provide route maintenance, clear minefields and construct and maintain shelters in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.” The Canadian contribution to this force was called Operation HARMONY, and was deployed from 1992 to 1995. The forces involved in this Operation rotated on a regular basis, each Rotation (“Roto”) involving new units, and new opportunities for reservists to participate. Medals were presented to any soldier serving at least 90 days in theatre, though the standard tour was six months, with a comparable period spent in Canada doing full-time work up training with the Roto unit pre-deployment. Calgary Highlanders were involved in the earliest rotos. Roto 1 consisted of 860 personnel from 3 PPCLI and 1 Combat Engineer Regiment. Included on this roto were: Master Corporal Fabio Lacentra
The 2 PPCLI BG is awarded the commendation for courageous and professional execution of duty during the MEDAK POCKET Operation in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia in September 1993. Under conditions of extreme peril and hazard, facing enemy artillery, small arms and heavy machine gun fire as well as anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, the members of 2 PPCLI BG held their ground and drove the Croatian forces back. Their exemplary actions caused the Croatian Army to cease their ongoing tactics of “ethnic cleansing” in the sector, without question saving many innocent civilian lives. The original presentation ceremony for this award was made in Winnipeg on 1 December 2002 after almost ten years after the fact. At that time, only five of the 27 Calgary Highlanders eligible for the award were able to attend the ceremony. Others have since received their award from the unit. More information on this award can be found on the DEU page under “Regimental Dress”. Roto 4 in October 1994 included
Roto 7 (September 2000 – April 2001) included, serving with 2 PPCLI, Sergeant Terry Afflick Other Other Calgary Highlanders who either did not serve directly on a Roto, or for whom information is incomplete at the present time, include: Major RJ (Rick) Goebel, CD Captain Mike Ter Kuile |
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Canadian Forces rotations have included
During Roto 49 (March 1988 – September 1988), conducted by 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, two Calgary Highlanders served; Corporal Dave Parry and Corporal Ramil Vitug. This tour was the first to take reservists in large numbers (approximately two platoons worth), though most of the officers and NCOs were Regular Force. (Thank you to Captain John Weingardt for providing this information to the Regiment in December 2010.) The September 1989 Roto (Roto 52 of OP Snowgoose) was completed by 1 RCR and included: Corporal Dave Melcher The March 1991 Roto (Roto 55 of OP Snowgoose) included the following Calgary Highlanders: Corporal Jamie Moreau Roto 58 of Operation Snowgoose was the last six month tour by a Canadian unit on Cyprus. Serving with 2 RCHA on that tour was: Corporal Dave Melcher Other members of the Regiment known to have served in UNFICYP at various times have included:
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The United Nations Military Observer Group in India & Pakistan (UNMOGIP) was established in 1948 to observe the cease-fire line and determine violations between India and Pakistan in the Kashmir area. This was the first United Nations Peacekeeping mission. Some 501 medals have been issued for six months service between 20 January 1948 and 20 January 1979. A Calgary Highlander was one of the first members of this mission. Major Stu Moore
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Calgary Highlanders on NATO Missions
Note from the webmaster – these listings are very incomplete. Over 200 Calgary Highlanders have served on UN and NATO missions since 1992. The Regiment takes great pride in the personal sacrifices made by each and every soldier to have volunteered for these missions in the service of Peace. If you are a Calgary Highlander and have served overseas, or know of anyone who is not listed here and should be, please contact the webmaster so that this list can be made as complete as possible. Please contact the webmaster at the address listed on the first page of this site and please include first name, last name, rank (at time of tour), name of mission, unit served with, name of OP/Roto # and approximate dates of service. Corrections to the existing listing below are also gratefully accepted.
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North Atlantic Treaty Organziation (NATO) Medal for Former Yugoslavia |
| ELIGIBILITY & CRITERIA
Operation PALLADIUM Canadian troops first went to the Balkans in February 1992 as part of UNPROFOR, to protect non-combatants during the conflicts in the former Republic of Yugoslavia. Negotiations conducted at Dayton, Ohio resulted in signing of the General Framework Agreement for Peace at Paris, on 14 Dec 1995 and NATO entered Bosnia-Herzegovina with the 60,000-strong Implementation Force (IFOR) to ensure compliance by all parties. This was the largest military operation ever undertaken by NATO. When IFOR’s one year mandate ended, the Mission subsequently became SFOR, totalling 12,000 troops and including 1220 Canadian Forces soldiers and over 170 Canadian civilians. SFOR’s mission was to maintain a safe and secure environment for the citizens of the former Yugoslavia and to promote peace in the region. The overall Canadian contribution to SFOR was named Operation PALLADIUM. CF units deploying for PALLADIUM served six-month tours, known as rotations or “Rotos.” The first Roto deployed to the region in 1996. The Canadian area of responsibility in the northwest corner of Bosnia-Herzegovina was a rugged, mountainous area of about 6,000 square kilometres, or larger than Prince Edward Island. The main activity of Canadian soldiers has been patrolling towns, villages and countryside, in order to:
Canadian troops in theatre also participated in Canadian and multinational exercises to both demonstrate SFOR capabilities and develop interoperability with allies. Since 1992, more than 40,000 Canadians have served in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and twenty-four Canadians have been killed while serving in the region. This medal was awarded for thirty days continuous or accumulated service on the land, at sea or in the air spaces of the Former Yugoslavia, Albania, the Former Republic of Macedonia, and the Adriatic Sea (the theatre of operations); or ninety days continuous or accumulated service, in the territories of Italy, Greece, Hungary and Austria, in direct support of the NATO operations in the Former Yugoslavia (the adjacent area). Tour numerals are worn on the ribbon for each additional 180 days service in the theatre of operations (or 540 days service in the adjacent area defined above) Eligibility for this medal started on 15 Dec 1995 and ended 31 Dec 2002. The medal was replaced by the Non-Article 5 NATO Medal for Operations in the Balkans on 1 Jan 2003. The tour numerals are Arabic script and made of bronze. Recipients from the Calgary Highlanders have included: Corporal Rob Jackson Roto 11 – 1 PPCLI Battle Group, Sep 2002 – Mar 2003 The Calgary Highlanders were able to send a formed unit over as part of this Roto, known within the Calgary Highlanders as the “CRIC Platoon” and belonging to the CRIC (Composite Reserve Infantry Company) made up of reservists. The CRIC Platoon was able to train together as a sub-unit even before pre-deployment training with the PPCLI, and were the first soldiers in the Calgary Highlanders to receive issue of the new CADPAT uniform in anticipation of their operational deployment. The CRIC Platoon were also among the large number of forces tasked with security at the G8 Summit in Kananaskis. |
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| In the Balkans, the Battle Group as a whole had a very successful tour, marked by over 3300 vehicle and foot patrols in varied terrain, and the confiscation of hundreds of weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Focused security operations countered threats to peace and stability and built public confidence, while the Battle Group also supported refugee returns through the completion of fifteen community improvement projects. These projects provided schools, water treatment, electricity, and sanitary services to some of the most disadvantaged areas of Bosnia. Canadian soldiers completed a census providing critical information on over 8000 inhabitants to local government and aid agencies. Local government and public institutions became active and effective bodies during the mission and for the first time the Battle Group aided in developing the local economy by stimulating job creation.
Captain Simon Cox Also with Roto 11 was Chief Warrant Officer Byron Fletcher, CD |
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Non-Article 5 NATO Medal for Operations in the Balkans |
| Awarded for thirty days continuous or accumulated service on the land or in the air spaces of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslavia (including Kosovo), Albania, and the Former Republic of Macedonia, starting the 1 Jan 2003. This medal replaced NATO medals for the Former-Yugoslavia, Kosovo and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
With the creation of this medal, NATO abolished the practice of issuing tour numerals to recognize more than one tour with NATO forces. The “NON ARTICLE FIVE” medal is now issued once to recognize all service in the Balkans, regardless of the number of tours a member serves. The medal also no longer recognizes service in support areas such as Italy, Greece, Hungary and Austria and a member must serve thirty days in the theatre of operations to qualify for this medal. |
Sergeant Dave Melcher
(In the summer of 2000, Sergeant Melcher served as a helicopter gunner with 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron)
Roto 12 – 2 PPCLI Battle Group (April 2003 – September 2003)
Major Warren Spaan, CD – National Command Element
Warrant Officer James R. MacDonald, CD – “D” Company, 2 PPCLI
Warrant Officer Martin Woods, CD – Multi National Brigade, Northwest
Corporal Pat Laramee – “D” Company, 2 PPCLI
Corporal Rob Jackson – “D” Company, 2 PPCLI
Corporal Daniel Decorby – “D” Company, 2 PPCLI
Private Yuan Tao – – “D” Company, 2 PPCLI
Operation Bronze and Operation Boreas
Canadians participating as part of the NATO force in the Balkans (and serving in Sarajevo) became known as Operation Bronze; other Canadians in theatre were changed to EUFOR after the end of SFOR’s mandate, and referred to as Operation Boreas.
Roto 0 – 2004
Captain Louis Marselje, CD – Multi National Brigade, Northwest
Captain Fiona G. McLean, CD – Multi National Brigade, Northwest
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Special Service Medal |
The Special Service Medal was created to recognize CF members who performed a service determined to be under exceptional circumstances, in a clearly defined locality for a specified duration, from 11 June 1984 to present (including service begun before that date still ongoin on 11 June 1984). The Medal is always issued with a Bar that specifies the special service being recognized, each bar having its own criteria. No device is worn on the ribbon in undress for a single bar; two or more bars are indicated as shown below. The bars (listed by the bilingual names which physically appear on the bar itself) include:
NATO + OTAN
An aggregate of 180 days of honourable service within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) area of responsibility since its beginning on 1 Jan 1951 and still continuing. Qualifying service is service while posted to a NATO unit, or to a Canadian Forces or allied formation or unit outside territorial limits of Canada under the operational control of a NATO headquarters, or in Canada on an operational staff directly participating in the operational control of such formations and units. In the latter case, only those staff personnel serving in an operations room directly participating in the control of ships and aircraft in NATO operations and exercises qualify for this service. Not all time served in Europe nor at sea can be counted towards this bar.
This bar is of most relevance to the Calgary Highlanders, as several members may in fact be qualified for it. The Regiment provided augmentees to 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, which was stationed in the Federal Republic of Germany during the Cold War. This brigade, the best equipped and most combat capable brigade in the Canadian Army, trained with the full intent of facing massive Warsaw Pact assaults into Western Europe. During the 1980s, many Highlanders would do “fly overs” to what was then known as West Germany to participate in NATO exercises as part of the brigade group. Calculation of time served has been administratively challenging.
PAKISTAN 1989 – 90
A minimum of 90 days service with the Mine Awareness and Clearance Training Program in Pakistan, during the period beginning on 15 Mar 1989 and ending on 29 Jul 1990, under the auspices of the United Nations. This award was subsequently replaced by the United Nations Special Service Medal and recipients of this bar may exchange it for his medal instead.
ALERT
An aggregate of 180 days of honourable service on the posted strength of Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert, or of honourable service with a military force operationally deployed to or at CFS Alert, since it began its operation on 1 Sep 1958 and still continuing. Units deployed at CFS Alert include such detachments as aircrew flying into the station for re-supply missions.
PEACE – PAIX
An aggregate of 180 days of honourable service in peacekeeping operations, from Nov 1947 (the beginning of international peacekeeping operations) to 21 Jun 2001. It was issued for service which had not been recognized by any other award in, or accepted into, the Canadian Honours system at the time. On 21 Jun 2001, this award was replaced by the CPSM (Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal).
HUMANITAS
An aggregate of 30 days of honourable service performed outside Canada since 11 Jun 1984 in support of any humanitarian operation, conducted in response to a disaster or human conflict, set out in the schedule, including rescue, relief and reconstruction operations, provided the service has not been acknowledged by the award of any other honour that is part of or is recognized by the Canadian Honours System.
RANGER
An aggregate of four years of honourable service as a Canadian Ranger, performing the duties of providing a military presence in support of Canadian sovereignty including reporting unusual activities, collecting local data of significance to support military operations, providing local expertise, assistance and advice, as guide and advisor, in search and rescue activities, and completion of a minimum of three Ranger Patrol Exercises, within Canada or its territorial and contiguous waters since 1947.
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Where the undress ribbon is worn, a silver maple leaf is worn to denote a second bar. |
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Where the undress ribbon is worn, a gold maple leaf is worn to denote a third bar. |
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Where the undress ribbon is worn, a red maple leaf is worn to denote a fourth bar and any subsequent bars. |
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Calgary Highlanders on Foreign Service Note from the webmaster – these listings are very incomplete. Over 200 Calgary Highlanders have served on UN and NATO missions since 1992. The Regiment takes great pride in the personal sacrifices made by each and every soldier to have volunteered for these missions in the service of Peace. If you are a Calgary Highlander and have served overseas, or know of anyone who is not listed here and should be, please contact the webmaster so that this list can be made as complete as possible. Please contact the webmaster at the address listed on the first page of this site and please include first name, last name, rank (at time of tour), name of mission, unit served with, name of OP/Roto # and approximate dates of service. Corrections to the existing listing below are also gratefully accepted.
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General Campaign Star |
The General Campaign Star (GCS) is awarded to members of the Canadian Forces and members of allied forces working with the Canadian Forces who deploy into a defined theatre of operations to take part in operations in the presence of an armed enemy. The GCS is always issued with a ribbon specific to the theatre or type of service being recognized, and each ribbon has its own criteria. (The medal was originally issued with bars to indicate specific theatre/service).The medal (with applicable ribbon or bar) has been issued to retroactively commemorate service in the air operations over Kosovo in 1999, as well as (with a different coloured ribbon and separate bar) the campaign in Afghanistan in 2001-2014.
The main colours of the ribbon are red and white (the official colours of Canada as appointed by King George V in 1921) with the ribbon for South-west Asia having a green centre representing service.
Calgary Highlanders who have received this award while members of the Regiment include:
Warrant Officer Martin Woods – Warrant Officer Martin Woods served with the National Command Element of Canadian forces in Afghanistan from Aug 2005 to Jan 2006.
Master Corporal Steve Malenfant
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South West Asia Service Medal |
The South-West Asia Service Medal is awarded for a minimum of 90 days cumulative service in direct support of operations against terrorism in South West Asia from 11 September 2001 to 31 July 2009. Direct support occurs when a member is deployed to a unit or organization outside Canada but not into a specific theatre of operations, and where his or her primary duty is to provide direct assistance on a full-time basis to the operations against terrorism in South-West Asia.
Warrant Officer Martin Woods
Warrant Officer Martin Woods served with the National Command Element of Canadian forces in Afghanistan from Aug 2005 to Jan 2006.
Lieutenant Colonel Warren Spaan
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Lieutenant Colonel Warren Spaan, Commanding Officer from 1999 to 2002, was awarded the South West Asia Service Medal (SWASM) with Afghanistan bar, for his service on Op ATHENA, Roto 2. The medal was presented in Camp Julien, the Canadian camp in Kabul, on 4 Feb 2005 by the Task Force Commander, Colonel Jim Ellis. This medal recognized service with the Headquarters of Combined Forces Command – Afghanistan (CFC-A), the U.S. led coalition serving there (as opposed to ISAF, the NATO led force). |
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European Security and Defence Policy Service Medal |
| Captain McLean was also awarded the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) service medal. The European Union (EU) awards the ESDP service medal for 30 days’ continuous service on a designated EU-led crisis management operation. The medal is always awarded with a bar identifying the operation being recognized. Bars have been created recognizing service on the European Union-led: police mission (EUPM) in Bosnia, since January 1,2003;as well as military operation ARTEMIS in the Democratic Republic of Congo, from June 12 to September 1, 2003 (CF Operation CARAVAN); military operation CONCORDIA in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, from March 31 to December 15, 2003 (CF Op FUSION); police mission PROXIMA in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, from December 15, 2003, and European Union Force (ALTHEA) in Bosnia-Herzegovina from December 2, 2004 (CF Op BOREAS). |  |
Medals for Volunteer Service (War and Peace)
Awarded to Canadian military personnel for one day on the strength of an army unit in Korea; or 28 days afloat; or one sortie over Korea by a member of the RCAF, betwen 2 July 1950 and 27 July 1953. While the Calgary Highlanders did not deploy to Korea, many Second World War veterans did volunteer for service there and number among the more than 15,000 Canadian service personnel eligible for this award. Lance Corporal Floyd Rourke, DCM, who received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions at Gruppen Buhren in April 1945 while serving with the Calgary Highlanders, was one such WW II veteran who volunteered for further service in Korea. Other Korean War veterans came to the Highlanders in later years; Chief Warrant Officer Bill Toews, CD, who served as Regimental Sergeant Major of The Calgary Highlanders in the late 1980s, had served with the PPCLI in Korea.
The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (often abbreviated to CVSM, this medal did not grant a post-nominal to the holder) was granted to any Canadian who volunteered for Active service in any of the three services (sea, land or air), and honourably completed eighteen months of serviced between 3 September 1939 and 1 March 1947. Additional information and a list of qualifing areas of service are available from the Honours and Awards Section, Veterans Affairs Canada, 66 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0P4.
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Medals for Long Service and Good Conduct
Long serving soldiers of the Calgary Highlanders are recognized by the award of the Canadian Forces Decoration. This medal was created in December 1949 and first issued in 1951, replacing a wide array of previous decorations that were specific to certain branches or rank groups only. The CD has always been available to any member of the Canadian Forces regardless of rank, service or branch. The requirement for award of the medal is 12 years of service, the last eight of which must be marked by an unblemished record of good conduct. The Calgary Highlanders generally award this decoration at important functions at which the majority of the Regiment is in attendance, so the recipient may be rewarded in front of his peers. The medal is awarded with a presentation case, and the soldier’s name and rank are engraved on the edge of the medal. On average approximately 7,500 presentations of the CD are made per year within the Canadian Armed Forces as a whole. Additional periods of 10 years are marked by the addition of a bar to the medal; when the full medal is worn, this metal bar (called a “clasp” in reference to this particular decoration) is worn on the ribbon. In “undress”, when only the ribbon is worn, the clasp actually takes the form of a metal rosette.
This medal was awarded for twenty years of “meritorious service” in the Non-Permanent Active Militia (as the Reserve Army was known before 1940). Only officers of the NPAM (or RCAF Auxiliary and Reserve) were eligible for this award. Wartime service counted as double towards the award criteria. For officers commissioned from the ranks, half the time they spent as a non-commissioned soldier could counted towards this award. This medal was issued between 1931 and 1949, when it was replaced with the CD described above. Bars would be awarded for each additional 20 years of service. Approximately 3,700 awards were made.
The non-commissioned soldier’s counterpart to the ED was the Canadian Efficiency Medal, award for 12 years service to Warrant Officers, NCOs and Men serving in the reserve services (sea, land and air) of Canada. The medal was awarded from 23 September 1931 until replaced by the Canadian Forces Decoration in 1949. Every six additional years of service was recognized by a bar to the medal. There was no post-nominal associated with the award. During the reign of King George V, some 1,600 awards of the medal were made; 10,600 under King George VI, and 450 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II (the Canadian Forces Decoration was not awarded to those enlisting before 1 September 1939). Additionally, in total there were some 3,200 first bars awarded (recognizing 18 years of service), 845 second bars (24 years), 140 third bars (30 years), 18 fourth bars (36 years) and 3 soldiers were recognized for 42 years service by the award of a fifth Bar to their Efficiency Medal.
The predecessor of the ED was the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration (carrying with it the now ominous-sounding post-nominal “VD”). This medal was issued to officers (only) of the Non-Permanent Active Militia, for twenty years of “meritorious service.” The medal was awarded from 4 February 1901 to 31 December 1931, after which time it was replaced by the Efficiency Decoration. A bar would be awarded for twenty additional years of service. During the reign of Queen Victoria, 850 awards were made to Canadians; 250 during the reign of King Edward VII and 1,660 awards during the reign of King George V.
The non-commissioned soldier’s counterpart to the VD was the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal. This award did not come with a post-nominal. Non-commissioned reservists in the land, air and naval forces of Canada were entitled to this award, issued from 4 February 1902 to 23 September 1931, for 20 years service (with war service counting double). There was no provision for additional awards after twenty years (ie no Bar to this medal). During the reign of Queen Victoria, 1,350 awards were made to Canadians; 750 during the reign of King Edward VII, and over 4,300 awards during the reign of King George V. This award was superceded by Canadian Efficiency Medal. |
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Confederation Commemoratives
The Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Confederation (also referred to as “The Canada 125 Medal”) was minted in 1992 to honour Canadians who made a significant contribution to their fellow citizens, their community, or the nation. Nominations were submitted to the Chancellery by Lieutenant Governors and Commissioners of territories, Senators, Members of Parliament, provincial governments, the Public Service Commission of Canada, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as well as by national organizations in important fields of endeavour. Nominations were sanctioned by the Governor General. The Calgary Highlanders received an allotment of medals for award to deserving members who were deemed to have contributed significantly in various areas of endeavour. In all, the Medal was awarded to approximately 42,000 highly esteemed Canadians from all walks of life, from every region of Canada, from varied ethno-cultural backgrounds and from a multitude of disciplines. The recipients selected by The Calgary Highlanders are listed below: Major Ray Ansell |
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| This medal was issued to commemorate the Centennial of Canada’s Confederation in 1867, and was awarded to people recommended by governments and associations. The Canadian Forces were awarded almost 30% of the medals issued. The medal was instituted on 01 July 1967, and 29,500 were issued, some 8,500 of which went to the Canadian Armed Forces. Calgary Highlanders recipients included:.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Mark Tennant, CM, ED, CD |
Queen’s Jubilee Medals
| Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Medal |
From the website of the Governor General:
A new commemorative medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country. At the same time, it serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.
During the year of celebrations, 60 000 deserving Canadians will be recognized.
The Chancellery of Honours, as part of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, administers the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal program.
Canadians in all walks of life were recognized by the award of the Diamond Jubilee medal, and serving soldiers of The Calgary Highlanders have been recognized via a number of routes. Nominations were put forward at the request of 41 Canadian Brigade Group to be recognized as part of the Canadian Forces’ official allotment of medals, and several members of the regimental family were also recognized for military and community-related work by organizations outside the military, as members of the community (civic groups, government officials, etc.) were also given allotments to distribute to deserving Canadians.
Two soldiers of The Calgary Highlanders were presented with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal at the Army Ball in Ottawa in May 2012. On Remembrance Day (11 November 2012) The Calgary Highlanders presented an allotment of Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals. Nominees were selected from across 41 Canadian Brigade Group in order to ensure fair distribution across the officer, warrant officer, and non-commissioned member populations, and deserving members were selected based on merit and relative contributions to both the military and their communities. Only serving members of the regiment were considered for these nominations. Three additional presentations were made at the Mens’ Christmas Dinner on 15 December 2012.
The complete list of serving soldiers of the The Calgary Highlanders who have been presented the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal is as follows (citations and other information is provided where known):
| Lieutenant Colonel M.J. Owens, CD – Commanding Officer. | LCol Owens has served in the Regiment as a junior leader and in all officer ranks from Officer Cadet to Lieutenant Colonel. His career has included an operational tour with UNPROFOR. |
| Major Simon Cox, CD | Maj Cox has been employed as a junior and senior officer in the Regiment, and was Mentioned in Despatches for combat leadership in Afghanistan, the first Calgary Highlander to be so recognized since the Second World War. |
| Major K.W. Clapperton, CD – Deputy Commanding Officer. | The nomination read: “For his dedication to the unit and community. His constant effort to bridge a working relationship between the Calgary Police services and the military community has allowed serving soldiers working in both fields the necessary time off to participate in unit training.” |
| Major R. Palmer | Major Palmer was employed as the Officer Commanding “A” Company at the time of the award. The award was presented by the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta on 9 October 2012. |
| Captain A. Beauchamp | The award was presented by the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta on 11 September 2012. |
| Captain P.J. Boyle | Captain Boyle was employed as the Officer Commanding “HQ” Company as well as Regimental Museum Curator at the time of his award. The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta presented the award on 14 May 2012. |
| Captain K. Nettleton | Captain Nettleton was employed as the Regimental Padre at the time of the award. The award was presented by the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta on 9 October 2012. |
| Captain S.A. Zivkow, CD – Adjutant and Regimental Support Staff. | Captain Zivkow is a full time soldier of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. The nomination read: “For outstanding long term initiative, leadership and guidance, while deployed overseas with 1 PPCLI in Afghanistan 2009 and the short notice deployments to support the community during Winnipeg floods in 1997 and 2011.” |
| Chief Warrant Officer R.S. Besse, CD – Regimental Sergeant Major. | The nomination stated: “For dedication to the unit and community, and constant effort to support the soldiers of his unit. His willingness at a drop of a hat to take time off work to greet returning soldiers from overseas defines what a true leader really is.” |
| Warrant Officer J. Boutin, CD | WO Boutin, a Regular Force soldier from the Royal 22e Regiment, served as Regimental Support Staff and Ops and Training WO. The nomination stated: “For leadership and expertise beyond his rank. With years of experience and overseas deployments, he had provided the unit with extensive guidance and skills when planning unit activities. His devotion and attention is worthy of the highest praise.” |
| Master Warrant Officer G.R. Downey, CD – QMSI | MWO Downey has served in the Calgary Highlanders since the 1970s and served as the Quartermaster Senior Instructor (QMSI) at the time of the award. The nomination stated: “For outstanding service to the unit and support to the cadet movement, volunteering his spare time to mentor local cadet corps in CF ethics and values, promoting a safe and meaningful environment for the cadets to foster friendship and teamwork.” |
| Master Warrant Officer C.T. Tucker, CD – Company Sergeant Major. | MWO Tucker was employed as the Company Sergeant Major of “HQ” Company at the time of the award. A competitive player on the regimental hockey team, he has served on operational tours in the Balkans and Afghanistan. The nomination read: “For dedication to the unit and Canadian Forces, as he assisted in organizing a unit hockey team to foster soldier cohesion and through his civilian employment, to hire military members for those who redeployed from overseas and (were) having difficulty adjusting.” |
| Warrant Officer James R. MacDonald, CD | |
| Sergeant Steven Klein, CD | |
| Master Corporal S.D. McDermott | MCpl McDermott was employed as a section commander with “A” Company at the time of his award. The nomination read: “For his dedication to the unit and Canadian Forces by volunteering for many domestic and overseas deployments throughout his career. His dedication to his fellow soldiers has inspired him to assist with CF disabled soldiers initiatives.” |
| Corporal R.J. Green | Cpl Green was employed as a rifleman with “A” Company at the time of the award. The nomination read: “For outstanding dedication to the unit, Canadian Forces and community while balancing his pursuit of completing his degree, actively parading with the unit, and his volunteer work by feeding the homeless in Calgary. |
| Corporal A.M. Holloway | Corporal Holloway was employed as a rifleman in “A” Company at the time she received her award. The nomination read: “For her dedication to the unit and community. Joining the Canadian Forces to make a difference, the values taught inspired her to give back to her community by becoming a Registered Nurse. Her female peers and others in the CF have emulated her ethics and values.” |
| Corporal A. Wasilewski | Corporal Wasilewsi was employed as a rifleman in “A” Company at the time of his award. The nomination read: “For outstanding leadership and experience beyond his rank, promoting the Commanding Officer’s goals for physical fitness and volunteering his free time to conduct unit run fitness classes which resulted in fitter soldiers when the Battalion was deployed.” |
| Piper D. Mitchell | Piper Mitchell, a volunteer with the Regimental Pipes and Drums, received his award from the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, on 9 October 2012. |
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| The Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is presented as a commemoration of the reign of Canada’s Sovereign, and the Colonel-In-Chief of the Calgary Highlanders.
The medal was presented in 2002-2003 to Canadians from all walks of life, including the military, and recipients were generally selected for outstanding service to the communities in which they lived or worked. The recipients chosen by The Calgary Highlanders are listed below. Coincidentally, Lieutenant King had also been the recipient of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal, presented in 1977 to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. |
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| Also included in the list of Calgary Highlanders awardees should be Captain Fiona McLean, who was presented with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in June 1993 by Her Honour Lois Hole, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Alberta. The award reflected Captain McLean’s service to Her Honour as Aide-de-Camp (ADC). | |||||||
This medal was instituted on 6 February 1977, with most awards made that year, including 7,000 to the Canadian Forces (5,500 to the Regular Force and 1,500 to the Reserves). Regular Force awards went to all serving General Officers, 50% of colonels, 25 percent of Lieutenant Colonels, 20 percent of majors, and 5 percent to captains and lieutenants (or equivalent ranks in the naval service) with 4,000 awards going to other ranks (50 percent of Chief Warrant Officers, 25 percent of MWOs, 15 percent of WOs, 5 percent of sergeants, 5 percent of master corporals, and 5 percent of corporals). In the Reserves, Commanding Officers were permitted to use their discretion in selecting medal recipients. In the Calgary Highlanders, those recipients included: Honourary Lieutenant Colonel Mark Tennant, CM, ED, CD |
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Alberta Centennial Commemoratives
Two Calgary Highlanders received this award from Lieutenant Governor Norman L. Kwong on 8 November 2005: Captain Fiona McLean Captain Fiona McLean, retired Major Dick Westbury, and Second Lieutenant Gavin Mills Three Calgary Highlanders also received this award at the Men’s Christmas Dinner on 17 December 2005: Warrant Officer Gerald Downey Also presented the award at seperate ceremonies were Lieutenant Colonel F. Lee Villiger (Staff, 41st Canadian Brigade Group) |
About Us
About Us
Since 1910, the Regiment has served in Calgary, sending soldiers overseas during both World Wars, on numerous UN peacekeeping and NATO missions since the end of the Second World War, and deployed over 125 soldiers into the combat theatre during the war in Afghanistan.
Members of the regiment today are part-time “citizen-soldiers”, who spend Wednesday nights and one weekend a month training to operate as dismounted light infantry.
Find out more about the Regiment – its history, its traditions, what it has been doing recently, or how to enlist.
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The Glen: Winter 2022: Vol 10, Issue 1
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The Glen: Winter 2021: Vol 9, Issue 1
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