The Glen: Winter 2016 – Volume 5 Issue 2

As I write this Calgary is transitioning from spring into summer. But as our seasons change, so does the Regiment. Saturday 3 June will see the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Kyle Clapperton and the Regimental Sergeant Major, Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Tucker, turn over command to Lieutenant Colonel Simon Cox and Chief Warrant Officer Glenn Fedoruk. Our thanks go to LCol Clapperton and CWO Tucker for their hard work on behalf of the Regiment and the leadership they have demonstrated.

Our best wishes go to LCol Cox and CWO Fedoruk as they take up these two challenging positions (though ‘challenging’ is an understatement).The change of command parade will take place at Mewata Armoury starting at 1300 hrs, and all former Calgary Highlanders and friends of the Regiment are invited. Dress for members of the Canadian Forces is 1A while the rest of us are encouraged to appear in ‘business formal’.This issue of The Glen has a strong emphasis on the Tenth Battalion’s service during the First World War, specifically events during 1917, now 100 years past. The first article centers on the execution of Sgt William Alexander, who was charged with desertion at Hill 70. He has the sad distinctions of being one of only twenty five Canadian soldiers executed during The Great War and having been the only senior NCO amongst them.

In contrast, the Museum page describes the arrival of Private Harry Brown’s Victoria Cross in Calgary. Pte Brown’s VC was posthumously awarded for his devotion to duty at Hill 70, the battle that claimed both his life and that of Sgt Alexander, though under very different circumstances.The final WW1 piece concerns the discovery and identification of the remains of Sgt Alexander Milne, killed on April 28, 1917 during the battle of Arleux. Sgt Milne will be buried by the Calgary Highlanders in late August in the Com-monwealth War Graves cemetery located near where he fell.

Moving forward a century, it is with regret that I mention the death of Sgt Percy DeWolfe, who recently passed away during his 102nd year. Percy was one of our few remaining Second World War Veterans and maintained a connection with the Regiment through the Regimental Association until his death.
And finally, anyone who has served in Canada’s reserves for any length of time knows that it could be made more effective with some well thought out changes, many of which have long been adopted by the American Army National Guard. Col (Retd) George Petrolekas explores these in his article, Land Reserve Options. All of this and more in this issue of The Glen.

Denis A. Mascardelli
Editor