Just in via newspaper clipping mailed to from from Jeanette Robertson of Winnipeg,
Manitoba, Canada. (fellow Isle of Tiree, Scotland descendant). Thanks Jeanette, Cheers,
Scott.
Winnipeg Free Press - Page A4 - Saturday, May 3, 2008
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/subscriber/local/story/4168597p-4756456c...
Local News - Camerons, Rifles unite to battle declining forces - Alternative involves
closing one regiment
Kevin Rollason - Updated: May 3, 2008 at 08:29 AM CDT
TWO of the country's -- and Winnipeg's -- most storied military reserve regiments
will survive to fight another day.
Faced with declining members in both The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and the Royal
Winnipeg Rifles, and a shortage of leaders in each, the military has decided to
temporarily group the two units together under one leader until new leaders are trained
and more people enter the reserves.
"We have absolutely no intention of seeing the Camerons disbanded or merged with
another unit," Col. Robert Poirier, commander of 38 Canadian Brigade Group, told the
Free Press on Friday.
"The Camerons have a long-standing and proud tradition and tactical grouping will
allow for this unit to continue to keep that tradition alive." Poirier said both
units will keep their own uniforms, support staff and military bands.
But, Poirier said there is still a risk -- if the numbers don't go up -- that the
units never become independent again. "I view this as an inoculation against closing
one of them," he said.
"From a historical perspective, we know when you take weak unit A and weak unit B you
end up with weak unit C... I don't think amalgamation is in the cards."
Murray Burt, the Camerons' secretary, said the military's statements have allayed
many of their fears that the death of an almost century-old unit was in the making.
Burt said the latest developments will be discussed this week at a meeting of the
Camerons.
"It's great because (the Camerons) are distinctive," he said.
"They're the only regiment which wears kilts that they pay for themselves... it
takes a particular type of kid to put on a kilt."
The Camerons were created in 1910, and fought in the First World War. One of the members
of their regiment, Capt. Robert Shankland, was one of three soldiers who won the Victoria
Cross and had their street, Elm Street, renamed Valour Road. The Camerons also fought at
Dieppe during the Second World War.
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles are celebrating their 125th anniversary.
The Rifles, also known as the Little Black Devils for their dark green coats, saw action
in both the First and Second World Wars.
Both the Camerons and the Rifles are based at the Minto Armouries.
kevin.rollason(a)freepress.mb.ca