JULY 29. fvsoku

ll IL

28 i L. A.I-Ii-ogiment

I Worthy" Successor To

Traditions Of Past

Change of command for Prince Edward Island's oldest military formiliion. the "designated 28th Light Anti-Aircraft Begt.. RCA (M). was announced recently by Major-General H. W. Footer. cl1ief'of the Army'8 Eastern Command. rmrkins another turning point in the dis- tinguished record of Island Artillery unit; and involving:

Retirement of Lt.-Col. G. G. K.. Peske, D.S.O.. E.D.. to the supple- mentary reserve of officers after nearly twenty-six years service with

active and reserve artillery forces of the Canadian

Army.

Promotion of Major H. G. Williams. former second-in-command, to the rank'af Lt.-Colonel and appointment ascommandlng officer.

General Foster said it was with "very great regret" the application of Col. Peaike for retirement he: been accepted. I-fe declared Col.

Pealre was-one of Canads's,"mosl-

vel'sa,f.l.le and aggressive ant;-air- craft regimental commanders” and that in the past four years he had organized and trained the present unit "to a very high standard."

Regimental change of command for the Island's remaining peace- time artillery unit marked another milestone along a fifty year trail of Canadals most famed "gunner producing" province. Sincetthe turn of the century. artillery battaies from Prince Edward Island have gathered empire competitive lau- rels in peacetime competition and lmttle honors and commendatious nbmad in two world wars.

Former C.O.'a

Many of the Island's most laud- ed citizens in varied fields of en- deavor have served with its artil- lery units. Three former com- manding officers or the unit now relinquished by Col. Peake are still llvlnglln Charlottetown and talsing an active .interest,in the growth of the 28th. They are:

Lt.-Col. D. A. Maoxinnon. D50. Cdecl. VD. at 74 years of age still an inveterate harnas racer and one of the Island's most noted soldiers, horsemen and athletes;

Lt.-Ool. P. W. Ma.cNevin. DOM ED. for 46 years a railway master mechanic. an outstanding soldier who served with distinction as a gunner in the ranks during the First World War;

ll..t.-Col. P. S. Fielding, MM ED. present. deputy Minister of Health for the province and a soldier who saw active duty in two world wars.

Another ' "in-7 of- ficer of the regiment. the late Lt.- Col. J. P. Hooper. MC. died only recently after a long and active association with Island Artillery

- .

former

as gunnery

units. .

other officers who have contrib- uted much to the growth of artil- lery batteries across the province in peace and war include:

Major the Hon. A. W. Maiheson. Provincial Minister of Health and commander of the am Medium Battery.

Major G. W. Craig ED, of the D8138”-mt-'nt Of Transport. former commander of the 2nd 'Medium Battery.

Major D. L. Mathleson ED. of .

the firm of Bell 86 Mathieson. for- mer second-in-command of the post-war artillery Regt.

Major D. F. Tierney. long active with artillery units and now serv- ing as secretary-treasurer to the peacetime Regimental Association.

Col Mac-Klnnon recalls that at the turn of the century he "lined up with the two batteries then organized here as a powder monkey.” His main contribution at that time. he says. was in the athletic capacity of Maritime champion mile runner for three years an addition needed by the 2nd Battery to meet keen sport competition from mainland units.

Active physically and keen ment- ally despite his years, Col. Mac- Kinnon unfolded many stories sup- ported by a thick volume of old

newspaper clippings of Island Bat-

teries winnlng Canadian and Em- pire efficiency and gunnery oom- petitlonrs at home and abroad be- fore the First World War. "com- petition among artillery units everywhere became so acute." he said, ”that every means at cne's disposal. orthodox. sa.-ni-legal or not. was employed to attain vic- wry...

Col. Maclcinnon recalls format- ion of four coast defence batteries and ' ” of a school of Artillery on the-Isla.nd in 1904. cammtition among the batteries in the field of appearance as well ability was so acute.

..---u.... .-.m..

z

THE GUARDIAN. CHARb()'lTI;TOWN

BETIRING COMMANDER AND SUCOESSOII-Lt.-Col. H. G. Williams. left. is shown here with Lt.-Col. G. G. K. Peake. DSO. ED, whom he now succeeds as commanding officer of the 28th LAA Regt.. RCA (RF). A veteran of five years overseas service with RCA units throughout the Second World War. Col. Williams take.-. over the regiment from the position of secdnd-in-command. He is a graduate of Prince of Wales College and served with the NPAM prior to the recent war. As the new commanding officer, Col. William: took his regiment to camp

bvru an Island battery the outbreak of war. He loan rose to the rank of Major and was ap- ,olnted to command the nth Med-' ium Battery on September 1). 1939. Overseas he later commanded. the newly organised stir Heavy Anti- Alrcraft Battery and led the 3rd

Canad' Light Anti-Atrcmft Regt. as commanding officer throughout the campeign in

Northwest Europe. Formed New legf.

With organisation of the new Canadian Army Reserve rorce, the 23th Light Anti-Aircraft Regt was formed. drawing its numerical designation from the old 2nd and 8th Batteries. Upon demobilization. Col. Peaks was asked to form the new regiment and see it through its initial years of organization and training.

During the four postwar years that he commanded the unit. Col. Peaioe gathered about him I. strong nucleus of young Artillery officers and NCo's. General roster declar- ed that Col. Pcake has "welded to,- ether" three strong battery or- ganizations that are capable of producing an effective fighting anti-aircraft regiment within a "very short: time." Batteries of the present unit are located in Char- ' ” t n, Montague - Sourls and on the mainland an atcilarton.

In addition, Col. Peaks has been instrumental in forming the first Island Regimental Association, the only one of its type organized by the RCA in Canada. 'nhe associat- ion is comprised of many former unit officers with a primary func- tion of assisting the present regi- ment in any way possible. col.

captain .'. -

4

"NO ISLAND OFFICER. EVER. ItE'I'IIiES"-Still very active in Island Artillery circles and still a top winner on the local racetrack Lt.-Col. 17- A- MEGKHIHOI1. DSO. C. de G., VD. curled a qulzzical eyebrow when an Army Public Relations Officer lndiscreetly brought up the word "l'E”F9"- At an Elle not under 74. he is the oldest artillery excom- mandirrg officer in the Province and one of the keenest race horse owners and riders. Shown above driving his own horse "Baron" duy- in: a Practice run at lhe track last week, Col. MacKinnon won two g?tCX9c:r0l;:u(i1:e:1'3f::8:)l: whtlich he p2:1rilclKr:ated. "No Island Artillery

v - 5" liromp y c cs as nn example Lt,.Co1, ?-w- M3cNeV1"- DCM. ED. another ex-commanding officer still work- mg as a railway master mechanic after 46 years service.-(Canadian Army Photo).

cuumander. A graduate of Prince of Wales College. he has been as- sociated with P. E. I. AI".l1le!'y

reserve commanding officer: should "step aside" after three or four

and -World war and has filled the appointment of sccond-inI-com-

Peake said that such an organiz- ation would "often be able to ren-

tral Airways.

this year at Plcion. 0nt.. by big slryway transport of Maritime Cen- They returned last Saturday.-(Canadian Army Photo).

he says. that one battery spent a considerable sum of money import- lng heavy gold-braided full-dress uniforms complete with swords from England. .

Later, in 1906, three heavy bat- teries were organized with 4.7 inch guns such as were used in the South African war.

2nd and 8th Siege

The advent of the First World War saw formation of the 2nd and 8th siege Batteries from the Is- land. both of which saw oervic-2 overseas. The late Lt.-Col. A.G. Peake. father of retiring Lt. -Col. G.G. K. Peake. took the 2nd S1983 Battery to England and returned to Canada to organize and take to France the 8th Heavy Battery. Both units fought with distinction

FIITY YEARS OF ISLAND GUNNEBS - Former-

comrnandl officers -of Prince

famed RCA. batteries and officers of the present 8th Light Anti-Aircraft Regt.. RCA (RF) gathered recently at the home of retiring commander Lt.- K.IPeake, DSO. ED. to mark another mile- stone slang) 1:50 year trail. The recent change of command for the post-war wth brought about a re- view of Island artillery history that Itarted at the turn of the century. shown above are. left to right. Major W. J. Andrew. Major George C. Craig. ED. Lt.-Col. Don. MacNelll. RCAMC, Major D. J. Maccurmack. Lt.-Col. G. G.

Col. (.7. G.

Major D. L. Mathleson. ED.

Edward Islandll ED.

MC. and Major

mand the P. E.

Panto smvsns

Liusr Amvlo ,Cerlo'ed.of rmnon rowan mavens.- ? so find 100 qevonycapaeny Three Slut Tot-Cliobu From. mclo mom s2ss.oo Up AI-....MoeIIlnes carry a Factory Guarantee. I. saute. Available. At an Ilmr". - rues YOUR oaosa room

w.: ll. mm:

-'- H3 -up .

Vanna, liiosonlsrannr. yous. IN'1'l2l'tNA'l'f0NAL. mzanan -I ll..:.s:.t;r.r.;.:..'.".;."..-:":.

u

1...... no white. and-"

K. Peake. D50. ED. Lt.-Col. P. W. MacNevin, DCM. l.t.Col. P. S. Fielding. Lt.-Col. li.'G. Wil- liams. Major L. E. Wellner, Major D. lVlacGownn.

A. W. Mstheson. Absent at the

meeting shown above was the most senior ex- commandin officer of all-Lt.-Col. D. A. MacKin- non. D50. C. de G., VD. first to organize and com-

I. Medium Brigade. RCA. At an

age not under 74. he couldnli, be present. He was at the local racetrack where he drove three horses. each in two separate heats. winning two races and piling up the highest individual score of any driver on the track that day.-(Canadian Army Photo).

Morning Mark

continued from page 2

Mark as if ho had never talked of nothing else, "I should say it all depended on you. In China they use white to mourn in. You see it's just I motto of custom. of -being conventional-doing things because other people do. It has no- thing to do with what you feel in- side. I dont happen to like it my- self. I mean black. but you shall have a ton of it if you want ill." ' "But I don't," she cried. "I went

"We'll find your favourite shop Ind buy 'cm out. But maybe you'd better not tell Dorothy."

”Oh-no-"

He laughed at the horror in Val- erie: eyes. 'men- he decided it was no lailhing matter.

7

The train Ill d away from the platform. Vale I and our: had almost miI,l!lI it. Mark apologised steadily for the two minutes left him. and Mid things about the traffic. q . .

3' WI! .5o,'ohuiming) Valerie

a couldilook Indlrnul

thraughout the First World War. Col. MaoKinnon initially organ- ized the old lltil Brigade Am- munition Column which he took overseas in 1916. The same year he assumed command of the sour Battery from cape Brttun and led the unit to battle across the fields of France. It was during this com- mand that he won the Distinguish- ed service Order and the Croix de Guerre.

At the end of the First War Col. Maclfinnon organized and com- manded the lat P. E. 1. Medium Brigade, R.C.A.. as a part of the peacetime Non-Permanent Active Militia. He continued in command through the initial years of inter- war peace, relinquishing the ap- pointment on 1 ' em to the late Lt.-Col. J. P. Hooper. MC. Col. Hooper did much to keep alive the traditions and high record of the Island Artillery unit. He was suc-

w..MaoNev1n, DCM. no. .,

A Master Mechanic of 46 years service with the Canadian Nation- al Itailways, Col. MacNevin traces his military association over a per- iod of moreithan 41 years. He Just joined an Island Battery in 1909 and entered the ranks of the 2nd

siege Battery as a gunner in the

cecded in ccmmand by Lt.-ool. P.-

der invaluable aid through civilian as well as military channels in maintaining the standard of the regiment."

Lt.-Col Williams takes over thr- 28l.h with strong support through- out the Island and a notable rec. 0rd to uphold as the top Artillery

mand to Col Peake since July. 1947.

In resigning his command. Col. Peaks imp-hasized. the need of "steady promotion" for Reserve Force personnel in order to "main- tain interest and worthwhile act- ivity." He said it was his opinion

units since 1928. He served in Eng- -"3”5 59"l” to make W?-Y 1” land and Northwest Europe for others. nearly five years during the Scc- comma,-mng on the military

progress and contribution of Prince Edward Island to the defence of Canada and the democratic world over the past half century, Genera! Foster said "no province across the dominion has surpassed the Island in patriotic zeal and gen- uine interest in the country's arm- ed forces whether at war or at peace."

of the two Island Batteries of the

First World war. He received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry in battle.

He commanded the peacetime medium brigade for a numioer of years and maintained a keen in- terest among P. E. I. gunners when most Canadians were viewing thei- scattered armed forces with ser- ious apnthy and little regard.

Still active in his work and con- stantly in touch with the present an; LAA P.egt., col. MacNevm has served as the first president of the post war RCA Regimental As- sociation which was formed on the Island in 1967. He has accumulat- ed a large amount of material marking the half-century growth of P. E. I. Artillery units and plans to write a "regimental, hiatory' within the next year or two

In 1936 Lt.-Col. P. S. Fielding. MM ED. assumed command of the Brigade from Col. MacNevin after having served for a. period as sec- ond-in-command. Early mobilizat- ion came in September. 1939. im- mediately after the outbreak of war. At that time col. Fielding was appointed to command the 2nd Medium Regiment. lncludin, thr- famed P. E. I. 8th Battery. mobiliz- ing at Camp Peiawawa, Ont. Col. Fielding served for five years in the Active Army during the Sec- ond World war. retiring to become Deputy Minister of Health for the province in 1945.

Lt.-Col. G.G.K. Peaks D50 H).

speak. for suddenly the train was gone, leaving a faintly disturbing scent of smoke about their heads It made you think of places-Calh fornia. where you longed to go, and other far spots.

"A railroad station is terribly exciting, innit it?" Valerie asked as they went back up the long stairs. "I mean it sort of goes up your spine-" .

Mark stoppe short to look down on her. "Can you belong, by any chance. to the Brothers of the Wandering Foot?" he asked. "Do- cauce if I0. you've picked the right parent. Just give me a few months at the factory to make 'em think they can't get on without me and Ill show you I real vacation."

l"You mean-any?” '

"Nothing eln but. Where would you be wanting to go!"

"Oalirornit. Ind the South Seas. Nowhere cold. unless you like it-"

"California and the south ans are all right for me”

The came out of the station. found the parked roadster and headed for shops. Mark asked which one she preferred and Val- erie. after trying frantically to be grown-up. collapsed and told him the truth.

"I don't know any mops, rather, You see, I never saw my clothes until they were lent to me. lo- ther bought them and I just wore them. she thought girls ought not to think about clothes, I mean rm- tll they were older, to what up

Lt.-Col. D. A. Macxlnnon. Dso, c,

OFFICER GROUP 28 L. A. A4-Left J. MacPhee. Lt. H. Hughes. Capt.

To carry av Am rnaxsronr - Sixty gunners

RCA (RF) "9 59?" h"? 53 "WY prepared to take off on a return flight to Picion. Ont.. for :1 week of Wmm" Wimp fralninE- Flying troops over thous. ands of miles for summer camp is a "far cry" from "'9 days recalled by senior ex-commanding oxnm

Capt. F. W. Smith. Capt. E. L. Hume. Lhcol. H. G- wmllmsv Calm A 13- Fanluharson, Li. J. G.

MacKinnon, who Eth LAA Rcgt.,

monster."

areas along with Third battery of

de G., VD, Col. the mainland. pr

to right. Lt. H.

M. E. Campbell, Cormack. Lt. P.

W9 Roing to do?" Mark.

' h 1 ll 1 , "on. wn muaaie ow .... Eii5.”.”.E.'2nE3f.”X..”i.f?E: 513.? she had lived beside him. absorb- 1" 9”” think 0' T10?-Mn! more 1113 his life. satisfied with nothing

inllmll-e than marriage, Yet now less than all of him. he knew that Ellen, in that gee;-at

To be continued

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Invest in the Best The Education of Your Child

The guidance and supervision of the whole educative and social

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only possible in 3 RESID SCHOOL. Unexoem

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FALL warm moms sin-msrann 12. 1......

if

would still prefer to ride a horse,

"Y5 "ill me early days that's how many soldiers went to camp-on a horse and not aboard a sky . TFOOPS shown ubuvc represent the bat- teries located in Charlottetown and Montague-Sourlg

the relflmentnl headquarters staff. the unit. located in Stellar-ton on occedcd to Piclon independently.-

Lacey. Major L. E. Wellner. Major D. .1. Mac-

R. MacDonald. The above picture

was taken at the Charlottetown Airport prior to

PAGE NINE

LE UNITS. M Rli HALF CENTURY OF HISTORY

Pays Tribute to Retiring Commander

Commended by Major General Foster as one of Canada's "most aggressive and rkilful" Artillery commanders, Lt. Col. 6. G. K. Pealre, D.S.O.. E.D.. brings to a close some 26 years of military service upon relinquishing com- mand of the 28th Light Anti-Alb craft Regt., R.C.A. (RF) and be- ing posted to the Supplementary- Reserve of Officers.

Son of another noted Island sol- dier-the lute Lt. Col. A.G. Pealrc --he perfected I startling innova- tion ln the use of anti-aircraft er- tlllery guns during the Second world war that wrought havoc among enemy troops and won for him the Distinguished Service or- der.

while commanding the 3rd Gen- adlan L.A.A, Regt. battling in Hol- land along the crucial Nijmegen salient. Col. Peake conceived the idea of using anti-aircraft guns for ground firing. He developed and producbed a. "most efficient modification" for guns of his reg- iment that enabled them to fire in a gro mi role with "devastating effect German troops." This change was carried out by Col. Peake in the midst of battle with- out interrupting the operation "in any way."

The citation presented to the distinguished Island officer with the award of the D.S.0. stated that "his leadership was aggress- ive and skilful and he aways un- dertook more than his orders de- mandcd.”

Military Career

Col. Peake is I graduate of King's collegiate. He has been associated with the Army since 1924 and at the start of the recerit World War was an R.C.A. Battery Captain. He had previously served with both the signal Corps and Artillery and was soon appointed to command the 8th Medium Bar- tcry with rank of major.

Proceeding overseas early in the war with the 8th Heavy A.A. Bat- tery Col. Peake in 1943 for a time commanded "Q" Training Wing. 3 C.A.R..U., and also was second-in- command of the 2nd Heavy Anti-

- Aircraft Regt. and the 3rd LA. A. Regt. He led the latter unit'

throughout the entire campaign in

I Northwest Europe and was com-

mended on several occasions for his skill at receiving and outwit- ting enemy counter artillery bat.- teries. I

In accepting Col. Peake's resig- nation of command of the 28th L. A. A. Rcgt.. General Foster said "we are by no means fully losing the services of so valuable an of- lict.'r." The General pointed out that Col. Pealre had offered to place himself at the disposal or the Canadian Army with "com- plete cooperation" at any time his services may be needed in the future.

Col. Puke said that he would continue to support the regiment "in every respect" either through

a purely civilian capacity. He will continue as 1 member of the As- sociatlon and will be carried on

departure for Plcfon and summer training.

the Army's Buiilmlnemlfy 35' serve. making him eligible for further service should emergency require,

EDITOR'S NOTE; The stuc- ks and pictures reproduced here are done so through the courtesy of the Public Relation! Officer, Capt. I). L. Burluon, Headquartu. Eastern Command. He states in part whom the Army point of view, the opinion expressed at Command and Army Headquartu. on the re- Inarknble record of the P.E.I. Ar- tillery is most. commendable in all quarters."