History
12-pounders used effectively by Canadian Gunners during Boer War
December 16, 2022
Canadian Gunners deployed the 12-pounder BL Gun during the Boer War. Gunners in Canada used the gun from 1897 to 1911. The gun was breech-loading and an improvement from muzzle loading models.
Crerar Caravan ‘most important’ Canadian military artifacts from Second World War
December 8, 2022
In 1989, CFB Shilo BComd Col Walton said the Crerar Caravan was “one of the most important Canadian military artifacts from the Second World War.” The caravan was the field living quarters of Gen Harry Crerar, who had the distinction of being the first Canadian commander of the Canadian Army during the Second World War.
Museum officials contact RCA Museum for information on famous Canadian Commander who helped liberate Holland
December 7, 2022
Representatives from a small museum in Holland recently contacted us to ask for assistance with a display to honour a famous Canadian Commander who helped liberate Holland. BGen W.S. Ziegler CBE, DSO, ED, BSc had the distinction of accepting the surrender of 100,000 German troops in Holland on May 4 and 5, 1945. He accomplished this task at age 34.
New protestant chapel
December 6, 2022
The first service in the new Protestant Chapel will be held on Sunday, September 28th, 1947. The new Chapel is situated in the north side of Hut D 5. The main entrance is on the west side of the Hut. The new Chapel will be called the Chapel of St. Barbara, the Patron Saint of Artillerymen. The following information is gleaned from the encyclopaedia Britannica.
Base Commander Col DK Todd writes an editorial for The Shilo Observer.
December 5, 2022
Editor’s Note: Col DK Todd, Camp Commander and Commandant of the Royal Canadian School of Artillery, was asked to write an editorial for the first edition of The Shilo Observer, which was published on July 18, 1947.
From the Shilo Observer/Shilo Stag archives — 75th anniversary — first newspaper published July 1947
December 4, 2022
Shilo Stag first published a newspaper on Camp Shilo under the moniker Shilo Observer, coming off the Brandon presses in July 1947.
Base landmarks lost in 1991
December 4, 2022
Many Gunners who returned to the Home Station this fall were immediately struck by a strange sensation. Something was not as it should be. While there have been obvious changes over the years, these were to be expected and occurred gradually. Still, something was just not right!
Lack of letters from home, Pte Minary offers Germans might have sunk mail-carrying ship en route from Canada
November 30, 2022
Lewis gunner Pte Cecil Minary from the trenches somewhere in France puts pencil to paper to write numerous letters home in December to cousin Edna in Nesbitt, Manitoba. During the month he was writing his letter, Pte Binary was mostly in quarantine because many in his Battalion came down with measles. Pte Minary acknowledged in his letters he was enjoying the many Christmas parcels he was receiving from Manitoba.
Smiling earns trip to UK orderly room from CSM for Pte Cecil Minary
November 28, 2022
I received your welcome letter and also one from Berta Prette last evening so yesterday was not to bad at all, that is right as you said keep writing all along for a letter from Manitoba is better than a day of drill.
RCA Museum successful at UK auction: Two military medals ‘invaluable’ to museum’s collection
November 14, 2022
It felt a little like Christmas when RCA Museum director Andrew Oakden finally held the FedEx package containing Gen Tom Strange’s two medals purchased during an auction in spring 2019. He waited more than 48 hours before he finally lifted the package from the table, and tore at the envelope. Examining the contents, a bubble wrapped package slipped from amongst package backing and a book written by Gen Strange. Asking for a pair of scissors, he was provided with a Swiss Army knife to cut through the protective bubble wrap.
