The goals of the Home Station Regimental Senate are noble and include nurturing the family institution, connecting with Canadians, and celebrating our heritage.

According to Home Station Senate Regimental Senate president Col (Ret’d) Peter Williams in a letter dated March 28, the real issue to achieving these goals is funding.

“That’s where we need your help. Do not worry this letter is not asking for cash; we are, however, asking you to open those dusty barrack boxes and select an item of militaria which could be donated to our charity auction,” he wrote.

“Our major fundraising project for 2023 is to raise funds from donations of militaria to support an online charity auction. This is our second time we’ve planned to raise funds in this manner; from an auction in 2021, we were able to $2,451.25 for the Home Station Regimental Fund.”

Some of these funds were used to provide prize money for 1RCHA’s Ex HEAVY LOADER weightlifting competition held in December 2022.

For this auction in the fall of ’23, “We are once again issuing a national appeal to serving and retired Gunners, and friends and family of the Home Station Regiment, to donate items of collector interest,” he wrote.

The donated items for this fall’s auction will be auctioned in a charity auction to fund various Home Station Regiment initiatives.

“Now is an ideal time as you clean out your basement, garage, attic or just downsize, to offer those dusty old treasures to our international militaria/firearms auction hosted by Wards Auctions of Edmonton,” wrote Williams. “If you do not know what to donate, ask your spouse or partner. We’re sure there will be lots of suggestions.”

If a donation is made you will receive a tax receipt for the appraised value of the item and any shipping costs incurred.

For many items, a short letter of provenance to authenticate your donation will make the item more interesting to collectors. The truer the yarn the better!

Although not all inclusive the following is a list of suggested items which would be of value to the auction efforts: antique army/unit insignia items, historical military or military related items, flags, military optics, plaques, field furniture, RCAF ash trays and propellers, trench art, military prints/photos, medals, firearms (military and civilian), edged weapons (swords, knives, bayonets), significant uniforms (we’re not looking for 300 tunics), historical hat badges, souvenirs of interest from overseas deployments and combat operations (include letter of provenance if available), trophies, departure gifts, awards, vehicles, operational maps, unopened commemorative alcoholic beverages, as well as UN memorabilia.


For information on how and what to donate, contact Senate executive member and OPI Maj (Ret’d) Jim Fisher.

He will be happy to answer questions, arrange appraisals and provide delivery details. Use the e-mail shelldrakejim@gmail.com or call 780-863-2045.

He is also attending the RCA reunion at CFB Shilo this summer — June 29 to July 2 — and will be happy to to receive any donations you might want to bring.