Ten troopers from Calgary regiments have travelled to London to participate within the royal funeral procession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 19.
5 troopers from The King’s Personal Calgary Regiment (Royal Canadian Armored Corps) and 5 from The Calgary Highlanders of Canada are a part of a bunch of about 80 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members collaborating within the funeral on behalf of all previous and current CAF members.
Based on a CAF spokesperson, the Canadian contingent is made up of representatives from the CAF navy items “with which Queen Elizabeth II had a particular relationship.”
The Canadian troopers are a part of the Commonwealth contingent which can also be made up of troopers from Australia and New Zealand.
Lt.-Col. Ryan Hartman is the commanding officer of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, which is headquartered in Cornwall, Ontario.
He arrived in London on Tuesday.
Hartman is a reservist from Ottawa who served within the common military and the reserves for 30 years, together with three deployments to Afghanistan.
“It’s been very humbling to come back to London, the center of the Commonwealth,” Hartman mentioned.
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He mentioned the main focus has been on preparation for the occasion however on a private degree, there’s been a lot reflection.
“Simply strolling the streets of London to see the common citizen and the impression it has had on dropping Her Majesty,” Hartman mentioned. “Whether or not you’re a monarchist or a republican, there’s none of that. You don’t even hear the chatter. It’s surreal.
“It’s large. It’s a loss. It truly is.
“To me, she was ‘service earlier than self,’ which is the epitome of what we might aspire to as troopers. It’s like dropping a chunk of the household.”
He mentioned it’s been a really somber second to see people mirror on the demise of Queen Elizabeth II.
Hartman added that from the place he’s staying at Canada Home, he can see the queue of 1000’s which is a number of kilometres lengthy — all ready to pay their respects.
“It’s one thing you’ll always remember, being a person right here. No matter preconceived opinions that folks would possibly’ve had as a person, it’s surreal,” Hartman mentioned.
“That is such a historic occasion.”
Along with being Commander-in-Chief of Canada’s navy, the queen was additionally Captain Common, Colonel-in-Chief and Air Commodore-in-Chief of many Canadian items and branches.
In Calgary, Queen Elizabeth II was the Colonel-in-Chief of The Calgary Highlanders and The King’s Personal Calgary Regiment.
She acquired common experiences from the regiments on actions.
“To be granted that honor with the reigning monarch is big,” Hartman mentioned. “There may be a lot delight to say that in our little county regiment — the Glenn, as we’re identified — we now have a Queen as our Colonel-in-Chief,” Hartman mentioned.
Hartman knew what to anticipate when he was knowledgeable he’d be going to London — as a younger lieutenant he had the privilege of being on parade for Her Majesty throughout certainly one of her visits to Canada. He’s additionally served public duties on Parliament Hill however says nothing can actually examine to this expertise.
“We can be positioned simply ahead of Her Majesty’s coffin. It’s an enormous honour. We can be marching there. However one other vital piece, which may be very very humbling, is I can be within the Abbey throughout the precise service itself,” Hartman mentioned.
“It’s a large honour, one thing I’ll always remember.”
Hartman mentioned it’s been a yr of grieving for him after dropping two sturdy ladies who’ve influenced his life.
“On a private word, I misplaced my mom earlier this yr. And I discover it’s an odd segue however to me, Her Majesty — she’s the one monarch I’ve identified. Rising up in public faculties, Her Majesty was all the time on the wall. Undoubtedly within the navy as a serving officer, it’s large,” Hartman mentioned.
He added it’s been a tragic event in London but additionally uplifting to see individuals celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s life.
Based on a CAF spokesperson, 4 troopers from every regiment will parade on this contingent, which is positioned at the beginning of the procession after the principle contingent of George Cross recipients.
A colonel commandant or commanding officer from every regiment will even parade in a contingent positioned on the rear of the procession, nearer to the coffin.
The 16 items represented on the funeral embrace:
- The Governor Common’s Horse Guards
- The King’s Personal Calgary Regiment (Royal Canadian Armoured Corps (RCAC))
- The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
- The Canadian Army Engineers
- The Royal 22e Régiment
- Governor Common’s Foot Guards
- The Canadian Grenadier Guards
- The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders
- Le Régiment de la Chaudière
- The Royal New Brunswick Regiment (Carleton and York)
- The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment
- The forty eighth Highlanders of Canada
- The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s)
- The Calgary Highlanders of Canada
- The Canadian Forces Authorized Department
- Air Reserve of Canada
In Calgary, the Royal Canadian Legion #285 on Horton Highway can be internet hosting a memorial tribute Monday at 11 a.m.
The Royal Canadian Legion Cochrane Department will maintain a remembrance ceremony for Queen Elizabeth II at 11 a.m. on the Cochrane Cenotaph.
The Royal Canadian Legion Strathmore Department #10 will even have an official wreath-laying that can happen at 11 a.m.
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