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November 1945 – Photo Album of the Ontarios Arriving Home to Oshawa

After several months of waiting in Europe following VE Day, the Ontario Regiment arrived home to Oshawa on 29 November 1945.  These events were covered previously in two parts: https://tankmuseum.ca/blog-post/coming-home-part-1/ and https://tankmuseum.ca/blog-post/coming-home-part-2/.

The day was a reunion of sorts, with many past Ontarios attending at Memorial Park. This included former commanding officers Colonel Frank Chappell, Colonel Edwin Pearson, Lieutenant Colonel Murray Johnston and Lieutenant Colonel Robert Smith. Major Harry Millen, Lieutenant Colonel A.F. MacKay (former Regimental Medical Officer) and Captain Leonard Knowles were among many others also in attendance. It was hoped that Major General George Pearkes, former commanding officer of the 116th Battalion, could be in attendance but he was unavailable and sent a welcome telegram. All members of the Regiment who had returned to Canada previously were invited to attend.

Below is a selection of photos from the Ontario Regiment Museum collection that did not appear in the original articles.

One of the photos below shows Honourary Major Waldo Smith speaking with Lieutenant Colonel Edward “Ned” Amy. Honourary Major Smith was the Ontario Regiment’s chaplain from June 1943 to June 1944. His military career began as a Militia member in 1935 in Cobourg, ON. In early 1940 he volunteered for active service as a chaplain, his actual profession. Smith was soon sent to Camp Borden and was attached to the 1st Canadian Army Tank Brigade. He served as the chaplain for the Calgary Regiment from June 1941 to June 1943 when he was transferred to the Ontarios.

During periods of combat many regimental chaplains worked with the medics on casualty evacuation. H/Major Smith was awarded the Military Cross for his actions under fire to administer first aid during the Battle of Colle d’Anchise in October 1943.

Following the war Smith was a professor at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON.  Smith wrote of his wartime experiences in the book “What Time the Tempest: An Army Chaplain’s Story”, released in 1953. Waldo Smith passed away in 1995.

Lieutenant Colonel Edward “Ned” Amy had a long and distinguished career in the Canadian Army, beginning with Militia service in 1936. Amy was accepted to RMC and graduated in 1939, eventually joining the Ontario Regiment as a troop leader. He worked his way to second-in-command of “C” squadron and was later reassigned to the Calgary Regiment as a squadron commander. Next, he served as a squadron commander in the Canadian Grenadier Guards and rose to command that regiment, ending the war as a Lieutenant Colonel. His career continued in ever more responsible roles, retiring in 1970 as a brigadier general. Edward Amy passed away in 2011. For more on Brigadier Amy’s career, see this article: https://www.rmc-cmr.ca/en/college-commandants-office/edward-alfred-charles-ned-amy.

The large building in the background of some of the photos is the Centre Street School. It was used for some of the final administration on this day. Final pay was issued, train tickets distributed to those soldiers living farther to the west, free telegrams and free phone calls were available. This school is currently called E.A. Lovell and has been used as continuing education facility for several years.

Rod Henderson is the Regimental Historian of the Ontario Regiment. He served as a Sergeant in the Regiment and is the author of “Fidelis Et Paratus: A History of The Ontario Regiment (RCAC), 1866-2016”.

Large numbers of friends and family arrived at the Oshawa train station despite requests from officials that everyone should assemble at Memorial Park.
The General Motors War Veterans’ Pipe Band leads the Colour Party of the Active Service Battalion in a left wheel from Simcoe Street to Metcalfe Street. The Oshawa Power Company building is at the top right
Friends and family of the Ontarios anxiously await the Regiment’s arrival at Memorial Park. Soldiers from Basic Training Centre 23 at Newmarket were brought in for crowd control. An American flag can be seen at the left. Several Americans served in the Ontario Regiment and some of their family made the journey to Oshawa.
Soldiers from Basic Training Centre 23 at Newmarket were brought in for crowd control.
The General Motors War Veterans’ Pipe Band, with the Regiment behind.
The Regiment is formed up in Memorial Park. The Centre Street School is in the background.
The Active Service Battalion hands over the Regimental Colours to the Reserve Battalion. The Centre Street School is in the background.
An unidentified member of the Ontario Regiment poses with his family after the ceremony.
An unidentified member of the Ontario Regiment poses with his family after the ceremony.
An afternoon reception was held in the Officers’ Mess.
At far right, Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd Currell, commanding officer of the Regiment’s Reserve Battalion, speaks with Major General A.E. Potts of Military District 2 during the afternoon reception in the Officers’ Mess.
Honourary Major W.E.L. Smith, one-time chaplain of the Ontario Regiment, speaks with Lieutenant Colonel E.A.C. “Ned” Amy. This photo appeared in the Oshawa Times-Gazette on 1 December 1945.
The Colour Party of the Reserve Battalion arrives at St. George’s Church to re-deposit the Regimental Colours following the ceremony. Major John Hare is seen knocking the church door. Lieutenant R. Ward and Lieutenant W. Lavender are holding the Colours. This photo appeared in the Oshawa Times-Gazette on 1 December 1945.