MINUTES OF THE ZONE EUROPE MEETING HELD AT
BRANCH 004 IN KIPPENHEIM ON 29 JANUARY 2005
Zone Executive Council in Attendance:
| Zone | Zone Commander | Reg Bonnar |
| Deputy Zone Commander | Gerard Lemay | |
| Past Zone Commander | Thomas J. Andrews | |
| Zone Secretary | Patrick Gaussiran | |
| Branch 001 | President | Harry Irish |
| 1st Vice President | Matthew Guyea | |
| 2nd Vice President | Kevin Grainger | |
| Treasurer | Geoffrey Sanger | |
| Membership | Cam Audet | |
| Branch 002 | President | Raymond Robbins |
| 1st Vice President | Bill Fairley | |
| 2nd Vice President | France Leppla | |
| Sgt-At-Arms | Alphonse Deguire | |
| Branch 003 | Sgt-At-Arms | Dan Gates |
| Branch 004 | President | Rorie Tryhorn |
| 2nd Vice President | Hubert Ganswein | |
| Treasurer | Sean De Roe | |
| Membership | Daniella Tryhorn | |
| Sgt-At-Arms | Lucien Perraut | |
| Branch 005 | Sgt-At-Arms | Hendrik Kuiper |
| Observer in Attendance: | ||
| Branch 001 | Member | Syd Phillips |
| Branch 001 | Member | John Wallace |
| Branch 001 | Member | Heinz Birnesser |
| Branch 001 | Member | Theresia Lemay |
| Branch 001 | Member | Irma Irish |
| Branch 001 | Member | Gertrud Audet |
| Branch 001 | Member | Bing Giraud |
| Branch 002 | Member | Frances Leppla |
| Branch 004 | Member | Kate Andrews |
| Branch 004 | Member | Walter Huston |
| Branch 004 | Member | Hildegard Huston |
| Branch 004 | Member | Dave Dielschneider |
| Branch 004 | Member | Georgette Perraut |
| Item |
Desctiption
|
1. The Zone Commander opened the meeting at 1400 hours by welcoming all in attendance. Continuing his opening remarks he introduced as he said "Our Real Zone Commander" Thomas J. Andrews and applauded his courage for being present with us today. The assembly responded by giving him a standing ovation.
2. The Zone Commander stated that all Branches would have been notified from Dominion Command of his appointment as the European Zone Commander and that since then he has appointed the following to the Zone Council and introduced them to the members. Gerard Lemay as Deputy Zone Commander, Patrick Gaussiran as Zone Secretary and Jocelyn Gelinas as Zone Sgt-At-Arms. A complete list of the Zone Europe Executive Council is included in the Information Folder that was given to each Branch representative prior to the start of the meeting and will be attached to the minutes. The contents of this folder will be listed as Annex “A”.
3. The Zone Commander visited George MacMullen recently and although ageing is visibly taking its toll he is content with the way he is being cared for.
4. The minutes of the last Zone meeting were handed out to the
representatives and the Zone Commander added the following comments on items he
was to action:
a. Item 3; George fell from his wheelchair and was taken to the hospital for a
check-up and was not injured so returned home the same day. He was 83 on his
birthday.
b. Item 30; 1st Vice President Branch 005 raised a question reference her time
of continuous service in the Legion. I contacted Dominion Command for
confirmation, a copy of the reply I have sent to the member. A copy of the
message was given to Branch 005 representative.
c. Item 31; The Zone Commander considered the inclusion of the observation in
the minutes concerning one person to be in charge of a ceremony and giving
orders is action enough at this time. Further the appointment of the Zone
Sgt-At-Arms will eliminate this situation occurring in the future.
d. Item 32; Dutch citizens being members of Branches in Canada. Before I can
take further action I need Names and other appropriate membership information.
5. After reading the minutes they were asked if there were any errors or
omissions. The minutes were adopted as presented. Moved by Comrade Raymond
Robbins and seconded by Comrade Harry Irish.
Motion Carried
6. A copy of the financial statement, which included a summary
of the Petty Cash expenditures for the year 2004, was included in the folder and
reviewed. They were adopted as presented. Moved by Comrade Dan Gates and
seconded by Comrade Cam Audet.
Motion Carried
OLD BUSINESS
SUNDAY 03 OCTOBER 2004 THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION HELD THEIR ANNUAL 450 CEREMONY
AT BENSCHOP, SOUTHWEST OF UTRECHT, THE NETHERLANDS.
7. The 450 Ceremony is a British Legion event that we have been invited to for years and it provides an opportunity to foster good relationship between our two organisations. The problem we experience occasionally is that we carry the British National Flag as part of our Colour Party. It is always our intention to fall our standards in behind the British Legion and get on with the ceremony. However the Royal British Legion can not carry the Union Jack unless Royalty is present and protocol will not allow the RBL to parade their Colours in front of the Union Jack. To overcome the situation this year the UK National Chairman of the Royal British Legion and I agreed to parade the Union Jack in the front. Following the ceremony I had the opportunity to discuss the issue with the Parade Marshall Bob Lacey and in the future for this ceremony we will parade the Canadian Flag and our Legion Banners only.
8. The ceremony at Benschop, the Netherlands was to honour the courage and pay respects to three members of the crew of seven that perished when there Short Stirling Heavy Bomber was shot down by a German Messerschmidt while returning from a bomb run over Hamburg on 03 September 1943. Over the Netherlands as they approached the coast the bomber was attacked, the first burst put out one of the four engines and killed the rear gunner John Caldwell Adam. A second attack by the night fighter put out a second engine. Yet a third engine was hit that led to a fuel leakage. The pilot Squadron Leader William (Bill) Clarke from England turned the aircraft around so the crew would have the opportunity to bail out over land. With only one engine the plane was loosing altitude rapidly the pilot gave the order to jump. The flight engineer was first to go followed by the mid-upper gunner. The bomb airman went and as the wireless operator left his post the last words he heard the skipper was "sorry boys this is the best I could do". As the wireless operator left the stricken aircraft the pilot was still at the controls with the navigator George Johnson on his right. The aircraft hit the ground and a pillar of flames developed.
9. Also to be remembered this day was the crew of a twin-engine Vickeres Wellington Bomber with its bomb load that was shot down and crashed in Benschop on June 5th 1942. The crew would usually comprise of five but on this run an extra pilot was on board. The Captain Tommy Key was from New Zealand and there were two Canadians and four Britons making up the crew. All were killed and are buried in Cemetery Rusthof, Oud Leusden near Amersfoort.
10. On 22 June 1943 a Handley Page Halifax Bomber of the Royal Canadian Air Force Squadron piloted by Captain Clifford Reichert from Canada crashed burning into the nearby River Lek. Due to the effort of the pilot two members of the crew were able to parachute to safety. The pilot along with the other four were lost to the water of the river and have no known grave.
11. On 03 September an Avro Lancaster Bomber of the Royal
Australian Air Force had been shot down by the German night fighter and crashed
in Benschop. The Australian pilot Captain Robin McPhain was able to control the
plain long enough for two of the crew to parachute to safety. The pilot and four
others of the crew died in the crash and are also buried in Oud Leusden.
12. On 15 February 1942 a Spitfire was shot down while on a meteorological
observation mission. The pilot Wing Commander Jock Forbes, a Scot lost his life
and is too buried in Oud Leudden.
WEDNESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2004 CEREMONY AT THE CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY IN ADEGEM, BELGIUM AND AT A MEMORIAL IN IJZENDIJKE IN THE NETHERLANDS.
13. 60 Years ago on 20 October 1944 at a farm on Isabelleweg near the town of Ijzendijke, the Netherlands a horrific accidental explosion occurred. The explosion caused the death of forty-one British and Canadian soldiers and caused injury to another fifty-one some of which would be fatal. The majority of the soldiers present on that fateful day were from 204th Armoured Assault Squadron, Royal Engineers and 10 soldiers of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps of the 7th Infantry Brigade. It is unclear what actually caused the initial explosion and since no official investigation was ever done the incident went basically unrecorded. Finally Lance Sergeant Charles Martin Reagan who was there as the Commander of a Churchill Tank decided to write his account of events which occurred on that sad day. His account is a tribute to the sacrifice of those who lost their lives, those who were wounded and those who survived with scars which cannot be seen, all deserve recognition and their efforts should be recorded.
14. The Zone Commander received a phone call from Mr. Martin
Regan from York in Great Briton. Mr. Regan wanted to have the Canadians
represented at the ceremony commemorating the 60th Anniversary. I assured him
that we would take part in the ceremony and that I would provide a Royal
Canadian Legion Colour Party to which he was delighted. I was also contacted by
Geert Aalders a retired Sergeant-Major of the Royal Dutch Air Force who
organises the ceremony on the ground in the Netherlands and made the final
arrangements to be at the ceremony.
15. The Zone Commander and Deputy Zone Commander attended with our Belgium
Members forming the Colour Party. The ceremony commenced at 1030 hours as our
colour party led the delegation to the Cross of Remembrance at the Canadian War
Cemetery in Adegem, Belgium where the victims that weren't blown into infinity
are buried the missing are honoured at the War Memorial in Groesbeek, the
Netherlands. Following this ceremony another ceremony took place at 1330 hours
at the memorial near the farm where the accident occurred. Our Colour Party once
again led the delegation to the memorial where a very nice ceremony was
conducted. Good coverage of the ceremony can be viewed at
www.ijzendijke-online.nl click on the poppy. Following the ceremony a reception
was held where we had the pleasure to talk with Mr. Regan and some of the other
survivors who were present. The Zone Commander also wrote an article based on Mr.
Regan's account of the incident, which he will attach for those who may be
interested.
06 & 07 NOVEMBER THE ANNUAL REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONIES AT
BEAUMONT-HAMEL AND VIMY IN FRANCE.
16. On Saturday 06 November at 0930 hours Zone provided a Royal Canadian Legion
Colour Party for the Remembrance Day Ceremony at Beaumont-Hamel. The ceremony
went very well under warm and sunny conditions. A reception was held at
Mailly-Maillet. The Director of Beaumont-Hamel Ms. Arlene King expressed her
gratitude for our presence at the ceremony.
17. On Sunday 07 November at 1100 hours Zone provided a Colour Party for the
Remembrance Day Service at Vimy Ridge. This year's ceremony took place in the
Canadian Cemetery No. 2. Although the Vimy Memorial was free at the time when
the ceremony was organised the memorial was supposed to be under renovation.
Again the ceremony was very well attended under sunny skies and the site to me
was appropriate since that is where the boys are actually laid to rest. A
reception was held in the town of Vimy where the Director Mr. Al Puxley
expressed his appreciation for us being present.
BRANCH REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONIES.
18. Zone would like to extend appreciation and a special thank
you to Comrade Sean De Roe from Branch 004 for his efforts prior to the
Remembrance Day Ceremony. Sean visited each Canadian Grave in the Lahr area and
made sure the gravesite was in good order and placed a candle with a Legion
ribbon on each grave. This initiative enhanced the Remembrance Day Ceremony
tremendously.
19. Branch 001 - held their Remembrance Day Ceremony on 11 November, which
commenced with a church service in the village of Söllingen followed by the
ceremony at the Canadian Section in the local cemetery where the Legion Memorial
is located. In addition to the Legion member's present Military members from
Ramstein, Heidelberg and Geilenkirchen also joined them. A reception followed in
the Legion clubhouse.
20. Branch 002 - held their Remembrance Day ceremony on 11 November at the
Canadian Section of the Lahr cemetery where the Legion memorial is also located.
The city of Lahr provided a beautiful wreath. Following the ceremony the graves
of Canadians were visited including those in the surrounding area of Lahr. A
reception was held in the Legion clubhouse following the poppy parade.
21. Branch 003 - were involved in several ceremonies of Remembrance commencing
with their normal parade with the military at the Canadian War Cemetery in
Groesbeek in the Netherlands. Provided a Colour Party for the military
ceremonies at Passendale and the Menin Gate at Ypres in Belgium. Paraded with
the Royal British Legion at Rheindahlen and had representation at the
Beaumont-Hamel and Vimy ceremonies
22. Branch 004 - held their Remembrance Day Ceremony on 11 November at the new
Canadian Memorial in Kippenheim cemetery. This being the first ceremony in this
location it was well attended and very much appreciated by the local community.
The graves of Canadians buried in the local cemeteries were visited and a
reception followed the poppy parade.
23. Branch 005 - held a Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Liberation Monument in
Apeldoorn. This ceremony being the second year was bigger that ever well
supported by the local community. In attendance also which enhanced the ceremony
was the Pipes & Drums of the 48th Highlanders and a full Brass Band from the
Royal Dutch Airforce.
SATURDAY 11 DECEMBER THE FUNERAL OF HRH PRINCE BERNHARD OF THE NETHERLANDS.
24. Attendance at the funeral of Prince Bernhard was by invitation only. The
Zone Commander and Deputy Zone Commander were honoured to represent the Royal
Canadian Legion at this funeral. Those of you who were interested would have
seen the ceremony on TV. As you seen security was everywhere but the ceremony
was certainly well organised. By coincidence we got a hotel just around the
corner from the reception centre where we had to go through security the next
morning. Following security we were transported by bus to the church. Following
the ceremony we were again bussed back to the centre got the car and headed home.
NEW BUSINESS
DISTRIBUTION AND DISCUSSION OF THE ZONE EVENTS CALENDAR FOR 2005.
25. The Zone Commander said that a separate instruction would be sent out to the Branches on each event and stressed the importance of receiving information back from each Branch in a timely manner. In particular the names of members wishing to attend these events since accommodations and travel arrangements have to be made well in advance in most cases. Branches are to pay particular notice of the cut off date for returns that will be on the instruction.
THURSDAY 10 MARCH THERE WILL BE A DETACHMENT COMMANDER MEETING CONCERNING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIBERATION OF THE NETHERLANDS PARADE IN WAGENINGEN.
26. Since the meeting is conducted in Dutch the Zone Commander requested to be represented at this meeting by an executive member of Branch 005. This will save the travel costs for the Zone Commander to attend this one-day meeting. The only English the Zone Commander heard spoken at the meeting last year is when Ben asked the committee a question; Ben asked the question in Dutch but for some reason they answered him in English? Branch 005 representative confirmed they will attend and report results to the Zone Commander.
FRIDAY 09 APR 2005 VIMY RIDGE DAY - "NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE".
27. The Zone Commander was in contact with the Director of Vimy, Al Puxley and as was recorded in the minutes of the last meeting there will be no ceremony that will involve a Colour Party. Legion Branches are to fly their Canadian Flag at half-mast on 09 April from sunrise to sunset.
03 - 08 MAY 60TH ANNIVERSARY OR THE LIBERATION OF THE NETHERLANDS EVENTS.
28. Members from the Lahr & Baden area wishing to take in all
the events of the week would be required to travel to the Netherlands on Monday
02 May and return home on Monday 09 May. Apparently we will have no problem with
accommodations for those members wishing to bring wives. A commitment must be
made for those wishing to attend the following ceremonies:
a. Tuesday 03 May ceremony at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek and
requested Branch 003 to provide the Colour Party. Branch 003 representative will
confirm soonest.
b. Wednesday 04 May 1100 hours ceremony at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten
and requested Branch 005 to provide the Colour Party. Branch 005 representative
confirmed they would provide the Colour Party.
c. Thursday 05 May 1100 hours ceremony in Wageningen where we will provide a
Zone Colour Party. Zone needs to know how many Branches will attend with
Standards.
d. Friday 06 May at 1030 hours Branch 005 will do the presentations to the
winners of the Literary Contest at the City Hall in Apeldoorn.
e. Saturday 07 May Liberation Activities in the town of Voorthuizen which will
include a tattoo. The organising committee has asked for a Colour Party to be
present. I have no further details at this time. Branch 005 representative will
investigate and forward the information to the Zone Commander.
f. Sunday 08 May ceremony in Appeldoorn where we will provide a Zone Colour
Party. Zone needs to know how many Branches will attend with Standards.
g. Reminder to all Branches since accommodations have to be arranged in the
Netherlands for these events it is important to notify the Zone Commander ASAP
of members by name wishing to attend these events.
MEMBERSHIP
29. Just as a reminder Branches accepting new members who do not pay membership dues for the current membership year, the membership does not become effective until January 1st of the following year. This has caused much confusion with Affiliate Non-Voting members applying for voting status. The 24 months service requirement begins on the effective date of membership. An example if a membership was passed at a general meeting in September 2004 but dues were paid for 2005 only the membership would not be effective until 01 January 2005. Therefore the member could not apply for voting status until January 2007.
REPORT BY BRANCHES.
30. Branch 001 - Comrade Harry Irish reported that the
Remembrance Day ceremony was again a success and in the future one Remembrance
Day Ceremony only would be held together with Hügelsheim at the Söllingen
Memorial. Bingo's are continuing to be a regular success as well. Last years
December General Meeting was postponed until March of this year due to missing
participation. At the new years levy 36 litres of Moose Milk was consumed so
everyone believes they had a good time. On 12 Mar we will participate in a
Charity Concert for Sri Lanka in Hügelsheim providing Hamburgers. The second
annual Cribbage Tournament that has proven to be very popular will be held again
this year on 25 March. A list of our Branch events will be sent to all Branches
very soon.
31. Branch 002 - Comrade Ray Robbins reported that Remembrance Day also was a
success. The Branch paid a special tribute with a Colour Party to our former 2nd
Vice President who passed away recently and is buried in Reichenbach. Pictures
were sent to his family in Canada who since has acknowledged their appreciation.
Turkey Bingo on Christmas went very well. Since Bingo is basically our only
source of income BBQ’s will be introduced and hopefully will provide our Branch
with a social event and an additional source of income. The President concluded
by expressing his personal appreciation for having the opportunity to travel
with us on ceremonies in the Netherlands and most recently to Beaumont-Hamel and
Vimy. He said they were fantastic and recommended to everyone not to miss the
opportunity to attend some of these ceremonies.
32. Branch 003 - Comrade Dan Gates reported that the executive members of the
Branch are heavy into Duty Travel at this time as can be seen I was the only
person available to represent the Branch this weekend. The President most likely
will be deployed to Afghanistan with his duties being taken over by the 1st Vice
President. Zone Commander will be notified when everything is finalised.
Upcoming events Superbowl and Darts takes place every Wednesday. The web site
can be visited for our calendar of events and other Branch information.
33. Branch 004 - Comrade Rorie Tryhorn reported that the branch is running well
with big support from the local community. The clubhouse here in Kippenheim is
perfect as you all can see. Bingo has started again for the year and still
receiving good support. Event for Easter is in the planning the theme will be
called "Friend and Families of the Royal Canadian Legion" and will provide us
the opportunity to educate the Germans public what our organisation is all about.
A request was made to the Zone Commander on what fees a member who wish to
participate in a ceremonial event would have to pay? The Zone Commander stated
that the ceremonial fund pays for the member's accommodations and travel
expenses so basically the individual would be responsible to for their evening
meal and any entertainment they may wish to attend. The President concluded by
saying in the plan the Branch will introduce horseshoe games as soon as the
weather turns for the better.
34. Branch 005 - Comrade Hendrik Kuiper reported that the Branch President Ben
Zonnenberg is in the hospital with respiratory problems and not doing very well
at this time. The Branch itself is getting busier more and more inquires about
becoming a member and a Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in the Netherlands
is being very well accepted in the local communities. They are participating in
many ceremonies with a Colour Party. Membership is steadily increasing so the
future is looking good. The Branch will hold it's first General Meeting of the
year on 01 February.
SPECIAL REQUEST FROM BRANCH 005 FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
35. The Zone Commander received a letter from Ben Zonnenberg,
President of Branch 005 who couldn't be with us today since he is in hospital
requesting financial assistance to help cover some of the costs involved in
conducting the Literary Contest (Posters and Poems) they are conducting in the
Netherlands. The theme of the contest is "The Canadian Liberators" and certainly
falls within the category of remembrance. The request was for €175.00. The Zone
Commander said he strongly supported the request and asked for approval from the
council to transfer the funds requested to Branch 005. It was unanimously
approved.
36. A further discussion followed indicating the members felt that €175.00 would
not be sufficient considering what must yet take place since they are in contact
with some 1,700 schools the judging, the prizes, the presentations and reception
that will take place on 06 May. A further motion was put forward that Zone
supports the contest with a donation of €500.00. The motion was duly seconded
and all were in favour. The Zone Commander thanked the members for their support
and generosity and will transfer the €500.00 soonest.
OPEN DISCUSSION
37. The Zone Commander asked how many of the Branches are
connected to the E-Legion, the internal e-mail site posted on the Dominion
Command website. Only Branch 004 responded they were the rest didn't know but
would check with the Branch.
AWARDS PRESENTATIONS
38. The Zone Commander stated that from time to time he gets the
opportunity do some pleasant tasks connected with this position. It gives me
pleasure to present the following awards. Branch 005 with the Certificate from
Dominion Command for your achievement in the Early Bird Programme and
accompanying seal at 60%. Presented to Branch 003 and Branch 004 the Achievement
Seal both at 50%.
39. Finally it gives me great pleasure to present the highest award the Royal
Canadian Legion can bestow on a member the MSM. I am sure you will all agree
there is not a person more deserving of such a prestigious award than our own
Comrade Thomas J. Andrews. The presentation caught Andy completely by surprise
and as the delegation gave him another standing ovation it is fair to say rather
emotional for him. Following the meeting adjournment each of the members present
personally congratulated him and spent some time talking to him which certainly
made his day.
MOTION TO ADJOURN
40. There being no further business to discuss a motion was made by Comrade Bill
Fairley and seconded by Comrade Harry Irish that the meeting be adjourned. The
meeting was adjourned at 1600 hours.
Motion Carried
The next a Zone Meeting will be held at 1400 hours Saturday 23 Apr in the Legion Hall of Branch 001 in Söllingen.
Annex "A"
Folder Contents 29 Jan 2005