Black Watch Association - Pacific Branch

About the Branch

The Pacific Coast Branch was formed during the early 1940s and currently consists of 116 members, including 101 Ordinary Members, six Associate Members and nine Honorary Members. Twenty-seven Ordinary Members served in either the Canadian regiment or the parent regiment during World War Two, while the remaining Ordinary Members served in either the Regular Force or the Reserve Force components of the regiment during the post-war years. West Coast membership is not a prerequisite: members are drawn from eight provinces, three American states, and Australia.

The current branch executive is as follows:

Executive Director: David S. (Dave) Leslie
Membership Director: Frank Huber
Director, Lower Mainland Region: Herbert W. (Herb) Francis
Director, Victoria Region: E. Grant Guillet

BRANCH NEWS

New Members. The following members have recently joined the branch:
Donald Creasy SK 102508 enrolled in 1961, served in 1 and 2 RHC before taking his release in December 1964. After returning to BC, Don joined the CPR, ending up as a locomotive engineer hauling 110–car coal trains between Golden and Kamloops. Now retired, Don and Sharon live in Mission BC.

Colin McConnachie SA 128498 enrolled in 1961, served in 1 RHC and 2 RHC in Gagetown and Germany. Since taking his release in 1963, Colin worked for many years with the John Howard Society. Currently semi-retired (he maintains a position as an employment counselor with the Society) Colin and Diane live in Prince George BC.

BRANCH ACTIVITIES

Victoria Dinner April 16, 2008. Forty-nine members and guests attended the annual dinner held in the Officers Mess of the Canadian Scottish Regiment at the Bay Street Armouries. We welcome first-time attendees Hilton and Shirley Munro and Harriet Warner as well as several members who had not attended branch functions for some time, namely Gord Berry and Mike and June Jackson. During the dinner, Hilton Munro was presented with a medal struck by Ville de Longueuil commemorating that city’s twinning with Dieppe, France and in recognition of his participation in the parade marking the occasion in 1952. Derek Warner was also honoured during the dinner for his long association and dedicated service to the branch. Derek was presented with an album containing photos and testimonials by members and an account of his war time service with the regiment. All members of the branch are most grateful for the service extended to the regiment by these two distinguished veterans. 

Reunion 2008. The branch will be hosting a reunion to be held at the Best Western Rainbow Country Inn in Chilliwack BC during the weekend of September 26-28, 2008.

For more information, please contact the branch at 796 21st Street East, North Vancouver BC V7J 1N6 or dsleslie_ca@yahoo.com.

Joining the Black Watch Association (Pacific Branch)

For those wishing to join the branch or seeking further information, please contact the Secretary-Treasurer at 796 East 21st Street, North Vancouver, BC V7J 1N6. E-mail dsleslie_ca@yahoo.com