The Black Watch is the oldest highland regiment in Canada.
Volunteers have served since the regiment's inception in Montreal on January 31st, 1862 as the 5th Battalion, Volunteer Militia Rifles of Canada. The rise of American military strength during the Civil War concerned Canada. The government authorized formation of militia regiments. Each of six Montreal Scottish chieftains responded by raising an infantry company for the 5th Battalion. Eventually, eight companies were raised for border service. Since then, thousands of Canadian citizens have served in the Black Watch. In addition to Canadian border security, they have fought in the Boer War, WW1, WW2, Korean War; bolstered NATO operations in Europe and UN peacekeeping worldwide; and provided aid-to-the-civil-power, most recently during the Quebec and Eastern Ontario ice storm disaster.
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LGEN DUNCAN A. McALPINE, CMM, CD 1922-2010
It is with regrets that we notify you that our Honorary-Colonel died peacefully in Florida on January 23, 2010.
LGen McAlpine joined The Black Watch (RHR) of Canada during WWII. After the war he joined 1st Canadian Highland Battalion as a company commander in Germany, and he subsequently served as a company commander in 1st Battalion, RHC in Camp Aldershot, NS.
Following a tour of duty at NATO Headquarters in Fontainebleau, France, he assumed command of 2nd Battalion, RHC in West Germany in 1963 and continued in command when 2nd Battalion returned to Gagetown, NB in 1965 and when it deployed to Cyprus in 1966.
Between tours at NDHQ he commanded the Combat Training Centre in CFB Gagetown in 1970, and Canada’s military contingent to the International Commission for Control and Supervision in Viet Nam in 1973.
LGen McAlpine was predeceased by his wife Bonnie in October 2003. He is survived by daughter Lynn and sons Bruce, Keith and Craig as well as several grandchildren.
OBITUARY
Lieut. Gen. (retired) DUNCAN ALASTAIR McALPINE Of Kingston, died peacefully in Florida on January 23, 2010 surrounded by family. He enjoyed life fully, supported for fifty-seven years by his beloved wife, Bonnie, until her death in October 2003. He is missed by his children Lynn in Montreal, Bruce (Nancy) in Toronto, Keith (Rhonda) in Chicago, and Craig (Alice) in Montreal, as well as by his six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Duncan joined the Black Watch (RHR) of Canada during World War II and the Black Watch was never far from his thoughts. When he retired from his military career, including time in Europe and Vietnam, he worked for a period for Brascan/Brascade and the Ontario Hospitals' Association before moving to Kingston. There, he invested actively in the university and his church, as well as finding time for his lifelong love of history. Throughout his life, Gen McAlpine's enthusiasm encouraged those around him to imagine and achieve things they might not have otherwise. In reflecting upon his life, he noted challenges and some successes, which he described as being made possible through the love and support of his family. A ceremony to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, January 30 at 12 noon at Chalmers United Church, 212 Barrie Street, Kingston, Ontario. A Reception will follow at the Fort Frontenac Officers’ Mess. While flowers are appreciated, a donation to the charity of your choice in Gen McAlpine's name would be preferred, or to organizations that he himself supported (such as the Black Watch or Salvation Army). For Military Protocol related issues, and Senior Serving Officers who wish to attend, you are encouraged to contact the Black Watch (514) 496-1686 x246.
NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT
Forces-wide Message
UNCLAS 1110-1 (ADJT)
01 04 282018Z JAN 10 RR UUUU ADM 002
BW RHR MONTREAL
AIG 1840
AIG 1876
UNCLAS ADM 002
SUBJ: DEATH/MEMORIAL SERVICE OF HCOL LGEN DUNCAN MCALPINE, CMM, CD
1. LGEN (RETIRED) DUNCAN ALASTAIR MCALPINE, DIED PEACEFULLY IN
FLORIDA ON 23 JAN 10
2. THROUGH HIS CAREER HE SERVED IN THE UK, ITALY AND NW EUROPE
DURING WW II. HE COMMANDED 2 RHC IN CYPRUS AND GERMANY FROM 1963
66. IN 1970 HE ORGANIZED AND WAS THE FIRST COMMANDER OF THE LAND
FORCES COMBAT TRAINING CENTRE ESTABLISHED IN GAGETOWN, NB. HE
FORMED AND COMMANDED CANADA S PEACE-KEEPING FORCE VIETNAM IN 1973.
HE WAS APPOINTED COMMANDER CANADIAN NATO FORCES EUROPE IN 1975. HE
HAS SERVED THE SALVATION ARMY AS A HOSPITAL TRUSTEE AND ADVISORY
BOARD MEMBER, ST JOHN AMBULANCE ONTARIO AS PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL,
ONTARIO HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, AND THE
UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO CENTRE FOR PROCESS DEVELOPMENT AS CHAIRMAN OF
THE BOARD. HE WAS AWARDED THE SILVER ACORN DECORATION BY SCOUTS
CANADA. HE WAS APPOINTED HLCOL OF THE BLACK WATCH (ROYAL HIGHLAND
REGIMENT) OF CANADA IN JUN 96, AND HCOL OF THE SAME UNIT IN MAY 00
3. A MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR LGEN (RETIRED) DUNCAN MCALPINE, TO
CELEBRATE HIS LIFE, WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, 30 JAN 10 AT 1200 HRS
AT CHALMERS UNITED CHURCH, 212 BARRIE STREET, KINGSTON, ON
4. DRESS FOR THE MEMORIAL SERVICE IS DEU 1A (TUNIC WITH MEDALS),
BLACK WATCH WILL WEAR HIGHLAND CEREMONIAL DRESS
5. THE FAMILY HAS INDICATED THAT WHILE FLOWERS ARE APPRECIATED, A
DONATION TO THE CHARITY OF CHOICE IN GEN MCALPINE S NAME WOULD BE
PREFERRED, OR TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT HE HIMSELF SUPPORTED (SUCH AS
THE BLACK WATCH OR SALVATION ARMY)
6. FOR MILITARY PROTOCOL RELATED ISSUES AND SENIOR SERVING OFFICERS
WISHING TO ATTEND, ENQUIRIES AND CONFIRMATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED.
It is with regrets that we notify you that our Honorary-Colonel died peacefully in Florida on January 23, 2010.
