Princess Anne Presides Over Anniversary Celebrations

During October 24-25, chapter members gathered to watch while Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, colonel-in-chief of the Communications and Electronics (C&E) Branch, was at the C&E Branch Home Station in Kingston, Ontario, to preside over celebrations during the 110th Anniversary of military communications in Canada. The C&E Branch Colonel-in-Chief Commendation was proposed to Her Royal Highness by the C&E Branch Leader, Maj. Gen. D.G. Neasmith to reward serving or retired branch members at the highest level possible for outstanding service to the C&E Branch. Having received approval, the inaugural awarding of the Colonel-in-Chief Commendation occurred during Her Royal Highness visit to Kingston during the 110the Anniversary celebrations. The Colonel-in-Chief Commendation consists of two items: a certificate and a medallion, which is both serialized and personalized with the name and rank of the recipient. During the inaugural year, Her Royal Highness awarded four Colonel-in-Chief Commendations. Two were group awards with the first ever going to the 13 members of the Executive Committee of the Branch History project led by Brigadier-General G.D. Simpson (retired). The second group Commendation was awarded to the Editorial Board of the Branch History project led by General R.M. Withers (retired), who was also the Honorary Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Branch History project. Two individual awards were also made with the third ever Commendation awarded to Honorary Col. David Hart, Honorary Col. of 34 Signal Regiment, who at 96 years of age is the oldest serving member in the CAF, and in his 65th year of service, the longest serving member. The second individual Commendation was awarded to the C&E Branch Adjutant, Maj. D.J.W. Bergeron, who has served almost four decades and in recognition of his service to the C&E Branch. The C&E Branch Leader presents Her Royal Highness with Colonel-in-Chief Commendation nominations based on recommendations made by the Branch Advisory Committee led by the Branch Advisor. Her Royal Highness approves the recipients and personally signs the Commendation certificate.

Event Photographs: