University of Manitoba - Brown and Gold Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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LT. -COL. W. F. RIDDELL, born Smith Falls, Ontario: came to Dauphin, Manitoba, in 1899: high school training and first year Arts at McKenzie High School, Dauphin: enlisted as a private in the 196th Western Universities Battalion in April, 1916: served with the 46th Battalion in France April to June, 1917, and April to October. 1918: entering Engineering course in October, 1919: re-joined the C.O.T.C. in 1920 as a cadet with continuous service therein since: appointed lecturer in Civil Engineering, 1925, assistant pro- fessor, 19293 took over command of the C.O.T.C. from Major H. P. Armes in 1938 with the rank of Captain: pro- moted to Lieut. Colonel on the expan- sion of the C.O.T.C. in September, 1939. MAJOR CLARK R. HOPPER, M.C.. born at Strathclair, Manitoba: high school train- ing at Rapid City, Manitoba: attended and graduated from Manitoba College. 1912, specializing in English and Econom- ics: appointed to staff of English De- partment M.A.C,, 1912: enlisted as a private in the 196th Western University Battalion February, 1916: promoted to Lieutenant and M.G.O. 196th Battalion: served in France from May, 1917. to October, 1918: awarded Military Cross: promoted to Captain in 4th Division M.G. Battalion: assistant professor of English, University of Manitoba, 1925 to 1940: joined C.O.T.C. September, 1939, as 2nd in Command: in charge of Uni- versity Training Unit, 1939-40. G. P. R. TALLIN, born at Petrolia Ontario came to Winnipeg in 1909: matriculated at Wesley College: graduated in Classics from the same institution: enlisted as a private in the 196th Western Universities Battalion: served in that Battalion and in the 19th Reserve Battalion as a physi- cal drill and bayonet Fighting instructor: received a commission in the 8th London Battalion lPost Office Riflesj: served in France attaining the rank of Captain: appointed Rhodes Scholar on return from France and attended Oxford Uni- versity and Inns of Court, London: practiced Law in Winnipeg. being a member of the firm Allan, Laird, Davis. Haffner and Hobkirk: Lecturer in Win- nipeg in the Manitoba Law School: Major in the C.O.T.C, in October, 1939: ap- golinted Chief Instructor September, 0. 67

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0.0.1. THE Canadian Officers' Training Corps was formed on the 15th November 1914 with the primary object of providing students at universities with a standardized measure of elementary military training with a View to their qualifying eventually for commissions in the Active Militia. In the years 1914-18 a very large number of students received certificates of proficiency and ultimately commissions in the Expedditionary force. But not all received commissions on enlistment. In the western uni- versities of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia there was formed the 196th Western University Battalion, the rna- jority of whose members had served in the C. O. T. C. This Battalion ultimately provided a very large number of officers to other bat- talions and also to the R. N. A. S. and the R. A, F. After 1918, reflecting the current opinion that Canada for many years would not be involved in war, the strength of the Corps was compara- tively small, but due to the enthusiasm and foresight of such Commanding Ofiicers as Dean Fetherstonhaugh, Dean Armes and Lt.-Col. Riddell, the Unit was kept alive. Upon the declaration of war in September it Was appar- ent that the Corps could again perform the same useful service it had previously rendered. A very greatly increased number of students and graduates were at once enlisted, many of whom were qualified in the spring of 1940 and are now serving in the Canadian Forces overseas or in the Active or Reserve Forces in Canada. For the academic year 19401-41 it was decided to limit the strength to a number which could be efficiently trained with the available re- sources and a selection was made from those seeking admission. Many members of the University Staff with previous military experience have voluntarily given their services as lecturers and instructors. Training for four branches only is provided by the Manitoba Contingent, namely Infantry, Artillery, Engineering, and Medical Services. Each member is required to take four periods of lecture work and three of practical training each week. , At present approximately fifty per cent of those being commissioned in the Active Force received their qualifications through the Corps, as have also a large proportion of the officers in the reserve forces. It was recently decided by University and Military authorities to continue the training of officers by means of the C. O. T. C., indication being given that an ever increasing number of calls would be made up-on the Unit for officers in the Active Forces. af- fvfww,-7 waz COMPULSORY military training without com- pulsory military service, established for Canada in the summer of 1940, threatened to interfere seriously with University courses. A call to the compulsory training camp even for one month during the academic session would seriously disrupt the year's work for a student. If postponed to summer the call would inter- fere almost as seriously with the opportunity for summer work and summer earnings which make possible the return to University next year. And the successful completion of the year's studies, and the return next year. espe- cially in Science, Medicine and Engineering, is important not only to the individual student. but to sum total of the national war effort. The supply of technically and scientifically trained men must be maintained, if only for the sake of the war effort. Consequently an agreement was made be- tween representatives of the Universities of Canada and the Government of Canada whereby all male physically fit students 18 years of age and over, taking regular courses leading to degree or diploma. should take 110 hours of military training during the academic session. Young men under 18 years of age were per- mitted to volunteer for military training. This winter training was to be followed by two weeks in camp for those 20 years of age and over, so completing for these age groups the equivalent of one month of compulsory military training. These students, 925 in number, with officers and instructors drawn for the most part from the C. O. T. C. formed the U. M. T. U. or University Military Training Unit at the University of Manitoba. Though the students were not paid for their compulsory drills, though they were not issued uniforms, and though the six hours per week of military training seriously interfered with ac- customed leisure, recreation and even work, the response of the students to the opportunity here provided to carry on their University courses and at the same time take necessary military training, has been most gratifying to the authorities responsible for the programme. In attendance. in spirit and co-operation and good will, in deportment and discipline, in the growth of the desire to serve, in the develop- ment of a University spirit and in many other ways, student military training has justified it- self at the University of Manitoba.

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'Quads MAJOR G. P. R. TALLIN Commanding A Company MAJOR J. WALKER Commanding C Company CAPT. G. L. PATTON Adjutant MAJOR L. H. GREEN Commanding D Company MAJOR A. B. ROSEVEAR Commanding B Company MAJOR J. D. ADAMSON Commanding Company CAPT. H. C. GRANT. U.M.T.U. FLT. LT. R. Mc. FRAYNE. U.M.T.U. CAPT. J. O. ANDERSON. U.M.TU