Author: Chris Dearlove

Register for the 2021 Annual General Meeting

Posted on by Chris Dearlove

The Fort Henry Guard Club of Canada’s Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 7:00 pm.

Once again, this year’s AGM will take place via Zoom.  Any member in good standing who wishes to attend can register for the meeting by completing this online form.  We’ll then send you the Zoom link and reports in advance of the meeting.  As a reminder, you can find a copy of the board nominations list here.

Please sign up by August 24 so the meeting materials can be sent to you in a timely fashion.

We look forward to seeing our members and sharing news about the Club’s activities in a couple of weeks.

Bereavement – Donald Murphy

Posted on by Chris Dearlove

We recently learned of the passing of Donald Murphy, FHG 375.  Don passed away on May 22, 2021 at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.

Don joined the Guard in 1958, and worked as a lawyer in Halifax, Calgary and Ottawa during a long and distinguished career.  He was also a Trustee for 21 years with the former Ottawa Roman Catholic Separate School Board and served as both Chair and Vice-Chair during his tenure.

We extend our sincere condolences to Don’s wife Sharon, his family and friends.

Full obituary:  The Ottawa Citizen

Bereavement – Colonel Frederic Tolleson, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)

Posted on by Chris Dearlove

FHG 29 Frederic L. Tolleson

October 29, 1932 – June 10, 2021 

We were saddened to receive the following message from Lieutenant Colonel R.L. (Bill) Cody, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired) and FHG 30:

“It is with heavy heart that I must report Colonel Fred Tolleson, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired) recently passed away peacefully at home, in Seattle Washington.   Fred has been a devoted supporter of the Fort Henry Guard for many years.

He will be buried at the Arlington National Cemetery at a later date to be announced. (Arlington has a waiting list of several months.)

Fred cherished the time he spent with his friends in the Fort Henry Guard. He is survived by his loving wife Cyd, and several children and grandchildren.”

Bill’s message continued:

“At a time like this we Marines bring into mind the following verse of our Corps’ Hymn:

IF THE ARMY AND THE NAVY EVER GAZE ON HEAVEN’S SCENES,

THEY WILL FIND THE STREETS ARE GUARDED BY UNITED STATES MARINES…

Let us pray that when our time comes, Colonel Fred Tolleson finds us worthy of passing through the Pearly Gates.

SEMPER FIDELIS, FRED. R.I.P”

Fred, Richard (Bill) Cody and his brother Joe (FHG 22) were an important part of the Club’s awards program for many years.  In addition to donating trophies for two awards (Col. James B. Ord Memorial Award for best fifer, Lt. Col. Joseph F. Cody Award for most proficient gunner), the three Marines also came to Kingston for more than 15 years to see the Guard, to remind them of the link with the USMC, and to participate in the Awards Ceremony.  Joe Cody became an honorary member of the Guard in 1970.  Fred Tolleson and Richard Cody were recognized as honorary members of the Guard in 2008, and we will always remember and cherish these special and unique friendships.  

Colonel Frederic Tolleson, USMC (ret) and FHG 29, presenting the General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. Bowl to Guard Captain Brendan Monahan in 2014.

Update on Fort Henry’s 2021 Season

Posted on by Chris Dearlove

As part of the government’s recent move to Step One of its Roadmap to Reopen Ontario plan, Fort Henry has announced that it will officially open for the 2021 season on Saturday, June 19, 2021.

As was the case last summer, the Fort will be offering modified outdoor programming with self-guided tours, and rifle firing, music and artillery demonstrations.  Members of the Fort Henry Guard will also be stationed throughout the Fort to offer interpretation experiences.

Fort Henry Guard Club members will receive a reduced admission fee of $12.00 when purchasing in-person tickets at the Fort Henry admission booth upon presentation of their membership card.  Advance tickets can also be purchased online at the usual price of $15 each.

More details about this year’s programming, hours of operation, and health and safety measures can be found on Fort Henry’s website.

FHGCC Annual General Meeting 2021

Posted on by Chris Dearlove

The Fort Henry Guard Club of Canada’s Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday, August 26 at 7:00 pm.  All current members of the FHGCC are invited to participate in the meeting, which will be held virtually.  Registration instructions will be shared in the coming week.

Members are advised that a resolution will be considered at the AGM to amend the By-Laws of the FHGCC to permit the Club to hold meetings and conduct business virtually and electronically and to communicate notices by electronic means.  The full text of the resolution can be found here.

The nomination list for election to the FHGCC Board of Directors can also be found here.  The Club is still looking for one member to be nominated to fill a two-year term, and one member to fill a one-year term.  Please contact Michael Murphy (newsletter.fhgcc[at]gmail.com) to submit a nomination.

Bereavement – John Rombough

Posted on by Chris Dearlove

Mae Rombough recently shared this note on the FHGCC Facebook page: 

It is with a heavy heart I post this note. My husband, FHG 407 John Rombough, passed away on March 11, 2021 after a courageous battle with heart and Parkinson’s. John and I both had a great love for the Fort in 1959 and 60 and picked up again when we returned to Kingston in 1998.  John served on the Guard Club Board of Directors as Vice President and President. I worked with Fred McConnell with member news and later had the pleasure of working with Guard Members when I coordinated the volunteers. Due to the border closure we will plan a memorial in Kingston at a later date.. Love Mae.

Many members of the Guard Club have fond memories of working with John and Mae, and appreciate their long support of the Guard.  We are grateful to John for his service on the Board of Directors, and offer our sincere condolences to Mae and her family on their loss.