Thursday, November 13, 2014

St. James Cathedral, Toronto, November 8, 2014

The beautiful Cathedral Church of St. James 
in Toronto hosted a most impressive display of the Chaplaincy 
Services in the Canadian Military.
This picture hung for one hundred years in the Old Homestead 
until we donated it to the Chaplain’s Memorabilia room and thence here.
The display stretched down both side aisles.
News of the Canadian win in 1900 in Paardeberg
...and the announcement of the declaration of war in 1914.
Over two hundred people attended this opening of the exhibit.
As we strolled through the exhibit, drinks and hors d’oeuvres 
were handed round and a superb trio played music.
David Appleyard gave me a splendid, though undeserved, introduction.
After which I spoke about the books in The Alford Saga 
which dealt with the chaplaincy.























Sunday, November 9, 2014

The Chaplaincy School, Camp Borden, November 8, 2014


I was invited to the splendid Mess Dinner and celebration 
of the 20th anniversary of the founding of 
the Chaplaincy School at Camp Borden.
Capt Tom Hubley and Private Rob helped arrange 
my participation, room and transportation. 
Lieut-Col Paul Acton, Commandant of the Chaplaincy School, 
and me with the program wherein I was the keynote speaker.
I shared the talking with Maj-Gen’l Eric Tremblay, 
Commander, Canadian Defence Academy.
A band of volunteers provided the ample music.
Col Carl Doyon, Base Commander and Commander of 
Cdn Forces Support Training Group, seen here between 
Brig Genl Fletcher and Base Borden Chief Warrant Officer, CWO Godbout.
Then Paul Acton introduced me. One can see the enjoyment all around.
I spoke to the large gathering
 and managed to sprinkle laughs throughout.
Brig-Genl John Fletcher and I have become good friends 
the last couple of years, he having visited Shigawake.



.

















Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Bishops College School, Montreal, October 26, 2014

 
 I was invited to my alma mater, Bishops College School
...to talk to the student body in this auditorium.
While in Lennoxville, I stayed with a former 
headmaster Lewis Evans…
and his lovely wife Cathy.
Lewis was co-author with me of Ups a Downs.

After this, I was invited to Chaplain college
...by the brilliant young teacher Emily Evans to talk 
to a hundred or so students about The Gunner and The Hero.

















Monday, November 3, 2014

Eastern Townships, October 26, 2014

Thanks to my admiration for the photographer film-maker 
Louise Abbott
who I met after I found her evocative book of the Lower North 
Shore en route to research The Pilgrim
... I was invited to her creation, Studio Georgeville, 
to present The Hero and the Gunner.
Louise introduced me, and I gave a talk, after which 
many bought books.
I took time to go to my father’s church in Iron Hill.
The hill behind blazed with glorious autumn colours.
Even the dead were surrounded by beauty.