Welcome to the Autumn 2024 edition of The Despatch, the Military Communications and Electronics Museum Newsletter.
Celebrating Canadian Women’s History Month
October is Women’s History Month in Canada. Women have long played a key role in the development of Canada and in all three Branches of the Canadian Armed Forces. In the beginning, women were limited by the role they could play, but by 1989, most military occupations were finally open to women, and this included combat roles. The evolution of the role that women have been allowed within the Canadian Armed Forces has been trying at times. The following women each experienced different barriers due to the different times, but one thing they all had in common is that they were trailblazers for women within the Canadian Military.
Canadian women have served in the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force throughout the twentieth century and into the twenty-first. As early as 1885, Canadian women served as nurses in military hospitals during the North-West Resistance and again during the First World War this role of nursing sister would resume. During World War II (WWII), women took on various roles in the military as medical personnel and in clerical and administrative positions, trades and intelligence.
By January 1944 thousands were serving in the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS), the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC) and the Royal Canadian Air Force Women’s Division (RCAF WD). Women served in the Cold War and during peacekeeping operations. In 1989, the majority of military occupations were open to women, including combat roles. Submarine service was opened to women in 2001.
Since 1989, women have served in the Canadian Armed Forces in various trades. Over the years, remarkable women have made substantial movements in military communications. From leading strategic operations to innovating communication technologies, these professionals demonstrate excellence and commitment. Initiatives like annual award ceremonies and dedicated appreciation events showcase the hard work and dedication of women in military communications. It was not until WWII that women were able to initially join communications trades in the Army, Navy and Airforce. The landscape for women in military communications is evolving, reflecting significant advancements in gender equality within a traditionally male-dominant space. As these women continue to excel and pave the way for future generations, their contributions become increasingly indispensable.
The Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC) had a large Canadian Women’s Signalling Component (CWSC) who members were fully integrated in the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (RCCS). They underwent trades training near Kingston, Ontario, at the Canadian Signals Training Centre (CSTC), Vimy Barracks. The CSTC would later change its name to the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics. During the Second World War members of the RCCS, CWSC, RCAF and RCAF WD would study and train together.
The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) also employed women in uniform for signals duties. WRCNS or “wrens” staffed many of the navy’s high frequency direction finding stations.
The first woman to be enrolled in the CWAC was Private Joan Madeline Darwin. Joan Madeline Darwin’s military career began in summer of 1941 when the Department of National Defense posted an advertisement in the Ottawa Journal and the Ottawa Citizen, seeking recruits to join the services. Darwin immediately responded and was accepted by the Army within weeks, proudly becoming one of the first women to join the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC). Darwin completed her training in Kingston at the CSTC. After being given a CWAC arm band and an official letter, Darwin reported to the Royal Canadian Signals Unit at Laurier & Kent Street in Ottawa, to be assigned to the Orderly Room. Shortly after she was transferred to Department of National Defence (DND) Signals Headquarters, working under Colonel Ian McDowell.
In June, Darwin was selected as one of the one hundred women for the first CWAC draft to England. On October 27th, 1942, they departed Canada from Halifax to England on the Queen Elizabeth, arriving in London on November 5th, 1942. Upon Arrival in London, Darwin worked at the Canadian Military Headquarters (CMHQ) in Trafalgar Square. In 1945 when World War II was officially declared over, all serving active personnel were replaced and returned to Headquarters in London, England. September 5th, 1946 after coming home to Canada, the CWAC was disbanded and at a ceremony in Kingston, Ontario, Darwin was discharged and returned to civilian life. Years later she visited the Military Communications and Electronics Museum and donated the portrait painting you see photographed below. This painting is still on display at the museum to this day.
Private Joan Darwin (retired) with WWII painting of herself in front of the Military Communications and Electronics Museum. Year unknown.
Janie Patricia Moyles, was one of the other first women to be a part of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals as a member of the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC). She was born on March 22, 1926 in Alberta. She was 16 years old when she enlisted in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC). After passing basic training she was sent to the Canadian Signals Training Centre (CSTC), Vimy Barracks, Camp Barriefield as one of the first CWACs to begin trades training as a radio operator. She was then assigned to No. 1 Special Wireless Station (SWS) the forerunner of Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Leitrim, Canada’s oldest operational signal intelligence collection station as a signals intercept operator. Leitrim is still in use today.
In 1943, Corporal Moyles was sent to the No. 3 Special Wireless Station in Victoria to intercept messages from the Japanese until the end of the war. Once the war was over, she remained in Victoria intercepting messages from the Russians and Chinese until the CWACs were disbanded on September 30, 1946. Janie Patricia O’Buck (nee Moyles) passed away May 3, 2022 in Plains, Montana. She was 96.
Official portrait of Corporal Moyles circa WWII
An example of current excellence within the Military Communications and Electronics Branch, Brigadier General (ret) Josée Robidoux is the new Colonel Commandant of the C&E Branch and the first woman to hold this important role. Currently BGen (ret) Robidoux is working as the Chief of Staff and Director for Gender Equality and Intersectional Analysis at the Department of National Defence. Her goal is to let everyone know that a great career in the military is possible for anyone who wants to participate and serve their country.
As a woman with a distinguished career with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) BGen (ret) Robidoux had first-hand experience with working in a male dominated profession during a time when women were still not accepted into all of the trades in the CAF.
When transitioning from the Air Cadets to the Primary Reserves in 1985 she actually hoped to join the infantry but was told that the infantry did not yet accept women. Instead they recommended she join the C&E Branch, a decision she has never regretted. She enrolled in April 1, 1985 and joined the Primary Reserve at 714 (Sherbrooke) Communication Squadron as an officer. Brigadier General (ret) Robidoux ended up training with a group of French speaking officers from all branches of the CAF including combat arms in Gagetown where she was one of three women. The women were in separate quarters and had to drive over to class. She credits her eight years of Air Cadets experience with her ability to hold her own with officer cadets from Royal Military College (RMC). When undergoing her Signals Officer training in CFB Kingston, all of the lectures in the classroom were in English, and in the evening a bilingual trainer would come and explain everything that had been taught in French. This is how she learned English.
Brigadier General (ret) Robidoux continued to rise through the ranks, but was never deployed overseas because her gender was a barrier and senior leadership were reluctant to let her go due to her wide range of responsibilities. Finally, in 2010, the Chief of Reserve recommended that the then Colonel Robidoux deployed to Afghanistan for one year, recognizing that while she had the potential, she would never become a general without a deployment.
Col Robidoux deployed to Afghanistan for one year in 2011-2012 and was slated to be the Senior Advisor to the second highest ranking Afghan general. Once again, gender became an issue. None of the senior Afghan generals wanted to be advised by a female soldier as it would be seen as a loss of status amongst their own people. Eventually, through negotiation, a more progressive Afghan general, Major General Moen, agreed to have Col Robidoux as a Senior Advisor. They developed a solid and respectful working relationship.
In 2015 Col Robidoux was identified as one of the Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network and took command of 35 Canadian Brigade Group. In 2017 she was promoted to Brigadier General. She has been awarded the Order of Military Merit at the grade of Officer. Brigadier General (ret) Robidoux sees her keys to success in the military were her determination, self-reliance, independence, self-confidence and the ability to make her own decisions. Irritants were that regardless of rank, even as a General, she found that as a woman you have to prove yourself over and over again to everyone. Brigadier General (ret) Robidoux is well aware that the CAF is still a work in progress for the full inclusion of women. She believes that women are coming into their own, that more will reach senior positions and that the leadership style women bring to the table will be valued as highly effective within the CAF and in all male dominated professions. She continues to work tirelessly to promote the CAF as an excellent career choice for women and to work on the seamless inclusion of all genders into the CAF.
Official Portrait Colonel Commandant Military C and E Branch BGen Robidoux (retired)
Chief Warrant Officer Renay M. Groves has served in the Canadian Armed Forces for over 31 years, holding various roles including SIGINT Specialist, UAV Team Lead, and Squadron Sergeant Major. After enrolling in 1992, CWO Groves demonstrated leadership potential, earning accelerated promotion to Corporal in 1995.
While posted to 770 Comm Research Sqn in Gander, they organised a fundraising campaign, raising $15,000 in just a few months for SAREX (Search and Rescue Exercise) to support missing children. It was presented when SAR team rode though CFB Gander and was received honouring those who started this initiative.
In 1998, CWO Groves was posted to CFS Leitrim Operations, where they held the positions of Operator, UNIX Systems Administrator, Red Team Member, Communications Center and Canadian Security Establishment Operator.
In 2007, CWO Groves deployed to Afghanistan as a Master Corporal, where they presented “Notes From Home” to their comrades, boosting morale and providing emotional support to deployed troops.
CWO Groves has held various senior roles, including Drill Sergeant Major at CFSCE and Acting School Chief Warrant Officer as required. They also served as a Command Team Partner to Major Blair Christie for the CFSCE Heritage Team, demonstrating their expertise and dedication to the Canadian Armed Forces.
Prior to being appointed as the Signals Branch Chief Warrant Officer, CWO Groves served in these key leadership positions, further solidifying their commitment to the CAF. CWO Groves is a champion of “Trusted to Serve”, embodying the values of trust, respect, and loyalty. They have contributed to the CAF through initiatives like “Notes from Home” and the Poppy Memorial, and implementation “Trusted to Serve,” at CFSCE demonstrating their commitment to the well-being of members and their families.
CWO Groves has been recognized for their exceptional service with several awards, including the Special Service Medal (Alert) in 1996, the General Campaign Star in 2010, the Meritorious Service Medal in 2011, the Canadian Forces Decoration (CD1) for 22 years of good service, and the Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) bar for an additional 10 years of service.
CWO Groves long time partner is Master Warrant Officer (Retired) Christopher Hiscock and together they have two children, Madison (24) and Nathan (20). They are her world outside of the uniform and without them her life would be less whole. They have supported her career, served and sacrificed as “One Team.”
Official Portrait CWO Renay Groves
Figure 1CWO Groves presenting the “Poppy Memorial” to Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal Colonel-In-Chief of the Military C and E Branch October 2013
As of May 2023, women comprised approximately 16.5 per cent of the regular force and primary reserve in the CAF: 19.6 per cent of officers and 15.4 per cent of non-commissioned members. This represented a slight increase from 2020. Women make up 20.7 per cent of the navy, 20.3 per cent of the air force, and 13.9 per cent of the army.
As October 2024 approaches we look forward to seeing what the next generation of women contribute to the Canadian Armed Forces. One thing is certain there are many leaders among them to come!
By Cpl Meaghan Golding
News from the Museum Executive Director
It's been a busy summer for us here at the C&E Museum! We were open 7 days a week from Canada Day through Labour Day and we had strong attendance over that time. Based on this year's visitation, we will be open 7 days a week from Canada Day through Thanksgiving next year. For now, the museum continues to be open M-F 10-3:30. We've also hosted several Veterans Coffees since May, with great connections happening between veterans and serving members. We hope to see you December 3 for our next Coffee! All are welcome. Sincere thanks to ADGA for renewing their sponsorship of these important events for another year. At the beginning of October we also welcomed our first cruise ship tour at the museum. With the reopening of the causeway, we hope to see more tours next year.
Veterans Week will see a whole series of exciting events, both at the museum and at various locations around base - check our website for more details and for registration. We are very grateful for funding for these events through the City of Kingston Heritage Fund, administered by the Kingston Association of Museums. We hope you can join us for some of them!
Looking forward to next year, you'll see a whole lot more going on around the museum as we launch the Highway of Heroes Military Museums Association. This collaboration among 12 military museums from Toronto to Cornwall is being formed to literally drive visitation to our various sites along Highway 401, and to draw more visitors out of the GTA. There will be a series of launch events at the various museums next summer, from VE Day to VJ Day - stay posted for more details! Watch the museum for events going on throughout March break as part of March of the Museums as well!
As your new Museum Executive Director (as of March 2024), I hope you can join us at the museum at several of these events. Our new (as of July 2024) OC Museum, Maj Scott Oikle and myself look forward to meeting you there, along with the rest of the staff!
Rory M. Cory, Museum Executive Director
View This Month's Upcoming Events
Mercury Shop News!
Happy fall! With the end of the summer and changing of the seasons The Mercury Shop is now back on its Winter hours of Monday to Friday 1000 until 1530. And yes, we are open over then lunch hour!
With Remembrance Day so close, the Mercury Shop is no longer guaranteeing medals for Remembrance Day. We apologize for the inconvenience; our cut-off date was 21 Oct 2024. You may still bring your medals in but we cannot guarantee arrival before Remembrance Day. This is the busiest time of the year for medal mounting and we want to be sure our mounter has more than enough time to complete all the orders.
Not military? Come checkout the museum and the wide array of toys and other items that the shop has to offer. Looking for gift ideas? We have a laser engraver on site as well as shirt and mug presses, which can be used to create fun custom items.
As always you can find us online at https://themercuryshop.com/
If you have any questions, we can be reached at
613-541-5395 or local 5395
We look forward to seeing you!
The Mercury Shop Staff
Coffee With Veterans October
There was a great turnout of veterans for the October 1, 2024 coffee ! Can you pick out people you know?
Coffee With Veterans December
Join us for coffee on December 3, 2024 at 1030. Proudly sponsored by ADGA.
Foundation News!
Your Military Communications & Electronics Museum Foundation
I expect that when the “Foundation” is mentioned in conversation with members of our Branch there is some fuzzy awareness that it takes in donations and spends the money from the coffers. There is truth in this. In fact, the first line of our Statement of Purpose is “To preserve and perpetuate the heritage of the Military Communications & Electronics (C&E) components of the Canadian Armed Forces by supporting museum facilities, projects and programs with a view to commemorating the C&E legacy and educating the public about it.” The second statement in our purpose is about the money and support of the Museum and the Branch.
My request of you today is to become involved in your Branch. The start is to subscribe to cmcen.ca . This site collectively hosts the C&E Branch Office, the C&E Association, and soon will host the C&E Foundation. This gives you one stop shopping for all things C&E Branch. Recently the Foundation provided funds to improve our calendar. Now we’d like to see it populated! If you have a C&E related activity that you’d like to share, then please share it with the C&E Branch Event Submission Form. This will then allow anyone to see you event and plan to attend. A luncheon, a mess dinner, a golf tournament, or something else – please advertise it with us! We know that there are a lot of events happening and we’d like to help you get the word out. Let’s get Communicators Communicating!
Another option to get involved, is to participate directly in our Foundation’s work. The Foundation is a not-for-profit charity that is run by volunteers for the benefit of the Communications and Electronics Branch. We are seeking volunteers to become members, and then potentially Directors. We are seeking volunteers with the following skills:
a. Marketing, Communications, Public Relations
b. Fundraising, Grant writing
c. Event organizing, Event Leadership
d. Accounting and Bookkeeping
e. Photography
f. Social Media (tell us what you think you can do)
g. Sharepoint Information Management
h. Note takers
i. Counsel (lawyer) (Ontario based preferred)
j. Translation (primarily English to French)
If you have 4-6 hours (or more) a month to volunteer then please send me an email gpriems@cmcen-rcmce.ca with a description of what your interests are (see list above, or something else), how you feel you could contribute, and we’ll get back to you soonest to discuss.
By Geoff Priems, Director, Chair of Public Relations and Outreach
80 Years Ago-The Invasion of Italy
In preparation for the attack on the Gothic Line, I Canadian Corps moved secretly from the city of Florence to the Adriatic coast. Troops stripped off their Canadian insignia, vehicles were disguised because German intelligence concentrated on tracing the movements of the Canadians. They knew the location of Canadian troops would signal the site of the next offensive. Just like in World War I, the Canadians were now considered the Army’s shock troops.
The Gothic Line consisted of fortifications extending from south of La Spezia on the west coast of Italy to the Foglia Valley, the mountainous Apennines (which ran unbroken nearly from coast to coast, 80 km deep) to the Adriatic Sea, on the east coast. The Germans had developed a series of smaller positions in front of the main Line to create a deep defence. The Canadians faced fortifications that lay behind a river, which extended north for 16 kilometres from the Metauro River to the Gothic Line proper. Within this section of ground, the Germans had all civilians evacuated, and for the last 10 kilometres before the Gothic Line all roads, buildings and other possible forms of cover were demolished or levelled by bulldozers. The entire area was heavily sown with mines. This is what the Canadian troops faced.
On August 25th 1944 Operation Olive commenced. Laying cable across the river went well, but due to battlefield circumstances, Signals was required to lay cable through minefields in the dead of night for over 8 km. Through continuous days of heavy fighting with many casualties on both sides the Gothic Line was breached on September 1, 1944. Fierce German resistance, inadequate roads, early Autumn rains which turned the countryside into a sea of mud all combined to slow the Allied advance. Rimini was taken on September 21, 1944. Signals had built some of the most extensive line systems in their history with over 32 km of line installed and maintained. Corporal R. W. James, the NCO in charge of Linemen, received the Military Medal for his part in this operation.
An unidentified Canadian despatch rider holding regimental shoulder flashes during the assault on the Gothic Line, Italy, ca. 26 August - 3 September 1944 Credit: LAC
Personnel of the Royal Canadian Artillery (R.C.A.) plotting ranges for artillery during the assault on the Gothic Line, Italy, ca. 30-31 August 1944 Credit: LAC
By October, in the face of mud, swollen rivers and a determined enemy, the Allied advance inched forward and the likelihood of a rapid expansion into the Po Valley became remote. The Savio River needed to be crossed but no Bailey Bridge could be anchored, and the pontoon bridges were soon washed away. Laying cable across the Savio required ingenuity and the Signalers provided. Using a Projector, Infantry, Anti Tank (PIAT) with cable tied around the bomb's fins, a Signals officer with the Irish Regiment succeeded in firing the bomb and cable to the far bank, over 84 metres away. Communications established!
December 1-2, 1944 the 1st Canadian Corps were on the south bank of the Montone River. They still have to cross the Scolo Via Cupo, the Lamone River, the Fosso Vecchio, the Canale Naviglio, the Fiumi Munio and the Senio River, each of these being heavily fortified mined and barricaded. By Christmas, 1944 the Canadian troops had reached the Senio River, what the thought would be their winter line. The line sections of Divisional and Corps Signals were at work throughout Christmas Eve making firm their communications, but almost everyone had time to enjoy a good dinner, the mud not withstanding. Fighting continued and on December 28th, in the face of extremely heavy shelling, Corporal G. O. Wilcox won the Military Medal for repairing three lines which permitted a successful Corps Artillery shoot essential for the Infantry advance.
In less than two months, In February 1945, Canadian troops would be withdrawn from Italy to join the First Canadian Army in the Netherlands. By this time, 1st Corps Signals had laid 7200 km of cable, passed 150,000 telephone calls, cleared 25,000 messages by line and wireless. They delivered an untold number of messages by motorcycle, jeep and foot. More than 26,000 Canadians became casualties during the Italian Campaign, including almost 6,000 who lost their lives.
By Karen Young, Military Communications and Electronics Museum Foundation Volunteer
Not Forgotten – Lance Corporal Gordon Edgerley – 10898
References: A. http://www.rcsigs.ca/index.php/Signals_Casualties_of_the_Great_War_-_Details#Edgerley_Gordon
B. https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B2825-S032
C. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/284011/gordon-edgerley/
Excerpt from the personnel file of LCpl Edgerley (Ref B)
Gordon Edgerley was born on 14 July 1890 in Chorley Lanes, England. At the age of 24, on 23 September 1914 he enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) at Valcartier, Quebec. Being appointed the rank of Private, Gordon was assigned to the 4th Battery, 1st Brigade CEF.
Half a year later, Private Edgerley arrived in France and was transferred to the 1st Canadian Division Signal Company. Over the following year, Private Edgerley was in and out of the hospital several times and was granted 10 days leave in November 1916. On 16 February 1916, for being “late on parade,” Private Edgerley was sentenced to one day of field punishment number 2 (FP No. 2). This would have included extra labour duties for the day.
On 19 March 1918, Private Edgerley was promoted to Lance Corporal. Less than one month later, on 4 April 1918, Lance Corporal Edgerley was gravely injured in action, and died of his wounds at the 45th Field Ambulance. Two weeks later, he was posthumously awarded the Military Medal “for bravery in the field.”
Lance Corporal Edgerley is buried in the Faubourg d’Amiens Cemetery and his headstone, commissioned by his mother, Mrs. L. Kirkman, reads:
“GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN
THAN TO LAY DOWN HIS LIFE
FOR HIS FRIENDS”
Entry in the personnel file of LCpl Edgerley regarding the awarding of the Military Medal (Ref B)
By Captain Sean Maas Stevens
Not Forgotten – Sapper Peter Robertson Kerr – 21380
References: A. Personnel File for Spr. P.R. Kerr – Library and Archives Canada - https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B5119-S051
B. Signals Casualties of the Great War – RCSigs.ca - http://www.rcsigs.ca/index.php/Signals_Casualties_of_the_Great_War_-_Details#Kerr_Peter_Robertson
C. Signaller P R Kerr – Commonwealth War Graves Commission - https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/497388/p-r-kerr/
From Ref A – Identifying details from the Next-of-Kin card for Sapper (Signaller) Kerr
Peter Robertson Kerr was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on 7 October 1896.
Only a few weeks before his 18th birthday, Peter Kerr enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Valcartier, Quebec, where his age was incorrectly reported as 18 years and 11 months. He reported on enlistment that he had previously served in the medical corps in Winnipeg. Upon enlistment, Sapper Kerr was assigned to the 11th Battalion CEF.
In February 1915, Sapper Kerr arrived in England, and was transferred to the Division Signal Company (though it is not stated which division, it is likely the 1st). In July of the same year, he was deployed to France with the 1 Division Signal Company (1 Div Sig Coy). On 13 November 1915 he was attached to the 5th Corps HQ and Signal Company. He moved around over the next few years between the Signal Base Depot, the Signal Pool, 3rd Div Sig Coy, and 1 Div Sig Coy.
On 25 October 1917, Sapper Kerr was charged for drunkenness and being in possession of spirits, which resulted in a forfeiture of 16 days’ pay. On 13 April 1918, Sapper Kerr was admitted to the 1st Canadian Field Ambulance, presenting with an abscess. He was transferred the next day to the 3rd Field Ambulance, and subsequently to the 26 General Hospital in Etaples. There it was specified that the abscess had presented on Sapper Kerr’s face. While in the General Hospital, it was determined that Sapper Kerr was suffering from Broncho-Pneumonia, which had been aggravated by service in the field. These complications, in addition to septicaemia, ultimately resulted in his death on 8 May 1918.
Sapper Peter Roberston Kerr was buried at the Etaples Military Cemetery. His headstone reads:
21380 SAPPER
P R KERR
CANADIAN ENGINEERS
5TH MAY 1918
By Captain Sean Maas Stevens