Commanding Officer Interviews

While John Jamieson (alumni 1966-1972) was listening to the CBC Radio program Living Oral Histories, he came up with the idea of interviewing the Commanding Officers of RCSCC John Travers Cornwell VC as a leadup to the Corps’ centenary anniversary; at that time the anniversary was a couple decades off. He discussed the idea with Hugh Walker (alumni 1966-1979), who recently retired after a career in the television industry and as a Media Specialist at Red River College and Riverview Health Centre. They both agreed it would be an invaluable piece of oral history for the Corps and in 2008, John, Hugh and Lynn Hawkeye (alumni 1976-1984) interviewed their first Commanding Officer, LCdr. Rudy Weidenbacher, who served as Commanding Officer between 1970 and 1973.

Their second interview, with LCdr. Jack Templeman, who served as Commanding Officer between 1976 and 1983, would not take place until 2015 (seven years later). With the anniversary now not that far off, there was no time for any further delays, so subsequent interviews took place in quick succession. The latest interview, with LCdr. Alan McInnes, who served as Commanding Officer between 1973 and 1976, taking place on June 16, 2017 (see pictures below).

With the majority of the interviews now complete, the Alumni has started to release them and will continue to do so, one at a time, every month or so. By the time of RCSCC John Travers Cornwell VC’s 100th Anniversary, the Alumni hopes to have released interviews with all of the officers who have served as Commanding Officer between 1970 and 2020 (the past 50 years).

At the time this article was written, four interviews had been released. They are featured at the bottom of this page and as more videos are released, they too will appear along side them at the bottom of this page. You can also find links to these YouTube videos on the 2nd 50 Years and Commanding Officers pages.

The Alumni would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to John, Hugh and Lynn for taking on this project and a special thank you goes out to Hugh for the countless hours spent at the editing desk!

Pictures from June 16, 2017 interview with LCdr. Alan McInnes, Commanding Officer 1973-76.
Last picture (l-r) John Jamieson, Alan McInnes and Hugh Walker.

Commanding Officer Interviews

(click on the picture to view the YouTube video)

LCdr. R. Weidenbacher 1970 - 1973	LCdr. A. McInnes 1973 - 1976	LCdr. J.L. Templeman 1976 - 1983	LCdr. L. Bilton 1983 - 1987
LCdr. G. Bruce 1987 - 1990	LCdr. D.G. Bullee 1990 - 1994 & 1999 - 2003	LCdr. N.D.C. Johnston 1994 - 1997	Lt(N) L. Palmquist 2010 - 2013

Commanding Officer Centennial Promotional Videos

(click on the picture to view the YouTube video)

LCdr. J.L. Templeman 1976 - 1983	LCdr. L. Bilton 1983 - 1987	LCdr. G. Bruce 1987 - 1990	LCdr. D.G. Bullee 1990 - 1994 & 1999 - 2003
LCdr. N.D.C. Johnston 1994 - 1997	Lt(N) L. Palmquist 2010 - 2013