Lieutenant-Colonel R.E. Bricker
Canadian Fusiliers (City of London)
Midland Regiment (Northumberland and Durham)

Of medium height and build, neat clean-cut appearance and smart mil bearing. This offr is a forceful, aggressive, conscientious and vigorous type with a good fighting heart. Appears somewhat intolerant and rather abrupt.

(Officer Survey and Classification Board, 26 Feb 1945)

Born on 27 August 1901 in Glen Allen, Ontario, Rance Ephriam Bricker was a militia officer with Scots Fusiliers of Canada since 1924. In 1940, he transferred to the Highland Light Infantry and served in England as second-in-command. During his inspection tour of the battalion in February 1942, General Bernard Montgomery found Bricker lacked the necessary character and drive. He was soon replaced and sent back to Canada as a prisoner-of-war escort.

Although denied overseas service, Bricker completed a senior officers’ course at RMC and briefly was brigade major of 39th Reserve Brigade Group. He then served as second-in-command of Canadian Fusiliers (City of London) during the joint American-Canadian operation to Kiska in August 1943. He spent six months in the Aleutian theatre and succeeded Lieutenant-Colonel R.H. Beatitie in October. After his return to Canada in February 1944, Bricker was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and took command of the Midland Regiment (Northumberland and Durham), which embarked to England with the 16th Brigade in January 1945.

Bricker was left without a post when the Midland Regiment was disbanded to provide reinforcements for the battalions fighting in Northwest Europe. To decide his retention overseas, he appeared before the Officer Survey and Classification Board in February 1945:

Lt-Col Bricker has undoubtedly had considerable military experience, both prior to and during the present war … It is understood as comdr of the Midland Regt he did a very good job. Col. Bricker is most anxious to be employed where his experience and knowledge of trg can be used to the best advantage… The Board does not know how else Lt-Col Bricker could be used in the UK other than CO of a Trg or Depot Bn and in the event that no vacancies exist or that policy would preclude such an appointment he should then be returned to Canada.

With no training positions overseas, Bricker returned home shortly thereafter. One memo stated, “although Lt-Col Bricker’s file contains nothing of a derogatory nature, it was not deemed advisable to put his name forward to CMHQ for consideration.”

He died in Waterloo, Ontario in 1966.