Canadian Scottish Regiment

Lt-Col. C.M. Wightman

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Lieutenant-Colonel Cy Wightman
Canadian Scottish Regiment

As an officer before and during World War II, as a CO, as a Trustee, and as Honorary Colonel, he was a tower of strength to the Regiment over many years. He was a positive influence on all those who shared his company.

(Reg Roy, Ready for the Fray, 502)

Born on 26 November 1905 in Ongar, Essex, England and educated in Victoria, British Columbia, Cyril Marriott Wightman was football player, journalist, and advertising manager for the Daily Colonist. A longtime member of the Canadian Scottish, he reverted to the rank of captain to go overseas with the battalion in August 1941. By the D-Day landings, Wightman served as second-in-command but was put out of action when an enemy shell hit battalion headquarters on 26 June 1944.

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Lt-Col. L.S. Henderson

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Lieutenant-Colonel Larry Henderson
Canadian Scottish Regiment

Our line in this war is not like the lines veterans of the last war in France knew. We live in slit trenches. The same old scenes, though, prevail I am sure … Just now it is quiet except for our occasional shelling, and once in a while the cry of “stretcher-bearer,” the smell of dead cattle, patrols sneaking back just at daybreak, etc., so I guess it’s pretty much the same old war.

(Henderson, Time Colonist, 25 Aug 1944, 10)

Born on 18 July 1908 in Vernon, British Columbia, Lawrence Sinclair Henderson was a rugby player and commissioned officer in the Canadian Scottish since 1928. He served as a company commander at D-Day and earned the Distinguished Service Order at Hill 168 near Falaise for “courage and leadership under heavy fire.” He temporarily took command of the battalion in December 1944 when Major A.H. Plows was injured in a motor accident. He assumed command again in February 1945 when Lieutenant-Colonel D.G. Crofton was severely wounded.

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Lt-Col. D.G. Crofton

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Lieutenant-Colonel Des Crofton
Canadian Scottish Regiment

Lieutenant-Colonel Crofton remained seriously wounded in this exposed position for twelve hours when he was finally evacuated by our Medical Officer. Throughout these actions in Holland Lieutenant-Colonel Crofton’s fearless leadership, gallantry and devotion to duty were an inspiration to all ranks and in no small measure influenced the tide of battle. His splendid part in the liberation of Holland was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Canadian Army and of the Regiment he so faithfully commanded.

(Bronze Lion citation, 22 Dec 1945)

Born on 10 July 1905 in Ganges, British Columbia, Desmond Gerald Crofton was a sportsman and tennis player. Commissioned with the Canadian Scottish Regiment since the late 1920s, he went overseas as a platoon leader in August 1941. He commanded “C” Company in the D-Day landings and became second-in-command during the Normandy campaign. At the end of August, he succeeded Lieutenant-Colonel R.M. Lendrum on his transfer to command the Royal Regiment of Canada.

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Brig. F.N. Cabeldu

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Brigadier Fred Cabeldu
Canadian Scottish Regiment
4th Infantry Brigade

The steadiness and high morale of the 1st Battalion, The Canadian Scottish Regiment can be attributed to Lieutenant-Colonel Cabeldu’s calm handling of every emergency, his tireless devotion to duty and inspiring leadership under the most trying circumstances.

(D.S.O. citation, 31 Aug 1944)

Born in October 1905 in Hampton Wick, Middlesex, England, Frederick Norman Cabeldu grew up in Japan and was educated in Victoria, British Columbia. A partner in an investment firm in civilian life, he was commissioned in the Canadian Scottish Regiment in 1926 and rose to major. He became acting commanding officer in the absence of Lieutenant-Colonel Doug Macbeth in April 1943, and officially took over in August. Ten months later he led the battalion in the D-Day landings of 6 June 1944.

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Lt-Col. J.D. Macbeth

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Lieutenant-Colonel Doug Macbeth
Canadian Scottish Regiment

But I’d much sooner be dead honorably, than beaten to death in a concentration camp, or have you in one because I wouldn’t take the chance. I’m not going to take foolish risks, but I’m going to do my job for my men, for my unit and for my home. It’s not an adventure. It’s a serious job … I’ll be back this time, too, mum darling. I have to get the lads home too, don’t I? So please don’t worry.

(J.D. Macbeth to Madge MacBeth, 1940)

Born on 28 September 1901 in Detroit, Michigan, John Douglas Macbeth had ancestors and relatives on both sides of his family who fought in every war in North America up to the Fenian Raids, the Riel Rebellion, and the Civil War. “With such a record,” his mother, American-Canadian author Madge Macbeth, wrote, “what chance had I, as a cowardly, peace-loving person, to wean Douglas away from a military career?”

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Lt-Col. R.G.L. Parker

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Lieutenant-Colonel R.G.L. Parker
Canadian Scottish Regiment

Strength, courage, knowledge, these three things
Stand out upon our Athlone crest;
No better man can there be found
To teach us this with all his best

(Athlone school pupil tribute, Vancouver Sun, 14 Feb 1961, 31)

Born on 11 May 1898 in Stockton, Warwickshire, England, Richard Gilbert Lewes Parker was a rugby player, grammar schoolteacher in Duncan, British Columbia and commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Scottish since 1939. He had enlisted with the 48th Battalion in May 1915 and went to France in March 1916 and transferred to the 29th Battalion in May 1917. He was twice wounded in action and ended the war as a cadet with the Royal Air Force.

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Lt-Col. J.R. Kingham

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Lieutenant-Colonel J.R. Kingham
Canadian Scottish Regiment

I must protest against the Canadian army being used in this way for movie publicity … If [actor Richard] Greene really wants to enlist in a Scottish regiment, we’ll take him at once. He is just the age and build we want. But we can’t given him a commission … If he makes good in the ranks, he will have a good chance with others of winning a commission later.

(Kingham quoted in Vancouver Province, 5 Aug 1940, 2)

Born on 24 March 1898 in Victoria, British Columbia, Joshua Rowland Kingham was president of the Kingham-Gillespie Coal Company, a First World War veteran, and colonel of the Canadian Scottish Regiment since 1938. He had enlisted with the 88th Battalion in December 1915 and deployed to France as a private with the 16th Battalion in August 1916. A bullet wound to the skull the next month put an end to his frontline service.

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Brig. D.R. Sargent

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Brigadier Roy Sargent
Canadian Scottish Regiment
6th, 13th & 14th Infantry Brigades

With a last name like Sargent—Brig. Roy Sargent seemed destined to serve in the military, and that is exactly what he did for more than 30 of his 86 years.

(Nanaimo Daily News, 7 Nov 1981, 15)

Born on 8 October 1895 in Campbellford, Ontario David Ross Sargent had commanded the Canadian Scottish Regiment as colonel until 1938, when he retired to the reserves. He had enlisted with the 53rd Battalion as a private and took a commission with the 232nd Battalion in June 1916. He served in France with the 5th Battalion and demobilized at the rank of captain. He continued militia service with the Canadian Scottish, serving as 2nd Battalion commander in 1930 before promotion to colonel of the whole regiment in 1934.

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Lt-Col. E.A. Henderson

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Lieutenant-Colonel Eric Henderson
Canadian Scottish Regiment

But, philosophical as he was, Major Henderson never accepted Canada’s Maple Leaf flag and wouldn’t attend any function where it was flown. To the end he stayed with the Canadian Ensign.

(Times Colonist, 4 Jan 1969, 3)

Born on 4 May 1898 in Vernon, British Columbia, Eric Arthur Henderson was long-time employee of the Bank of Montreal, a First World War veteran, and commanding officer of the Canadian Scottish Regiment since 1938. He had enlisted in the 88th Battalion as a lieutenant in December 1916 and served five months on the front with the 7th Battalion until he was wounded in September 1918.

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Lt-Col. R.M. Lendrum

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Lieutenant-Colonel Dick Lendrum
Canadian Scottish Regiment
Royal Regiment of Canada
Lendrum

In order to keep abreast of every development Lieutenant Colonel Lendrum positioned himself well forward and from Rolde onward was exposed to enemy sniping, bazooka and automatic weapon fire. With no consideration for his own safety this gallant commander directed every phase of the operation so coolly and competently that his entire force was infused with his infectious confidence and never had any misgivings to the successful outcome of the venture.

(D.S.O. citation, 23 April 1942)

Born in Victoria, British Columbia on 22 January 1911, Richard McNaughton Lendrum was a University of British Columbia graduate, teacher, and assistant principal. In September 1939, he took a leave of absence from teaching to mobilize with the Canadian Scottish Regiment, which he had belonged to since 1933. He landed with the regiment at Juno Beach on D-Day and served as a company commander during the heavy fighting in Normandy.

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