British Columbia Regiment

Lt-Col. J.W. Toogood

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Lieutenant-Colonel Johnny Toogood
28th Armoured Regiment (B.C. Regiment)

A friendly little Vancouver newspaperman with a grin as broad as the Pacific and a shock of hair as unruly as the snow on Mount Seymour is today leading British Columbia’s oldest regiment back home—the DCOR’s

(Vancouver Sun, 28 Jan 1946, 10)

Born in London, England on 24 January 1914, John William Toogood was an employee of the Vancouver Sun when he enlisted as a second lieutenant with the British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own) in August 1939. He rose to squadron commander during the Normandy campaign and received the Silver Star from the U.S. government for his actions at Falaise in August 1944. He temporary took over during the battle after the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Don Worthington. Toogood served throughout the fighting reportedly without suffering a scratch and assumed command as lieutenant-colonel after VE-Day. 

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Lt-Col. A.G. Chubb

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Lieutenant-Colonel Gerry Chubb
28th Armoured Regiment (B.C. Regiment)

Unshaven and covered with Booth’s blood I arose … to find the Corps Commander in his enormous armoured car staring—or is the word glaring—at me … I explained the situation and his reply was “Armoured regiment are never out of communication,” with which profound remark he drove away.

(Chubb to Reg Roy quoted in 1944: the Canadians in Normandy, 276)

Born on 16 July 1913 in Rossland, British Columbia, Arthur Gerald Chubb was a graduate of RMC and Permanent Force officer in the Lord Strathcona’s Horse since 1936. He attended the war staff college at Camberley, England before assignment back to Canada in 1943 on staff with RMC. He returned overseas to be brigade major of the 4th Armoured Brigade. During the Normandy campaign, on 14 August 1944, Chubb recovered the body of Brigadier Leslie Booth from the wreckage of his destroyed tank. A week earlier Lieutenant-Colonel D.G. Worthington of the 28th Armoured Regiment had been killed and at the end of the month Chubb became acting second-in-command.

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Lt-Col. C.E. Parish

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Lieutenant-Colonel C.E. Parish
28th Armoured Regiment (B.C. Regiment)

The Regiment received a staggering blow on 9 August 1944. We lost our Commanding Officer, the Adjutant, all the Squadron Commanders and the Rear Link Capts of each Squadron, plus six Subalterns, and 101 Other Ranks wounded or missing. With this, also came the loss of 46 tanks, which left us hardly a nucleus with which to build another Regiment … Casualties have not been light, but that must be expected in a war of this kind.

(War diary, August 1944)

Born on 29 August 1906 in Wentworth, Ontario, Charles Ernest Parish was a graduate of McGill University, a Montreal engineer, and captain in the Canadian Grenadier Guards. In 1943, he transferred from the 22nd Armoured Regiment to the 28th (B.C. Regiment) as second-in-command under Lieutenant-Colonel D.G. Worthington. He assumed command on 9 August 1944 following the Worthington’s death in Operation Totalize.

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Lt-Col. D.G. Worthington

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Lieutenant-Colonel Don Worthington
28th Armoured Regiment (B.C. Regiment)

Lt.-Col. Worthington was a fearless, inspiring figure as he moved around the fire-swept square on foot, encouraging the men and organizing the defense … In the afternoon, he was hit by shrapnel when he was out on the perimeter trying to point targets for Canadian artillery. But he carried on. Late in the day he was killed and his regiment’s tribute to him is—there could not be a better commanding officer.

(Ross Munro, Vancouver Province, 4 Dec 1944)

Born on 3 March 1913 in Vancouver, Donald Grant Worthington attended the University of British Columbia and worked as a pharmacist with his brother Jack in the family business. A captain in the British Columbia Regiment since 1934, he mobilized with the unit in May 1940 alongside his younger brother. He went overseas with an advance party of the now redesignated 28th Armoured Regiment and in early 1943 gained combat experience serving the in North African campaign.

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Lt-Col. C.E. Bailey

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Lieutenant-Colonel Charlie Bailey
28th Armoured Regiment (B.C. Regiment)

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on numerous occasions. He has displayed the greatest gallantry and initiative in the performance of various duties, establishing ammunition and ration dumps, leading parties across “No Man’s Land” under heavy fire, attacking and gaining objectives at critical moments, and successfully resisting hostile counterattacks.

(M.C. Bar citation, 25 Aug 1917)

Born on 19 October 1895 in Kamloops, British Columbia, Charles Edward Bailey was a construction engineer, president of the longshoremen’s union, and highly decorated First World War veteran with two Military Crosses and the Distinguished Service Order. He enlisted with the 131st Battalion and went to France as a reinforcement officer for the 47th Battalion. Twice wounded in action, he ended the war at the rank of major in the Canadian Machine Gun Corps. He mobilized in June 1940 as second-in-command of the British Columbia Regiment.

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Lt-Col. G. Carmichael

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Lieutenant-Colonel G. Carmichael
28th Armoured Regiment (B.C. Regiment)

The “search for talent” is still on. The ranks are being combed for “Officer Material.” There will be many of the Iron Dukes among the classes that graduate from Brockville with the King’s Commission in the weeks to come. Men who are young—men who are bright, are the ones that are needed.

(Cpl. T.J. Kennan, war diary, Mar 1942)

Born on 9 October 1893 in Newcastle, England, Gordon Carmichael was a banker and decorated First World War veteran. He had enlisted as a private in 1915, earned a field commission with the 7th Battalion in 1917, and then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1918. He ended the war with a Military Cross for bravery and rejoined the British Columbia Regiment in the postwar militia. He assumed command in November 1939 when Lieutenant-Colonel H.E. Molson reverted in rank to join the PPCLI.

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Lt-Col. H.E. Molson

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Lieutenant-Colonel H.E. Molson
B.C. Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own)

In making up and despatching the party for return to Canada, Major Molson was a constant source of irritation and trouble. I have spoken to this officer and in my opinion he is the type who feels he is above the observance of any laws or regulations. In my opinion this officer can never be responsibly employed in any Military Office under the Crown.

(Lt-Col. A.W. Beaumont, adverse report, 7 Jul 1940)

Born on 31 May 1893 in Montreal and raised in England, Harold Elsdale Molson was a barrister, civil servant, and big game hunter. He took a commission in the British Army after graduating from Cambridge in 1914. He served with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in France where he was wounded in July 1915. He practiced law for two years in England before moving to Vancouver in 1921. He joined the British Columbia Regiment in 1930 and became commanding officer eight years later.

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