THE FOUNDATION OF THE WEIDER TROOP

On the 15 th of June 2004 , at the Cité de l’Énergie in Shawinigan, Quebec, a press conference was held to announce the first season of the newly formed WEIDER Troop. The WEIDER Troop is the result of a close collaboration between Honorary LtCol Ben Weider, and its Commanding Officer, LtCol Jacques Pellan. LtCol Pellan saw the need to promote the Regiment and increase its visibility in the community. There was also a requirement to promote interest in a career as a reservist in the area. LtCol Pellan proposed to LtCol Weider that an historical replica of a 4 lbs. French canon, and its detachment, be set up and that a dynamic demonstration be conducted throughout the summer season. LtCol Weider was very supportive of the initiative and the project was realized in record time.

The troops of the Company Pierre Boucher gather around the unit flag, in order to protect it from the enemy. The flag, or colors, as frequently referred to, represents the heart and soul of the Regiment and units of the time. They still have this significance today.

Here we see the colors dropped and the soldiers of the Company Pierre Boucher at the present arms. The present arms were and still are today a salute reserved for dignitaries as a form of submission and respect. The flags are lowered below the flags of the visitor. The weapons of the soldiers are placed to the front and center away from the body. This is the most inoffensive way to handle the weapon, as it would take too much time to prepare to fire from this position.

The main purpose of the Weider Troop is to improve regimental ties with the communities, with the view of increasing interest and recruiting. The Weider Troop’s dynamic demonstration consisted of a display of the deployment and drills of the 4 lbs French canon and the firing of a simulated volley at full charge. During its first summer the troop performance was witnessed by an estimated 60,000 tourists and generated a significant amount of interest and questions about the 62 RAC. Most of the demonstrations took place in Shawinigan, at the Cité de l’Énergie, and in Trois-Rivières, at the Old Port site.

French 4 pound artillery gun. Normally manned by a detachment of 6 persons. Here we see it with the detachment ready for inspection. The inspection by the Commanding Officer was and is still crucial to insure that the weapon would be fully functional and that it would produce the desired effect in battle.

Here we see the gun being loaded by the members of the detachment. The powder is placed in the barrel followed by a cannon ball. The shot was then firmly packed with a ramming tool and made ready to fire.

This project was made possible only through the generous contributions of LtCol Ben Weider, the cities of Shawinigan and Trois-Rivières, as well as the Federal and Provincial Governments. All the members of the Regiment unit, together with the commanding officer LtCol Pellan, to thank all those involved directly or indirectly with the success of the WEIDER Troop during its first summer operation.

Here we see Colonel Dufresne, the Honorary Colonel of 62nd Field Artillery Regiment, and friend of Lieutenant--Colonel Ben Weider. Colonel Dufresne receives from Lieutenant-Colonel Pellan the Commanding Officer of the Regiment, the Canadian Forces decoration clasp 4, for his 52 years of service in the Canadian Forces.