SHEET HARBOUR — For the past 20 years, Reg Russell has coordinated the Remembrance Day service for Royal Canadian Legion Courcelette Branch #58 in Sheet Harbour. He retired from the military in 1996, and by that time he and his wife, Cher, were living back in the homestead where he was raised in Watt Section.
Each year, he continues to work tirelessly on the local Remembrance Day service. He has also accepted the role of guest speaker for the Memory Project, coordinated by Historica Canada.
Back in 1963, when Russell was a student at Duncan MacMillan High School (DMHS), joining the 2610 Army Cadet Corps – organized by Courcelette Branch #58 and local high school teacher Don Leslie – proved to be a pivotal experience.
That same year tragedy struck when the Russell family’s home in Lochaber Mines burned down. In 1964, they moved to the house where Reg and Cher now live. Although the relocation was only a few miles, from Lochaber Mines to Sheet Harbour, it was still a difficult transition for Russell and his six siblings. Having received their early education in Malay Falls, they found it challenging to make new friends at the newly opened Duncan MacMillan High School, which brought together students from grades 7 to 12 across the Eastern Shore.
Leslie encouraged local boys to join the local cadet corps and, for Russell, it was a natural fit. He joined at age 12, rose through the ranks and became a lieutenant. He remembers marching in many Remembrance Day parades, honouring veterans along the Eastern Shore. He remained active in the cadet corps until his graduation from DMHS in 1969.
After high school, Russell enrolled at the Nova Scotia Community College Akerley Campus to study navigational aids electronics. But, at the time, student loans weren’t widely available, and he couldn’t afford to finish. Facing limited options, and with his years in the cadets behind him, he began seriously considering the military.
On Oct. 23, 1969, an engine room explosion aboard HMCS Kootenay, off the coast of England, killed nine sailors and injured 23 more.
“This event is what motivated me to join the military,” Russell said – the disaster left a lasting impression.
He enlisted on Dec. 12, 1969, at the age of 18, without needing a parent’s signature. After taking an aptitude test, the military offered him two trade options: infantry (army) or weapons underwater (navy). He began 14 weeks of training at Cornwallis and graduated in March 1970 with weapons military indoctrination.
“After all of my cadet experience I already had – the training was not a surprise to me,” he said. “I did quite well, as far as I was concerned.”
Following his basic and weapons training, he received his first posting aboard HMCS Saskatchewan.
“The survivors [from the Kootenay explosion] had been transferred to us and this was the first crew I worked with... around 220 people,” he said. “It had been such a horrible accident and they were all a tight-knit group.”
In 1975, Russell changed trades – known as “re-mustering” – transferring from the navy to the air force.
“After I re-mustered, which means I changed trades, moving from the Navy to the Air Force, I became an aircraft electrician IE (Instrument Electrical) Tech.”
Throughout his career, Russell was posted to various locations around the world. In 1973, he married his high school sweetheart, Cher Boutilier. He served on HMCS Algonquin for four or five months at a time. Their daughter, Amanda, was born in 1976, and son Chris followed in 1978. The couple lived in Shannon Park, Lower Sackville and Shearwater, and Russell was fortunate to be home for the births of both children.
At this point in the story, Cher joins in. “You left us, again, with a dog, remember?” she said, exasperated. “He left me with a child and a puppy. You have no idea how many times that man almost died.”
Russell replied, “Yes, but he was a Doberman. And his name was Rocky.” Cher fired back, “I did not drive at that time...” – underscoring the daily challenges of raising a family while her husband was away on duty.
Russell recalls his time in Europe fondly. “There was an amazing amount of good will and it helped us to strive to be the best we could be. When they realized we were Canadian, they would do the best they could for us. They always wanted to thank ‘us’ for the sacrifices our veterans had made in Europe.”
Already trained as an electrician in 1975 and with five years’ experience as an instructor at CFB Borden, Russell was later posted as a warrant officer to 10 Field Technical Training Unit (10FTTU). There, he taught students how to maintain the CF-18 – including electricians, communications, radio and avionics techs. In 1994, he became master warrant officer in Shearwater, overseeing 120 people at HS423 Squadron.
Russell retired in 1996 as MWO AVN, with 26 years and 256 days of service. Since then, two projects have remained particularly close to his heart. The first is the Remembrance Day parade, which he has helped organize for the past two decades.
“I am deeply involved with and work with all the committees – cadets, poppies, wreaths, parade and veterans dinner.” He often serves as emcee and helps keep the program running smoothly. Over the years, he has held several executive positions at Courcelette Branch #58.
The second is his work with the Memory Project. Historica Canada’s Katelyn Beaudette had put out a call for veterans to speak to school children about Canada’s military history and the experiences of service members. Russell was intrigued and, five years later, he’s still participating. He uses a slideshow and conversation to share personal stories that highlight the importance of veterans’ contributions.
“I show them the photos of Chernobyl and its aftermath. I stayed in a cement bomb shelter for 28 days while the cloud was making its way towards Europe. It did not make it to our base.”
He noted the questions students asked are “very insightful.”
“I always tell them – if you enjoy your freedom, thank a vet.”
Cher added, “They even ask me questions about being the wife of a military member and the responsibilities I would have for the family when he was not there.”
Their most recent visit was in October, when they spoke to grade 8 and 9 students at Dr. John Gillis School in Antigonish.
Russell’s career has come full circle – from joining Cadet Corps 2610 in 1963 at the age of 12, to serving in the military, and now returning to work with the cadets as a retiree. Each year, he helps to honour and remember the Canadians who have served – and continue to serve – their country.
“I continue to do what I do so that I may honour the memory of our predecessors and what they did for us,” concluded Russell.
Lest we forget.
