The Royal Canadian Military Institute

Last September the RCMI hosted a lunch/reception for the 70th Anniversary Reunion of the River Plate Veterans Association. Members will recall the famous battle in 1939 involving Hitler’s famous battleship, Admiral Graf Spee, and HMS Exeter, HMS Ajax and HMNZS Achilles off Montevideo, Uruguay in which the Graf Spee was scuttled in the River Plate estuary. The reception was arranged by Museum Committee member Patrick Murphy, and the veterans, now in their 80’s and their relatives and friends had come to the town of Ajax (named after HMS Ajax) to mark the occasion. They also paid a visit to the RCMI.

Because of my interest in medals, I couldn’t help but notice that three of the veterans, (2 RN and 1 RM) were wearing a foreign medal. I learned that it was a medal awarded by the Government of Chile.   On January 24, 1939, the city of Concepcion, Chile was devastated by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake.   Sources say 50,000 people died and 60,000 were injured. The crews of Exeter and Ajax ably assisted the victims of the quake. As thanks for their efforts gold, silver and bronze medals were struck. In all 41 medals were awarded at the time. Commander Henry H. Harwood (later Rear Admiral Sir, KCB, OBE) received the gold medal and was also appointed a Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of Chile. Four other awards of the Order of Merit were made to officers of the two ships. I was very happy to meet the grandson of Admiral Harwood at our reception.

The medals I saw were of bronze alloy; the ribbon has three equal stripes of gold bordered by dark blue. The obverse displays the symbol of the City of Concepcion; the reverse has the words: “Gratituda Marinos Exeter y Ajax” around the edge, and “Terremoto Del 24-1-39” in the centre. “Gratitude to the seamen of Exeter and Ajax. Earthquake of 24-1-39.

As I write this article, Concepcion, now the second largest city in Chile, has been devastated by another earthquake on February 27.   Rescue operations are still underway and considerable loss of life has been reported.

--Rodney Travers-Griffin, Museum Committee

Members of the Institute can visit and use accommodation (where available) at over 100 reciprocal clubs, institutes and organizations worldwide. Our Membership Secretary can assist in making contact with the desired organizations and will prepare any introduction letters required. For a list of our current Canadian and international reciprocals, click here

The RCMI's Eric Morse and author Eugene Lang team up to suggest that instead of an inquiry into the Colvin affair, what Canada needs is a hard look at how Canada goes to war.  Recommended here by the CBC, original column here.

SITREP is the journal of analysis and opinion of the RCMI. It appears six times a year and is a digest of current Canadian and international thinking on strategic and international affairs. We are happy to receive and review all submissions.

Now, for the first time, we are proud to introduce SITREPwired, the on-line supplement to our print edition. Contributions sre welcomed!

Click here to download the current issue of SITREP (November-December 09) in PDF format.

To view the Sitrep archives, click 'read more'.

We are reminded by our friends in the Dutch-Canadian community that in May 2010, the Netherlands will celebrate the 65th Anniversary of its liberation by Canadian and Allied forces. The celebrations this year will be especially memorable and anyone who is able is cordially invited to be present. For further information click the link to the anniversary website. Read more..

View the Hal Jackman Collection of Napoleonic Lead Soldiers in never-before-seen detail, with musical accompaniment by Herr L. van Beethoven!  

Click here to view the slideshow

Four reviews are now available! The Library has begun a new page of Web book reviews. Visit this page to read the reviews and find out how you too can become a reviewer!