Author Archives: cjcveale

British and Canadian Coronation and Commerative Medals

            There is a unique category of medals within our honours systems that does not gather a lot of attention, that is, when one of these medals is not being presented.  I am, of course, referring to Coronation and Commemorative medals.  These medals have gradually evolved over time to the point that they are nowContinue reading “British and Canadian Coronation and Commerative Medals”

The New Sovereign’s Flag

            The introduction of the new Sovereign’s Flag for Canada brings Canada in line with normal heraldic practices.              The Queen’s Standard was The Royal Arms of Canada[1], surmounted by Her Majesty’s own device (a hurt charged with the capital letter “E” ensigned by the Royal Crown, the whole encircled by a chaplet of rosesContinue reading “The New Sovereign’s Flag”

The Galley of Lorne: The Viking Heritage We All Wear

Taken from The Primrose Hackle: Annual Newsletter of The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin, and Halton Regiment), 2022 The Galley of Lorne is one of three of the regiment’s most important symbols, the others being the Boars Head and the cap badge.  While it is common knowledge that the Galley is a symbol of Clan Campbell, thereContinue reading “The Galley of Lorne: The Viking Heritage We All Wear”

The Biggest Murder Mystery in History?

Taken from: A Bend in the Sky: An Anthology of Creative Non-Fiction, Edited by Richard May, Queen’s University, 2022 Please note that this is a work of creative non-fiction and uses MLA references. If I could go back in time to any point in history, I would go back tothe Tower of London in theContinue reading “The Biggest Murder Mystery in History?”

The Vikings Impact on the Unification of Anglo-Saxon England

Originally written March 9th, 2021 The Vikings had a substantial impact on the unification of Anglo-Saxon England.  The Vikings in the process of removing and weakening some of the smaller Anglo-Saxon kingdoms forced the remaining kingdoms, namely Wessex and Mercia to fight together against a common enemy. The Viking invasion would weaken Mercia to theContinue reading “The Vikings Impact on the Unification of Anglo-Saxon England”

The Korean War: A World War in a Bubble

Originally written November 20th, 2020. The Korean War was the first major conflict of the Cold War.  Occurring only five years after the end of World War II, it has often been described as the forgotten war.  While the fighting ended in 1953, there has never been a formal end to the war, and itsContinue reading “The Korean War: A World War in a Bubble”

British and French Legacy on the Canadian Armed Forces

Originally written December 4th, 2020. While the modern Canadian Armed Forces are a different entity than the British forces, they certainly do take a number of traditions, tactics, and other things from them.  There are of course differences, these could even be seen in the pre-Confederation era.  These changes came gradually. This was not anContinue reading “British and French Legacy on the Canadian Armed Forces”

What does the Lion have in its Paws? And other contributions of Sir Robert Peel to The Lorne Scots Capbadge.

Taken from The Primrose Hackle: Annual Newsletter of The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin, and Halton Regiment), 2021 This is a question I have been asked many times.  It is not a simple answer, it is a weaving shuttle, which seems simple enough, but why is the hard part.  It seems to be a very oddContinue reading “What does the Lion have in its Paws? And other contributions of Sir Robert Peel to The Lorne Scots Capbadge.”

War With France? Not Likely.

While I think that this is very unlikely, there are some interesting historical points about the island where the recent fishing dispute has occurred. For those who may not be familiar with the issue, some French fishermen have threatened to blockade a port on the British island of Jersey, and both countries have sent NavelContinue reading “War With France? Not Likely.”