100th Birthday stamp unveiling

On Tuesday May 30, 2000 Canada Post conducted a satellite stamp unveiling, celebrating Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's 100th birthday. This historic event was hosted by The Toronto Scottish Regiment at Fort York Armoury in Toronto. Her Majesty has been the Colonel-in-Chief of The Toronto Scottish for 63 years, since 1937.

Approximately six weeks before the event, Roberts and the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Julian Chapman were discussing events surrounding Her Majesty's 100th birthday. Mention was made of a stamp being issued by Canada Post celebrating the birthday. The CO said he would like the Regiment to host the unveiling, he asked Roberts to look into it. That evening after he returned home, he checked his card index file and found the business card of a Mr. Bob McClelland, a former member of Canada Post's Stamp Advisory Committee. The next morning Roberts called Mr. McClelland, who then walked him through the necessary steps required to make to host a Canada Post unveiling.

Mike Filey's Story

In co-operation with Ms. Deborah Harron-Thomson, a Communications Officer with Canada Post and after several co-ordination meetings involving a number of key unit officers the unveiling was scheduled. Invitations to the event were made to a number of loyal societies, and Mr. Mike Filey of The Toronto Sun wrote an article that was published two days prior.

The unveiling ceremony was conducted on the floor of Fort York Armoury in front of over 200 people. The Canadian government was represented by Mr. Tony Ianno, Member of Parliament for the federal riding of Trinity-Spadina. The newly appointed Commander of Land Force Central Area, the Army in Ontario, Brigadier-General J.A. Michel Gauthier was a hands-on participant in the ceremony.

Canada Post's First Day Cover		Canada Post article		Pane of nine stamps

Click here to return to my home page