Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother The Colonel-in-Chief 1900 - 2002

Operation Tay Bridge

At approximately 10:00am on Saturday 30 March 2002, Roberts watched a CNN report announcing the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen, Colonel-in-Chief of The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's Own). When CNN cut to the BBC in London for an update he knew that unfortunately the report was correct. Immediately he called the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Julian Chapman and briefed him. At that moment in Canada, Operation Tay Bridge was initiated.

MARTYN HAYHOW/AFP

The success in generating the comprehensive media coverage was in no small part because of the unparalleled assistance and co-operation by dozens of people within the Regimental family. All of whom had been touched by the grace of Her Majesty, in one way or another, over the 65 years that she had been our Colonel-in-Chief .

Within four hours a media briefing was held in the Officers' Mess of The Toronto Scottish Regiment at Fort York Armoury in Toronto. The CITY-TV reporter asked LCol Chapman to come back to the station and appear live on CablePulse24, a regional 24-hour television news channel. While that was taking place, Roberts was arranging for the CO to appear on CTV Newsnet, a nationally broadcast 24-hour television news channel. While Roberts drove them between locations the Colonel conducted two interviews on his cellphone, one with newspaper the Toronto Star, other with a Toronto based 24-hour news radio station, 680 News. While the CO was on the line with the Toronto Star, they drove past the Star building and Roberts ran in and dropped off a media advisory and regimental history. Later that day a Star's photo editor called looking for a photograph that had not been published.

Because of a very tight deadline, there was not time to deliver any regimental pictures to the paper. Over his cellphone, while driving on the highway, from memory, Roberts described an AFP picture taken at the National Tribute of Her Majesty in 2000. It was of Captain Greg Paterson, accompanied by Warrant Officer Stephen Bonner, carrying The Toronto Scottish Regiment's Queen's Colour past the reviewing stand as Her Majesty looks on. The Star had printed it on the front page of the paper on Thursday 20 July 2002. The editor immediately called it up on his computer and said, "There's my picture!"

Saturday 30 March 2002

None of the following electronic media coverage would have been possible without extensive planning, the dedicated co-operation by members of the Regiment, the production of media useable packages, an understanding of the needs of the media, established contacts, cellphones, and the Internet.

Television news reports broadcast Saturday 30 March 2002

Col Hugh Stewart in a pre-recorded interview with Global's Senior Reporter John Darby.	LCol Julian Chapman interviewed live 4:06pm in the CablePulse 24 studio.	CablePulse24's re-broadcast of the CITY-TV 11:00pm newscast.

LCol Julian Chapman during the briefing conducted in the Officer's Mess aired by Global.

The next morning Roberts made arrangements for Regimental Sergeant Major, Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Junor to appear on CablePulse24. For LCol Chapman to be interviewed on CBC Newsworld, and for Mr Dennis Flynn, a former member of the Regiment who was on the 1939 Guard of Honour for Her Majesty, to appear on CablePulse24. He also made arrangements for Mr Flynn to be interviewed on the CBC radio program, Metro Morning the next day. The Toronto Star asked to photograph one of the soldiers who was going to London to take part in the funeral as he packed at home. This was arranged with Sergeant Peter Hartwig. The Toronto Star's photo department called again looking for more photographs. Regimental Historian, Pipe Sergeant Tim Stewart drove to the newspaper's offices with a box of pictures. The staff selected several, and added them to a five page special published on Monday and titled "Queen Mum". Tim also provided background information enabling the Star to identify historic pictures from their files.

Television news reports broadcast Sunday 31 March 2002

Regimental Sergeant Major, CWO Kevin Junor live in the studio of CablePulse 24	LCol Julian Chapman interviewed by CBC Newsworld in the studio.	Mr Dennis Flynn appearing live on CablePulse24.

	Monday 1 April 2002
	Monday 1 April 2002
	Monday 1 April 2002
	Monday 1 April 2002

Click here to hear Mr. Flynn's interview

During Monday 1 April, CTV 's Canada AM sent a satellite truck to the home of Col Robert Hilborn for a live interview. Roberts co-ordinated an interview by Mr. Dennis Flynn on CBC Radio, Metro Morning. CBC Newsworld interviewed Pipe Sgt Tim Stewart live from Queen's Park. He also called the television station in Hamilton, CHCH-TV, and arranged for them to visit the home of former CO, LCol Donald Beveridge to record an interview. Next co-ordinated a visit by the regional television in Barrie, CKVR-TV to the home of Major, the Reverend Donald McKillican. As well for CBC television to visit the home of Sgt Hartwig to record him packing again, and for CBC News to send a camera crew to Pipe Sgt Stewart's home for an interview and to record him playing the pipes.

Television news reports broadcast Monday 1 April 2002

Interview with LCol Donald Beveridge broadcast by CHCH-TV Hamilton.	Col Robert Hilborn, LVO interviewed live from his home in Guelph on CTV's Canada AM.	CBC Newsworld's live interview from Queen's Park with the Regimental Historian, Pipe Sgt Tim Stewart.

Sgt Peter Hartwig packs his uniform for the second time for a CBC camera before deploying to London.	CBC National News interviewed Pipe Sgt Stewart in his home. After the interview he serenaded them with the pipes.

	Tuesday 2 April 2002
	Tuesday 2 April 2002
	Tuesday 2 April 2002
	Tuesday 2 April 2002

On Tuesday 2 April, the Regiment held a memorial service on the parade floor at Fort York Armoury. This was covered by five camera crews from television stations and networks, CBC National News, CTV National News, CFTO-TV, CITY-TV and Global Television. CBC National News did a series of in-depth interviews with CWO Kevin Junor and Mr Ron Searle, a former member who was on the 1939 guard, the King's Guard at Buckingham Palace in April 1940 and who was visited in England hospital by the Queen Mother after he was wounded. The interviews were conducted in the Officer's Mess and Roberts held the Flexfill for the CBC camera operator to bounce light onto right side of Mr Ron Searle's face. The six-minute story was broadcast on Wednesday evening on Newsworld and the main network.

CBC National News report broadcast Wednesday 3 April 2002

Mr Ron Searle who served on the King's Guard at Buckingham Palace in 1940, being interviewed on CBC National News.	Regimental Historian, Pipe Sgt Tim Stewart is interviewed in the Regimental Museum.	CWO Kevin Junor being interviewed for the CBC National News broadcast.

Later that evening the four members of the Regiment, Major Mike Trayner, Warrant Officer Mike Lacroix, Sergeant Peter Hartwig, and Corporal Cristel Cuffy, who would be taking part in Her Majesty's funeral, deployed to London. During the week they were based at RAF Uxbridge. On Friday morning they marched with the other Commonwealth contingents in the procession from St. James' Palace to Westminster Hall.

Prior to the parade and after a rehersal, Canadian media visited the contingent at RAF Uxbribge as they prepared for the procession.

Thursday 4 April 2002

Television news reports broadcast Thursday 4 April 2002

For the CBC camera Sgt Peter Hartwig polishes his boot.	Maj Mike Trayner interviewed by CBC's Ann MacMillian.	Maj Mike Trayner interviewed by CTV's Lloyd Robertson.

WO Mike Lacroix prepares for the procession.	Early morning rehearsal on the streets of London.

Friday 5 April 2002

	Saturday 6 April 2002
	Saturday 6 April 2002

The Toronto Scottish contingent are second from the rear. (L to R) Maj Michael Trayner, Sgt Peter Hartwig, Cpl Cristel Cuffy, and WO Michael Lacroix Photo Courtesy: Ministry of Defence

On the afternoon of Thursday 8 April 2002, Canada AM producer Kathleen O'Keefe called Roberts. She told him that they were planning to interview the Commanding Officer, LCol Julian Chapman, the Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel, LCol Eric Jackman and the RSM, CWO Kevin Junor in front of Westminster Hall during the funeral procession from St. James's Palace. After the conversation, and hanging up, Roberts realized that Canada AM did not have biographies of the three Tor Scots. Immediately he prepared an e-mail with the three bios as attached files and sent it to Ms. O'Keefe. Five minutes later she responded by e-mail saying, " Thank you, London (the Canada AM crew) was just asking for these". The next morning all three were interviewed during the live coverage, the CO twice.

On Friday 5 April 2002, and immediately after he returned from Florida and before leaving for London the next day, Honorary Colonel Hugh Stewart was interviewed live on CTV News Net in the studio. While he was there, he was also interviewed by CFTO-TV.

Paying their respects

While visiting the Toronto Scottish's sister unit, the London Scottish, a decision was made for Col Hugh Stewart, LCol Julian Chapman, Maj Mike Trayner and CWO Kevin Junor, to walk to Clarence House, the Queen Mother's London residence, and lay a wreath at the gates. On his cellphone LCol Chapman called Roberts back in Toronto and told him about their plan. The Colonel said that it would take about 20 minutes to get there. He asked Roberts if he could generate any media interest on such short notice? Immediately a media advisory was produced and e-mailed to the UK addresses of Canadian media. When the four Canadian soldiers arrived, accompanied by Maj Rupert Clements, Officer Commanding the London Scottish, a CTV camera crew was waiting for them and conducted interviews.

CTV National news report broadcast Sunday 7 April 2002

(L to R) CWO Kevin Junor, LCol Julian Chapman, Col Hugh Stewart and Maj Rupert Clements at Clarence House.	Col Hugh Stewart is interviewed.

Monday 8 April 2002

The Funeral

Television news reports broadcast Tuesday 9 April 2002

From CBC Newsworld, (L to R) LCol Eric Jackmam, LCol Julian Chapman, Col Hugh Stewart wait their turn to enter Westminster Abbey.	CWO Kevin Junor is interviewed live by the CBC's Ann MacMillian outside Westminster Abbey before the service.	Their Royal Highnesses, Prince Charles and the Duke of Edinburgh arrive at Westminster Abbey. Just above the Duke, Sgt Peter Hartwig stands to attention.

Global Television sent a camera crew to Maj the Rev. Donald McKillican's house at 5:00am record he and Mrs McKillican watching the ceremony live from London.	After the service, Her Majesty is carried out of Westminster Abbey passed Sgt Peter Hartwig.	Cpl Cristel Cuffy, second from the right, stands to attention as the Colonel-in-Chief passes.

Immediately after the service, LCol Julian Chapman is interviewed by CBC's Ann MacMillian, looking on is LCol Bruce Bolton.	LCol Chapman interview by the CBC after the funeral service.	After the service, LCol Julian Chapman is interviewed on CTV's Canada AM.

Maj Mike Trayner who was an usher in Westminster Abbey is interviewed by CTV's Lisa LaFlamme.	Col Hugh Stewart is interviewed outside Westminster Abbey after the funeral.	In the Canada AM studio during the same broadcast in Toronto, Ron Searle holds up a photograph of the King's Guard at Buckingham Palace that he took part in, in 1940.

Friend of The Toronto Scottish Regiment, note the tie, Mr Walter Borosa, LVO, former Chief of Protocol for Ontario.	Capt Stephen Roberts interviewed on Canada AM in Toronto after the funeral service.	Regimental Historian, Pipe Sgt Tim Stewart is interviewed before piping the close of the Canada AM broadcast.

Sgt Stewart plays "Flowers of the Forest" as a sign-off for CTV's Canada AM broadcast.

	Tuesday 9 April 2002
	Tuesday 9 April 2002
	Wednesday 10 April 2002

Her Majesty visiting Her Regiment since 1939

Escorted by the Commanding Officer, LCol Christopher Thompson, Her Majesty inspects the Regiment in Toronto on the 22 May 1939 before presenting New Colours.	The Toronto Scottish Regiment was the first Canadian Army Reserve unit to Mount the King's Guard at Buckingham Palace, 26 April 1940.	The Colonel-in-Chief inspects the Vickers Machine Gun during Her visit to Aldershot on 27 March 1941

Her Majesty shakes hands with Pipe Major Adam MacDonald during Her visit to Pitshill on 7 May 1943.	Reviewing Her soldiers at Pitshill on 7 May 1943.	Escorted by LCol Donald Learment (R) and LCol Robert Hilborn (C) Her Majesty's Canadian Equerry, the Colonel-in-Chief talks to a member of the 1965 Guard.

Assisted by Maj Fred McKenna, Her Majesty presents the new Queen's Colour to Capt Bill Bell on 25 June 1965.	After the parade Her Majesty mingles with Her troops in 1965 on the grounds of the University of Toronto.	Escorted by LCol Don Johnston, Her Majesty inspects the Regiment at the CNE Stadium in 1974 prior to the presentation of a new Queen's Colour.

During an inspection at Queen's Park on 14 July 1985 in Toronto Her Majesty stops to speak to a member of the Pipes and Drums.	Escorted by LCol Hugh Stewart, Her Majesty arrives at Fort York Armoury on 8 July 1989.	Departing Toronto on 10 July 1989, Her Majesty stops to speak to Pipe Sgt Colin Campbell.

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