(Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's Own)

Canadian Provost Corps

Roberts joined the Army Reserves, 2 Company Canadian Provost Corp (Military Police) as part of the Student Militia program. 2 Coy CproC, commanded by Major John Fogg was based at the College Street Armoury in Toronto. During his basic training Roberts was introduced to the FN C1 service rifle. A weapon designed to be fired right handed. After his weapon was zeroed, and the practice had started, a Senior NCO noticed that Roberts was firing the rifle left handed. Between shots he taped Roberts on the foot, and when he looked back was told by Sgt Gary Roncetti that he was not supposed to fire the rifle that way. Roberts asked the sergeant to watch his target has he finished firing the rest of the serial scoring all bulleyes. Robcetti said, "Roberts you just joined the rifle team". Later that year as team member he took part in the annual provincial competition at CFB Borden, as a member of 2 Coy, CproC team. Pte Roberts didn't win anything, but he got loads of experience, and was flooded with free coaching!

Number One (R) on the 81mm Mortar Crew

The next year he transferred to The Toronto Scottish Regiment, and shortly afterwards was posted to Support Company operating 81mm mortars. He started as the number 3 on the crew he finished up as a Mobile Fire Controller, out front and slightly left or right, directing the fire. During a six year period he was promoted up to the rank of Warrant Officer. Next Roberts was selected for officer training and appointed as an Officer Cadet.

Dieppe

One summer Stephen Roberts bought a one way ticket to the UK. He used the return money to buy a secondhand 900cc Ford Thames station wagon. After taking the car for a test drive through southern England he took the Channel ferry to France. Sleeping at night inside the Ford, he drove south through France to Mediterranean, turning left at Marseilles headed east along the coast to Pisa in Italy. From Pisa on to Florence, and then to Venice, next stopping briefly in Trieste, in the former Yugoslavia. After returning to Italy, he headed north to Austria, and then on to West Germany. At Hof, crossed into East Germany and drove to Berlin. After Berlin he headed west back to West Germany, then further west to Belgium, then France, the Channel ferry and back to England. Because it was the 25th anniversary of the raid on Dieppe, in which a 125 members of The Toronto Scottish Regiment had taken part, Roberts returned to France with several members of the Regiment who had taken part in the Raid. After returning to England he sold the car to purchase his return airline ticket to Canada.

Trooping the Colour

During a 10 year period Captain Roberts held a variety of regimental positions including Adjutant and Company Commander.

Click here to hear Her Majesty's address to Her Regiment

At the Scottish World Festival as the junior subaltern, he carried the Regimental Colour during The Toronto Scottish Regiment's only trooping since the colours were presented by the Colonel-in-Chief, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, in 1965. While in England before the parade, Robert had an audience with Her Majesty and recorded an audio-tape of her address to the Regiment. The tape was played over the public address system as Roberts, the junior subaltern, carried the Regimental Colour during the ceremony at the Canadian National Exhibition Stadium.

Roberts was the Adjutant on the occasion of Her Majesty's visit to the Regiment, and the presentation of a new Queen's Colour. He had the privilege of signing for the new Queen's Colour when it was delivered to Toronto. During the visit he was also the Baggage Officer for the royal party.

The Presentation of Colours program. The photograpgh was taken during the Trooping with Roberts carring the Regimental Colour

Regimental Sergeant Major, Chief Warrant Officer Jim Merrill march the 200 man guard on to parade at CNE Stadium. After the RSM had addressed the troops Roberts marched out and took over the parade. After giving a couple of words of command, he did an about turn to await turning the parade over to the Commanding Officer, LCol Donald Johnston. At that time, and for the first time, he looked up to see the 12,500 audience and realized the enormity the event he taking part in.

For family reasons Roberts had to leave the Toronto Scottish and transfer to the supplementary list. In April 1988 he returned to The Toronto Scottish Regiment and was posted to Central Militia Area Headquarters (now known as Land Force Central Area Headquarters) as a Public Affairs Officer. That summer he attended the Base Information Officer's Course at Cornwall.

10 years of Public Affairs at Headquarters Land Force Central Area

Captain Roberts return to The Toronto Scottish Regiment as the Unit Information Officer in April 1998. Since then he has been called out to co-ordinate, or to assist in the co-ordination of public affairs activities during the following exercises, deployments, and operations:

Listed below are a number of exercises, operations or events that he has initiated or taken part in:

PLEASE CLICK ON THE ICONS BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

(Still under construction, not all icons function)

	Operation Tay Bridge	Operation Tay Bridge was the name given to the plan for the Colonel-in-Chief's funeral. Regrettably it was activated on Saturday 30 March 2002 with the news of Her Majesty's passing. After consulting with the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Julian Chapman, Roberts co-ordinated a media briefing in the Officer's Mess and over the next 10 days arranging for media interviews and appearances with members of the Regiment in Canada and Great Britain.
	Queen's Park Guard of Honour	To mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's birthday on August 4th, the Province of Ontario held a Garden Party on the lawn of the legistaure. It was hosted by the Lieutenant of the Province of Ontario, the Honorable Hilary Weston.
	Operation Triumph	Operation Triumph was the name of The Toronto Scottish Regiment's redeployment to England, France and Scotland between 14 -29 July 2000. This included participation in the National Tribute in London to the Queen Mother. Immediately after the parade in London, the unit moved to France to unveil and dedicate a plaque in Dieppe, and a monument near Caen. This was followed by visits to First and Second World War cemeteries and Vimy Ridge. Finally the Scottish went to Scotland were the Pipes and Drums performed at Edinburgh Castle in a second Royal Tribute to the Colonel-in-Chief.
	National Tribute to Her Majesty	Capt Roberts was put in charge of co-ordinating the public affairs for the Canadian Forces units taking part in the National Tribute to Queen Mother on Horse Guards Parade in London. The parade took place on 19 July and marked the official observance of Her Majesty's 100th Birthday. It involved 7,000 military and civilians from around the world.
	Recruiting	Ms. Jill Koskitalo, journalism student at Ryerson Polytechnic University, approached the 32 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters expressing an interest on doing a story on recruiting. The story was published in the Toronto Star just after she graduated.
	Unveiling a Birthday Stamp	Satellite stamp unveiling celebrating Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's 100th birthday hosted by The Toronto Scottish Regiment at Fort York Armoury on 30 May 2000.
	Exercise Southern Drive (Fort Knox)	Exercise Southern Drive '00 (Fort Knox) - 13 to 15 March 2000. Roberts recruited and escorted reporter Peter Silverman and producer Terry O'Keefe to Fort Knox in Kentucky to cover Canadian soldiers taking part in urban warfare training. This resulted in three, five minute stories and a 24 minute special report that was broadcast four times.
	Toronto Officer's Garrison Ball	The Toronto Officer's Garrison Ball 2000 (Toronto) - Saturday 12 February 2000. This is the annual military ball held in Toronto. This year it was organized by an another infantry unit The Royal Regiment of Canada who asked Roberts to co-ordinate the public affairs or this social event.
	Exercise Polar Warrior	Exercise Polar Warrior '00 (LFCATC Meaford) - 28 to 30 January 2000. This annual winter warfare exercise was conducted at the military training area on the shores of Georgian Bay.
	Rabbie Burns Day	Co-ordinated the appearance of four members of The Toronto Scottish Regiment on CTV's morning program "Canada AM". Taking part in Rabbie Burns Day celebrations - Tuesday 25 January 2000.
	Operation Abacus (Y2K)	Operation Abacus (Y2K) - December 1999 to January 2000. This was the mobilization of the Canadian Forces across the country in preparation of any turn of the century contingencies. Roberts was the public affairs duty officer at mid-night.
	Exercise Century Countdown	Exercise Century Countdown - November 1999. This was the final work-up communications exercise prior to the turn of the century.
	Exercise Steadfast III	Exercise Steadfast III (CFB Borden) 24 to 26 September 1999.
	Operation Esplanade	NATO Minister's Conference (Toronto) - 21 to 22 September 1999. During this conference held at the Metro Convention Centre, Roberts was a member of a team of public affairs who co-ordinated media interviews, briefings and photo opportunities for Canadian and international media.
	Royal Visit '99	High Royal Highness Prince Andrew's visit to the Queen's York Rangers (Toronto) - 18 September 1999. Prince Andrew is the Honorary Colonel of the QYR and a parade celebrating his visit was held at Fort York Armoury. Was asked to assist in liaising with the media.
	Exercise Steadfast Warrior '99	Exercise Steadfast Warrior '99 (CFB Petawawa) - August 1999. This the annual Brigade exercise which brings to together all units for combined training. Roberts was a member of a public affairs preparing home-towner releases on the individual soldiers taking part.
	Exercise Trillium Abacus (Y2K)	Exercise Trillium Abacus - Y2K work-up training (ASU Toronto) - July 1999. The second in a series of a work-up communications exercise in preparation for any Y2K contingencies.
	Exercise Vigilance 2000 (Y2K)	Exercise Vigilance 2000 - Y2K work-up training (ASU Toronto) - 28 May to 4 June 1999. The first in a series of work-up communications exercise in preparation for Y2K. This one was conducted at the Area level.
	Exercise Steadfast Warrior I	Exercise Steadfast Warrior I (LFCATC Meaford) - 14 to 16 May 1999.
	Exercise Southern Drive (Fort Knox)	Exercise Southern Drive '99 (Fort Knox) - 12 to 21 March 1999. Roberts deployed on this exercise as the G1 to Co-ordinate all administrative aspects of the exercise. One unexpected challenge was preparing Commanding Officer's Commendations in the field for several soldiers who were credited with saving the lives of two US soldiers whose tank transporter rolled over.
	Exercise Polar Warrior	Exercise Polar Warrior (LFCATC Meaford) - February 1999. This annual winter warfare exercise brings together all Brigade units in this field exercise.
	Operation Preamble	Operation Preamble (Toronto Snow Storm) - 14 to 17 January 1999. Toronto's Mayor called out the army after a series of snow storms passed over Toronto. Approximately 350 soldiers were based at Fort York Armoury and deployed teams to clear downtown streets.
	Food Drive	Members of The Toronto Scottish marched from Fort York Armoury to the Daily Bread Food Bank to deliver over 1,500 lbs. food that they had collected - Saturday December 12, 1998.
	CBC Newsworld Tease	Co-ordinate the production of CBC Newsworld promo involving a Reserve soldier - November 1998. Roberts initiated the production of this ten second clip used for several months by the CBC.
	Remembrance Day	At the request of 2 Intelligence Company assisted in the generation of media interest in their Remembrance Day Service held at Camp X in Oshawa, Ontario - Wednesday November 11, 1998.
	Canadian Forces Small Arms Competition '98	Canadian Forces Small Arms Competition (Connaught Ranges - Ottawa) - 20 to 30 July 1998. This is an international military skill-at-arms competition involving teams from Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States and the RCMP and the OPP.

For the last 13 years Roberts has been a member of the Royal Canadian Military Institute and was the Assistant Editor of the monthly newsletter called "Sitrep". Currently he is the Editor of "Members' News" a new bi-monthly publication of the Institute.

In August 1997, Captain Roberts was appointed as an Aide-de-Camp (AdeC) to the Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Ontario. In this voluntary position and he represents The Toronto Scottish Regiment.

Stephen Roberts' hobbies include photography, cross-country and downhill skiing, and SCUBA diving.   The photographs were taken in the Bahamas, he took the one of the Reef Shark (L) using a rented Nikonos V, an 35mm under water camera. This was one of three sharks circling the divers.

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