Honouring R.S. McLaughlin and his legacy with the Parkwood Promenade

Each September the Ontario Regiment (RCAC) celebrates its birthday (147 years in 2013), along with honouring Sam McLaughlin's birthday with the Parkwood Promenade.






The relationship between the regiment and Parkwood has been a lengthy one, with R.S. McLaughlin being the patron of the regiment's band for many decades, funding the purchase of the band's instruments and uniforms during these

years, and financing the building of band shell at Oshawa's Memorial Park to provide the bandsmen with their own venue to entertain Oshawa's citizens.

R.S McLaughlin was appointed honorary lieutenant-colonel of the 34th Ontario Regiment in 1921 and held this position until 1931, at which time he was appointed honourary colonel of same unit, renamed the Ontario Regiment (RCAC), a reserve armoured regiment based in Oshawa. Affectionately known as "Colonel Sam," McLaughlin served as honorary colonel until 1967, earning the distinction as the longest continuously serving colonel in the history of the Canadian Forces.

After R.S.M died, son-in-law, Major-General C. C. Mann (ret'd) became honourary colonel of the regiment from 1973-1975. Followed by his wife, honourary colonel, E.V. (Billie) McLaughlin Mann from 1983 until her death in 1993. 

C.C. Mann & Billie McLaughlin- wedding day 1930 at Parkwood

The Ontario Regiment will once again celebrate its shared history with Parkwood on Sunday afternoon with their promenade program, highlighted with a Change of Command Team Parade.




R.S. McLaughlin would be pleased to see
that the legacy continues.