About Us
The official museum of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
An accredited Canadian Armed Forces museum.
Our Mission
The Museum’s mission is to collect, preserve, protect, display and interpret artifacts and archives essential to the history of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles.
History
The Museum’s objectives are to:
preserve the entire history of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles through the collection, conservation and display of artifacts and archives;
provide a source of training in the Regiment’s history for all members of the Regiment and the public;
stimulate and foster within the public an interest, knowledge and sense of pride in the Regiment’s activities and accomplishments; and maintain a current record of all Regimental memorials and monuments in Canada and elsewhere.
R Wpg Rif Museum Team
STAFF
Sgt. Andrew Grant
Museum Lead Curator
Sergeant Andrew Grant
In September 2023, Andrew was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and was appointed the Unit Recruiter. Simultaneously, he received his Canadian Forces Defence decoration.
Sgt. Grant is an avid student of Canadian Military history, an interest he has developed over the years by immersing himself in stories of family members who had served in WWI, WWII, and the Korean War. These stories fuelled his passion and inspired him to join the military.
Andrew joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 2011, as a member of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles (R Wpg Rif). He served with the Unit for four years before transferring to the regular force in 2015, serving with the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI2). He was posted in Shilo, Manitoba from 2015-2018.
In 2018, he returned to The Royal Winnipeg Rifles to pursue other life opportunities, while continuing to serve as a Reservist. Andrew hopes to someday deploy on an expeditionary operation.
Sgt. Grant’s other interests include volunteering. That is why he joined the team of volunteers at the RWR Museum and Archives in July 2022, as Curator.
His passion for history and storytelling will serve to preserve the Regiment’s heritage, and passing its legacy to the next generation of Canadians, who wish to honour the memory of those who sacrificed and dedicated their lives to the service of Canada.
MUSEUM COMMITTEE
Chair
Major-General (Retired) Dennis C. Tabbernor, CMM, MSM, CD
Major-General Tabbernor enlisted in The Royal Winnipeg Rifles in 1967 serving as a Rifleman, Corporal, Senior Corporal, Second Lieutenant and Lieutenant before transferring to the Regular Force in May 1972. On completion of officer training, he served with Third Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, The Canadian Airborne Regiment, Third Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, First Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment and the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment. Extra Regimental Duty included Instructor, Infantry School; Aide to Commander, The Combat Training Centre; SO 2 Operations, Headquarters Canadian Forces Europe; and J3 Coordination, National Defence HeadquartersReturning to Winnipeg in June 1993, he transferred back to the Reserves employed as Senior Staff Officer Administration, then Senior Staff Officer Training at Manitoba-Lakehead District Headquarters. In November 1994, he assumed command of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles. A year later, promoted to Colonel, he was appointed Commander, Manitoba-Lakehead District and subsequently Commander 38 Canadian Brigade Group on formation 1 April 1997.
In July 1999 he was appointed Assistant Chief of Staff Land Force Western Area and in March 2000, Assistant Chief of Staff Operations, Headquarters Multi-National Division (South West) - Stabilization Force (SFOR) Bosnia Herzegovina.
Promoted to Brigadier-General in September 2000, he was appointed Deputy Commander Land Force Western Area and subsequently Commander Canadian Joint Task Force South West Asia - April 2003 and then Director General Land Reserve - November 2003.
In April 2007 he was assigned to Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan as Deputy Commanding General - Afghan National Army Development. He was promoted to Major-General in May 2008 and appointed Chief Reserves and Cadets. He retired from the Canadian Forces in July 2011. Major-General Tabbernor is a graduate of the Canadian Forces Staff School, the Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College and the Canadian Forces College (Command and Staff Course, Advanced Military Studies Course and National Security Studies Course).
He is the Regimental Secretary of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Senate, Chair of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Museum and Archives Committee, President of The Hubbell Awards Inc and a Volunteer at Our Place/Chez Nous.
Commanding Officer of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL PETER P. SLIWOWSKI, B.A., P.C.S.C., C.D.
From the onset of his career as an Infantry Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Sliwowski has served with a Light Infantry Battalion, a Brigade Headquarters, and a Joint Multinational Command. He has been a Company Commander, a Deputy Commanding Officer of a Battalion, and a Headquarters Staff Officer. In 2003, LCol Sliwowski participated in his first Domestic Operation, named Operation PEREGRINE, as a liaison officer during the Wildfires of Kelowna, British Columbia.
From 2007-2008, LCol Sliwowski deployed as a Staff Officer during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in a Coalition Joint Command in Afghanistan for 12 months. From 2008-2009, LCol Sliwowski served as the Arctic and Domestic Response Operations Officer for 38 Canadian Brigade Group. During this time, he developed Arctic and Disaster Response Exercises and Training Plans, in terms of standing up Western Canada’s first Arctic Response Company Group. He later became the Company Second in Command of the Arctic Response Company in 2012 and Company Commander in 2015. In July of 2014, he was called upon to be the Officer Commanding of the 38 CBG Domestic Response Company (DRC) where he deployed the DRC to Portage La Prairie, Manitoba as part of the larger Canadian Forces response to the Assiniboine River Floods. Concurrently from 2013 to 2015, LCol Sliwowski was the Company Commander for the Winnipeg Infantry Tactical Group. LCol Sliwowski then deployed to Poland towards the end of 2015 as a Language and Cultural Advisor on Operation REASSURANCE with the Francophone 22nd Para Company. He acted as Tri-lingual Interpreter for the Task Force Commander, providing cultural advice and recommendations to the Task Force during high level meetings with Polish Governance and Military Commanders. At the start of 2016, he was promoted to the position of Combat Service and Support Commander for the Baltic States on Op REASSURANCE. At which time he was responsible for all Canadian Forces Vehicles, Equipment, Weapons, Ammunition, Logistics and Supply on behalf of the Task Force Commander. Upon his return from Op REASSURANCE, LCol Sliwowski served as the G5 Plans Branch Head for 38 Canadian Brigade Group. As the Planning Branch Head, he was responsible for planning special collective training events for 38 Brigade and the Annual Brigade Operations Plan. As a result, he was responsible for planning Battalion Group deployments to the Canadian High Arctic and Multi-National Joint Exercises in the United States of America. LCol Sliwowski was asked to become the G3 Operations Branch Head for 38 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters in 2019. As the Operations Branch Head, LCol Sliwowski was responsible for the day- to-day operations of the Brigade including 12 units spanning three provinces and time zones on behalf of the Brigade Commander. These operations included Individual Training, Collective Training, and Force Generation for both International and Domestic Operations during a challenging Pandemic period. On Remembrance Day Weekend of 2022, LCol Sliwowski was promoted to his current rank and took Command of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles as the Commanding Officer. LCol Sliwowski has completed a 4 Year Advance Bachelor Degree in Geomatics, minoring in Geologic Sciences from the University of Manitoba in 2006. Additionally, LCol Sliwowski completed the Joint Command Staff Program at the Canadian Forces College, Toronto, in 2021.
Lieutenant- Colonel Sliwowski has received the following Canadian Forces Decorations: the South West Asia Service Medal with 2 rotation bars (For 12 months of consecutive service in Afghanistan), the Special Services Medal with NATO Bar (for 6 month deployment on Op REASSURANCE in the Baltics), the Canadian Decoration (Completion of 12 years of consistent military service with good conduct), and two Canadian Army Commander’s Commendations (for outstanding leadership in planning and implementing a nationally recognized program for youth and outstanding leadership in forging critical relationships with the United States allies on recent Multinational Training Exercises.
Regimental Sergeant Major
CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER (CWO) JOEL ALO
CWO Joel Alo joined the Canadian Forces Primary Reserves in August of 1989. In 1991, he completed the Infantry Section Commanders Course and graduated as top candidate. In 1992, he deployed to Cambodia on Op Marquis.
CWO Alo completed the Infantry QL6B course and the Senior Leaders Course in 2002, as well as joining the Land Forces Central Area (LFCA) CIMIC detachment, where he completed the Peace Support Operations course at the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, and attended the NATO CIMIC course in Budel, Netherlands.
In 2003, he deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan on Op Athena, Roto 0 as the CIMIC Projects/Operations NCO in the G9 branch of the Kabul Multi-national Brigade (KMNB) Headquarters. While on tour, he was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer.
In 2009, he completed the DP4 – Infantry Company Sergeant Major (CSM) Course, and in 2011, he deployed on a 5 month CIMIC TAV to Afghanistan. While on this TAV, he worked as a CIMIC Tactical Operator, primarily with US Forces in the Horn of Panjwai.
In 2013, he was appointed to the position of CSM for the newly formed 32 CBG Influence Activities Coy.
In May of 2015, he moved to Winnipeg, where he took a position with the 38 CBG Influence Activities Company. In 2016, he was appointed the CSM of the IA Coy and promoted to Master Warrant Officer.
In February of 2017, he was appointed to the position of 1 Squadron Sergeant-Major with 38 Signal Regiment. In May 2018, he was given the appointment of Regimental Sergeant-Major of 38 Signal Regiment and in June promoted to Chief Warrant Officer.
In February of 2020, CWO Alo completed the Senior Leadership Program in St. Jean, Quebec, and in January of 2021, was appointed to his current position as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles.
In his civilian life, he is married with two daughters aged 7 and 9. He is licensed to practice as a Professional Engineer in both Ontario and Manitoba, and he is currently employed as a Senior Engineer and Project Manager with SNC-Lavalin Inc.
CWO Alo represents the Unit on the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Museum and Archives Committee.
Member
P.A. (Paddy) Douglass, M.M.M., C.D.
Summary of Experience
Retired from the Canadian military in 2015 after over forty-two years of service, progressing from private soldier to a Queen’s Commission at the rank of Major. Extensive experience in two operational occupations; one each in the Army and Air Force, in addition to HR occupation of Personnel Selection. Extensive experience with the provision of Human Resource services to the Military for last twenty years. Invested into the Order of Military Merit as a Member (M.M.M.) in Nov 2008; a recognition awarded to no more than 0.1 percent of the military for consistent outstanding career performance. Sessional instructor for the Royal Military College of Canada, 2006 until 2011, teaching Military Ethics and Leadership at the fourth-year undergrad level.
Since retirement, have worked in a casual capacity for Neil Bardal Inc Funeral Services, and as a Municipal Emergency Coordinator for the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires (Manitoba Division), Municipal Services division.
Education
Four-year Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) from the University of Manitoba, 1991; major in Psychology, minor in Sociology. Graduate Diploma Education, specializing in Guidance and Counselling, Brandon University, 2002. Master of Education, specialty Guidance and Counselling, Brandon University, 2005.
Interests and Activities
Member of the Board of Directors, Canadian Corps of Commissionaires
Board Chair, Stevenson Britannia Adult Learning Centre
Member of the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders Advisory Board
Member of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Museum Committee
Past Aide de Camp to the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
Past President, and current Board member of the Army Cadet League of Canada (Manitoba)
Past Campaign Cabinet Committee Chair, United Way of Winnipeg
A Primary Organizer of the Manitoba Museum Great War Centennial Display – “The Victoria Crosses of Valour Road”
Fostering Animals for the Winnipeg Humane Society
Member
Warren Otto
Warren Otto is a military historian and currently serves as Academic Advisor with the Military Support Office and Military Liaison with the Centre for Defence and Security Studies at the University of Manitoba. Warren has been involved with adult education since 1991 serving in a number of rolls in that time. He has taught courses for both the University of Manitoba and Assiniboine Community College.
Warren holds undergraduate degrees in Arts (Criminology/Economics) and Recreation Studies, and a Master of Arts in Military History. His thesis, The Stars and Stripes and Maple Leaf: The United States, Neutrality and American Citizen in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1914-1917 focussed on American neutrality laws and the effect of such on those crossing the international border to join the Canadian war effort during the Great War.
In his spare time, Warren has served with a number of organisations including the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Regimental Senate, the Maple Leaf Legacy Project, the 27th (City of Winnipeg) Battalion reenactors, Saint James Lutheran Church and The Prairie Garden.
History
the Little Black Devils
In 1883, the 90th Winnipeg Battalion of Rifles was authorized by the Government, becoming the oldest infantry regiment in western Canada. During the Northwest Canada Expedition in 1885, the Regiment faced its baptism of fire in the Battles of Fish Creek and Batoche. During the former an adversary was baffled as to who were the dark-coated men (referring to the Regiment’s dark green coats) fighting alongside the red-coated Canadian militia said “The redcoats we know, but who are those little black devils? The moniker stuck and the motto “HOST ACIE NOMINATI*” (Named by the Enemy Force) and the rampant devil are emblazed on the Regiment’s cap badge. Since then, the members of the regiment proudly call themselves “Little Black Devils.”
*Although Hostium Acie Nominati is the grammatically correct Latin translation of the Regimental Motto, Hosti Acie Nominati has been in common use since 15 April 1913 and the Regiment has opted to continue to use this historically significant version vice the grammatically correct version.
A Brief History
World War I
During World War I (1914-1918), because of the battalion numbering system adopted by the Canadian Expeditionary Force, the regiment was authorized as the 8th Canadian Battalion (90th Winnipeg Rifles). The 8th Canadians entered the maelstrom of war during the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915. It fought alongside the other Canadian battalions during the 1916 battles of Mount Sorrel and the Somme, the 1917 battles of Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, Passchendaele, and the 1918 battles at Amiens and the Last 100 Days. Following the war, the Canadian Expeditionary Force demobilized and the Regiment was renamed the Winnipeg Rifles. In 1933, it was granted the name Royal Winnipeg Rifles.
World War II
World War II began in September 1939 and in June 1940 the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division was created to meet Canada’s growing war needs. In July 1940, recruiting began for the Canadian Active Service Battalion to be known as the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. The Little Black Devils trained at Camp Shilo, Manitoba, three months later they were transferred to Debert Camp, Nova Scotia and in September 1941, 36 officers and 860 other ranks of the Little Black Devils arrived in England. By June 1944, the young soldiers of the 3rd Canadian Division were fit, trained and ready for the great battle to liberate Europe. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles War Diary entries of 5 and 6 June 1944, reads,
The sea was rough, and the landings look difficult, but the operation was on!... The Battalion during this day, D-6 June 44, not one man flinched from his task, no matter how tough it was-not one officer failed to display courage and energy and a degree of gallantry.
The Little Black Devils gained honour fighting their way through Normandy, North-West France, Belgium, into Germany and fought their last battles during the 1945 liberation of the Netherlands.
The Fallen
In the two world wars of the 20th century, nearly 10,000 men served with Winnipeg’s Little Black Devils. The Regiment suffered over 7000 casualties, with 2000 dead. The men who made the ultimate sacrifice are remembered on the wall of The Fallen in the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Museum.
Today
Members of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles continue to support Canada’s military obligations, being stationed in Germany during the Cold War, serving in peace-keeping and training missions around the world, as well as during the wars in the former Yugoslavia and Afghanistan.