The Way It Was: Upholding Traditions . . . Through The Ranks

With The Privilege To Serve

By Andrea Grimes

Quoting Canadian astronaut, Roberta Bondar,

“Exploration is not something you retire from. It is a part of one’s life ethic.”

Long before Windsor was named in 1836, became a village in 1854, a town in 1858 and a city in 1892, there was a militia presence “standing at the ready” to defend our Canadian frontier along the south shores of the Detroit River.

In 1840, the Canadian government purchased a stretch of property — (a musket shot from the Detroit River) and erected a barracks that served as the headquarters of the 21st Regiment Essex Fusiliers. In 1849, the government abandoned the barracks; however, with the Fenian Raids of 1866 the government reclaimed the barracks.

As political unrest “over there” raised the threat of a potential war, the Canadian government commissioned the construction of an armoury.

On January 31, 1902,the Windsor Evening Record published an article announcing the January 30, 1902 opening of the Windsor Armouries: “Opened with éclat. The Essex Fusiliers were the hosts last night to an assemblage, which numbered fully 5,000 people.”

Ever since Windsor was designated a frontier garrison town, generations of military families and civilians throughout Windsor and Essex County have honoured their commitments to support our militia — standing to uphold Canada’s military traditions.

During the late 1970s and early ’80s, discussions developed regarding the need to establish a social network where members of our Canadian Armed Forces had opportunities to build camaraderie within the ranks.

In “taking up the cause,” some Officers from Windsor and Essex County met in the Windsor Garrison Officers’ Mess at the Windsor Armouries on January 25, 1981 to form an association which, (through a charter), became the Military Institute of Windsor (MIW). The Institute’s first meeting was held on April 14, 1981. (To learn more, refer to: Facebook.com/MilitaryInstituteOfWindsor)

According to Roy Embury, President of the Military Institute of Windsor: “The MIW is comprised of former serving and current serving members of our Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP and Canadian Security Intelligence Service; commissioned Officers of other countries and civilians who have a vested interest in our military history. It is one of the over 25 similar institutes across Canada (all individually independent, but loosely associated under the Conference of Defence Associations).”

In accordance with the Department of National Defence regulations, “The MIW focuses its resources on building and fostering shared values to support the development and maintenance of effective Canadian Military and non-military defence and security policies and capabilities through study, research and development; promulgation, submission, and presentation of briefs, position papers, and policy proposals to government and appropriate bodies; to promote a better understanding of the need for effective Armed Forces to meet the defence commitments of Canada, by the general public; and to provide a means of keeping the membership informed and up-to-date on matters relating to all aspect of National Defence and security, and to serve as a link between the community and the Regular and Reserve components of the Canadian Armed Forces.”

MIW archives confirm the Institute was presented with the Colonel Picking Trophy in 1984 as having the largest percentage membership increase in

Attending the Military Institute of Windsor’s (MIW) Charter Night Dinner at Beach Grove Golf and Country Club in 1985, from left: the late Colonel Leonard Baldock CD, (RCAF); (unidentified guest); Colonel (retired) Rae Martin, CD, (Essex and Kent Scottish) and the late Lt. Colonel Jack Baxter, CD, (Essex and Kent Scottish). The MIW celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2022. Photo courtesy of the MIW. Canada for three years. In 2012, the Institute was selected as the recipient of the International Armed Forces Council’s Achievement Award in recognition of its accomplishments.

Over the years, the Institute has participated in, and organized a variety of social, educational and military-themed events throughout Windsor and continues to do so where fellowship is shared “all present and correct.”

“Our newsletter, the Communiqué keeps our membership informed of events, namely our Annual Charter Night Dinner, Spring Social, International Armed Forces Night, Welcome Back Fall b-b-q, Christmas Stand To, and Speakers’ Forums,” states Embury. “It also doubles as a platform to present pertinent information.”

Canada’s distinguished military traditions, which were held in high regard by generations who had the privilege to serve; and by many who continue to “fill the ranks,” defines the foundation of our national heritage; standing to those values of freedom and democracy that our Veterans (who gave up gave up a piece of individuality to become a part of something larger than themselves) fought to preserve . . . “on all fronts.” As a civilian Veterans Advocate, Andrea Grimes was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Governor General’s Medal for her volunteer service to Veterans and a number non-profit organizations supporting Windsor’s military families’ network.