98th annual “Ypres Dinner” held by RMR NCO’s
Westmount, 26 April 14 – The Warrant Officers’ & Sergeants’ Mess of the RMR held their 98th annual mess dinner to commemorate the first major action fought by the RMR (the “Second Battle of Ypres”), where so many of their comrades were killed, gassed, wounded, or taken prisoner. The RMR NCO’s held their first commemorative dinner in 1916 and have never failed to mark this significant anniversary.
This year, to accompany the traditional empty table representing our fallen comrades, the RSM and PMC decided to include the grave marker of Captain Richard Steacie, the first RMR officer killed in action – and killed at the Second Battle of Ypres – and whose remains were only recently identified. The Steacie marker now resides in the Museum and will eventually be incorporated into a permanent display at the RMR.
Close to 50 guests were in attendance, a mix of serving RMR NCO’s, former members, as well as guests from the Regiment’s affiliated cities, other units in 34 Brigade and the Army Reserve Sergeant-Major.