Lieutenant-Colonel Ian MacDonald Grant, DSO, CD

 

As released on enews earlier, the Regiment was saddened to learn of the passing of LCol Ian MacDonald Grant, DSO, CD.  There will be a memorial service held in Mill Bay, BC on 18 Apr 09.  Details in the following obiturary:

 

GRANT , Lieutenant-Colonel Ian MacDonald DSO, CD, late LdSH (RC) of Shawnigan Lake and Victoria, British Columbia. It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Ian MacDonald Grant on 17 March 2009 at Victoria, British Columbia. Born in Victoria in 1920, the only son of the late John and Lesley Grant, he was predeceased by his sister Jean in 1921. He leaves: his beloved companion of many years, Maisie Rainey; a cousin, Mrs. R. L. Ward of New South Wales, Australia; his chum from the days of their boyhood, Dr. Ronald R. Bonnell and his wife Barbara; his godson Mr. R. Gregory Bonnell and his wife Bonnie; his cherished Shawnigan Lake neighbours the Wood sisters, the Eatons, the Ransons, the Rumsbys and the Denlucks; and a full measure of old and sound friends in Canada and abroad. Educated in Victoria and at the University of British Columbia, he was commissioned in 1940 and went overseas with the British Columbia Regiment (DCOR). He fought in the Italian and North-West Europe campaigns with the Three Rivers Regiment, and served post-war with Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), commanding his regiment 1961-64. In a long and distinguished military career, among his many postings he served at the Royal Staff Colleges at Quetta, Pakistan and Shrivenham, England; and in London, Germany, Washington, D.C. (the Canadian Embassy), Calgary and Ottawa. He spent a long and happy retirement at his wooded cottage at Shawnigan Lake, B.C., originally built by his father in 1924, where he spent summers growing up. There he lived a quiet country life, working on his wood piles, fishing, gardening, reading, writing, tending fires, playing scrabble and enjoying a great wealth of dear friends and neighbours. At death, he was a life member of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps Association (Cavalry), the Royal United Services Institute and the associations of the regiments with which he was privileged to serve. Sincere thanks go to Dr. C. Pengilly of Victoria, Dr. R. Grimes of Duncan and the staff of the Lodge at Broadmead for their kind care during his last years. "Those friends thou hast, their adoption tried, Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel" (Shakespeare) A gathering of remembrance and a reception will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, 18 April 2009 at the Gil Bunch Centre for the Performing Arts at Brentwood College School, 2735 Mount Baker Way, Mill Bay, Vancouver Island, B.C. ( www.brentwood.bc.ca ). SANDS FUNERAL CHAPELS - Victoria. Telephone: 1-250-388-5155