Primary tabs

Canadian Officers Training Corps fonds

With the outbreak of World War I, the University Council appointed a Committee on Military Instruction which authorized the teaching of military science and tactics. A university corps was organized in the fall semester of the 1914-1915 year with 64 students taking extra classes to qualify as officers. On March 1, 1915, the Canadian Officers Training Corps (C.O.T.C.) of the University of Manitoba was established. Eight companies of 60 men of all ranks were formed with Professor E.P. Fetherstonhaugh as captain and adjutant. In 1915, the Western Universities Battalion was formed with the University of Manitoba contributing one company and one platoon. With the introduction of conscription legislation in 1917, military training was made compulsory for all male students. After the First World War, the C.O.T.C. program was reorganized, in 1920, by Lt. Col. N.B. Maclean, but it continued in relative obscurity for almost twenty years.

With the outbreak of World War II, the C.O.T.C. was quickly revitalized and its membership mushroomed, from its peace time level of 150 to 800. The Senate also passed regulations relating to academic credits or bonuses for students who joined the C.O.T.C. By 1942, all male students were once again required to enlist in a compulsory programme of military training. The C.O.T.C. continued the work of military training on a voluntary basis after World War II with new modernized and attractive programmes, but with the return of peace its popularity rapidly declined.

Grid
List

Pages

: Female COTC cadets and instructor; A photograph of a female staff officer speaking to a classroom of female COTC members.

: Five COTC officers; A photograph of five unidentified COTC officers. This black-and-white photograph depicts the five sitting in front of and standing beside a table of plaques and trophies.

: H. H. Saunderson and COTC member; A photograph of University of Manitoba president Hugh Saunderson and an unidentified COTC member. This black-and-white photograph depicts the two men standing next to a trophy case.

: H. H. Saunderson and COTC officers; A photograph of University of Manitoba president Hugh Saunderson and four unidentified COTC officers. This black-and-white photograph depicts the men standing outdoors among barracks.

: H. H. Saunderson instructing COTC cadets, 1945; A photograph of a group of COTC cadets outdoors during training camp. Major H. H. Saunderson, dean of arts and science at the University of Manitoba, is instructing two of them as the others look on.

: H. H. Saunderson with COTC cadets; A photograph of University of Manitoba president Hugh Saunderson and four unidentified COTC cadets. This black-and-white photograph depicts the men standing next to a trophy case.

: H. S. Perdue, J. R. C. Evans, H. G. Johnstone; A photograph of University of Manitoba COTC members H. S. Perdue, J. R. C. Evans, and H. G. Johnstone. This black-and-white photograph depicts the three men standing outdoors in winter.

: J. W. Mooney and M. W. Long; A photograph of University of Manitoba COTC members J. W. Mooney and M. W. Long. This black-and-white photograph depicts the men standing outdoors in winter.

: Kenneth Johnson; A photograph of newly-enlisted University of Manitoba COTC cadet Kenneth N. Johnson. Attached to this black-and-white headshot is a press release, dated 4 December 1959, stating the circumstances of Johnson's enrollment in the COTC as well as some biographical information about Johnson.

: Kenneth Johnson; A photograph of new University of Manitoba COTC recruit Kenneth N. Johnson. Attached to this black-and-white headshot is a press release with details of the conditions of Johnson's enlistment, as well as biographical information about Johnson.

: New COTC cadets; A photograph of newly-recruited COTC officer cadets. Back row, left to right: Leonard Steingarten, Sherman Greenberg, Barry Gunn. Front row, left to right: Kenneth Arenson, Gerard Piche (University Support Officer at the University of Manitoba), John Pangman. A press release regarding the men's acceptance in the COTC is attached.

: Opening ceremony of the COTC Tri-Service Wing; A photograph of E. P. Fetherstonhaugh, captain of the COTC, making a speech at the opening ceremony of the Tri-Service Wing at the University of Manitoba Students' Union building. Fetherstonhaugh is flanked by several unidentified people.

: Opening ceremony of the COTC Tri-Service Wing; A photograph of various dignitaries and military personnel, including E. P. Fetherstonhaugh and Hugh Saunderson, on stage at the opening ceremony of the Tri-Service Wing.

: Opening ceremony of the COTC Tri-Service Wing; A photograph of various dignitaries and military personnel, including E. P. Fetherstonhaugh and Hugh Saunderson, on stage at the opening ceremony of the Tri-Service Wing.

: Opening ceremony of the COTC Tri-Service Wing; A photograph of various dignitaries and military personnel, including E. P. Fetherstonhaugh, on stage at the opening ceremony of the Tri-Service Wing.

: Opening ceremony of the COTC Tri-Service Wing; A photograph of various dignitaries and military personnel on stage at the opening ceremony of the Tri-Service Wing.

: Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders officers assisting with COTC, 1944-1945; A photograph of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders officers who assisted with the University of Manitoba COTC in the 1944-1945 school year. Back row, left to right: C. Russell Simonite, Ronald Counsell. Front row, left to right: G. Aitken, R. C. McKibbin, J. S. Malcolm, A. W. Logan.

: Robert McDonald; A photograph of newly-enlisted University of Manitoba COTC cadet Robert A. McDonald. Attached to this black-and-white headshot is a press release stating the circumstances of McDonald's enrollment in the COTC as well as some biographical information about McDonald.

: Roland McWilliams; A photograph of COTC Commanding Officer and Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba Roland McWilliams. This black-and-white portrait was taken by Gordon Aikman sometime during McWilliams's tenure as Commanding Officer from 1915-1919.

: UM_pc126_A91-035_001_0007_162_0001; The "Military" section of the University of Manitoba's 1942 Brown and Gold yearbook. This eight-page spread features photographs of the various companies of the COTC, information on the COTC and its commanding officers, and candid photographs.

: University of Manitoba COTC members on campus; A photograph of University of Manitoba COTC members lined up in front of the Home Economics and Agriculture buildings at the University's Fort Garry campus.

: University of Manitoba COTC promotional brochure; A promotional brochure about the University Naval Training Division, Canadian Officers' Training Corps, and University of Manitoba Squadron options for current and prospective University of Manitoba students. Lists of careers and options within the corps are included, as are descriptions of the benefits and lifestyle one could expect as a member of the COTC. Also attached is a letter from J. E. Wilson, commanding officer of the corps, to prospective undergraduate students, urging them to contact him and his office for more information about the COTC.

: W. F. Riddell; A photograph of COTC Commanding Officer W. F. Riddell. This black-and-white portrait was taken sometime during Riddell's tenure as Commanding Officer from 1938-1941.

Libraries

digitalcollections.lib.umanitoba.ca

Primary tabs

Canadian Officers Training Corps fonds

Pages

Pages