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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.

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: COTC training poster; A poster advertising COTC first-year training.

: COTC training session at Minto Armoury; A photograph of COTC members in formation during a training session at the Minto Armoury circa 1939.

: Canadian Forces personnel in bombardiers; A photograph of three COTC cadets climbing a tower of some sort.

: Canadian Forces personnel in bombardiers; A photograph of Canadian Forces personnel driving bombardier winter vehicles through the Canadian Shield in winter.

: Canadian Forces personnel in operating room; A photograph of four unidentified Canadian Forces personnel and COTC members in a field operating theatre. Some sort of operation is being performed.

: Dinner Time for "A" Company, 196th Overseas Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, Camp Hughes, 1916; A photograph of the "A" company of the 196th Overseas Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. This company was made up of recruits from western universities, including members of the University of Manitoba COTC. This black-and-white photograph was taken ay Camp Hughes, near Carberry, Manitoba, in 1916, and depicts the members of the battalion eating outdoors. The photograph is titled and described in white ink at the bottom.

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

: 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 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.

: 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.

: Military band playing at University of Manitoba; A photograph of members of a military band holding their instruments and talking with students inside a gymnasium at the University of Manitoba.

: Military band playing at University of Manitoba; A photograph of members of a military band playing outside the Administration Building of the University of Manitoba. Three students are looking on.

: Neil MacLean; A photograph of COTC Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Neil B. MacLean. This black-and-white portrait was taken by Gauvin, Gentzel & Company sometime during MacLean's tenure as Commanding Officer from 1920 to 1927.

: 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 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.

: Price Montague; A photograph of John Percival "Price" Montague, lawyer and soldier. During the Second World War, Montague achieved the rank of Lieutenant-General, making him the highest-ranking Manitoban soldier in the war. This black-and-white autographed portrait depicts Montague in full regalia.

: Programme for Reception To Their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth; A booklet describing the programme of a reception to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of England. The reception was held by the Government of Manitoba on Victoria Day, 1939 (celebrated 24 May that year). A photograph of the monarchs is included, as is the text of Premier John Bracken's "Address of Welcome to Their Majesties" and a list of the chairmen of various subcommittees related to the royal visit.

: 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.

: Royal Canadian Air Force Awards, 1963; A photograph of an unidentified man receiving an award at the 1963 RCAF awards ceremony.

: Royal Canadian Air Force Awards, 1963; A photograph of four unidentified COTC members having a conversation at the 1963 RCAF awards ceremony.

: Royal Canadian Air Force Awards, 1963; A photograph of several unidentified officers inspecting troops at the 1963 RCAF awards.

: Royal Canadian Air Force Awards, 1963; A photograph of an unidentified woman receiving an award at the 1963 RCAF awards ceremony.

: Royal Canadian Air Force Awards, 1963; A photograph of COTC members on parade at the 1963 RCAF awards ceremony.

: Royal Canadian Air Force Awards, 1963; A photograph of an unidentified man receiving an award at the 1963 RCAF Awards ceremony.

: Royal Canadian Air Force Awards, 1963; A photograph of an unidentified man receiving an award at the 1963 RCAF Awards ceremony.

: Royal Canadian Air Force Awards, 1963; A photograph of an unidentified man receiving an award at the 1963 RCAF Awards ceremony.

: Royal Canadian Air Force Awards, 1963; A photograph of an unidentified man receiving an award at the 1963 RCAF Awards ceremony.

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Canadian Officers Training Corps fonds

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