Francine Harvey's Art

Sgt. Prescott Shipway

Age: 36

The unit: 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry

Date of incident: September 7, 2008

Incident description: improvised explosive device

Sgt. Scott Shipway died after his armoured vehicle struck an improvised explosive device during a security patrol around 12:30 p.m. local time.

Shipway, originally from Saskatchewan, was with the 2nd Battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Man. He was on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan and was just days away from returning home.

Scott will be remembered by his friends as a dedicated father and Saskatchewan Roughriders fan, as well as a strong platoon leader who served in Bosnia, Kosovo and Cyprus.

“The troops in his platoon loved him and referred to him as Papa Shipway. He was very loyal to his friends and his motto was ‘Never let a comrade down.

Shipway – known to many simply as “Ship” – is survived by DeeDee, their six-year-old son Hayden and three-year-old daughter Rowan, all of Esterhazy. He also leaves his parents Charles and Susan Shipway of Churchbridge, Sask., and sister Samantha Beausoleil, who also serves in the military in Comox, B.C.

Born in the United Kingdom, Shipway came to Canada with his parents and sister in 1974 when he was two. He lived in Regina for 12 years, followed by five years in Saskatoon. After graduating from high school, he joined the Canadian Forces in January 1991. Shipway was a member of the Airborne regiment until it was disbanded in 1995, when he transferred to the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI).

He was recognized for his actions in an IED incident in June 2006 when he helped save a fellow soldier. Shipway was commanding a light armoured vehicle when another vehicle in the convoy struck an explosive device, injuring the crew.

Despite the threat of further explosions, Shipway secured the area and began treating casualties, one of whom had lost both his legs.

Shipway, assisted by other soldiers, successfully stopped the bleeding with the help of a surgeon relaying instructions via radio.

Four months later, Shipway was honoured with a Mention in Dispatches, which states: “Sgt. Shipway’s selfless actions in the face of the enemy saved a life and brought credit to the Canadian Forces.”

After his first tour of duty in Afghanistan ended that year, Shipway, firm in his belief that the efforts of Canadians were improving the lives of Afghan people, volunteered to return.

(Taken from Canada.com)

Cpl. Yannick Scherrer

Age: 24

Unit: 1st Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment

Date of incident: March 27, 2011

Incident description: improvised explosive device

Cpl. Yannick Scherrer was on a foot patrol
when he was killed by an IED blast near Nakhonay, southwest of Kandahar city.

The 24-year-old native of Montreal was on a security patrol with the Afghan National Army at the time of his death. The member of the 1st Battalion of the Royal 22nd Regiment was on his first tour in the country.

Repatriation of Cpl. Yannick Scherrer

Trooper Marc Diab

From:  Mississauga, Ont.

Age:  22

Incident:  Roadside bomb improvised explosive device.

Unit: Royal Canadian Dragoons

Date of Incident:  March 8, 2009

One Canadian soldier died and four were wounded when a roadside bomb exploded  near their armoured vehicle on patrol northeast of Kandahar city.

The soldiers were conducting security operations in the mountainous region of Sha Wali Kot district — a known entry point for Taliban fighters — when the explosion occurred.

Trooper Marc Diab, 22, from the Royal Canadian Dragoons was killed in the attack. He was serving as a member of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group based in Petawawa, Ont., the military said.

“On behalf of all members of Task Force Kandahar, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Trooper Diab,” said Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, commander of Canadian troops in Kandahar. “We will stand with you in your grief, and we will help you through the difficult days ahead.”

In a release, Prime Minister Stephen Harper extended his condolences to Diab’s family and friends and hoped for a speedy recovery for the wounded soldiers.

“Trooper Marc Diab paid the ultimate price serving his country,” Harper said. “His life and death serves as an example of the bravery and outstanding dedication of Canadian Forces members on this mission.”

On Sunday, Vance described Diab as an energetic, enthusiastic and dedicated soldier who loved to joke around and make people laugh. He was extremely close to his mother Jihan and girlfriend Mary, whom he was coming home to marry,  he said.

“He never stopped giving,” Vance said. “He brought joy and laughter to his friends and was deeply involved and committed to his church and youth group activities so much so that a rosary was found inside the helmet he wore that was recovered after the roadside blast that took his life.

He was an avid soccer player who loved sports and outdoor activities and often spoke about how much he enjoyed taking his jeep and going cross-country driving, he said.

“His friends and comrades describe him as having a large heart for such a small guy,” Vance said. “He would give you the world if he had it.”   (taken from CBC news)

Sgt. Craig Gillam

Age:   40

Unit: Royal Canadian Dragoons

Date of Incident:  October 3, 2006

Incident:  Insurgent AttackSgt.

Gillam was  involved in a road construction project 20 kilometres west of Kandahar at about 4:50 p.m. when he and his companion came under attack from a handful of insurgents armed with rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles… more

Sgt. Gillam’s quick action in the seconds before he was killed is being credited for saving the lives of most of his platoon. According to his unit commander, he was the only soldier who had opportunity to shoot back when insurgents tried to sneak up on the observation post to set up an ambush. Seconds later, the insurgents attacked two other posts. Because of Sgt. Gillam’s heroism, the insurgents were forced to retreat.

The funeral of Sgt. Craig Gillam

SOUTH BRANCH, N.L. — More than 300 people attended a funeral Saturday for Sgt. Craig Gillam, a Newfoundlander who was killed in Afghanistan.Gillam, 40, died Oct. 3 in a series of mortar and rocket attacks just west of Kandahar City.His funeral was held at a church in South Branch, a small community in southwestern Newfoundland and Labrador near Port aux Basques. An interment ceremony followed at a nearby cemetery.”Craig was a loving father and husband, a dedicated soldier and a proud Newfoundlander,” Gillam’s wife Maureen said in a statement.”He cared deeply for his men and for all those he served with. His dedication and bravery were evident throughout his life, including his final moments.”Gillam leaves behind two teenage children.”Craig’s love for his family expressed itself in many ways,” said Maureen Gillam.”Whether coaching our son in hockey or taking taekwondo lessons with our daughter, he was always there for our children.”