14
In 1998, the Village of Tavullia, Italy which was inside the Gothic Line in 1944, dedicated a monument to the Canadian soldiers who came to their country not to conquer it, but to liberate it instead. They erected it below 'Point 204' which was the objective taken and held by the unit during the Gothic Line battle. Invited to attend were veterans of the 1st Canadian Corps. 100 of them went including 25 from the BCD Whizzbangs Association. On 7 September 1998, Mayor Borra spoke stirringly, followed by Col. Kinloch who had fought there, then Art Eggleton, Canada's Minister of Defence, and his Italian counterpart .The regiment also sent LCol Jim Williamson and a delegation to the 'Trooping of the Colours' ceremony for the Royal Dragoon Guards (the 'Skins' after yet another unit amalgamation). Two serving members of the unit represented the BCDs on that parade. Master Corporal (Mcpl) Gayle Morris, was a rare sight because British women do not serve in Armoured units in the British Army.
Resources available to the regiment and the Reserves generally, took a turn for the worse during the 1990s as the Cold War ended with the fall of the Soviet Bloc, and Canada increased its military commitments elsewhere such as the Persian Gulf war then peacekeeping in the former Yugoslavia, amongst others. The closure of CFB Lahr, Germany and the end of Canada's role in Cyprus were more than compensated for by force reductions. The effect on the regiment was the loss of the AVGP Cougar, which was needed for convoy protection and patrol tasks in Bosnia. This meant that weekend tank training exercises could not be performed as before, and there were no further exercises in Yakima. Now the Dragoons had to fly to Wainwright to drive and shoot their main battle vehicle. It also meant that only those soldiers from the regiment serving in Bosnia with the UN and later the NATO missions, got to work with the Cougars.
15
A Cougar in an overnight 'harbour' with crew 'hoochie' set up nearby.2001
Probably Wainwright, AB, Canada
16
Cougars in the field with camouflage treatment.1998
Probably Wainwright, AB, Canada
17
Iltis 4x4 was used for recce training.1998
Somewhere in the Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
18
The Guidon on display during a dedication parade in Kelowna's City Park.1990
Kelowna, BC, Canada
19
'Freedom of the City' is given to the BCDs by the Town of Peachland, in the Central Okanagan.13 April 1996
Peachland, BC, Canada
20
A BCD Cougar is bogged down.1994
Probably Wainwright, AB, Canada
21
Cougars on the firing line for gunnery training.1999
Probably Wainwright, AB, Canada
22
BCD Cougar 'over running' enemy position during exercises.2002
Probably Wainwright, AB, Canada
23
Cougar on the Wainwright range on south eastern Alberta prairie.2002
Probably Wainwright, AB, Canada
24
BCDs practise bridge clearing exercises.2003
Probably Wainwright, AB, Canada
25
Cougars follow the infantry across the cleared bridge.2003
Probably Wainwright, AB, Canada
26
The 'war' is over.2003
Probably Wainwright, AB, Canada
27
With the loss of the Cougars the focus of training has tilted towards the classroom but members still frequent the small arms ranges in south-east Kelowna and the Vernon Army Cadet Camp. In winter, there is regular training in outdoor survival skills and winter warfare.During LCol. Williamson's second tour of duty as CO, the regiment managed to have eight cougars trucked to Fort Lewis, Washington. They added a much needed element of realism to the exercises held by the newly designated 39th Canadian Brigade Group (39CBG) as the old Militia district came to be called.
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