Name/Title
1958 - Original Newspaper article and Photo of LCol G.R. Whiston, OBE announcing the retirement of 5 CGG members including LCol Ivan Patrick Phelan, MC and CSM Matthew Penman, EMScope and Content
For Museum records only - Part of the Lieutenant Michael A. Hayes-Rivet (MHR) Trust Collection
*** ARTIFACT ON LOAN TO CGG MUSEUM ***
This clipping is attributed to the collection of artifacts from the Sgt. (Late CSM) Matthew Penman, EM.
1958 - Original Newspaper article and Photo of LCol G.R. Whiston, OBE announcing the retirement of 5 CGG members including LCol Ivan Patrick Phelan, MC and CSM Matthew Penman, EM
SUMMARY
This newspaper article, dated 1958, announces the retirement of five members of the Canadian Grenadier Guards after a combined 149 years of service. The article recognizes their long military careers while highlighting the retirement of the regiment's commanding officer and one of its most distinguished senior non-commissioned officers, Sergeant Major Matthew Penman.
Summary
Leadership Transition - The article reports that Lieutenant-Colonel Ivan P. Phelan, MC, retired after serving as Commanding Officer of the Canadian Grenadier Guards since 1954. Command of the regiment was transferred to Lieutenant-Colonel George R. Whiston, MBE, whose photograph accompanies the article.
Lt.-Col. Whiston's military career included:
Enlisting in the Canadian Grenadier Guards in 1936.
Five years of wartime service during the Second World War.
Overseas duty with the headquarters of the 4th and 5th Canadian Armoured Divisions.
Returning to the militia following his retirement from the Regular Army in 1945.
The article also notes that during Lt.-Col. Phelan's command:
The ceremonial Trooping of the Colour was revived in 1955 for the first time since before the Second World War.
Phelan had served with the regiment during the Northwest Europe Campaign, where he was awarded the Military Cross (MC).
Recognition of Sergeant Major Matthew Penman
A significant portion of the article is devoted to Sergeant Major Matthew Penman, recognizing his remarkable 43 years of continuous service with the Canadian Grenadier Guards.
According to the article:
Penman joined the regiment in 1914.
He served five years overseas in France and Belgium during the First World War, including the immediate post-war occupation period.
He returned to peacetime service in 1920.
He served continuously with the regiment until his retirement in 1958.
At the time of retirement, he was responsible for the regiment's service records, reflecting his important administrative role after many years as one of its senior warrant officers.
This confirms that Penman's military career extended from the beginning of the First World War through the post-war militia era, spanning over four decades.
Other Retirements
The article also recognizes several other long-serving members of the regiment:
Staff Sergeant Alfred Powell – 36 years of service.
Staff Sergeant William Collum – 34 years of service.
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant (RQMS) Leslie Wells, MM – 21 years of service.
Guardsman Joseph Bartolo – 15 years of service.
Together, these five retirements represented 149 years of combined service to the Canadian Grenadier Guards.
Historical Significance
For Matthew Penman's biography, this article is especially valuable because it documents the culmination of an extraordinary military career:
1914 – Joined the Canadian Grenadier Guards.
1914–1919 – Served overseas in France and Belgium during the First World War.
1920–1958 – Continued uninterrupted service with the regiment in peacetime.
Became one of the regiment's senior warrant officers and custodian of its service records.
Retired after 43 years of service, making him one of the longest-serving members of the Canadian Grenadier Guards of his generation.
When viewed alongside earlier newspaper articles documenting his 1934 Banker's Trophy victory, 1935 King's Prize success at Bisley, and 1944 Quebec Provincial Rifle Championship, this retirement notice illustrates the breadth of Penman's contribution. He was not only one of Canada's leading competitive rifle marksmen but also a dedicated soldier whose association with the Canadian Grenadier Guards lasted more than four decades.
ABOUT THE CGG SOLDIER
CSM Mathew Penman, born in Dunston, England, immigrated to Canada in 1913 and joined the 1st Regiment Canadian Grenadier Guards (CGG). During World War I, he was among the 387 CGG members who volunteered to serve in the 14th Battalion (Royal Montréal Regiment) of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). Rising to the rank of Corporal, he was wounded in 1916 and later transferred to Canadian Division Headquarters, where he served as an Armourer-Sergeant, specializing in the repair of CEF bicycles. Upon his return to Canada in 1919, Penman was awarded the CEF Class A War Badge #399036 and rejoined CGG. He went on to become a highly successful competitive shooter from 1923-1963, earning the title of Québec Rifle Association Champion for eight consecutive years, from 1930 to 1938. Additionally, he won the prestigious CGG Pepler Challenge Cup twice. CSM Penman retired from active military service in 1958 as a Company Sergeant Major (CSM) but remained deeply involved with the CGG Veterans Association. Tragically, Mathew Penman passed away in 1974 while playing billiards in the CGG Sergeants Mess. His legacy as a dedicated soldier, skilled marksman, and committed veteran lives on in CGGs SGT’s Mess to this day.Created By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Create Date
June 30, 2026Updated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Update Date
July 1, 2026