LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HENRY DESTIMAUVILLE 'DUSTY' ROLLAND, ED (LCol Commanding 2nd Battalion CGG during WW2)

Object/Artifact

Musée Canadian Grenadier Guards Museum

Name/Title

Description

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HENRY DESTIMAUVILLE ROLLAND, ED Horses, Airplanes, Royalty, Leadership Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Destimauville “Dusty” Rolland had a multifaceted career as a military officer. Born in Montreal in 1893, Rolland was a descendent of distinguished families of the French nobility (D'Estimauville and D'Ailleboust), who played important roles in the military and public life of New France. His great-grandfather, lawyer Jean-Roch Rolland, was heralded as Judge of the Court of King's Bench (of Quebec) in the early 19th Century. His military career began in 1912 with the 13th Scottish Light Dragoons. Being broad and tall he was indeed an impressive figure on horseback. In the days following Britain’s declaration of war, the McGill University Contingent of the Canadian Officers’ Training Corps (C.O.T.C.) found itself the center of campus attention, with young McGill men and women volunteering to serve and support the war effort in any capacity. He joined The Canadian Grenadier Guards, shipped overseas in May of 1917 and, after a period at the Officer Training Course at Bexhill in England, was posted to active service in France and Belgium with the 87th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (The Canadian Grenadier Guards). In 1918 he was one of a few officers attached to the Royal Air Force where he qualified as an Observation Officer. He was transferred to the Italian Front and flew in open-cockpit Bristol F.2 Aircraft Also known as the "Brisfit," it was a highly successful British two-seat biplane, renowned for its versatility as both a fighter and reconnaissance aircraft. It was during one of these dangerous missions that an engine failure over mountainous terrain came close to disaster. Catastrophe was evaded at the last moment, but left him with a severely injured shoulder. After returning safely to base he was invalided to France and later to England for recovery. On his return to Canada in 1919, he served in the Active Militia with The Canadian Grenadier Guards, continuing for the next 26 years. One of the highlights of this period of service occurred in August 1927. Major H. D Rolland, by then the Second in Command of the Regiment, performed the duty of Guard of Honour to His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, along with his brother, Prince George (later to be King George VI), during their Royal visit to Canada. In the many photos of the time, we see Major Rolland as an imposing figure in full dress regalia with sword and towering bearskin, well representing the pride and tradition of The Canadian Grenadier Guards. His service with The Guards culminated in his appointment as Lieutenant Colonel Commanding of the 2nd Battalion CGG throughout WW2, during which his leadership was much respected and appreciated, as was the social enthusiasm contributed by his wife, Minnie (known as “The Colonel's Lady”), who led the Women's Auxiliary. He always kept physically fit and active – ** SEE below contributing to a CGG baseball championship in the 1940s **and was known as a champion badminton player at the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association. In his parallel civilian life, his sense of discipline and respectful leadership saw him rise through the ranks of The Bell Telephone Company, from “Office Boy” to a senior executive. Most of his 53-year career with “The Bell” was spent in Montreal working in the “Skyscraper” Beaver Hall Building. He had 2 daughters, one of whom served as a Red Cross nurse in England in WW2, and four grandchildren, all boys. LCol Rolland died in Ottawa, 26 December 1978 at age 85, and was buried beside his beloved Minnie (predeceased) in Toronto. Thank you to Dr. Ian Crain of Ottawa, his Grand-Son, for his donation of original artifacts of HDR to the Regimental Museum He was the Team Captain of the CGG Officers Baseball Team which won 4 consecutive Montreal Military Baseball League (MMBL) Championships during the 1920’s, and was known as a champion badminton player at the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association.

Created By

Major Brian Tracey, MMM, CD4, retired

Create Date

February 16, 2026

Updated By

Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.

Update Date

October 4, 2026