Ivor took a turn for this worse this week. He collapsed at a local shopping center. Drum Major Lanno was on the medical call. Ivor never bounced back. More details will be passed on when available.

Here is Margaret and Ivor meeting our Colonel-in-Chief in November.

This is sad news. My heart goes out to Ivor's Family and his Loving Wife. It is a good thing that Major Lanno was in the right place at the right time.

Ivor spent much time with me after Parade on my Drill and deportment, my Mom was so proud of me to see me Marching up to the front to collect my award for the Most Enthusiastic Cadet in 1969.

He was a good man and to some, a Father who would listen and rebuke when it was needed.

Captain Ivor E. Watkins, CD

Captain Watkins was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on the 23rd of May 1924. His military service started in August 1941 when he joined the R.C.N.V.R. He left Canada in 1942 for Scotland where he trained for 10 months with the Royal Navy and was on the beach in Normandy, France from April 1944 through D Day on June 6th making assaults in preparation for the invasion. He remained in Europe for the balance of World War II. During the War he served on the following ships – H.M.C.S. Fundy, H.M.S. Niobe, H.M.S. Malaya, and H.M.C.S. Swansea. Upon returning to Canada on the Queen Elizabeth, Ivor immediately applied for service in the Pacific theatre.

After the Peace, Ivor joined The Black Watch (RHR) of Canada in September of 1945. Ivor’s career culminated with his appointment as RSM from 1966 to 1968. In 1968 Ivor received his commission to Captain serving with the Cadets from 1968 through 1972. One of Ivor’s favourite roles was that of Santa Claus at the Regimental Christmas Party; a love that he did for 18 years. In 1972 Ivor joined the Museum Committee, and in 1974 he became the Chairman of the Museum Committee, a role that he fulfilled for many years. Ivor also was the President of the Black Watch Association for 8 years. Ivor’s interests, besides the military, were military history, swimming, wood carving, gardening, and painting.

Captain Watkins worked for Canadian Pacific in their Signals Department, and after 39 years of service retired in 1984. Captain Watkins is survived by his wife Margaret of 62 years when he passed away on December 31st at 1545 hours. They have no children.

May he rest in Peace.


The details for the funeral of Captain Ivor Watkins are as follows:

Friday – January 8th:

Visitation from 1400 hours – 1700 hours.
Visitation from 1900 hours – 2100 hours.

Saturday – January 9th:

Church Service at the Funeral Home – 1100 hours.
Interment at the Field of Honour – 1230 hours.
Reception – following the Interment – WO & Sergeants Mess – Bleury Street Armoury.

Funeral Home – Collins-Clark – Cartier Avenue, Pointe-Claire.