Black Watch friends:
Many of you will recall Bob Wigmore from his days as CQMS B Company, 2RHC in Aldershot.
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BELLEVILLE - They called him Mr. Hasty P.

And though Bob Wigmore had many roles, titles and ranks in his 93 years, that simple nickname suited the man who was often the face of the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment.

Robert Kenneth Wigmore, 93, died early Thursday morning at his Belleville home after a long illness.

He was well-known as a family man, faithful volunteer and loyal soldier who from 2007 to 2010 was the regiment's honorary lieutenant-colonel.

“He loved the regiment and he'd do anything for it,” said his friend, Capt. (Ret.) Larry Shoebridge, a fellow member of the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment Association.
“I don't think 'regimental icon' is a stretch for Bob Wigmore,” added the regiment's commanding officer, Lt.-Col. Shawn McKinstry.
“When he walked into a room, people would naturally gravitate to him,” McKinstry said. Lt.-Col. (Hon.) Wigmore and the regiment's serving soldiers shared a mutual respect and admiration.

“When he spoke, they listened, and so they should have.”
Lt.-Col. (Hon.) Wigmore was born in Lancashire, England. His family emigrated to Canada in 1924, settling just west of Trenton.

Expecting adventure and a good wage, the 17-year-old and his friend, Rusty Forbes, hitchhiked to Picton and enlisted in the regiment in March 1940.
Three years later, Lt.-Col. (Hon.) Wigmore was part of the Canadian invasion of Nazi-occupied Sicily. He was wounded three times in battle – once by a German bayonet, twice by shrapnel – during the Allies' Italian campaign.

Those wounds earned him a ticket home in 1944, but Lt.-Col. (Hon.) Wigmore soon volunteered to fight against Japan; the war ended before he got there.

Lt.-Col. (Ret.) Skip Simpson, a close friend, described Lt.-Col. (Hon.) Wigmore as “a fine soldier.

“He was dignified; he had class; and he was a gentleman of the old school.

“Bob Wigmore's the person that we all aspire to be.”
Lt.-Col. (Hon.) Wigmore changed units and postings several times after the war, returning to the Hasty Ps in 1960 after he left the regular army.

He worked for Trent Valley Paperboard Mills from 1961 until his retirement in 1987. He also donated his time to many causes, including his church, Scouting, minor-league baseball, Shrine Club, and, during a break from the regiment, the Royal Canadian Air Cadet Corps. In his 80s he helped organize a pilgrimage to Italy, the reprinting of the Farley Mowat chronicle The Regiment and, at 88, chaired the Belleville Armouries' centennial committee.

“He was always generous,” said his son, Rob, of Trenton. “If you asked him for something, he'd go give you a hand. It didn't matter who you were.”

McKinstry, a combat veteran of the Balkan conflicts, said Lt.-Col. (Hon.) Wigmore played an “invaluable” role recently as they spoke to troops about post-traumatic stress disorder and shared their combat experiences.

Lt.-Col. (Hon.) Wigmore is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, his son, Rob, step-children Suzanne Cowperthwaite and Randy Whaley and their families, including five great-children, the youngest of whom, Scotland, was born mere hours after his death. Mr. Wigmore was predeceased by his first wife, Eleanor, three sisters and two brothers.

Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9 at Hastings Park Bible Church, 36 Harder Dr., Belleville, from noon to 1:30 p.m. with a service to follow
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With thanks to Ross Bounsall and Bob Clarke for the foregoing.
R. I. P.
NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT