The RCASC Gagetown Waggon
The "Waggon project" was the brainchild of CWO Gill Pelletier (MSE Con) of Tn Coy in 1983. He had
recently been posted from Valcartier to Gagetown. He was used to having a waggon on display in Valcartier and when he saw
there was none in Gagetown, he initiated the project.
The waggon was built by Tn Coy members here in K-10. He first acquired the wheels by placing ads
in local papers. The wheels, which needed restoration, were taken to the blacksmith shop at Village Historique Acadien, a
historical village (like King's Landing), in the town of Caraquet, NB. It was believed the waggon wheels were originals dating
back to the years of the early settlers (exact date unknown). After that, he began acquiring parts such as the tarp and axles
and began building the waggon up. It took between 1-2 years to complete the project.
The waggon was under the financial responsibility (for maintenance, parts, etc.) of Sup Coy and was
in fact part of their inventory. (Sir, they didn't have to know this!). However, Tn Coy displayed it at K-10 because of the
waggon's association with transport and it continued to remain there for the next 20 + years.
Mr Pelletier started up the Waggon Club as well, following the creation of the waggon.
All that I can add is that the waggon must have been completed in about 18 months as, on my retirement
from the Military in Dec 1984, I had the great honour of being driven off the parade ground in the very waggon. The transport
section of CFB Moncton had borrowed it from their counterparts in Gagetown. Although not so captioned, this is pictured in
your copy of the "Last Waggon" at the bottom of the page opposite page 493.
J.D. Murray
Patron
