W. Joseph Aitchison Explained

William Joseph Aitchison
Office:	Colonel of the Regiment of the Royal Canadian Regiment
Term Start:	February 25, 2011
Term End:	June 18, 2018
Successor:	Ivan Fenton
Children:	3
Occupation:	Soldier
Nationality:	Canadian
Serviceyears:	1959 - 1996 2011-2015
Rank:	Colonel

Colonel William Joseph (W.J.) "Joe" Aitchison, OMM, CD^[1] (born December 5, 1941) is a retired Canadian military officer, and former Colonel of the Regiment for the Royal Canadian Regiment.^[2] He is also a security consultant and member of the board of directors of several organizations.^{[3] [4]} He received the 2008 J.J. Kelso Award from the Hastings Children's Aid Society for his work with the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies.^{[5] [6]}

Life

Aitchison attended the Royal Military College of Canada and graduated with the class of 1963.Throughout Aitchison's career he held several command appointments, including being the Commanding Officer of 2nd Battalion of The RCR, Commandantof the Canadian Forces School of Infantry and Base Commander of CFB London, ON.

Aitchison has three sons, retired Master Warrant Officer Alan Aitchison, CD,^[7] Major General D. Craig Aitchison, CD,^[8] and Daniel, and five grandchildren, Justin, Colin, Kayla, Callie, and Alicia. Son Craig is a currently serving member of the Canadian Forces, while son Alan and grandson Justin are former serving members. Craig is also an officer in The Royal Canadian Regiment and also commanded the Infantry School (2009–11),^[9] perhaps the first father-son to command the same unit in the Regiment's, if not Army's, history.

Aitchison became the new Colonel of the Royal Canadian Regiment on February 25, 2011. On June 18, 2015, Aitchison handed over this position to his successor, Major-General (Retired) J.I. Fenton, OMM, CD.

He currently resides in Southern Ontario.

Honours and decorations

Aitchison received the following orders and decorations during his military career:^[10]

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Ribbon	Description	Notes
	Order of Military Merit (OMM)	Officer 1 June 1995^[11]
	Order of Saint John	1992 ^[12]
	Special Service Medal	With Peace Bar
		1992
		2012 Canadian Version of this Medal ^[13]
	Canadian Forces' Decoration (CD)	With 3 Clasps

Notes and References

1. Web site: Jubilee winners go above and beyond for all of us. Intelligencer. December 12, 2015.
2. Web site: 20 Questions - The Young Officer. Royal Canadian Regiment. February 13, 2011.
3. News: W.J. (Joe) Aitchison. OMERS Sponsors Corporation. February 13, 2011.
4. Web site: Disclosure of contracts over $10,000. Public Safety Canada. February 13, 2011.
5. Web site: HCAS Board of Directors present Joe Aitchison the J. J. Kelso Award for 2008 at Society's 101st Annual General Meeting June 25 . Hastings Children's Aid Society . June 25, 2008. February 13, 2011.
6. News: Residents lauded for years of giving back Province recognizes 90 local volunteers. McVicar. W. Brice. The Intelligencer. June 24, 2008. February 13, 2011. Belleville, Ontario.
7. Web site: RETIREMENT – MWO ALAN AITCHISON, CD – 00383 SIG OP . Canadian Military Communications and Electronic Network . 14 June 2021 . 9 March 2022.
8. Web site: Promotions and Seniors Appointments 2020 - General and Flag Officers . Government of Canada . 16 March 2020 . 9 March 2022.
9. Web site: The Chair of the RCR Senate . The Royal Canadian Regiment . 9 March 2022.
10. Decorations identified via official Colonel of the Regiment Portrait of the RCR, or from the website of the Governor General of Canada
11. Web site: The Governor General of Canada > Find a Recipient. gg.ca. 11 June 2018 . 15 Aug 2018.
12. Web site: Archived copy . 2018-08-16 . 2018-08-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180816062240/https://www.sja.ca/French/Order-of-St-John/Documents/Roll-of-the-Order-2017-Repetoire-de-lOrdre.pdf . dead .
13. Web site: The Governor General of Canada > Find a Recipient. gg.ca. 11 June 2018 . August 15, 2018.