Major Erik R.C. Simundson, OMM, CD, was born in 1945 and was a member of the Jarvis Collegiate  Cadet Corps #2216. In 1963-64 he was appointed the Cadet Commanding Officer with the rank of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel.

He joined The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada as a rifleman at the age of 16, rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer, and served as the Regimental Sergeant Major from 1977 to 1980.

After his term as RSM was completed he was commissioned as a captain, eventually being promoted to major and appointed as the regiment’s Deputy Commanding Officer.

He was awarded the Order of Military Merit on 29 September 2000, and was also awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal in 2002.

During his military career Major Simundson took a continuing keen interest in the activities of the pioneers and skirmishers and did much to encourage extraordinarily high levels of deportment and drill competency which attracted much attention when they paraded with the regiment.

Erik was also known for his series of watercolours featuring the uniforms of riflemen over the history of the regiment. See them here.

Erik died 25 February 2018.