Biography
Captain (Retired) John Michael New, TTC, B ED, Dip ED, GSM, CD
Captain New was born on 21 April 1936. The eldest son of a Civil Engineer he was raised in Saltash, Cornwall, England, attending boarding schools at Norwood in Exeter, and Kelly College, Tavistock, in Devon, UK.
Although exempt from National Service, Captain New joined the Somerset Light Infantry and later enlisting as a regular soldier, in 1955, with the Royal Engineers. He served in the Suez Crisis, 1956, the “Police Action” in Malaya with a Combat Engineer Squadron attached to the Gurkhas, until 1958, and finally the British Army of the Rhine (B.A.O.R.).
While in Malaya, Captain New represented his Corps at Cricket and Rugby and was a member of the regimental shooting team. He was posted to Osnabruck, Germany (B.A.O.R.), where he continued his love of sports, adding Track and Field and Field hockey to his list of Regimental and Corps teams.
Two of Captain New’s sporting highlights were; 1: A trial at Bisley for the Corps of Royal Engineers, at which time he only hit the six foot target three times at 800 yards over open sights (Windage!) 2: Rugby Trials for the B.A.O.R., playing against the English ‘caps’, Dickie Jeeps and Richard Sharp. His service included NCO, i/c lighting and power for HQ BAOR on maneuvers, and lighting and special effects for Tattoos, close circuit TV and film documentaries.
Captain New left the Army in 1964 for St. Luke’s College, Exeter where he took his Teacher Training Certificate at as a Math Major, with distinction in teaching methods. A contract (1966) for guarding tin mines in Bolivia fell through so he applied for a teaching position in Landis, Saskatchewan and it was there with his wife and two children he settled as a French and Music teacher and joined the Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 198.
Captain New was offered a job at Kindersley, SK, in 1968, to teach French, Drama, and German. He was on the Executive of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 57. He then went on the University of Saskatchewan in 1970, enrolling in the College of Special Education. He accepted a position at Clavet in the Saskatoon East Sub Division. While there, he completed his Diploma in Special Education, as a Sectional Lecturer in Behavior Modification Coping Skills.
Captain New held a similar teaching job at Hodgeville SK and then moved, in 1983, to his current home in Midale SK, still keeping up his Legion affiliations.
Cadet Service was compulsory at Kelly College, in Tavistock, Devon. UK. Captain New served as an Army Cadet Corporal in a Combined Cadet Force, consisting of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Cadets, participating in live fire training. After leaving school he joined the Army Cadet Corps in Saltash, Cornwall, England, as an Instructor.
Captain New joined the Kindersley Army Cadet Corps enrolling as a Second-Lieutenant in the Cadet Instructors List. In August 1971 Captain New completed a two week Basic Officer Lieutenant Qualification Course in Vernon, British Columbia and was promoted Lieutenant.
While teaching in Midale, SK Captain New joined 2302 Weyburn Legion Cadet Corps in Weyburn SK serving as Supply Officer and later as the Chief Training Officer.
After completing the Captain’s Qualification Course, at Regional Cadet Instructor’s School (Prairie) at Canadian Forces Base Penhold, in Alberta, Captain New assumed command of 2302 Weyburn Legion Cadet Corps in February 1990 and relinquished command to Captain HJ Whiteoak on 30 June 1993.
Captain New was awarded the first clasp to his Canada Decoration in 1996. He continued to serve the Corps in the position of Administration Officer until his retirement in 1996. He received a 35 year service award from the Royal Canadian Legion.
In his retirement Captain New, drives the handi-van bus for Mainprize Manor Retirement Center and serves on the Executive Boards of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 60 in Estevan SK, SMILE Services and The Souris Valley Antiques Association.
Captain New currently lives in Midale SK, with his wife Carla. He spends his spare time, in the winter months, collecting stamps and relaxes at his Cabin in Mouse River, North Dakota during the summer.