In this gripping episode of The Rum Ration, Colin and Rejoy revisit the Battle of Paardeberg—Canada’s bloody debut on a foreign battlefield. Set during the Second Anglo-Boer War in 1900, the episode explores how a young Canada, eager to prove itself, sent a small volunteer force to South Africa.

What began as patriotic fervour soon turned into a harsh reality check. The hosts recount the disastrous “Bloody Sunday” assault led by the Royal Canadian Regiment, where 18 Canadians were killed and over 60 wounded in a matter of hours.

Through vivid storytelling, including first-hand accounts, the episode captures the confusion, courage, and cost of war. It also examines how Paardeberg—once commemorated across the country—has faded from national memory.

From trench digging under fire to chaplains burying the dead by moonlight, this episode is a powerful reminder of sacrifice and the forging of Canada's military identity. Tune in to rediscover this forgotten cornerstone of Canadian history.

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And as always...Cheers to history! 🥂

In this riveting episode of Rum Ration, Colin and Rejoy take aim at the Ross Rifle—a weapon born from patriotic zeal and political ambition, but ultimately forged into a symbol of failure on the Western Front.

Meant to establish Canada’s self-sufficiency in arms production, the Ross was praised for its accuracy but doomed by its tight tolerances, poor trench reliability, and incompatibility with standard British ammunition.

Through firsthand accounts, including soldiers discarding their Rosses for Lee-Enfields mid-battle, the hosts unpack how political pride and procurement shortcuts cost lives. From its early promise to its humiliating withdrawal in 1916—ordered by General Haig himself—the Ross story highlights the peril of choosing nationalism over practicality.

And yet, in a twist of irony, the same rifle would go on to serve snipers with deadly precision. It’s a tale of innovation, hubris, and hard-learned lessons that still resonate today in defence policy.

📬 Have Questions or Suggestions? Send us a message at [email protected].

Support the Podcast - If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends. And as always...Cheers to history! 🥂

In this episode of The Rum Ration, Rejoy and Colin journey back to the War of 1812 and the pivotal Battle of Queenston Heights. It’s a gripping tale of ambition, missteps, and extraordinary courage. It's also our special birthday present to the US Army, happy 250th birthday!

In 1812, the United States, already annoyed by British naval blockades and the Royal Navy's maddening habit of pressing any American sailor they deemed 'British enough', was hungry to annex Upper Canada. So they launched a poorly coordinated invasion—only to be met with stiff resistance from a smaller but far more determined force of British, Canadian, and Indigenous defenders.

At the heart of this defence is Major General Isaac Brock, whose bold leadership and tragic death become the stuff of legend. From chaotic river crossings and militia no-shows to the heroic stand of Runchey’s Coloured Corps and Six Nations warriors, this battle is packed with drama, blunders, and resolve.

Recounted with wit and reverence, this episode showcases how Queenston Heights helped shape a Canadian identity and stopped an early American land grab cold.

Available now at rumration.ca or wherever you get your podcasts (Apple, Amazon, Pocket Casts, Spotify, and YouTube).

📬 Have Questions or Suggestions? Send us a message at [email protected].

Support the Podcast - If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends. And as always...

Cheers to history! 🥂

In this gripping episode of The Rum Ration, Colin and Rejoy take listeners to the Pacific Theatre of World War II, focusing on the harrowing Battle of Hong Kong in December 1941. It was the first major land combat for Canadian troops in the Second World War—and a brutal introduction. Tasked with defending the British Crown Colony, nearly 2,000 Canadians, including the Royal Rifles of Canada and the Winnipeg Grenadiers, faced overwhelming Japanese forces in a battle marked by fierce resistance, devastating losses, and remarkable acts of courage.

Listeners will hear the tragic yet inspiring stories of Brigadier J.K. Lawson, who died “going outside to fight it out,” and Company Sergeant Major John Osborn, who sacrificed himself by throwing his body on a grenade—earning a posthumous Victoria Cross. The episode also honours the lesser-known heroes: two Canadian nurses, a loyal Newfoundland dog named Gander, and the many POWs who endured years of abuse, starvation, and forced labour.

More than 550 Canadians lost their lives, with many more forever scarred by the battle and its aftermath. Tune in to explore this sobering chapter of Canadian military history—and why it still matters today.

Available now at rumration.ca or wherever you get your podcasts (Apple, Amazon, Pocket Casts, Spotify, and YouTube).

📬 Have Questions or Suggestions? Send us a message at [email protected].

Support the Podcast - If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends. And as always...

Cheers to history! 🥂

In this gripping episode of Rum Ration, Rejoy and Colin take us deep into the Second Battle of Ypres—Canada’s brutal baptism by fire in the First World War. Focusing on The Royal Montreal Regiment (14th Battalion), they recount the horrors of April 1915, where untested Canadian troops held their ground against Germany’s first mass use of poison gas.

The episode honours Captain Richard Steacie, the first RMR officer killed in action, whose remains were only recently identified. It also honours the quiet courage of unnamed stretcher-bearers and buglers, while telling the story of Captain Francis Scrimger, the RMR's medical officer who earned the Victoria Cross for heroic actions under fire at Shelltrap Farm.

Listeners also hear of Westmount High School's Fred Fisher, a member of the Black Watch (13th Battalion), he was the first Canadian soldier awarded the VC in WWI at the age of 19-years old. With storytelling steeped in personal sacrifice, chaos, and camaraderie, this episode reveals how the RMR helped stop a German breakthrough and cemented the reputation of the Canadians on the Western Front.

Available now at rumration.ca or wherever you get your podcasts (Apple, Amazon, Pocket Casts, Spotify, and YouTube).

📬 Have Questions or Suggestions? Send us a message at [email protected].

Support the Podcast - If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends. And as always...

Cheers to history! 🥂

In this gripping episode of The Rum Ration, hosts Colin and Rejoy delve into one of the most terrifying chapters of modern warfare: gas. Kicking off with a powerful reading of Wilfred Owen’s haunting WWI poem Dulce Et Decorum Est by acclaimed poet Ayesha Chatterjee, the episode explores how chemical weapons evolved from ancient toxins used by the Greeks and the Romans to the industrial-scale horror of chlorine, phosgene, and mustard gas during the First World War.

Listeners will learn how Canadian troops—including the hosts beloved The Royal Montreal Regiment—endured these inhumane weapons with minimal protection, often resorting to urine-soaked cloths before proper gas masks were developed. Through vivid storytelling and first-hand accounts, the episode reveals the devastating psychological and physical toll gas had on soldiers and how the horrors of 1915 Ypres marked a turning point in global attitudes toward chemical warfare.

Tune in for history, humanity, and the occasional fictional ad for a fantasy sponsor.

Available now at rumration.ca or wherever you get your podcasts (Apple, Amazon, Pocket Casts, Spotify, and YouTube).

📬 Have Questions or Suggestions? Send us a message at [email protected].

Support the Podcast - If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends. And as always...

Cheers to history! 🥂

In Episode 11 of The Rum Ration, we dive into the Canadians’ baptism by fire at the Second Battle of Ypres. This is Part 1 of a special three-part series unpacking one of the most terrifying chapters of the First World War. Rejoy and Colin explore how a quiet stretch of Belgian countryside became a living hell in April 1915.

The episode sets the scene: muddy trenches, exposed flanks, and the high-stakes importance of the Ypres Salient. With vivid storytelling, they chart the arrival of the fresh-faced First Canadian Division and explain why the Germans chose this place to unleash a horrifying new weapon — chlorine gas.

From the broader strategic picture to the haunting last days before the green cloud rolled in, this episode is both sobering and gripping. It's the beginning of a story about courage, chaos, and Canada’s emergence on the world stage.

April 9th, 1917 — the day Canada’s identity was forged in blood atop Vimy Ridge. In this episode of The Rum Ration, Rejoy and Colin revisit the harrowing story of The Royal Montreal Regiment’s role in one of the Great War’s most iconic battles, an incredible feat of Canadian arms. From the brutal snowstorm at Zero Hour to the heartbreak of the West brothers’ shared grave, the episode brings Vimy’s human cost into sharp focus. The hosts speak with Caitlin Bailey, Executive Director of the Vimy Foundation, about the legacy and mythology surrounding the ridge — and how remembrance efforts are evolving. They explore Sergeant Lambourne’s uniquely arranged Nine Elms cemetery, the politics behind calling Vimy a “nation-making moment,” and why the story still matters today. If you think you know Vimy, think again. Listen, reflect, and raise a glass. Cheers to history.

Available now at rumration.ca or wherever you get your podcasts.

The second part of a two-part series about Canadians going into the trenches for the first time in the First World War, in this gripping episode of The Rum Ration Podcast, Rejoy and Colin guide listeners through the Royal Montreal Regiment’s harrowing first experiences in the trenches of 1915.

Drawing on letters, regimental histories, and first-hand accounts, they paint a vivid picture of trench life—from the mud, rats, and disease to the psychological toll of constant danger. The episode also explores moments of resilience: the camaraderie forged under fire, improvised luxuries like a hot bath, and the dark humour soldiers used to cope.

The hosts share the story of the RMR’s first casualties, including the American volunteer Private Hopey, and bring to life the brutal realities of trench warfare. From sniper fire to knee-deep mud and makeshift shelters built from the dead, this episode is a sobering reminder of what these young Canadians endured. A must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the human cost of WWI.

Available now at rumration.ca or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this first installment of Into the Trenches, the Rum Ration Podcast delves into the experience of the Canadian Expeditionary Force’s progression into the front lines of the Western Front. Using The Royal Montreal Regiment as an example of a typical 1st Division unit, this episode recounts their journey from training in the UK to their arrival at the Western Front in early 1915. Hosts Rejoy and Colin explore the harsh training conditions on Salisbury Plain, the dangerous crossing of the English Channel, grueling marches, and the challenges of early trench warfare preparation.

The episode highlights the hardships of mobilization, from cramped troop trains to the rough sea crossing, including the tragic loss of Gunner William John Ball. Upon arriving in France, the RMR adapted to their new reality, enduring freezing temperatures, ill-smelling goatskin coats, and exhausting marches on France’s infamous pavé roads - along with joyous welcomes from grateful French citizens who were thrilled that so many RMR’s spoke French!

But as the men marched closer to the front, the distant rumble of artillery signaled the true test ahead. Listen now to uncover the resilience, camaraderie, and sacrifices of the Canadians on their path to war.

If you’re looking for more in-depth information, here are links to some excellent resources that will provide additional insight and perspective:

https://royalmontrealregiment.com/category/this-day-in-rmr-history/

https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/organization/fieldforces/1stdivision.htm

https://jemesouviens.org/en/indigenous-soldiers-of-the-great-war-1914-1918/