By Staff
September 8th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Flags were at half staff throughout the world when news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II was announced today
He is one of the few people in Burlington who met her, had a conversation with her and remembers her fondly.
Ron Foxcroft was at the time the Honorary Colonel-in-Chief of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, When Nathan Cirillo was killed while on duty at the Cenotaph in Ottawa it fell to Ron to preside at the parade held in Hamilton to commentate and honour the young man.
As a result of that event, Foxcroft was presented to Queen Elizabeth II, usually for formal stiff occasion. Ron’s time with the Queen not was stiff or formal.
At one point the Queen, who was the Colonel of the Regiment, made mention of what the Canadian Geese were doing to her garden and pulled back the drapes in the room and pointed to the garden which was the size of a couple of football fields.
There was a small John Deere mower on the property and the Queen told Foxcroft that she used to to shoo away the geese.
Queen Elizabeth II, in her capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, receives Colonel Ronald Foxcroft (Honorary Colonel) at Buckingham Palace in London.
That’s when Foxcroft did what no one is ever permitted to do: h e reached into his pocket and pulled out a Fox40 whistle and told the Queen one blow on the whistle and the geese would be gone.
This afternoon, during a short conversation with Foxcroft who was in Calgary, he commented on the woman he had met who had passed away earlier in the day.
“She was one of the most remarkable women this world has seen, She loved Canada, she loved the military – she was probably the greatest monarch the world has experienced in some time.
“She will be missed – I will miss her.”
Her Majesty has been a wonderful and enduring symbol of loyalty, dedication, commitment and service to Great Britain, the Commonwealth, and throughout the world. She leaves an amazing legacy. For many of us who have grown up in the post WW II era she is the only monarch we have ever known. Watching the events on television I’m surprised at how emotional and upset I am in coming to grips with her passing.
While no one will likely equal her stellar reputation I suspect, and predict, that our new King will acquit himself admirably in his new role, and surprise many with how well he will serve.
I remember the day I first said God save the Queen when she became Queen, February 1952, I was six. She has been an amazing mentor in terms of serving. I will miss her and feel a deep sadness that our Queen is no longer with us. The only place in Burlington that speaks to me of Her Majesty is the fountain in Veteran Square and I was so upset that it was being allowed to rot even long after it was brought to the attention of the Heritage Advisory Committee. Thank goodness for Alan Harrington who stepped in and had it attended to.. She was the last reigning monarch who served in World War II joining up at 18. She would want us to be pleased she is reunited with Prince Phillip who she missed so much and that we show our respect to her son and heir with the words God Save the King, Dave also feels the loss tremendously, she will be missed.