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Soldiers

New Commanding Officer Takes the Helm of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A former regular forces soldier and Peel Regional Police officer, Lt.-Col. Peter St. Denis, has been appointed as the new commanding officer of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Having served in various roles, including as commanding officer of the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada in Toronto, St. Denis brings extensive experience to the position. He replaces Lt.-Col. Lawrence Hatfield, who served for three years and gained national media attention following the shooting of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lt.-Col. Peter St. Denis, 51, has been appointed as the new commanding officer of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, replacing Lt.-Col. Lawrence Hatfield, 43.
  • St. Denis has a background in the regular military, having joined in 1985, and has served in Cyprus and Germany. He also worked as a police officer with the Peel Regional Police.
  • Prior to joining The Argylls, St. Denis was commanding officer of the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada in Toronto and had experience with the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada in Cambridge and Kitchener.
  • Lt.-Col. Hatfield served for three years and gained national attention following the shooting of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo in Ottawa. He was part of the unit that led through the grieving period and organized the largest funeral in the city's history.
  • Both St. Denis and Hatfield have served in Afghanistan and became friends after meeting at a training course 10 years ago.
  • Hatfield has moved on to military planning work at divisional headquarters in Toronto, while St. Denis will lead The Argylls, describing it as "a dream" role.

Statistics:

  • The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders have a new commanding officer, Lt.-Col. Peter St. Denis.
  • Lt.-Col. Lawrence Hatfield served for three years as commanding officer.
  • Lt.-Col. St. Denis has 26 years of experience as a reservist, 17 of which were with The Argylls.

Sources:

  • The Hamilton Spectator, article by Mark McNeil, May (no date provided)

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