On their wedding day. Photo: Bill Blaine, courtesy of Jim & Gwen Forsyth.
12 May 2021
It was on 12 May 1961, that my parents Jim and Gwen Forsyth were married in Hamilton, Ontario. Not many couples reach such a milestone.
James (Jim) Forsyth was born in Hamilton, on 1 June 1938, to Maurice and Lillian Forsyth. Jim worked as a Chartered Accountant with the Ontario Ministry of Revenue for 33 long years, but his true passion was the army. He served in the Canadian Militia (now known as the army reserve) for just over 50 years.
Jim joined 133 Company, Royal Canadian Army Service Corps, in March 1957, after serving with their affiliated cadet corps at Central High School in Hamilton. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1959, he rose through the ranks, serving as the last Officer Commanding of 133 Company; as the Commanding Officer of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (1972-1974); as the Commanding Officer of 23 (Hamilton) Service Battalion (1979-1982); as the Commander of the Hamilton Militia District (1983-1987); and then as a Senior Staff Officer for the Militia at National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ) in Ottawa, where he completed his Militia service in 1992, after 35 years, retiring with the rank of Colonel.
Jim was then appointed the Honourary Lieutenant-Colonel for the RHLI and in 1993, the Honorary Colonel, until 2007.
After his retirement from the Ontario government, Jim took senior volunteer positions with organizations such as the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires, St. John Ambulance and Reserves 2000, a reserve forces lobby group.
Gwen Forsyth (née McGrath) was born on 13 April 1937, on a farm near Winthorst, Saskatchewan, to William and Mildred McGrath. The family would relocated to the Hamilton area in 1939, where Gwen attended school.
Gwen worked with Hamilton Public Library and then McMaster University Library, before taking time off to raise their two boys, David and Bruce. Returning to work in 1977, Gwen worked for Burlington Public Library until retiring in 2002.
Gwen also served in the Royal Canadian Air Force Auxiliary in 1956. Combined with son Bruce’s service in the Royal Canadian Navy Reserve, the family has all three service branches covered.
Jim and Gwen are both enjoying their retirement years, which includes spending time with their children, daughter-in-law Shannon, and grandchildren, Thomas, Maggie and Anastasia.
Happy Anniversary Jim & Gwen!
Major James Forsyth, at Camp Petawawa in 1968. Photo: Courtesy of Colonel (Ret’d) James Forsyth, CStJ, CD, CA.
Aircraftwoman Gwen McGrath, RCAF Auxiliary, at RCAF Staiton Mount Hope in 1956. Photo: Courtesy of Gwen Forsyth.
