The Milton Gregg Story Film Project Sponsorship Package

The Milton Gregg Story Documentary Film Premiering August 2023 Brigadier Milton Fowler Gregg, VC, PC, OC, CBE, MC, ED, CD (10 Apr 1892 – 13 Mar 1978) Milton Gregg was born in a small farming community in eastern New Brunswick. A school teacher and university student before the First World War, he left his studies to go overseas as a soldier to serve as a stretcher-bearer. Wounded in battle, after recovery he returned to the field as a Lieutenant in The Royal Canadian Regiment (The RCR). Proving himself an outstanding combat leader and wounded two more times, he was awarded the Military Cross for bravery twice and the Commonwealth's highest award, the Victoria Cross. Returning to civilian life after the war, Gregg remained connected to the Canadian Militia, and went back overseas with The RCR in 1939. After the Second World War, which he finished in Canada as a Colonel training new officers, he was elected to Parliament, after which he served Canada in diplomatic roles. Dedicated to the service of Canada throughout his life, Milton Gregg was a true Canadian hero.

Ryan N. Caldwell – Lead Actor Ryan is extremely honoured to play in the role of Lieutenant Milton Gregg during the reenactment portions of the film. As a young actor, former Royal Canadian Army Cadet, and member of the Canadian Great War Society since 2017, Ryan has performed extensive research on the role of Junior officers in the Great War. Ryan has personally collected the correct uniform and equipment to honour Junior Officers. The Film \"The Story of Milton Gregg\" is intended to be a documentary film to remember and honour a Canadian Hero, Milton Fowler Gregg, Victoria Cross recipient and member of Parliament. The film will look upon his early days as a boy in New Brunswick, his service with the Black Watch of Canada, and his becoming an officer of The Royal Canadian Regiment. The focus of the documentary will primarily be on the action of September 28th - 30th, 1918, during the historically critical Battle of Canal Du Nord. The film will premiere in August 2023 in London, Ontario.

Donor / Sponsor Levels Home Front Sergeant Major $5,000+ Give what you can - every donation is important and very much appreciated. All Name in film credits gifts of $100 of more will be recognized in Logo in website donor listing film credits. Signed film poster Thank you in social media, with your logo Lance Corporal Other as is reasonable to suit your needs $1,000+ Executive Producer Name in film credits Name in website donor listing $35,000+ Thank you on social media Other as is reasonable to suit your needs Logo in lead position as an Executive Producer in the film credits Officers Club Premium visible branding on the film’s $15,000+ website Signed film poster Logo as a lead sponsor in film credits Branded merchandise and brochures in film Branding on the film’s website gift bags at select screenings or the Signed film poster premiere Branded merchandise and brochures in Inclusion in press release materials film gift bags at select screenings or the Opportunity to have a private conversation premiere (or meet and greet) with one of the Film Inclusion in press release materials Historians Thank you in social media, with your logo Special thank you in social media, with your Other as is reasonable to suit your needs logo Other as is reasonable to suit your needs Thank you in advance for your support!

The Battle of Canal du Nord written by Michael M. O'Leary, Capt (ret'd), The RCR, Regimental Archivist (a.k.a. The Regimental Rogue) With the Allied armies pushing back the retreating German armies in the final months of the First World War, the Canadian Expeditionary Force advanced rapidly during the Hundred Days campaign. At the end of September, 1918, Canadians would fight the Battle of the Canal du Nord. This would be one of the battles of the Hindenburg Line as the Canadians attacked toward the town of Cambrai. The line of the Canal du Nord in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France was an incomplete section of a canal intended to connect the Oise River and the Dunkirk–Scheldt Canal. The section in front of the Canadians, east of Inchy-en-Artois, would be permanently engraved in the story of the Canadian Expeditionary Force on the first of four days of battle from 27 September to 1 October, 1918. The terrain of the canal had provided the Germans an opportunity to create a defensive position that would take determined effort to break through and open the way to the capture of Cambrai. With this battle, Germany’s last major defensive lines were on the verge of being broken. On 27 September, General Currie launched the Canadian 1st and 4th Divisions, on a narrow front limited by a large swampy area to the north, across the Canal du Nord and onward to capture three objective lines, “Green,” “Red,” and “Blue.” This first stage of the battle would capture the town of Bourlon and Bourlon Wood. The Blue line, about 6000 yards past the Canal, extended northward from the east side of Bourlon Wood. Advancing behind rolling barrages of artillery, capturing enemy soldiers, machine guns and artillery as they went, the Canadians were experiencing a very different form of warfare than they had during years of stalemate in relatively static trench lines. At this point the Canadian assault was half-way to Cambrai.  From the Blue line, the 2nd and 3rd Canadian Divisions continued the assault on 28 September. The first objective to their front was the Marcoing Line, a prepared line of defences with heavy wire obstacles blocking the attackers’ approach. The 3rd Canadian Division was attacking from the area of Bourlon Wood towards the northwest outskirts of Cambrai. Within the division, the 9th Canadian Brigade advanced beside the Cambrai- Bapaume Road and the 7th Brigade was beside them to their north. The attack of the 7th Brigade, across relatively featureless terrain for the first 2500 yards, was led by The Royal Canadian Regiment. The 7th Brigade’s other units would carry the assault forward after The RCR had opened the way through the Marcoing Line. Over four days of fighting from the Canal du Nord to the capture of Cambrai and the towns to the north, the Canadians alternated divisions, brigades, and battalions in the attack. Most units entered that fight on two separate assaults, taking ground and capturing enemy soldiers and weapons, before handing over the lead to fresher troops until they had given all they could. With this fight behind them, their final actions in the last weeks of the war would come soon enough after rest and reinforcement.

Milton Fowler Gregg written by Michael M. O'Leary, Capt (ret'd), the RCR, Regimental Archivist (a.k.a. the Regimental Rogue) From the Farm to the Fields of Battle...   Farmer’s son, scholar, and teacher, Milton Gregg was one of the younger siblings in a family with nine offspring. As for the younger sons of so many families of his time, he needed to be ready to make his own way in the world. Demonstrating a capacity for focus and accomplishment, he was noted for academics and athletics in his teens. By the time he was 20, Gregg was a public school teacher and had completed a certificate at the Royal School of Infantry, qualifying him to be a Cadet Instructor.   In late 1914, Gregg volunteered for service in the First World War. By April, 1915, he landed in France as stretcher-bearer with the 13th Canadian Infantry Battalion. This initial service in the theatre of war would last only six weeks. Wounded on the 21st of May, 1915, Gregg was evacuated to England. After recovering from his wound, he was sent on officer training and two years later returned to France.    An Officer of the Royal Canadians...    Lieutenant Milton Gregg returned to France as an officer of The Royal Canadian Regiment in April, 1917. After less than two months with The RCR, Milton Gregg was in action and, on June 8, 1917, led a grenade attack on German machine-gunners. For this act, he was awarded the Military Cross for his conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty and, while wounded himself, for carrying another wounded officer from the field. Returned to the Regiment in November, 1917, Gregg was decorated again for actions on August 26, 1918. Also for leading a bombing party against machine-guns, he received a second award of the Military Cross, adding a “bar” to his ribbon for that medal. Twice wounded, twice decorated. Gregg’s story does not end here.  On the 28th of September, 1918, once more in the face of stiff enemy resistance, Gregg influenced the flow of the battle on the Regiment’s front. Ensuring the supply of grenades, leading from the front with determination, and personally capturing enemy soldiers and machine-guns, he earned his third valour award, the Empire’s highest honour – the Victoria Cross. He also received his third wound.    A Lifetime of Service...    As a recipient of the Victoria Cross, Milton Gregg would have been hailed a hero if he had decided to return home and settle into a quiet life of farming. But that was not how the story of his life went. After the War, Gregg returned to his studies and graduated from Acadia University in 1921. He also continued his military service with the Canadian Militia. Appointed Sergeant-at-Arms of the Canadian House of Commons in 1934, he took a break from serving Parliament to go overseas in 1939. Gregg embarked on his Second World War service again with The Royal Canadian Regiment. After a transfer to command the West Nova Scotia Regiment, he was promoted to Colonel and returned to Canada in 1942 to command a school for training new officers.    A veteran of both World Wars, Gregg returned to public service in 1947 when he was elected to Parliament. Over the the following decade he would serve his riding of York-Sunbury, and hold the Ministerial appointments of Veterans Affairs and Labour and Minister of Fisheries. Gregg’s regimental service continued in an honorary appointment from 1952 to 1957 and he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1967. Milton Fowler Gregg died in 1978. A Canadian hero.   

Special Thanks Andrew Robertshaw - Film Historian and Subject Matter Expert Andy was the lead historical consultant for Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of  War Horse and historical advisor on the 2017 film  Wonder Woman starring Gal Gadot and Chris Pine. More recently, he worked on Sam Mendes’ Great War film, 1917. Andy is a regular consultant and on-screen expert for a host of TV and radio shows, including Time Team, The Trench Detectives and Who Do You Think You Are? Andy serves as Honorary Lecturer at University College London and regularly acts as a consultant for the British Army on historical matters. He has also served as a Forensic Trauma specialist for the Norwegian Army. He regularly lectures in North America and Canada. He has also worked for the Advisory Board of the National Museum of the Royal Navy. Norm Christie -Film Historian and Subject Matter Expert Norm is an author and historian, and leading battlefield guide. He has written twenty-four books on the roles played by Canadians in the First and Second World Wars. Norm has hosted and written many historical documentaries, including  For King and Empire,  For King and Country, In Korea, and The Great War Tour. Norm originally trained and worked as a metallurgical engineer.    From 1990 to 1993, he was the Chief Records Officer of the CWGC and from 1993 to 1995 was the CWGC Admin Officer in France. Norm is Canada's leading expert on the battlefields and cemeteries of the two World Wars.  Executive Producers (Others TBA)

Amanda Gellman - Director and Producer For the past decade, Amanda has served as the President of the Windsor Centre for Film, Digital Media & the Creative Arts, where she founded the Film Camp for Kids & Youth in 2012, amongst many other programs. In addition to this film, Amanda is also directing The Human Trafficking Film Project and assisting Paul Ruggieri (36 Emmy Award Winner) on his documentary, \"Culture Kills Culture Healers\".  Previously, Amanda launched \"Aging & HIV: A Story of Resiliency\" on World AIDS Day 2020, a documentary film portraying a lifelong bond formed between a group of individuals from southern Ontario, Canada, who were diagnosed with HIV between 1987 and 2013. Amanda has received numerous recognitions for her community service, some of which are: 40 under 40 in St. Louis recognition, The McDonnell Douglas Feed America Award, Windsor’s Women of the Year 2001, The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal. Tim Gillies - Producer and Production Manager Tim is a passionate historian and interested in the Great War since a young boy. His grandfather served in the 78th CEF Battalion, and has been an inspiration for Tim to further learn about the War. Tim has restored two 1952 M38 jeeps and is currently restoring a 1916 FWD Model B Truck. Tim is a graduate of University of Windsor (1988), and heads up the Canadian Great War Society (CGWS), one of the Executive Producers of this film. Proudly, The Milton Gregg Story will be the 6th movie for the CGWS since its inception. Michael M. O'Leary - Writer Michael O'Leary served in the Canadian Armed Forces from 1979 until 2019. A graduate of the Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College, Michael was serving as Regimental Adjutant for The Royal Canadian Regiment (The RCR) at the time of his retirement from the Regular Force in 2008. He continued to serve as a Reservist with the 4th Battalion and with the headquarters of 31 Canadian Brigade Group in London, Ont., until he retired from the CAF in 2019. He is the recipient of the Canadian Forces Decoration and the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers. A collector of the badges and medals of The RCR over the past 20 years, Michael maintains a personal website, The Regimental Rogue, where he shares a collection of military themed information including research on his collections and his regiment. In retirement he contributes as a volunteer with The RCR Museum and works part-time for the Regimental Headquarters as Archivist. Kyle Prout - Music Born and raised in rural Ontario, Kyle is a self taught composer with a passion for creating sound and music. From teaching himself the piano to composing some makeshift arrangements on an outdated program, Kyle always had a desire to create sound in the form of music at a young age. This has lead to a tendency to create a hybrid of orchestral and symphonic driven music that leans on ambient undertones, while mixing traditional orchestral elements into the overall composition. For Kyle, music is about the story you tell on the long and winding road to discovery. He is humbled to have this opportunity to add his voice into the grand orchestra of the world. 

The Royal Canadian Regiment Association is established to preserve the bonds of comradeship among all Royal Canadians. It is dedicated to fostering and maintaining the well-being of The Regiment. The Association comprises serving and former serving members who serve or have served with The RCR at home and abroad. Once a Royal Canadian, always a Royal Canadian! Pro Patria The Canadian Great War Society is a living history group with the focus of commemorating the sacrifices of Canadians during the Great War. The group's inception was in 1998, and they attend events throughout Southern Ontario every year. The group has taken part in six Great War film productions. We have the privilege and honour to wear the badge of The Royal Canadian Regiment with their permission. Contact Us Amanda Gellman Director and Producer 519.819.8964 [email protected] Tim Gillies Producer and Production Manager 519.859.5590 [email protected]