Stories
The man behind the naming of Sininger Place – Garrison Crossing
He was born 1 Dec 1918 at the little Horseguard District, near Alhambra Alberta.
His mother and father were pioneers in the area arriving in 1910.
He was a retired Military Engineer, having served in the Canadian Forces. At the
outset of World War II he joined the Canadian Army Active Service Force with the 78th.
Battery RCA in Red Deer Alberta and later transferred to the Royal Canadian Engineers on
posting to the 2CW Mortar Company RCE as a platoon Sergeant.
He served overseas with 1 Field Park Company RCE., 2nd. Canadian Division and was promoted
to the rank of Company Sergeant Major. He landed in France on D plus 1.
He served with 1 Field Park Company through France, Holland, Belgium, and Germany until the
cessation of hostilities. He was mentioned in dispatches and received a special citation from
Field Marshal Montgomery for his exemplary service above and beyond the call of duty. After
WWII he returned to Calgary with 13 Field Company RCE., and was posted to A&T Staff Alberta Area.
He was responsible for organizing and setting-up Engineer Militia Units throughout Alberta. In 1947
he was posted to 23 Field Company RCE at Camp Chilliwack, BC. He was that unit’s first post war
Company Sergeant Major. In May 1948 he was promoted to RSM (SMI) of Training Wing, Royal Canadian
School of Military Engineering (RCSME) and in 1950 was appointed RSM of RCSME and Camp Chilliwack.
He was selected for Canada’s top position of RSM of The Royal Military College, Kingston Ontario
and served in that position from 1 July 1958 to 1 July 1961.
He was commissioned in the rank of Captain on 1 July 1961 and posted back to Camp Chilliwack, BC.
He was promoted to the rank of Major on 1 July 1963 and as a Field Officer, Commanded Recruit
Training Squadron and later Field Engineer Squadron at RCSME.
He earned his Para Troop Wings in 1948 and attended many military courses. He retired from the
Canadian Army in 1970. An auditorium at CFB Chilliwack was named Sininger/ Hall in honor of his
outstanding and dedicated service to The Royal Canadian Engineers. He was the founding member and
organized the Royal Canadian Engineer (retired) Sapper Association, Chilliwack.
He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 15 in Abbotsford BC.
John Fredrick (Si) Sininger late of 34856 Marshall Road Abbotsford BC., passed away on Oct 21 2003
at 2:30 a.m. At MSA Hospital at the age of 84.
Top
| 
