UNITY - Erich Streberg, son of Ann Leikam of Unity, is currently serving with the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, United Kingdom, Public Duties Contingent, as part of the Queen’s Guard at Buckingham Palace, at the Tower of London and St. James Palaces. From there, they moved to Windsor Castle.
Streberg graduated from Unity Composite High School in 2008, and says, “I entered the armed forces two years after high school after deciding that blue collar work wasn’t for me. I was seeking adventure."
Streberg has served in the Canadian military for 11 years, now posted to Shilo, Man., with B Battery, 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery.
“I have been deployed overseas on Operation Reassurance with the NATO enhanced forward presence battle group in 2017, and have also completed several domestic operations including responding to forest fires in Saskatchewan and avalanche control in B.C.,” adds Streberg.
Members of the RCA spent weeks preparing on the parade square in order to ensure their drill, dress and deportment were ready for this high honour. Streberg says he learned about six weeks prior to going that he was would be part of this honour and says the troops put in extensive drill practice over those six weeks. The troops arrived in London in mid-September and will be departing for home at the end of October.
Ann Leikam, Streberg's mother, says, “Deployment is never easy, but Erich has trained hard to be a part of this unique opportunity. We are extremely proud of his accomplishment and thrilled that he has the chance to explore and experience London and the surrounding area both professionally and personally. He has already visited amazing sites and taken part in incredible activities since arriving. We are grateful that the CAF has provided opportunities such as this to Erich, who is dedicated to serving our country for the freedoms we all enjoy."
Streberg was part of Canadian troops based in Manitoba that made the trip across the pond to serve as the Queen’s Guard at a number of royal residences including Buckingham Place.
This contingent of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery was invited by Queen Elizabeth in honour of the 150th anniversary of the formation of the RCA, A and B Batteries.
The group of 90 soldiers spent six weeks at C.F.B. Shilo, Man., training before going to the United Kingdom where they would be declared Fit for Role by senior officers of the British Army’s Household Division.
Serving in the Queen’s Guard is considered the highest honour a soldier of the Canadian Armed Forces can have.These troops would serve at the royal residences in London and Windsor Oct. 4 to 22.
“It was a great honour to be invited by her Majesty the Queen to serve in her guard to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the A and B Batteries this year. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” says Streberg.
