A Military Family 

Catherine Bone 

Catherine Bone (retired Lieutenant) is a veteran of the Canadian Military’s Chaplain’s Branch. She is the first female to be accepted and trained to be Chaplain for Canadian Armed Forces through the RESO program (Reserve Entry Scheme for Officers).  Her basic training was conducted in 1980 at Base Gagetown, NB, followed in 1980-’81 by Chaplain’s training throughout Maritime Command, Camp Borden, Ontario, and Base Lahr, Germany. Affectionately known as ‘Madre’ she was assigned to the helicopter squadron, the jail, and a female infantry platoon being trained for combat roles. She remained on the supplementary list for 10 years retiring in 1992.  She is the mother of Katy Short who was deployed as civilian personnel support during the war in Afghanistan. Katy returned from service in July 2007. One month later Catherine’s husband Major the Reverend Jim Short was deployed for training and service to Afghanistan as lead for the chaplain team. 

From 2006-2008 Catherine was home-front for her two family members.  It was a time of suspense, uncertainty, and distress as news from the front came through daily…either by official news broadcasts, internet sources,  or radio reports.  As a spouse and mother to reserve and civilian deployed family members she did not have connection with a regular force military base, or the care they might offer.  

Thankfully, there were two other Delta women with daughters deployed at the same time, and Catherine met with them for comfort and camaraderie. A fellow Chaplain made regular contact with her for spiritual support. Together with her three adult children they kept track of news from the front, sent weekly care parcels, and contributed to the project Jim initiated of gathering school supplies for the children of Afghan soldiers who were being trained by the NATO forces.  Her close friends, and her church community also kept vigil with her, and she with them, as it was their minister who was in the war zone. Catherine felt a calling to manage the anxiety of those two years with a sense of nobility, honesty, and trepidation.

Katy Short

Katy Short joined the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services, after completing her undergraduate degree. She originally applied to work at the Tim Horton’s in KAF, drawn by the opportunity to directly support deployed members while experiencing a different part of the world.

Through her logistics role, she facilitated the planning and booking of members’ leave during deployment, helping them reunite with loved ones and reconnect with their lives outside of the conflict zone. For her service, Katy received the General Service Medal, which is awarded to members of the Canadian Forces as well as Canadian civilians deployed outside of Canada working to provide direct support to the Canadian Forces on a full-time basis in the presence of an armed enemy.

Major (ret’d) the Reverend Jim Short MMM CD(2)

I grew up with a grandfather who served in the Royal Navy in WW1.  I spend hours looking at his old books about the war and military history and dreamed of being in the military.  Pursing a calling as a United Church of Canada minister I was encouraged by two military chaplains to consider being a military chaplain.  When ordained I marred Cathy who  (see above) had been in the military as a chaplain.  I joined the Canadian Armed Forces Army Reserve in 1991 while in Toronto.

I’m often asked why I did that while I had a full-time job as a congregational minister.  I believed then as I do now that if as a country, we were going to send people to war that they deserved spiritual care and support from someone like myself.  I felt it my duty as a citizen of our country and as a minister. 

I did my basic training in Aldershot Nova Scotia. Moving to Duncan,  Vancouver Island I served for 8 years as the Chaplain to the Canadian Scottish Regiment in Victoria and attended various exercises and summer training camps in BC.

When I moved to Ladner I was promoted to the rank of Major and became the 39 Combat Brigade (BC) Senior Chaplain. One of my duties was to recruit chaplains for reserve units.  After 9/11 and when Canada joined NATO’s efforts in Afghanistan, I became the Deputy Senior Chaplain for 3 Division and was tasked with training the reserve chaplains in Western Canada to do next of kin notifications and lead military funerals in anticipation of the casualties that would come from action in Afghanistan.  During that period, I was the Senior Chaplain for Op Peregrine (2003) Military Support to the Fire Season in BC and Operation Valour – the state funeral for Sgt. Smokey Smith, Canada’s last surviving Victoria Cross winner.  In August of 2007 I went to Edmonton for deployment for some months and in February 2008 deployed to Afghanistan with TF 1-08 Op Athena.  Returning from Afghanistan I continued as Deputy Chaplain until I transferred to the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada to return to work as a unit chaplain where I could work closer to serving soldiers.  I retired in July of 2017 when I reached 60.  I received commendations at the Brigade, Division and Chaplain Service level.  I was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration (2), the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Afghanistan Star with bar for over 180 days of service in a combat zone.  I received two Chief of Defence Staff Commendations and was appointed a member of the Order of Military Merit in 2016.

submitted by Jim Short /Major (ret’d) the Reverend MMM CD (he/him)

Chaplain, Delta Fire and Emergency Services