The Cornwell Memorial Scholarships
The Cornwell Memorial Scholarships currently provides two scholarships, each year, to Cadets currently enrolled in RCSCC John Travers Cornwell VC. The scholarships are distributed to qualified candidates who have been accepted to a post secondary institution.
The following are the two Cornwell Memorial Scholarships currently available, along with information about their sponsors:
Ted Lofto Scholarship
The Ted Lofto Scholarship was created in memory of Ted Lofto with memorial gifts from his family, friends and alumni of RCSCC John Travers Cornwell VC. In establishing this scholarship, Ted’s family and friends wish to recognize the dedication to continued education and community service of a John Travers Cornwell VC Cadet.
Ted Lofto was a proud member of RCSCC John Travers Cornwell VC, a keen member of the Guard, the Gun Crew and an integral member of the Corps swim team, leading the Corps to several Tri Service Cadet swim meet titles before becoming Corps Coxswain in 1971. Ted completed General Training at HMCS Quadra, a six-week Boatswain Course at HMCS Naden and a nine-week Practical Leadership Course at HMCS Quadra. Ted became one of the Corps' most respected young officers and a key member of the staff at HMCS Quadra. Ted served as a Practical Leadership Course Officer for several years, Staff Cadet Training Officer and finally promoted to LCdr and Training Officer of HMCS Quadra.
Ted attended the University of Winnipeg and the University of Victoria, graduating with a Bachelor of Social Work degree prior to a career in Social Work. Ted worked for the Ministry of Children and Family Development in British Columbia as a Social Worker for forty years, retiring in 2017. He started out as a child protection social worker, working with children and their families to support them in overcoming challenges in their lives. For the last twenty-five years of his career he worked as a Resource Social worker supporting foster parents to care for children and youth in their homes. He was very compassionate towards the foster parents and the difficult job they do. He would go the extra mile to ensure they were supported and in turn he was well liked and respected by them. Ted had a passion for the work he did and was a very caring person. In particular, he gravitated to helping the youth in his community both through his work and through his community volunteer work at his church. He made several close connections with the youth and always focused on helping them be safe and supported. Quite often he was a constant in their lives as other social workers changed and moved on. He made a difference in their lives and when he passed away many of the youth described him as a great person to celebrate knowing. Ted was an honest, organized, competent employee who role modeled a strong work ethic. He was a mentor to his co-workers, readily shared his knowledge with others, and was able to overcome obstacles to move forward in order to provide the required services to those he supported. Ted made a lasting impression on many and is sadly missed. Ted passed away on May 20, 2017 after a brief battle with cancer.
Perhaps Mike Trump, a retired Police Officer, former Dean of the School of Criminal Justice and Security and Office of International Affairs at the Justice Institute of British Columbia and a former cadet and officer of RCSCC John Travers Cornwell VC said it best...
On May 20, 2017, one of the kindest and nicest men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing lost his valiant but very quick battle with cancer. The news of his illness shocked us all, but his passing took the wind out of our sails and left us in shock and with a deep and profound sadness. I had known Ted for 48 years and I would have difficulty explaining in words the impact that he had on my formative years. As a teenager, I considered him a mentor and a role model. Ted worked as a social worker for 40 years in what could be a soul crushing environment and I know he never once stopped caring about the people with whom he came in to contact or stopped seeing the positive and the good in them. Ted was one of the best of all of us.John Jamieson Scholarship
John Paul Jamieson joined RCSCC John Travers Cornwell VC in 1966. John was a loyal and well-respected Cadet and an enthusiastic member of the Corps Guard. John became the senior Guard Petty Officer in his final year, while serving as the Corps Regulating Petty Officer.
John attended HMCS Quadra from 1970-1972, completing the very first 8-week Boatswain Engineer Course in 1970. John returned the following summer as a Staff Engineer on the 90-foot training vessel “Caribou”, responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of her 320 horsepower engines. The Boatswain Engineer Course pioneered the use of Sea Cadets in an operational role aboard coastal training vessels. As one of the first qualified engineers, John set the course for Sea Cadets in a sea going operational role supporting the Sea Training Program for thousands of Sea Cadets into the early 2000s.
Serving as a Flotilla Staff Cadet, John spent much of his time at sea. However, he made time to train with the Ceremony of the Flags and participated in many performances, including a performance commemorating British Columbia’s Centennial on the grounds of the BC Legislature in Victoria BC. In 1972 John served as HMCS Quadra’s Buffer, where his work ethic and friendly personality made him a valued member of the Senior Staff.
John returned to the Corps as a civilian volunteer for a few years before stepping away from the Corps to devote more time to his career, union activities and family. Together, John and Sheila raised two sons…John Paul and Joel. Both JP and Joel followed in their father’s footsteps and served as Cadets in the Corps, attending summer camp at HMCS Quadra, and serving as Corps Chief (Coxswain) in 1998 and 2001 respectively.
John’s greatest contribution to the Corps would come a few years later, in 1996, when John became a driving force behind the formation of the Cornwell (Winnipeg) Branch of The Navy league of Canada. For more than 25 years, John was an active member of the Cornwell (Winnipeg) Branch and the Manitoba Division of The Navy League of Canada. John served on many committees including two terms as Cornwell Branch President. Some of the highlights of John’s service to The Navy League of Canada include:
- Branch President 2000-2002 and 2006-2008
- Navy League Meritorious Service Award 2008
- Navy League Honour Certificate Award 2009
- Navy League Testimonial Award 2012
- Navy League Meritorious Service Award 2015
- 20 Year Certificate of Service to The Navy League of Canada 2018
- Manitoba Division Branch Member of the Year 2019
- The Navy League of Canada National Presidents Award 2020
In addition to John’s work with the Corps and Navy League of Canada, John volunteered with the Grant Park Harrow Community Centre and canvassed for Diabetes Canada and Cancer Care . He also assisted with Municipal, Provincial and Federal political campaigns. John was an Electrician with Winnipeg / Manitoba Hydro for over 30 years. Throughout his career he was an active member of CUPE Local 500. He served as a shop steward, health and safety activist, Unit President, and member of CUPE 500 negotiating committees. John volunteered countless hours on behalf of his co-workers. He was a proud Hydro employee and a proud trade unionist. He believed all workers deserved fair working conditions and decent wages and benefits. John was instrumental in helping the transition from Winnipeg Hydro to Manitoba Hydro when many employees became part of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). In recognition of John’s outstanding service to CUPE, John was awarded a CUPE Local 500 Honorary Life Membership.
Sadly, John passed away suddenly February 8, 2022. His contribution to the Canadian Cadet Program and specifically RCSCC John Travers Cornwell VC will not be forgotten. The John Jamieson Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in memory of John Jamieson with memorial gifts from his family, friends, and alumni of RCSCC John Travers Cornwell VC. In establishing this scholarship, John’s family and friends wish to recognize the dedication to continued education and community service of a John Travers Cornwell VC Cadet.
