Major William "Bill" Ewing
Bill Ewing, a Glengarrian by adoption for many years, as a high school student played football at West Hill, Montreal. Unlike most young athletes Bill Ewing favored target shooting instead of football and hockey. He pursued this sport by joining the M.A.A.A. Revolver Club in 1932.
Jim Boa, a club member and former Bisley team marksman, noted the potential in young Ewing and encouraged him to make the Bisley Team a prestigious objective. That sage advice motivated Bill Ewings to enlist as a private with Victoria Rifles in 1934-35. His first target competition was in the Provincial Matches, Point Aux Trembles.
In 1935 Bill Ewing was selected as a member of the Canadian team competing in the Lord Dewar International match, small bore. Connaught Rangers (Ottawa) against teams from U.S. U.S.A. New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. The experience gained in the international class crated his further interest in target shooting both small bore and service rifle thus the stepping stone to joining the Bisley team.
Next year, 1936, at Canadian National matches, Connaught Rangers, Bill won the Grand Aggregate Medal and was selected for the 1937 Canadian Bisley Team service rifle shooting. Although just short of the medal class Bill Ewing was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Sgt. Bill Ewing in 1938 again won the Aggregate medal at Connaught Rangers ensuring a place with the Bisley team and further rank promotion to Lieutenant.
Also at Connaught competitions he won the MacDonald Brier and Harold Borden medals, rapid fire, and joined the Canada Match team against Australia.
At the 1938 competitions with the Bisley team Lt. Bill Ewing won the Wimbledon Cup, individual honors, Canadian Grand Aggregate representing the Victoria Rifles and was presented with the trophy by the Hon. Vincent Massey, High Commissioner for Canada.
Among the several prestigious awards Bill Ewing cherishes the Rajah of Kalapore Imperial Challenge Trophy for team competition with India, Australia, New Zealand and the West Indies. The pattern of shooting is shoulder to shoulder and Bill rated among the top scorers.
Following the matches Bill Ewing toured the Britsh Isles with his mother the former Isable Forbes who had Dickinson’s Landing roots. This ended the competitive shooting and Lt. Ewing resigned his Commission.
Back in Montreal Bill launched a small arms course at McGill. Then in January 1940 he rejoined the Black Watch Regiment as a Lieutenant, Overseas from 1941 to 1943, Bill was returned to Kingston enrolling in the RMC staff college and after completing his course he rejoined his Regiment, August, 1944 in command of the Black Watch Rifle Company with the rank of Major. Major Wm. Ewing returned home just before the end of World War Two on compassionate leave due to his father’s death.
The Ewing family owned and operated a long-standing business for the wholesale and processing of agriculture seeds. Part of their housing plant in Montreal was expropriated by the City necessitating relocation. Bill Ewing selected Vankleek Hill and a new plant opened in 1954. Thus the continuity of the Ewing Seed Business, a successful private enterprise, founded by Bill’s grandfather in 1896 was assured. Bill moved his family to a McCrimmon area farm home and two of his sons, Roderick and Peter attended GDHS-ESRG.
