Rum Ration

What if everything you thought you knew about the Avro Arrow’s cancellation was only half the story?

In Episode 20 of The Rum Ration, we revisit Canada’s most controversial Cold War decision—but this time, through a different lens. Dr. Sean Maloney, military historian and Cold War expert, joins us to dig into the lesser-known truths behind the so-called “Arrow good, BOMARC bad” narrative.

From classified weapons systems and Cold War...

In this episode of Rum Ration, Rejoy and Colin unpack the rise and fall of one of Canada’s most ambitious aerospace projects: the Avro Arrow.

More than just a supersonic jet interceptor, the Arrow was a bold symbol of Canadian innovation during the Cold War—designed to fly at Mach 2 and counter Soviet bombers. But on February 20, 1959—“Black Friday”—the program was abruptly cancelled. Why would a government destroy such cutting-edg...

In this gripping episode of The Rum Ration, Colin and Rejoy revisit the Battle of Paardeberg—Canada’s bloody debut on a foreign battlefield. Set during the Second Anglo-Boer War in 1900, the episode explores how a young Canada, eager to prove itself, sent a small volunteer force to South Africa.

What began as patriotic fervour soon turned into a harsh reality check. The hosts recount the disastrous “Bloody Sunday” assault led by th...

In this riveting episode of Rum Ration, Colin and Rejoy take aim at the Ross Rifle—a weapon born from patriotic zeal and political ambition, but ultimately forged into a symbol of failure on the Western Front.

Meant to establish Canada’s self-sufficiency in arms production, the Ross was praised for its accuracy but doomed by its tight tolerances, poor trench reliability, and incompatibility with standard British ammunition.

Through...

In this episode of The Rum Ration, Rejoy and Colin journey back to the War of 1812 and the pivotal Battle of Queenston Heights. It’s a gripping tale of ambition, missteps, and extraordinary courage. It's also our special birthday present to the US Army, happy 250th birthday!

In 1812, the United States, already annoyed by British naval blockades and the Royal Navy's maddening habit of pressing any American sailor they deemed...

In this gripping episode of The Rum Ration, Colin and Rejoy take listeners to the Pacific Theatre of World War II, focusing on the harrowing Battle of Hong Kong in December 1941. It was the first major land combat for Canadian troops in the Second World War—and a brutal introduction. Tasked with defending the British Crown Colony, nearly 2,000 Canadians, including the Royal Rifles of Canada and the Winnipeg Grenadiers, faced overwh...

In this gripping episode of Rum Ration, Rejoy and Colin take us deep into the Second Battle of Ypres—Canada’s brutal baptism by fire in the First World War. Focusing on The Royal Montreal Regiment (14th Battalion), they recount the horrors of April 1915, where untested Canadian troops held their ground against Germany’s first mass use of poison gas.

The episode honours Captain Richard Steacie, the first RMR officer killed in action...

In this gripping episode of The Rum Ration, hosts Colin and Rejoy delve into one of the most terrifying chapters of modern warfare: gas. Kicking off with a powerful reading of Wilfred Owen’s haunting WWI poem Dulce Et Decorum Est by acclaimed poet Ayesha Chatterjee, the episode explores how chemical weapons evolved from ancient toxins used by the Greeks and the Romans to the industrial-scale horror of chlorine, phosgene, and mustar...

In Episode 11 of The Rum Ration, we dive into the Canadians’ baptism by fire at the Second Battle of Ypres. This is Part 1 of a special three-part series unpacking one of the most terrifying chapters of the First World War. Rejoy and Colin explore how a quiet stretch of Belgian countryside became a living hell in April 1915.

The episode sets the scene: muddy trenches, exposed flanks, and the high-stakes importance of the Ypres Sali...

April 9th, 1917 — the day Canada’s identity was forged in blood atop Vimy Ridge. In this episode of The Rum Ration, Rejoy and Colin revisit the harrowing story of The Royal Montreal Regiment’s role in one of the Great War’s most iconic battles, an incredible feat of Canadian arms. From the brutal snowstorm at Zero Hour to the heartbreak of the West brothers’ shared grave, the episode brings Vimy’s human cost into sharp focus. The h...

The second part of a two-part series about Canadians going into the trenches for the first time in the First World War, in this gripping episode of The Rum Ration Podcast, Rejoy and Colin guide listeners through the Royal Montreal Regiment’s harrowing first experiences in the trenches of 1915.

Drawing on letters, regimental histories, and first-hand accounts, they paint a vivid picture of trench life—from the mud, rats, and disease...

In this first installment of Into the Trenches, the Rum Ration Podcast delves into the experience of the Canadian Expeditionary Force’s progression into the front lines of the Western Front. Using The Royal Montreal Regiment as an example of a typical 1st Division unit, this episode recounts their journey from training in the UK to their arrival at the Western Front in early 1915. Hosts Rejoy and Colin explore the harsh training co...

Canada officially stayed out of the Vietnam War, but that didn’t stop 30,000 to 40,000 Canadians from fighting in it. In this episode of Rum Ration, we uncover the stories of these forgotten fighters—some seeking adventure, others drafted while living in the U.S., and many serving in combat roles, from infantry to elite units like the Green Berets.

We highlight Peter C. Lemon, a Toronto-born Medal of Honor recipient who fought off h...

Did you know Canada once had a plan to invade the United States? On this episode of Rum Ration, Rejoy and Colin dig into Defence Scheme No. 1, a bold (and slightly absurd) military strategy from the 1920s.

Designed as a hit-and-run attack, the plan involved Canadian troops storming into U.S. cities—Seattle, Portland, Fargo, and even Albany—before sabotaging key infrastructure and retreating north.

Of course, America had its own War ...

In Episode 5 of Rum Ration, hosts Rejoy and Colin dive into the fascinating history and enduring myths of bayonet fighting. From its 17th-century origins in France to its evolution as a tool of warfare and propaganda, the bayonet has left a lasting mark on military history.

The hosts explore its practical use in battles like those fought by the Canadian Expeditionary Force during World War I, where bayonets became both a necessity i...

Welcome to The Rum Ration, where history isn’t just dates and facts—it’s traditions, toasts, and the occasional tipple. If you also would like to "cheers to history," drop us a like and hit subscribe! Also, we'd love to hear any and all feedback down in the comments, let us know your thoughts! 👇 Description Helmets have been an essential part of military life for centuries, evolving alongside the needs of the batt...

Welcome to The Rum Ration, where history isn’t just dates and facts—it’s traditions, toasts, and the occasional tipple.

In this episode, Rejoy and Colin delve into the rich history of the New Year’s Levée, a distinctly Canadian celebration that blends royal pomp, military protocol, and community camaraderie.

Highlights from the Episode:

• Origins of the Levée: From Louis XIV’s 17th-century “Levée du Soleil” in France to Britai...

In the first episode of The Rum Ration, we take you on a journey through the origins and legacy of the naval tradition that inspired our podcast’s name. As retired Army Reserve officers, we’ve always been fascinated by how a simple daily "tot" of rum brought warmth, camaraderie, and even a sense of safety to sailors starting in 1655.

We also explore how this tradition extended to the British and Canadian Armies during World War I. ...