Terrance Christopher, OMM, LVO, CD is a retired Canadian Naval Officer and former Usher of the Black Rod for the Senate of Canada, the most senior protocol office in Parliament. [1]
Born in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, [1] Christopher graduated from St. Francis Xavier University and the Maritime School of Social Work before joining the Royal Canadian Navy [1] rising to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. He served on HMCS Stadacona, HMCS Cornwallis, CFB Borden and at NATO. [1] His naval service is most notable for his work on expanding education and training services in the navy. Retiring in 1994, he briefly entered the private sector before becoming head of the Canadian government's VIP reception services.
He became Usher of the Black Rod on December 9, 2002, [1] and his term expired on March 8, 2008, after having been extended for three months to allow the government to find a new Usher. Christopher had asked to be reappointed for a full term, but his request was denied by the government. [2]
He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Military Merit in 1982. In 1994, he was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order. [1]
The Usher of the Black Rod is an official in the parliaments of several countries of the Commonwealth of Nations. The title is often shortened to the Black Rod, and in some countries, formally known as the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod if male or, Lady Usher of the Black Rod if female. The position originates in the House of Lords of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Equivalent positions also exist in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
The Royal Canadian Navy is the naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental commands within the Canadian Armed Forces. As of 2023, the RCN operates 12 frigates, four attack submarines, 12 coastal defence vessels, eight patrol-class training vessels, two offshore patrol vessels, and several auxiliary vessels. The RCN consists of 8,400 Regular Force and 4,100 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by 3,800 civilians. Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee is the commander of the Royal Canadian Navy and chief of the Naval Staff.
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces. Over the course of its history, the RCN has played a role in the First World War, contributed significantly to the Battle of the Atlantic during the Second World War, and was a part of NATO's force buildup during the Cold War. In 1968, the RCN was amalgamated with the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force to form what is today the unified Canadian Armed Forces. The naval force was known as Maritime Command until 2011, when the environmental command was renamed as the Royal Canadian Navy.
The Royal Canadian Sea Cadets is a Canadian national youth program sponsored by the Canadian Armed Forces and the civilian Navy League of Canada. Administered by the Canadian Forces, the program is funded through the Department of National Defence, with the civilian partner providing support in the local community. Cadets are not members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Gentleman Usher and Lady Usher are titles for some officers of the Royal Household of the United Kingdom. For a list of office-holders from the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660 up to the present day see List of Lady and Gentleman Ushers.
Admiral Sir William Richard Scott Thomas was the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod in the British Parliament's House of Lords from January 1992 to 8 May 1995.
Vice-Admiral Lawrence Edward Murray is a retired Canadian civil servant, naval officer and former acting chief of the Defence Staff.
Rear Admiral Leonard Warren Murray, CB, CBE was an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy who played a central role in the Battle of the Atlantic, and was the only Canadian to command an Allied theatre of operations during World War II.
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Vice Admiral Henry George DeWolf was a Canadian naval officer who was famous as the first commander of HMCS Haida during the Second World War.
Kevin Stewart MacLeod is a former Canadian Secretary to the Queen of Canada, former Usher of the Black Rod for the Canadian Senate, and the author of the historical fiction novel, A Stone on Their Cairn / Clach air An Càrn.
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Admiral Sir Frank Roddam Twiss, was a senior Royal Navy officer who served as Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel from 1967 to 1970. He went on to serve as Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod from 1970 to 1978.
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Vice-Admiral Harold Taylor Wood Grant, was a Canadian naval officer and a post-war Chief of the Naval Staff. The son of Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, MacCallum Grant, Harold Grant entered the Royal Canadian Navy as a cadet in 1914. He spent most of the First World War in training until 1917, when he became a midshipman aboard a British Royal Navy ship. Considered an above average officer, he was earmarked for early promotion during the interwar period and by 1938, commanded the destroyer HMCS Skeena.
Vice-Admiral Sir John Gilchrist Thesiger Inglis,, sometimes known as Tommy Inglis, was a Royal Navy officer who served as Director of Naval Intelligence from 1954 to 1960. In this capacity, he attempted to cover-up the "Buster Crabb affair" in 1956.
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