Retired colonel John Boileau served in the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps (RCAC) for 37 years across Canada and in Cyprus, the United States, Germany and Great Britain, which included command of Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians). In retirement, he served for another 10 years as honorary colonel of the Halifax Rifles (RCAC). John chaired the National Council of Honorary Colonels, for which he received a Commander Canadian Army Commendation. He also chaired the Nova Scotia Division of Commissionaires Canada and received the Commissionaires Distinguished Service Medal. John is an author of historical non-fiction and has written 15 books and 700 articles. Two of his books, Fastest in the World (/em) and Halifax and the Royal Canadian Navy were shortlisted for the Dartmouth Book Award for Non-Fiction. He was also founding chair of the Halifax Military Heritage Preservation Society. For his contributions to the history and heritage of Nova Scotia, John was awarded the Order of Nova Scotia, Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (Nova Scotia), King Charles III’s Coronation Medal and a Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia Vice-Regal Commendation. He and his wife, Miriam, live in Bedford, Nova Scotia.