By MWO Matthew C.M. Aseltine CD
Able Seaman (Ret.) George Albert Morley Aseltine: Royal Canadian Navy, Second World War, HMCS Saskatchewan.
Master Corporal (Ret.) Kenneth Morley Aseltine: Canadian Army, Afghanistan TF 1-08, 2 PPCLI Battle Group, 1 Service Battalion / 3rd Division HQ.
Master Warrant Officer Matthew Carl Morley Aseltine: Canadian Army, Infantry, PPCLI, six tours (peace support operation, Bosnia 2000; combat tours, Afghanistan 2002, 2006 and 2008; Afghan government mentorship tour, 2013; deterrence mission, Latvia 2020).
Ready for sea. Able Seaman George Albert Morley Aseltine in his Royal Canadian Navy uniform during the Second World War. He served as Navigator’s Yeoman aboard the destroyer HMCS Saskatchewan before coming home to Rosetown to practice law.
Keeping the ammunition flowing. Master Corporal Ken Aseltine in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in 2008, where he managed the 2 PPCLI Battle Group’s ammunition holdings.
Same tour, same tent. Matthew Aseltine, standing, and his father Ken in Afghanistan during the 2008 deployment. They were one of relatively few father-and-son teams to deploy together there.
High ground. Matthew Aseltine on a rocky ridge overlooking a valley in Afghanistan during one of his three combat tours there.
Three generations, one tradition. From left, Morley, Ken and Matthew Aseltine in dress uniform, Morley wearing his Second World War medals.
Remembered far from home. Matthew Aseltine salutes at a battlefield cross alongside a U.S. Army soldier during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Afghanistan.
Still serving. MWO Matthew Aseltine and his father Ken at the Veterans Association Food Bank in Edmonton, where Ken supports fellow veterans.
Able Seaman Aseltine travelled from rural Saskatchewan to the Royal Canadian Navy’s training facilities at HMCS Unicorn in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and HMCS Chippawa in Winnipeg, Manitoba, before being assigned to HMCS Saskatchewan (H70), an F-class destroyer. Originally commissioned as HMS Fortune (H70), the vessel was transferred from the United Kingdom to Canada for wartime service.
By the time Morley joined the ship’s company, HMCS Saskatchewan was attached to the 12th Escort Group, patrolling the western approaches to the English Channel. Their mission was to protect Allied shipping from German naval and air threats. During these operations, HMCS Saskatchewan engaged enemy patrol vessels in surface combat and was credited with the sinking of at least one German patrol boat.
My grandfather served as a member of the ship’s navigation team, holding the position of Navigator’s Yeoman. He often shared stories of life at sea, including the times the ship was strafed by German aircraft while on escort patrol. HMCS Saskatchewan regularly escorted Atlantic convoys across some of the most dangerous waters of the war. Morley often recalled the severe storms on those voyages and took particular pride in the fact that, despite the rough seas, he never suffered from seasickness, unlike many of his less fortunate shipmates.
After the Second World War, Able Seaman Morley Aseltine was honourably discharged and returned to Rosetown, Saskatchewan. There, he established a successful law practice, raised a large and loving family, dedicated countless hours to community service organizations, and regularly delivered Remembrance Day presentations at Walter Aseltine School.
One of my most treasured memories is listening to my grandfather share stories of his naval service during countless conversations around the bonfire, and later hearing him speak at Remembrance Day ceremonies while I was a student. Most memorable of all was the annual walk from the Royal Canadian Legion to the United Church, where I came to appreciate how much the values of remembrance, service and sacrifice meant to him. Those experiences left a lasting impression on me and continue to shape who I am today.
Master Corporal (Ret.) Kenneth Morley Aseltine joined the Canadian Army after the end of the Cold War as a Supply Technician with the Army Reserve unit 15 Service Battalion in Edmonton, Alberta. He later transferred to the Regular Force, where he served primarily as a Quartermaster with 3rd Canadian Division Headquarters.
In 2008, MCpl Ken Aseltine deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, as a member of 1st Service Battalion, which was attached to the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (2 PPCLI) Battle Group (TF 1-08). During the tour, he was responsible for the management, issue and maintenance of the Battle Group’s ammunition holdings, ensuring operational readiness throughout the mission.
After retiring from the Canadian Army, MCpl Aseltine continued to apply the skills and values he developed in uniform, supporting fellow veterans through his work with the Veterans Association Food Bank in Edmonton.
Born and raised in Rosetown, Ken spent a significant part of his life deeply involved in the community. He became well known through his work with various service organizations and his longstanding commitment to the Scouting movement, mentoring and supporting countless young people over the years.
On a personal note, I had the privilege of serving alongside my father during the 2008 Afghanistan deployment. Sharing that experience created memories that will last a lifetime, and it was an honour to be part of one of the relatively few father-and-son teams to deploy together on operations in Afghanistan.
Master Warrant Officer Matthew Aseltine is a serving member of the Canadian Armed Forces and an infantry soldier in the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). Throughout his career, he has served extensively with both the 1st and 2nd Battalions, filling every role in an infantry battalion, from Rifleman to Company Sergeant Major.
MWO Aseltine has taken part in numerous international operations, including peace support operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2000, combat operations in Afghanistan in 2002 (Op APOLLO), 2006 (Op ARCHER, TF Orion) and 2008 (Op ATHENA, TF 1-08), and Afghan government mentorship operations in 2013. In 2020, he deployed to Latvia as part of NATO’s efforts to deter Russian aggression and reassure Allied nations in Eastern Europe.
He began his career at the rank of Private and now holds the rank of Master Warrant Officer. He has had the distinction of completing each tour at a different rank and in a different position, gaining a vast amount of knowledge and experience along the way. His service has moved from peace support, to combat missions that saw extensive offensive fighting with enemy forces, to a deterrence mission alongside several allied nations. He has also taken part in six domestic operations across Canada, supporting security initiatives as well as wildfire and flood relief.
In recognition of his leadership and dedication, MWO Aseltine has twice been awarded the Army Commander’s Commendation.
Beyond operational service, he has contributed significantly to the development of soldiers as an instructor on infantry training courses and has served as an embedded trainer with allied military forces. He is currently employed outside the regiment with the Conflict and Complaint Management Services organization.
MWO Aseltine spent much of his youth in Rosetown, where he was active in Cub Scouts and attended Walter Aseltine School. The values instilled by his family, his community and his early years in Rosetown shaped a lifelong commitment to service, leadership and dedication to others.