(Inspired by the article in bulletin no. 33, November 1993, page 8)
Brigadier-General Claude Archambault was born on September 16, 1942, in Lachine, where he attended primary and secondary school. Admitted to the Collège Militaire Royal de Saint-Jean in 1959, he became an Officer Cadet. He completed his studies at Kingston’s Royal Military College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
His first unit was the 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in Gagetown, N.B., where he fulfilled various junior officer duties. He accompanied this unit to Germany in 1967 and, promoted to Captain, he became Troop Commander and later Deputy Commander of “B Battery”.
Returning to Canada in 1970, Brigadier-General Archambault was transferred to the Canadian Forces Base in Valcartier, where he served as a staff officer. Promoted to Major in 1971, he attended the Canadian Land Force Command and Staff College in Kingston in 1972. On completion of this program, he was transferred to the 5e régiment d’artillerie légère du Canada, successively holding the positions of commander of “Q Battery” and Deputy Commander of the regiment.
In July 1975, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and served at the National Defence Headquarters as Director, Bilingualism Program Evaluation. In August 1976, he was appointed Commanding Officer of the 5e Régiment d’artillerie légère du Canada, a position he held until July 1979.
Transferred to the Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College in Kingston, he successively held the positions of instructor and senior staff officer.
Promoted to Colonel in July 1981, he was appointed Commander of the Canadian Forces Base in Shilo, Manitoba. In July 1983, he was transferred to the Mobile Command Headquarters in Saint-Hubert, where he held the position of Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, until September 1985, then he studied at the National Defence College in Kingston.
In 1985, he received the Order of Military Merit from Governor General Jeanne Sauvé for his exemplary service.
Promoted Brigadier-General in July 1986, he was the youngest officer ever to be promoted to this rank. He became the 14th Commander of the Collège Militaire Royal (C.M.R.) de Saint-Jean until 1989. On becoming Commander of the C.M.R., he was appointed Aide-de-Camp to the Governor General. He was then appointed Director General Recruiting at the National Defence Headquarters. In 1991, he was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff, of the Allied Forces Central Europe Headquarters.
From his union with Claudette Meunier, two daughters were born: Nathalie and Sophie. Retired Brigadier-General Claude Archambault passed away on July 15, 2022. His daughters Nathalie and Sophie point out that their father loved our association and was always involved. He was always proud of the Archambault d’Amérique history!
*O.M.M.: Ordre du Mérite Militaire, C.D.: Canadian Forces Decoration
