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Oct. 9, 2002. 01:00 AM - Toronto Star
Norma, William Elms lived for Highlanders
Sergeant-major, dancer died just three days apart
Receiving his regiment‘s new colours from the Queen at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton tomorrow will be a bittersweet honour for Lt.-Col. Geordie Elms, commanding officer of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada.
Though proud to uphold the legacy of his parents, a distinguished regimental sergeant-major and a championship Highland dancer, Elms will miss their presence.
Norma Irene Elms died of colon cancer on Sept. 18 at age 77. Three days later, her husband, William Proctor Elms, died of complications from Alzheimer‘s at age 82.
Mr. Elms had been residing in the veterans‘ wing of Sunnybrook hospital for the last six years. His wife had been in good spirits at their North York home following her diagnosis with the disease last summer.
"We had a really good year with mom," Geordie Elms said. "Her great hope was that she would be (at the colours ceremony). She was proud of me and thought it would be kind of neat."
The Elmses met Queen Elizabeth II in 1973 and 1984 on her visits to Fort York as a result of their lifelong association with the 48th Highlanders of Canada — she as a Highland dance judge and he as an active member of the regimental association and driving force in the creation of its museum.
"It was the centrepiece of their life," Geordie said.
Both he and brother Bill caught the military bug from their parents. "They didn‘t pressure us, they just led by example."
Toronto-born and raised, Mr. Elms was a teenaged bugler and drummer with the 48th Highlanders and served in England and Italy during World War II.
He was sent back after four years, having contracted malaria in Italy in 1945.
Upon his return, he reunited with his wartime pen pal, an accomplished Highland dancer named Norma Morrison from north Toronto whom he‘d encountered at a Highland games event.
The day of their wedding, Oct. 1, 1945, Mr. Elms‘ regiment returned from Europe.
"He was there to greet them at Union Station and marched with them up University Ave. playing the drums to the armoury, which used to be at Queen and University," Geordie said. "(The family) was afraid he wouldn‘t be back on time for the wedding at 6 p.m., but he made it."
Mr. Elms worked first as a draftsman and sales rep for General Steel Wares, then as a heating specialist in the energy conservation division of Ontario Hydro. Mrs. Elms stayed home with their two boys and later worked in the slide/audio-visual library of the Art Gallery of Ontario.
"They were partners before it became a trendy thing," Geordie said. "They worked well together and didn‘t have to be with each other to be in sync."
After 56 years of marriage, the couple leaves two sons and three grandchildren.
Norma, William Elms lived for Highlanders
Sergeant-major, dancer died just three days apart
Receiving his regiment‘s new colours from the Queen at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton tomorrow will be a bittersweet honour for Lt.-Col. Geordie Elms, commanding officer of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada.
Though proud to uphold the legacy of his parents, a distinguished regimental sergeant-major and a championship Highland dancer, Elms will miss their presence.
Norma Irene Elms died of colon cancer on Sept. 18 at age 77. Three days later, her husband, William Proctor Elms, died of complications from Alzheimer‘s at age 82.
Mr. Elms had been residing in the veterans‘ wing of Sunnybrook hospital for the last six years. His wife had been in good spirits at their North York home following her diagnosis with the disease last summer.
"We had a really good year with mom," Geordie Elms said. "Her great hope was that she would be (at the colours ceremony). She was proud of me and thought it would be kind of neat."
The Elmses met Queen Elizabeth II in 1973 and 1984 on her visits to Fort York as a result of their lifelong association with the 48th Highlanders of Canada — she as a Highland dance judge and he as an active member of the regimental association and driving force in the creation of its museum.
"It was the centrepiece of their life," Geordie said.
Both he and brother Bill caught the military bug from their parents. "They didn‘t pressure us, they just led by example."
Toronto-born and raised, Mr. Elms was a teenaged bugler and drummer with the 48th Highlanders and served in England and Italy during World War II.
He was sent back after four years, having contracted malaria in Italy in 1945.
Upon his return, he reunited with his wartime pen pal, an accomplished Highland dancer named Norma Morrison from north Toronto whom he‘d encountered at a Highland games event.
The day of their wedding, Oct. 1, 1945, Mr. Elms‘ regiment returned from Europe.
"He was there to greet them at Union Station and marched with them up University Ave. playing the drums to the armoury, which used to be at Queen and University," Geordie said. "(The family) was afraid he wouldn‘t be back on time for the wedding at 6 p.m., but he made it."
Mr. Elms worked first as a draftsman and sales rep for General Steel Wares, then as a heating specialist in the energy conservation division of Ontario Hydro. Mrs. Elms stayed home with their two boys and later worked in the slide/audio-visual library of the Art Gallery of Ontario.
"They were partners before it became a trendy thing," Geordie said. "They worked well together and didn‘t have to be with each other to be in sync."
After 56 years of marriage, the couple leaves two sons and three grandchildren.
