Ted Hawthorne

Ted was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and moved to Burnaby, British Columbia in 1954. He received his Juris Doctor from UBC in 1971 and was a partner in the law firm of Hawthorne, Piggott & Company (“HPLaw”) from 1973 to December 31st, 2022 when he retired from the practice of law after 50 years.

He has been actively involved in numerous aspects of The British Columbia Regiment (DCO) for many years; initially serving in the Cadet Corps, joining the Regiment in 1961 and participating in all facets of the Regimental Family.

He is a member of the Chinese Canadian Military Museum Society, ANAVETS Pacific Unit #280 and the Canadian Club of Vancouver, a member and past director and officer of the BC Veterans Commemorative Association (the prime mover in the establishment of the highly successful veterans’ licence plate program) and Veterans Affairs Canada “Year of the Veteran” program in 2005, the Secretary of the Honorary Officers Association of BC, a member of the Royal United Services Institute-Vancouver, a Life Member of The Royal Canadian Armoured Corps Association, a Past BC Director of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council, the Vice-President of The BC Regiment (DCO) Association, a member and past director and officer of The BC Regiment (DCO) Museum Society and a member and past director and officer of the Royal City Youth Ballet Company Society, the Chairman of the Commanding Officer’s Committee, a Governor and Past Chairman of The BC Regiment (DCO) Regimental Trust, Counsel Emeritus of Honour House Society and a past Trustee of the Burnaby Art Gallery. Ted is also Special Counsel to the Vancouver Artillery Association, 15th Field Artillery Regimental Society, 15th Field Museum and Archives and Royal United Services Institute - Vancouver.

Ted has led two BC Regiment (DCO) Association Veterans’ Battlefield Tours, including the 2007 Vimy Memorial Re-dedication and the 2008 BC Regiment (DCO) European Battlefield Tour where ten Regimental remembrance ceremonies were conducted, and seven commemorative plaques dedicated. In addition, Ted represented the Regimental Association as President in the Regiment’s European Battlefield Studies Tour in 2012 and as Honorary Colonel in the Regiment’s European Battlefield Studies Tour in 2015.

Ted was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in March 2012 in recognition of his contributions to Canada. In addition, Ted was appointed Honorary Colonel of The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own) by the Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Peter MacKay, upon recommendation of the Chief of Defence Staff, on 2 November 2012 and was extended twice by the then Minister of National Defence, Harjit S. Sajjan, with the appointment ending on 8 November 2021. Ted was awarded the Commanding Officer’s Commendation on 11 December 2013. In 2015, Ted was awarded The Army Cadet League of Canada Volunteer Service Medal for “continuous and meritorious service” and The Caring Canadian Award by the Governor General of Canada, the Right Honourable David Johnson. In 2016, Ted was awarded the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, in 2019, the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation by The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay and in 2021, the Commander Canadian Army Commendation and The Army Cadet League of Canada 50th Anniversary recognition for “exceptional volunteer service”. In 2022, Ted was awarded a Life Membership in The BC Regiment (DCO) Association for his years of service, dedication and support, the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps Commandant Commendation for his “loyal and committed service” and the Peter Allard School of Law Alumni Award of Distinction.

During his 50 years of practice, Ted was a member of The Law Society of British Columbia. In 2017, the Canadian Forces Liaison Council awarded HPLaw a National Award for support of the Reserve Force and a Provincial Award for the Most Supportive Employer in British Columbia, and in 2021, HPLaw was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by CFLC for their support of Operation Laser, the Canadian Armed Forces response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. In 2022, Ted was awarded an Alumni Award of Distinction for “outstanding achievements of an Allard School of Law at UBC alumnus” and was the recipient of a Certificate from The Law Society of B.C. “in recognition of 50 years of membership in the Law Society following…call and admission…on May 15th ,1972.”