Championing the Connection of Community & Regiment

HCol Jake Vanderploeg, CD

Jake Vanderploeg was appointed Honorary Colonel of The Queen’s York Rangers in 1963 and served until 1969.

During the First World War, Vanderploeg joined the American Army and served in France with the 32nd “Red Arrow” Division. By the end of the war, he had risen to the rank of Battalion Sergeant Major.

With the outbreak of the Second World War, he joined The Queen’s York Rangers as a private and rose to the rank of Major by the end of the war.

Vanderploeg was President of Anaconda American Brass, established in 1922. During the Second World War, the company became an important part of the defence industry, employing approximately 1,400 people and manufacturing items including shell casings.

He was known for his wit and intellect and was also a highly successful fundraiser for the regiment. On one occasion, he reportedly raised enough money to outfit the entire regiment, then more than 200 strong, in blue uniforms.

Michael Stevenson recalls another example of Vanderploeg’s colourful personality. Following a mess dinner, he would entertain the officers with a remarkable parlour trick: he would take a glass of port, stand on his head, drink the port and then, while still standing on his head, eat the glass. According to the story, the entire performance took about 20 minutes.